Vedic Astrology: An Introduction For The AY Practitioner

Jyotish Applications in Ayurveda: Constitutional Determination 

Jyotish's applications in the realm of health matters and in the practice of Ayurveda are many: we can diagnose disease, predict which body part or tissues will be affected, and determine the timing of health crises and their duration. We can prevent and assist in the treatment or palliation of disease processes with such astrologically-derived remedies as gemstones and by employing the tantra, mantra and yantra of health-promoting planets. In addition to its use in the prediction, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease, Vedic astrology can also play a role in establishing the individual mind-body constitution, or dosha and aid in the formulation of lifestyle and spiritual practices intended to optimize health based on doshic category.

In the determination of patient constitutions, Jyotish at least suggests, and quite often indicates, doshic category. The sage Sushrutha writes that "just as the Sun, the Moon and wind are necessary for the regular functioning of this world, so also are Vata, Pitta and Kapha necessary for the regulation of health in the human body." These three qualities work along the same lines in the cosmos as in the individual body. The Sun mostly governs Pitta, and a slight degree of impact upon of Vata. The Moon is held to govern Vata.

Astrology can also play a role in establishing the dosha, although it is most often used by Ayurvedic practitioners as a confirmation of conclusions drawn through subjective or objective examination. In diagnosing the constitution, the practitioner uses the ascendant and the lord of the ascendant (that is to say, the planet assigned as ruler to that zodiacal sign). By way of illustration, If the ascendant is Aries - a Pitta sign -, and the lord of the ascendant (Mars) is in Scorpio (a Pitta sign), it will point to a Pitta constitution.

Planets in the first house are also important, especially if they are close to the ascendant degree. Suppose someone has Saturn in the first, this is a strong indication for a Vata constitution. If a person has Jupiter in the first then that person tends to gain weight and may have a Kapha constitution (however, if Saturn aspects that Jupiter this tendency may not surface)

One also needs to ascertain which planets are in the sixth house and where their lord of the sixth house is placed. If Mercury is in the sixth house and in Pisces, that points to either a Vata (Mercury is a Vata planet) and/or a Kapha (Pisces is a Kapha sign) constitution. Furthermore, Jupiter is a Kapha planet (with a secondary Pitta character), the Sun is Pitta, Mars is Pitta, Saturn is Vata, the Moon is Kapha and Venus is Kapha (and to a lesser degree Vata).

Another factor that plays a role in the analysis is the position of the Moon. The Moon is an important influence on the human body. The questions we have to ask here are in which sign is the Moon placed and is the Moon in conjunction with other planets.

The strongest planet in the natal horoscope is important. Often this concerns a planet placed in its own sign or one that is exalted and placed in a house where it can develop its energy (for example houses 1, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10 or 11). If a certain planet in the horoscope is prominent, then that planet will color all the aspects of the life of the person involved, including his constitution.

There is an additional important point to be born: the natal chart that has been the subject of this article is but one of seventeen charts based on natal data. The other sixteen, known as Navamsa charts, are based upon divisions other than 12 houses of 30 degrees each. These Navamsa provide much deeper detail about the native, his or her health and other life conditions. Without dealing in detail at all with the sophisticated issues given rise to in the interpretation of Navamsas, their importance may be reckoned thus: if the natal chart tells us that the native is an American, the appropriate Navamsa will inform us that the native specifically is a Californian, a San Franciscan, a resident of the Castro neighborhood and living in a house on Polk Street.

Given the enormous breadth of information obtainable, the sophistication of Jyotish techniques, the sometimes indeterminate results of horoscopic analysis and the subtleties of horoscopic interpretation, it is unlikely that most Ayurvedic practitioners will undertake the superlatively rigorous steps needed to become full-time professional Vedic astrologers. But it is critically important that the practitioner of Ayurveda have a knowledge of this ancient and ennobled science, as well as its closely allied sister science of Numerology - sufficient to utilize its many facets to the maximum benefit of his or her patients.