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Spiritual Astrology
Vedic astrology is one of India’s millennial sciences. Through it an individual’s past karmic tendencies are revealed, and their probable future results indicated. The interpretation of the Vedic chart requires extensive study, spiritual experience and developed intuition.
What Is Vedic Astrology?
In India the science of astrology is called Jyotish, which in Sanskrit means “the inner light.” It is the study of man’s response to the light waves which emanate from the planets and the stars. Jyotish has been practiced in India for thousands of years. It is a branch of the ancient Vedic knowledge which also produced the sciences of Yoga and Ayurveda. These three sister sciences help us to become more aware of our own unique, innate characteristics. They also teach us how to refine our awareness and how to work in harmony with universal realities.
Vedic astrology is intimately linked to the concept of karma. The vedic horoscope reveals one’s past karma: as Paramhansa Yogananda puts it, our “unalterable past and its probably future results.” It also shows the way to overcome karmic patterns by directing our efforts towards personal growth, healing, and self-transformation. Through Vedic astrology, then, we can better understand the subtle dynamics of our own lives, and of our relationships with others. 
The Spiritual Dimension of Astrology
Astrology is often viewed in its more mundane aspect of predicting the future. The true vedic science, however, helps to explain the very nature of the universe and of each individual’s place within it. Yogananda recounts a conversation with his spiritual master, Swami Sri Yukteswar, who was also an accomplished astronomer:
Astrology is the study of man's response to planetary stimuli. The stars have no conscious benevolence or animosity; they merely send forth positive and negative radiations. Of themselves, these do not help or harm humanity, but offer a lawful channel for the outward operation of cause-effect equilibriums which each man has set into motion in the past.
A child is born on that day and at that hour when the celestial rays are in mathematical harmony with his individual karma. His horoscope is a challenging portrait, revealing his unalterable past and its probable future results. But the natal chart can be rightly interpreted only by men of intuitive wisdom: these are few.
The message boldly blazoned across the heavens at the moment of birth is not meant to emphasize fate–the result of past good and evil–but to arouse man's will to escape from his universal thralldom. What he has done, he can undo. None other than himself was the instigator of the causes of whatever effects are now prevalent in his life. He can overcome any limitation, because he created it by his own actions in the first place, and because he has spiritual resources which are not subject to planetary pressure.
Superstitious awe of astrology makes one an automaton, slavishly dependent on mechanical guidance. The wise man defeats his planets–which is to say, his past–by transferring his allegiance from the creation to the Creator. The more he realizes his unity with Spirit, the less he can be dominated by matter. The soul is ever-free; it is deathless because birthless. It cannot be regimented by stars.
Man is a soul, and has a body. When he properly places his sense of identity, he leaves behind all compulsive patterns. So long as he remains confused in his ordinary state of spiritual amnesia, he will know the subtle fetters of environmental law.
God is harmony; the devotee who attunes himself will never perform any action amiss. His activities will be correctly and naturally timed to accord with astrological law. After deep prayer and meditation he is in touch with his divine consciousness; there is no greater power than that inward protection.
The ultimate purpose of astrology is to help man to understand that he can develop himself inwardly, so as to filter out the harmful influences, and make the best use of the beneficial ones. From understanding how the external universe affects him, he can gain greater insight into the manner in which his own, internal, universe of subtle energies affects him also.
Drupada
a talented and intuitive Vedic astrologer and counselor
For more than twenty years, Drupada (John Macdonald) has been practicing the science of Kriya Yoga, a profound spiritual technique for Self-realization. This practice also brings mental clarity and refined intuition. For the past fourteen years, Drupada has brought the fruits of his spiritual practices to his profession as a Vedic Astrologer. He is considered by Dr. David Frawley, author of many books on Vedic Astrology and Ayurveda, to be one of the finest and most sensitive astrologers practicing today in the Western world.
Drupada has made a deep study of both the philosophy and the calculations of Vedic astrology. He has studied the writings of prominent astrologers, with special emphasis on the writings and teachings of Sri Yukteswar, Paramhansa Yogananda, and Swami Kriyananda (author of Your Sun Sign as a Spiritual Guide). He has given conferences and done private consultations throughout the United States, in Europe and in Australia. He spends part of each year in India, part in the United States, and part also in Italy.
His private readings focus on the potential he sees in each horoscope for personal growth and for overcoming the specific karmic patterns which are most actively present in this incarnation. He helps each person to become more aware of their karmic challenges, on the one hand, and their karmic opportunities on the other. A consultation with Drupada brings clarity, hope and insight on how best to realize one’s potential.
How people feel about Drupada’s classes and consultations
“For many years I've been helped in my spiritual growth thanks to the insights that I've received from Drupada in his courses and private consultations. I always leave them feeling more uplifted and more confident that I do have the inner strength to continue growing through whatever drama that is presently unfolding in life. I know that my car works better having regular tune-ups, and I've come to see that my life works much better when I get regular yearly input from Drupada about how I can live most harmoniously with whatever is going on with the planets in my horoscope.” — Mangala (Susanna), California
“Drupada’s courses and consultations, which he always conducts with great sensitivity and intuition, helped me to understand and harmonize my inner energies, and develop my inner potentials, by using meditation and many other instruments to become master of myself. Every springtime for the past ten years I have joyfully awaited his coming, not because I need to delegate to someone else the important decisions about my life, but to receive new understanding and inspiration.” — Sahaja, Ananda Europe
“Drupada opened to me an advanced world of Astrology, reconnecting me to the ancient spiritual science of yoga, in which the chakras and their symbols become the foundation for understanding our relationships, our karma and our destiny. It has always been a transforming experience to attend his courses and to speak with him personally about the science and the art of the Vedic Astrology, about which we in the West know very little.” — Claudio Maddaloni, Italy
Your Own Vedic horoscope
Each participant in the astrology courses will receive a copy of his Vedic chart. It is important that you give the precise time, date, and place of your birth to the Reception Office when you make your reservation, so that Drupada can prepare your chart. Each course will help you understand a certain aspect of Vedic astrology and of your own chart. Private consultations are not included in the course fee.
Private consultations with Drupada are available by prior appointment in June and July, with precedence given to course partecipants. During the courses his consultation time is limited. You might wish to make an appointment before the course in which you participate, or on the day after it. Consultations are in English and they are recorded (the tape is included in the consultation fee). Translation into Italian and German is possible for an additional fee.
To make an appointment call our Office at 0742-813620 or write info@ananda.it.
Astrology Courses with Drupada
Summer 2010: To be announced.
Astrology Courses with Dr. Claudio Maddaloni (Madhur)
Dr. Maddaloni has degrees in medicine, psychiatry and Jungian psychoanalysis. In addition to his scientific knowledge in these fields, he has worked for many years in hospitals and in private practice, bringing to his patients his personal experience with Kriya Yoga and his studies in Vedic and Western astrology.
For more information please contact Dr. Maddaloni directly at claumadd@alice.it or 328-923-1291.
See also:
Interview with Dr. Claudio Maddaloni
Associazione Italiana di Astrologia Vedica (www.astrologiavedica.it)
Astrology and Psychology
18-20 September 2009 (only in Italian)
Astrology is a science both ancient and modern which is concerned with how energy functions inside of us, and how it manifests at the psychological and inter-personal levels. This seminar gives you the possibility to investigate this science and integrate it into your life and, if you are a therapist, into your practice. Included is a brief practical experience that will guide the participants in understanding the nature of symbols and images and their effects on our psyche.
Course supplement: € 30.00
For information and reservations:
info@ananda.it Tel: +39 0742-81.36.20 Fax: +39 0742-81.35.36
Ananda is located in the tranquil hills of Umbria, Italy on “Strada Statale 444” between Assisi and Gualdo Tadino. It is the largest retreat center in Europe for Yogananda’s teachings.
Ananda Associazione • Via Montecchio, 61 • I-06025 Nocera Umbra (PG) • ITALY