Ten years into Vedic astrology: what did I learn?

Introduction

This year I completed 10 years in Vedic astrology, and I'd like to share what I learned in those 10 years.

Ten years of FarFarAway

Let's start from the beginning. I launched this website, Farfaraway, in January 2016, and I have been building on it and posting articles whenever I get time.

Every day I try to read charts, and that takes a lot of my time, so I'm not able to post as regularly as I would like. But I do try to read charts every day, and in these 10 years I have read more than 10,000 charts.

The Dasha system

But what did I find most useful in Vedic astrology? I think it has to be the Dasha, the Dasha system, the Vimshottari Dasha system. The Dasha table has time period 1, 2 and 3. They represent the Mahadasha, Antardasha and Pratyantardasha.

The planets mentioned there reflect what might take place in your life. If you go back to your chart and trace the Dasha planets in your main chart—the houses they are placed in, the houses they rule, and the Nakshatras and signs they occupy—you can predict life events. That I found to be the most useful thing.

Dated events were black and white

You know, when you talk about astrology, you can tell a story. If I read a chart, I can tell a story. Some of it you might be able to relate to; some of it you may not be. But it's still a story. You might say, okay, I could relate to 80%. It's highly subjective.

But when it comes to predicting life events, it's black and white. If you say May next year is promising for a relationship, December this year might lead to a promotion or a new opportunity, or you might relocate late next year, then that is black and white. This aspect fascinated me.

I challenged myself

I wanted to challenge myself and set one at the beginning: anyone who requested a reading from me would be welcome, over a lifetime, to request a refund. I wanted to be able to predict life events accurately because that is the essence of Vedic astrology.

If you can foresee a good or bad time, I think you can plan life much better. Looking into the Dasha table and taking my chances has helped me immensely. It is like having a bit of a cheat code, but this ancient science has been lost in the modern world, perhaps due to over-commercialisation, and has got a bad name.

Astrology became a passion

But it's a beautiful science and, believe me, I wouldn't stay in this profession if I found that predictions based on the Dashas weren't making sense. I am pursuing astrology because it has become a passion of mine. It's not that I'm out of options, can't do anything else and therefore am sticking to astrology. That's not what it is.

I really enjoy reading a chart because I think it's educational, it's informative, and I get to learn something from it every day.

I was sceptical of Nakshatras

A few years into Vedic astrology, I stumbled upon the Nakshatras. I knew about the Nakshatras 10 years ago, but when I read about them on the internet and tried to learn more about them, I felt there was a lot of misinformation.

I was very sceptical of understanding them fully. I didn't want to open that door because I felt it was a door to misinformation. But then I stumbled upon a few books which I really liked. I also found useful blogs during my learning process.

Nakshatras made readings specific

The Nakshatras actually made my readings more specific. If earlier I could say there's a likelihood you could end up being a doctor, now I can say that within the healthcare industry you might be a skincare specialist. I could be more specific in that manner.

All planets occupy a Nakshatra, and I found that quite fascinating. Understanding the Nakshatra-based positions of planets made my readings much more enjoyable for me and much more informative. There was much more to learn, and I had much more to share.

Too many divisional charts

The third thing I found quite useful was the divisional charts. There were many divisional charts, from D2 all the way to D60. When I read all of them and tried to put all the pieces together, I think it got too overwhelming. You can find information from one divisional chart which might contradict something in the main chart. How do you balance things? How much weight do you attach to these divisional charts?

I also studied a methodology in which there was an explanation of providing a certain weight to these divisional charts, but then I applied it and felt it was impractical. You came to conclusions like Jupiter has 40% strength, but what does it mean in the person's life? It was very difficult to convey that mathematical conclusion in a descriptive manner, so I abandoned reading all the charts.

Three main charts

I then limited the analysis to the main divisional charts most commonly discussed: the D9, or Navamsha, and the D10, or Dashamsha. The main chart always remains the most important in my readings, followed by the Navamsha and Dashamsha, with the D10 more focused on career.

I have found great success when people reach out to me and say, you know what, I'm working in the aviation industry, I'm working in a café, or I'm working towards building a career in accountancy, and I am able to see planetary combinations that convey that. If I am able to see something of the person's journey from the chart, that is my greatest satisfaction and keeps me very excited.

Daily chart reading

I try to read charts every day, barring days when I'm unwell. There have been occasions when I haven't been able to respond to birth-chart readings on time for various reasons, for travel or when I was ill. But on most days I work and I try to get readings done.

It has become part of my daily routine, just like you go for a meal or you go to the gym. I think reading charts has become an intellectual exercise that I enjoy immensely.

My interest began with a reading

How did I get into astrology? I think it was 18 years ago, when I got my chart read by an astrologer. When I got the reading, I was fascinated by the science. That interest grew. I studied it as a hobby and casually read charts for friends and people around me.

But I always knew that I wanted to do something independently and something that's educational. It was very important for me to continue to learn, and I felt this was a perfect option for me.

Ladakh gave me the name

In August 2015, if I remember correctly, I took a trip to Leh Ladakh in India. If you haven't been to India, this is one recommendation I always give to people who are foreign to India: visit Ladakh and the other places in India. India is indeed incredible. In the mountains of Ladakh, I captioned a picture I took as Far Far Away.

I felt it was a very cool brand name, and I started building Farfaraway.

Practice helped me most

I read through blogs, watched videos and learned. Then I think the thing that helped me most was practising it. When you have theory and apply it, reading chart after chart, you gain a better understanding of certain planetary combinations.

These days I simply rely on my practice when it comes to learning. If I stumble upon a new combination or a new career path someone is following, I try to find the reason behind the person's life.

The benefit of compatibility

I think astrology can also be immensely helpful, apart from career choices, relocation plans and life choices, when it comes to love. Compatibility is a big thing. I think it's one of the greatest benefits of astrology. You can foresee whether you're going to get along with someone you might be dating.

I know it kills the romance. You may want to organically like someone and then reach the stage where you want to get married. But if a science can help you, and if it's a no-go from the beginning, it can be useful to know in advance that perhaps the relationship isn't the best.

Free will still matters

You may ask me: what about free will? Do we have free will? If everything is laid out as per the Dashas, can I marry in 2027 if I'm meant to marry only in 2030? There is free will.

I think if you go by the Dashas and make life choices in alignment with your chart and what the Dashas suggest, life is going to be a bit easier. If you go against it—marry before you're meant to, marry someone you're not compatible with, or chase a career path and things not meant for you at that time—things can get complicated.

It's not as if life is designed this way and this is the only way life is going to pan out. We do have free will. If you didn't have free will, where would be the question of good or bad Karma? If you didn't have free will, then every activity, every action and every Karma would be a good Karma. Why would there be a bad Karma?

Astrology is just a helping tool. It is like a guiding force, however you want to look at this. If you spend time on your chart, you'll probably see the beauty of it.

This is what I wanted to share: a snapshot of my experience of 10 years. I do plan to carry on, and I hope this was informative in some manner.