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A comprehensive guide to understanding and practicing Vedic astrology, the art of jyotish.

• Teaches beginners how to read and interpret Vedic astrology charts, based on their own birth chart as well as the birth charts of 112 notable people.

• Shows how to use Vedic astrology to anticipate upcoming events and direct the cosmic energies of one's life toward a positive future outcome.

• Includes CD of Vedic astrology software for readers to create their own charts.

For over 5,000 years the people of India have used jyotish, or Vedic astrology, to anticipate future influences and make major decisions. Now Andrew Bloomfield brings this increasingly popular tool to the West in an easy-to-follow, comprehensive format, providing the reader with everything needed to practice the Indian art of predicting the future.

Vedic astrology was codified by the ancient Maharishis to help people achieve the four basic goals of human existence: kama (desire), artha (wealth), dharma (life purpose), and moksha (spiritual growth). Unlike other forms of astrology, Vedic calculations focus more on the primal, unconscious, driving forces linking our thoughts and actions. How to Practice Vedic Astrology shows how to make accurate predictions on when to expect life's changes concerning one's career, love life, children, or spirituality. The accompanying CD allows the reader to create unlimited numbers of natal charts, while the book includes the charts of 112 notable personalities--from Mother Teresa to Paul Newman--as examples from which to learn chart interpretation. 

Andrew Bloomfield is the author of Learning Practical Tibetan and numerous screenplays. A professional Vedic astrologer, he lives in Los Angeles.

     "If you're thinking of incorporating some Vedic astrology into your repertoire, here's the perfect book to get you started. Andrew Bloomfield explains the basic principles of the Indian system with clarity, common sense, and an absolute minimum of confusing Sanskrit jargon. He shows you how to set up a basic natal chart, then introduces key information you need to know about the Vedic planets and their cycles. Bloomfield helpfully takes you through each house, describing the significance of a planet located there and how that house is affected by the placement of its planetary ruler (the most important factor in Vedic astrology).
    There is also a wealth of information about remedies you can prescribe after problem areas are identified in a chart. You'll find plenty of interesting sample charts - from celebrities like Madonna and Sylvester Stallone to the types of regular folks who might actually come to you for a consultation.
   What I liked best about this book is the author's extremely readable style. Bloomfield has had plenty of experience writing engagingly for a broad audience - he lives in Los Angeles and has written numerous screenplays. I also appreciate his humane and insightful attitude toward interpreting a horoscope.
       Vedic astrology is actually far too broad a field to begin practicing professionally after reading just one book; this is one system where you absolutely must have a teacher. But How to Practice Vedic Astrology gives you just enough information so that you can experiment to see whether Vedic astrology is for you.
      Here's a terrific bonus: The book comes packaged with a CD-ROM, featuring a beginning-level version of Parashara's Light software; this should get you up and running, printing out Vedic charts in a matter of minutes."
Linda Johnsen , Mountain Astrologer

"Very insightful and informative.  It explains with lucid simplicity Vedic interpretive methods.  Easily approachable for both the beginning and experienced student."
Steven Stuckey (Shastra-kara das), professional Vedic astrologer

". . . instead of personality it focuses on such practical life concerns as work, family, and wealth. Recommended for public libraries."

Marija Sanderling, Library Journal, August 2003