Beneath a Vedic Sky: A Beginner's Guide to the Astrology of Ancient India

by William Levacy

Book Overview

Learn how to identify the most salient features of Vedic astrology, how to interpret a birth chart Vedic style, and how to use this information to enhance your life.

Enter the fascinating world of Vedic Astrology, an ancient system of study that originated in India thousands of years ago. Vedic Astrology, also known as Jyotish, offers valuable insights into various aspects of life, including personality traits, relationships, career,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1401977006
• ISBN13: 9781401977009
• Release Date: November 2023
• Publisher: Hay House LLC
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Jyotish Essentials Now - A Delightful, Accessible Text

William Levacy's _Beneath A Vedic Sky_ is still the book I recommend most often (neck and neck for me with Ernst Wilhelm's _Vault of the Heavens_, another of my favorites) to just about anyone who expresses interest in Jyotish (Vedic Astrology). Why is this something I both praise to others so readily and reach for myself on a regular basis? For starters, Levacy successfully distills the marrow of Indian astrology -- an enduring tradition rooted in both a sacred worldview and hard-nosed pragmatic approaches to living -- and his book maintains both the spiritual and down-to-earth dimensions that comprise the Indian legacy (quite distinct from the dumb reductionism that typecasts Indians as otherworldly people). Levacy's one volume introduction provides all of the basics that set Jyotish practice apart as one of the most immediately useful predictive systems -- and then pushes further to set the foundations of intermediate study. For instance, not all of the current Vedic astrology primers have information on the nakshatras (lunar mansions) - arguably the matrix of nuances or signature component of the tradition that makes Jyotish Jyotish. By contrast, there is an informative 25-page chapter on the nakshatras here. Also, Levacy's excellent section on two-planet yogas (what we might call archetypal "cocktails") reveal more clearly than any other book in English of which I'm aware how deceptively simple and critical such "basic" combinations are. (If you want to take a stab at an even broader menu of arrangements of grahas [planets], pick up Wilhelm's _Core Yogas_. Levacy's deep minimalism and the detailed erudition of Wilhelm's book are not at all at odds with each other in my view, but rather perfect complements.) The "tell-it-like-it-is" approach here seems to derive from a few segments of Levacy's background: his years of practice as a working astrologer, his graduate studies in creative intelligence and education, and his real-world experience in the aerospace industry. This diverse backdrop likely has prepared him to teach the rudiments so that they'll stick, setting the stage without mystification for the student's further pursuits.Levacy indeed imparts an immediacy and refreshing bottom line as to what makes up the most useful set of meanings the planetary cast of characters can embody. The sections on planets in signs, planets in houses, and what I sometimes term the "applied numerology" of planetary rulerships are all excellent for the same reason -- we get to see the personality of Jyotish's various characters, settings and plots via an exposition that is clear and concise yet does not skimp on subtlety or in the way it sets priorities.The book's several chapters beyond those described above -- on vargas (divisional or harmonic charts); synthesizing a chart's components; elementary prediction; gochara (transits); traditional Indian _kuta_ analysis (relationship inquiry or synastry); muhurta (electional astrology); Indian remed

More than just an Introduction into Vedic science!

This book is really helpful in getting startet with Vedic Astrology.Especially the description of the nakshatras is very well made, Mr. Levacy knows how to use special words in different cases and makes distinctions where it`s useful for the students to look beneath. Second the Rulerships of planets (e.g.Ruler of fifth house occupies the tenth!) is explained in a way of cause-and-effect mechanism, so you will be able to use this book for checking out the rulerships as well as you will understand the exchanging effects of energies between the signs and the ruling planets. Planets and Retrograde Movements included (very understandable and clear!!!) Third, Planetary Yogas are touched as well Ayurveda and Vastu, a good intro into these matters(so you won`t forget that there`s sth. more coming from the Veda, which might lead to further studies?).CD-rom for computations included? ........ YES!

Comprehensive and Insightful

It is with a pang of guilt that I say that I have been meaning to go on record complimenting Bill on his book for months now, but have not had the time. Bill gives an exremely useful overview of the Vedic system of astrology that includes one of the best explanations of Yogas I have seen in a Vedic text. The inclusion of a CD is also helpful to the person who may be interested in the discipline but who does not want to invest a lot of money to see what their Vedic chart looks like-- a thoughtful gesture, characteristic of Bill's personality. The presentation style is particularly useful and comfortable for those who have been taught astrology in the Western tradition--it does not possess the fatalistic feel that some Vedic texts have and which can often frighten away those not used to this type of presentation. This book is a necessary addition to the literature, particularly if a Western audience is to get more interested in this fascinating system of karmic patterning.. Gary Gomes

An easy to read vedic astrology book finally arrives!

As a Vedic Astrologer, I hold the titles Jyotish Kovid and Jyotish Vachaspati from India. I have done astrology consultations since 1968 - and have taught the Vedic System all over the world. With a library holding over 1000 books on Vedic Astrology and Vastu Shastra, many from India, and some from the West -- Bill Levacy's beginners guide is the missing link that I have been waiting for as a textbook for my students.It is written for a lay audience -- but even an experienced astrologer (Western or Eastern) will find gems of wisdom in this book.My students are raving about "Beneath a Vedic Sky" and are thrilled to finally have a textbook that simply defines yogas and nakshatras in clear, concise English.The book has the added bonus of an included CD where you can actually calculate your own vedic chart and that of your friends and family.Another bonus of this great book is the inclusion on the audio CD of the correct pronunciation of sanskrit astrology terms. You can learn without actually going to India or finding a local teacher. I recommend this book without question or hesitation. I use it as a text book in my classes. Sincerely, Christina Collins Hill, J.Ph.D., Jyotish Kovid, Jyotish Vachaspati, Academy for Vedic Studies, Boulder, Colorado, USA