40 DAY MEDITATION JOURNEY: Foundations of Vedic Astrology - The Language of the Cosmos: Understanding Signs, Houses & Planets Through Jyotiṣa

What if learning to understand the cosmos could also give you a new language for understanding life?

Foundations of Vedic Astrology is an introduction to Jyotiṣa, the traditional astrology of India, designed for anyone curious about Vedic astrology, Yoga, meditation, Indian philosophy, or the symbolic relationship between the cosmos and human experience.

This six-week journey explores the three foundational elements of Vedic Astrology: signs, houses, and planets.

Rather than asking you to memorize a collection of astrological definitions, we will learn the language behind the symbols.

Each sign, house, and planet carries its own qualities, mythology, symbolism, and traditional associations. As these become familiar, you begin to see how they come together to create a more nuanced understanding of how energy expresses itself through different areas of life.

A planet represents a particular force or intelligence. A sign describes the qualities through which that force expresses itself. A house describes the area of life where that energy unfolds.

In other words:

Signs — How does the energy express itself?

Houses — Where does it express itself?

Planets — What force or intelligence is expressing itself?

Learning to see these relationships allows Vedic Astrology to move beyond a system of memorization and become a practical symbolic language that can be interpreted and understood.

Exploring the Wisdom Behind the Symbols

Our study will go beyond astrological terminology to explore the mythology, symbolism, Sanskrit language, and philosophical ideas that give Jyotiṣa its depth.

You will learn the stories and traditional associations connected with the signs and planets, and explore how those stories illuminate their deeper qualities.

Understanding the mythology and symbolism associated with a planet, for example, can provide a much richer understanding of what that planetary energy represents than simply memorizing.

This approach allows you to begin deciphering what it means when a particular planet is placed within a particular sign and house—providing the foundation for developing more sophisticated astrological understanding over time.

VEDIC ASTROLOGY MEETS MANTRA:

Because Jyotiṣa developed within the broader philosophical culture of India, this course will also explore its relationship to Yoga, consciousness, Karma, Dharma, Artha, Moksha and the cultivation of awareness.

Our intellectual study will be complemented by Kundalini Yoga, breathwork, meditation, and mantra practice, giving us opportunities to experience some of these teachings rather than simply learning about them.

Throughout the journey, we will work with the Mahāmṛtyuñjaya Mantra, a traditional Vedic mantra associated with healing, transformation, liberation, and freedom from fear. Mantra meditation will provide a contemplative thread throughout the course, while Kundalini Yoga offers an embodied way to engage with the qualities of awareness, energy, and transformation explored in our studies.

OUR COMPANION TEXT:

Our primary companion text will be Light on Life: An Introduction to the Astrology of India by Hart de Fouw and Dr. Robert Svoboda.

Light on Life provides an introduction to the philosophy and practice of Indian astrology while exploring the signs, houses, planets, lunar constellations, and principles of chart interpretation. It offers a rich philosophical context for understanding Jyotiṣa and serves as a companion for those beginning their study.

WHAT YOU WILL GAIN:

By the end of this course, you will have a strong foundational understanding of:

The twelve signs, their qualities, symbolism, mythology, and elemental and energetic patterns

The twelve houses and the different arenas of life they represent

The traditional planets and their symbolism, mythology, qualities, and functions

How signs, houses, and planets work together to create meaning

The philosophical foundations of Jyotiṣa and its relationship to Yoga and Indian thought

Key Sanskrit terminology used in Vedic Astrology

How to translate astrological symbolism into practical understanding rather than simply memorizing definitions

The relationship between cosmic patterns, human experience and conscious awareness

Most importantly, this course will give you a strong foundation from which to continue learning.

It is the first layer of a larger study of Vedic Astrology that Kara is developing, providing the vocabulary and conceptual framework needed to explore more advanced subjects in future courses.

No previous knowledge of Astrology is required.

You do not need to consider yourself an astrologer—or even know much about astrology—to begin. If you have an interest in the wisdom traditions of India, Yoga, mantra, meditation, or simply a curiosity about the relationship between the cosmos and human life, this course offers a grounded and accessible place to start.

Journey Begins WEDNESDAY, December 2nd, 2026- SUNDAY, January 10th, 2027.

Sessions are LIVE via zoom 2x week: Wednesday and Sunday evenings. All recordings of classes are made available on our private group portal.

• All Content, links, playlists and videos will be accessible on a private, password protected Group Portal on my website karalooney.com , this will be our “home base”.

  • Details for accessing this page will be sent out in the “Official Welcome Email” on Tuesday 12/1.

• Daily Independent Meditations with the Mahāmṛtyuñjaya mantra.

  • Videos & Spotify & YouTube music playlists to enhance daily meditations

• 2 Weekly Virtual Live Group Classes (all session recordings made available).

  • WEDNESDAYS 5 PM pacific / 6PM mountain / 8 PM eastern (12/2 - 1/6)

  • SUNDAY 4 PM pacific / 5PM mountain / 7 PM eastern (12/6 - 1/10)

• Optional Group Book: Light on Life, An Introduction to the Astrology of India (book is optional)

• Group Facebook Page to connect & share between meetings.

• WhatsApp text accountability Group to stay on track with daily meditations & journaling.