1 ASTROLOGY AND YOGA (C) 2007 Sam Geppi (Sadasiva)

Astrology and Yoga

An Exploration of Eastern
Spirituality, Energetics and
Vedic Astrology

by Sam Geppi (Sadasiva)

http://vedicastrologycenter.net - Astrology Readings

http://love-astrology.net - Stellar Relationship Guidance
http://freedailyhoroscope.org - Daily HoroscopePodcasts
http://free-horoscope.blogspot.com/ - Daily Horoscope
http://weekly-horoscope.net/blog - weekly horoscope blog

(c) 2007 Sam Geppi (Sadasiva) and Vedic Astrology Center.

Permission to redistribute this free report by any and all means is granted with permission given to the author.
Under no circumstances shall any fee be charged or third party authorship assigned.
Doing so is a violation of copyright and creative commons laws and subject to legal remedies.
2 ASTROLOGY AND YOGA (C) 2007 Sam Geppi (Sadasiva)

Illuminating the Vedic Sciences

In order to understand Vedic Astrology there needs to be an understanding of Vedic principles,
otherwise Vedic Astrology will become just another “ology” that fails to give meaningful answers to life’s
dilemmas.
The term Vedic means “from the Vedas.” The Vedas are a storehouse of knowledge containing
Spiritual hymns that arose from the ancient culture located in the area of what is now called India.
Veda means “knowledge.” Actually, it refers to the knowledge of truth, absolute truth, the truth
of the Self and the underlying mysteries of existence.
The Vedas were written as the ancient Sat Yuga or “Age of Wisdom” was coming to a close.
These documents were meant to preserve the wisdom of this earlier, more enlightened epoch in
human history. Many cultures seemed to possess similar occult knowledge— the Toltecs, Egyptians
and Native Americans, yet it was the ancients of this area (what area?) who best preserved this
wisdom. It is estimated that the oldest Vedas are more than 5,000 years old, based on Astronomical
references written in them. The miracle of the Vedic system is how well preserved and coherent the
Sciences are, especially given the history of India and its numerous invasions.
The culture at that time was called “Bharat.” The great and famous story Mahabharata means
“Great Bharat.” The seminal work of Hinduism, Bhagavad Gita is from the Maha Bharata. In the Bhagavad
Gita Lord Krishna teaches Yoga to the warrior Arjuna on the eve of a Great Battle. Yoga is more than a
set of exercises that bring peace and balance to the physical body. It is a series of techniques and a
system of living that awaken us to inner truth, our inner Godliness. Yoga uses breathing exercises and
mantras (sacred sounds), physical postures, devotional practices and service to scientifically awaken
this inner truth and Godliness. According to Yoga and the other Vedic Sciences, we are all God. Every-
thing is an expression of God’s great Lila (story) of Self-discovery. Embodied life is an opportunity to
realize this truth, to realize our true Self and become re-immersed in the Universal Self at the heart of
our being and the heart of all beings.
Within this great play are creatures at every stage of evolution: minerals, plants, animals, hu-
mans and Gods, who based on past karma (action) take form in order to learn and grow toward Self
Realization, God Realization. All creatures suffer when faced with the limitations and level of under-
standing of their current incarnation.
The mineral creatures wish to be sensate (like plants).
The plants wish to move, satisfy and experience desire (like animals).
The animals wish to understand the world (Like humans).
The Humans wish to transcend the world (Like Gods / Spirit Forms).
The Gods wish to be one with All.
This suffering is caused by the illusion that we are these separate forms, rather than the undif-
ferentiated God. This illusion is called Maya. Through the veiling power of Maya we identify ourselves
as a finite mind/body creature and seek to expand toward that infinite inner Self. All of our longings and
3 ASTROLOGY AND YOGA (C) 2007 Sam Geppi (Sadasiva)

the longings of all creatures are an attempt to become all that we truly are. For even though we may not
be aware of our true Self, we are that and that compels us always.
This deep, fundamental understanding caused these ancient Vedics to develop many Sci-
ences that would heal us in this world.
There are many Vedic Sciences: Ayurveda, Yoga and Vedic Astrology are three primary branches
of the Vedic tree.
Ayurveda - Ayurveda literally means “The science of living.” It is the classical medical system
of India, its natural healing system. Ayurveda is mainly the Science of matter, called Prakriti.
Vedic Astrology - Vedic Astrology is the ancient Astrological Science set forth in the Vedas and
subsequent books. It is mainly the Science of Spirit, called Purusha, and its affect on matter.
Yoga - Yoga literally means “union.” It is the practical application of all Vedic teachings. It pro-
vides techniques through which our egoistic drives can be merged with our cosmic nature.

The Five Elements – Building Blocks of the Vedic Sciences

The Self has entered this body, this dense jumble. If a man finds him, recognizes him, He’s
the maker of everything-the author of all! The world is his-he’s the world itself.
- Brhadaranyaka Upanishad

Spirit is called Purusha. When spirit takes form it is called prakriti. Every object as prakriti is
an expression of purusha—Matter expressing Spirit. This world of Matter expressing Spirit is formed
by the five elements, they are the building blocks of The Vedic Sciences. Their properties provide
the archetypes that underpin all aspects of Vedic thinking. First we will examine the five elements,
then explore their evolution as affected by the three gunas (qualities of nature).

Starting with the grossest and moving toward the finest, the five elements are:
Earth – Water – Fire – Air - Ether (space).
Let’s look deeper:
Earth – (Annamaya Kosha) BODY. Earth, as the densest element is also the heaviest psy-
chological influence. Our physical body demands the most attention when its needs arise. For ex-
ample, no matter how enjoyable it may be talking to your best friend on the phone, you will only
suppress the urge to go to the bathroom for so long before you relent. Earth connects us to the sense
of smell. Ayurveda says anything we can smell contains Earth.
Psychologically, Earth is our practical nature, literally being “down to Earth.”
Prominent planets in Earth signs will be sensual and hands on. They want to be useful and will work
hard. They are practical in expression. They will wash your car on your birthday. Too much Earth
brings stagnation and clinging to form.
Water – (Pranamaya kosha) SENSES. Water specifically shows the flow of the senses from
the physical body to the outer world and the emotional connections and impressions made through
the senses. It is also our receptive emotional mind. It is on this vital level that our energy must con-
4 ASTROLOGY AND YOGA (C) 2007 Sam Geppi (Sadasiva)

nect and receive the environment in order to satisfy our bodily needs (Earth). We see a
chocolate éclair in the window of a bakery and our mouth starts to water.
Water connects us to the sense of taste. Ayurveda says that anything we can taste contains water.
Psychologically, water has to do with our deep emotional bonds, memories and sensory impres-
sions. Prominent planets in water signs makes one want to merge and bond emotionally. They can
be the most psychic of signs. They will cook you dinner on your birthday. Too much water can lead to
excessive emotion/emotional dependence.
Fire – (Manamaya kosha) MIND. Fire corresponds to digestion of all sorts; food, mental im-
pressions. It is also our active emotional mind, our passionate nature and the instinctual, conditioned/
reactive mind. It is the element of fire that digests sensory impressions (water), turning them into
thoughts we can use. Otherwise, our minds would be a jumble of sensory data.
Fire connects us to the sense of sight. Ayurveda says anything we can see is touched by fire.
Psychologically, Fire represents our active desire nature. We literally “burn” to satisfy our desires. It is
fire that makes us “want” the chocolate éclair in the window. Prominent planets in Fire signs will
exhibit an active, bold or perhaps aggressive nature. Strong fire types can be the most inspirational of
signs, yet also the most self – centered. They will buy you sexy underwear or wear them for you on
your birthday. Too much fire can lead to excessive anger.
Air – (Vijnanamaya Kosha) INTELLECT. Air corresponds to movement of all sorts-in the body,
breath, thoughts, etc. Air is our higher intellectual and social mind. It is the mind of our philosophies
and opinions – our politics and rationalizations as well as how we relate to others and society as a
whole. It is through the air element that we observe and interact socially with the world, forming
conclusions about it and our self. It is the Air element that will decide whether or not we will eat the
éclair in the window.
Air connects us to the sense of touch. Anything we can feel is touched by Air.
Psychologically, Air represents our higher mental capabilities as well as our conscience and ethical
principles. Prominent planets in Air signs will generally exhibit a social nature. They like discourse and
debate. They will take you to the Opera on your birthday. Too much air and one becomes ungrounded,
aloof, dry or sterile.
Ether – (Anandamaya Kosha) CONSCIOUSNESS. The element of Ether corresponds to
pure consciousness itself - Our awareness. It is the layer of being beyond the four gross, physical
elements. Ether refers to the witnessing consciousness, that which is able to perceive the thought
process and remain unidentified with it. It is our connection to freedom and the closest to our true Self
and our intuitive nature.
Ether connects us to the sense of sound. Ayurveda says that it is through sound that we perceive
space.
Psychologically, Ether represents an initial freedom from the mind/body complex. It is through the
element of Ether that we perceive the distance between the thinking/feeling mind substance and the
oneness of creation and our connectedness to it. The behavioral archetype is that of one who is
detached in a healthy way, as the observer or witness. Ether is not represented in the Astrological
Chart and thus does not represent our physical karma.
5 ASTROLOGY AND YOGA (C) 2007 Sam Geppi (Sadasiva)

The Five Elements at Work

Each finer element contains, observes and animates the grosser ones. In this way, and for
this reason, the primordial sound of Aum is the first act of creation. Even in Christian texts it is stated
“in the beginning there was the word.” Amen is simply another form of Aum. All creatures are pro-
duced in this way through the unique sound vibration based on their karma—yet, all creatures arise
from the same source, the same primordial origin, the sound of Aum. Thus, through the element of
Ether, the dance of creation begins out of the equilibrium that existed before (sound resonates through
Ether). After Ether, the Air element is formed (intellect), then Fire (mind), Water (sense mind), and
Earth(body). This model shows why mantras (sacred sounds) are so powerful. They resonate through
all five of our elemental bodies. As shown above, life is created from the finer elements to the grosser
ones. However, our spiritual path is walked in reverse. First we must master the body, then the
senses and sense mind, then the active emotions, then the intellect, and finally pure consciousness.
When we see a chocolate éclair, the physical body (Earth) is animated by the senses (Water). The
desire to eat it arises in the reactive/instinctual mind (Fire), but the higher mind (Air) actually decides
whether or not to eat the éclair. Our consciousness (Ether) makes us aware of this process.
In Hatha Yoga, asanas (postures) are designed to balance the five elements in this way.
Earth: holding the posture stabilizes and relaxes the body.
Water: A stable, relaxed body stabilizes the emotions and the senses.
Fire: Stable emotions allow mental peace and removes desire and motivation.
Air: Once struggling stops, perceptions clear and the mind can enter the present moment.
Ether: Once perceptions become clear and the mind is present, consciousness and blissful
awareness fills the being—One rests in their true nature.
Hatha yoga prepares the mind and body for meditation. In meditation we connect to our
deeper Self and balance the five elements in this way. We connect to the Universe (Ether) through
the breath (Air). Deep breath slows, deepens and stabilizes the mind and active emotions (Fire).
With the passions controlled we can observe the senses and connective emotions (Water), with
detachment; then the body becomes stable (Earth). A stable body in meditation is one of awareness.
Since we started with breath connecting to Ether, higher consciousness will be observing the thoughts
and mind/body events.

Karma and the Five Elements

According to Vedic thought everything is an expression of pure God energy, pure God con-
sciousness. As stated above, all physical bodies arise out of this balanced God state. But as a result
of past karma and the samsaras (mental impressions) that accompany them, the five elements
arrange themselves to create the body that reflects the appropriate person, animal, or whatever. This
karmic energy points to the lessons that need to be learned in that lifetime.
6 ASTROLOGY AND YOGA (C) 2007 Sam Geppi (Sadasiva)

For example, a person who needs to work through anger problems in this lifetime will inherit
a body, mind and upbringing that will challenge them to confront their anger and hopefully transcend
it. In the case of anger, the element of Fire will likely predominate. An Astrological chart reveals this. It
is a portrait of the soul’s karma and the pattern of illusion in which we may become trapped. As karma
means “action”, we may mistake ourselves to be our actions, not our essence. This is Maya, the
illusion that we are merely an acting, mind/body experience.

The Three Gunas

In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna explains the nature of Maya, in Ch.14 v.5 “Sattva or goodness,
Rajas or activity, and Tamas or inertia; these three Gunas of mind bind the imperishable soul to the
body, O Arjuna.”
The three gunas are the three qualities of nature. The term Guna means “that which binds,” as
each guna is like a separate strand, which when placed together form the rope of Maya. They are what
bind us to the illusion that we are merely a physical/mental creature. All matter and energy consists of
the three gunas in different quantities. They are the component qualities of the physical, mental and
spiritual worlds.
The 3 Gunas are:
Tamas: Stability – inertia - ignorance – attachment. Tamas binds through inertia and our ten-
dency to cling to situation and form. Best expressed through the physical body
Rajas: Activity – passion - desire. Rajas binds through motivation and our desire to experience
pleasure. Best expressed as the Mind and Emotions
Sattwa: Harmony - knowledge – peace. Sattwa binds us to worldly happiness, which also
ultimately becomes a barrier to final liberation. Best expressed as the Soul.
Each of the gunas has a proper and necessary function. Tamas provides the solidity and stabil-
ity of the physical world; for us, that means our bodies. Solid objects have a preponderance of tamas,
especially when at rest. Rajas maintains the mind and emotions, animating the physical world through
need and preference. When the body needs to eat or move, rajas gets us moving. Sattwa looks after
the higher mind and Soul and its progress, compelling us to learn about ourselves and to seek comple-
tion.
But each of these attributes also act as obscuring factors as their expressions show our pro-
jected illusory limitations, thus forming the rope of Maya. When tamas becomes a mental or emotional
state, the intellect becomes stagnant, which brings clinging and ignorance. An excessively rajasic
body will bring exhaustion and instability. Neither rajas nor tamas is healthy for higher learning. Higher
learning requires a sattwic mind. If suddenly you become sleepy as you read this you would stop
learning, as the heaviness of tamas would disrupt. If suddenly you became hungry or sexual or angry,
also you would stop learning, as rajas would compel you to act and disturb the mental peace neces-
sary for learning.
All beings are under the sway of the three gunas, even enlightened beings. The difference is
enlightened beings are not identified with the gunas. A Saint will generally exhibit a harmonious, bal-
7 ASTROLOGY AND YOGA (C) 2007 Sam Geppi (Sadasiva)

anced and peaceful nature, those things associated with sattwa. Yet the Saint will be established in the
Self, not identified with the qualities of sattwa.
Saints have a preponderance of sattwa.
Humans have a preponderance of rajas
Animals and other Subhuman creatures have a preponderance of tamas.
To illustrate how the gunas typically work— this morning, as your alarm clock went off there
was an excess of tamas. Your body and mind were heavy and perhaps you had just mistaken yourself
in a dream as being your real self. Sleep, inertia, and delusion are tamasic. As you started to become
motivated and got up from the bed, rajas was dominant, as rajas is activity. The need to go to work to
earn money so you can have things that give you pleasure and that you enjoy is also rajasic. Worldly
pursuits are mainly rajasic in nature as they are primarily self - centered. As you read this, in search of
knowledge and understanding beyond pleasure seeking and accumulation, sattwa dominates.
Most of the time we are rajasic, striving towards sattwa, trying not to be pulled down by tamas.
Our experiences take on the quality of the predominant guna. Even though waking from sleep is gener-
ally tamasic, Saints, for example, awaken in a sattwic way. Our spiritual practices, or lack thereof,
determine whether we are growing toward higher knowledge and harmony, descending into darkness
and delusion, or simply maintaining our outward desire driven existence.
Either way, our true Self is always there, unspoiled and causeless, silently and peace-
fully existing beneath all actions and beyond the qualities of the gunas.
8 ASTROLOGY AND YOGA (C) 2007 Sam Geppi (Sadasiva)
9 ASTROLOGY AND YOGA (C) 2007 Sam Geppi (Sadasiva)

Vedic Astrological Chart And the Chakras

Chart 1.2

Above is a South Indian Vedic Astrological chart. Understanding this chart reveals Vedic Astrol-
ogy to be the study of the Soul’s Karma as shown through the Chakras. An Astrology chart is a portrait
of the Chakras. Chakra means “wheel” or “energy center.”
The two right middle squares are the fields of the Sun and Moon, which operate through the
signs of Leo and Cancer respectively, and through the Ajna Chakra. Bordering those squares are the 2
signs of Mercury, which operate through the Visuddha Chakra, one chakra down from the Ajna. Border-
ing the signs of Mercury, the signs of Venus, and through the rest of the Zodiac.
Essentially the external horoscope is a picture of the internal, astral landscape.
10 ASTROLOGY AND YOGA (C) 2007 Sam Geppi (Sadasiva)

Grahas, Rashis and Bhavas

‘There are many incarnations of the unborn Lord. Janardana or Vishnu has incarnated as the Nava Graha (nine
planets) to bestow on the living beings the results of their Karmas, He assumed the auspicious form of grahas to destroy
the strength of the demons (evil forces) to sustain the strength of the devas (divine beings) and to establish dharma.
(religion or faith)
— Brihat Parashara Hora Sastra Ch. V.3-4

The above quote is Sage Parashara, taken from the Bible of Vedic Astrology, “Brihat Parsara
Hora Sastra.” The Maharishi, after a brief introductory Chapter describing the nature of the universe
and matter, proclaims that God (lord Vishnu) has assumed the auspicious forms of the Nava Grahas
(Nine Planets) so that living beings can experience the results due to our karmas, destroy the demons
of our lower nature and sustain our divine nature. It is important to note that before the Sage says
anything about planets, signs or Astrology in general, he defines the purpose of the Science. That
purpose is to unlock the secrets of our karma so that we may awaken to our highest truth from our
current state of illusion, or Maya. (Maya).
Crucial to understanding the Science of Vedic Astrology is retaining its honor and connection to
other Vedic Sciences. In Vedic teaching, the 3 gunas rule the universe through the principles of form
(Tamas), desire (Rajas), and Truth. (Sattwa). Parshara alludes to them in the above statement as “we
living beings (Rajasic) must destroy the demons (Tamasic) and sustain the divine beings (Sattwic).”
These archetypes show in the Astrology chart as Bhavas (Houses) Rasis (Signs) and Grahas (Plan-
ets) .
The Bhavas (houses) are related to Tamas, as it is they who mainly show what will be the
concrete results of our worldly karmas. We judge children, career, family life, physical health etc., from
the Bhavas.
The Rashis (Signs) are related to Rajas, as they show the operating mental/emotional en-
ergy behind the events in our life. How we feel about what is happening with our karmas is read mainly
from the rashis. The rashis contain within them the energy of the Bhavas.
The Grahas (Planets) are related to Sattwa, as theirs are the fully formed and transcendent
qualities of the universe. These universal energies are felt through the rasis and experienced through
the bhavas. Our deepest core quality is not material or mental - it is spiritual. Accessing this quality has
to do with knowledge, not emotion or experience. This knowledge is shown as the full expression of
each Graha. Suffering is simply our inability to express the Grahas fully due to the filter of our ego,
which is the limited vision of our higher Self. The Grahas contain within them the Rashis and the
Bhavas.
This brief overview of Vedic principles is intended to illustrate the deeper transpersonal connec-
tion to Astrology and life in general that has been lost in our modern Western view. Astrology is the
Science of karma and a glimpse into our eternal nature, not just a way to predict the future, although
that also has its place. Astrologers have the opportunity and indeed the obligation to share a deeper
truth with their clients, but first the Astrologer must understand these principles themselves. Hopefully
this brief glimpse will whet your appetite toward further study.
11 ASTROLOGY AND YOGA (C) 2007 Sam Geppi (Sadasiva)

Astrology and Yoga

An Exploration of Eastern
Spirituality, Energetics and
Vedic Astrology

by Sam Geppi (Sadasiva)

http://vedicastrologycenter.net - Astrology Readings

http://love-astrology.net - Stellar Relationship Guidance
http://freedailyhoroscope.org - Daily HoroscopePodcasts
http://free-horoscope.blogspot.com/ - Daily Horoscope
http://weekly-horoscope.net/blog - weekly horoscope blog

Please feel free to distribute this FREE REPORT

anywhere and everywhere interested people congregate.

(c) 2007 Sam Geppi (Sadasiva) and Vedic Astrology Center.

Permission to redistribute this free report by any and all means is granted with permission given to the author.
Under no circumstances shall any fee be charged or third party authorship assigned.
Doing so is a violation of copyright and creative commons laws and subject to legal remedies.