Customer Reviews

Ancient Hindu Astrology for the Modern Western Astrologer

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I have a basic understanding of Western psychological astrology, am looking further afield and deeper, and I am very interested in Vedic teachings. So I looked forward to reading this book, after rejecting over half a dozen other purported introductions to Jyotish, many of which appear to be self-serving litanys lacking explanation. I read it over a weekend and learned a fair amount about my own chart. Some of the book is well done and quite interesting: the discussion of house rulerships & how they are affected by their planetary placements, types of houses, basic yogas, use of gems and mantras to counteract malefic influences, etc. And while it does seem to cover all the bases, I was left with a frustrating sense of wanting more. For example, you're shown how to make the navmasha (or 1/9 chart,whatever that means) but not how to interpret it. And, though there is a list of constellation names, there is no discussion whatsoever of the very important nakshatras (lunar mansions)--too complicated, the author said. Well, isn't that what an introductory book is for? And isn't the use of a lunar calendar (in addition to the solar) one of Jyotish's most distinguishing features?? (The influence of the Moon is something forgotten in the West, which is why our number 13 is "hexed"--there are 13 lunar months for every 12 solar). Well, don't we all have a score of lunar aspects every month??? There are several long sections on calculations, all of which are now obsolete, given easy Web access to freeware like JuniorJyotish. And I found the long interpretative section on charts of famous people (Nixon, John Lennon, Marilyn Monroe) wanting in detail and interpretation. For example, if Jyotish is so precise, why can't we retrodict Marilyn Monroe's suicide or interpret her NormaJean/Marilyn schism (which isn't mentioned, by the way)??? I would have liked to be led by the hand in great detail in the first interpretation. I've read other things by Braha which are much better, like his "HT Be a Great Astrologer" which is fabulous--the best book on interpreting aspects "Hands down," so to speak-- and his article in "Eastern Systems for Western Astrologers" (R. Grasse et al eds.) which is very good and helpful. Sad to say, I wish I had bought the "Great Astrologer" book instead, which makes me hesitate to check out his "HT Predict Your Future." This book would likely be a lot more helpful in conjuction with a Jyotish reading by Braha. Until then, I'd like to see the author update and expand this 1986 book in a second edition, drop those tedious & unnecessary calcuations, and expand some of the sections, like on the nakshatras.

Actually I disagree with Braha's attempt to salvage certain western techniques and integrate these fragments into Vedic astrology. The proper method for learning jyotish is to go whole-hog into the jyotish worldview -- no matter how many years you have invested in tropical thinking! However, this book may be just what the rishi ordered for the tropical-but-wavering-toward-vedic audience. If you're a Western astrologer tired of bizarre house cusps, miniscule angles, and the West's great body of fragmented astrological literature, Braha's book may help you take that first step toward jyotish. (You'll be glad you did!) Braha says in the book that because he enjoyed some life-changing readings with tropical astrologer Isabel Hickey in his youth, he believes it worthwhile to preserve some of the western techniques which grounded excellent predictors like her. Although I doubt that such rare accurate tropical readings justify preserving the tropical system (e.g., Hickey was an extraordinary mystic who could have predicted with tea leaves or raven calls as well!) I nevertheless recommend Braha's text as a clear, compassionate, straightforward, step-by-step manual for learning to re-think your tropical charts in the Vedic style. Written in a pleasant tone which is respectful of learning curve stress, it offers enough examples to introduce jyotish, without overburdening the beginner.

The first and best book in English for those interested in the astrology practiced in India. As an experienced, practicing astrologer who uses both eastern and western astrology in his readings, James Braha is in a unique position to evaluate what works and what does not work in analyzing the birth charts of his clients. He puts this experience to good use in this highly readable book's descriptions of the most important astrological configurations in Hindu astrology that have predictive value in any individual's life. As a self-teaching guide the book moves smoothly from general descriptions of crucial astrological principles to an orderly discussion of the specific results of possible planetary placements and combinations. The final section of the book contains a highly informative and entertaining summary of a variety of birth charts of well-known individuals. This section provides a glimpse into the power of the techniques outlined previously in the book to provide a remarkably complete picture of a person's life, character, abilities and destiny. All in all, I found this to be a fascinating book that I would recommend to anyone interested in analyzing natal charts.

Although this excellent introduction to Jyotish, Vedic astrology is suitable for students and professional astrologers from other systems, I recommend it to my clients as well. Braha draws from his own learning and experience in Bharat (India) and offers a wonderful pool of astrological knowledge in which neophytes can wet their feet. - Jai Maharaj, Jyotishi, Vedic Astrologer

If one of my students asks me "what should be my first book on hindu astrology?" I say this should be the one. It is clear, well written and the reasoning is easy to follow. This is a practical book, which will help you to make sense of a sometimes complicated astrological system. This book makes hindu astrology easy.

This is the book that started the Vedic Astrology movement in America, making James Braha the "grandfather" of Hindu Astrology in the West. I highly recommend this enduring classic.

First things first - This is NOT the FIRST book to be read on Vedic/Sidereal Astrology.
The first 2 books {to be simultaneously read} HAVE to be "Light on Life" (by Svoboda & Hart De fouw) and "Astrology of the seers" (By David Frawley.)

This book can be the THIRD book you read after having read the above two.

What is good about this book:
->It's not too bulky but is still quite comprehensive.
->All the stuff about placement of various planets in signs & houses is covered.

What isn't good about this book:
This is a *Text-Book.* Braha had little personal experience when he wrote this book. So there aren't many real world insights (they come in his later work - "The Art and Practice of Ancient Hindu Astrology: Nine Intimate Sessions Between Teacher and Student")

Somewhere in the preface Braha loudly proclaims that one of the reasons he wanted to write this book is to dispel the myth that "Vedic astrology is difficult to learn" (yeah it isnt if one purely follows the text book stuff - which would in real life make one fall straight on the face.)Years later, in his 9 intimate sessions book, Braha confesses that vedic astrology isn't meant to be comprehended by Humans. It needs a spark of divinity.

This is just an average book. But it serves as a important link between the absolute beginners & the intermediate level.

I give it 3 on 5 :-)

-Solid info to get you started
-Not an overload of info, but you get enough to give you a good sense of houses, planets, aspects; you walk away with enough to allow you to grasp more indepth intermediate information
-Large book, large print, thick paper, plenty of white-space so your eyes aren't hurting after you read; the white space helps you get through the book, feeling good, turning pages.
-Not a good source to learn about signs (Virgo, Scorpio, etc.)

It's been a great book as I struggle to learn Vedic when I've been a Western astrology person for years. I do wish it included transits but other than that an awesome text.

Basically the chapters are introduced in sequence for easy understanding for a new comer like me. I must thank James Braha for his effort to integrate Western Astrology along with Vedic Astrology giving greater impetus to Astrology as a spiritual science to understand the spiritual being we are within. I would recommend to read ANCIENT HINDU ASTROLOGY FOR Modern Western Astrologer first before you pursue with THE ART and PRACTICE OF ANCIENT HINDU ASTROLOGY. Finally but not least, I thank Amazon for their amazing professional service at all times.