Astrology of Joy

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  • Newsletter 22/SEPTEMBER/2025 Libra Sun and Navratri

    Newsletter 22/SEPTEMBER/2025 Libra Sun and Navratri

    Astrology Monday! Libra Sun, Navratri, and the Equinox ☺️
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    This Week’s Focus

    Libra Sun, Navratri, and the Autumn Equinox
    Issue 38 Volume 8          22 September 2025

    The constellation of Libra is associated with the Roman goddess Justitia. Depicted holding a sword and a pair of scales, Justitia represents justice, law, and order with the scales symbolising impartiality and the sword representing the dispensing of justice. She became a foundational element of the modern Lady Justice statue.
    The equinox is a day to bring balance to your system – to not identify with one thing or another, but to simply be throbbing with Life. — Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, humanitarian, yogi, mystic, NYT bestselling author, voted one of India’s 50 most influential people

    Dear wonderful neighbour and fellow traveller;

    This week there is a confluence of auspicious events to help us get back on track.

    1. Solar eclipse:     the effects of Sunday’s solar eclipse will be felt through October. See the Moon Planner below…

    2. Navratri: a powerful nine-day festival dedicated to the divine feminine, celebrated across India.The festival is a time to consciously nurture the feminine in one’s life, culture, and practices, as the masculine tends to assert itself without encouragement, while the feminine needs support to flourish.

    According to Sadhguru, “When we say “masculine” and “feminine,” we are not talking about the gender; we are talking about the basic qualities in the existence, the polarities. The physical world can only exist between polarities – day and night, darkness and light, masculine and feminine, and male and female. Male and female is a manifestation of the masculine and feminine qualities, not a quality by itself.

    The post autumnal equinox is the time of the feminine. Since this part of the year naturally supports the feminine, certain societies have worked to establish the feminine consciously, because the masculine asserts itself without much encouragement. The feminine needs support to assert itself – otherwise it moves into the background. In any given society if feminine moves into the background, they will become conquerors. That means they will sit on an empty shell of life. They will conquer the whole world, and find that they have no taste of the world. This is the plight of the masculine that they reach the top of the world and then feel miserable right on the top    .”

    The first three days are dedicated to Durga, representing the earth and the tamas quality, the next three to Lakshmi, representing the sun and rajas, and the final three to Saraswati, representing the moon and sattva. The culmination of the festival is Vijayadashami, the tenth day, which signifies victory over these three aspects of life.

    3. The Sun enters constellation Libra today, the seventh sign of the zodiac, and symbolises the balance that must be achieved in order for the evolving soul to progress towards spiritual awakening. It’s been said that one does not meet the teacher who will take them across the ocean of desire until their karma is balanced between pleasant and unpleasant. At first glance counter-intuitive, this idea gains credence if we consider how both too much pleasure and too much pain keeps us bound to the body and mind. Only when we are not preoccupied with either one is there space within us to receive the teaching that will set us free.

    In Vedic astrology, the Sun is debilitated in Libra. As the 7th sign of relationship ruled by Venus, Libra distracts the Sun by hijacking our identity and projecting it onto the other. For this reason, the Sun in Libra can indicate surrendering creative power in relationship in an unhealthy way. This in turn can lead to promiscuity because of the desire to please even when it’s against your principles. Fundamentally, the Sun in Libra harms self-worth and authenticity.

    Does this mean all you Libras out there are doomed? Of course not!     😄 While it does indicate maintaining awareness and vigilance lest you succumb to the illusory allure of “the other”, it is always up to you whether you rise above the trauma of the past (lives). A Libra Sun has many wonderful traits like a tendency to be just, to see the world without prejudice, and be a humanitarian or an environmental or wildlife advocate. Libras believe in social justice and often have careers with non-profit organisations or governmental agencies that seek to promote the wellbeing of the disadvantaged or downtrodden.

    4. Autumnal Equinox 22 September: There is a reason the constellation Libra contains the autumn equinox which occurs when the Sun crosses the celestial equator, moving from the northern to the southern hemisphere. This day of equal light and dark represents the balance between the masculine and feminine, the two opposite qualities of the Cosmos. Being opposite, when these two are in balance, there is no issue. Only when one or the other dominates the world or ourselves is there difficulty. 

    A simple technique to get an idea of how well your masculine/feminine is balanced is to do the following:
    1. Get a copy of your Vedic horoscope here. This is the only online Vedic chart calculator I recommend. Note: select “South Indian” chart style.
    2. Beginning with Aries, count the signs clockwise 1,2,1,2,1,2…etc., i.e., Aries is a ‘1’”, Taurus is a ‘2’, Gemini is a ‘1’, etc. 1 is masculine and 2 is feminine.
    3. Create two columns and title one with Masculine and the other with Feminine.
    4. For the Sun, Moon, and ascendent (rising sign), tick the appropriate column marked masculine or feminine.
    5. Give another tick for the time of day you were born — a day birth is masculine, a night birth is feminine. To calculate, a day birth has occurred when the Sun is located in the houses of the horoscope 7 to 12, and defined as nocturnal, when the Sun is located in houses 1 to 6. 
    6. Add up the columns. If you are male, a perfect score is 4 masculine, 0 feminine indicating your masculine energy is expressing itself relatively free from hindrance. If you are female, a perfect score is 4 feminine, 0 masculine indicating your feminine energy is expressing itself as it should. Note: multiple genders are not considered in determining masculine/feminine in astrology. Gender identification is simply how the planets within a person are expressing themselves through the personality, which, spiritually, means very little since it is based upon what we have accumulated in the past.
    This technique is especially useful when determining how well a couple will get along and can also be used for any relationship: teacher/student; parent/child; doctor/patient; business partners, etc. For same sex relationships, determine who is playing the masculine and feminine roles and calculate accordingly.

    The ideal is for a 4 masculine/0 feminine man to be in relationship with a 4 feminine/0 masculine woman. However, since I began offering readings as a professional astrologer in 1992, I have never seen this occur in the charts of any two people.  More likely is that one or the other will be “out of balance” to some degree which causes issues to arise between them. The more severe the discrepancy between them, the more effort it takes to resolve their issues.

    When a man is out of balance towards the feminine, he becomes indecisive, overly sensitive, immature, and hesitant. When a woman is out of balance towards the masculine, she tends to be too assertive in the relationship, quick tempered, impatient, and even aggressive. When such a man meets such a woman and form a relationship, in time, the relationship suffers because she will tend to see what needs to be done before he does. Irritated, she lets her man know he is slow to act which then causes the man to feel attacked. This leads to discord, arguments, resentment and all sorts of unpleasant things.

    This illustrates why a weak man does better with a woman firmly established in her feminine (4 feminine/0 masculine). Though the man needs to mature and embrace the fullness of his masculine nature, the feminine balanced woman does not have the personality to beat the man over the head with his indecision. Instead, she will tend to seek ways to encourage him to be a man through encouragement and patience, that is, until her patience wears thin. Then watch out! 😅

    Likewise with a woman who is out of balance towards the masculine, she does better with a man firmly established in his masculine nature (4 masculine/0 feminine). Such a man is not threatened by the woman’s assertiveness or capacity to see what needs to be done. Of course, in such a relationship, issues of this kind do not normally arise since such a man tends to do what should be done at the time it needs to be done — the dream of ALL women. 😄

    Final thoughts: Feeling tired or out of sorts on this day? Our masculine/feminine natures are NOT in balance, otherwise, we would be living a completely authentic life and expressing ourselves fully. On this day, there is a natural push towards balance. It is our inner resistance to this push that creates an energy drain and makes us feel tired, lethargic, out of sorts. What happens energetically eventually manifests in the body. On this day, sit with yourself and see where your masculine and feminine energies are being compromised. Try to understand where you are resisting receiving what is your birthright and where it is you are attempting to possess that which is not yours. The masculine acts, the feminine receives. The feminine creates, the masculine sustains. Together they are a match made in heaven. 

    Many warm blessings for this coming week and always,

    David 🙏🏻 🤗
    astrologyofjoy.com
    Astrology Monday:
    Just the facts, please! 
    An American icon from 60s television, hard-boiled detective Joe Friday always insists on “just the facts”.

    This week’s no-nonsense forecast:
    Worldly fulfilment
    Solar Eclipse still expressing:
    Material connection and abundance get a boost from learning where you are not embracing your natural talents and abilities. Once realised, you can adjust your life to make sure those talents are being utilised in the best possible way. See the Moon Planner section below.

    Saturn retrograde in Pisces
    This combination causes fear and concern because our imagination can get away from us. However, Saturn’s retrograde status helps us recognise previous fear-inspired choices so we can create a better plan to resolve current issues. If struggling, rethink your game plan.

    Mars in Scorpio
    Scorpio is Mars’s second home. Scorpio is more mystical and psychological than worldly. Still, Scorpio is a great guide to any endeavour. The sting of the Scorpio scorpion tells us when we are off track. Better, I suppose, to get on track BEFORE we feel the scorpion’s sting.

    Spiritual fulfilment
    Solar Eclipse still expressing:
    Being false stems from the fear of losing control. What you are seeking to use as the controller, however, is your fear… see the problem? Step back, look at your life objectively, then have the courage to be who you always knew you were. See the Moon Planner section below.

    Mars in Scorpio
    Scorpio is where the will of Mars makes great gains in shining a light into the dark corners of the unconscious. This is why Scorpio is also the sign of mysticism and mystical experience. Now’s your chance to share a table with all the great mystics from the past.

    Ongoing
    Uranus in Gemini!
    Uranus is in Gemini thru 8 November, giving us a preview of the next seven years beginning 26 April, 2026. Uranus is your authentic nature yearning to be freed. If you are struggling, it simply means you are not honouring your authenticity. You are living a lie and Uranus wants to put an end to your falsehoods and pretence. Let it show you the way.

    Jupiter in Cancer
    Jupiter in Cancer is an opportunity to find fulfilment through service, creativity, and abundance. Keep your Jupiter pointed high. Jupiter can become distracted and very ordinary through material goals. Nothing wrong with these as long as they don’t take the lead.

    Astrology Monday

    Weekly Planning Forecast

    Libra Sun…
    22 September — 22 October


    The Sun in Libra underscores how relationships blossom when we maintain our sense of self and authenticity. Handing our power over to someone else because of low self-worth is a recipe for discord, dependency, and even abuse.

    Libra relates to “the other.” After finding career and recognition in Virgo, we turn towards relationship thinking this will bring the fulfilment we seek. It does not, but the soul passing through Libra is still a necessary step before spiritual awakening in Scorpio.

    Sun in Aditya Vishnu…
    Before the arrival of the Greeks, the ‘zodiac’ used in India was a 360 degree circle based upon the Sun’s movement (Adityas). The Aditya corresponding to Libra is Vishnu which relates to the one who maintains order through both worldly and spiritual duties. This highlights the nature of Vishnu as the sign that relates to the transformation from king to sage, a necessary transformation on the path to liberation.     😊
     
    Moon Planner
    Has the Moon got you hurried and harried?

    No worries! The Moon represents the feminine and your capacity to receive and recognise the resources you have available to fulfil your emotional needs.  Too often, we get distracted with what is not ours and miss out on the available opportunity, experiencing disappointment and disillusionment, or worse, we become like my hairy friend, Monsieur Lou Garou. 🤭

    This week
    Eclipse season is still unfolding
    More about the eclipse season still unfolding through October: Eclipse season is still unfolding and, in simple terms, has been about needs (Lunar eclipse) and how we project our energy into the world (Sun). During the Lunar Eclipse 7 September, situations arose that forced latent emotional needs to the surface allowing us to ascertain whether these needs were helping us or hindering us. The Solar eclipse this past Sunday (21 September) revealed where we are projecting a false image by causing situations that challenged how we perceive ourself. It is a poor and misaligned self-perception that causes us to avoid following our natural talents and capabilities. Together, the Lunar and Solar eclipses revealed where we are not supporting our authentic nature either through emotional integrity or in the application of skills. 

    This period is not conducive to experiencing outer success, but of realising a blossoming awareness that will bring success in the future.

     ☺️
    Important dates (2025 — 2026)
    2025
    JUL 14 — 8 NOV: Uranus in Gemini! Revolution brings innovation. Bend, but don’t break.
    SEP 22 — 4 NOV: Mars in Scorpio; spiritual intensity or worldly objectives awaken through right action.
    SEP 1 thru 28 NOV: Saturn retrograde in Pisces; great time to review long range plans.
    Now thru 2026 and beyond
    Now thru JUL 26 2026: Rahu in Pisces: Loss of boundaries; excessive empathy; heightened creative expression and imagination.
    Now thru JUN 30, 2026: Jupiter exalted in Cancer: Heart-centred approach brings rewards when emotions are tied to your good intention and not selfish gain.
    SEP 1 2025 — FEB 13 2026: Saturn in Pisces: Tendency towards fear-based decisions; loss of boundaries; strong creative ideas
    FEB 14 2026— APR 12 2028: Saturn in Aries: Weakening foundation; supports taking calculated risks. Prudence is fine; obsessively cautious denies needed change.
    New! Astro-Coaching!
    Eclipse season is a perfect time to transform your life. Eclipses are filled with possibility. Astro-Coaching brings together Vedic Astrology and Transformational Coaching to help you turn struggle into triumph. Write to me here.

    If you want success, the foremost thing is to ensure that you are not the obstacle to it. — Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, yogi, mystic, humanitarian, NYT bestselling author
    Hero’s Journey
    The journey of the hero is about the courage to seek the depths; the image of creative rebirth; the eternal cycle of change within us; the uncanny discovery that the seeker is the mystery which the seeker seeks to know. ~ Joseph Campbell, 
    Recommended upcoming programmes and free offerings:
    The Siddha Yoga Shaktipat Intensive 2025 in Honour of Baba Muktananda’s Mahasamadhi will be held in participating Siddha Yoga Ashrams, meditation centres and chanting and meditation groups on Saturday, October 11, or Sunday, October 12.
    Isha Yoga hatha yoga programmes offered across Europe:
    Miracle of Mind! FREE Meditation App!

    Recent science shows that even a short amount of time is enough to spark positive neuro-physical changes in your brain. Stick with it, and these quick sessions build up, boosting your mental resilience and overall happiness.

    Launched by Sadhguru this past Mahashivratri, Miracle of Mind is a free app to download that empowers you through a daily 7 minute meditation. For more information, follow this link.

     
    Consultations
    *** 20% paid for referrals astrologyofjoy.com/special-offer

    What is the Astrology of Joy? It’s a tool for finding your bliss and living a joyful life. It’s a gentle “push” to get you back on the right track. Based upon the time-honoured system of astrology practiced in India for thousands of years, Astrology of Joy is inspired by David’s four decades living in ashrams, seeking truth, and learning from enlightened beings who taught, “You are more than a body and a mind. You are That!” 
     

    New! Astro Chat
    £45/hr… Concession priced, but designed for the budget conscious or anyone seeking a review of their current astrological trends and trajectories. Audio file included.

    In-depth consultations… the following readings are comprehensive and detailed and include 2 to 3 hours of pre-session analysis of your astrology charts before we meet.

    Natal in-depth overview: perfect for new clients or as a comprehensive review
    £199 new clients/£169 returning clients… 2hr online reading. Includes personal eBook and session audio file.
     
    Varshaphala (6-month Solar return): 
    £169 new clients/ £129 returning clients… 2hr online reading. Includes personal eBook and session audio file.

    Specialised Consultations:
    £129… 2hr online reading on one of the following (below). Includes session audio file. Optional: £29 add on eBook.
    • Relationship/Compatibility
    • Career/Finances
    • Health and Wellbeing
    • Relocation (analyse up to 3 locations)
    • Spiritual Development
    • In-depth examination of any area of your choosing.

    Rahu/Ketu Elemental Reading
    £99… 2hr online reading. Includes session audio file. Optional: £29 add on eBook.
     
    Muhurta Consultation
    Auspicious date determination for wedding, baby planning, business start up, medical procedures, home purchase, etc.
     £79 for three month analysis. Months do not need to be successive.

    Financial Hardship? It is my vision to make Vedic astrology available to all those who are willing to take steps towards their wellbeing. If you are eager to use Vedic astrology to make your life into a better reflection of who you really are, but financial resources are a genuine barrier, please contact me about your situation.

    For more information, visit astrologyofjoy.com/consultations.


    AstrologyOfJoy.com
    About David: Personally certified by Dr. David Frawley, author and founder of the American Institute of Vedic Studies, David has been a professional astrologer for over 30 years. David learned the art and science of Indian astrology while a ten-year resident in the ashram of a realised spiritual master. David guides clients throughout the world on achieving everyday fulfilment in their spiritual and personal goals, relationships, and wellbeing.

    David served as editor of Isha Yoga’s European newsletter for two years, was Vice President of the Rosia Montana Cultural Foundation in Romania, and has a Masters in Archaeology (with Distinction), studying the challenges and issues facing contemporary society from the archaeological perspective. He also wrote and published a parent-child picture book with his brother, Steve (illustrator), about the life of Adiyogi, the first yogi. He currently resides in Burntisland, Scotland, where he serves on the board of the Burntisland Harbour Access Trust helping maintain public access to the historically significant harbour.
    Copyright © 2025 Elemental Astrology, All rights reserved.

    Our mailing address is: Elemental Astrology, Burntisland, Scotland

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  • Newsletter 15/SEPTEMBER/2025 Saving the World

    Newsletter 15/SEPTEMBER/2025 Saving the World

    Astrology Monday! Solar Eclipse and Humanity's Pain 😔
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    This Week’s Focus

    Saving the World Begins with Saving Ourselves
    Issue 37 Volume 8          15 September 2025
    So many gods, so many creeds, so many paths that wind and wind while just the art of being kind is all the sad world needs. Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1850 – 1919), American author and poet; from her poem Voice of the Voiceless.

    Image Credit: La Mélancolie (1785) by Louis-Jean-François Lagrenée
    I’m tired, boss. Tired of bein’ on the road, lonely as a sparrow in the rain. I’m tired of never having me a buddy to be with, to tell me where we’s going to or coming from, or why. Mostly, I’m tired of people being ugly to each other. I’m tired of all the pain I feel and hear in the world every day. There’s too much of it — it’s like pieces of glass in my head all the time. — John Coffey, central character in The Green Mile (1996), played by Michael Clarke Duncan, from the novel of the same name by Stephen King

    Dear wonderful neighbour and fellow traveller;

    As an astrologer, I see a world stumbling headlong into very difficult times. As an archaeologist of current events, I see these difficult times riding on the back of misinformation and disinformation that take advantage of the inherent prejudices arising from our pain body. As a yogi and mystic, I know I can only control my own destiny and not the destiny of the world. As a human being, I hope and pray we all stop pointing fingers and have the courage, instead, to look at the reflection in the mirror of our own unconscious.

    Disclaimer: So that you might read the following with an open mind, I wish you to know that I am, and have always been, an independent. I belong to no tribe. I belong to humanity and seek to support fundamental change in the world through that which supports a higher consciousness. This means discipline, for there is no gain without discipline of body, mind, and spirit. Taking sides is not an option…

    The recent murders in the US of Charlie Kirk, a conservative podcaster, and Iryna Zarutska, a young Ukranian refugee, exposed the ugliness in human beings, not only within the radicalised ‘Reddit kid’ who fired the bullet that killed Charlie or the schizophrenic with a lengthy criminal record who knifed Iryna to death, but the ugliness within each of us that exists in the ideological tribalism that shapes our thoughts and actions and blinds us to the existential threat hiding in plain sight. 

    Far too many of us are invested in our pain body, the conditioned self that dictates how we think and live. We rationalise away the hate and violence of our ‘tribe’ and look the other way when strangers are in need. The video of Iryna’s death on a subway train in Charlotte, North Carolina, is one of the most difficult I have watched; as a historian and archaeologist of now who has reviewed much death and destruction, this is saying a lot. She died alone, frightened, confused, holding her neck where she was struck three times, not realising her life was slipping away with each beat of her heart. The train’s CCTV shows a woman who sits adjacent and several people who walk by — they all do nothing. One man even points to Iryna, but simply stands there as if he is waiting to buy a ticket to the movies. 

    This is tribalism. It turns us into statues of indifference, an apathetic piece of humanity who avoids getting involved or doing what is needed because someone exists outside our accepted group. In Charlie Kirk’s case, we shrug our shoulders and shake our heads, believing his ‘far-right’ views brought the assassin’s bullet. Karma is karma, we say. Yet, me make no effort to separate fact from fiction. We hang onto our nonsense like a dog on a bone who does not realise the blood he tastes is his own. We are losing the blood of our humanity drop by drop every day and never sense its passing.

    A Rutgers University study released in April 2025, conducted by the Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI), revealed that 55.2% of left-of-center respondents said murdering President Trump would be at least somewhat justified, while 48.6% said the same for Elon Musk. The study also found that 39% of U.S. residents believe destroying a Tesla dealership in protest is at least somewhat acceptable. Even more concerning: 13% of left-of-center individuals stated that killing Trump would be “completely justified”.

    Have we gone mad? Have we completely lost our moral compass in the fog of narcissistic compassion? Are we now embracing an assassination culture where a person deserves to be killed if their opinion differs from ours? 

    Ideological tribalism brings destruction no matter what side of centre we place ourself. Unless we are able to think independently, we are part of the problem and the reason we don’t think for ourselves is because we have spent a lifetime protecting a personality based upon our past trauma. We attach ourself to like-minded people and together we become a collective consciousness of ignorance, hate, and contempt where the ‘other side’ is always wrong. If we are to evolve into a truly inclusive world, we must reject the tribe.

    The world is not how we see it and never was. This is not only a fundamental principle proven through decades of brain research and behavioural science but is found in the teachings of every exalted soul who has ever sought to open our eyes to what is meaningful and true. We demonise some and place on a pedestal others, unaware that we are being played like fools.

    Who controls the past controls the future: who controls the present controls the past. — from George Orwell’s novel 1984

    The media purposefully misleads us. They stoke the fires of division because they have built their empires on sensationalism. Much worse, they are owned by wealthy elites who seek to control public opinion, if not through war, through division and fear. This is how they maintain a hold on power and wealth. What is truly frightening is that it matters not to them who holds the political reins. They are opportunists and simply adjust their methods to reflect whatever political party is in office.

    There’s a better way. Much better. It’s made of no more than seeing how we’re being played and simply and peacefully refusing to be played anymore. — Neil Oliver, Scottish archaeologist and social commentator

    Charlie Kirk was not an extremist and his views were not far-right. He firmly held conservative views and many of us likely disagreed with at least some of those views, but that was his point: that strong opinions on both sides could come together and peacefully discuss the issues of the day without hate and violence. He believed in the need for dialogue between the ‘right and left’ and sought to encourage healthy debate on college campuses. Ironically, he was shot in the throat, perhaps on purpose — symbolic of the extremist’s view that abhors dialogue and freedom of speech.

    Understand this: we are the problem and we are the solution. It begins by rejecting our conditioned, knee-jerk reaction to everything that happens in life. We suffer a poverty of consciousness that stems from a lack of spiritual integrity. We have invested our very life force into our opinions which become not a matter of opinion, but ‘my truth’, one of the greatest divisive distractions of modern times. ‘My truth’ does not exist and is the basis for all the hate we see in the world.

    There is hope; there is always hope. After an eternity, a passenger entered the train car and saw Iryna lying on the floor in a pool of blood. He quickly came to her aid, took off his shirt, and tried to save her life. For Iryna, this selfless act of kindness was too late, but perhaps it is not too late for us. This unidentified man revealed the best in humanity, what we all have within us that makes the world a place of good in at least equal measure to what is evil.

    As always, it’s up to us. May we all have the courage to choose wisely.

    Warm thoughts and many blessings,

    David 🙏🏻 🤗
    astrologyofjoy.com
    Astrology Monday:
    Just the facts, please! 
    An American icon from 60s television, hard-boiled detective Joe Friday always insists on “just the facts”.

    This week’s no-nonsense forecast:
    Worldly fulfilment
    Solar Eclipse
    Material connection and abundance get a boost from learning where you are not embracing your natural talents and abilities. Once realised, you can adjust your life to make sure those talents are being utilised in the best possible way. See the Moon Planner section below.

    Saturn retrograde in Pisces
    This combination causes fear and concern because our imagination can get away from us. However, Saturn’s retrograde status helps us recognise previous fear-inspired choices so we can create a better plan to resolve current issues. If struggling, rethink your game plan.

    Mars in Libra
    Mars is our will to get things done. In Libra, it helps relationships bring more fulfilment, if not in romance, then at least in the practical matter of being together.

    Spiritual fulfilment
    Solar Eclipse
    Being false stems from the fear of losing control. What you are seeking to use as the controller, however, is your fear… see the problem? Step back, look at your life objectively, then have the courage to be who you always knew you were. See the Moon Planner section below.

    Ongoing
    Uranus in Gemini!
    Uranus is in Gemini thru 8 November, giving us a preview of the next seven years beginning 26 April, 2026. Uranus is your authentic nature yearning to be freed. If you are struggling, it simply means you are not honouring your authenticity. You are living a lie and Uranus wants to put an end to your falsehoods and pretence. Let it show you the way.

    Jupiter in Cancer
    Jupiter in Cancer is an opportunity to find fulfilment through service, creativity, and abundance. Keep your Jupiter pointed high. Jupiter can become distracted and very ordinary through material goals. Nothing wrong with these as long as they don’t take the lead.

    Astrology Monday

    Weekly Planning Forecast

    Virgo Sun…
    23 August — 22 September

    The Sun in Virgo highlights an important attribute of the Virgo nature: it’s a sign that indicates the building of something wonderful for the benefit of human beings, whether in thought or in deed. If you have the Sun in Virgo in your birth chart or Mercury, Saturn, or Rahu, you have an abundance of this attribute. Indeed, it is deeply ingrained in who you are and can serve you well when you recognise its worth.

    Virgo relates to the physical world and the things we attempt and accomplish in the outer world in order to find fulfilment: education degrees, job, career, house, car, etc. Spouse and family come in the next sign, Libra. Though our search for happiness in the outer world ultimately leaves us unfulfilled, as it should, it is a necessary part of the journey we human beings take from material to spiritual. 

    Sun in Aditya Tvashta…
    Fun Fact: Zodiac comes from the Greek zodiakos (kyklos) which literally means “circle of little animals” and reveals how astrological knowledge was shared between the cultures of Greece and India beginning in the time of Alexander the Great.

    Before the arrival of the Greeks, the ‘zodiac’ used in India was a 360 degree circle based upon the Sun’s movement (Adityas). The Aditya corresponding to Virgo is Tvashta which relates to the chariot maker. This highlights the nature of Tvashta as the sign that relates to building something that allows human beings to have an easier and more comfortable existence, to “move” from one aspect of life to another.     😊
     
    Moon Planner
    Has the Moon got you hurried and harried?

    No worries! The Moon represents the feminine and your capacity to receive and recognise the resources you have available to fulfil your emotional needs.  Too often, we get distracted with what is not ours and miss out on the available opportunity, experiencing disappointment and disillusionment, or worse, we become like my hairy friend, Monsieur Lou Garou. 🤭

    This week
    Solar Eclipse September 21!
    A solar eclipse heralds an end to one cycle and the start of another.
    When: 21 September 2025 Partial eclipse (BST): 18:29 thru 22:53; Max eclipse 20:42
    Theme: What do you need to let go of to build the life you want?
    Maximum effects: Mostly 21 August thru 21 October.

    Who will it effect most?
    The Solar eclipse is at 29˚ Virgo. It effects most strongly those with planets within 5˚ (in Virgo or Libra) or on a house cusp, but will also effect those with any planets in same sign (Virgo), especially those sensitive to eclipses.

    Carry through theme from first eclipse in cycle 19 July 1917 @ 03:42
    Pluto conjunction to eclipse reveals how the current eclipse will carry a theme of breaking down emotional needs in order to move from dependence to independence.

    Current eclipse ramifications
    Tends to reveal one’s long-term worries about loved ones, health issues, or business viability. These can seem fated or destined (Saturn, Neptune, Mercury, Venus influence). Find resolution by digging deeper within your own inner storehouse so you can be reminded of your deepest desires. Authenticity attracts joy, fulfilment, and success. Always.

    Reminder: Lunar Eclipse that occurred on September 7!
    Lunar eclipses give fruits according to how you have been living in thought and action.
    Theme: Am I being true to myself in my plans and endeavours? 
    Maximum effects: Mostly felt August 8 thru October 8.

    Who will it effect most?
    The eclipse is at 15˚ Pisces. Its effects are felt most strongly by those with planets within a 5˚ orb of the eclipse or on a house cusp, but will effect any planets in same sign (Pisces), especially those more sensitive to eclipses.

    Jupiter keeps your spirits up and, more importantly, indicates the potential for you to truly understand where you are limiting yourself either through unrealistic expectations or because you are not surrendering to your authentic nature (full potential). Ask yourself where it is you are false which keeps things from fully blossoming. With sincere self-examination and analysis, you can discover where you got off-track allowing you to build a better plan of action.

     ☺️
    New! Astro-Coaching!
    Eclipse season is a perfect time to transform your life. Even when challenging, eclipses are filled with possibility. Astro-Coaching brings together Vedic Astrology and Transformational Coaching to help you transcend your  struggles and embrace your unique, authentic path. For more information, please write to me here.

    If you want success, the foremost thing is to ensure that you are not the obstacle to it. — Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, yogi, mystic, humanitarian, NYT bestselling author
    Important dates (2025 — 2026)
    2025
    JUL 14 — 8 NOV: Uranus in Gemini! Revolution brings innovation. Bend, but don’t break.
    AUG 6 — SEP 22: Mars in Libra: right action in relationship brings bounty.
    SEP 1 thru 28 NOV: Saturn retrograde in Pisces; great time to review long range plans.
    Now thru 2026 and beyond
    Now thru JUL 26 2026: Rahu in Pisces: Loss of boundaries; excessive empathy; heightened creative expression and imagination.
    Now thru JUN 30, 2026: Jupiter exalted in Cancer: Heart-centred approach brings rewards when emotions are tied to your good intention and not selfish gain.
    SEP 1 2025 — FEB 13 2026: Saturn in Pisces: Tendency towards fear-based decisions; loss of boundaries; strong creative ideas
    FEB 14 2026— APR 12 2028: Saturn in Aries: Weakening foundation; supports taking calculated risks. Prudence is fine; obsessively cautious denies needed change.
    Hero’s Journey
    The journey of the hero is about the courage to seek the depths; the image of creative rebirth; the eternal cycle of change within us; the uncanny discovery that the seeker is the mystery which the seeker seeks to know. ~ Joseph Campbell, 
    True gurus are those who have reached the highest expression of human potential and help us find the way. I most often quote Sadhguru and highlight his practices and events simply because he is arguably the most publicly available guru today. Initially, his mission on Earth was to install the Dhyanalinga, an energy form not seen for over 2000 years, but something wonderful happened after his body recovered from the enormous energy drain of such a profound process: he decided to stick around to touch the lives of as many as possible… 😉
    Upcoming “don’t miss” hatha yoga programmes offered across Europe (incl Glasgow):

    Free and low cost programmes and discounts…
    Miracle of Mind! FREE Meditation App!

    Recent science shows that even a short amount of time is enough to spark positive neuro-physical changes in your brain. Stick with it, and these quick sessions build up, boosting your mental resilience and overall happiness.

    Launched by Sadhguru this past Mahashivratri, Miracle of Mind is a free app to download that empowers you through a daily 7 minute meditation. For more information, follow this link.

     
    Consultations
    *** 20% paid for referrals astrologyofjoy.com/special-offer

    What is the Astrology of Joy? It’s a tool for finding your bliss and living a joyful life. It’s a gentle “push” to get you back on the right track. Based upon the time-honoured system of astrology practiced in India for thousands of years, Astrology of Joy is inspired by David’s four decades living in ashrams, seeking truth, and learning from enlightened beings who taught, “You are more than a body and a mind. You are That!” 
     

    New! Astro Chat
    £45/hr… This reading is an open-ended discussion with me that works best as either a follow-up or a general exploration of any current issues in your life. Designed for the budget conscious or anyone seeking a review of their current astrological trends and trajectories. Audio file included.

    In-depth consultations… the following readings are comprehensive and detailed and include 2 to 3 hours of pre-session analysis of your astrology charts before we meet.

    Natal in-depth overview: perfect for new clients or as a comprehensive review
    £199 new clients/£169 returning clients… 2hr online reading. Includes personal eBook and session audio file.
     
    Varshaphala (6-month Solar return): 
    £169 new clients/ £129 returning clients… 2hr online reading. Includes personal eBook and session audio file.

    Specialised Consultations:
    £129… 2hr online reading on one of the following (below). Includes session audio file. Optional: £29 add on eBook.
    • Relationship/Compatibility
    • Career/Finances
    • Health and Wellbeing
    • Relocation (analyse up to 3 locations)
    • Spiritual Development
    • In-depth examination of any area of your choosing.

    Rahu/Ketu Elemental Reading
    £99… 2hr online reading. Includes session audio file. Optional: £29 add on eBook.
     
    Muhurta Consultation
    Auspicious date determination for wedding, baby planning, business start up, medical procedures, home purchase, etc.
     £79 for three month analysis. Months do not need to be successive.

    Financial Hardship? It is my vision to make Vedic astrology available to all those who are willing to take steps towards their wellbeing. If you are eager to use Vedic astrology to make your life into a better reflection of who you really are, but financial resources are a genuine barrier, please contact me about your situation.

    For more information, visit astrologyofjoy.com/consultations.


    AstrologyOfJoy.com
    About David: Personally certified by Dr. David Frawley, author and founder of the American Institute of Vedic Studies, David has been a professional astrologer for over 30 years. David learned the art and science of Indian astrology while a ten-year resident in the ashram of a realised spiritual master. David guides clients throughout the world on achieving everyday fulfilment in their spiritual and personal goals, relationships, and wellbeing.

    David served as editor of Isha Yoga’s European newsletter for two years, was Vice President of the Rosia Montana Cultural Foundation in Romania, and has a Masters in Archaeology (with Distinction), studying the challenges and issues facing contemporary society from the archaeological perspective. He also wrote and published a parent-child picture book with his brother, Steve (illustrator), about the life of Adiyogi, the first yogi. He currently resides in Burntisland, Scotland, where he serves on the board of the Burntisland Harbour Access Trust helping maintain public access to the historically significant harbour.
    Copyright © 2025 Elemental Astrology, All rights reserved.

    Our mailing address is: Elemental Astrology, Burntisland, Scotland

    Want to change how you receive these emails?
    You can update your preferences or unsubscribe here.

    Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp
  • Newsletter 8/SEPTEMBER/2025 Astrology and Fortune Telling

    Newsletter 8/SEPTEMBER/2025 Astrology and Fortune Telling

    Astrology Monday! Eclipses, Astrology, and Fortune Telling. ☺️
    View this email in your browser

    This Week’s Focus

    Astrology, Fortune Telling, and Crystal Balls
    Issue 36 Volume 8          08 September 2025
    Your wish is granted. — Zoltar, to Tom Hank’s character in the movie Big (1988)


    Dear wonderful neighbour and fellow traveller;

    Long ago, astrology veered off course and became associated with fortune telling and crystal balls. Doing so, it lost its respectability. However, astrology was never about predicting the future, but about illuminating the carryover tendencies one brings into the present life. Like forgotten childhood memories that become the basis for both pleasant and unpleasant choices in adulthood, past life impressions dictate how we think and how we think dictates what we will experience. For this reason, a real astrologer seeks to shine a light on your unconscious mind so you can begin the process of letting go unhelpful karmic patterns and live authentically. The only difference between you and an enlightened soul is that the enlightened soul is no longer burdened by the past.

    The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are. — Carl Jung (1875—1961)

    I can easily speak to you about your future based upon your horoscope, but if I do, I will only speak in terms of tendencies. Tendencies are what you can change and by doing so, you change your future.

    The stars incline; they do not compel. — Ptolemy (AD 85 — 165), Greek astrologer, astronomer, and mathematician and one of the most influential of his time

    Copious scientific research into human behaviour has revealed a process of social and familial conditioning that begins at birth; indeed, there is even strong evidence to suggest the developing foetus undergoes conditioning in the womb. Vedic astrology goes a step further and examines the karmic map at the moment you are born. From this map of past trauma and pleasures, trends and trajectories are ascertained. IF you do not take any corrective measure, you will follow these trends and trajectories. In this way, astrology becomes a crystal ball.

    The soul of the newly born baby is marked for life by the pattern of the stars at the moment it comes into the world, unconsciously remembers it, and remains sensitive to the return of configurations of a similar kind. — Johannes Kepler (1571 — 1630); German mathematician and astronomer who discovered the Earth and planets travel about the sun in elliptical orbits.

    Like an enlightened teacher who ‘sees’ the health of our energetic field, astrology holds up a mirror so we can see the health of our conditioned mind, the unconscious. Most people resist the reflection because what is brought into the light are the falsehoods we hold dear, both pleasant and unpleasant. Yes, even the good thoughts we have about ourself prevent us from living a fulfilling life if they are contrary to our true nature. A very common affliction I see in the horoscopes of my clients is a strong, but unfriendly Mars that dominates the chart at the expense of their creative self and the inclination to serve selflessly. Mars represents technical prowess and technology. Too often, however, creatively inclined clients with big hearts are letting their Mars lead and not their Jovian wisdom and creative mind.

    How difficult the task to quench the fire and the pride of private ambition, and to sacrifice ourselves and all our hopes and expectations to the public weal! How few have souls capable of so noble an undertaking! — Abigail Adams, intellectual equal and advisor to her husband, John Adams, (2nd president of the US); in a letter to him 10 July 1775

    This eclipse season is a wonderful opportunity to become aware of what is keeping you from fulfilling your highest potential. The effects of the two eclipses are similar, but different. The lunar eclipse came first (this past Sunday) and focused on unhelpful needs while the solar eclipse, two weeks later, highlights the false ideas we carry about ourself. Both of these tend to be revealed through setback and challenge beginning about 4 weeks before the lunar eclipse through October.

    These eclipses are sending a clear message: our issues are NOT outside us. They stem from how we regard ourself and our life. In a nutshell, both the lunar and solar eclipses this season reveal inner roadblocks to both worldly and spiritual success. They urge us to reexamine our goals and ambitions in light of our struggles in order to move forward in better alignment with who we are.

    Obviously, this can be a daunting task simply because we struggle to be honest with ourself. Our most cherished ideas and tendencies are likely the ones creating the most stagnation. Thus, it can be very helpful to have someone not personally invested in our success or failure to inspire and push us out of our comfort zone.

    Life begins at the end of your comfort zone. — Neale Donald Walsh, Conversations with God, Book 1: An Uncommon Dialogue, NYT bestseller (1995)

    New Astro-Coaching
    This past winter, I successfully teamed up with a highly accomplished Transformational Coach to offer a weeks to months-long programme of personal guidance to help you achieve the success you seek at every level. If this interests you, please contact me for more details. Because of the nature of involvement, this is a special programme that I can only offer to a limited number of clients.

    Warm thoughts and many blessings,

    David 🙏🏻 🤗
    astrologyofjoy.com
    Astrology Monday:
    Just the facts, please! 
    An American icon from 60s television, hard-boiled detective Joe Friday always insists on “just the facts”.

    This week’s no-nonsense forecast:
    Worldly fulfilment
    Lunar and Solar Eclipse
    See the Moon Planner section below.

    Saturn re-enters Pisces
    This combination causes fear and concern because our imagination can get away from us. However, Saturn’s retrograde status helps us recognise previous fear-inspired choices so we can create a better plan to resolve current issues. If struggling, rethink your game plan.

    Mars enters Libra
    Mars can help relationships bring more fulfilment, if not in romance, then at least in the practical matter of being together. After the honeymoon, romance takes a backseat to practical matters.

    Ongoing
    Uranus in Gemini!
    Uranus is in Gemini thru 8 November, giving us a preview of the next seven years beginning 26 April, 2026. Uranus is your authentic nature yearning to be freed. If you are struggling, it simply means you are not honouring your authenticity. You are living a lie and Uranus wants to put an end to your falsehoods and pretence. Let it show you the way.

    Jupiter in Cancer
    Jupiter in Cancer is an opportunity to find fulfilment through service, creativity, and abundance. Keep your Jupiter pointed high. Jupiter can become distracted and very ordinary through material goals. Nothing wrong with these as long as they don’t take the lead.

    Astrology Monday

    Weekly Planning Forecast

    Virgo Sun…
    23 August — 22 September

    The Sun in Virgo highlights an important attribute of the Virgo nature: it’s a sign that indicates the building of something wonderful for the benefit of human beings, whether in thought or in deed. If you have the Sun in Virgo in your birth chart or Mercury, Saturn, or Rahu, you have an abundance of this attribute. Indeed, it is deeply ingrained in who you are and can serve you well when you recognise its worth.

    Virgo relates to the physical world and the things we attempt and accomplish in the outer world in order to find fulfilment: education degrees, job, career, house, car, etc. Spouse and family come in the next sign, Libra. Though our search for happiness in the outer world ultimately leaves us unfulfilled, as it should, it is a necessary part of the journey we human beings take from material to spiritual. 

    Sun in Aditya Tvashta…
    Fun Fact: Zodiac comes from the Greek zodiakos (kyklos) which literally means “circle of little animals” and reveals how astrological knowledge was shared between the cultures of Greece and India beginning in the time of Alexander the Great.

    Before the arrival of the Greeks, the ‘zodiac’ used in India was a 360 degree circle based upon the Sun’s movement (Adityas). The Aditya corresponding to Virgo is Tvashta which relates to the chariot maker. This highlights the nature of Tvashta as the sign that relates to building something that allows human beings to have an easier and more comfortable existence, to “move” from one aspect of life to another.     😊
     
    Moon Planner
    Has the Moon got you hurried and harried?

    No worries! The Moon represents the feminine and your capacity to receive and recognise the resources you have available to fulfil your emotional needs.  Too often, we get distracted with what is not ours and miss out on the available opportunity, experiencing disappointment and disillusionment, or worse, we become like my hairy friend, Monsieur Lou Garou. 🤭

    This week
    Reminder: Lunar Eclipse that occurred on September 7!
    Lunar eclipses give fruits according to how you have been living in thought and action.
    Theme: Am I being true to myself in my plans and endeavours? 
    Maximum effects: Mostly felt August 8 thru October 8.

    Who will it effect?
    The eclipse is at 15˚ Pisces. Its effects are felt most strongly by those with planets within a 5˚ orb of the eclipse or on a house cusp, but will effect any planets in same sign (Pisces), especially those more sensitive to eclipses.

    How? A wonderful aspect from Jupiter indicates how even though this eclipse can highlight where expectations were not met, Jupiter keeps your spirits up and, more importantly, indicates the potential for you to truly understand where you are limiting yourself either through unrealistic expectations or because you are not surrendering to your authentic nature (full potential). In this way, you can ask yourself where it was you were false which kept things from fully blossoming. Mercury is also influencing this eclipse — with sincere self-examination and analysis, you can find where you got off-track allowing you to build a better plan of action. Mercury is your power to do and redo (if necessary) until you get it right.

    Coming soon! Solar Eclipse September 21!
    A solar eclipse heralds an end to one cycle and the start of another.
    Theme: What do you need to let go of to build the life you want?
    Maximum effects: Mostly 21 August thru 21 October.

    Who will it effect?
    The Solar eclipse is at 29˚ Virgo. It effects most strongly those with planets within 5˚ (in Virgo or Libra) or on a house cusp, but will also effect those with any planets in same sign (Virgo), especially those sensitive to eclipses.

    Carry through theme from first eclipse in cycle 19 July 1917 @ 03:42
    Pluto conjunction to eclipse reveals how the current eclipse will carry a theme of breaking down emotional needs in order to move from dependence to independence.

    Current eclipse ramifications
    21 September 2025 Partial eclipse (BST): 18:29 thru 22:53; Max eclipse 20:42
    Tends to highlight one’s long-term worries about loved ones, health issues, or business viability. These can seem fated or destined (Saturn, Neptune, Mercury, Venus influence). Similar to the lunar eclipse, this eclipse is pushing you to dig deeper within your own inner storehouse so you can be reminded of your deepest desires. Authenticity attracts joy, fulfilment, and success. Always.

         ☺️
    New! Astro-Coaching!
    Eclipse season is a perfect time to transform your life. Even when challenging, eclipses are filled with possibility. Astro-Coaching brings together Vedic Astrology and Transformational Coaching to help you transcend your  struggles and embrace your unique, authentic path. For more information, please write to me here.

    If you want success, the foremost thing is to ensure that you are not the obstacle to it. — Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, yogi, mystic, humanitarian, NYT bestselling author

    The dream begins with a (coach) who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you on to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called truth.
    — Dan Rather, American journalist, commentator, and award winning news anchor

    One of the most exciting things about (being coached) is the buzz you get when you push out of your comfort zone, come up with a plan and put it into action! Life takes on a whole new meaning as you re-create your life the way you want it. — Emma-Louise Elsey, professional life coach, author, founder of The Coaching Tools Co. and co-leader for the International Coach Federation’s Life Coaching Community of Practice
    Important dates (2025 — 2026)
    2025
    JUL 14 — 8 NOV: Uranus in Gemini! Revolution brings innovation. Bend, but don’t break.
    AUG 6 — SEP 22: Mars in Libra: right action in relationship brings bounty.
    SEP 1 thru 28 NOV: Saturn retrograde in Pisces; great time to review long range plans.
    Now thru 2026 and beyond
    Now thru JUL 26 2026: Rahu in Pisces: Loss of boundaries; excessive empathy; heightened creative expression and imagination.
    Now thru JUN 30, 2026: Jupiter exalted in Cancer: Heart-centred approach brings rewards when emotions are tied to your good intention and not selfish gain.
    SEP 1 2025 — FEB 13 2026: Saturn in Pisces: Tendency towards fear-based decisions; loss of boundaries; strong creative ideas
    FEB 14 2026— APR 12 2028: Saturn in Aries: Weakening foundation; supports taking calculated risks. Prudence is fine; obsessively cautious denies needed change.
    Hero’s Journey
    The journey of the hero is about the courage to seek the depths; the image of creative rebirth; the eternal cycle of change within us; the uncanny discovery that the seeker is the mystery which the seeker seeks to know. ~ Joseph Campbell, 
    True gurus are those who have reached the highest expression of human potential and help us find the way. I most often quote Sadhguru and highlight his practices and events simply because he is arguably the most publicly available guru today. Initially, his mission on Earth was to install the Dhyanalinga, an energy form not seen for over 2000 years, but something wonderful happened after his body recovered from the enormous energy drain of such a profound process: he decided to stick around to touch the lives of as many as possible… 😉
    Upcoming “don’t miss” hatha yoga programmes offered across Europe (incl Glasgow):

    Free and low cost programmes and discounts…
    Miracle of Mind! FREE Meditation App!

    Recent science shows that even a short amount of time is enough to spark positive neuro-physical changes in your brain. Stick with it, and these quick sessions build up, boosting your mental resilience and overall happiness.

    Launched by Sadhguru this past Mahashivratri, Miracle of Mind is a free app to download that empowers you through a daily 7 minute meditation. For more information, follow this link.

     
    Consultations
    *** 20% paid for referrals astrologyofjoy.com/special-offer

    What is the Astrology of Joy? It’s a tool for finding your bliss and living a joyful life. It’s a gentle “push” to get you back on the right track. Based upon the time-honoured system of astrology practiced in India for thousands of years, Astrology of Joy is inspired by David’s four decades living in ashrams, seeking truth, and learning from enlightened beings who taught, “You are more than a body and a mind. You are That!” 
     

    New! Astro Chat
    £45/hr… This reading is an open-ended discussion with me that works best as either a follow-up or a general exploration of any current issues in your life. Designed for the budget conscious or anyone seeking a review of their current astrological trends and trajectories. Audio file included.

    In-depth consultations… the following readings are comprehensive and detailed and include 2 to 3 hours of pre-session analysis of your astrology charts before we meet.

    Natal in-depth overview: perfect for new clients or as a comprehensive review
    £199 new clients/£169 returning clients… 2hr online reading. Includes personal eBook and session audio file.
     
    Varshaphala (6-month Solar return): 
    £169 new clients/ £129 returning clients… 2hr online reading. Includes personal eBook and session audio file.

    Specialised Consultations:
    £129… 2hr online reading on one of the following (below). Includes session audio file. Optional: £29 add on eBook.
    • Relationship/Compatibility
    • Career/Finances
    • Health and Wellbeing
    • Relocation (analyse up to 3 locations)
    • Spiritual Development
    • In-depth examination of any area of your choosing.

    Rahu/Ketu Elemental Reading
    £99… 2hr online reading. Includes session audio file. Optional: £29 add on eBook.
     
    Muhurta Consultation
    Auspicious date determination for wedding, baby planning, business start up, medical procedures, home purchase, etc.
     £79 for three month analysis. Months do not need to be successive.

    Financial Hardship? It is my vision to make Vedic astrology available to all those who are willing to take steps towards their wellbeing. If you are eager to use Vedic astrology to make your life into a better reflection of who you really are, but financial resources are a genuine barrier, please contact me about your situation.

    For more information, visit astrologyofjoy.com/consultations.


    AstrologyOfJoy.com
    About David: Personally certified by Dr. David Frawley, author and founder of the American Institute of Vedic Studies, David has been a professional astrologer for over 30 years. David learned the art and science of Indian astrology while a ten-year resident in the ashram of a realised spiritual master. David guides clients throughout the world on achieving everyday fulfilment in their spiritual and personal goals, relationships, and wellbeing.

    David served as editor of Isha Yoga’s European newsletter for two years, was Vice President of the Rosia Montana Cultural Foundation in Romania, and has a Masters in Archaeology (with Distinction), studying the challenges and issues facing contemporary society from the archaeological perspective. He also wrote and published a parent-child picture book with his brother, Steve (illustrator), about the life of Adiyogi, the first yogi. He currently resides in Burntisland, Scotland, where he serves on the board of the Burntisland Harbour Access Trust helping maintain public access to the historically significant harbour.
    Copyright © 2025 Elemental Astrology, All rights reserved.

    Our mailing address is: Elemental Astrology, Burntisland, Scotland

    Want to change how you receive these emails?
    You can update your preferences or unsubscribe here.

    Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp
  • Newsletter 1/SEPTEMBER/2025 Eclipse Season

    Newsletter 1/SEPTEMBER/2025 Eclipse Season

    Astrology Monday! Eclipse Season! Turn challenge into opportunity. ☺️
    View this email in your browser

    This Week’s Focus

    Eclipse Season 2025: Blood Moon Rising
    Issue 35 Volume 8          01 September 2025
    When it is a total eclipse, the Moon can take on a red/orange colour which is why it is sometimes called a Blood Moon. — from BBC website

    Dear wonderful neighbour and fellow traveller;

    This eclipse season looks to be one of the most robust and impactful since the eclipse season of 2019 which heralded the pandemic. No worries. Both Mars and Saturn are generally needed for conflict and death and Mars is largely absent this time. Saturn’s influence creates an opportunity if we turn our attention inward. 

    In a nutshell, both the lunar and solar eclipses this season are geared towards revelation — not outer success. HOWEVER, outer success will come as a result of paying attention to why your endeavours are languishing in mediocrity. The struggle is fundamentally because you are shying away from your innate talents and capabilities, not because you need to work harder or spend more money. This eclipse season, allow your failures to guide you towards what needs to be transformed. Hint: it’s likely not what you are doing, but how you are doing it.

    All you need to do is give your plan a tweak or two. Just take a step. Don’t shoot for the Moon just yet. You have to learn how to fly and these eclipses will show you how to start. These eclipses are sending a clear message: your issues are NOT outside of you. It’s how you are regarding yourself and your life. If you ignore this, you will go through these eclipses and simply have a hard time. On the other hand, if you closely examine the obstacles arise, this period will become an opportunity, a stepping stone to success.

    Find more information in the Moon Planner section below.

    Good luck! 🤗

    David 🙏🏻
    astrologyofjoy.com
    Astrology Monday:
    Just the facts, please! 
    An American icon from 60s television, hard-boiled detective Joe Friday always insists on “just the facts”.

    This week’s no-nonsense forecast:
    Worldly fulfilment
    Lunar Eclipse
    See the Moon Planner section below.

    Saturn re-enters Pisces
    Saturn is moving back into Pisces where Rahu (North Node) is currently situated. As mentioned in previous newsletters, this combination can cause fear and concern because our imagination can get away from us. Interestingly, Saturn’s retrograde status can help us recognise our mistakes in overreacting when these two were together earlier this year, allowing us to come up with better plans to resolve issues.

    Mars enters Libra
    Mars can help relationships take the necessary steps to bring more fulfilment, if not in romance, then at least in the practical matter of being together.

    Spiritual possibility
    Lunar Eclipse
    Both the lunar and solar eclipses this time around are focused on what is keeping you from fulfilling your greatest potential. For this reason, any challenges they bring to you regarding the material world, try to understand the internal mechanism that is creating the challenge. In some fashion, you are hanging onto an idea that is not helpful. This idea keeps you from being authentic which in turn robs you of the chance to live your life to your full potential. Recognise this and you will reap huge rewards down the road. For more, see the Moon Planner section below.

    Ongoing
    Uranus in Gemini!
    Uranus is in Gemini thru 8 November, giving us a preview of the next seven years beginning 26 April, 2026. Uranus is is your authentic nature crying to be freed. If you are struggling, it simply means you are not honouring your authenticity. You are living a lie and Uranus wants to put an end to your falsehoods and pretence. Let it show you the way.

    Jupiter in Cancer
    Jupiter in Cancer is an opportunity to find fulfilment through service, creativity, and abundance when you seek to act upon your highest intentions. Keep your Jupiter pointed high. Jupiter can become distracted and very ordinary if you allow it to serve your passions and your need for comfort and pleasure. Nothing wrong with these as long as they don’t take the lead.
    Fair Pheobe [the Moon], more humane in this respect, allows herself to be observed in her modest gracefulness: she is gentle to the eye and unambitious, and yet she sometimes permits herself to eclipse her brother, the radiant Apollo [the Sun], without ever being eclipsed by him.
    — Jules Verne (1828 — 1905) From Earth to Moon

    The reappearance of the crescent moon after the new moon; the return of the Sun after a total eclipse, the rising of the Sun in the morning after its troublesome absence at night were noted by people around the world; these phenomena spoke to our ancestors of the possibility of surviving death. Up there in the skies was also a metaphor of immortality.”
    ― Carl Sagan (1934 — 1996), Cosmos

    Nations, like stars, are entitled to eclipse. All is well, provided the light returns and the eclipse does not become endless night. Dawn and resurrection are synonymous. The reappearance of the light is the same as the survival of the soul.
    — Victor Hugo (1802 — 1885), Les Misérables

    Astrology Monday

    Weekly Planning Forecast

    Virgo Sun…
    23 August — 22 September

    The Sun in Virgo highlights an important attribute of the Virgo nature: it’s a sign that indicates the building of something wonderful for the benefit of human beings, whether in thought or in deed. If you have the Sun in Virgo in your birth chart or Mercury, Saturn, or Rahu, you have an abundance of this attribute. Indeed, it is deeply ingrained in who you are and can serve you well when you recognise its worth.

    Virgo relates to the physical world and the things we attempt and accomplish in the outer world in order to find fulfilment: education degrees, job, career, house, car, etc. Spouse and family come in the next sign, Libra. Though our search for happiness in the outer world ultimately leaves us unfulfilled, as it should, it is a necessary part of the journey we human beings take from material to spiritual. 

    Sun in Aditya Tvashta…
    Fun Fact: Zodiac comes from the Greek zodiakos (kyklos) which literally means “circle of little animals” and reveals how astrological knowledge was shared between the cultures of Greece and India beginning in the time of Alexander the Great.

    Before the arrival of the Greeks, the ‘zodiac’ used in India was a 360 degree circle based upon the Sun’s movement (Adityas). The Aditya corresponding to Virgo is Tvashta which relates to the chariot maker. This highlights the nature of Tvashta as the sign that relates to building something that allows human beings to have an easier and more comfortable existence, to “move” from one aspect of life to another.     😊
     
    Moon Planner
    Has the Moon got you hurried and harried?

    No worries! The Moon represents the feminine and your capacity to receive and recognise the resources you have available to fulfil your emotional needs.  Too often, we get distracted with what is not ours and miss out on the available opportunity, experiencing disappointment and disillusionment, or worse, we become like my hairy friend, Monsieur Lou Garou. 🤭

    This week
    Lunar Eclipse September 7!
    Lunar eclipses give fruits according to how you have been living in thought and action.
    Theme: Am I being true to myself in my plans and endeavours? 
    Maximum effects: Mostly felt August 8 thru October 8.

    Who will it effect?
    The eclipse is at 15˚ Pisces. Its effects are felt most strongly by those with planets within a 5˚ orb of the eclipse or on a house cusp, but will effect any planets in same sign (Pisces), especially those more sensitive to eclipses.

    Carry through theme from first eclipse in cycle 26 June 1304 @ 09:02
    The carry through theme for this eclipse is learning to satisfy our needs with what is available to us, even if not much is available. This means finding other means on the outside or fulfilling ourselves through the inside, or even simply learning to live without it. Because Saturn had strong aspects on the Sun and Moon, this indicates this eclipse is more about enduring situations and gaining the capacity to persevere rather than resolving issues and finding solutions. Saturn is the planet through which we learn to let go what is not helpful so that we can carry on. Often, this means if we try to fix things, we will make them worse because we do not have the full vision of why things are happening. In this way, it is better to simply build inner resilience and fortitude.

    Fortunately, there is also a very benevolent aspect from Jupiter on both the Moon and Sun indicating the presence of grace. Jupiter either makes you realise how fortunate you were in your life situations or it allows you to see where your lack of understanding made the situation what it is, so you won’t repeat the same mistake. Jupiter also gives us a more expanded perspective so we don’t try to change something and make it worse.

    Current eclipse ramifications
    7 September 2025 Partial eclipse (BST): 17:27 thru 20:56; Max eclipse 19:11
    A wonderful aspect from Jupiter indicates how even though this eclipse will show you where expectations were not met, Jupiter keeps your spirits up and, more importantly, indicates the potential for you to truly understand where you limited yourself either through unrealistic expectations or because you were not surrendering to your authentic nature (full potential). In this way, you can ask yourself where it was you were false which kept things from fully blossoming. Pisces is related to the Aditya Dhata and this points to the foundation of things. Were you being true to yourself in your plans and endeavours? Mercury is also influencing this eclipse — with sincere self-examination and analysis, you can find where you got off-track then begin to build a better plan of action. Mercury is your power to comprehend the true potential among available options. It may not be THE fullest, but it certainly can be a stepping stone.

    Coming soon! Solar Eclipse September 21!
    A solar eclipse heralds an end to one cycle and the start of another.
    Theme: What do you need to let go of to build the life you want?
    Maximum effects: Mostly 21 August thru 21 October.

    Who will it effect?
    The Solar eclipse is at 29˚ Virgo. It effects most strongly those with planets within 5˚ (in Virgo or Libra) or on a house cusp, but will also effect those with any planets in same sign (Virgo), especially those sensitive to eclipses.

    Carry through theme from first eclipse in cycle 19 July 1917 @ 03:42
    Pluto conjunction to eclipse reveals how the current eclipse will carry a theme of breaking down emotional needs in order to tilt the mindset towards more independence regarding how one fulfils their emotional needs, i.e., from dependence to independence.

    Current eclipse ramifications
    21 September 2025 Partial eclipse (BST): 18:29 thru 22:53; Max eclipse 20:42
    Likely to highlight one’s long-term worries about loved ones, health issues, or business viability that seems fated or destined (Saturn, Neptune, Mercury, Venus influence). Similar to the lunar eclipse, this eclipse is revealing what it is you need to let go in order to climb the ladder. Pretence brings struggle; authenticity attracts joy, fulfilment, and success.

         ☺️
    New! Astro-Coaching!
    Eclipse season is a perfect time to transform your life. Even when challenging, eclipses are filled with possibility. Astro-Coaching is an offering that brings together Vedic Astrology and Transformational Coaching to help you transcend your  struggles and embrace your unique, authentic path. Here is a short  introduction on this unique programme from Alexandra, the Self-Transformation coach with whom I have teamed.
    Important dates (2025 — 2026)
    2025
    JUL 14 — 8 NOV: Uranus in Gemini! Revolution brings innovation. Bend, but don’t break.
    AUG 6 — SEP 22: Mars in Libra: right action in relationship brings bounty.
    SEP 1 thru 28 NOV: Saturn retrograde in Pisces; great time to review long range plans.
    Now thru 2026 and beyond
    Now thru JUL 26 2026: Rahu in Pisces: Loss of boundaries; excessive empathy; heightened creative expression and imagination.
    Now thru JUN 30, 2026: Jupiter exalted in Cancer: Heart-centred approach brings rewards when emotions are tied to your good intention and not selfish gain.
    SEP 1 2025 — FEB 13 2026: Saturn in Pisces: Tendency towards fear-based decisions; loss of boundaries; strong creative ideas
    FEB 14 2026— APR 12 2028: Saturn in Aries: Weakening foundation; supports taking calculated risks. Prudence is fine; obsessively cautious denies needed change.
    Hero’s Journey
    The journey of the hero is about the courage to seek the depths; the image of creative rebirth; the eternal cycle of change within us; the uncanny discovery that the seeker is the mystery which the seeker seeks to know. ~ Joseph Campbell, 
    True gurus are those who have reached the highest expression of human potential and help us find the way. I most often quote Sadhguru and highlight his practices and events simply because he is arguably the most publicly available guru today. Initially, his mission on Earth was to install the Dhyanalinga, an energy form not seen for over 2000 years, but something wonderful happened after his body recovered from the enormous energy drain of such a profound process: he decided to stick around to touch the lives of as many as possible… 😉
    Upcoming “don’t miss” hatha yoga programmes offered across Europe (incl Glasgow):

    Free and low cost programmes and discounts…
    Miracle of Mind! FREE Meditation App!

    Recent science shows that even a short amount of time is enough to spark positive neuro-physical changes in your brain. Stick with it, and these quick sessions build up, boosting your mental resilience and overall happiness.

    Launched by Sadhguru this past Mahashivratri, Miracle of Mind is a free app to download that empowers you through a daily 7 minute meditation. For more information, follow this link.

     
    Consultations
    *** 20% paid for referrals astrologyofjoy.com/special-offer

    What is the Astrology of Joy? It’s a tool for finding your bliss and living a joyful life. It’s a gentle “push” to get you back on the right track. Based upon the time-honoured system of astrology practiced in India for thousands of years, Astrology of Joy is inspired by David’s four decades living in ashrams, seeking truth, and learning from enlightened beings who taught, “You are more than a body and a mind. You are That!” 
     

    New! Astro Chat
    £45/hr… This reading is an open-ended discussion with me that works best as either a follow-up or a general exploration of any current issues in your life. Designed for the budget conscious or anyone seeking a review of their current astrological trends and trajectories. Audio file included.

    In-depth consultations… the following readings are comprehensive and detailed and include 2 to 3 hours of pre-session analysis of your astrology charts before we meet.

    Natal in-depth overview: perfect for new clients or as a comprehensive review
    £199 new clients/£169 returning clients… 2hr online reading. Includes personal eBook and session audio file.
     
    Varshaphala (6-month Solar return): 
    £169 new clients/ £129 returning clients… 2hr online reading. Includes personal eBook and session audio file.

    Specialised Consultations:
    £129… 2hr online reading on one of the following (below). Includes session audio file. Optional: £29 add on eBook.
    • Relationship/Compatibility
    • Career/Finances
    • Health and Wellbeing
    • Relocation (analyse up to 3 locations)
    • Spiritual Development
    • In-depth examination of any area of your choosing.

    Rahu/Ketu Elemental Reading
    £99… 2hr online reading. Includes session audio file. Optional: £29 add on eBook.
     
    Muhurta Consultation
    Auspicious date determination for wedding, baby planning, business start up, medical procedures, home purchase, etc.
     £79 for three month analysis. Months do not need to be successive.

    Financial Hardship? It is my vision to make Vedic astrology available to all those who are willing to take steps towards their wellbeing. If you are eager to use Vedic astrology to make your life into a better reflection of who you really are, but financial resources are a genuine barrier, please contact me about your situation.

    For more information, visit astrologyofjoy.com/consultations.


    AstrologyOfJoy.com
    New! Astro-Coaching!

    Hi! My name is Alexandra, and I am a Self-Transformation Coach. For the past 5 years, I’ve helped people manifest their heart’s desires by building a bridge between their inner truth and outer reality.

    The goal? To live and lead from the inside out. To live a life heart-led, inspired, fulfilled life.

    But here’s the truth: even when people know their vision and their path, they often get stuck. Procrastination, self-sabotage, fear – something hidden keeps holding them back.

    Teaming up with David has given me a deeper window into the unseen, unconscious layers of my clients’ inner world – helping us go straight to the root causes of resistance.

    The result? Clients not only gain clarity, but also the courage and strategy to take bold, inspired action toward their heart’s desires.

    Every time we’ve brought astrology into coaching, the recognition has been instant and powerful. It’s like turning on a light in a dark room — suddenly everything makes sense.

    This partnership is opening doors to transformation in ways I’ve never seen before. And now, we’re bringing it all together in a brand-new program designed for those ready to go all in.

    This is for you if you’re ready for a change in how you show up in the world through your work and service. Maybe you’re stuck in a role that drains you, navigating a big transition, or holding back from showing up fully as your authentic self. Now is the moment to shift.

    I’m excited to share more about this unique and pioneering program in the upcoming newsletter.

    👉 Stay tuned.

    Love and Blessings,

    Alexandra
    About David: Personally certified by Dr. David Frawley, author and founder of the American Institute of Vedic Studies, David has been a professional astrologer for over 30 years. David learned the art and science of Indian astrology while a ten-year resident in the ashram of a realised spiritual master. David guides clients throughout the world on achieving everyday fulfilment in their spiritual and personal goals, relationships, and wellbeing.

    David served as editor of Isha Yoga’s European newsletter for two years, was Vice President of the Rosia Montana Cultural Foundation in Romania, and has a Masters in Archaeology (with Distinction), studying the challenges and issues facing contemporary society from the archaeological perspective. He also wrote and published a parent-child picture book with his brother, Steve (illustrator), about the life of Adiyogi, the first yogi. He currently resides in Burntisland, Scotland, where he serves on the board of the Burntisland Harbour Access Trust helping maintain public access to the historically significant harbour.
    Copyright © 2025 Elemental Astrology, All rights reserved.

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  • Newsletter 25/AUGUST/2025 Women Warriors

    Newsletter 25/AUGUST/2025 Women Warriors

    Astrology Monday! Women Warriors: Are you one? ☺️
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    This Week’s Focus

    Women Warriors
    Ordinary women who become extraordinary
    Issue 34 Volume 8          25 August 2025
    This week’s focus: Zitkala-Ša, Lakota for ‘Red Bird’ — author, editor, translator, musician, educator, and political activist; photographed in 1898 at the age of 22 in full Lakota dress.

    I feel a keen sympathy that all are akin. The racial lines, which once were bitterly real, now serve nothing more than marking out a living mosaic of human beings.
    ― Zitkála-Šá, American Indian Stories (1921)

    Born four months before the Great Sioux War of 1876 which saw the defeat of General George Custer at the Battle of Little Bighorn, Zitkala-Ša, Lakota for Red Bird, was a product of two worlds, a Lakota mother and a euro-American father, but she excelled in both. 

    Her autobiography, American Indian Stories (1921), powerfully contrasts the freedom of her early life on the Yankton Sioux reservation with the oppressive “iron routine” of the boarding schools she was forced to attend at the age of 8 by the US government.  A dark stain on American history, tens of thousands of Native American children in the late 19th and early 20th century were separated from their families and sent to hundreds of boarding schools across America to be educated in white culture. Richard Henry Pratt, founder of a school in Carlisle, Pennsylvania that became the model for most schools in America, gave meaning to the adage, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions,” when he self-righteously proclaimed, “Kill the Indian. Save the man.“

    For Zitkala-Ša, a pivotal moment in her life occurred when she was forced to have her long hair cut. “I felt the cold blades of the scissors against my neck, and heard them gnaw off one of my thick braids. Then I lost my spirit“. In her culture, short hair was worn by mourners and cowards, making the act a deep personal and cultural violation. This moment symbolised the broader assault on her identity, where she felt uprooted like a tree: “Like a slender tree, I had been uprooted from my mother, nature, and God. I was shorn of my branches, which had waved in sympathy and love for home and friends.“

    Contrary to the aim of the programme, however, the federal government’s attempt at cultural erasure made many Native American children more resolute in keeping their traditions alive. Clandestine groups formed and intimate friendships were established that would provide the basis for activism later on. For Zitkala-Ša, this was the beginning of using her white education to fight not only for Native American rights, but to acquaint the white world with Native American culture.

    During her education, she fell in love with music and became a classical violinist. Later, she co-composed the first Native American opera which premiered in 1913. Zitkala-Ša became a prominent voice against the assimilationist policies of the U.S. government through her writings published in national magazines like Atlantic Monthly and Harper’s Monthly. She was also among the first to bring traditional Native American stories to a widespread white, English-speaking audience. In 1926, she co-founded the National Council of American Indians (NCAI) with her husband, Raymond Talefase Bonnin (also half Lakota/half European), serving as its president until her death in 1938, tirelessly advocating for Native American voting rights even after the federal Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 granted citizenship to all Native Americans.

    Her legacy is recognised through the American Women Quarters Program, which features her likeness on a quarter released in 2024, depicting her in traditional Yankton Sioux dress with a book and a stylised Sun, symbolising her opera. She died in Washington, D.C., on January 26, 1938, at the age of 61, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. She is remembered as one of the most influential Native American activists of the 20th century, whose work significantly advanced the cause of Native American rights, cultural preservation, and political recognition.
    Astrology Monday:
    Just the facts, please! 
    An American icon from 60s television, hard-boiled detective Joe Friday always insists on “just the facts”.

    This week’s no-nonsense forecast:
    Worldly fulfilment
    Saturn/Neptune conjunction: Both retrograde in Aries for the first time since the 1700s! This is an amazing once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get on track. These planets are giving you joyful permission to change direction towards what is more authentic and fulfilling. 

    Venus trine Saturn and Neptune: Venus’s love of beauty and romance relaxes Saturn’s penchant for renunciation and denial. Venus and Neptune create a “maya (illusion) yoga” so relationships can become dreamy and surreal, but may not have depth. While this is an amazing opportunity for creative expression, use Saturn’s objectivity to keep relationships grounded.

    Uranus trine Pluto: Unexpected situations supports group endeavours and your capacity to know where you fit in.

    Mars square Jupiter: Beginning September 1 and continuing thru next week, Mars energises Jupiter’s capacity for undertaking good works creating opportunity for success. Square aspects can indicate challenges, so make sure your ambitions are pure and for the good of all.

    Venus opposite Pluto: Oppositions can also be challenging. Pluto transforms through friction and when Venus is around, transformation can be initiated through love affairs or giving in to comfort, convenience, and pleasure. Not a problem as long as you look for the teaching.

    Spiritual possibility
    Saturn/Neptune conjunction: This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is urging you to chart a new course in your spiritual life. Perhaps it’s in the way you approach your practices. Maybe it is in your schedule. It can also mean you embrace a whole new path. Don’t sleep through this. This is a chance to add fuel to your spiritual fire.

    Venus trine Saturn and Neptune: Venus supports Bhakti (devotion) in your spiritual practice while the Neptune element makes it possible to experience other dimensions and realms. Guess what? Bhakti is one of the doors that lead to mystical experience, i.e., experiences rooted in your ethereal body. Are you game?

    Uranus trine Pluto: Unexpected situations and meetings become opportunities to know what talent or resource you can offer the world.

    Mars square Jupiter: Beginning September 1 and continuing thru next week, Mars is the fuel you need to fire up your spiritual quest. Gurus, teachers, and mentors can help you make a jump.

    Venus opposite Pluto: A wonderful chance to fall in love — with yourself! Do something you’re good at.

    Ongoing
    Uranus in Gemini!
    Uranus is in Gemini thru 8 November, giving us a preview of the next seven years beginning 26 April, 2026. Uranus is is your authentic nature crying to be freed. If you are struggling, it simply means you are not honouring your authenticity. You are living a lie and Uranus wants to put an end to your falsehoods and pretence. Let it show you the way.

    Jupiter in Cancer
    Jupiter in Cancer is an opportunity to find fulfilment through service, creativity, and abundance when you seek to act upon your highest intentions. Keep your Jupiter pointed high. Jupiter can become distracted and very ordinary if you allow it to serve your passions and your need for comfort and pleasure. Nothing wrong with these as long as they don’t take the lead.
    There are two kinds of people: those who make things happen, and those who enjoy it when it happens well, and complain when it does not.
    Sadhguru, yogi, mystic, named one of India’s 50 most influential people, noted for environmental initiatives like Rally for Rivers and Save Soil

    Impeccability begins with a single act that has to be deliberate, precise and sustained. If that act is repeated long enough, one acquires a sense of unbending intent which can be applied to anything else. If that is accomplished the road is clear. One thing will lead to another until the warrior realises (their) full potential.
    Don Juan, Yaqui “man of knowledge”, teacher/guru of Carlos Castaneda who wrote about his experiences in The Teachings of Don Juan: a Yaqui Way of Knowledge (1968)

    Dear wonderful neighbour and fellow traveller;

    When you hear the words “woman warrior”, do you think of a woman dressed in fatigues and lugging an M141 rocket launcher? Maybe you are a fan of Wonder Woman or perhaps you are more historically inclined, so your mind conjures an image of Boudica, the queen of the Iceni tribe of ancient Britain, who led a failed uprising against the Roman Empire in AD 60… Isn’t it interesting how woman + warrior makes us think in terms of war, a markedly masculine affair? 🤔

    Case study: Zitkala-Ša
    Torn from her mother and the land she loved to be “civilised” by the US government, 8-yr old, Zitkala-Ša had a choice to either embody the warrior spirit that was part of her heritage, or abandon it. Most of us would not have blamed her if she had simply accepted the new world into which she was thrust and turned her back on her Native American culture. For Zitkala-Ša, however, the warrior within her faced the challenge head-on. At some point early on, she decided to make use of the new culture while keeping one hand firmly on her family heritage.

    Examining her astrology (22/Feb/1876, South Dakota; time unknown), we find a woman who suffered the loss of a mother’s love in childhood, a loss that, without understanding, would have deeply affected her throughout her life. The Moon’s influence on Saturn in Aquarius indicates an attempt to fulfil emotional needs through that which is not karmically possible. Make no mistake; this is a challenging conjunction to be born under and can cause one to express their emotions in unhealthy ways because of deep-rooted, unresolved trauma. The Moon is the mother and Saturn the karmic separator. Indeed, this also underscores the passages in her autobiography which paint the mother as a pained soul from being forced to leave their native land and watch her uncle and cousin die from fever on the long trip to the new reservation. 

    Just as problematic, Saturn influences the Moon revealing how she experienced numerous occasions when she was not provided what she needed. In fact, not only was there no possibility of getting what she needed as a child, there was likely some kind of abuse given instead. Without a doubt, she suffered some kind of mistreatment during her school years to at least some degree. The result of this was likely a tendency to not trust life to provide what she needed. The only defence for one is a gradual hardening of the emotional nature. Unless one is a warrior. Zitkala-Ša, it turns out, was a warrior.

    So what in her horoscope represents Zitkala-Ša, the warrior? A few prominent attributes stand out. Saturn in its own house (Aquarius) is someone who can persevere, endure, and withstand hardship. It doesn’t mean they won’t get knocked down, that they won’t feel the pain and anguish of life, but they won’t stay down. Moreover, Saturn in Aquarius, 12th from the Sun, indicates a strong spiritual, but not religious, connection. Though Christian dogma was forced upon Zitkala-Ša, she simply refused to embrace it.

    A wee child toddling in a wonder world, I prefer to their (Christian) dogma my excursions into the natural gardens where the voice of the Great Spirit is heard in the twittering of birds, the rippling of mighty waters, and the sweet breathing of flowers. If this is Paganism, then at present, at least, I am a Pagan. ― Zitkala-Ša, 1902 essay Why I Am A Pagan

    What was the source of her inner resilience and defiance? The Sun. Her Sun is off the charts in terms of sheer power. In the chart image above, notice the yellow bar graph in the upper right. This is one representation in Vedic astrology of how well a planet is able to do what it needs to do. It’s not the only indicator, but a very useful one. For her, the Sun by far is the tallest yellow bar and dominates her chart. The Sun is the sense of Self, our authentic nature seeking to express itself. It is masculine, and when weak, we go through life unsure of what we need to do or even can do. When strong, however, we can move mountains simply through the vitality we hold within.

    What’s more, Zitkala-Ša has a friendly Rahu (North node) which expands the power of the Sun exponentially. There was no way this woman’s spirit would be corralled or denied no matter the outer circumstances. It is not a coincidence that the opera she composed which played in New York was called The Sun Dance Opera about a profound spiritual Lakota ritual, the Sun Dance. The Sun, too, is prominently displayed on the 2024 US quarter bearing her likeness. 

    Of course, a strong sense of self by itself does not reveal someone who can bring good to the world. A healthy Jupiter is required and this shows up for her as Jupiter in Sagittarius, it’s home. Jupiter from this position has a strong influence on the Sun and ensures that her strong sense of self, for the most part, would be lead towards beneficial outcomes by her sincere desire to make the world a better place for all. In this case, she wanted to see Native Americans be accepted as full American citizens with all the rights and privileges that come with American citizenship. Unlike the Sun which is not harmed by any planet, her Jupiter would at times challenge her to “stay the course” as both Venus and Mercury, enemies of Jupiter, can indicate becoming distracted with material rewards and external recognition.

    Like everyone who takes birth, Zitkala-Ša had her own burden to carry. A warrior is not someone who has no baggage; rather, the warrior is the one who faces what he or she must. Yaqui shaman don Juan said to Carlos Castaneda:

    To be a warrior is not a simple matter of wishing to be one. It is rather an endless struggle that will go on to the very last moment of our lives. Nobody is born a warrior, in exactly the same way that nobody is born an average man. We make ourselves into one or the other.

    I’ve presented Zitkala-Ša here not as an example of an extraordinary human being, but of an ordinary human being who rose to the occasion. Like her, our astrology shows past life trial and tribulations, incomprehensible traumas that we carry to this day, but also like her, our astrology reveals the potential of our strength and inner fortitude. We are all warriors. We only need tap into our warrior spirit.

    Coming Soon: Astro-Coaching
    Sometimes to move forward in life, we need help. Old patterns can trap us behind castle walls, recycling the same thoughts that lead nowhere. We believe we are in control, but often we’ve locked ourselves into a self-made prison… and feel we’ve lost the key.

    But the truth is, the key is closer than you think. With the right guidance, you can find it, unlock the door, and step into the freedom to live the life you dream.

    To address our aspirations, many of us benefit from having someone personally help us navigate the road to success. That’s where coaching comes in. The right coach helps you reconnect with your authentic self, so you can make decisions from clarity, not fear; from power, not weakness. From that space, you can begin to carve your unique path with ease and confidence.

    Last year, I asked: what if a Vedic Astrologer and a Transformational Coach teamed up? As a professional astrologer, I can easily see your walls, but I lack the time and inclination to personally guide you step-by-step over those walls. A coach, on the other hand, is trained and experienced to guide you up that ladder, one rung at a time.

    At the end of last year, I successfully partnered with an accomplished Transformational Coach I have known for years to offer selected clients not only astrological insight, but also a practical, personally guided approach to achieving their personal, professional, and spiritual goals. Together, we successfully introduced Astro-Coaching — a programme that helps you align the strengths and talents indicated in your horoscope with real-world, practical action, so you can break old cycles and build lasting momentum. As I have witnessed over the years, many of you fall back into old thoughts and patterns and struggle to make progress. This is when having a personal coach in tune with the intricacies of your horoscope can mean the difference between continuing to struggle and making real progress.

    And so it was that Astro-Coaching was born. 🤗

    If a new path or shift in direction has been whispering to you, this is the time to claim what you want, release what no longer serves you, and step boldly into what is calling. 

    Full details of the programme and cost will be revealed in the weeks ahead. At first, we will only take on a limited number of clients. If you are interested, drop me a line and I’ll put you on the “Interested” list. No obligation. Just possibility.

     🤗

    David 🔆
    Coming Soon! Astro-Coaching!
    Sometimes to move ahead, we need a little help from our friends — and astrologers and coaches. To help you out, I have teamed up with a certified Transformational Coach to offer you Astro-Coaching. Unlike other astrologers who “coach” but are not trained coaches, this is a strategic offering that gives you the best of both worlds, Vedic astrology and Transformational Coaching. Stay tuned!

    Astrology Monday

    Weekly Planning Forecast

    Virgo Sun…
    23 August — 22 September

    The Sun in Virgo highlights an important attribute of the Virgo nature: it’s a sign that indicates the building of something wonderful for the benefit of human beings, whether in thought or in deed. If you have the Sun in Virgo in your birth chart or Mercury, Saturn, or Rahu, you have an abundance of this attribute. Indeed, it is deeply ingrained in who you are and can serve you well when you recognise its worth.

    Virgo relates to the physical world and the things we attempt and accomplish in the outer world in order to find fulfilment: education degrees, job, career, house, car, etc. Spouse and family come in the next sign, Libra. Though our search for happiness in the outer world ultimately leaves us unfulfilled, as it should, it is a necessary part of the journey we human beings take from material to spiritual. 

    Sun in Aditya Tvashta…
    Fun Fact: Zodiac comes from the Greek zodiakos (kyklos) which literally means “circle of little animals” and reveals how astrological knowledge was shared between the cultures of Greece and India beginning in the time of Alexander the Great.

    Before the arrival of the Greeks, the ‘zodiac’ used in India was a 360 degree circle based upon the Sun’s movement (Adityas). The Aditya corresponding to Virgo is Tvashta which relates to the chariot maker. This highlights the nature of Tvashta as the sign that relates to building something that allows human beings to have an easier and more comfortable existence, to “move” from one aspect of life to another.     😊
     
    Moon Planner
    Has the Moon got you hurried and harried?

    No worries! The Moon represents the feminine and your capacity to receive and recognise the resources you have available to fulfil your emotional needs.  Too often, we get distracted with what is not ours and miss out on the available opportunity, experiencing disappointment and disillusionment, or worse, we become like my hairy friend, Monsieur Lou Garou. 🤭

    This week
    Moon conjunct Mars in Libra, Tuesday, 25 — 27 August
    When the Moon and Mars get together in Libra, the relationship focus of Libra gets activated. If you have a friendly Mars (Aries, Cancer, Leo, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Pisces), then you will tend to do what is necessary in your relationships and there will be positive outcomes. If you have an unfriendly Mars (Taurus, Gemini, Virgo, Libra, Capricorn, Aquarius), then there is a tendency to put your needs before duty and create challenging situations. You have been warned.     😄 ☺️
    Important dates (2025 — 2026)
    2025
    JUL 14 — 8 NOV: Uranus in Gemini! Revolution brings innovation. Bend, but don’t break.
    JUL 14 — AUG 31 Saturn retrograde in Aries: with Neptune can bring redirection
    AUG 6 — SEP 22: Mars in Libra: right action in relationship brings bounty.
    SEP 1 thru 28 NOV: Saturn retrograde in Pisces; great time to review long range plans.
    Now thru 2026 and beyond
    Now thru JUL 26 2026: Rahu in Pisces: Loss of boundaries; excessive empathy; heightened creative expression and imagination.
    Now thru JUN 30, 2026: Jupiter exalted in Cancer: Heart-centred approach brings rewards when emotions are tied to your good intention and not selfish gain.
    SEP 1 2025 — FEB 13 2026: Saturn in Pisces: Tendency towards fear-based decisions; loss of boundaries; strong creative ideas
    FEB 14 2026— APR 12 2028: Saturn in Aries: Weakening foundation; supports taking calculated risks. Prudence is fine; obsessively cautious denies needed change.
    Hero’s Journey
    The journey of the hero is about the courage to seek the depths; the image of creative rebirth; the eternal cycle of change within us; the uncanny discovery that the seeker is the mystery which the seeker seeks to know. ~ Joseph Campbell, 
    True gurus are those who have reached the highest expression of human potential and help us find the way. I most often quote Sadhguru and highlight his practices and events simply because he is arguably the most publicly available guru today. Initially, his mission on Earth was to install the Dhyanalinga, an energy form not seen for over 2000 years, but something wonderful happened after his body recovered from the enormous energy drain of such a profound process: he decided to stick around to touch the lives of as many as possible… 😉
    Upcoming “don’t miss” hatha yoga programmes offered across Europe (incl Glasgow):

    Free and low cost programmes and discounts…
    Miracle of Mind! FREE Meditation App!

    Recent science shows that even a short amount of time is enough to spark positive neuro-physical changes in your brain. Stick with it, and these quick sessions build up, boosting your mental resilience and overall happiness.

    Launched by Sadhguru this past Mahashivratri, Miracle of Mind is a free app to download that empowers you through a daily 7 minute meditation. For more information, follow this link.

     
    Consultations
    *** 20% paid for referrals astrologyofjoy.com/special-offer

    What is the Astrology of Joy? It’s a tool for finding your bliss and living a joyful life. It’s a gentle “push” to get you back on the right track. Based upon the time-honoured system of astrology practiced in India for thousands of years, Astrology of Joy is inspired by David’s four decades living in ashrams, seeking truth, and learning from enlightened beings who taught, “You are more than a body and a mind. You are That!” 
     

    New! Astro Chat
    £45/hr… This reading is an open-ended discussion with me that works best as either a follow-up or a general exploration of any current issues in your life. Designed for the budget conscious or anyone seeking a review of their current astrological trends and trajectories. Audio file included.

    In-depth consultations… the following readings are comprehensive and detailed and include 2 to 3 hours of pre-session analysis of your astrology charts before we meet.

    Natal in-depth overview: perfect for new clients or as a comprehensive review
    £199 new clients/£169 returning clients… 2hr online reading. Includes personal eBook and session audio file.
     
    Varshaphala (6-month Solar return): 
    £169 new clients/ £129 returning clients… 2hr online reading. Includes personal eBook and session audio file.

    Specialised Consultations:
    £129… 2hr online reading on one of the following (below). Includes session audio file. Optional: £29 add on eBook.
    • Relationship/Compatibility
    • Career/Finances
    • Health and Wellbeing
    • Relocation (analyse up to 3 locations)
    • Spiritual Development
    • In-depth examination of any area of your choosing.

    Rahu/Ketu Elemental Reading
    £99… 2hr online reading. Includes session audio file. Optional: £29 add on eBook.
     
    Muhurta Consultation
    Auspicious date determination for wedding, baby planning, business start up, medical procedures, home purchase, etc.
     £79 for three month analysis. Months do not need to be successive.

    Financial Hardship? It is my vision to make Vedic astrology available to all those who are willing to take steps towards their wellbeing. If you are eager to use Vedic astrology to make your life into a better reflection of who you really are, but financial resources are a genuine barrier, please contact me about your situation.

    For more information, visit astrologyofjoy.com/consultations.


    AstrologyOfJoy.com
    About David: Personally certified by Dr. David Frawley, author and founder of the American Institute of Vedic Studies, David has been a professional astrologer for over 30 years. David learned the art and science of Indian astrology while a ten-year resident in the ashram of a realised spiritual master. David guides clients throughout the world on achieving everyday fulfilment in their spiritual and personal goals, relationships, and wellbeing.

    David served as editor of Isha Yoga’s European newsletter for two years, was Vice President of the Rosia Montana Cultural Foundation in Romania, and has a Masters in Archaeology (with Distinction), studying the challenges and issues facing contemporary society from the archaeological perspective. He also wrote and published a parent-child picture book with his brother, Steve (illustrator), about the life of Adiyogi, the first yogi. He currently resides in Burntisland, Scotland, where he serves on the board of the Burntisland Harbour Access Trust helping maintain public access to the historically significant harbour.
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