Elliot Hocker at Vidyasagar Astrology, Nevada City, CA (2025)

08/26/2024

KṚṢṆA JANMĀṢṬAMĪ

Today we celebrate Kṛṣṇa Janmāṣṭamī, the birth day of Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Janma means birth and aṣṭamī means "eighth". Kṛṣṇa was born during the 8th phase of the waning Moon. The name "Krishna" originates from Sanskrit Kṛṣṇa, an adjective meaning "black", "dark", or "dark blue".

Kṛṣṇa was born at midnight during the 8th day of the waning moon in the month of Bhādrapada (rainy season) while the Sun was in Leo and the Moon was in its favorite constellation Rohiṇī. This is dated by most scholars to 3228 BCE. Today we celebrate the 5251st year since Śrī Kṛṣṇa's appearance on earth.

Kṛṣṇa is one of the ten primary incarnations of Viṣṇu, the all-pervading force of "is-ness" that exists everywhere in all things eternally. Kṛṣṇa is the 9th form of Viṣṇu, preceded by Matsya, Kūrma, Varāha, Nṛsiṃha, Vāmana, Paraśurāma, and Rāma, and followed by Buddha and, in the future, Kalki.

Kṛṣṇa is also the Yuga Avatāra of Kali Yuga, the current epoch that began in 3102 BCE. This age of mankind is characterized by materialism, vanity, and a loss of moral compass. The Bhagavad Gītā, the most famous teaching of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, offers protection from the intricate web of materialism (saṃsāra) by accepting one's karma and surrendering the results of one's actions to the will of God.

Each of the forms of Viṣṇu is connected to one of the nine planets. Kṛṣṇa is the avatāra of the Moon and therefore of compassion, tenderness, and love like the pure-hearted mother who tends to her baby. Those who worship him take on these qualities and in turn Kṛṣṇa can be worshipped to overcome challenging Moon karma.

The circumstances of Kṛṣṇa's birth, birth chart, behavior, and life story can all be observed and studied as a remedial anecdote for the often chaotic lives of those born in Kali Yuga. Even the simple fact that he was born in a dungeon and raised by adoptive parents serves as a guiding light to those who may come from compromised childhoods or broken families.

Happy Kṛṣṇa Janmāṣṭamī!

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oṃ klīṃ kṛṣṇāya namaḥ

08/21/2024

MERCURY RETROGRADE GAṆḌĀNTA

Mercury has been retrograde since August 4th and will move back into Cancer today at 6:54pm PDT.

The transition point between Cancer and Leo is an unstable position in the zodiac. The last part of Cancer is called Āśleṣā Gaṇḍānta and the first part of Leo is called Maghā Gaṇḍānta.

Both gaṇḍāntas are connected to ancestral karma. Those with important placements and rulerships of Mercury may currently be experiencing some challenges brought on by or related to their parents, their genetics, or their ancestors.

Mercury will dance between this gaṇḍānta position a total of three times this summer. This is a great time to dig deeper into Mercury remedies. Book a reading to find out exactly what your Mercury karma reveals.

Mercury Gaṇḍānta dates:

1. July 19, 2024
2. August 21, 2024
3. September 3, 2024

People, places, and plans connected to the rulership of Mercury in your chart may experience significant delay or rerouting the next few weeks until Mercury finally moves out of gaṇḍānta on September 7th.

"Muhūrta Cintāmaṇi" suggests avoiding the weekday of any gaṇḍānta, combust, retrograde or debilitated planet in important endeavors. My translation of this classical Sanskrit text will be available by the end of the year so stay tuned.

What houses does Mercury rule in your chart? Comment below.

You can book a muhūrta appointment with me to find the best time to start your next big project.

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08/18/2024

JUPITER IN MṚGAŚIRĀ

Jupiter begins his transition towards Mṛgaśirā (Orion) today at 11:25am PDT and will enter the constellation early Tuesday morning at 12:27am PDT. The last time Jupiter transited Orion was May-June 2013.

Jupiter's first stay in Mṛgaśirā will last just over three months. He will continue moving direct through the two-footed constellation until October 26th when he begins moving retrograde. However, Jupiter will begin slowing down on August 27th finally moving less than his 150% average daily speed for the first time in his current transit through Ta**us.

Jupiter has been moving "extremely fast", or Aticāra, since his entrance into Ta**us this spring so this will feel like a great sense of relief for some who have been on the expedited track of a less auspicious Jupiter transit this year.

Jupiter will slow to stationary motion and move retrograde on October 26th, finally moving back into Rohiṇī on November 28th. Those experiencing a supportive transit of Jupiter this year will be pleased to revisit themes of growth, expansion, and prosperity they may have felt somewhat unprepared for earlier.

Jupiter's transit through Mṛgaśirā will be the most beneficial for those experiencing a positive transit from ascendant or Moon. See my previous post "Jupiter in Ta**us" for more details on sign transits, or sign up for my popular course "Transits in Vedic Astrology" this fall.

Transits also give results according to nakṣatra. However, not all nakṣatras are equally friendly and supportive for everyone. In fact, some nakṣatras can even be harmful, such as the Naidhana and Ghātaka. This is all seen in the Navatārā Cakra in your birth chart.

Learn the secrets of nakṣatra transits in my new upcoming course "Nakṣatra Transits". Class begins October 3rd.

elliothocker.com/nakshatra-transits

**us

08/14/2024

Exact conjunction of Jupiter and Mars happening right now

05/21/2024

NARASIṂHA JAYANTĪ

Narasiṁha is the fourth of the four incarnations of Viṣṇu who appear during Satya Yuga. "Nara" means man and "simha" means lion. Jayantī means birthday. Today the incarnation of Narasiṁha is celebrated on the 14th day of the waxing fortnight in the month Vaiśākha.

Narasiṁha has a human torso and lower body with a lion face and claws. Narasiṁha is associated with the destructive nature of time and is depicted with three eyes from which the fire of destruction comes forth to destroy the entire universe at the time of great dissolution.

Narasiṁha defends and protects his devotees from evil. The most popular Narasiṁha legend tells of the protection of his devotee Prahlāda and the killing of Prahlāda’s wicked demon-king father Hiraṇyakaśipu who persecuted everyone for their religious beliefs. Narasiṁha disembowels and kills the demon in his lap thus restoring peace on earth.

Narasiṁha is also described as the God of Yoga, in the form of Yoga-Narasiṁha. Many yogīs and spiritual aspirants worship Narasiṁha for protection on the austere path of yoga that is often filled with obstacles both internal and external.

According to Sage Parāśara Narasiṁha is one of the four total incarnations (pūrṇāvatāra) of Viṣṇu who are connected to the four angles or kendras in a birth chart. Narasiṁha is connected to the planet Mars who gains directional strength in the 10th house. The 10th house is the most powerful of the four angles as it is the house of our karmic duties in the world and that by which we are measured (māna).

Mars is the planet of fire, death, and destruction. Narasiṁha is extolled as the “death of death”. The mantra below is chanted to overcome fear and to protect one's karma and reputation when it is threatened by demons.

Narasiṁha mantra:

उग्रं वीरं महाविष्णुं ज्वलन्तं सर्वतोमुखम्।
नृसिंहं भीषणं भद्रं मृत्युमृत्युं नमाम्यहम्॥

ugraṁ vīraṁ mahāviṣṇuṁ jvalantaṁ sarvatomukham |
nṛsiṁhaṁ bhīṣaṇaṁ bhadraṁ mṛtyumṛtyuṁ namāmyaham ||

05/08/2024

6-WEEK INTRO TO VEDIC ASTROLOGY

Study your birth chart and learn the fundamentals of Vedic astrology at the same time in this six-week interactive beginner course. We use examples of each student's chart for a fun, interactive experience. The chart comes to life in just six weeks. It’s an awesome way to introduce yourself to the techniques Vedic Astrologers use to read a chart. It’s almost like getting a mini reading every week for six weeks ✨

This course is ideal for anyone who wants to explore Vedic Astrology and learn more about their Vedic birth chart. You don’t need any previous skills to join. It's also great for Western astrologers who want to get familiar with the differences in Vedic astrology without having to commit to a year-long course ✨

After completing this course you will be able to read and understand your own Vedic chart at a beginner level and recognize those karmic archetypes in the charts of your friends and family ✨

What you will learn ✨

○ Class 1 - Nine Planets
○ Class 2 - Twelve signs
○ Class 3 - Twelve houses
○ Class 4 - Strength & Status
○ Class 5 - Divisional charts
○ Class 6 - Daśā (timing)

✨ Classes begin Wednesday, May 28th

✨ Classes meet on Zoom once a week from 6-8pm Pacific Time

✨ Lifetime access to videos and course content from all previous years

Grab the link in my bio to sign up or copy and past the URL below:

elliothocker.com/intro

05/06/2024

FOUNDATIONS IN MUHURTA

Foundations in Muhūrta is my 6-month course in Vedic electional astrology. The course is taught from my translation of “Muhūrta Cintāmaṇi”, a Sanskrit text written in 1600 AD. It's an intermediate level course so some basic astrology background is required 🌙

Muhur means moment or instant in Sanskrit and ṛta means order. Muhūrta is the order or quality of a moment in time. It is the language of time in Vedic astrology. Muhūrta is used by astrologers to elect auspicious timings for the various undertakings in our lives. It is an infinitely useful and necessary skill for all astrologers 🌙

The foundation of calculating muhūrta is understanding the elements of time. These elements combine to create windows of opportunity that maximize success in a particular endeavor. For example, one day may be great for opening a bank account, while another day may be best for launching a marketing campaign 🌙

What you will learn 🌙

◘ In-depth analysis of the Vedic calendar - weekday, tithi, nakṣatra, yoga, and karaṇa - what they are, what they mean, and how to use them 🌙
◘ Electing auspicious timings and avoiding inauspicious timings for all types of major events including marriage, work, family, health, travel, business, education, and anything else you could possibly imagine 🌙
◘ Relationship compatibility and match making between two birth charts for business and marriage 🌙
◘ Birth chart and muhūrta integration 🌙
◘ Transit, daśā, and muhūrta integration 🌙
◘ 100's of other techniques too elaborate to list here 🌙

Next live class begins May 30, 2024. Live classes meet on Zoom once a week on Thursdays from 4-6pm Pacific time. Sign up and access anytime, or wait for the next live program. Lifetime access to videos and course content from all previous years 🌙

Follow the link in my bio to learn more and sign up 🌙

05/05/2024

COMBUSTION OF JUPITER & VENUS

Last week Venus and Jupiter moved into combustion and will no longer be visible in the night sky for some time. Each year Jupiter and Venus disappear for about a month as they move within the proximity of the Sun. In Vedic astrology when Jupiter moves within 11° of the Sun and when Venus moves within 10° of the Sun they become invisible or combust (asta). Combust planets lose their influence and potency in the world.

Jupiter and Venus are the most benevolent planets in the solar system. Jupiter represents prosperity, knowledge, and good luck. Jupiter is the also the ākāśa tattva or ether element that holds everything together. Without the blessing and container of Jupiter nothing in this world can prosper.

Venus represents the water element, reproduction, and the family bloodline. Venus is also very important for material success as the water element is the material that nourishes us and through our reproductive system sustains our lineage.

Jupiter and Venus are the Brāhmaṇas and teachers of the celestial realm. Jupiter is the spiritual wisdom guru and Venus teaches all material and worldly knowledge. When either of these planets is combust the following activities are contraindicated until their light returns.

Jupiter combustion: May 4th – June 3rd
Venus combust: April 28th – July 11th

‣ Building ponds, swimming pools, gardens, lakes, tanks, reservoirs, wells, houses and buildings
‣ Marriage
‣ Moving into a new house
‣ Moving in together
‣ Beginning a fast or austerity
‣ Beginning donation or charity
‣ Exams
‣ Graduation ceremonies
‣ Piercing the ears
‣ Establishing a statue or deity in the home or temple
‣ Initiation into mantra & Gāyatrī initiation
‣ Giving baby’s first haircut
‣ Visiting a holy place or temple for the first time
‣ Meeting the king
‣ Coronation and inauguration ceremony
‣ Pilgrimage

**us

05/01/2024

JUPITER IN TA**US

Today at 2:25am EST Jupiter entered sidereal Ta**us where he will stay until May 14, 2025. Jupiter is the most benevolent planet in our solar system and is the natural significator for happiness (sukha), knowledge (jñāna), and good luck (bhāgya). The transit of Jupiter is one of the more important transits to pay attention to as he brings blessing, expansion, good luck, and support.

According to Varāhamihira if Jupiter transits the 2nd, 5th, 7th, 9th, or 11th house then it is beneficial, otherwise even Jupiter can create issues. Remember that the exact transit results of any planet should be interpreted according to the natal position of that planet in your birth chart, along with vedha, aṣṭakavarga, and the sarvtobhadra cakra.

✕ 1st house – Loss of wealth, position, intelligence. Deceit, drama, or controversy

√ 2nd house – Money, free from enemies, a beloved will “play with your mouth like a bee collecting pollen”

✕ 3rd house – loss of position, want of success

✕ 4th house – May suffer troubles from family members, relatives, and associates, inability to find happiness and contentment in activities and environments that may normally be pleasing

√ 5th house – Lots of help from friends, birth of children or spending more time with children, animals and vehicles, investments are fruitful, may live in or buy a house in town, clothing and jewelry increases

✕ 6th house – friends can become enemies, pleasant things will appear unpleasant

√ 7th house – Rest, comfort in the bedroom, sexual indulgence, wealth, quality food, vehicles, eloquent and intelligent speech

✕ 8th house – Obstruction or imprisonment, health troubles, intense grief, difficulties on a journey

√ 9th house – Skill and authority. Good time to conceive. Success and accomplishment at work. Fertile lands

✕ 10th house – Trouble in the workplace. Loss of position, health, or wealth.

√ 11th house – Great for career. Bestows position, health, and wealth.

✕ 12th house – Grief due to having taken the wrong path in life.

ॐ जेत्रे नमः
om jetre namaḥ

**us

04/23/2024

HANUMĀN JAYANTĪ

Today is the auspicious occasion of Lord Hanumān’s birthday known as Hanumān Jayantī. The holiday is marked by the full moon in the month of Caitra in the Vedic calendar, usually the first full moon after the spring equinox. “Hanu” means cheek in Sanskrit and mān” is a suffix indicating possession. Hanumān literally means the one with excellent cheeks. This is one of the reasons why Hanumān takes the form of a monkey-god.

Hanumān is an ancient Indian deity who is famous for his service to Lord Rāma, one of the incarnations of Viṣṇu. The classical Indian epic Rāmāyaṇa tells the dealings of Lord Rāma, his wife Sītā, in incarnation of Goddess Lakṣmī, and their greatest follower Hanumān. The original Sanskrit version of Vālmīki’s Rāmāyaṇa contains 24,000 verses beginning with the syllable “ta”, the same syllable that begins the Gāyatrī mantra.

One of the names of Hanumān is the “son of the wind”. Today the Moon is in the constellation Svātī which is connected to the Vedic deity Vāyu, the personification of air. Hanumān is known for his swift nature and quick decision making abilities.

Hanumān is also associated with the planet Mars which is why he is primarily worshipped on Tuesdays. This year the holiday falling on a Tuesday is considered even more auspicious as Mars rules Tuesday. Mars represents strength and nerve. Many gyms in India have pictures or statues of Hanumān that are worshipped with flowers, incense, and ghee lamps daily.

Hanumān represents the unending strength of pure devotion. Like the archetype of Mars, Hanumān was a lifelong celibate warrior. He is invoked for strength, protection from evil and black magic, and for restraint and control of one’s urges during a vow of celibacy.

How to celebrate:
• Read or listen to the Sundara Kāṇḍa, one of the chapters of the Rāmāyaṇa
• Listen to or chant the Hanumān Cālīsā, a hymn of 40 verses glorifying the great qualities of Hanumān
• Visit a Hanumān temple
• or chant the mantra below

ॐ हं हनुमते नमः
om haṁ hanumate namaḥ

04/11/2024

PLANETARY CABINET

Each Vedic year is named after the 60-year cycles of Jupiter and Saturn, called samvatsaras. This year in the North Indian calendar we enter Piṅgala Samvatsara, and in the South Indian calendar it is Krodhi. Piṅgala means “brown-eyed” and Krodhi means “angry”. This year marks the 5125th year in the present age of Kali Yuga. Check out the results for the year below according to planetary cabinet positions.

King: Mars – rulers of nations may act bold, aggressive and take interest in war
Minister: Saturn – advisers will be cautious, act with restraint, and be pragmatic
Army chief: Saturn – focus on planning, moving slowly, and not rushing into war
Agriculture: Mars – crops may suffer heat or drought
Grains: Moon – Moon waxes and wanes so supply will fluctuate
Prices: Saturn – inflation can continue to increase
Rains: Saturn – below average this year
Liquid commodities: Jupiter – abundant supply and profit from liquids
Dry commodities: Mars – sale of weapons and military equipment, as well as dry goods of red color

Priest: Mars – priests may be strict, assertive, and commanding
Examiner: Mars – exams for studies or permits should be careful to follow guidelines and not expect much room for error
Accountant: Mercury – great year for accounting
Local ruler: Saturn – at the local level rulers will practice restraint and be focused on saving rather than spending
Astrologer: Venus – astrologers will make good predictions

Common vehicles: Saturn – inflated prices
Luxury vehicles: Mars – sports and performance vehicles will do the best
Animals: Saturn – domestic and wild animal numbers may drop
Gods: Mars – Gods may be angry and require more propitiation
Men: Saturn – people may be sad and restrained
Women: Saturn – people may be sad and more reserved
Clothing: Jupiter – variety, traditional clothing may be more fashionable this year
Gems: Saturn – will be in short supply with increasing prices
Trees: Moon – will fluctuate
Business: Venus – Good year for business, especially Venusian type
Employment: Saturn – Employers will be restrained in hiring practices
Livestock: Yama – Not a great year for livestock

04/09/2024

VEDIC NEW YEAR

Today at sunrise the new moon in Aries marks the beginning of the Vedic new year. The first new moon after the spring equinox is the sidereal new year. Sidereal means related to the stars. The sidereal new year is celebrated in the Vedic tradition because it is the year that shapes the events in society and in the world we experience. It is also the first day of Caitra Navarātri, the nine-night festival for the mother goddess Durgā.

The new year officially began at 11:20am PDT on April 8, 2024, marking the end of the last new moon in Pisces and the start of the new waxing moon in Aries. However, while the chart used for predictions is cast for Monday, the first lunar day coinciding with sunrise happens on Tuesday morning. As a result, Mars becomes the ruler of the new year.

The year presided over by Mars can bring challenges. These include an increased chance of fire in both urban areas and forests, accompanied by dusty winds and dry conditions. Theft and robbery may increase which means taxes and insurance rates are likely to increase. Rainfall may be less than average and crops may wither. Even if they should bear fruit, they will be forcibly taken away. This means that brokers, insurance companies, and other legal means of theft will see the most benefit.

The government is not likely to attend to their duties. Health issues due to excess heat will increase and there may be trouble from snakes. Overall, crops are expected to perform below average this year and farmers should plan accordingly. There may be war-like situations developing between nations.

The new year begins in a total solar eclipse and with a Mars-Saturn conjunction. On April 10 the planetary war between Mars and Saturn indicates a potential for inflation, as was seen in March-April 2022 when Mars and Saturn united in Capricorn. The tension between the US and other countries may also cause a rise in global oil prices.

Stay tuned for another post later this week where I explain predictions for the year using the planetary cabinet. May all beings in all worlds be happy.

Elliot Hocker at Vidyasagar Astrology