The main feature of August 2006 is its many planetary conjunctions. There are two planets blocking the path of all of the planets with the excepetion of Rahu and Jupiter. Saturn and Ketu are standing there to shift the influence of planets. Saturn in Cancer has already made its devastating contact with Mars in June and July. Mars and Saturn are old enemies and their contact is always difficult. Saturn is meeting another old enemy the Sun on 7th August and then it will meet its two friends Mercury and Venus on 21st and 26th August respectively. Mars is applying to Ketu in Virgo towards the end of August, though the exact conjunction itself takes place on 2nd September. Other planets( except Jupiter, Rahu) are also coming to conjunct Ketu in the next few months. But the major Ketu conjunction to watch will be with Saturn on 11th October 2007 in Leo.

Panch means five Anga means limbs. Panchanga means the five limbs of the day. Panchanga is the Indian ephemeris, which takes into account the five sources of energy that support each day. The essence of the panchanga is how the Sun and Moon relate to each on a daily basis. Panchanga is used for almost every branch of Vedic astrology: natal, election, prashna (horary), religious calendars and to understand the energy of the day. Panchang of the day birth effects our emotions, temperament and nature. It can give added information about who we are and how we feel. It can strengthen the effect of the planets and give us additional qualities that we may not understand purely through the natal chart. Panchanga is what sustains the birth chart, its supporting energy. This has never been properly understood, we continue to judge the natal chart without looking at the energies that surrounding the birth. Ancient classics like Jataka Bharnam, Hora Ratnam and Maan Sagri have much information on this subject, which somehow never got incorporated into present day Jyotish in analysing natal charts. Komilla is also doing a new consultation called Personal Panchang. Cost 100 GBP / $190

I will be teaching module two of the Foundation of Vedic Astrology Course from 25th September in Romsey. The course will cover many of the essential topics for the students of Vedic astrology. You can choose to do the whole course or just do a day. Each day is filled with knowledge and is ideally suitable for beginner students with some knowledge of Vedic Astrology. Romsey is a great town with good transport links. I teach small groups of students. Expect intensive and rewarding study. Each day will reveal more of the deep spirituality and wisdom of Jyotish. You will also understand timing from the dasha and transits and learn to apply the various prinicples in chart interpretation.