Jyotisa – known as Vedic/Indian astronomy and astrology – has its roots in the word jyoti, meaning light, and isha, which means master or ruler, making Jyotish understood to be the "knowledge of light".

In its most practical sense, Jyotish is an ancient living tool that helps us to shed light – that is clarity – on how we might evolve in this lifetime.

Jyotish is concerned with studying the influence of the light received from the heavens by us humans from our perspective here on Earth. That is to say the influence of the light from our closest luminaries – the Sun and Moon – to the light we receive from the farthest planet visible to our eyes, the great slow-moving planet Saturn.

The purpose of this study is to give us clarity, direction and understanding of who we are through the lens of our karmic map determined at birth, as well as the influences that might be more dominant as we travel along the timeline of our lives.

This detailed analysis can help us better understand our natural gifts and where we might best direct our energies, as well as receive an objective view on why certain things happen in our life and how to manage those that might present us with challenges.

Jyotish can also help us to better accept and understand others as well as the nature of our relationships or compatibility with the people in our home or work lives.

Knowing the karmic maps of my husband, my family and children has been absolutely invaluable in having more compassionate and understanding familial relationships.

Like Ayurveda and yoga, Jyotish also emerged from the Veda, and in the Vedanga was anthropomorphised as "the eyes of the Veda". It is considered incomparable to any other system in helping us navigate space and time with clarity.

Jyotish's living tradition has been passed down orally and in written form over millennia, and like Ayurveda's "science of life", it is often considered to be as timeless as life itself and applicable to all, wherever you are on planet Earth.

Indeed, Jyotish is also known as Kala Shastra – the Study of Time – and its ancient system to map and mark the passage of time is at the roots of all western timekeeping and calendars.

Jyotish is as commonly used in India as our daily weather reports here in the West. In India there isn't an important life event, ritual or launch of a new venture – be it a marriage, birth or business – that doesn't involve consulting Jyotish principles.

In "Light on Life", Hart de Fouw talks about how this "knowledge of light" is not only about the light from the sky above and around us, but also refers to light within ourselves that gives us the inner sight to pierce the hidden depths of our karmas and our lives.

Whether simply curious about your karmic map, or needing help understanding and navigating challenges in your life, a Jyotish reading will bring you clarity, insights and objectivity about yourself and the world that will transform your inner and outer sight!