The ACVA Asteroid, October 2024

American College of Vedic Astrology

Letter from the President

By Professor Charlotte Benson (Jyoti Devi) President, ACVA

Dear Friends of ACVA –

I am hoping this finds you and your families doing well post-eclipse, and after all the intense weather-related activity of the recent past.

The highly-anticipated United Astrology Conference (UAC) 2026 will take place in Chicago, Illinois, USA between September 2-9, 2026! This will be an in-person gathering, at the Chicago Marriott where it was held in 2018.

Since the first iteration of this conference in 1986, UAC has been the largest astrology conference in the Western world. It was originally sponsored by the three largest Western astrology organizations at that time and has since evolved to being now sponsored by a slightly different combination of organizations, including ACVA. About 20 years ago, ACVA was invited to join this coalition, representing the Vedic astrology world, which was a big step for Jyotish!

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Professor Charlotte Benson (Jyoti Devi)

President, American College of Vedic Astrology

The Observatory: Sun in Libra 2024

By Dr. Lynn Bootes, MD

ACVA Dean of Students and Registrar

registrar@acvaonline.org

The skies continue to provide surprise and inspiration in this dramatic month. We are at the peak of the Solar Maximum, the 11-year cycle of frequency and strength of solar storms. The Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) have extended to Washington DC in the USA and even farther south. Look for more dramatic displays to come but be prepared for disruption of digital devices. The 60-year repeating “Devil Comet” may show up soon, but already there is another visiting comet which has not been seen for tens of thousands of years.

Jupiter has reached its station and turns retrograde in Taurus as of October 10, and therefore it is very bright to the north and right of the constellation Orion (which encompasses Rohini, Mrgashira, and Ardra nakshatras). It sits opposite Venus in Scorpio early this month, and opposite Mercury in Scorpio later in the month. There is the potential for some auspicious dates for matters related to these planets.

Mars is very bright and sits to the south and left of Orion. Be prepared for the non-astrologers in your lives to ask you about this power group for many months to come. Mars will leave the contentious occupation of Gemini and enter its sign of debilitation in Cancer on October 20. Please refer to the recent article about Mars by Alan Anand in the September issue of the Comet for details.

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Happy Diwali!

By Professor Juliana Swanson

ACVA Provost and Dean of Academics

Diwali or Dipavali (meaning a Line of Lights) is the magical Festival of Lights observed by those of the Vedic/Hindu, Jain, and Sikh cultural traditions. Diwali is a multi-day New Year festival that takes place every year in the autumn season around the New Moon in Libra. This year, the festivities as well as pious religious ceremonies will extend from October 28 to November 3.

One of the most important days of the Diwali festival is Dhanteras (or Dhanatrayodashi), which will occur on October 29 this year. This day marks the beginning of the public holiday of Diwali. It commemorates the god Dhanvantari who imparted the wisdom of Ayurveda to help rid humanity of suffering. Dhanteras, Lakshmi, Ganesha, and Kubera are all propitiated for their blessings throughout Diwali, including on the day of Dhanteras.

The most significant day of Diwali happens during the Amavasya tithi. This is when the Lakshmi Puja is performed, which will occur on October 31 this year. Lakshmi’s birth and all the blessings of her love, wisdom, beauty, and abundance are commemorated on this day.

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The Mathematics of Yogas: Mahabhagya

By Alan Annand

ACVA Editor-in-Chief of Publications

Mahabhagya yoga, by its very name, implies great fortune for the horoscope owner. Generally speaking, it suggests something of a male/female archetype, along with an ability to lead and command others. In some instances, the high status may be dramatized or exaggerated in either positive or negative ways, manifesting as fame or infamy. Technically, the yoga is formed in just two ways:

A male is born between sunrise and sunset with the lagna, Moon, and Sun in odd rashis, ie, fire or air signs, or
A female is born between sunset and sunrise with the lagna, Moon, and Sun all in even rashis, ie, earth or water signs.

Given the five variables in this yoga, and the 50/50 odds for each variable (male/female, day/night, lagna odd/even signs, Moon odd/even signs, Sun odd/even signs) we can calculate that, mathematically, this yoga occurs once in 32 horoscopes, or 3% of the time. Therefore, when found in a birth chart, its very rarity suggests that the native’s personality and/or life may out of the ordinary. Consider the following two examples.

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Coming Attractions at ACVA

Thursday November 21 – Monday November 25, 2024

Maharishi Parasara Conference (Online)

Faculty for this event include ACVA’s Dr. Dennis Harness, Alan Annand and Charlotte Benson. Friends of ACVA scheduled to appear: Sarbani and Pundit Sanjay Rath, Komilla Sutton, Dr. Andrew Foss, Ronnie Dreyer, Sam Geppi, and Simon Chokoisky, along with many other luminaries.

Use Discount Code ‘ACVA108’ for a substantial discount for ACVA friends and alumni.

This will be the largest online Jyotish conference in recent years! Please join us there, online.

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It is due to the generosity of our patrons that ACVA can continue to offer its current special tuition rates. Thank you.

ACVA is a 501-C3 not-for-profit educational institution that provides a very valuable service to learners of Vedic astrology.

It is due to the generosity of our volunteers and patrons that ACVA can continue to thrive. If you choose to press the "donate" button, your donation will be tax-deductible.

To donate, Visit our Website!!

https://acvaonline.org/donate/

In gratitude,

The Leadership Team

American College of Vedic Astrology