Note from the President of ACVA

By Professor Charlotte Benson (Jyoti Devi)

President, ACVA

June 2026

Dear Friends of ACVA –

Welcome to the Solstice edition of The ACVA Comet.

Jupiter exalted in Cancer does not disappoint! In the past few weeks, I’ve observed a justified increase in optimism, and renewed faith in the unknown future – both personally, and with clients in my consulting practice. Some worldview has improved, it seems. Somehow – thank Heavens! I hope you can make the most of this special Jupiter.

Speaking of this special Jupiter blessing, we hope that you will enjoy and benefit from the ideas in the excellent articles offered here. We are especially pleased to present to you our guest contributors: Aditi Sinha, Sandeep Tyagi, Peter Dawson, and Dhruv Singh. I learned something from each of their articles!

Pratik Mehta, ACVA’s Director of Social Media and Community Engagement (aka the “Sherlock of the Skies”) has written a bit of a lighthearted treatise on rational speculation of the birth rasi. Dr. Lynn Bootes also offers “The Observatory,” succinct and useful as ever. Our Provost and Dean of Academics Juliana Swanson has written an illuminating article about the solstice.

So, you have some wonderful summer reading in this edition. Thank you all!

ACVA is also busy preparing for the rare and wonderful UAC conference, being held in Chicago in less than three months. We are very proud to be the sole sponsor to represent Jyotish at this American/International Kumbha Mela for astrologers! We expect to have 1,500 participants including Dr. Lynn Bootes, Gizem Heukelom, Ronnie Gale Dryer, Komilla Sutton, Joni Patry, Ksanati Nakshatra, Sam Geppi, Simon Chokoisky, Freedom Cole, Dr. Dennis Harness, and many others. I will be delighted to meet you in person, there on the Miracle Mile! 

Here is the link for registration: https://uacastrology.com/uac-2026-registration/

ACVA has presented some wonderful webinars recently. Look for more information about scheduled webinars on our social networks and here in the quarterly ACVA Comet, or monthly ACVA Asteroid. When you become an ACVA member these monthly webinars are free! You can read about the benefits of membership, and sign up here: https://acvaonline.org/membership

Finally, thank you to our recent donors. You help make ACVA, our labor of love, manifest!

With all best wishes to you and your families, 

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Professor Charlotte Benson (Jyoti Devi)

President, American College of Vedic Astrology

ACVA Comet 2026 – 06 Holy Days

By Professor Juliana Swanson

ACVA Provost and Dean of Academics

Summer Solstice 2026

(Reprint of my article from my Substack: https://astralharmony.substack.com/ )

For those of us who live in the northern hemisphere, the glorious summer solstice and beginning of summer will occur on Sunday, June 21. The solstice will occur precisely on June 21 at 4:24 AM EDT (8:24 AM UTC). Use World Time Buddy to find the exact time if your location is different. For our friends in the southern hemisphere, this day will be the mystical winter solstice and the beginning of winter.

Because I live in the northern hemisphere, I will focus mostly on the summer solstice in this article. Yet, both the summer and winter solstices are deeply profound occasions. On these days, we celebrate and embrace the light that is the highest expression of the divinity in all of nature.

Understanding the Summer Solstice

The term solstice is derived from “sol” (Sun) and “sistere,” to stand still. At the solstice, the Sun has no apparent motion. This is a turning point when we, like the Sun, are meant to pause, so that we may appreciate and enjoy the fruits of our past efforts.

The summer solstice marks the moment when the apparent path of the Sun reaches its zenith in the Tropic of Cancer, before it appears to turn and move south again. It is the longest day of the year and the time of maximum light.

The astronomical still point of summer solstice is also known as Midsummer. This potent event has long been observed throughout the world as an important time to celebrate and give thanks for the magic of life! It gives us an opportunity to purify ourselves, let go of the past, renew our life force, and affirm our highest purpose.

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ACVA Comet 2026 – 06 Technical Article

By Dhruv Narayan Singh

Astrology Consultant, Writer, and Speaker

Career Challenges Written in the Stars: Understanding Professional Setbacks Through Astrology

Before I begin, I would like to pay my sincere tribute to my Jyotiṣa Guru Śrī Marc Boney who has always encouraged me to do research and write on Jyotiṣa. I will always be very grateful to him.

Professional setback is really an undesirable situation in a person’s life but is nonetheless very common. It can happen in a variety of different ways. Sometimes the person facing a setback gets fired or resigns under some pressure either because of their own misdoing like taking a bribe or due to a systematic issue like corruption in public office.

Sometimes it can happen if some act of theirs provokes the higher ups or official authorities.

The examples below illustrate the astrological reasons behind some of these cases of professional setback. To make the article understandable I have explained a few concepts at the offset to make the examples easier to comprehend.

Important concepts

Dur Yoga

If the 10^th lord goes to houses 6^th or 8^th or 12^th and the 10^th house or the 10^th lord are under the influence of malefic planets, Dur Yoga is formed. This Yoga gives career setbacks like getting laid off / fired or having to resign under duress. It is important to see how this yoga is applied in real life. Dur Yoga can get modified if natural benefics influence 10^th house or the 10^th lord. It has been seen that generally when more than one natural malefic is involved and the influence of natural benefics is missing making, this yoga is more likely to give its result. This last point is important, and people should not jump to conclusions without judging the intensity of the Dur Yoga and considering modifying factors such as influence of benefits.

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ACVA Comet 2026-06 Technical article

By Pratik Mehta

ACVA Director of Social Media and Community Engagement

Sherlock of the Skies gets enamored by Deepika Padukone

Hiya, everyone. I am back. It’s me, your favorite spook from across the pond, Sherlock of the Skies. The last time we met we worked out the most likely ascendant for my dear mate Ed Sheeran. This time around I am hoping we can do the same for the ravishing, charming, enchanting and oh so gorgeous Bollywood siren, Ms. Deepika Padukone.

The fact that her birth time isn’t known just adds to her enigmatic personality. Since it worked out well for us last time, we will use the same deduction toolkit that we put together for the Sheeran case. For those of you that might have missed that adventure, here’s a recap:

Tool #1

The trusted magnifying glass i.e. the Lagna and Lagneśa, more specifically any Grahas placed in the Lagna, their strengths and their associations with other Grahas, along with the strength, placement and Graha associations of the Lagneśa. Rationale being, nothing noteworthy, let alone remarkable, can happen without a strong Lagna and Lagneśa. Period. The Lagna and Lagneśa are the primary beacons of the inherent potential that destiny has bestowed on the native to become a “somebody” during their lifetime.

For sake of completeness, a Graha is strong when exalted, in its own sign and/or retrograde, and/or with Digbala. A Graha is considered weak when debilitated, combust, or in planetary war. In all other conditions it is considered ordinary i.e. neither strong nor weak.

A Graha is considered unfavorably placed when in the 3^rd, 6^th, 8^th or 12^th Bhāvas. All other Bhāva placements are favorable.

Tool #2

Bhāvas and Bhāveśas that govern the skills and competencies needed to be successful in a particular field and their association with the Lagna/Lagneśa and/or the 10^th Bhāva and Bhāveśa. The Lagna/Lagneśa signify the innate aptitude that the individual is born with and the 10^th Bhāva/Bhāveśa indicate the most likely interface/framework that the individual is destined to use when interacting with the outside world.

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ACVA Comet 2026-06 Technical article

By Peter Dawson

Vedic Astrologer

The Power and Punch of the Rucaka Yoga

In classical Vedic literature great importance is given to the five Pañcamahāpuruṣa Yogas. They refer to five classes of extraordinary people born under certain specific configurations. These Yogas are named, “Rucaka Yoga,” formed by Mars, “Bhadra Yoga,” formed by Mercury, “Haṃsa Yoga,” formed by Jupiter, “Mālavya Yoga,” formed by Venus, and “Śaśa Yoga,” formed by Saturn.

The primary rule for the creation of these Yogas is as follows: The planet forming the yoga must be in its own, or exaltation sign, and in an angle from the Lagna or the Moon.



It goes without saying that such a planet will express its nature strongly in the life and character of the native. In fact, the classical text Phaladīpikā (śloka VI.4) tells us that these Yogas make one “fortunate; a king or equal to a king; an emperor or superior to an emperor.” Powerful stuff indeed! It must be borne in mind however, that the text from which these illustrious descriptions arise was written centuries ago and should be adapted to fit more modern times. Today, a “King” or an “Emperor” might be describing someone who gains a position of great authority and status in the community, whether that be in the theatre of politics, sports, the arts, or business. If the planet forming the yoga also participates in other beneficial Yogas, especially from planets in, or ruling the Trikoṇa (1-5-9) or Kendra (1-4-7-10) houses then it becomes even more auspicious.

In this article I want to focus on the powerful Rucaka Yoga, formed when Maṅgala/Mars is found angular in either Aries or Scorpio, the signs of his dignity, or Capricorn, his exaltation sign. Remember, it can also be in an angle from the Moon. (Candra Lagna) From “300 Combinations” by B. V. Raman we are told that this Yoga:

“…is caused by the strong disposition of Mars in a Kendra identical with his own or exalted sign. Rucaka Yoga makes one martial, a leader of men, a great Commander, and an aggressive but patriotic ruler or an equal.”

In order to illustrate the effects of Rucaka Yoga let us look at the horoscope of a man who rose to the very pinnacle of his profession, a profession moreover, that epitomizes the power and the punch of such a strong Mars.

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ACVA Comet 2026 –06 Technical Article

By Aditi Sinha

Vedic Astrologer

The Astrology of Real Estate Wealth

Introduction

Real estate has long been regarded as one of the most tangible and enduring forms of wealth. Land, homes, buildings, and estates not only provide shelter and security, but often become symbols of prosperity and legacy. Yet while some individuals accumulate extraordinary wealth through property and real estate ventures, others struggle to derive financial gains from their holdings.

Clearly, not all property ownership carries the same karmic promise.

This article explores the astrological patterns seen in the charts of highly successful real-estate investors, moguls, and individuals with significant property-based wealth.

Astrological Patterns for Real Estate Wealth

In Jyotiṣa, wealth through land and fixed assets is seen through a combination of influences involving the 4th house, its lord, prosperity-giving Yogas and planetary strengths among other factors. Certain patterns emerge in the charts of individuals who acquire substantial wealth, influence, or legacy through real estate:

A strong Mars - its overall condition, in the Rāśi chart and Chaturthāṁśa (D4). Mars is a Graha associated with land, property, and enterprise. The Chaturthāṁśa (D4) is the relevant divisional chart used to assess property, buildings, lands etc. Connections involving Mars, the 4th house or 4^th lord are important to observe as well.

The 4th lord being strong or configured in Rāja Yoga and/or Dhana Yoga. 

A strong Matri-Kāraka (MK) in the Jaimini system, especially when involved in Rāja or Dhana Yogas.

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ACVA Comet 2026 –06 Technical Article

By Sandeep Tyagi

Vedic Astrologer

Chronicles of the Cosmic Court

The Navagrahas or the nine planets of Jyotiṣa have fascinating tales that appear in various classical texts. These stories, genealogical lineages, and mythological origins of the Navagrahas are scattered across several classical Purāṇic and Vedic texts. This series of short articles is an attempt to share the essence of these mythic tales, and their linkage to the significations attributed to the Grahas by Sage Parāśara.

This being the first article in the series, it starts with a prelude to the influence that the Navagrahas exert over life on earth. We then have the mythological tale of Sūrya, and in the last part, how this tale ties into the significations of Sūrya as given by Parāśara. These tales served as memory aids in an era when the written script did not exist and knowledge was passed by the spoken word.

As is the tradition of India, we begin with invoking the mantra of Navagrahas to appease the nine celestial bodies, to bring balance, positivity, and protection.

अदित्याय च सोमाय मंगलाय बुधाय च |

गुरु शुक्र सनिभ्यास्च राहवे केतवे नमः ||

adityāya ca somāya maṃgalāya budhāya ca |

guru śukra sanibhyāsca rāhave ketave namaḥ ||

"Salutations to the Sun, the Moon, Mars, and Mercury. Salutations also to Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu, and Ketu."

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Coming Attractions at ACVA

1.  ACVA webinar – 8th August 2026 – Simon Chokoisky

SATURDAY 10am Pacific, 11am Mountain, Noon Central, 1pm Eastern

Topic: An Introduction to Krishnamurti Paddhati (KP Astrology)

Krishnamurti Paddathi, otherwise known as KP Astrology, is highly precise and rule-based system developed by Prof. K.S Krishnamurti in India. In this seminar you will learn essential KP principals for understanding horary and natal charts. One of the great benefits of KP is understanding what a client is really asking, and Simon will teach this method as time permits.

Webinar Registration Link:

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_G7WmEe1rSlKStQq1uFUCeA

Speaker: Mr. Simon Chokoisky

Mr. Simon Chokoisky has practiced Jyotisha since 2002 and studied with Hart de Fouw. Simon is the author of several books, including his latest Jyotisha-inspired Bhav Ballads- a poetic journey through the twelve houses of the horoscope.

Contact: info@dharmavedas.com

Web site: www.dharmavedas.com



2.  ACVA webinar – 12th September 2026 – Karina Weil

SATURDAY 10am Pacific, 11am Mountain, Noon Central, 1pm Eastern

Topic: An Introduction to Marana Karaka Sthana: The Pearl Within the Oyster The Soul’s Sacred Assignment

Marana Karaka Sthana(MKS)- the death-like place – occupies a compelling, if contested, concept within the corpus of Jyotisha. While it does not appear in great depth in the foundational classical texts, it has emerged as a meaningful interpretive framework – one that merits serious scholarly attention rather than dismissal. Its utility lies in its capacity to identify conditions of planetary debilitation that carry profound implications for the native’s psychological, karmic, and spiritual development. Far from being a cause for alarm, MKS invites us to look beneath the surface of apparent difficulty and ask “what is this placement here to teach?’

Webinar Registration Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2Mmyc4coQtWLp9HL0EDRtg

Speaker: Dr. Karina Weil

Dr. Karina Weil is a dedicated practitioner and teacher of Jyotisha, focused on making classical teachings accessible for contemporary spiritual growth. This webinar on MKS is a unique opportunity to explore one of Jyotisha’s more intricate concepts for self-understanding.

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American College of Vedic Astrology



ACVA Leadership Team



• Prof. Charlotte Benson (Jyoti Devi) – President, ACVA’s External Relations Leader

• Dr. Sisira K. Amarasinghe, Ph.D. – ACVA Vice President, Executive Director of Corporate Strategy and Technology

• Prof. Juliana Swanson – ACVA Provost and Dean of Academics

• Dr. Lynn Bootes, M.D. – Registrar and Dean of Students

• Alan Annand – ACVA Editor-in-Chief of Publications
  
• Pratik Mehta – ACVA Director of Social Media and Community Engagement

ACVA Staff

• Dr. Arjuna de Silva, MBBS (ACVA LMS & IT Operations Manager)

• Sudath Mudalige (IT Administrator)



• Susheel Erramilli (Social Media and Digital Marketing Coordinator)

To contact any one of us



American College of Vedic Astrology Inc, 2675 W. S.R. 89A #190, Sedona, AZ 86336