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American College of Vedic Astrology
The ACVA Newsletter 2026-01 (January 2026)
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| | Note from the President of ACVA
By Professor Charlotte Benson (Jyoti Devi)
President, ACVA
January 2026
Dear Friends of ACVA –
Hope you’ve started the new year off in a peaceful and productive way. So many planets travelling together in the sky at the moment is a problematic situation, so we must all cultivate as much patience as possible. Managing our thoughts is especially important under this complex, combust influence. I remind myself of this regularly!
All is well at the college. Faculty and staff and the Leadership Team are working together as a well-oiled education machine for the benefit of our dedicated students. It’s gratifying to see the number of new inquiries about admission to our courses. ACVA is thriving!
Venkatesh Narasiah presented a fascinating webinar on “The Application of Jyotish in the Mental Health Field” this month. ACVA members attended for free – and you can too when you become an ACVA member.
Please enjoy the brilliant articles contributed by our equally brilliant faculty this month.
Thank you to our donors, and to all of you for your continued support of ACVA.
Until we meet again, keep looking up!
Fondly,
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Professor Charlotte Benson (Jyoti Devi)
President, American College of Vedic Astrology
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Maha Shivaratri: The annual spiritual celebration of Lord Shiva
By Professor Juliana Swanson
ACVA Provost and Dean of Academics
The Great Night of Shiva, known as Maha Shivaratri, will be celebrated on February 15 this year. Shivaratri (the Night of Shiva) is celebrated each month by yogis during the deeply waning Moon phase in the trayodashi and chaturdashi tithis, the thirteenth and fourteenth lunar days after the Full Moon (within one to two days before the New Moon in Aquarius). Shivaratri is always an important time for deep contemplation and inner quiet, a time to journey within and bask in the true inner light that exists beyond the world of form.
The Shivaratri that occurs in February or March every year is the Great Night ("Maha + Ratri") of Shiva, known as Maha Shivaratri! Maha Shivaratri is the most special among all the Shivaratris. It takes place in the days leading up to the New Moon in Aquarius (which will occur on February 17 this year). Lord Shiva presides over this astrological sign, which is symbolized by the Water Bearer who pours forth the “water of life." Known as kundalini shakti, this “water” is the essence of spiritual power, wisdom, purity, peace, and rebirth.
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The immortal rishis of India understood that the days leading up to the New Moon in Aquarius are a very special time for connecting with the inner light of Shiva. Physiological and bio energetic processes can become activated at this time through spiritual practices like fasting, pujas (fire ceremonies), chanting, holy baths, and meditation. This is related to the Sun and the Moon alignment that takes place not only “up there” in the heavens but also “down here” in our sublime energetic system in the higher chakras during this lunar cycle.
Maha Shivaratri commemorates Lord Shiva as Nilakantha, the Blue Throated One. His story is related to the legendary Samudra Manthan which occurred when the gods and demons got together to churn the great cosmic ocean to obtain more of the elixir of life, known as amrita. Lord Shiva was tasked with swallowing the pot full of halāhala (also called kālakūṭa, a metaphoric "poison"), which came out of the celestial waters during the churning process. The halāhala was so noxious that Shiva's throat turned blue. Thus, Maha Shivaratri every year represents a powerful time for purification within all of us and in the world.
| | Lord Shiva is always dancing the whole of creation into existence, but on his Great Night, the possibilities for connecting with His Supreme Reality are stronger than ever. Devotees of Shiva are absolved of sins and blessed with enlightenment on this night when the spiritual energies of Shiva are at a peak. It is a *great* night to meditate and chant on The Divine Self Within. Jai Sri Neelakantha! Shiva Shiva Shambo! Mahadeva Shambo! Om Namah Shivay! May Lord Shiva heal, purify, enlighten, and empower all beings with his divine blessings! Jai Bhole Ki! | | For the exact timing for Shivaratri rituals, check your local calendar (panchanga), such as Drik Panchang. | | |
The Observatory
By Dr. Lynn Bootes, MD
ACVA Dean of Students and Registrar
registrar@acvaonline.org
Late January 2026 edition
Dear Readers,
Makara Sankranti, the ingress of Sun in Capricorn, has been dramatic this year, as Mercury, Venus and Mars have all been combust and all together in that sign beginning January 14-18, followed by a super-conjunction of these planets with the New Moon on January 18 in the early degrees of Capricorn and the mysterious Nakshatra Abhijit. The emphasis in earthly affairs has shifted from the enthusiasm and moralization of Sagittarius to the exercise of cold power and practical execution of Capricorn. The pattern repeats at the period around the Full Moon on February 1, when the Moon in Cancer opposes this group.
Then the scene shifts, as one by one Mercury, Venus, the Sun and finally Mars move to Aquarius between February 3 to 23. They will enjoy a special 1:9 one-way aspect from Jupiter in Gemini, hopefully allowing for some elevation of rational thought and constructive dialog. But at the same time, these fast-moving four will be sharing Aquarius with Rahu and opposing Ketu in Leo. Many of the actions of people when under the influence of the “shadow planets” tend to be in accordance with the purposes of greater forces beyond our individual egos. At all times, a quiet mind and alignment to the benefic divine guidance symbolized by Jupiter, is helpful.
Our New Moon on February 23 will be a Solar Eclipse at 04deg33 Aquarius. It is an annular eclipse, visible only in Antarctica. It will be visible as a partial eclipse in extreme southern South America, Southern Africa and Mozambique.
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Navatārā cakra – Part 1
By Pratik Mehta
Vedic Astrologer
Navatārā cakra quite simply and literally means “wheel of nine stars”. If you haven’t heard about it before today, it’s probably because it’s not as mainstream in the world of Jyotiṣa as Yogas or Nakṣatras. Nonetheless, as we shall see over the course of the next few months, this relatively obscure and modest sounding tool packs as much punch as its more sought after Jyotiṣa cousins. The Navatārā cakra doesn’t involve any complex calculations or arduous memorization, making it an easy-to-use tool for every Jyotiṣi to add a few extra layers of personalization to natal readings.
Definition
The word Tārā, in common parlance, refers to a star. In the context of the Navatārā Cakra though, the word Tārā refers to Nakṣatras. The 27 asterisms, divided into three groups of nine each (Navatārā), arranged in a circle (Cakra), form the Navatārā Cakra. The three groups are called Janma (birth), Karma (action) and Ādhāna (consecration) or more precisely Janmaṛkṣa, Karmaṛkṣa and Ādhānaṛkṣa respectively. The word Ṛkṣa means lunar mansion. Traditionally the counting for these groups starts with the Moon’s Nakṣatra placement but can as easily be extended to the Ascendant. Within each group, each of the nine asterisms is labeled as follows.
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Frozen Warriors: Napoleon & Hitler in Russia
By Alan Annand,
Editor-in-Chief, ACVA Publications
Napoleon & Hitler: failed conquerors of Russia
On 23 June 1940, after the German army’s swift conquest of France, Hitler made his first and only visit to Paris. He toured the City of Light, admiring its boulevards and architecture, and paid a visit to Napoleon’s tomb. There he vowed never to repeat the Little Corporal’s mistakes. Exactly one year later, having apparently forgotten his promise, he invaded Russia.
There’ve been many comparisons between Hitler and Napoleon. Both stood under five foot nine. Both had photographic memories. Both were foreigners to the countries they ruled (Napoleon was Italian, Hitler was Austrian). Both planned but never launched invasions of England. Both invaded Russia within days of each other, there to suffer staggering losses and humiliating defeat that spelled the demise of their respective empires.
A comparison of their birth charts reveals further similarities, both in their native dispositions, and in the timing of their attacks on Russia.
Napoleon Bonaparte was born on 15 August 1769, at 11:30 AM in Ajaccio, France. Birth data courtesy Astro-Databan.
| | Coming Attractions at ACVA | | |
1. ACVA webinar – 14th February 2026 – Simon Chokoisky
SATURDAY 10am Pacific, 11am Mountain, Noon Central, 1pm Eastern
Topic: Combinations for Amazing Chemistry (in Jyotish)
In this seminar, attendees will learn to identify the combinations for mind-blowing attraction in a personal relationship. These include ancient methods as well as researched modern techniques to help you understand which partnerships work, and which ones need work.
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2. ACVA webinar – 14th March 2026 – Pratik Mehta
SATURDAY 10am Pacific, 11am Mountain, Noon Central, 1pm Eastern
Topic: Re-discovering Pañcāṅga for Use in Natal Analysis
Contemporary Jyotiṣa inextricably links Pañcāṅga to Muhūrta. However, Pañcāṅga also offers multiple insights applicable to natal analysis, a few of which we will discuss in this webinar. For instance, knowing one’s Karaṇa (one of the five limbs), its Lord and the specific form of Lord Gaṇeśa that rules it can reveal additional pathways to material success that are otherwise hidden within the natal chart.
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Speaker: Pratik Mehta
Pratik is an IT professional by day but a Jyotiṣi at heart. Drawn to Jyotiṣa since his teenage years, he has always relied on it for divine guidance and grace. He never considered studying Jyotiṣa until he became immersed in learning it by sheer happenstance at age 41, when he had his Lagneśa (Jupiter) and Saturn transiting his ascendant, which he believes brought about this destined transformation. Since then, he has been ardently pursuing the magical science with the sole intent of using it to better his life, the lives of his loved ones and anyone else that the Universe sends his way. To him, Jyotiṣa is a sadhana that brings him mental peace and emotional bliss. He can be reached at jyotishforgood2020@gmail.com.
Webinar Registration link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_EMO_r5RnTMyvSu-VxgiFqg
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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 | | |
ACVA Leadership Team
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Prof. Charlotte Benson (Jyoti Devi) - President, ACVA’s External Relations Leader
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Dr. Sisira K. Amarasinghe, Ph.D. – ACVA Vice President, Executive Director of Corporate Strategy and Technology
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Prof. Juliana Swanson - ACVA Provost and Dean of Academics
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Dr. Lynn Bootes, M.D.- Registrar, and Dean of Students
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Julene Louis – Curriculum Leader
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Arjun Kodikannath – ACVA Corporate Communications Officer
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Alan Annand – ACVA Editor-in-Chief of Publications
ACVA Staff
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Dr. Arjuna de Silva, MBBS (ACVA LMS & IT Operations Manager)
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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 | | | | |
