Jerry Astrology

“Have you ever looked into your closet and found a piece of clothing you absolutely had to have five years ago—something you saved up for or hunted down—but now, you can’t even remember why you liked it? We often think our desires are a permanent part of who we are, but in reality, they are more like seasonal guests. I recently saw a short video of a monk discussing a powerful phrase: ‘Not welcoming, not rejecting, and not following.’ It made me think about how we spend our lives being ‘tugged’ along by these changing attachments. Today, I want to explore why our desires shift and how we can see these ‘invisible threads’ through the lens of astrology.”

We all have attachments and desires. Some last a lifetime—things we pursue from childhood until our later years. Others change over time. Some people want to travel and see the world when they are young; then, at a certain age, that desire shifts from expanding horizons to working hard, making money, and settling down. Others might experience the opposite: they might be incredibly career-focused in their youth, craving power and status. After ten or fifteen years of striving, they might suddenly feel a sense of emptiness. Perhaps that status didn’t bring the expected satisfaction, so they decide to direct their energies and focus toward something they find more meaningful at that moment in time.

The question then arises: we all have attachments and desires, but how do we see them through astrology? An astrology birth chart needs to match our actual life experiences. Our desires for certain things are a part of that experience, so, theoretically, the chart should be able to reveal them. How exactly? It’s actually quite simple: our desires and their shifts are reflected in the planets themselves and their placements.

In Sanskrit, a planet is called a Graha. The word Graha itself means “to grasp” or “to seize,” which is exactly what “attachment” is. For example, if we are attached to a specific viewpoint, we grasp it tightly and refuse to change. We don’t listen to others; instead, we try to convince them that we are right. This is one manifestation of attachment.

Calling planets Grahas implies they have the power to grasp and control. So, what are they grasping? What are they controlling? They are controlling us—our lives and our experiences. Saying “planets control us” might sound strange—how can planets so far away in the sky control us? It’s a linguistic expression. The physical planets aren’t “controlling” us; rather, it is our Karma that controls us. The planets signify our Karma, representing the cause and effect in different areas of our lives. 

This is told to us directly by the sage Parashara, as written in the classic Vedic Astrology text called Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, or BPHS for short. In Chapter 2, Section 3 of the BPHS, the sage Parashara tells us:

“Vishnu has incarnated as the nine planets to give living beings the results of their karma.”

From the perspective of Vedic Astrology, the birth chart shows the cause and effect of this lifetime. Where there is a planet, there is Karma. If a certain House has many planets, there is more Karma associated with that corresponding area of life. If a House is empty, the Karma is relatively less, but is still present, as every House has a planet acting as its lord. 

Of course, Karma is divided into “good” and “bad.” Benefic planets symbolize merit (blessings), leading to smoother experiences. Malefic planets symbolize negative results, leading to more difficult experiences. This is a basic understanding, but a full chart analysis is required for a comprehensive judgment.

When we enter a specific planetary period (Dasha), the Karma associated with that planet is activated. For instance, if you enter a Venus Dasha, your Karma regarding love and relationships is activated—it is time to experience the results of that area. Under this influence, you might feel a strong urge to find a partner or be in love; as mentioned before, you are being “grasped” by Venus. If Venus is in a very good state and supported by Jupiter, it means your Karma in love for this life is positive—a blessing—and you will likely experience a sweet relationship. Conversely, if Venus is in a poor state, it can be understood as negative Karma, making your romantic life more turbulent.

It’s helpful to remember that nothing is permanent. When we change Dashas, the planet governing the time period changes, and the Karma we must face changes as well. Old doors close and new doors open. Our experiences and our attachments shift accordingly.

If you’re currently feeling an intense obsession or a heavy burden in one area of your life, simply know that this is simply the door that is open for you right now. You don’t have to fight the door, but you don’t have to be consumed by what’s inside it either. Astrology gives us the ‘weather forecast’ for our soul, helping us realize that ‘this too shall pass.’ When we understand the timing of our Karma, the grip it has on us naturally begins to loosen, and we learn how to better flow with life.

om gurave namah