Understanding Life with Jyotish
An 8-week live online course on Vedic astrology
There is something deeply reassuring about seeing life from a wider perspective.
Moments that once felt random begin to make sense. Patterns become visible. Challenges reveal their purpose. And you start to understand yourself and others with greater clarity and compassion.
This is the gift of Jyotish, the ancient science of Vedic astrology.
In this eight-week course, Jyotish expert Richard G. Powell introduces you to the essential principles of this profound tradition in a way that is practical, structured and accessible. You don't need any previous experience. Whether you are studying Ayurveda, supporting clients, or simply feel called to understand yourself more deeply, this course offers a solid foundation you can continue building upon for years to come.
While Vedic astrology is a lifelong field of study, you don't have to wait years before it becomes meaningful. By focusing on the core principles, Richard helps you quickly develop the confidence to read a birth chart and begin applying this knowledge in everyday life.
Why study Vedic astrology?
Our birth chart tells the story of our unique relationship with life.
It offers insight into our natural strengths, recurring challenges, health tendencies, relationships, career, purpose and the cycles we move through over time.
Rather than predicting a fixed future, Jyotish helps us understand the qualities of each phase of life, allowing us to work with these rhythms instead of against them.
When combined with Ayurveda, this wisdom becomes even more practical. It helps us understand not only who we are, but also how we can create greater balance in body, mind and spirit.
During this course you will learn how to
- Understand the foundations of reading a Vedic birth chart.
- Gain valuable insight into yourself, your clients, friends or family.
- Recognise constitutional tendencies and understand where imbalance may arise.
- Better understand physical and mental patterns from an Ayurvedic perspective.
- Give more personalised recommendations regarding lifestyle, nutrition and herbs.
- Identify periods of greater ease and greater challenge throughout life.
- Understand how to navigate difficult phases with more awareness.
- Discover more about your dharma and life's deeper direction.
- Recognise important planetary combinations and their influence.
- Develop greater discernment, confidence and clarity when working with charts.
What we will cover
Throughout the eight weeks we will explore the essential components of Vedic astrology, including:
- Houses (Bhāvas)
- Zodiac signs (Rāśis)
- Planets (Grahas) and how to assess their strength
- Ayurvedic constitution (Prakriti & Vikriti)
- Understanding the mind (Manas)
- Planetary transits (Gocara)
- Life periods (Vimśottari Daśā)
- Essential planetary combinations
- Assessing strengths and challenges within a chart
Course details
Duration
8 live online sessions of 2 hours eachDates
13 October 2026 – 1 December 2026Time
Every Tuesday evening 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm (CEST/CET, Amsterdam time)Location
Online via Zoom.Recordings
All sessions are recorded and shared with participants.
Study material
You will receive handouts and reading material with each session to help you integrate the teachings, and so that you have something tangible to come back to whenever you need!Language
This course is taught in English.
Meet your teacher
Richard G. Powell
Richard G. Powell is a Doctor of Ayurveda at the Ayurvedic Center of Vermont where he gives consultations, teaches, and gives treatments.
He graduated from the Ayurvedic Institute and studied extensively with Dr. Vasant Lad in both the United States and India. He is an avid student of Sanskrit, Jyotish (Vedic astrology), and Vedic philosophy.
He has dedicated more than a decade to the study of Jyotish in the Hart DeFouw lineage, primarily under the guidance of Penny Farrow, with whom he continues to study today.
Richard's unique ability lies in making this vast and sophisticated body of knowledge understandable, practical and deeply relevant to everyday life. His teaching reflects not only years of study, but also a sincere commitment to helping others find greater clarity, balance and alignment with nature.
What participants say
“Richard is kind, knowledgeable and joyful. He makes this complex and scientific system accessible to everyone. The lessons are well structured and offer a deep exploration of this ancient wisdom.”
Theresa
Is this course for you?
This course is suitable if you:
- are curious about Vedic astrology and want a thorough introduction;
- study or practise Ayurveda, Yoga or another Vedic discipline;
- would like to better understand yourself and the people around you;
- work with clients and wish to deepen your ability to offer meaningful guidance;
- appreciate learning ancient wisdom in a practical, grounded way.
No previous knowledge of Jyotish is required.
Join us
Vedic astrology offers a language for understanding life's patterns with greater clarity, compassion and perspective.
If you feel drawn to this ancient wisdom and would like to build a solid foundation that you can continue exploring for years to come, we would love to welcome you.