Book excerpt: A comprehensive guide to understanding and practicing Vedic astrology, the art of jyotish. • Teaches beginners how to read and interpret Vedic astrology charts, based on their own birth chart as well as the birth charts of 112 notable people. • Shows how to use Vedic astrology to anticipate upcoming events and direct the cosmic energies of one's life toward a positive future outcome. For over 5,000 years the people of India have used jyotish, or Vedic astrology, to anticipate future influences and make major decisions. Now Andrew Bloomfield brings this increasingly popular tool to the West in an easy-to-follow, comprehensive format, providing the reader with everything needed to practice the Indian art of predicting the future. Vedic astrology was codified by the ancient Maharishis to help people achieve the four basic goals of human existence: kama (desire), artha (wealth), dharma (life purpose), and moksha (spiritual growth). Unlike other forms of astrology, Vedic calculations focus more on the primal, unconscious, driving forces linking our thoughts and actions. How to Practice Vedic Astrology shows how to make accurate predictions on when to expect life's changes concerning one's career, love life, children, or spirituality.