I don’t know anything about astrology. Is that ok?
This really isn’t a problem. A lot of my clients have little to no prior knowledge of astrology. When this is the case, I leave out the astro jargon and we simply discuss the details of your chart in a direct, easy-to-understand way.
I only know Western astrology. Is Vedic astrology different?
Vedic astrology and Western astrology are similar when it comes to many of the core “basics,” such as planets, signs and houses. Other features, such as aspects, are quite different. Like Western astrology, Vedic astrology also uses transits alongside a number of other timing techniques. One very positive difference is that Vedic astrology has a well-established tradition of offering effective remedies to bring healing and boost gifts.
Perhaps the biggest difference, however, is that Western astrology uses the tropical zodiac and Vedic astrology uses the Sidereal zodiac. In practical terms, this means in the Vedic sidereal system, all the planets and your ascendant will move backwards by 23 degrees compared to where they are in the Western tropical system. In some cases, this might mean they change signs, as is the case with both my moon and ascendant. It can be a little jarring at first if it ends up you are a Libra in Vedic astrology, when you’ve always considered yourself a Scorpio, or suddenly have Leo rising instead of Virgo. However, in my experience, both systems says the same thing, they just sometimes use different vocabulary and symbols to do so.
Where will the consultation take place?
All consultations take place over Zoom or in person if you are located in Berlin. I can give consultation in English (mother tongue) or German (fluent C2 level).
Does my birth time have to be accurate?
Since a lot can change in a chart depending on your time of birth, it is best if the time is as accurate as possible. The most ideal is to use the time listed on your birth certificate. If this is not possible, you can also use the time provided by your mother, for example. When this is a range of time (e.g., sometime between six and eight and the morning), we will spend some time at the beginning of our session and rectify the chart to make sure we pinpoint the right time. In this case, I suggest booking a 90-minute session.
What will our consultation be like? What is the process?
Our consultation will follow several key steps.
Step one: The intake process. This happens when you first book the consultation. During the booking process, you will fill out a form with your birth information (date, place, time) and answer questions about what you would like to concentrate on during the reading. It’s useful if you offer specific information here. For example, instead of writing “I would like to focus on my career.” write something like “I’m unhappy in my job right now and am thinking about going back to school.” or “I’m thinking about going into business for myself and would like to know if it’s a good idea right now.” The more specific the information I have, the better I can prepare our consultation and ensure I’m looking in the right places.
Step two: A brief rectification process. Let’s face it, doctors and nurses aren’t thinking about astrology and recording accurate birth times, at least not in the West. Although this might not necessarily matter for your main birth chart, it can make a difference when examining some of the Varga charts, such as the D9 skills chart. Therefore, I usually start the consultation with a few quick questions to help fine tune your birth time. If you are unsure of your birth time, this step will take more time, as mentioned in the question above.
Step three: The consultation. This is where we go deep into your chart and explore the questions you have. Your consultation will be customized to your particular needs and pressing concerns. In other words, unless you’ve asked for a general reading, I won’t go step-by-step through each aspect of your chart. Instead, we’ll talk directly about what you would like to focus on, including what is causing the issue, when and how things might change and what kind of solutions we can find to improve the situation of find more clarity. If you have prior knowledge of astrology and would like to do so, we can look directly at your chart and discuss things in astro terms. If you have no prior knowledge and/or would find this overwhelming, we’ll discuss this issues directly without weighing things down with any astro jargon. Your consultation is conducted more like a dialogue than a lecture. I’ll describe what it is I see and ask questions for clarification when relevant. You are also free to share or ask follow-up questions as need be. Our session can also be recorded on request so that you can refer back to it at a later time.
Step four: Suggested remedies. At the end of our consultation, I always leave time to discuss the remedies I suggest to improve the issues we discussed during the consultation. I also send out a document with further instructions about these remedies and what they are good for. In some cases, I will also suggest a time in the future when it may be beneficial to schedule a follow-up reading (e.g., during a difficult transit, an upcoming time period shift, etc.). You are also free to ask follow-up questions or schedule a mini-30 minute session if there is more your would like to discuss.
I’ve never chanted mantras before. Is this a problem?
No, not at all.
When my clients have never chanted mantras before, I usually either look for alternative remedies or prescribe only very simple mantras or meditations. Ultimately, for a remedy to work, you have to do it–but we all have busy lives. Therefore, I always strive to find remedies that make sense for your life at this time.
That said, when I first got into Vedic astrology, the only Sanskrit words I knew were Om and Namaste. A Vedic astrologer prescribed a Ganesha mantra for me that took about 25 minutes to chant, which was very challenging for me at the time. However, I completed the 40-day practice and got very good results. Now, four years later, I can easily chant longer mantras for over an hour with no problem at all. In short, anyone can learn to work with mantras. Although I would never “force” one to do so if they don’t feel comfortable, I do often encourage people to at least give it a try if it seems like it would be a particularly beneficial remedy for them.
What happens if I mispronounce the mantra?
It is important to try to pronounce a mantra as accurately as possible. If I do prescribe a mantra as a remedy, I always practice the pronunciation during the consultation and provide a recording for my client to refer to, if necessary. That said, the intent is what matters here rather than perfect pronunciation. I would never prescribe a mantra where accidental mispronunciations could cause problems for the chanter.
When should I chant the mantra?
This depends a bit on the mantra in question. In general, mornings are ideal. However, if that’s not possible, you can chant at other times as well. Either way, it’s best to chant the mantra in a quiet place where you can relax and focus.
Do I have to chant out loud?
Generally, it’s best to chant out loud until you feel comfortable with the mantra. Once that’s the case, you can move on to whispering the mantra and then chanting the mantra silently.
Can I chant along to a YouTube video?
Yes, chanting along to YouTube mantras is fine, especially if you’re a beginner. However, the quality is not always the best. Some mantras posted there are mispronounced; often, they are half sung, which isn’t necessary. When suggesting a mantra to a client who has no experience chanting, I will often suggest one of the better videos for reference.
Can I just listen instead?
Although listening is also beneficial, it’s the chanting that will bring the results.
Do I have to use a mala (rosary beads) when chanting mantras?
No, but it’s extremely helpful, especially when doing a more intensive practice. The beads you use can vary depending on the mantra in question. To use them during japa (mantra recitation), count one repetition per bead, then move on to the next bead using your thumb, middle finger and ring finger. If a mantra is suggested, I will give more guidance on this.
Is it possible to work with remedies from my religion/spiritual path?
Yes. I really enjoy working with people from different spiritual paths or magical traditions. When this is the case, please inform me on the intake form and I’ll do my best to select rituals, deities, etc. from within your tradition or pantheon who have a similar frequency to those in the Vedic system. That said, anyone is free to work with Hindu/Vedic deities, regardless of their religious or spiritual background, as long as they do so with respect.
I don’t want to chant mantras or work with deities. Is that ok?
That’s also completely fine. For your consultation, I will concentrate on suggesting remedies such as modern meditation practice, donations or other acts of charity. When this is the case, please let me know in the intake form.
What is your cancellation and no-show policy?
If you need to cancel your consultation, I ask that you please do so at least 24 hours in advance. If this is not possible due to an emergency, I will of course understand. Please notify me if you are going to be late for your consultation. If you don’t show up for the consultation, I will wait 15 minutes and send you an e-mail reminder. We’re all busy people and wires can be crossed. Therefore, I allow one free reschedule for no-shows due to miscommunications, etc. If you do not come to the rescheduled appointment, then I will have to charge you for the session. Thanks for your understanding and respect.
Can I reach you if I have any other questions?
Sure, feel free to send me an e-mail at crossroads.astrology@gmail.com.