Vedic astrology, called Jyotisha (the science of light), is the traditional astrology of India. It studies where the planets stood at the exact moment and place you were born, and how their changing positions affect the different areas of your life.

Your birth chart, called the Kundali or Jathaka, is a map of the sky at that moment. A trained astrologer reads it to understand your nature, your strengths, and the good and challenging periods of your life.

The sky is divided into 12 equal parts, the Rashis, from Mesha (Aries) to Meena (Pisces). In Vedic astrology your Rashi usually means your Moon sign: the sign the Moon was in when you were born. It describes your mind and emotional nature.

Your Lagna (ascendant) is the sign rising in the east at your birth. It shapes your body, personality and the whole layout of your chart, which is why the exact birth time matters so much.

Each Rashi is further divided into star groups called Nakshatras. There are 27 of them, and the one the Moon was in at your birth is your Janma Nakshatra (birth star).

Nakshatras are used for naming children, for Marriage Matching, for choosing good times (muhurta), and for calculating your Dasha periods.

Vedic astrology divides life into planetary periods called Dashas. The most used system, Vimshottari Dasha, covers 120 years, and each of the 9 grahas rules a period of several years in turn.

The planet whose Dasha you are running colours that part of your life. This is how an astrologer can say when a good time for marriage, a new job or a business may come, and when to be patient.

Before a marriage, families often compare the charts of the bride and groom. The Ashtakoota system gives a score out of 36 gunas from eight factors, such as Nadi, Bhakoot, Gana and Yoni.

A good astrologer does not stop at the score. Guruji also checks Kuja (Mangal) dosha and the full charts of both people before giving guidance on the match.

A dosha is a planetary combination that may bring difficulty in some area of life, such as Kuja (Mangal) dosha in marriage or Sade Sati during Saturn's transit over your Moon sign.

A dosha is not a reason for fear. Its effect depends on the whole chart, and it is often reduced by other factors. Where it helps, Guruji suggests simple remedies such as prayers, mantras or acts of charity.