The stars point to this book!
I've been following the writings of William Levacy with interest since I became acquainted with his work in the 90's. All the stars must have been in allignment when he wrote "Vedic Astrology Simply Put" - what a beautifully written and illustrated book. You can tell that he has a profound understanding of the principles of vedic astrology - he's really passionate about his work. This book gets 5 big stars!
A work of art in itself but improvement possible
As in his book "Beneath a Vedic Sky", William Levacy demonstrates even more in "Vedic Astrology Simply Put" his intention to make a book a work of art. This book is hardbound, coloured, with a bibliography and a list of resources. The content is well thought out and organised. With very few exceptions, like the Layout of Vastu Placements on page 286, the typeface is large enough. The author comes across to the reader as a nice, well intentioned person with a positive outlook on life.
The various lists of planets, constellations and houses serve well for basic natal horoscope interpretation. Mr Levacy does well by introducing enough Sanskrit words simply transliterated without attempting to teach us this sacred language in the process. Compared to "Beneath a Vedic Sky", Mr Levacy has included much clearer indications of how to proceed in analysing a Vedic horoscope. He also explains some basic Vedic astrological factors, for example sub-divisions of the zodiac, more clearly.
What significant improvements could the author include in a next edition?
1. Include a short glossary of Vedic astrological terms and an index.
2. The "Simply Put" part of the title is an advantage but also a risk of this book. As his fellow Vedic astrologers, Hart de Fouw and Robert Svoboda, well put it in their "Light of Life", "Too often the Western mind simplifies a complex idea in order to grasp it, and then misidentifies that signification with the original." Aside from possible over-simplifications, Mr Levacy makes it easy for readers to confound basic notions of the Vedic Tradition (e.g. karma, meaning "action" as Mr Levacy correctly relates, and the traditional doctrines of transmigration and metempsychosis, combined and confused in the new age dogma of "reincarnation") with distorted counterfeits like Ms H P Blavatsky's theosophism and its derivatives.
3. Several of the nice images represent the consciousness of the Rishis and others, e.g. telescopic visions of the solar system, in a way that exclusively reflects modern occidental mentality.
4. Judged by this book, Mr Levacy appears to hold a one-sided Vaishnaite, perhaps Krishnaite perspective of the Vedic Tradition. He mentions neither Ishwara, nor Para-Atman, nor Para-Brahman nor the Vedanta perspectives including Them.
5. Any seasoned professional astrologer like Mr Levacy may include and recommend useful methods and symbols from Western astrology. However, especially in a book on Vedic astrology, he should clearly label such imports. The qualities of the sign of Aquarius on page 105 seem to fall out of the rhythms of the other signs. On pages 121 and 122 the author includes the "heart area" in the 4th house and the "region of the heart" in the 5th house. Cases of mixture of Vedic and Western? In any case confusing for the reader.
6. Mr Levacy, like any other astrologer, may prefer a particular chart style, in his case South Indian, that he uses exclusively in this book. Nevertheless, he uses terms like "angles" that make more sense in North Indian style charts. Why not include several examples of North Indian and some of East Indian and Western as well? The chart the astrologer is regarding on page 242 under "Keyword Matching" has only 8 sectors, 4 missing!
7. Mr Levacy often mentions different views amongst Vedic astrologists on certain topics. He would thus do well to include an overview of the important schools of Jyotish.
This good book can get a bit better. Best thanks and wishes to Mr William Levacy.
Vedic Influences
It's nice to see other vedic astrologers taking influence from OSFA, a leading pioneer in vedic astrology, introducing illustration with informative writings on the topic to give vedic astrology a more popular appeal..Vedic astrology is so important and we need more books appealing to the western appetite to make it as popular as it deserves to be..
its not the vedic astrology that makes it special it is the spiritual depth of it that is brilliant
I once attended your class once at an ACVA conference and really enjoyed it. It had to do with relationship matching. your depth is always good in class. well I just read your latest book vedic astrology simply put and its amazing. I happen to be a vedic astrologer as well and what dawned on me despite my advance nature on the subject is that this book despite being geared to novices is profoundly spiritual. I love your definition of liberation and enlightenment. Your understanding of these definitions and your writings on general indian philosopy gives me hope in humanity and how we can progress spiritually. I think your book is so important for humanity and will have huge impact on America as well. May America open up to vedic culture and its depth and power! You are the first person of western origin that has so openly explained it in such a wonderful and understandable manner that it can have great impact on humanity and the course of this country as well as other nations. Most importantly its a beautiful book on indian philosophy because by using the systematic and scientific approach of vedic astrology, you can start to unravel the scientific basis behind vedic philosophy. If only academics in religion would now attempt to understand this wonderful science and philosophy of humanity. may they glow in the science and philosophy of light!!!
This book about the stars gets my 5 stars
This is a fun and engaging book for all students of Vedic astrology. The principles of Vedic wisdom and philosphy that underlie Vedic astrology are made easy to understand. I also love the illustrations and the beautiful art work. I am enjoying studying Vedic astrology with this well-written, wonderful book.
(8 reviews)
