Within Orb Episode 22 with Freedom Cole

Astrologer, teacher, and author Freedom Cole joins host Jenn Zahrt to chat about Vedic astrology texts and much more! In this episode, our lovely duo offers food for thought on: various schools in the Vedic tradition, elections, death calculations as a practical technique, horary astrology, medical astrology, converse progressions, Jenn’s experience with a fasting remedy, time lords in your parents’ chart, and the stars and planets as a big clock. Plus: triple Ganesh song bursts, philosophical musings on time in the Vedic tradition, and teaching you how to think!

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Transcripts available upon request.

Song “Wake Up” used with permission by The E-Block Band.

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Episode timestamps (conversation recorded Oct. 2023):

00:31 – Freedom is a practitioner of Jyotish, Yoga, Āyurveda, and the Vedic Sciences. He loves to teach traditional Vedic astrology in a practical way, integrating modern astrology with ancient wisdom. As an expert in the Indian astrological tradition, Freedom kicks off today’s show highlighting Ganesh!

02:56 – Astrology was chasing Freedom from a young age! His first introduction was an Indian numerology text by Harish Johari which used the planets to reveal the meaning of numbers. Then, The Only Astrology Book You’ll Ever Need by Joanna Martine Woolfolk made a brief appearance. However, once Freedom took a medical astrology class, the fire was lit! The book that really calls to him is Brihat Parasara Hora Sastra, which is largely attributed to author Maharishi Parasara.

14:01 – The first book Freedom would bring with him to a desert island is Prashna Marga by Harihara. This is a practical, 16^th century text that explains concepts in a simply way and doesn’t waste words.

17:05 – Interlude: Join CAELi’s inaugural annual support campaign and snag yourself a Saturn stress-relief ball. (Yes, you read that right!)

17:52 – Freedom’s second book selection is Kalaprakashika, which is a Bengali text that offers info about elections, as well as nuggets about general chart utilizations. This one still beautifully challenges Freedom, even many years later.

20:27 – Freedom’s third pick would be the previously mentioned Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra (the critical edition!). Freedom teaches this book in his classes, and it still reveals itself to him. (Tune in for a fascinating side conversation about the directionality of time!)

28:53 – Freedom suggests a few texts for beginners: Crux of Vedic Astrology: Timing of Events by Sanjay Rath; Astrology of the Seers: A Guide to Vedic/Hindu Astrology by David Frawley; and Light on Life: An Introduction to the Astrology of India by Hart de Fouw and Robert Svoboda. Finally, for someone interested in diving into the deep end of Vedic astrology, Freedom recommends his books: Science of Light, Volumes 1 & 2.

30:29 – Although Freedom is not currently seeing clients, you can learn about his classes at: https://www.scienceoflight.net/.

30: – Thanks for listening to Within Orb! If you love the show, please help support it at no cost to you: Follow or subscribe wherever you listen, rate it five stars, or write a happy review! And if you’d like to become a CAELi member or support our work with a contribution of any amount, we’d be delighted – thanks!

Show notes by Jen Braun, JJ Boots Productions LLC.