Frequently Asked Questions
Your first astrology consultation may bring questions of its own. Here you’ll find
information about our approach, how to prepare, birth-time accuracy, fees, and what to
expect.
Understanding Vedic Astrology
Vedic astrology, also known as Jyotish, is an astrological tradition rooted in India. It interprets a chart calculated from your date, time, and place of birth to explore personality, life themes, and timing.
We connect these traditional techniques with your circumstances, questions, and choices.
For a fuller introduction, visit The Basics of Vedic Astrology.
Vedic astrology generally uses the sidereal zodiac, while most Western astrology uses the tropical zodiac. The different reference systems mean some planetary signs may differ between your two charts.
Vedic astrology also emphasizes planetary periods called dashas, lunar divisions called nakshatras, and divisional charts used to examine specific areas of life.
Yes. General horoscopes typically group people by a single zodiac sign. A personal consultation examines your individual birth chart, the relationships among its different factors, and the questions you bring.
Two people with the same Sun or Moon sign can have very different charts and experiences.
No. You do not need to understand charts or astrological terminology. We will explain the relevant factors in plain language and connect them to your questions.
You are welcome to ask for clarification throughout the session.
No. Although Vedic astrology has roots in Indian spiritual traditions, people from any religious or cultural background are welcome.
We can focus on your practical questions without requiring you to adopt particular beliefs or spiritual practices.
Questions and skepticism are welcome. You do not need to agree with every interpretation.
Our aim is to offer a thoughtful perspective, explain our reasoning, and leave room for your own judgment.
Our approach draws on our founder Sandeep Sastry’s engineering education and corporate experience, bringing an analytical, questioning mindset to astrology. Years of study, consultations, and research have led us to regard it as a science, although its predictive claims have not been established by mainstream scientific research.
We examine patterns, compare charts with documented life events, and publish our analyses. Our mission is to make Vedic astrology more accessible and encourage informed exploration. Curiosity and skepticism are both welcome.
Questions We Can Explore
We can explore relationships, marriage, children, education, career, business, finances, relocation, family, spiritual inclinations, and other important life questions.
Examples include:
- What strengths and talents should I develop?
- Why do certain patterns keep appearing in my relationships?
- What does my chart suggest about marriage potential and timing?
- Should I explore a career change or starting a business?
- What should I consider before relocating?
- How can I approach an important transition more thoughtfully?
Yes. A general consultation can explore your personality, strengths, challenges, and the themes of your current life stage.
An intention such as “I want to understand myself better” or “I feel ready for a change” is a useful starting point.
We examine periods that we interpret as more supportive or challenging for particular life themes. We cannot guarantee an event, exact date, or outcome.
For example, a period interpreted as supportive of relationships does not guarantee marriage. Your choices, circumstances, opportunities, and other people’s decisions all matter.
We approach the chart as a framework for exploring tendencies, possibilities, and timing. Your choices and actions remain important.
The purpose is to help you understand your circumstances and respond more consciously, rather than feel confined by a prediction.
A chart needs to be considered as a whole. One placement or planetary period does not define your entire life.
If we discuss a challenging theme, we will explain its context and uncertainty. Our aim is to support understanding and constructive action without creating fear.
Yes. We can discuss relationship patterns, marriage-related themes, partner qualities, and timing within the astrological framework.
If you want a comparison involving your partner’s chart, please mention this before booking so we can establish the information and scope required. A chart comparison should be considered alongside communication, shared values, and your actual experience of the relationship.
Yes. We examine the chart’s underlying potential for children, factors traditionally associated with fertility, and planetary periods interpreted as supportive or challenging for family planning.
This offers an additional perspective alongside medical assessment and fertility care. Astrological indications are not a clinical assessment of fertility or a guarantee of conception or childbirth.
Yes. Within Vedic astrology, we examine patterns traditionally interpreted as health vulnerabilities and periods when those themes may become prominent. Our ongoing research into astrological patterns and heart-related events reflects our interest in exploring this relationship.
Our approach brings an astrological perspective alongside medical care. These interpretations cannot establish disease risk or reliably predict its onset. Appropriate screening, diagnosis, and treatment should be guided by your medical history, symptoms, and healthcare professional.
For more about our founder Sandeep Sastry’s personal health journey, advocacy, and exploratory research into astrology and heart health, read Better Late Than Never: Why Health Coaching and Advocacy Matter.
Yes. We examine career patterns, strengths, transitions, and planetary cycles to offer perspective on your next steps.
For example, if you are in midlife and have recently been laid off, we may review the past twenty years—your career highs, setbacks, and turning points—alongside the planetary periods. We then use that historical perspective to identify forthcoming periods we interpret as more supportive for employment, advancement, or exploring a business.
We discuss the reasoning in detail, connecting the astrological interpretation with your experience and practical circumstances. This offers an additional perspective for planning, rather than a guarantee of an outcome or a substitute for professional financial advice.
No. We will explain our interpretation and help you consider possibilities. The decisions remain yours.
A useful consultation should strengthen your ability to make thoughtful choices.
Preparing for Your Session
Please provide:
- Your date of birth.
- Your birth time, including a.m. or p.m.
- Your birthplace: city, state or region, and country.
- The source of your birth time and any uncertainty about it.
- Your main questions and relevant background.
Provide the local birth time as it was recorded. You do not need to convert it to another time zone.
Birth time is important within Vedic astrology because it affects the ascendant, house placements, and divisional charts. In some cases, a small difference can change parts of the interpretation.
Please tell us whether your time comes from a birth record, family recollection, or an estimate. If it has been rounded, mention that too.
We may review significant past events to assess whether the chart appears consistent with your experience.
This is a preliminary review. If detailed investigation is needed, a separate birth time rectification is required. A fit with past events does not independently prove that a birth time is correct.
An accurate birth time is required for a standard consultation. A small uncertainty of approximately five to ten minutes can generally be reviewed during our preparation.
If your birth time is unknown or substantially uncertain—for example, you do not know whether you were born in the morning or evening—you must complete a separate birth time rectification before booking a standard consultation.
For our rectification process, we recommend a starting window of four hours or less. If your window is broader, please contact us to assess whether rectification is feasible.
Share a short list of your priorities, with the most important questions first. Include enough background to make them clear.
For example, “I was recently laid off and am considering starting a business” gives us a more useful starting point than “What about my career?”
We study your chart before we meet. Your questions and background help us focus that preparation on what matters to you.
We may ask follow-up questions to clarify dates, circumstances, or priorities. You are not expected to disclose anything you are uncomfortable discussing.
We begin with your priorities and relevant background. We then explain the chart factors connected with your questions, including strengths, challenges, planetary periods, and transits.
For a general consultation, we usually examine themes over the next two years, with a broader perspective on longer-term developments. You are welcome to ask questions throughout.
Consultations generally last one hour, but please reserve 90 minutes so we have room to continue if the discussion runs over.
Sessions take place online via Zoom. We will send you the meeting link after your appointment is confirmed.
Please attend your Zoom consultation from a quiet, private space, seated comfortably and free from interruptions. Avoid joining while driving, walking, or multitasking so you can give the discussion your full attention.
Please contact us before booking to confirm whether a recording, written report, or other materials are included with your selected service.
Birth Time Rectification
Birth time rectification is a process used in astrology to estimate an uncertain birth time by comparing possible charts with significant, dated life events.
The aim is to identify a time that appears consistently compatible with multiple events. The result remains an estimate rather than a verified birth record.
For our process, we recommend a window of four hours or less—for example, between 8 a.m. and noon.
A broader window may be considered, but uncertainty and the work involved increase. In some cases, a meaningful estimate may not be possible.
We typically ask for 8–12 well-dated events across different stages of your life.
Exact dates are especially useful. If a date is approximate, please indicate that.
| Area | Examples |
|---|---|
| Education | Degrees, scholarships, major achievements, interruptions in studies |
| Career and business |
First job, promotions, layoffs, career changes, business launches or sales, retirement |
| Relationships | Significant relationship beginnings, marriage, separation, divorce, loss of a spouse |
| Children | Birth or adoption; pregnancy loss or fertility treatment, if comfortable sharing |
| Relocation and property |
Moves between cities or countries, residence abroad, buying or selling a home |
| Health | Major illness, diagnosis, surgery, hospitalization, serious accident or injury |
| Family | Death of a parent or sibling, other significant immediate-family changes |
| Other turning points |
Major financial events, legal matters, awards, publications, athletic achievements, spiritual commitments or changes in faith |
Rectification requires comparing possible birth times against multiple life events. Our process involves the natal chart and approximately 8–10 divisional charts.
It requires substantially more analysis than the preliminary birth-time review included in a general consultation.
No. Even a carefully developed estimate carries uncertainty, particularly when the starting window is broad or event dates are incomplete.
We will explain the reasoning behind the proposed time and the limitations of the available information.
Fees and Appointments
Vedic Astrology Consultation: $300 USD
Includes preparation and a consultation generally lasting one hour. Please reserve 90 minutes in case the discussion runs over.
Birth Time Rectification: $500 USD
A separate service involving detailed analysis of significant life events to estimate an uncertain birth time.
For questions about either service, please email info@lightonyourlife.com.
Our fees reflect the preparation, time, and care we bring to each consultation. Our practice is also guided by the Brahmanical principle of contributing according to one’s means.
If you sincerely wish to consult but cannot afford the full fee, please email us at info@lightonyourlife.com, briefly sharing your circumstances and an amount you can comfortably afford.
Please contact us before booking so we can agree on the arrangement.
Use the appointment link on this website and complete the requested information.
If you are unsure which service to choose or whether your birth time is sufficiently accurate, please email info@lightonyourlife.com before booking.
Please provide at least 48 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. We reserve time and prepare your chart in advance.
Cancellations or rescheduling requests made less than 48 hours before the appointment, as well as missed appointments, are subject to the full consultation fee. Any fee already paid will be forfeited
There is no need to book repeatedly simply because you feel uncertain. A follow-up may be useful when your circumstances change, a significant transition arises, or you have a new question.
Allow yourself time to reflect on the discussion and take practical action.
Your Comfort and Our Approach
No. We do not generally recommend gemstones, rituals, or paid remedies. We do not promise that purchasing something or performing a ritual will resolve a life challenge.
For clients who are practicing Hindus and welcome spiritual guidance, we may suggest simple religious practices consistent with their beliefs. These are optional.
Our focus is on understanding your chart, addressing your questions, and helping you make thoughtful, practical choices.
No. You can identify the topics you want to explore and those you prefer to leave out.
Some questions may require additional context. If you prefer not to share it, we will explain how that limits the analysis and respect your choice.
We respect the personal nature of your birth details and consultation questions. Please share only what you are comfortable discussing.
If you have any privacy concerns, contact us at info@lightonyourlife.com before submitting your information.
Learn More and Contact Us
Yes. Your Life, Your Questions explores common life questions through Vedic astrology. Famous Lives examines public figures and significant life themes.
These videos can help you become familiar with how we explain and interpret charts. Your consultation will focus on your individual circumstances and questions.
Please email us at info@lightonyourlife.com. Briefly describe what you would like help with, and we can clarify the appropriate starting point.