Home Vedic Venue eMagazine Current FAQs Contact Us Links

Autumnal Equinox

September 2011

By Christina Collins for Jyotish Star September 2011

Those of us living in the Northern Hemisphere feel the beginning of the drying shift of Vata season with colder days and nights. The extreme hot days of summer shift and we start to feel some interspersed chilling days. Our leaves change color giving us a glorious view and a pseudo taste of the summer Sun.

In 2011 the Autumnal equinox or fall officially begins on September 23^rd. Just as in the spring equinox (equinox is Latin for the word equal) we have 12 hours of �day� and 12 hours of �night,� bisected as the Sun crosses the celestial equator. (this does not mean equal time of light and dark).

There are three specific health conditions and 3 seasons that each rule a different aspects of the body.

Vata � Air and Nerves
Pitta � Bile and Heat
Kapha � Phlegm and Wet

End of September / October time ushers in the Vata Season which rules �Air and �Nerves. We become susceptible to our upper respiratory system becoming out of balance as we change from the radiant heat of the Sun, and spending time embracing outdoor rays, to the inside drying condition because of manufactured heat in furnaces and fireplaces.

We look to this time for taking preventative care with our health to prepare for the winter ahead. Skin becomes dryer, Nerves become hyper sensitive. When Vata in the system is in balance it strengthens and maintains health. When Vata goes out of balance disease results.

So, take care to meditate, (to calm your nerves), lubricate your skin with soothing nourishing oils, (see your Ayurvedic practioner and get a massage if you can!) and take a cup of hot Vata balancing tea to start your day, or any time you are feeling particularly stressed or �unnerved.� People often take this tea along when travelling, year round, because the extra stress of travel can throw our Vata out of balance. Our body, our inner self acknowledges this change, even if we don�t perceive it intellectually. Most importantly maintain your routines, stick to a set bedtime, eat meals on a regular basis, balance work with play and keep to your yoga and/or walking exercise routine. The energy of Vata is changeable and �spacey� so creating routines is vital for health.

Okay, its chilly outside, and the leaves are falling, so tell me, would you rather have a cool drink, a salad and some ice cream � or does a heart, rich soup, and a heavier meal appeal? So be sure to listen to those internal clues, break with the eating �habits,� of the summer -- take advantage of the garden harvest and cook up a nice warming curry soup!

Have a healthy season!

Christina Collins Biography:

Christina Collins, Jyotish Kovid, Jyotish Vachaspati is a third generation astrologer specializing in the Vedic system. She received her honorary titles from the late Dr. B.V. Raman, former President of the ICAS (Indian Center for Astrological Sciences) in New Delhi and Bangalore, India. She is the first and sole American woman to be honored by this highly held title of Jyotish Vachaspati (Jyotish - the light bearer and Vachaspati - the one who speaks the truth and whose predictions come true. (Vac = speech and Brihaspati is a name of Jupiter the planet of wisdom and truth. She serves as faculty and on the Board of Directors of the American College for Vedic Astrology (ACVA), as Editor of the ACVA News and is President of Celestial Resources (The Timing Coach) where she serves corporate and private clients from celebrities to students. You can reach her in Boulder CO at [email protected]:

Christina's consultation contact information:

Christina Collins, J.K., J.V.
Editor in Chief The Jyotish Star
Lafayette, (Boulder County) CO, USA
web site: http://www.vedicastrologer.cc
email: [email protected]
phone: 303-665-9996



Join Our Email List Email:

For Email Marketing you can trust