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Jyotish Star of the Month

A Conversation with Gary Gomes

By Juliana Swanson
Interview Date: 8/27/2012

Juliana Swanson: Hello Gary, thank you so much for taking the time to grant us an interview. We know how busy you are, with not only your consulting career as a professional Vedic astrologer, but also immersed in writing a dissertation for your Ph.D. Let�s start out asking you just what started you out in life towards an astrological career?

Gary Gomes: I was interested in astrology as far back as my college years, but instead pursued music, sociology, and later business and law as areas of study. For a while in my 20's, I read a lot of spiritual literature, the Upanishads, some Tibetan Buddhism (I was fascinated by their overtone singing) and some Rudolf Steiner.

I really seriously got into astrology when in 1989, after the loss of both parents and an ill-conceived marriage, I finally was initiated into TM (Transcendental Meditation).

About a month after that, I had a reading from their head Jyotishi, Pandit Gaur, who was travelling the U.S. I was very excited by the reading and remember telling a friend I had to learn it. I bought what Jyotisha gems I could afford. About a year later, about nine months after I entered my Mercury dasa, TM offered training in Jyotisha in Cambridge, MA, about an hour from where I live. A friend and I took the training, and then I started buying books (which they told us not to do, but I am a very disobedient sishya!), and then I started studying on my own. After about another nine months of study (I was obsessed), I began doing charts for friends, then started doing readings for free at a new age store, Crystal Expectations, where I still read.

My pattern for doing a lot of things is like that. When I learned to play keyboards, I took two lessons, and then went off on my own. I need a kick start to send me in the right direction; then I prefer (or am compelled, sometimes for financial and ideological reasons) to learn on my own. I dropped music theory in college because most of the rules I was told could not be broken had already been broken in the late 19^th and 20^th centuries!

Juliana: Is astrology in your family lineage?

Gary: Not at all. My mother was very intuitive. For instance, she heard death knocks and could tell when I was in trouble. My father was a Mason; but there was no family background in this of which I am aware.

Juliana: How old were you when you began your astrological studies?

Gary: Thirty-eight years old.

Juliana: Have you written books on Vedic astrology or do you plan to write a book any time soon? How about any important articles you have published?

Gary: I do plan to write a book within two years, as soon as my doctoral dissertation is complete. I have started out to write since 1998! I have had, I think, three or four articles in the Mountain Astrologer, a couple in the BAVA Journal, a few published in Express Star Teller in India, and a few more publications. I have not written anything significant for a few years because I became interested in music journalism again, and also, Kepler College and my doctoral work took up a lot of time. However, many of my students have asked me to write a book. I view it as a serious responsibility and want to add something new to the lexicon, not regurgitate what everyone else has written! What value would repackaging be? However, the articles I am most happy with are those I have written on Jaimini Astrology, Mars, and Multiple Dasa systems. I think these are unique works, although the works on Jaimini have their foundations in the teaching of K. N. Rao and other authors (sort of mashed together.)

Juliana: Tell us, as a consulting astrologer, did you begin your studies with Tropical astrology? If so, what made you transition from Tropical to Vedic astrology?

Gary: I started studying Jyotish in 1990 and Tropical astrology in 1993, as part of the requirements to be a Swami of the Temple of Kriya Yoga. So I approached it backwards. I can interpret a chart Tropically, but I look at charts from the Jyotish perspective first; that is my orientation and point of reference.

Juliana: Where have you studied astrology?

Gary: Through the TM organization, through conferences, through classes with K.N. Rao and K. S. Charak, and of course, with all my terrific colleagues at ACVA (American College for Vedic Astrology). I also study a great deal on my own, and keep on trying to improve my skills through self-study and chart analysis, testing and reapplying principles I have learned and new principles.

Juliana: Who has mentored you along the way? Did you or do you have a spiritual teacher or path that first stimulated your initial interest in Jyotish?

Gary: The TM tradition and my involvement with the Temple of Kriya Yoga also sparked my interest in Jyotish. I first learned through TM, though.

Juliana: Please tell us a little about your shop that you and your wife own. Do you do consultations out of the storefront?

Gary: The store has been in business for 25 years more or less; we have crystals there, books and artifacts from religious and spiritual beliefs from around the world. We respect all religious traditions, and teach meditation, Reiki, astrology/Jyotisha and Tarot. I do readings for people from the area, and also provide readings to clients and students from around the world. I have had students from Australia, Brazil, Canada, and Turkey, and all across the country; it is quite gratifying and quite a thrill. I teach using in-person, Skype, and conference calls. I also work with Kepler College and Dirah Academy at times, but everything is done out of the store. I met my wife through doing readings at the store. We both clicked and were married about three years later.

Juliana: You hail from New Bedford, Massachusetts, right? Is there a large Vedic astrology community and/or Hindu community in the area?

Gary: Yes, from New Bedford, but no, there is not a large Hindu or Vedic astrology community in my area. Recently, the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, which is right next to New Bedford, has opened a Center for Indic Studies, and I have spoken on Jyotish there and at Boston University, but I can't honestly say it is an active engagement. Partially it is my fault; I don't have a lot of time to cultivate the relationship. I am a member of the Sri Lakshmi Temple in Ashland and have done charts for their priests, and for members of other spiritual organizations. Funnily enough, about ten years after I left Fall River to move to New Bedford, MA, a small Hindu Temple opened about three blocks from where I grew up. The Hindu population in Southeastern Massachusetts has grown a lot since I started Jyotish in the 1990's, but most of my Indian clients are either out of state or from the Boston area.

Juliana: Do you have children or step-children, and if so, are they interested in astrology?

Gary: I have a step child, but her interest is usually limited to how she will do in a given situation. I also must confess I find it difficult to do charts for family members because I am too close to the outcome.

Juliana: We know that you teach on the ACVA online programs, do you also tutor private students? Where else do you teach?

Gary: I was added to the faculty at Kepler College in 2007, and I think I started with Dirah Academy in 2006. I have had individual students since 1996, as I recall.

Juliana: Would you like to say something about the social work that you do and your recent post-graduate studies and plans for the future.

Gary: Well, I have been involved in government workforce development work since 1975. I also served as the Grants Administrator for the City of New Bedford. Since 2000, I have worked for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Education, first in Adult Education, then in 2002, moving to Career/Vocational Technical Education. I work with high schools and colleges monitoring their career programs. So we make sure the programs work well and are following regulations.

I am working towards an Ed.D. degree from Northeastern University; I have wanted to get my doctoral degree since 1987. I plan to use it currently to expand my career options and to move into post-secondary education, which is in great need of some accountability. I have great respect for our higher education institutions, but the retention rates and level of preparation of students for careers are not acceptable. I hope to focus some of my energy in that direction. I am unsure how much I can personally do about this, but I think part of the solution to student retention lies in on-line education and more contextualized learning. Also, the current pricing of higher education is outrageous, and seems counterproductive if we desire an educated population. That concerns me deeply. I have worked for government programs intended to provide people with opportunities for advancement. I may never be a full time Jyotishi, and that does not concern me. We serve the world, in my opinion, not ourselves.

Juliana: You have mentioned being a swami of a Kriya Yoga order. Can you tell us more about this and explain how your yoga background ties in with your astrological work?

Gary: I had several conversations with Goswami Kriyananda, the head of the Temple of Kriya Yoga, about my involvement with Jyotisha. He expressed to me that he felt it was very important for me to continue on this path, and strongly encouraged me to stay on this path, so I guess you could say I have the Guru's blessing for this. But also, Kriya Yoga is not a passive system of belief or practice, as least not as the Temple teaches it. Kriya Yoga is a yoga of action; it recognizes that difficulties can and should be avoided if they are seen far enough in advance. That guides my practice. Many people come in from broken relationships or from failures and say, "I guess I was meant to experience that." This may be true in their minds, but why? Learn from the pain you have gone through. Use this marvelous creation God has given you, your brain, to avoid this nonsense, which, to be frank, can interfere with your spiritual growth. Take some control, to the extent you can. Ask God for help,

He's happy to help. We talk to God when we're in trouble, so this helps our spiritual life. Why not call up God like a friend, a big brother? Jyotisha helps identify the ease and bumps in life; it can also let you know in advance how to act or react. It can be used as a tool for achievement or liberation. Why not use it so?

Juliana: Can you offer any advice to budding astrologers?

Gary: The biggest advice I can give is to find a way of learning which agrees with your temperament. I am a very independent learner, and this dates back to my personality in elementary school, in which I argued with my teachers and was often (though not always) right. Diagrams and unquestioning obedience don't work well for me. Other people need a very structured environment or an intensely personal relationship with their teachers. Seek out instructional settings that work for you. There are multiple paths to God; there are many paths to Jyotisha. I think rigidity in education of any kind is a mistake. I also love to learn the principles of Jyotisha through the stories connected with the planets. I think these are marvelous teaching tools.

But, I can't emphasize enough that one should find his or her own way to learn. If you can't find a teacher, find a good book, and read the classical books. The classical Jyotisha books, for me at least, have bit of magic in them. If you spend a bit of time with them, they start speaking to you. Jyotisha is a spiritual tradition, and any spiritual study benefits from meditation, insight, and devotion. These books are marvelous for cultivating that perspective. For beginners, I would stay away from Brihat Jataka and Saravali; they deviate a great deal in certain parts from the other texts, and become useful only after the core teachings are absorbed. My favorite modern author is really James Braha, who made a massive impression on me, as did K.N. Rao as a teacher. But there are so many talented people in our field; I feel a list would be counterproductive, because I learn even from those with whom I disagree. Other students will have different pivotal influences, and that is as it should be. Dennis Flaherty, the President of CVA (Council of Vedic Astrology) was always supportive of me from my earliest contacts with ACVA, and I really feel I should mention him as well.

You will find people like that throughout your studies. If you have one teacher or several teachers, or teach yourself, you will experience guides who will let you know you are moving forward or not along the way. You can count on that!

Gary Gomes Biography:

Gary Gomes was born October 1, 1952, 8:29 AM, Fall River, MA. His father was Portuguese-American and his mother was a war bride from Liverpool, England. The birth was delayed by the attendants who were waiting for the doctors to arrive, so Gary was born with a fairly rare neurological disorder. He was a bright student in elementary school (he was awarded second place in a city-wide geography contest with little preparation), was raised Episcopalian, and attended a Jesuit run high school in Fall River, MA.

He attended the University of Massachusetts where he switched from history to journalistic studies-sociology to sociology. He spent time there as a student senator, dorm counselor, assistant fine arts editor for the school newspaper, and was a host on two different campus radio stations. He was also chosen to be vice-president of the University of Massachusetts Jazz Society. Upon graduation, he was offered a job as a keyboard player in a band and a job promoting concerts, both of which he declined. He graduated cum laude.

He earned an MBA from University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth with a 3.86 cumulative average with no prior business academic background.

After working briefly at Goodyear, he started working for the CETA program as a counselor, and was promoted to Assessment Coordinator, then agency planner for workforce programs in Fall RIver, Taunton, and Attleboro, MA. He then went to work in a similar capacity in New Bedford, where he was made City Grants Administrator. In 1998, he transitioned to consultant and Jyotishi, and also worked as a grants specialist.

In 2000, he transitioned to a position as an educational specialist for the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and was promoted to supervisor in 2011. Gary has worked in the Adult Education and Career/Vocational Technical Education units of the Department. In 2009 he entered Northeastern University for his Ed.D. degree and is currently working on his dissertation.

Gary started his study of Jyotish in 1990, started writing about Jyotisha in 1993, and has been published in the ACVA Journal, BAVA Journal, NCGR special editions, Mountain Astrologer, and several Indian magazines, including Express Star Teller. He has also served as Editor and Managing Publisher of the CVA Journal. He served on the ACVA Board between 1997 and 2003. He was elected Vice-President of CVA in 2004 and President of CVA in 2007. Gary is also a Swami of the Kriya Yoga lineage, and a Reiki Master. He was recognized for his contributions to Jaimini Astrology by the Bharat Vidya Bhavan in India, and has written on Jyotish in publications available from every continent except Antartica. He is also writing a book on Jyotisha. He has also served as a professor and vice-president of Kepler College from 2007. Finally, he has been teaching at ACVA from 2004 to the present and has served as the Assistant Dean for Academics for ACVA.

Contact Information:

Gary Gomes
Crystal Expectations
Vedic Astrology and metaphysical store
854 Brock Avenue
New Bedford MA 02744
[email protected]
(508) 990-7898

Juliana Swanson's Biography:

Juliana Swanson qualifies as an ACVA and CVA Level II certified Vedic Astrologer, receiving two titles of excellence, the Jyotish Visharada, CVA; and the Jyotish Kovid, CVA. In 2012 she was awarded the Jyotish Kovid from the ICAS, Bangalore, India. Additionally, she brings depth to her work as a Registered Nurse (RN), Polarity Therapist (RPP) and Rebirthing-Breathwork Facilitator. Juliana runs her holistic healing and astrological consulting practice from her home office on the Big Island of Hawaii. In addition, she tutors Vedic astrology students both individually and as an online instructor for both the American College of Vedic Astrology and the International Academy of Astrology. Juliana holds memberships in the Council of Vedic Astrology (CVA); the British Association of Vedic Astrology (BAVA); the

American Federation of Astrologers (AFA); the International Society for Astrological Research; the American Polarity Therapy Association (APTA); and, Rebirthing-Breathwork International (RBI). You may reach Juliana at her Hawaii office at 808-430-5989.

Juliana may be reached by email at: [email protected] Her web site is www.AstralHarmony.com.



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