July 2012
By Astrologer Steven Stuckey
Vedic astrology in the United States had its first formal beginnings in a small converted garage in West Hollywood, California. The garage initially became a classroom for the Sidereal School of Astrology and many years later changed its format and name to the Vedic School of Astrology. Founded sometime in the late sixties by astrologer Phyllis Kneip, the school was devoted exclusively to the study of the sidereal zodiac. For at least the first fifteen years, the classes followed the teachings of Irish astrologer and researcher, Cyril Fagan, who single-handedly resurrected the sidereal zodiac of the ancient Babylonians and presented the western world with its first star-based alternative to the almost exclusively used tropical zodiac of the time.
Phyllis was a math whiz and an astrologer extraordinaire and all who attended her classes learned how to calculate all charts by hand. In the days before astrological software, we had slide rules, logarithm tables and hand-held calculators, along with a stack of reference books that seemed to weigh about fifty pounds, to assist us in this arduous task. Those of us who became adept at it could �crank� out a chart in about 20 minutes or less.
Classes were held once a week, always on Wednesday, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM for a nominal fee of $2.00 to cover the cost of tea and cookies. Often there were specific topics we would work on, but more often the classes focused on current events and the charts of students and guests. Class attendance ranged anywhere from just a few students to up to fifteen or more. Some of the students including myself, after having attained some proficiency in the science, were allowed to give classes on Fagan�s techniques, with Phyllis always keeping a watchful eye on the proceedings.
Many of the great Fagan-siderealists attended and taught at these classes over the years, and all contributed to the ever-expanding body of knowledge of sidereal techniques.
In was in this setting, already framed around the sidereal zodiac, that we were first introduced to Chakrapani Ullal. In earlier years at the school, there had been a steadily growing interest in Hindu astrology, as it was called then, but for the most part we were unable to penetrate the mysterious and very esoteric subject matter that was presented in the books of B.V Raman, Robert Deluce and others. Many of us had Hindu astrology books, bought from the famous Bodhi Tree bookstore that was nearby, but did not have a real clue how to decipher them. We definitely needed a teacher and as our luck (or our collective karma) would have it � a great one was soon provided!
Chakrapani began teaching classes at the Sidereal School on a regular basis at least one Wednesday per month beginning in 1985. It was during this time, and for the following ten years or more during which the classes were conducted under his very knowledgeable and patient tutelage, that an understanding of and an appreciation for Vedic astrology began to blossom and take hold. Previously indecipherable and unfathomable texts slowly began to reveal their secrets. Students from those days included Bill Levacy, Christina Collins, Carol Allen, George Roman, Christina Ross, William Bussey, Richard Gehman, Carol Leveque, Bobby Lee, Helene Cushman-Woodman and many others who would go on to become full-time Vedic astrologers. |
|  | Bill Levacy, comments.
"At the prompting of a friend, Christina Ross, I began taking Vedic astrology lessons in 1983 at the Sidereal School of Astrology, founded by Phyllis Kneip in West Hollywood, California. I would got each Wednesday and study charts with the various astrologers that Phyllis would invite to drop by. After a bit, Chakrapani started coming once a month to read charts with us. It was |
| great to sit with Chakrapani and go over charts together. Since Chakrapani has never released his knowledge in written form, it was a great experience to be able to get his extensive knowledge through direct contact. We continued to meet each month with Chakrapaniji for a few years and always looked forward to an evening of special knowledge." |
We also had a number of guest lecturers during this same time-frame, who gave classes during Chakrapani�s off weeks, including Nalini Kantha das, Drew Lawrence, Anders Johannson, Rashmin, Kenny Richards and Keshava das; all having a very good knowledge of Vedic at that time. It all came about quite suddenly beginning in the mid-eighties and seemed to turn into a veritable avalanche of knowledge and information from that point on. Chakrapani�s classes were generally not structured to teach a specific topic, but were more or less a free-form discussion group for natal charts that were brought to class by the students. He sat at the head of a small table with a blackboard behind him. All were welcomed to put up charts of interest for discussion. In this way, through the careful study of many hundreds of nativities, we were guided by Chakrapani through the very intricate maze of such things as house and planet meanings, yogas, dashas, planetary strengths and weaknesses, the navamsa chakra, importance of various rising signs and much, much more. Most important of all, in my opinion, and something that could never be duplicated from the study of books, was the opportunity we had to experience a master astrologer making subtle distinctions and judgments when delineating a chart, especially when there were numerous contradictory indications that could easily lead one off in the wrong direction.
Although there was always a light-hearted and fun-filled spirit to the classes, there was also more of a reverential and respectful attitude that began to develop as we came to more fully appreciate the magnitude of what we were being given. And we were literally being �given� all the knowledge, as Chakarapani�s fee was a nominal $5.00 per person for a class. The classes were supposed to be two hours in length but very often went a full three hours.
Looking back in retrospect to those astonishing years of astrological learning and insight, I wish to offer my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to Chakrapani for having the kindness, compassion and patience to help bring us all into the light of Jyotish.
 | | Steven Stuckey Biography:
Steve Stuckey, Jyotish Vachaspati, began his study of astrology in 1968. He started teaching classes in both western sidereal and Jyotish techniques in 1979 and was instrumental in the initial introduction of Jyotish in the United States.
He currently resides in southern Oregon where he continues to teach and advise an international clientele.
He may be reached by email at: [email protected] |
|
| Jyotish Star Copyright 2012 C. C. Collins - All Rights Reserved |
|
