Vimshottari dasha: Understanding Vedic astrology's predictive timing system

...or JD Vance explained by Vedic Astrology, Part 2

This song by The Byrds–based on the bible verse Ecclesiastes 3:1-8–is the perfect introduction to the topic of today’s post: predictive timing techniques in Vedic astrology as well as a fairly recent Catholic convert we’ll get into a bit later.

Unlike Western astrology, which often relies on transits alone for making predictions in a person’s life, Vedic astrology also uses many complex systems of planetary periods (dashas). These timing systems allow astrologers to make precise predictions about the unfolding of karma, highlighting specific life events, themes and periods of growth or challenge.

Among the many timing techniques used in Vedic astrology, the Vimshottari dasha system is perhaps the most widely used.

What is Vimshottari dasha?

The Vimshottari dasha (pronounced vim-SHOT-tree duh-SHA) system is a predictive technique that divides a your life into planetary periods. This division is a fixed sequence of planetary periods, with each period ruled by one of the nine planets (grahas).

Each planet’s dasha, or period, has a specific length—ranging from the short 6-year Sun (Surya) period of the Sun to the lengthy 20-year Venus (Shukra) period. The order and timing of these dashas are calculated from the placement of the Moon at the time of birth.

Because Vimshottari dasha is calculated from the Moon, it directly relates to the individual's mind, emotions, and desires.

In Vedic astrology, the Moon represents manas, the mind, which includes our thoughts, feelings and psychological patterns. Thus, each planetary period in Vimshottari dasha can be seen as a distinct phase where the mind is inclined toward certain types of experiences and desires, reflecting the karmic themes associated with the ruling planet of each period.

Mahadasha and Antardasha: the two planetary periods

In the Vimshottari dasha system, your life is divided into major and minor planetary periods known as mahadashas and antardashas. These periods are like chapters and sub-chapters in the story of your life, each ruled by a specific planet that influences the themes, challenges and opportunities during that time.

Mahadasha (pronounced ma-ha duh-SHA) means “great period.” This is the primary, overarching planetary period and can last from 6 to 20 years, depending on the planet in question. During a mahadasha, the ruling planet significantly influences a person’s life, shaping major events and setting the tone for that entire period.

Antardasha (pronounced an-tar duh-SHA), or “sub-period,” occurs within the mahadasha and adds another layer of influence. Every mahadasha is divided into smaller antardashas, with each planet getting its turn as a sub-ruler. Each antardasha refines or modifies the energy of the mahadasha, bringing its own set of experiences and nuances.

Interpreting Vimshottari dasha

The mahadasha

When interpreting Vimshottari dasha in your chart, it’s important to consider the following:

• the inherent nature of the mahadasha planet

• the house the mahadasha planet is placed in

• the state of the mahadasha planet (e.g., aspects, sign, etc.)

For example, if you were in a Venus mahadasha, your mind would be focused on Venusian pursuits, such as love, relationships, creativity, harmony, luxury and pleasure.

However, the focus would vary depending on where Venus is in your chart. If Venus were in the 7th house, you mind and desires would go towards relationships; if it were in the 4th house, you would focus more on creating a beautiful home or desire a luxury car. Venus placed in a more difficult house, such as the 6th, may instead cause problems with disharmony, too much fighting or discord, or issues with women, relationships and jealousy.

Last but certainly not least, you need to consider the state of the planet.

Let’s take Venus in the 4th house as an example again. If she were in the 4th, strong by sign and not receiving any difficult aspects, the desire for a beautiful home would be much easier to achieve. However, if she were in the 4th in a difficult sign with hard aspects from malefic planets, the desire would still be the same, but achieving it would be much more difficult.

The antardasha

Once you’ve interpreted the mahadasha, you move on to the antardasha. When doing so, it’s important to consider the the house placement of the antardasha, what relationship it has with the mahadasha planet and what yoga (combination) they build (if any).

I’ll go into more detail about this when I examine JD Vance’s chart–i.e. the recent Catholic convert I mentioned at the start of this post.

One last thought

Although Vimshottari dasha is the most commonly used timing technique–in fact, it’s the only one some Vedic astrologers use–it really speaks more to desire than concrete events.

However, that certainly doesn’t mean that this technique will not have predictive power.

After all, where the mind goes, actions follow.

At the same time, whether or not you can bring about the changes and developments you desire, and how easy or difficult this will be, depends greatly on all of the factors I mentioned above.

Examining Vimshottari dasha in JD Vance’s chart

It feels a bit odd to be writing about JD Vance’s chart again on the actual day of the election, but I want to finish what I started in this post, so here goes.

This section will also serve as a more concrete example to help you understand the big helping of theory I served up in the first part of this post.

I’ll start by examining Vance’s former Mahadasha and the current one, as well mention a few significant events.

JD Vance’s Jupiter Mahadasha

JD Vance entered his Jupiter Mahadasha on April 15, 2008, which then continued until April 24, 2024.

During this time, his mind was focused on Jupiterian pursuits, such as wisdom, growth, spirituality, education and expansion. Jupiter is in the 5th house, which put an emphasis on children, higher education, investments and speculation and future planning.

Ok, so now we have the nature of this time period, as well as the desires and focus. What about his ability to have success in these areas? To determine this, we need to look at the state of Jupiter.

Jupiter is strong in Sagittarius, a sign it rules. Jupiter is receiving an aspect from Saturn and is lord of the 8th as well as the 5th, which does pose some challenges. It is also retrograde, which increases the desire but also causes Jupiter to stumble a bit.

However, overall we’ve got a great Jupiter here promising JD success in his studies, investing, decision making and having children. Indeed, this was the time period when he finished his studies at Ohio State, went to Yale Law School, worked in venture capital and started a family.

The 5th house also speaks to social capital and the ability to get people your side. JD’s Jupiter Mahadasha brought many powerful mentor to his side, including Peter Thiel.

Jupiter Mahadasha - Saturn Antardasha (June 12, 2010 to December 23, 2012)

When examining a mahadasha-antardasha period, its important to consider the combination of the two planets as well as their relationship to each other.

Jupiter-Saturn is a philosophical combination that gives one the desire to search for answers and deeper meaning.

Jupiter is in JD’s 5th house and Saturn is in his 3rd, which means they have a 3-11 relationship. Although mostly positive, this does create a somewhat opportunistic, I’ll-scratch-your-back-if-you-scratch-mine kind of dynamic.

The antardasha often indicates a person entering your life, and it was during this period that JD first encountered Peter Thiel.

In an article written for a catholic magazine in 2020, JD states that the talk held by Thiel in 2011 “remains the most significant moment of my time at Yale Law School.” It shook up his world view and also reintroduced him to Christianity, which he had left behind.

In Vance’s words, "Peter Thiel “was possibly the smartest person I’d ever met, but he was also a Christian. He defied the social template I had constructed–that dumb people were Christians and smart people atheists.”

Jupiter - Mercury (December 14, 2012 to March 22, 2015)

A Jupiter-Mercury combination is one that stimulates growth and knowledge. Both planets are strong and well-placed in his chart and in a 5-9 relationship with each, which is excellent.

This was the period when Vance met and married his wife and wrote his bestselling memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy.” It was likely a particularly positive time in his life, and one marked by personal growth, knowledge and expansion.

Vance and catholicism

Although Vance was interested in catholic thought earlier in his life, he first became serious about it during his Jupiter - Venus dasha (February 2, 2016 to October 27, 2018) and his Jupiter - Sun dasha (October 27, 2018 to August 15, 2019). I believe he officially converted to catholicism at the very end of this dasha, although it’s been difficult to find the exact date.

Vance’s chart speaks to a spiritual or religious path that is traditional and based on restraint and a strong moral code, which makes catholicism an ideal fit.

However, his Venus–by far the most problematic planet in his chart–was activated during both dasha periods. Venus is also in a difficult 6-8 relationship with Jupiter. How I would interpret this in Vance’s case is that the appeal of Catholicism is at least partially influenced by his moral outrage towards women, particularly those he infamously referred to as “childless cat ladies.”

But more on Venus and the trouble a bring a little later.

Vance’s entrance into politics

Vance became actively involved in politics during his Jupiter - Mars dasha (December 14, 2020 to November 20, 2021).

This is a combination that brings enormous energy and is tied to both his conservative moral code as well as Peter Thiel’s influence. He was sworn in as a United States Senator at the end of this time period.

When he entered his final Jupiter dasha, Jupiter-Rahu (November 20, 2021 to April 15, 2024), things took a nastier turn.

Jupiter-Rahu is a difficult planetary combination because Rahu (the North node) pollutes the integrity and purity of Jupiter. With Jupiter in the 5th and Rahu in the 10th, these planets are also in a fraught 6-8 relationship.

Vance’s Rahu is exalted, which makes it less nasty than it would be if it were in a more difficult sign. However, this combination still indicates a period when he would find it more acceptable to cheat, lie and manipulate (all Rahu characteristics) to ruthlessly achieve his goals.

The 10th house is the most visible part of the chart. Therefore, this (Rahu) tendency has definitely been noted by the public and is the reason many accuse Vance of being an opportunistic chameleon.

From his chart, however, I don’t see any indication that he is an inherently dishonest, power hungry person. Rather, it seems more likely that he is driven by his zealous convictions.

Vance enters a new dasha

On April 15, 2024 JD Vance entered his Saturn mahadasha where he will remain for the next 19 years. This change means a major reshuffling of focus and the cards of desire.

Saturn’s nature is quite different than Jupiter’s. While Jupiter is about expansion, Saturn is about constriction. Its mahadasha is associated with topics like discipline, hard work, responsibility and patience, as well as restrictions, setbacks and delays.

Saturn is in Vance’s 3rd house (the house of will and effort) and is forming a Yama yoga with Mars, which is also in the 3rd.

The god of death, Yama is associated with enormous strength, restraint and moral discipline. He governs law and justice, as well as admonishment and punishment for those who “break” the rules.

Since Vance’s Saturn is exalted in Libra, this time period is one in which he should be able to successfully push through his will and more throughly embody his religious and moral beliefs, albeit in a slower, Saturnian fashion.

However, there are definitely a few wrenches thrown into this time period’s works.

First, his exalted Saturn is also the lord of the sixth house, which means he will have powerful enemies during this mahadasha.

Second, Mars is also the badhaka planet in his chart. Although it would be too much to describe what this means in detail, what I can say is that this will periodically bring obstacles and blocks into his path that are difficult to understand or explain.

Third, the moon is 12th from Saturn, which definitely affects his political aspirations. To truly be a successful politician, you need the support of the public, which is represented by the moon. When a planet is 12th from another, it indicates loss.

To sum things up,

Vance’s Saturn mahadasha–particularly until April 2027–is a time when this strong man persona and moral indignation has much more appeal to him than it did during his Jupiter time period. It’s a time when he will work hard, but have more challenges and less ease and reward for efforts.

His Jupiter dasha was a period of strong mentors and advocates, while his Saturn dasha brings powerful opponents and unforeseen difficulties.

Although this period has potential for long-term building and success, I personally don’t see him having much of a future in politics. Having the moon 12th from his mahadasha planet means the public just simply doesn’t like him. From what I gather, even those who agree with his policies and opinions feel lukewarm about him as a person, at best.

A few thoughts on tips and remedies for JD

I have to admit I’m a little tired after writing this long piece, and more tired still from this particularly harrowing and dramatic election season.

I honestly hope I’ll wake up tomorrow with the news that I will not have to think about JD Vance or he who shall not be named ever again, or at least not much past the inauguration in 2025.

But I’ll go ahead and put my fatigue and dislike a moment to answer this question:

What remedies or advice would I offer JD Vance if he were my client?

I think the first would be to ask him if he’s ever considered moving abroad.

No, this question is not inspired by wishful thinking on my part.

The dilemma of his Sun/lagna lord in the 12th house I talked about in my previous post will never stop being an issue for him as long as he lives in the United States. On top of that, his 10th lord Venus is also in the 12th, which brings difficulties in career. Although his Jupiter dasha brought Vance support and countless opportunities, if you read about his career path, other than his memoir, the guy hasn’t been particularly successful, at least not in the long run.

However: living and working in another country would activate the 12th house, which would change the dynamic to feel as though his Sun and Venus were in the 1st house instead! This shift would be beneficial for his career as well as his overall happiness.

Rahu in his 10th house also speaks to potential success in a foreign country, so another plus for moving abroad.

The problem with Venus

As I mentioned earlier, Venus is definitely the most problematic planet in JD’s chart.

It’s in a difficult house and sign, is cursed by aspects from Saturn and the Sun and is gandanta, which is the name used to describe a planet that is in the very early or very late degrees between a water and fire sign. This brings unsteadiness, setbacks and difficult transitions in the houses that Venus rules, which include the 10th house of career and the 3rd house, which indicates efforts and will as well as his current dasha.

Internally, Vance’s Venus speaks to issues with self-worth and feeling loveable and/or deserving of love. I don’t know what his love life was like before he married his wife, but I can imagine it was probably difficult.

Externally, it speaks to problems in career and hatred and resentment of women, especially in terms of fertility and motherhood (Venus is in Cancer).

His Venus is also a soul-level problem…

Venus in this state would be an issue in anyone’s chart, but it goes even deeper for Vance. This is because Venus is also his atmakaraka, or soul significator.

Your atmakaraka is the planet in your chart with which you have the deepest karmic ties. It indicates the desires that drove your soul to be reborn in this incarnation as well as the karmic lessons you need to learn.

…and therein lies the tragedy of JD Vance.

The precarious, compromised state of Vance’s atmakaraka has brought soul-level suffering into his life.

However, by seeking to control women’s bodies and mandate motherhood as though it were a sensible traffic law, Vance is creating even more negative Venus karma rather than burning off and transforming it into something more positive.

Therefore, if he were my client, I would suggest that he focus on helping women rather than controlling them. Ideas that fit his particular karma include:

• supporting women/mothers in prison

• helping women/mothers living on the edge to grow in their career and leadership positions

• helping marginalized and poor women/mothers in general

This work could either be in the form of donation, volunteering or creating government/organizational policies. He could even stick with his religious beliefs and support a pro-life catholic charity, for example, as long as it genuinely focused on uplifting and helping women and mothers rather than controlling or indoctrinating them.

In doing so, he would still be dealing with the karma tied to his Venus, but in a way that cleansed and balanced it rather than one that will ultimately bring more suffering, both to him as well as others.

Mantras and deities

Since Vance’s wife is Hindu, he might be open to working with Sanskrit mantras and Vedic deities. If so, I would take my remedy suggestions in steps:

• Step 1: Work with the Jyotir Linga mantra for Cancer

  The Jyotir Linga mantras are sign-based Shiva mantras that burn up negativity and help us see more clearly. They uplift and purify the soul, taking us out of darkness. Since Vance’s Venus is in the very dark 12th house and he’s lashing out negatively towards women, my guess is he is unaware of just what it is his soul actually wants and needs. Working with this mantra would help him see and understand these dynamics more clearly, which is an important first step. My suggestion would be a minimum 40-day practice with the mantra, although it would be more ideal if he worked with it for at least a year.

• Step 2: Work with the goddess Kamala

  No, I’m not making this up!!

  A form of Goddess Lakshmi, Kamala embodies wealth, spiritual abundance, and prosperity, granting blessings for both financial success and inner peace. As the final and gentlest of the ten Mahavidyas (tantra goddesses), she represents a nurturing, protective aspect of the Divine Feminine. The lotus, or kamala, symbolizes her qualities of purity and detachment, flourishing in the material world without attachment. As Vishnu’s consort, she brings harmony and prosperity to households. Worshipped for her kindness and beauty, Kamala embodies compassion and a peaceful nature.

  Mahavidya goddesses are very powerful, so I’d have to refer him out if he wanted to work with Kamala in a deeper way since I do not yet have the authority to prescribe more intense Mahavidya sadhnas.

  However, ironically, I do believe she would be the most ideal form of Lakshmi (the most common go-to goddess for Venus remedies) for him to work with. He could start with meditating on her image and work with a couple of more simple mantras, then go from there.

• Step 3: Work with Durga

  Since Vance has a Rahu aspect on his moon, it would also be helpful to work with the goddess Durga. Uplifting and boosting the moon would also benefit his Venus since it’s in Cancer (i.e., the sign ruled by the moon). This work could either be done simultaneously with the worship of Kamala or at another time.

• The catholic choice

  If Vance would prefer to work with figures from his own faith, he could also choose Mary Magdalene for Venus or female saints who supported poor women and/or mothers and helped alleviate their suffering.

Ok, that just about wraps things up for good old JD. I suppose by the time some of you read this, we’ll already know the results of the election.

Although I’m still not a fan of JD, I have enjoyed doing this deep dive into his chart and would like to write similar posts in the future. If you have anyone whose chart you’d like me analyze and interpret, feel free to let me know!

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Michelle R. Dean is a Vedic astrologer and writer based in Berlin. To find out more about Michelle, swing by here.