The Conference Begins

Saturday, April 8, 2006

Didn't get much sleep during the night for some reason. Woke up, showered, and went to breakfast a little after 8am. Professor Choudhry, Sloan, Jonathan, were there. I happened to mention that I absorbed so much during yesterday's discussions that I wrote down what I could remember. Professor Choudhry said that on the SATVA listserv, David Hawthorne mentioned that I was keeping a blog, so that now I will be the minute taker for the conference proceeedings. Whew! Talk about pressure!

Conference began sharply at 10:00am. Gemini rises which as an ascending sign is best because its only Functional Malefics are Rahu and Ketu and they don't aspect the Most Effective Points in this chart. Functional Benefics, Mars and Mercury do, however. The royal planets, Sun and Moon, are strong.

The IIPA Conference began promptly at 10:00am, April 8, 2006 in Gurgaon, India

I introduce myself at the IIPA Conference

We introduced ourselves. I was the first and mentioned how honored I was to be here in the land of jyotish. I also mentioned my studies with Professor Choudhry and how that occurred during my Ketu/Rahu period and how I had hoped to do jyotish fulltime in my Venus mahadasha.

We listened to an audio message from IIPA's President, David Hawthorne who, unfortunately, could not attend the proceedings.

Before lunch, I met Aman who said that I had responded on the listserv to one of his statements about preparing a chart for the moment one start works. I said, yes, I remember that discussion.

At lunch, Rajesh mentioned how he Googled my name on the internet to come up with a picture of me so he could recognize me. At first he came up with a picture of me and

Rajesh and I enjoy a meal together

a guitar but thought that can't be me. So he Googled "Shayn Smith astrologer" and found my bio picture, then he realized I was the same person with the guitar

I was really dragging toward the end of the first day of the conference--could hardly keep my eyes open. After the conference let out, I went back to my room for a nap. I vowed not to eat dinner for I felt that my gastrointestinal tract needed a break. However, I was called at shortly after 8pm by Rajesh to join them for dinner. I ate very sparingly and then just rice and vegetables, no fried food. Prema is so nice to describe the ingredients of the different foods to me. I know I will never remember them later. After a meal, they always bring out a little bowl of hot water with a lime in it so that you can dip your hand and clean it in it. Also, after a meal it is customary to have tea.

We talked about Vastu. It is not good to sleep with your head to the north, but always good to sleep with your head toward the east. Also, the front of your house should face east. In our case, it faces west, but that's the second best orientation according to Professor Choudhry.

Me and Samarth

After dinner, Samarath came up to my room and we looked at charts until 1am. He is a very bright young man who knows astrology very well but uses it only for himself. He asked how his interpretations were, and I said very good. I encouraged hime to share more of his knowldege with others. My interpretation of his chart, though, I felt was weak. I seem to be having a hard time engaging my brain. Well, this is all different and I'm sure I am benefitting somehow.

Next: The Conference Continues!