Thich Nhat Hanh, after a lifetime of service to Buddhism, died recently at age 95. Born 11 October 1926 in central Vietnam, he entered a monastery at age 16, where his primary teacher was a Zen master. He received training in the Vietnamese tradition of Mahayana Buddhism, and was ordained as a Bhikkhu in…...
Alan Annand is a Vedic astrologer, palmist and author. He’s a graduate of the British Faculty of Astrological Studies and was for many years their sole tutor for students in USA and Canada. After being introduced to jyotish, he was certified by the American College of Vedic Astrology, and went on to enjoy advanced instruction from Hart de Fouw. Aside from consulting and tutoring, he has long been a professional writer, straddling the corporate and creative worlds. His New Age Noir crime novels feature an astrologer protagonist whom one reviewer has dubbed “Sherlock Holmes with a horoscope.” His books on Vedic astrology – Kala Sarpa, Parivartana Yoga, and Stellar Astrology, Vols 1-3 – have been praised for the quality of their research and writing. His latest book – Kama Yoga: Love, Marriage & Sexuality in Jyotish – is a complete guide to personal relationships as seen through the lens of Vedic astrology, and can be found on Amazon.
Review of Alan Annand's New Age Noir series by Michael Laughlin:
Alan Annand's NEW AGE NOIR trilogy consists of three distinct mystery/thrillers – Scorpio Rising, Felonious Monk, and Soma County – all featuring as protagonist the private detective/astrologer Axel Crowe. Each of the novels is a stand-alone mystery in its own right but readers will profit by reading them in order. Over the course of the trilogy, Annand progressively reveals the life and background of his hero and, in particular, Crowe’s tutelage under his mentor, the enigmatic Guruji, whose timeless wisdom permeates the most sublime of circumstances in which our hero finds himself.
Each of the books is built upon a classic murder mystery, the resolution of which almost inevitably entails more murder and considerable suspense as the pursuit of justice closes in on the guilty in each case. There are many action scenes in each novel that easily qualify these books as thrillers, and yet Annand controls the pace with a steady hand, alternating variously between crime scene analysis, clever dialog, psychological insight, colorful character sketches, and musing upon the nature of karma.
But from this reviewer’s point of view, the best thing about this series is that it is chock full of Vedic knowledge. Included among the subject matters covered are: natal Jyotish (Vedic astrology) interpretations of various characters, a lot of Prashna (horary astrology to resolve questions in the moment), palmistry and physiognomy, numerology, Nimitta (omens and their import), Ayurveda (the Vedic science of health), Vastu (classic Vedic principles of architecture and environment), the interpretation of names and dreams, Tantra, and some Indian martial arts. In short, these three books are modern day gems of Jyotish and its ancillary mantic arts. Who should read this series? Anyone who has any interest in astrology, Vedic or Western, should consider themselves honor-bound to read these three books. Aside from being cleverly-written and fast-paced murder mysteries, each offers multiple instances of textbook Vedic knowledge, with repeated emphasis on Jyotish, perhaps the crowning jewel of the esoteric arts. Indeed, I consider these three books to be priceless gems – modern classics that will expand your astrological and philosophical horizons.
As a lover of murder mysteries (having read 500+ of them over the years), I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves the genre. For any mystery aficionado still looking for a new angle, this East/West fusion of style and substance will delight and reward the discriminating reader in ways you cannot even imagine. Alan Annand is my favorite practicing astrologer in North America, but he’s also published over 20 books thus far, many of which have been praised for the quality of their research and writing.
The New Age Noir books are available on Amazon, singly at $2.99 each in digital format, and at very reasonable prices in paperback form. And if you can’t resist a great deal, you can pick up the entire trilogy as a “digital box set” for only $5.99. And you don’t even need to own a Kindle, since you can download the Kindle app for free to read on any phone, tablet, laptop or PC. Meanwhile, don’t just think of yourself. These three books are the ideal last-minute gifts for any of your friends who love Vedic lore, astrology, mysteries, or general New Age subjects. Pay it forward and share this timeless wisdom in the form of superlative infotainment.
Review of Alan Annand's Kama Yoga: Love, Marriage and Sexuality in Jyotish. Alan Annand explores desire, a fundamental theme in astrology. With unparalleled research and clarity, Annand presents complex topics through easy-to-follow case studies. Whether pondering the astrological perspective on the Marquis de Sade’s more extreme proclivities or reflecting on personal inclinations, this book provides the answers in a concise manner. Chapter 1 establishes a captivating foundation for both astrology enthusiasts and the general reader intrigued by human relationships and sexuality. The author explores love stories from antiquity and literature, delving into the astrological influences of the Moon, Venus, Mars, and Saturn. In Chapter 2, the focus shifts to subjects of universal interest: love, marriage, sex, and divorce, with a frank exploration of astrological indicators. The author fearlessly addresses topics some may hesitate to inquire about, providing an academic overview and delving into the psychological aspects of human sexuality. Chapter 3 delves into the underpinnings of astrology, rooted in Vedic philosophy. It explores concepts such as relationship karma, stages of human growth, and encoded relationship potentials in birth charts. The chapter elucidates how planets hold subtle imprints that express our desires. Chapter 4 outlines various indicators for love and sexuality, presenting a straightforward framework for interpreting a planet’s position at birth in terms of relationship karma. The author introduces the concept of planets in different conditions and their impact on relationship success. He also touches on the planets in an “exaggerated condition” and their extreme expressions in love. In Chapter 5, the author introduces techniques to assess the potential for marriage, concluding that the Moon and Venus play significant roles. An important distinction is drawn between the desire for a relationship, and the potential for one, addressing the question of wishing to get married versus actually doing so. The roles of Mercury and Saturn, lacking interest in romance, are discussed, along with their manifestations in the birth charts of individuals who share this disinterest. Chapter 6 focuses on the likelihood of marriage based on the planets and their positions in the birth chart, emphasizing perspectives from the self (1st house) and others (7th house) with supporting case studies. Chapter 7 explores differences between love and arranged marriages, as well as relationships across diverse cultures. Chapter 8 delves into the challenges of married life, highlighting signs of individuals that may face difficulties. Chapter 9 focuses on how each planet expresses sexuality, differentiating between the Moon, Venus, Mars, and Saturn, as well as the role of the lunar nodes (Rahu and Ketu) and the “dispassionate” planets (Sun, Mercury, and Jupiter). The prime passion-stimulating houses of the horoscope are also identified and discussed in this context. Chapter 10 identifies “patterns of passion” based on the mingling of the above-mentioned planets in one’s birth chart, and how their roles are altered as a consequence of one’s ascendant. Chapter 11 discusses yogas or unions focusing on sexuality, including potential issues. Chapter 12 examines the four purusharthas (noble goals of life) and why some horoscopes emphasize themes of relationships and sexuality. Chapter 13 compiles numerous case studies on sexuality and relationships, accompanied by an insightful Appendix featuring profiles of sex researchers, and research on birth charts of those with high libidos. This extensively researched book is valuable for individuals delving into relationship dynamics and sexuality, providing insight into a frequently discussed yet often misunderstood aspect of life. ~~~ Gary O’Toole is a Vedic astrologer, Ayurvedic practitioner and author. He provides online learning, podcasts and an annual newsmagazine dedicated to Vedic astrology. www.timelineastrology.com
