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As Diwali approaches, many of us prepare by lighting our homes, clearing away clutter, and inviting in blessings of renewal. Yet Diwali is more than a festival of lamps; it is a moment to reflect on the inner light we carry and the karmic shadows that sometimes obscure it. In my work with Vedic astrology and karmic philosophy, I see Diwali as a reminder that every ending conceals a new beginning, and every struggle carries within it a lesson waiting to be revealed.

My name is Preetibala, and for more than three decades I have studied, practised, and lived the ancient discipline of Vedic astrology and philosophy as a way of life. Born in Mumbai, India, and now based in California, I bridge two worlds,  the traditions of my heritage and the contemporary questions of those seeking meaning today. For me, astrology has never been abstract. It is a living map of the soul, showing how karma unfolds through time, and how we may heal, integrate, and move towards a life of greater balance.

The Vedic Understanding

Vedic astrology, or Jyotish, is often called the “science of light.” Its depth lies not only in observing the planets but in understanding them as carriers of karmic memory. Each graha,  whether Saturn teaching discipline, Venus teaching harmony, or Jupiter guiding wisdom is both a challenge and a gift. Their placement in the chart, their degrees, their dignity, and their Navamsa positions reveal which parts of the soul are strong, which are tender, and which are ready for transformation.

This is not fortune-telling. It is karmic cartography. Where Western astrology may highlight psychological patterns, Vedic astrology traces the deeper current: why certain events arrive when they do, why certain relationships test us, and why certain doors open or close. It shows us not just what is happening, but why it is happening and how to work with it consciously.

The Karmic Dimension

When people come to me, they rarely ask simple predictive questions. More often, they ask: “Why am I experiencing this?” or “What is the lesson behind this cycle?” That is where the karmic dimension becomes central.

Karma is not punishment; it is memory. It is the unfinished business of past lives, ancestral echoes, and choices still seeking balance. A chart reveals these patterns with striking clarity. For instance, repeating struggles in relationships may point to unresolved bonds carried across lifetimes. Cycles of financial strain may be less about misfortune than about learning stewardship, detachment, or trust.

My readings are not only technical but deeply integrative. I work with the exact planetary placements, their signs, degrees, and Navamsa positions as outlined in Vedic astrology, but I also draw upon the Akashic field- my own channel of insight. The result is a reading that is both structured and intuitive: grounded in classical Jyotish yet attuned to the soul’s own voice. Clients often describe this as a process of recognition, where astrology provides the map and the Akashic dimension brings the meaning to life.

A Diwali Reflection and the Year Ahead

This Diwali offers an especially poignant moment. The year 2025 has been a karmic year globally, with many under Saturn’s weight and Mercury’s searching questions. Collectively, it has felt like a year of reckoning, a time when old structures have had to be confronted and choices made with greater clarity.

As we move into 2026, the karmic landscape begins to shift. While challenges do not vanish, the energy grows more expansive, especially towards the latter part of the year. If 2025 has been about endings, 2026 offers the first glimpses of new beginnings. It will be a year that calls for integration, using the lessons of discipline and patience to create more sustainable pathways in career, relationships, and inner life.

In this light, Diwali is not just symbolic; it is perfectly timed. The lamps we light are reminders of our ability to turn endings into openings, and obstacles into wisdom.

Consultations and Ways to Connect

At the heart of my work is the Karmic Past Life Reading and Healing Session,  the most comprehensive and detailed consultation I offer. It uncovers the soul’s story across lifetimes, reveals the karmic lessons shaping your present, and provides healing tools to release old patterns. For those seeking a clear and chart-based overview, the Divine Life Reading focuses on your planetary strengths, Mahadashas, and transits, giving you practical insight into your path. Parents often choose the Child’s Reading, a gentle guide to understanding a child’s karmic tendencies and gifts. And for those with just one pressing question, a Quick Reading,  even delivered as a personalised voice note for $21 offers immediate clarity.

If this speaks to you, I invite you to connect with me. You can join my Facebook group, Lifestyle by Preetibala or follow me on IG @lifestylebypreetibala where I share insights, inspiration and ongoing reflections.

This Diwali, as you light your home, take a moment to also light your inner path. May 2025’s karmic challenges bring you clarity, and may 2026 open its doors to new beginnings.

 

Preetibala is a California-based Vedic astrologer and karmic consultant, born in Mumbai, India.

(The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of New India Abroad)