In this conversation, we speak with Aya, Vedic astrologer, Ayurvedic practitioner, tea ceremonialist, and founder of Moon and Soma.
Drawn to life's deeper questions from a young age, Aya shares her journey into the study of Jyotish — the ancient Vedic system of astrology — and the role it continues to play as a profound tool for self-knowledge and understanding.
Together, we explore the foundations of Jyotish and its enduring place within Indian culture as a sacred science. Aya shares the distinctions between sidereal and tropical astrology, the significance of the nakshatras, and the rich mythological framework that underpins the system. We discuss the shared roots of Eastern and Western astrology, why different methods of calculation can result in markedly different charts, and how these systems can offer complementary perspectives on human experience.
We also explore the symbolism of Rahu and Ketu, the North and South Nodes, and the ways these placements can support deeper understanding of one's karmic patterns, challenges, and gifts. Alongside this, Aya reflects on astrology's place within the wider family of Vedic sciences, which includes practices such as Ayurveda and yoga, and how these traditions offer complementary perspectives on balance, wellbeing, and the cultivation of a meaningful life.
The conversation also touches on the practical nuances of astrological consultation, including birth time rectification and the ways significant life events can help refine the accuracy of a chart.
In the second half of the episode, we turn toward Aya's connection to her Japanese heritage through the practice of tea ceremony, which she began studying as a way of reconnecting with her ancestral roots. She shares the philosophy and ritual behind this ancient tradition, the specific role of matcha within ceremonial practice, and her concerns around the growing global demand that is placing pressure on tea production within Japan itself. We also explore the wider world of Japanese teas, ritual as a pathway to presence, and the ways both astrology and tea ceremony invite us into a more attentive relationship with ourselves and the cycles of life.
Throughout the conversation, we reflect on tradition, ritual, self-knowledge, ancestry, and the enduring relevance of ancient wisdom systems in a rapidly changing world.
Connect with Aya:
Website: https://moonandsoma.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moonandsoma/