From Jyotish Studies, a Fiery Sky, and the Turning of the Year — to India and Beyond

As I write this, I am in transit, with a brief stopover in Singapore, reflecting on what the final months of 2025 have brought. It has been a deeply interesting, insightful, and full period — one that feels both expansive and quietly transformative.

Over the past couple of months, my studies at Vida Veda have taken me into a subject I have long felt curious about: Jyotish, Vedic astrology. I had explored my birth chart in the past, but studying Jyotish more deeply has opened an entirely new layer of understanding. It is a science that weaves together astronomy, ancient wisdom, and lived experience…reading the sky as a reflection of both cosmic and human patterns.

Learning about the movements of the planets, their behavioural qualities, the constellations, rāśis, and nakṣatras has been genuinely mind-opening. It feels like learning a new language — one that speaks through time, rhythm, and cycles. This is knowledge I know will gently find its way into my Ayurvedic practice, offering yet another lens through which to understand health, timing, and balance.

Our teacher, Madu, brings this vast subject to life with such clarity, depth, and care. Through her guidance, we have been learning about the current astrological climate, and right now there is a strong fire influence in the sky. Several planets are in a state known as combustion, and they are moving through Sagittarius, a fire sign by nature. This creates an intense, activating energy that will be with us until around mid-January.

From a practical perspective, this is a powerful time to anchor supportive health routines, to slow down where possible, and to consciously choose where we place our energy and attention. It is also a beautiful moment to reflect on what we wish to cultivate and learn in the cycle ahead.

I feel very much at the beginning of this journey with Jyotish — just dipping my toes in, with so much still to learn. We have now completed the term, and it is time to digest, reflect, and practice. And yes, there is so much to practice.

Amidst all this learning, the end-of-year celebrations, and preparations for a big journey to India, another long-held dream began to take clearer shape: The Agni Protocol Retreat in Byron Bay.

The spark for this retreat came during one of our monthly study case lessons — always a highlight of my studies at Vida Veda. These sessions go far beyond analysing a case; they teach us how to listen deeply, how to hold space, how to meet people with empathy and understanding, even in moments of confusion or contradiction. Watching Vaidya Matheusguide these sessions with such grace and presence is endlessly inspiring.

After one of these classes, something felt very clear and alive within me. It was one of those moments of deep wakefulness, where a long-sleeping dream suddenly asks to be brought into form.

Not long after, I reached out to Matheus and asked if he would consider bringing the Agni Protocol to Byron Bay. This retreat is something he has been offering for many years, in different countries, with great dedication and integrity. His ability to guide people through deep healing with steadiness, warmth, and clarity is truly special. And I am very happy to share that he said yes.

From there, the work began — step by step — learning how to give structure to a vision I have held for a long time: creating an Ayurvedic retreat where people can come together in a contained, supportive space for healing and cleansing. A place to follow Ayurvedic practices, diet, meditation, and rest, free from the usual distractions of daily life.

After leading seasonal Ayurvedic cleanses for several years now, I have noticed how challenging it can be for some people to fully commit while juggling work, family, and other responsibilities. The Agni Protocol Retreat was born from the desire to make this process more accessible, more supportive, and ultimately more effective — with the added richness of shared learning, embodied practices, and the experienced guidance of Vaidya Matheus.

I will be there alongside Ross, and other experienced yoga teachers and healers, and I feel deeply grateful to be holding this space together. It is truly an honour to invite you into this experience.

The intention of the retreat is to offer a full reset of the nervous system, bringing calm, clarity, and steadiness to both mind and body. If you have been feeling tired, anxious, overwhelmed, or disconnected, this may be an opportunity to gently reconnect with yourself, observe your patterns, and support meaningful transformation.

You can find all the details in the retreat page. There is an early bird offering available, and I would love to connect with you there.

More reflections from India coming soon.

With love, and wishing you a beautiful beginning to 2026