Top US-Based Vedic Astrologers: A 2026 Editorial Directory

Quick reference by region

• West Coast: James Kelleher (CA), Mehtab Benton (CA)
• Mountain West & Southwest: Joni Patry (TX), Dr. Dennis Harness (AZ), Charlotte Benson (AZ), Juliana Swanson (NM)
• Midwest: Barry Rosen (IA), Julene Louis (OH)
• East Coast: Ronnie Gale Dreyer (NY), Ryan Kurczak (NC), Brendan Feeley (MD), Kṣaṇāti Jyotish (PA), James Braha (FL)
• Pacific Northwest: Dennis Flaherty (WA), Robert Koch (ID)
• Online-first / multi-state: Penny Farrow (online cohorts), Sam Geppi (Vedic Astrology Center), Freedom Cole (Jyotish + Ayurveda)

Vedic astrology — also called Jyotish — has put down deep roots in the United States. Some American practitioners come from decades inside the ACVA (American College of Vedic Astrology) and CVA (Council of Vedic Astrology) certification ecosystems. Others trace lineage to specific Indian teachers like K.N. Rao or Sanjay Rath. Still others integrate Jyotish with Ayurveda, Kundalini Yoga, or Western psychology.

This is an editorial directory of 18 notable US-based Vedic astrologers practicing in 2026. It is not a ranking. Inclusion is based on a combination of (a) verified live website, (b) public credentials we could confirm, and (c) demonstrated longevity in the field. We've linked only to each practitioner's official website — no personal phone numbers or email addresses, since those should come from the practitioner's own page.

How to choose a Vedic astrologer

Before booking, four things matter more than any directory ranking:

• Specialty fit. Career timing, marriage compatibility, financial astrology, medical Jyotish, muhurta (electional timing), relocation, and remedial work each call for different skill sets. A relationship astrologer is not necessarily the right person for a market timing question.
• Method and lineage. Most US practitioners use Parashara-based natal Jyotish. Some add Jaimini, Tajika, KP, or Prashna. Ayurveda-trained Jyotishis approach health questions differently. Ask before you book.
• Session format. Live Zoom calls, recorded readings, and written reports each have different strengths. A live call lets you ask follow-up questions; a written report is easier to revisit later.
• Boundaries. A reading is a reflection and timing aid. It is not a substitute for legal, medical, financial, or mental-health advice. Astrologers who push expensive multi-thousand-dollar "remedial" packages on the first call should be approached with caution.

West Coast

James Kelleher — California

Best for: divisional charts, Vimshottari Dasha, classical Jyotish education, annual world predictions.

Kelleher's site lists structured course offerings on Jyotish Fundamentals, divisional charts, and Vimshottari Dasha, alongside individual readings. The site is currently active, with blog content dated through May 2026. Website: jameskelleher.com.

Mehtab Benton — California (events listed in Ojai)

Best for: Vedic astrology integrated with Kundalini Yoga and gong therapy; annual readings; couples readings.

Benton runs a Kundalini Yoga master program alongside his Vedic astrology consultations. His site lists trainings scheduled through October 2026, indicating an actively running practice. Website: yogimehtab.com.

Mountain West & Southwest

Joni Patry — Dallas, Texas

Best for: predictive astrology, world forecasts, certification programs, sidereal Vedic readings.

Patry founded the Galactic Center and the University of Vedic Astrology, and has authored more than a dozen books on predictive Jyotish. Her annual world-predictions webinar runs each year; the 2026 edition was released in late 2025. Website: galacticcenter.org.

Dr. Dennis Harness — Sedona, Arizona

Best for: nakshatras (lunar mansions), counseling-oriented Jyotish, relationships, life direction.

Harness is the author of The Nakshatras: The Lunar Mansions of Vedic Astrology (Lotus Press), founder of the Sedona Vedic Astrology Conference, and former president of ACVA from 1999 to 2009. His website is live but the most recent visible date is the 2024 copyright notice — call directly to confirm consultation availability. Website: dennisharness.com.

Charlotte Benson — Arizona

Best for: traditional Jyotish, muhurta (electional timing), consultation to organizations and professionals.

Benson was the first female president of ACVA and is a founding sponsor of the organization. She is also a charter member and President Emerita of the Arizona Society of Astrologers. Her website is live but the most recent dated content is from 2020 — established practice; phone contact recommended. Website: charlottebenson.com.

Juliana Swanson — New Mexico

Best for: muhurta, astro-location readings, relationship compatibility, planetary gem elixirs.

Swanson's main website lists her core service menu but its copyright dates show 2008–2021; she now publishes through a Substack newsletter, which is the more current channel for her writing. Website: astralharmony.com.

Midwest

Barry Rosen — Fairfield, Iowa

Best for: financial and business astrology, market timing, investment cycles, courses on personal finance Jyotish.

Rosen has practiced for more than 30 years and is the founder of Fortucast Commodity Market Timers (established 1987). He has authored five books on Vedic astrology and publishes monthly astro-financial forecasts; the most recent posts on his site are dated April and May 2026. Website: appliedvedicastrology.com.

Julene Louis — Ohio

Best for: Prashna (horary), muhurta, astronomy-for-astrologers, classes for CVA certification.

Louis holds the Jyotish Visharada credential and her courses count toward CVA certification hours. Her site references conference appearances through 2024 (Sky Astrology Conference, solar eclipse events). Website: julenelouis.com.

East Coast

Ronnie Gale Dreyer — New York City

Best for: integrated Western and Indian astrology, women's charts, electional astrology, location readings.

Dreyer is certified in Astro*Carto*Graphy and has published as both author and lecturer for decades. Her site lists ongoing teaching, speaking appearances, and a monthly newsletter; copyright is current through 2023. Website: ronniedreyer.com.

Ryan Kurczak — Asheville, North Carolina

Best for: Kriya Yoga–integrated Jyotish, multi-year apprenticeship programs, advanced topics like Shadbala.

Kurczak runs Asheville Vedic Astrology, including individual consultations, Prasna sessions, and a comprehensive apprenticeship program. His blog is actively updated, with recent posts dated March 2026 covering topics like planetary strength (Shadbala). Website: ashevillevedicastrology.wordpress.com.

Brendan Feeley — Frederick, Maryland

Best for: integrated Jyotish + Ayurveda; career, finances, relationships, health questions.

Feeley holds an M.A. and D.Ay. (Doctor of Ayurveda) and integrates Vedic astrology with Ayurvedic practice. His website is live, though the most recent dated blog post is from late 2021 — established practice; verify availability before booking. Website: bpfeeley.com.

Kṣaṇāti Jyotish — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Best for: traditional Vedic natal charts, certification programs, the annual Maharishi Parashara Conference.

Kṣaṇāti runs both a private consultation practice and a certification track, and organizes the Maharishi Parashara Conference. The site is live with current contact info, though dated content is sparse. Website: jyotishastrology.org.

James Braha — Florida

Best for: full birth chart interpretation, Vedic + Western integration, advanced Jyotish students.

Braha is the author of Ancient Hindu Astrology for the Modern Western Astrologer (1986; revised and expanded in 2020 with 200 additional pages), one of the earlier English-language texts to introduce Hindu astrology to a Western audience. He has also authored four other astrology titles and offers a 12-session Jyotish master class video series. Website: jamesbraha.com.

Pacific Northwest

Dennis Flaherty — Edmonds, Washington

Best for: integrated Western + Vedic astrology, relocation, CVA-approved correspondence learning.

Flaherty runs the Northwest Institute of Vedic Sciences, holds CVA's Jyotish Brihaspati and ACVA's Jyotish Nava Ratna awards, and is a former CVA president. He offers a CVA-approved audio correspondence course. Website: vedicsciences.com.

Robert Koch — Boise, Idaho

Best for: classical Vedic natal readings, spiritually-oriented Jyotish, esoteric timing methods.

Koch authored The Spiritual Dimensions of Vedic Astrology (2005) and has been an ACVA faculty member since 1992. He studied under K.N. Rao and Sanjay Rath. His website is largely a 2011-era archive — established practice; phone contact recommended for current consultation availability. Website: robertkoch.com.

Online-first / Multi-state

Penny Farrow — The Cosmic Kaleidoscope (online cohorts)

Best for: classical Sanskrit-informed Jyotisha, cohort-based learning, traditional teaching lineage.

Farrow runs The Cosmic Kaleidoscope teaching community, offering online Jyotisha cohorts (the most recent began July 2025) and an in-person retreat at Arsha Vidya Gurukulam in May 2025. Sanskrit instruction is part of her curriculum. Website: vedicchart.com.

Sam Geppi (Sadasiva) — Vedic Astrology Center

Best for: structured Vedic astrology certification programs, nakshatra and harmonic chart courses, online learning.

Geppi founded the American Academy of Vedic Art and Science and runs the Vedic Astrology Center, offering paid courses including a Nakshatra Intensive Weekend and Harmonic Charts Master Class. Website: vedicastrologycenter.net.

Freedom Cole — international remote practice

Best for: integrated Jyotish + Ayurveda + Yoga Therapy; clinical/remedial application.

Cole holds the Jyotiṣa Paṇḍita designation, is a certified Ayurveda Practitioner (AP) and Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT), and serves as faculty in the Kripalu Integrative Yoga Therapy program's Ayurveda module. His lineage traces to Odisha, India. He is the author of two books and runs an international Jyotiṣa school. Website: shrifreedom.org.

Bring a chart to your reading

Most consultations open with the astrologer recreating your birth chart from the data you provide. You can save 15–20 minutes of any session by generating your chart in advance and bringing it with you.

Updates and corrections

This directory is reviewed annually. If you are a listed practitioner and would like your entry updated, corrected, or removed, please contact us through the site footer. If you know of a US-based Vedic astrologer who should be considered for a future edition, the same applies.

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• Gun Milan: 8-Koota Guide — what compatibility readings actually measure