How long does it take to become an astrologer?
There is no fixed time. As a rough guide: a few weeks to learn the building blocks, a few months of steady practice to read the basics of a birth chart, and several years of study and practice on real charts to read well enough to guide others. India has no licence for astrologers; formal options such as IGNOU’s two-year MA in Jyotish exist, but most people learn from teachers, books and courses.
Weeks: the basics
Months: reading a chart
Years: reading well
How long does each stage take?
Rough times for someone studying 15 to 20 minutes a day and practising on charts. They are estimates, not promises; time and practice matter more than talent.
| Stage | What you learn | Rough time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Building blocks | The 12 rashis, 9 grahas, 27 nakshatras and 12 houses | 1 to 2 months |
| 2. Reading a chart | Finding the Lagna, house lords and aspects, then reading a basic chart | 2 to 4 months more |
| 3. Timing | Vimshottari dasha and transits (gochara) | 3 to 6 months more |
| 4. Depth | Divisional charts and graha strength | 6 to 12 months more |
| 5. Reading well | Putting it together on many real charts with known life events | 1 to 3 years of practice, and it never quite ends |
What helps you learn faster?
- A little every day. Short daily sessions are remembered far better than a long weekly one.
- Practice on many charts, not just your own. Reading needs variety.
- Feedback on every answer, so mistakes are corrected while they are fresh.
- Review on a schedule: ideas you are about to forget come back before you do.
- Learning in order, so each new idea rests on ones you already know.
What makes someone a good astrologer?
Knowing the rules is the start. A good astrologer calculates correctly, reads the whole chart rather than one placement, knows where the classical sources disagree, and speaks responsibly: no fear, no certainties about the future, and respect for the person whose chart it is. RishiSetu’s course is built around those habits as much as around the rules.
Is there a degree or certificate for astrologers?
There is no licence or official exam for practising astrology in India. Some universities teach Jyotish as an academic subject: IGNOU, for example, launched a two-year MA in Jyotish by distance learning in 2021 (report). Most practising astrologers learn from a teacher, from books and from courses, and build experience on real charts.
How long does RishiSetu’s Basic Astrology course take?
Basic Astrology, the first of four astrology courses, has 7 levels of short lessons of 5 to 8 minutes each, and ends with an exam that opens the Intermediate course. At 15 minutes a day the basics take weeks rather than days; how many depends on your pace and how much you practise.
Guruji, your guide
Questions people ask before they start
Inside the app, you can ask Guruji about any lesson, in your own language.
Can I become an astrologer in three months?
In three months you can learn the building blocks and start reading the basics of a chart. Reading well enough to guide other people takes much longer, usually years of practice on real charts.
Do I need a guru to learn astrology?
Many traditions value learning from a teacher, and a good teacher helps. You can still learn the foundations on your own if your material is structured and checks your work; later, discussing real charts with experienced astrologers helps a great deal.
Am I too old to learn astrology?
No. Jyotish needs patience and practice, not a young memory. Short daily lessons and regular review suit learners of any age.
Your first lesson takes about five minutes
Sign in with your email, choose your language, and start at the beginning. RishiSetu keeps your place.
