Stars & Cards: The Power of Vedic Astrology and Tarot Readings – An Interview with Tahia Lameer

Find out how Vedic Astrology and tarot can help you make informed decisions about life, love, and business!

In this fascinating interview, Tahia Lameer shares her journey into consciousness and spirituality, shedding light on how Vedic astrology, rooted in Indian mythology and ancient scriptures, can offer profound insights that can help us in making daily decisions. We take a closer look at the distinctions between Western and Vedic astrology, highlighting how each system has both similarities and significant differences. Plus, we explore the synergy between Vedic astrology and tarot readings including how Tahia interweaves them both during her readings. 

We love how Tahia emphasizes the importance of keeping an open mind to the unseen forces that might influence our lives and discusses the balance between personal control and the impact of these energies. Let’s dive into the conversation!

How can someone use astrology to help them in their daily life?

Tahia Lameer: Most people, whether they are familiar with Western or Eastern astrology, feel there’s always some confusion around how to actually use astrology. Whether you’re focused on Western, Eastern, or any other type of astrology, it’s really about keeping an open mind. It’s about understanding that there are other forces in the universe that can govern the direction of your life. Once a person is open to that, they can be more receptive to these different forces.

Before even understanding anything about astrology, it’s helpful to be aware, knowing there are different ways to understand the world. It doesn’t have to align with what you were raised with, and often it’s paradoxical. Many people question why things happen, and astrology is just one way of understanding the bigger picture. It offers another perspective.

Where does Vedic Astrology come from?

Tahia Lameer: Vedic astrology is rooted in the ancient scriptures of India. These scriptures are vast, and they were initially passed down orally before being written down. There’s a lot of mythology and stories behind them, which form the backbone of Vedic astrology.

Astrology systems will talk about the seven major planets, plus the north and south nodes. From there, we can break down how a birth chart is constructed and apply it to the individual

Can you share your personal journey of awakening to consciousness or spirituality? And, how did Eastern astrology come into your life?

Tahia Lameer: I think I was always one of those people in the wellness industry where the cultural, societal, religious, or theological paradigms never quite fit. I was always questioning—not just why, but what else is out there? Could there be another explanation? What don’t I know? I’ve always been tapped into the unknown, and that’s how my journey started—exploring all the different aspects of the unknown.

Like anyone raised in a typical family — mine were immigrants—you start with what your parents bring, and then, in a melting pot like today’s society, your mind naturally wants to know more. That’s where it began and grew from.

I’ve always been interested in astrology. There was this big birthday book back in the day, and I’d always look at it. What really hooked me was that even though people with the same birthday in a month are supposed to feel connected, I never felt that. That’s because it’s based on your sun sign.

For example, if someone’s sun is in Aries or Taurus, you’d expect them to be alike, but we don’t relate through our sun sign—we relate through our moon. The moon is the planet of relating. That’s why two people with the same sun sign can feel so different because the sun isn’t about relationships. The sun is about your physical constitution, energy, health, and brightness, while the moon governs how you relate to others.

When I figured that out, I knew there was something there. It coincided with my first Vedic astrology reading in early 2004, and I got hooked. If you recall, the tsunami hit Sri Lanka around that time on a full moon, and I found it fascinating how the full moon affected the tides. The more I looked into it, the more I realized it wasn’t a coincidence. The moon is a huge influence on our emotions, so I knew there was more to it. My first Vedic reading connected the dots for me, and I started diving deeper.

Back in the early 2000s, there wasn’t much on Vedic astrology. Now, with the rise of YouTube, there’s so much more access. But back then, it was all about who you got your reading from, finding books, and attending Vedic astrology conferences to educate myself. It grew from there.

I learned that outside of what we’re raised with, there’s a whole world that can explain why things happen. There’s energy and vibration, and I believe the planets have a huge energetic and vibrational force. We feel it with things like the recent eclipse. I’m a big believer that these forces guide our lives in certain directions.

You initially asked about free will. We absolutely have free will, but with that free will, we make choices that influence the directions we go in. 

How is Vedic astrology different from Western astrology?

Tahia Lameer: Western astrology is primarily based on your sun. So, if you were born between April 22nd and May 22nd, you’re a Taurus. May 22nd to June 21st or 22nd, you’re a Gemini. Vedic astrology, on the other hand, takes into consideration your ascendant and your moon sign—big factors. 

Can you explain what a sun sign is in simple terms?

Tahia Lameer: Let me take a step back, as you’re prompting me to revisit some basics, which is great. At the time of your birth, your ascendant, or rising sign, is the zodiac sign rising on the eastern horizon. This is known as your rising sign. The sun sign, on the other hand, reflects the position of the sun within the 12 signs at the time of your birth. While the sun sign is significant, Vedic astrology gives additional emphasis to the moon, considering all these elements to provide a deeper, holistic view.

The other thing with Vedic astrology is that the zodiac is a bit different. It’s about 24 degrees off from the tropical zodiac, which is used in Western astrology. That’s why, when you get a Vedic reading, your sun or moon might be in a different sign, which can throw people off.

I usually send an intro or a brochure to explain why this sounds different. Some people say, “This makes sense,” while others are more rooted in their Western sun sign, and that’s fine. I’m not here to convince anyone that one is right or wrong. It’s like going to different schools—you just pick the one that fits for you. I show people another way of looking at things if they feel something isn’t fitting. Often, when I explain a Vedic chart, people say, “That makes sense now.”

Is there a specific type of person who is more drawn to Vedic astrology than Western astrology?

Tahia Lameer: In my experience, people who feel a strong connection to their Western sign often stay with it. Others, who may feel their Western sign doesn’t fully capture who they are or are curious about alternative perspectives, tend to explore further. I want to emphasize that neither approach is right or wrong—it’s all about finding what resonates most with each person.

One unique aspect of Vedic astrology is its reliable approach to future insights, or as I like to call it, “looking into the crystal ball.” There’s a lighthearted saying in astrology: people often seek guidance for “the money or the honey”—meaning career and relationships tend to be the most common questions. While it’s said in jest, there’s truth to it, as these are areas where many people seek clarity.

People often ask about why a relationship isn’t working or why they had a career change. Vedic astrology takes many factors into account, including good and bad times for certain decisions. For example, in the Vedic community, it’s well-known that eclipse season isn’t a good time to start something new, like a job or marriage, because the light from the sun and moon is blocked. You always need light for a new endeavor.

You mentioned that Western astrology focuses on the sun and Vedic astrology on the moon. Can you explain that?

Tahia Lameer: Your moon is how you relate to people. Your moon represents your mind, emotions, and consciousness. It embodies the mother figure and plays a significant role in your connections with others. Vedic astrology includes a whole branch dedicated to relationship astrology, whether personal, romantic, or professional. It shows why you get along with some people and not others. That’s a simplified view, and there are nuances involved.

One Vedic astrologer used to say the moon is lovesick; it’s like a sponge that absorbs energy. The moon seeks nurturing, attention, connection, recognition, and validation.

When other planets influence the moon, they can alter the energy it embodies. Imagine sitting alone in a room; it’s just you. But when another person enters, the dynamics change. Good or bad, their energy impacts you. Adding a third person can further overwhelm or tangle the energies. The moon operates similarly.

Ideally, all planets prefer solitude for this reason, but that rarely happens. The moon is constantly influenced. For instance, when Mars influences the moon, a person may feel more agitated but also gain confidence because Mars represents confidence and logic. When Saturn is with the moon, it can lead to depression, but it may also provide the energy to persevere through difficulties. There are always two sides—both good and bad. The moon, being lovesick and sponge-like, shapes how we relate to each other, making a moon reading fascinating.

How much information do you need to help someone during a reading?

Tahia Lameer: When I do a reading, I request the birth time, birth date, and birth location. These details are critical for creating a birth chart.

Vedic astrology has another layer where they examine what’s called divisional charts. This provides a macroscopic view of the birth chart through other charts, which can reveal insights about marriage, relationships, career, sickness, and children. It covers various aspects of our karmas in life. Karma is significant in the Vedic tradition; what you put out comes back to you, and what you experienced in your past life often influences what you’re resolving now. Karma plays a huge role in Vedic astrology as well.

When you do a reading, how much is based on intuition versus science?

Tahia Lameer: Intuition is huge. A significant part of Vedic astrology is the relationship you establish with the client. You can know all the astrology in the world, but knowing how to build a relationship over Zoom or in person is critical, especially when meeting someone for the first time for an hour or an hour and a half. Your intuition helps you gauge what the person will be receptive to and how to deliver challenging news if there is any in the chart. Delivering good news is easy, but delivering difficult news requires careful thought. Intuition plays a prominent role in guiding the reading. 

Can you share an example of delivering challenging news during a reading and how intuition played a role?

Tahia Lameer: One important aspect of delivering news is analyzing the eclipses. Eclipses can impact a person’s natal planet, which is a planet in their chart. When the eclipse touches that planet, the effect can be good or bad. The thing about eclipses is that they are wild cards; you can’t definitively say whether the news will be positive or negative. However, you can say there will be an impact on their life.

It’s about how you frame that message. For example, if there’s an eclipse coming up and it will affect their natal Venus, Mars, or Moon, I would say something like, “Hey, there’s an eclipse coming, and it’s a good day to stay home. Take off work or cancel your plans. It’s a great day for meditation and self-care. If you must go out, maybe get a massage or a facial—do something soothing.” This way, if there is an impact on their day, they have a cushion or buffer to help manage it.

I don’t want to be the one who delivers Pandora’s box because anything you say can go south quickly when you don’t know the individual well. You have to proceed with caution. Even though I can see a lot in their chart, you still don’t know the person. So, I always advise people to stay home that day, get a massage, or do something relaxing like reading a book. Just make sure to decompress.

What is the difference between a birth chart reading and a reading about current events or decisions?

Tahia Lameer: Your birth chart is what we call a blueprint of your cosmic soul. What’s going on today depends on what’s called transits. Transits are where the planets are right now, compared to where they were when you were born. It’s kind of like a gap analysis of your current state, past state, and future state.

Transits tell you where the planet is right now, the house it’s in, and how that affects you. If a transit is hitting any natal planets, that has an even greater impact. There are many layers to this, and it’s a good map that overlays your birth chart. Think of it as a map over a map, pointing out the differences and similarities. 

How did tarot come into your life, and do you combine it with Vedic astrology during readings?

Tahia Lameer: I’ve always loved tarot. To me, tarot is more than just a card game; it’s the story of our lives. The characters in tarot are part of a big storybook, and we meet all of them at some point in our lives. We don’t necessarily meet them in the order of the cards, but we eventually encounter them. This is why tarot has something called the Fool’s Journey, which walks through all the cards.

When you do a tarot reading, what resonates is how the cards relate to you through archetypes and what they personify. To answer your question about integrating tarot with Vedic astrology, it comes through a lot of the archetypes. When I look at the cards, other elements stand out to me.

Do you include tarot readings in astrology readings, or are they separate?

Tahia Lameer: I usually integrate it. Astrology readings last anywhere from 60 to 75 minutes. At the end of the astrology reading, I ask if the person would like a tarot reading as well. Usually, if they have an astrology reading, they want a tarot reading too. At events, I only do tarot readings because they are about 10 minutes long and more suited for events.

What is pet astrology, and how does it work if someone doesn’t know when or where their pet was born? 

Tahia Lameer: Typically, in astrology, it’s great to have the birthday, birth time, and location. With pet astrology, especially if you adopt a rescue, you might not know that information. However, you do know the day you adopt the pet. That day marks the beginning of a new life for the pet, so that’s how I read it. 

I look at that chart and can tell you how the pet feels about its new life. I also enjoy combining readings for both people and pets. I look at your chart and see how it fits in with your pet’s chart. It’s actually quite entertaining. It’s a fun reading; it’s not as deep as a typical reading for people, but it’s enjoyable, and people love it. People are always very connected to their pets. I find it interesting, and I’m trying to grow that aspect because it helps you understand your pet on a spiritual level.

When you do pet astrology readings, how often are the pets present?

Tahia Lameer: Sometimes the pets are right there, but I don’t know the percentage. I would say most of the time the pet is present because of the nature of the relationship. I believe that pets know what’s going on, as they are very intuitive animals. 

Tell us about the gold stars on your forehead and around your neck. Are they simply fun or do they carry a greater meaning for you? 

Tahia Lameer: It’s more subtle than wearing large stars or star-shaped earrings. At events, I often use decorative face art or temporary tattoos, inspired by the intricate makeup and facial art found in many South Asian cultures. It adds a unique, personal touch, and I love that it often sparks interesting conversations.

Tell us about doing readings at events. How do they work, and do you also do private events?

Tahia Lameer: I’ve done both. I’ve participated in expos as promotional events, where I set up a tarot tent. I create either a 4×4 or 6×6 mystical tent and do readings there. I also do private events like birthday parties, bachelorette parties, and corporate wellness events. These events usually last between 2 to 4 hours, depending on the number of guests, and I offer readings for about 10 to 12 minutes per person. They’re a lot of fun and usually in intimate settings. Tarot acts as a conversation starter and an icebreaker, engaging people and encouraging them to share their experiences. After the readings, people often talk about what I said, which can validate their life experiences. Astrology and tarot often confirm that people are exactly where they need to be, even if it’s hard to accept, as we sometimes want to be somewhere else to reach the next stage of our lives.

At events, do you do tarot readings in front of everyone or privately with each person?

Tahia Lameer: The latter. I usually ask for a private space, whether it’s a room or an area away from loud noise. It’s a dedicated space with a table and chairs, and that’s where I do the readings. At fairs and expos, there’s a lot of energy and many people around, which creates a different atmosphere. In contrast, event readings are more focused and for a select number of people.

Do you offer readings at bachelor parties as well as bachelorette parties?

Tahia Lameer: I’m totally available for bachelor parties. I haven’t been approached by anyone for that, but yes.

How would you encourage someone who’s struggling with a big decision right now?

Tahia Lameer: I would tell someone in that position to listen to their intuition and inner voice. It sounds commonplace, but as individuals, it’s easy to deny our intuition because we don’t necessarily trust it. That’s part of developing your intuition. When someone is in a tough place, a reading—whether tarot or astrology—will often validate their feelings. They usually say, “That’s what I was thinking anyway.” It’s like getting a second opinion from a doctor when you’re sick. People often go to multiple tarot readers to find commonalities, and astrology works similarly. You want multiple opinions to validate what you’re feeling.

Where can people contact you to book a private reading or an event?

Tahia Lameer: They can visit starladyastrology.com to book a reading right off my website. I have a calendar set up. You can also reach out to me on Instagram at @starladyastrology, and my email is tahia@starladyastrology.com.

Tahia, it’s great to be with you. Thank you for sharing your insights. I love the energy you bring. You have a heart for the people you serve, and it’s clear you have a passion for what you do. You’re very knowledgeable and have an effervescent presence!

Tahia Lameer: Thank you. That’s very kind of you. I appreciate it. It’s been a pleasure. Thank you for this opportunity, David. I had so much fun sharing my world of Vedic astrology and tarot with you and everyone listening, so I appreciate it.