What is a palm leaf reading?
In the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu there is an ancient tradition of reading life paths from palm leaves: Nadi astrology. The leaves are kept in archives and passed down through generations in families of Nadi astrologers. What makes it special: your leaf is not created for you but searched for among the existing leaves. You do not need to give your name or birth details – the leaf is found through a joint verification process.

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According to tradition, the records go back to ancient sages (rishis) such as Agastya, Bhrigu and Shiva Vakya. They are said to contain the life stories of people who come for a reading at a particular moment in their lives. The leaves are written in old Tamil; the Nadi astrologer reads the text aloud and explains it. A reading is therefore not a consultation in the usual sense but the reading of a text that already exists.

I was introduced to the Nadi tradition by Sri Guruji Gopinath Rajenthiran Swami, a Tamil astrologer from a family of Nadi astrologers. He also gives the readings. Raam Ganapathi Ji interprets from Tamil, and I accompany you through the entire process – from your first request until after the reading.

Your leaf is searched for among the existing leaves. This takes time, precision and your participation. The leaf search is free of charge – you pay nothing before the verification.

1. Request. Send us a request via the form. We will explain personally what is needed for the search.
2. Pre-selection. The astrologer finds the bundle in the palm leaf library that may contain your leaf. You receive an identification number and a date and time for the verification.
3. Verification via Zoom (approx. 30 minutes). The astrologer goes through the leaves and asks questions that you answer only with “yes” or “no” – for example: Is your father alive? Do you have a brother? Are you married? Have you moved abroad? Were you born on a Friday?
4. The leaf is found when the key facts of your life match. A puja is then performed for your leaf and the rishi; only after that can the reading take place – usually a few hours or days later.

Tips for the verification

• Answer honestly; if you are unsure, you may skip a question.
• Give no extra hints – only “yes” or “no”, unless the astrologer asks for an explanation.
• Have your birth chart ready: the astrologer does not see it, but it helps you answer questions about planetary positions (e.g. “Is your Moon in Aries?”).
• Check beforehand which day of the week you were born on.

The reading is the reading aloud of a text that has already been written. In the first reading you will hear:

• general statements about your life
• your previous life (name, family, circumstances)
• the reasons for your present life
• karmic tasks and life purpose
• important phases of life, marriage and children
• recommendations and pujas

Format

• Online via Zoom
• About 2 hours
• The astrologer reads in old Tamil; a professional astrological interpreter translates into English or Russian
• A prayer is traditionally said before the reading begins
• You receive a video recording

How to prepare

• Take a shower and wear light, clean clothes
• If possible, avoid meat and alcohol on that day
• Prepare to listen calmly
• Write down your questions and ask them at the end – please do not interrupt the astrologer during the reading
• Please avoid rescheduling: auspicious days for a reading are rare

Important: you may ask for difficult topics – such as lifespan – not to be read out, and you can stop the reading at any time.

A palm leaf is divided into chapters, called kandam in Tamil. Each chapter covers one area of life. Three chapters are read in the first reading; you can have further chapters read later in separate sessions, at most once a month.

First reading

• Kandam 1 – General: personality and an overview of the whole life
• Kandam 13 – Previous life: name, parents, country, era and circumstances of the previous life
• Kandam 14 – Upayas: pujas, upayas and gemstones recommended in the leaf

Additional chapters

• 2 – Family and lineage, finances, speech, education
• 3 – Siblings, personal initiative and courage
• 4 – Home, property, possessions; the mother
• 5 – Children
• 6 – Illness, debts, opponents, legal disputes
• 7 – Marriage and partnership, description of the partner
• 8 – Lifespan and dangers (read only on request)
• 9 – Fortune, father, inheritance, teacher (guru), spiritual inclinations
• 10 – Work and career
• 11 – Additional income, second marriage
• 12 – Losses, foreign lands, next life and liberation (moksha)
• Diksha – Forecast for the current planetary period (dasha)
• Jnana – Wisdom and the spiritual path
• Politics – Political involvement, favourable phases and positions

During the reading the astrologer names the pujas that the leaf recommends for you. According to tradition these recommendations come from the rishis themselves and are attuned to the individual destiny; they are regarded as a way to soften the effects of past actions and astrological doshas. Taking part is entirely your choice.

How it works

• The pujas last one mandala – 48 days. Usually 2–3 pujas, as indicated in the leaf.
• A personal altar with your photo is set up for this period, and offerings are made every day.
• The rituals are performed by Tamil Brahmins from priestly families. You receive a video report.
• A personal yantra is made for you according to your nakshatra, over which mantras are recited for 48 days.
• The yantra is then set in a silver amulet and sent to you from India – worldwide.
• Mantras for practice at home may also be recommended.

Two formats

• Group puja: you take part together with 1–2 other people. Waiting time for the group: 1–6 months.
• Individual puja: all pujas are performed for you alone; the start is the next auspicious day after payment. Payment in two parts – before and after the 48-day cycle.

Included: pujas, yajnas, traditional offerings, personal yantra, silver amulet and shipping. We will tell you the cost on request. According to tradition these pujas are performed once in a lifetime for the whole family; you can also do them later.

A palm leaf reading is less a piece of information than an encounter with a stage of your life. What you hear is not a fixed verdict but a possible scenario reflecting karmic tendencies. You always keep your free choice – and how things unfold depends on it. Pujas, recommendations and further readings are offers; you can use them or choose your own path. Take your time: often it is enough to listen and let what you have heard settle. If questions arise after the reading, I am here for you.

The leaf search is free. You pay only once your leaf has been found – before the reading. If no leaf is found, there is no cost to you.

• Leaf search (verification via Zoom) – free
• First reading (kandams 1, 13 and 14) – €108 (introductory price)
• Additional chapters – €54 per part
• Jnana Kandam – €108 per part

A chapter may consist of one, two or three parts – this differs from leaf to leaf. You will know how many parts your chapter has before the reading.

If the astrologer declines a reading, any amount already paid is refunded in full.

Do I have to give my name or birth details?
No. The leaf is found through verification with yes/no questions.

What if my leaf is not found?
Then there is no cost to you: the leaf search is free, and the reading is paid only once your leaf has been found.

How long does it take?
The verification takes about 30 minutes, the reading about 2 hours, usually a few hours or days apart.

In which language is the reading?
The astrologer reads in old Tamil; a professional interpreter translates into English or Russian.

Do I get a recording?
Yes, you receive a video recording of the reading.

Can I skip difficult topics?
Yes. You can ask for topics such as lifespan not to be read, and stop the reading at any time.

Do I have to do the recommended pujas?
No, it is your free choice. You can also have them done later.

Can I have more chapters read later?
Yes, in separate sessions, at most once a month.

Will what is read definitely happen?
No. The reading describes a possible scenario; your free choice remains.

How do I prepare?
For the verification, have your birth chart ready and know the weekday you were born. For the reading: light, clean clothes, ideally no meat or alcohol that day, and quiet time to listen.