Drupada (John Garrett Macdonald) began his spiritual quest in 1981 at age 22, beginning to study the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. At age 23 he moved to Ananda Village in California, one of the communities founded by Swami Kriyananda, and became increasingly interested in the study of Vedic astrology. In 1989 he moved to Ananda Assisi in Italy, where he began giving consultations and classes in astrology. Since 1995, Drupada has been a full-time astrologer, and has done over thousands of consultations. His goal is to use sacred star science as a guide for spiritual growth and transformation. He now resides in Nevada City, California, and travels frequently to give astrology lectures and consultations.