Gajakesari Yoga.{jupiter moon in quadrant}
The presence of Jupiter in a quadrant from the Moon causes this combination. A person with this combination will be intelligent, wealthy, famous, virtuous and influential. High status.Jupiter and Moon's period , sub periods are important .Also the Years 16--21 , 25th and 51st to 56th.
Hamsa Yoga.{Own sign & exalted jupiter in quadrant}
This combination is produced when Jupiter is posited in a quadrant in Cancer, Sagittarius or Pisces. The native will have a well-formed body and a principled bent of mind. He will be learned and happy. Will be highly placed in the society. Jupiter's period and sub period are important.Also the years 16--21, 51--56.
Bhadra Yoga.{own sign & exalted mercury in quadrant}
This is caused by the disposition of Mercury in a quadrant in the sign Gemini or Virgo. A person born in this Yoga will be learned, wealthy and liberal; and will have a long life.Mercury's period & sub periods would be important.Also the Years 32-34.
Malavya Yoga.{own sign & exalted venus in quadrant}
Venus should occupy a quadrant in Taurus, Libra or Pisces to form this Yoga. The native will have a strong mind, body and character; and will be blessed with fame, fortune, wealth, a goods wife and children. He will enjoy worldly pleasures. Artist , popularity in opposite sex.Venus period & subperiod would be important.Also the years 24th.
Ruchaka Yoga.{own sign & exalted mars in quadrant} Mars should occupy a quadrant in Aries, Scorpio or Capricorn. The native will be a leader, possessing a robust body and generous disposition. He will acquire wealth and fame and will be aggressive and arrogant.Period of Mars and yearwise 27th year.
Shasha Yoga.{own sign & exalted saturn in quadrants}
This yoga is caused if Saturn occupies a quadrant in Libra, Capricorn or Aquarius. The native born in the Yoga will be rich .Major success to come in later stage.Period & sub period of saturn is important.Years 36--42.
Budha-Aditya Yoga.{sun-mercury}
If Mercury combines with the Sun, but not within 14 degree, this combination is caused. The native concerned will possess a keen intelligence and a good reputation.Chandra-Mangala Yoga.{Moon-mars} If Mars is with the Moon, this Yoga is caused. It is a combination indicating a good financial position. The native takes care of a number of friends & relatives.
Chandra Sani Yoga {Saturn-Moon} :-
If Saturn is with Moon, this Yoga is formed. The person makes a tremendous rise. Is also known across the Border.
Amala Yoga.
This Yoga is caused if the 10th house, either form the Lagna or the Moon, is occupied by a benefic planet. It makes a person moral, prosperous and well-reputed.
Kahala Yoga.
The lord of the 4th and 9th houses should be in Kendra from each other, and the lord of the ascendant should be strong to give rise to this Yoga. The native will be daring and obstinate and will hold an executive/administrative position. Rich & Famous.
Adhi Yoga :
This is caused if the benefic planets - Mercury, Jupiter and Venus - are situated in the 6th, 7th and 8th houses from the Moon. These planets should be present in any one, two or in all the above-mentioned houses. A native with this Yoga will be very influential, healthy and wealthy. He will possess no fear, disease or enemy.
Mahabhagya Yoga.
In the case of a male, if the birth is during the day and the Sun, the Moon, and the Lagna are in odd signs, the Mahabhagya Yoga is caused. In the case of a female, the birth should be at night and the Sun, the Moon and the Lagna should be in even signs. A native born in this Yoga will be blessed with fortune, wealth, health and children. Popular in society.Anapha Yoga. If any planet, other than the Sun is placed in the 12th house from the Moon, this Yoga is caused. It makes the native generous, healthy, rich and famous.
Apakeerti Yoga.
If the 10th house is occupied by the Sun and Saturn, and aspected by malefic, the native will have a bad reputation.Chatussagara Yoga. This Yoga is caused when all the quadrants are occupied by planets. The person concerned will be well reputed and prosperous. He will enjoy health and comforts.
Daridra Yoga.
The presence of the lord of the 11th house in the 6th, 8th or 12th house gives rise to this Yoga. A person born in this combination will be poor and miserable, often in debt, and driven to committing mean deeds.
Duradhura Yoga. If there are planets, other than the Sun on either side of the Moon, the native will be blessed with wealth and material comforts.
Dar Yoga. This Yoga is caused if the lord of the 10th house is placed in any one of the evil house, that is, the 6th, 8th or 12th house. The native will have to work hard, but, unfortunately, will not be able to derive the full benefit of his labour.
Kapata Yoga. This combination is formed if the 4th house has a malefic planet and the lord of the 4th house is associated with, or aspected by, or surrounded with malefic planets. The person concerned will be evil minded and a hypocrite.
Kemadruma Yoga. This combination is formed when there are no planets on both sides of the Moon. The person will be poor and possess a mean and obstinate disposition. His efforts will not bear much fruit.Lakshmi Yoga. If the lord of the ascendant is strong and the lord of the 9th house occupies its own or exaltation sign in a Kendra or Trikona, the Lakshmi Yoga is formed. As a result, the native will have an attractive well-formed body, and will enjoy all the comforts of life.
Shakata Yoga. The Moon in the 6th, 8th or 12th house from Jupiter gives rise to this Yoga. The person will be unlucky and miserable and his life will be ordinary. Sunapha Yoga. If there is a planet, other than the Sun, in the 2nd house from the Moon, this Yoga will be causes. The native will be intelligent, famouse and prosperous.
Ubhayachari Yoga. This Yoga is caused if planets, other than the Moon are present on both sides of the Sun. The concerned person will be wealthy, famous and liked by all. He will be a goods speaker and his body will be well formed.
Vasi Yoga. A benefic planet, other than the Moon occupying the 12th house from the Sun, gives rise to Shubhavasi Yoga. The native will be happy go lucky and prosperous due to this Yoga. If a malefic planet occupies the 12th house (Papavasi Yoga), the contrary results will be obtained.
Vasumati Yoga.
This is caused when benefic planets occupy the Upachaya houses (3rd, 6th, 10th, 11th) counted from the Lagna or the Moon. The native will have plenty of wealth and property.
Vesi Yoga.
If a planet, other than the Moon, occupies the 2nd house from the Sun, this Yoga is formed. If a benefic planet occupies the 2nd house from the Sun, the Shubhaveshi Yoga is formed. The person will be fortunate, happy and rich. If, on the other hand, a malefic planet occupies the 2nd house from the Sun, Papaveshi is cause, which produces the opposite results.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Partnership: What Makes It Work?
Compatibility - whether in love and marriage, family ties, friendship, professional associates - is a major area of study for Vedic Astrology. Relying solely on instincts and intuition to evaluate relationships works well for the person blessed with highly developed instincts and intuition, but for most of us finding and keeping harmonious connections with others is a life-long challenge. Using the time-tested techniques of Vedic Astrology, the skilled practitioner of this ancient science can provide useful guidance for making relationship decisions.Counseling for relationships begins with an evaluation of the individual birth chart. The astrological analysis has to first answer the question “what is the relationship potential of this chart?” The connections between each of the many astrological factors of your personal chart create overlapping patterns that combine to produce an intricate profile of complex habitual behaviors typical of our complicated psyches. This birth analysis gives a list of characteristics that have to be taken into account when checking for compatibility potential.For instance: does this person have self-confidence or not? A dominating personality or a submissive one? An adventurer, or a homebody? Is this the chart of someone who sticks it out in relationship or someone who gives up easily? Is he/ she idealistic in partnership or a pragmatist? Is marriage really the priority or is career more important? Is he/ she an independent operator, or expecting a lot of support? Sexually conventional, or something else? These are just a few of the basic questions that need to be answered by the astrologer when evaluating a single chart for characteristics relevant to partnership.Although the birth chart is a static picture of the potentials we are born with, our relationship with those potentials is not static. It is through applying the various predictive formulas of Vedic Astrology that we can find out when partnership potentials are going to be activated, and whether in a positive or negative way. The astrologer is especially looking for timing that will activate the 7th house of a chart. For instance, Jupiter, the planet of opportunity, transiting the sign of your 7th brings feelings of expansion, optimism, and opportunity to the field of partnership. Nor is the question of 'when?' limited to the timing mechanisms of our individual karma. In other words, even if one person is not strongly disposed towards partnership at this particular time, that can be changed if the second person's potential is being powerfully activated. Then we have a case of one person's karma overwhelming the others'.This 'inter-chart' activation extends into all areas of chart comparison. How each person's chart 'turns on' potentials in the others' chart becomes the basis for a lot of the useful information that Vedic Astrology compatibility analysis has to offer. The most direct way to do this is to take the positions of the planets from one person's chart and insert them in the other person's chart and see what we get. Some examples: if your Moon is isolated in your own chart you feel the need for nurturance from others. When someone comes along whose Moon is in the same sign as your ascendant, then that person will be experienced by you as sympathetic and nurturing. Someone with Mars in the same position as your own Venus will 'turn on' the passion potential of your Venus, but if it is their Saturn that joins with your Venus the effect will be to limit and control Venus' love nature. On the other hand, if you need a more mature attitude towards love, Saturn's influence can help.Another item to be taken into consideration when two people get together is to look into the future and check to see if the two life paths will continue being compatible.By using Vedic Astrology's Planetary Period System, the astrologer can tell if, for example, someone is soon to be taking a right angle turn in their life. Is the person you are getting involved with going to morph into someone totally different due to certain other karmas ripening in their life? Partners have a powerful influence on each other. Are you 'hitching your star' to someone who is going up in their life, or down? Predictive techniques can tell us which way a person's life is turning, and how long it will last.Inter-chart influences that lead to harmony in a relationship are wonderful, but they are not really the question. What we really need to know is where are the difficulties, and whether the harmonious interactions are strong enough to compensate for the problems. With Vedic Astrology's compatibility analysis, we have a short-cut way to understand our own and our partner's problems, and how we can help each other to grow and thrive in this all-important area of our lives.
RAHU: the Obsession of the Soul
Integral to the Vedic cosmological viewpoint is the premise that the cycle of births and deaths is part of the soul’s education. All of the planetary positions in the birth chart speak to the karmas present in this lifetime, but the ‘Rahu-Ketu axis’, as it is called, has a special relationship with the lessons to be learned. Rahu and Ketu are the cross-over points (called ‘Nodes’) of the path of the Moon and path of the Sun as seen from Earth. Although they are only calculated points in the Heavens, in Vedic Astrology the nodes are given a status and importance nearly equal to the solid planets. They are called chayagraha, shadow planets, being seen only during eclipses, when they create a shadow over the Sun or Moon. Similarly, they are like shadows in our lives, causing mysterious problems. An understanding of how the nodes function in the birth chart helps to clear up a lot of confusion about some of the built-in reactions to life’s circumstances.
The soul’s lessons are part of a continuum arising from the prior birth. The prior birth connection is shown by the position of Ketu in the chart: the ‘inlet point’ for past life karma. An analysis of the natal position of Ketu gives clues to the unconscious behavior patterns in this life stemming from familiar activities of the past life (see the author’s article “Ketu: The Mystery of Past Lives”. Always directly opposite to Ketu in the chart, Rahu represents lessons the soul has to confront in its present life in order to continue developing. The oppositional placement of the nodes suggests that the tendency to fall back into habitual past life behaviors, as signified by Ketu, needs to be overcome in order to complete this life’s assignment. The automatic repetition of the past life patterns thus becomes an obstruction to our progress in this lifetime.
The soul within each of us is determined to evolve; we can term it an ‘Obsession.’ This compelling obligation to experience countless lifetimes partly explains how Rahu functions in the birth chart.’ Our individuated human consciousness is generally not aware of the ‘grand plan’ encompassing our many lifetimes, thus we often experience the current life’s lesson as confusing. From a cosmic viewpoint, it may be necessary to experience a lifetime as a garbage picker; a life that from our human perspective would be undesirable. And yet, for reasons we don’t understand, this is just as much a part of God’s plan as is the socialite’s lifetime of parties and jet plane travel. Rahu’s placement in the birth chart indicates what lessons need to be undertaken in order to ‘balance out’ the actions of the prior life.
The story of Rahu in Vedic mythology tells of the obsession that Rahu, one of the demons, had for becoming immortal. As the story goes, while attending a party of the Gods, Rahu managed to get his hands on the bowl containing the Nectar of Immortality and succeeded in getting a drop of it down his throat before being caught in the act and suffering the punishment of being cut in half by a discus thrown by Vishnu. Rahu achieved success, but not without penalty. Likewise in our own lives, the placement of this shadow planet called Rahu in our Vedic birth chart indicates an obsession with a certain type of ‘nectar’: the desire and potential for the enjoyment of success, but at what cost? The obsession, and potential suffering, that we each go through to achieve success is part of the illusion that is necessary for the encapsulated soul to take its Earthly lessons seriously. Thus Rahu symbolizes maya, the Infinite disguised as material forms, as well as the ambition to have power within the world of forms. Yet it is all an illusion: Rahu promising success while it simultaneously obscures the true, eternal nature of the soul in order to make the lesson believable.
Your particular version of the Earthly obsession-lesson is partly shown by Rahu’s placement in your birth chart. For a person born with Rahu in the 6th house, the obsession is with ‘The Job’ and may require that they work 70 hours a week. In the 7th house Rahu manifests as obsession with Partnership, giving experiences in an area that has a potential for much heartbreak until the lesson is learned. Rahu in the 8th house seeks success through enjoyment of the partner’s, i.e. unearned, wealth. In the 9th house Rahu manifests as an obsession with Belief, or Religion. In the 10th house of Career one gets obsessed with professional goals.
But wherever Rahu is in your chart, the promised fulfillment, like everything gained in the ‘playground of forms’, is flawed: it is ultimately unsatisfying. Like the nodes themselves, the success turns out to be a shadow: essentially empty. Our life will come to an end; our human mind is confounded by the approaching void. Thus Rahu brings us to the realization of the true nature of the Earthly Voyage. All of the drive, ambition, craving, was really the soul’s obsession to learn and grow through participating in the drama of human existence.
The soul’s lessons are part of a continuum arising from the prior birth. The prior birth connection is shown by the position of Ketu in the chart: the ‘inlet point’ for past life karma. An analysis of the natal position of Ketu gives clues to the unconscious behavior patterns in this life stemming from familiar activities of the past life (see the author’s article “Ketu: The Mystery of Past Lives”. Always directly opposite to Ketu in the chart, Rahu represents lessons the soul has to confront in its present life in order to continue developing. The oppositional placement of the nodes suggests that the tendency to fall back into habitual past life behaviors, as signified by Ketu, needs to be overcome in order to complete this life’s assignment. The automatic repetition of the past life patterns thus becomes an obstruction to our progress in this lifetime.
The soul within each of us is determined to evolve; we can term it an ‘Obsession.’ This compelling obligation to experience countless lifetimes partly explains how Rahu functions in the birth chart.’ Our individuated human consciousness is generally not aware of the ‘grand plan’ encompassing our many lifetimes, thus we often experience the current life’s lesson as confusing. From a cosmic viewpoint, it may be necessary to experience a lifetime as a garbage picker; a life that from our human perspective would be undesirable. And yet, for reasons we don’t understand, this is just as much a part of God’s plan as is the socialite’s lifetime of parties and jet plane travel. Rahu’s placement in the birth chart indicates what lessons need to be undertaken in order to ‘balance out’ the actions of the prior life.
The story of Rahu in Vedic mythology tells of the obsession that Rahu, one of the demons, had for becoming immortal. As the story goes, while attending a party of the Gods, Rahu managed to get his hands on the bowl containing the Nectar of Immortality and succeeded in getting a drop of it down his throat before being caught in the act and suffering the punishment of being cut in half by a discus thrown by Vishnu. Rahu achieved success, but not without penalty. Likewise in our own lives, the placement of this shadow planet called Rahu in our Vedic birth chart indicates an obsession with a certain type of ‘nectar’: the desire and potential for the enjoyment of success, but at what cost? The obsession, and potential suffering, that we each go through to achieve success is part of the illusion that is necessary for the encapsulated soul to take its Earthly lessons seriously. Thus Rahu symbolizes maya, the Infinite disguised as material forms, as well as the ambition to have power within the world of forms. Yet it is all an illusion: Rahu promising success while it simultaneously obscures the true, eternal nature of the soul in order to make the lesson believable.
Your particular version of the Earthly obsession-lesson is partly shown by Rahu’s placement in your birth chart. For a person born with Rahu in the 6th house, the obsession is with ‘The Job’ and may require that they work 70 hours a week. In the 7th house Rahu manifests as obsession with Partnership, giving experiences in an area that has a potential for much heartbreak until the lesson is learned. Rahu in the 8th house seeks success through enjoyment of the partner’s, i.e. unearned, wealth. In the 9th house Rahu manifests as an obsession with Belief, or Religion. In the 10th house of Career one gets obsessed with professional goals.
But wherever Rahu is in your chart, the promised fulfillment, like everything gained in the ‘playground of forms’, is flawed: it is ultimately unsatisfying. Like the nodes themselves, the success turns out to be a shadow: essentially empty. Our life will come to an end; our human mind is confounded by the approaching void. Thus Rahu brings us to the realization of the true nature of the Earthly Voyage. All of the drive, ambition, craving, was really the soul’s obsession to learn and grow through participating in the drama of human existence.
Saturn, the Planet of Form
The planet Saturn is the Bad Guy in Vedic Astrology. It is called 'the Great Malefic', because it is the significator of so many undesirable aspects of the human plane. Saturn gives us difficulties, misfortune, suffering, even death. It has a non-negotiable quality as well. Saturn represents karma that we can't get out of. Since it is an integral part of this Earthly realm, and each of us has to deal with what it represents in our life, it behooves us to know more about Saturn's functioning and understand our relationship with it.Everything on this Earth is bound by Time. Even the seemingly eternal mountains must inevitably disappear. The Infinite Spirit incarnates into this realm, appearing as Forms. Amongst these forms, Spirit incarnates as human consciousness, encapsulated within human form: the body. The formless infinite submits to the limitations of this plane of existence to experience the interplay of forms, to know itself.In Vedic Astrology, we look to the map of the Heavens as a representation of our life's karma. But where is the Earth represented in this map? It is represented by Saturn. In Vedic Astrology, Saturn stands in for our planet, the Earth, the Playground of Forms. The individual Soul, due to its karma, is attracted to this playground and gets sucked into it for the sake of the experience. Saturn is that which first attracts, then restricts, encapsulates, the eternal consciousness; Saturn 'traps' the Soul in Form. This limitation of what is naturally infinite is experienced as suffering. Thus Saturn comes to represent the energy of suffering in astrology. Obviously many of Earth's experiences are quite enjoyable. But all of these pleasures are temporary, and like our bodies, all are limited by time, by Saturn. Even the pleasures bring suffering by their eventual denial through Saturn's functioning. Saturn is Maya: the play of forms. Instinctively the entrapped soul seeks permanence and stability on this Earthly plane, and feels betrayed by the temporal nature of Human Life.How do we deal with the energy of Saturn? You are a prisoner of Saturn's world of forms only if you identify with it. This is the dilemma of human consciousness: how to get out of prison by dis-identifying with forms, including the one you are residing in. From this need has arisen all of the various spiritual paths, yogic techniques, meditation techniques, etc. Forms originate from Spirit, and yet as an individuated piece of Spirit each of us somehow falls into the illusion that our personal form, our mind, and our feeling, are all that we are. We are each asleep in this dream of forms, unaware of the true nature of it all, and of ourselves. Thus Saturn becomes the Teacher, teaching the soul through the lessons of limitation, of attraction and negation, desire and denial. Through this adversity the soul is forced to grow, to learn the reality of incarnation, to understand how it is that the Eternal must manifest in the world of limitation in order to know itself. Our identification with our human incarnation, and the amnesia about our original nature as pure consciousness, is part of the 'set-up' designed to compel the soul to take the lessons seriously. This seriousness too, is a function of Saturn. In the personal Vedic Birth Chart, the position of Saturn and what it is influencing shows what lessons are especially emphasized, where the most concrete limitations are to be experienced in this lifetime, where there is the most intense identification with form that must be overcome for the soul to realize its original nature. Understanding the true situation of human consciousness, and its underlying connection with all that is, helps you to let go of the identification with the world of forms, to wake up from the dream. In this way we come to terms with Saturn, and are no longer defeated by the suffering, the world of illusions, that this planet represents.
Moon is the Mind
One of the confusing things in Vedic Astrology is how two planets, the Moon and Mercury, are both said to signify the Mind. The way this happens is that the Rational Intellect gets assigned to Mercury, while everything else having to do with Mind gets given to the Moon. The Sun rules the Spirit, that which is eternal, while the Moon, not having light of its own, has to reflect the light of Spirit, and signifies the Eternal's incarnation on the human plane. Thus the Moon rules human consciousness in general, including both thoughts and feeling. According to Vedic Mythology, the Moon is Mercury's father: Mercury, the Intellect, is born from the Moon.If Mercury, the Rational Mind, can be said to be (ideally) perceiving objective reality, then the Moon would be that part of us which experiences subjective reality, i.e., the Conditioned Mind. Conditioned by what? By our past experiences. Thus in Vedic Astrology the Moon specifically signifies our past, our memories, our conditioned behavior patterns. Attached to all of this accumulated data are emotional responses, an integral function of the Moon, which are what make the memory banks subjective.The placement of the Moon in your Vedic birth chart will show by its sign position, house position, and its involvement with other planets, what the conditioned patterns are in your particular case. We are each, in a sense, victims of our own past, and our inherited karma (past lives), which constitutes our conditioning. Essentially we are all distorting objective reality by experiencing the present circumstances through the filter of our past conditioning. This is the natural order of things; it is what makes the Human Plane a place of great variety. It also makes mutual agreement amongst humans nearly impossible, unless the conditioning has been the same or at least similar. Thus we establish better, smoother, relationships with those who share our conditioning, who share our past (which can be this life's past or another life).For this reason, the Moon is the most important factor when considering two people's charts for compatibility analysis in Vedic Astrology. Likewise the Moon's daily placement must be consulted in Muhurta analysis (choosing the proper day and time to initiate an endeavor), and compared to the doer's natal Moon, in order to assess the compatibility one has with the energy of the day. What we are searching for in another person, or in a favorable day to begin something, is an energy pattern that is 'digestible' by our own Moon.It is said in Vedic Astrology that the Moon needs support. Why? Because that conditional reality experienced by your Moon-mind, is not, strictly speaking, real. And somewhere deep down inside, it knows this. Thus you seek out familiar circumstances, and re-interpret those that are not familiar to seem familiar, so as to support the reality view that has already been established. This Lunar Mind wants the easy way out: it sticks with experiences compatible with its own particular programming. In Vedic Astrology, the Moon governs our five senses, thus: “how you see is what you get”. What we are attracted to, the experiences we each desire, are dictated by the mental-emotional food that we have a 'taste' for. Thus we avoid, shut out, or when there is no other choice, redefine those experiences that don't fit with our own familiar mental constructions.Analysis of the natal Moon is a major consideration when trying to find out why someone's life is 'not working'. Oftentimes the problem is not that objective reality has been unkind, but rather that the person has been rejecting their experiences as 'indigestible'. Understanding the workings of your own Moon-mind helps you see how your lunar conditioning limits your ability to deal successfully with the unfamiliar. With increased awareness of your existing programming, you are taking the first step towards changing it. By expanding the range of what you find 'edible', you expand your human consciousness, and your ability to work through your karma in this lifetime.
My Money Karma
What should I do about my financial situation? When am I going to get more money? What does my chart say about prosperity in my life? Such questions are among the most frequently asked of the astrologer.In ancient times each family produced the commodities needed for their own consumption. If you wanted something you didn't yourself produce, there was barter. Somewhere along the line the 'medium of exchange' was invented, so that now the struggle for survival comes down to the struggle for money. Classical works on astrology are full of formulas and combinations of planets and positions indicating the potential for riches as well as for poverty. Through astrology we seek guidance on what the financial attainment in this lifetime will be, and when, and how we can improve the outcome.Where in the natal chart do we find clues regarding income? Each sector (house) of the astrology chart makes its own particular contribution to the overall scheme of prosperity. The 2nd house is the most specific regarding the resources that the soul has at its disposal for this particular journey on Earth. Thus we first evaluate the 'health' of the 2nd house to determine general prosperity. Conditions for a healthy 2nd house include having 'good' planets, especially Jupiter or Venus, either in or influencing the 2nd house, and having the lord of the house (the planet that rules the zodiacal sign located in the 2nd house) in a strong and beneficial placement, such as being placed in one of the power houses (the 1st, 4th, 7th or 10th), in a favorable sign, and/or associated with one of the benefic planets. The 11th house gets analyzed in a similar manner. The 11th house is distinguished from the 2nd house by being the house of Profit and Gain, and thus more associated with 'chunks' of money rather than the regular income and stored up prosperity of the 2nd. A connection between the 11th house and another house in the chart shows in what part of life you can seek profits. For instance, if the lord of the 11th house is found in the 4th (Home), profits can come from real estate. We live in a job-based society, so obviously the parts of the chart related to employment and career have a major bearing on prosperity for most of us. The 6th house is the house of service, servitude, and therefore employment. An involvement of the 6th and the 2nd houses indicates income from employment. Such would be the case if the lord of the 2nd house were to be placed in the 6th house. This relationship, if it exists, has to be analyzed for favorable or unfavorable influences: if favorable conditions exist, the person gets good employment that contributes to their prosperity, if unfavorable, then the person works at a low-paying job, or has difficulty sustaining employment.The 10th house of the chart is the sector called 'status and position' and 'action in society'. This comes down to Career and Profession in our modern world. The connections made by planetary placements in the 10th house, and the location of the lord of the 10th house in the chart, tell a lot about what sort of a career a person has. For instance, a favorable connection between the 10th house of career and the 11th house of profits indicates one who makes money through commissions, sales, deals, etc. Involvement of the 1st house, the house of 'Self' with the 10th house indicates a Self-employed person, an Entrepreneur. Involvement of the 7th house of Partnership with the 10th house of Career shows success through Business Partnership. As with all analysis that the astrologer makes, an assessment of the benefic or malefic influences on the 10th house and its lord must be made in order to determine the degree of success.But what if the chart doesn't indicate favorable placements and influences connected to the financial houses? There are still other potential sources of prosperity. One that I like to look at is the 8th house. Usually thought of as the House of Obstruction and Death, the 8th has another meaning: Unearned Wealth. This is because the 8th is the 2nd house (prosperity) from the 7th (partner), so it indicates the partner's wealth, and by extension, any unearned wealth. Thus, a strong planet and favorable conditions in the 8th house indicates benefiting from another person's wealth; i.e., being supported by another, an inheritance, alimony or insurance payments, etc.There are two houses in the chart that generally indicate Good Fortune. The 9th house and its lord are primary significators for Luck in the chart, and if connected with the income houses, especially when strong and under benefic influence, give excellent potential for good financial karma in one's life. Likewise, the 5th house, indicating 'Good Past Life Karma Dividend', when connected with the 2nd or 11th house, will pay out as favorable finances in your life, due to the meritorious actions from the past life. After examining the potentials shown by the birth chart, the next question is “When does it happen?” For the answer the astrologer goes to the various techniques of prediction that give the timetable for activation of the latent potentials. The first of these is the dasha system, the so-called planetary periods. During the years of the major period, or sub-period, of the planet ruling the 2nd house or the 11th house, the karmas associated with money are 'turned on'. But the dashas cannot give more than the potential shown in the natal chart. So if the strength of the lord of the 2nd house is only medium, we can expect only medium results. If we are wondering when the might be an inheritance, the astrologer looks for activation of the 8th house. But even if the promise of unearned wealth is there, the payoff can only be as large as the house and its lord's strength indicates. Outside of the dasha system, the ongoing planetary transits to the natal chart help to determine times of increased prosperity. Most notable of these is the transit of Jupiter, since it is the general indicator of prosperity and expansion. Thus, if Jupiter by its transit moves through or influences a money house in your chart, and if that house is strong and favorable and especially if the house is already 'turned on' through the dasha system, then you can anticipate an up-tick in income. For instance, when Jupiter transits through your 6th house, there are increased opportunities for employment, usually accompanied by an increase in salary, because Jupiter influences by its trinal (120 degree) aspect, the 2nd house (income) when it transits the 6th.These are just some of the possibilities that the astrologer looks for when analyzing your chart for answers to the money question. There are more levels to investigate for more details, such as the divisional charts (called vargas) or the functional nature of the moon signs (the nakshatras), which, like the houses in the chart, each demonstrate potentials which have their opportunity for expression during the life. It is through a careful reading of the planetary patterns that the astrologer can point out what potentials you are not making use of, as well as when activation within the chart creates the most favorable time to make your efforts most productive. And, if you are so blessed, the astrology chart shows that there are times when circumstances arise having nothing to do with your conscious efforts, that are hidden in the workings of the lords of karma and grace, when your financial needs are taken care of in any case.
Negotiating with Destiny
Many times people don't want to know about their future because they dread hearing something negative. It's like refusing to go to the doctor because you don't want to find out how bad your disease is. This way of thinking ignores the fact that the doctor has knowledge of medicines and procedures that can remedy, or at least reduce, the health problem. Likewise, in Vedic Astrology, there are remedies that can make a difference in the outcome of a given situation. The proposal is that destiny, at least to some degree, is negotiable; there is some choice in any matter. (Here we have to interject that there are destinies that are unavoidable; these are called 'hard karmas', e.g.: you are going to die some day.) Vedic Astrology comes from a culture that was not just interested in a theoretical understanding of the human plane, but wanted to know how to achieve improvement of the human condition on a practical level, and on an individual basis.Let's start with the fundamental idea that everything is produced by energy patterns, and that the Vedic Astrology Birth Chart is a personalized 'map' showing how these energy patterns are operating at any particular time in your individual case. This map of your energy patterns is only representational; the paths that the energy takes cannot be measured and examined by modern scientific methods. Though not responding to our Western sciences, the data presented in the birth chart can be analyzed using the techniques of the ancients, and the information obtained through this evaluation shown to be accurate with verifiable, real-live results.The next question becomes, can we do anything to alter the outcomes of these subtle energy patterns? It turns out that the ancient people wondered the same thing, tried various techniques, and passed on what they found to work. But is direct manipulation of Celestial influences something available to those of us who are neither tantriks nor adepts? Maybe we can't make use of the more extreme esoteric methods, nonetheless there are plenty of proven procedures that can be incorporated into our modern Western lives without having to move into an ashram or a cave.The first and most obvious approach is being aware of what is coming up and taking appropriate action. The Path of Action is one that appeals to Westerners, since we are culturally so devoted to the idea of 'free will'. But here we are asked not to go blindly forward driven by will and desire. Rather we are to consciously align our actions with the planetary forces that are currently in operation. Using the information provided by the astrological analysis, it's possible to make intelligent choices for improving the chances for a more desirable result.Here's an example: as I am writing this, Mars and Mercury are conjunct in the Heavens. This sets up the energy pattern of Argument (Mars: forceful, plus Mercury: speech). The awareness of this energy pattern applied to me the individual person will lead to, broadly speaking, one of two possible outcomes: I am the arguer, or, I am the victim of the arguer. So, knowing this, I can be preparing myself for the likelihood of argumentative people coming my way this week, and/or: this is a good time to present an argument to further some cause or idea of my own. A more detailed analysis of other astrological factors, such as the placement of the Mars-Mercury conjunction relative to the particulars of my own birth chart, will tell which of the two potential paths the energy is likely to take.One very important traditional method we can make use of for guiding the energy pattern towards a more desirable result is the use of Prayer. The technique of prayer is certainly not unique to India. In fact, it seems somehow imbedded in the human psyche, manifesting in all cultures through all time.The idea basically is to petition the forces, the 'Gods' of the planets, for their consideration of our suffering. Whether or not there is someone listening I choose not to argue. We can provide an acceptable scientific reason for this practice by pointing to the modern research that shows a connection between the entrainment of the human mind through the repetition of a thought through words and feelings and a measurable effect on the material world. The findings of Quantum Physics validate this, as well as the anecdotal evidence from many people's direct experience.By making use of the birth chart analysis, we can be more explicit about what planetary force pattern we need to direct our prayers to. Within Vedic lore there are many specific prayers, mantras, rituals and instructions on just how to go about accessing the energy of a particular planet. Or you can experiment with your own inventions for helping to attune your energy with that of the cosmos. What seems to matter most is the strength and integrity of the effort, and the application of that effort on a daily basis.Just like the medical doctor prescribes for healing on the physical plane, the Vedic Astrologer prescribes for healing on the subtle forces plane. There are 'medicines' in Vedic lore that encourage the energy patterns associated with individual planets. An analysis of the birth chart will determine which of the planets are best suited to help a person in their current dilemma, and the appropriate remedy is recommended. The substances and techniques used range from herbs, scents, and foods to diagrams (yantras) and talismans. In this last category are the Vedic gems, where each of the planets has a particular gem that can enhance that planet's energy when the gem is worn in contact with the body. The birth chart has to be evaluated to determine which gem would be most appropriate in an individual's case.Another of the remedies resorted to, which can be used in a generalized way for everyone, is the Path of Service. Similar to the 'path of action' as described previously, but with a twist: rather than asking you to align yourself with a specific energy pattern shown in the chart, the Path of Service is recommended as general relief for the consequences of your selfishness. Some people, such as those with a dominant Virgo or 6th house position in their chart, may be inclined to act this way naturally. But what is suggested here is the making of some sacrifice, to step outside of oneself, to sincerely contribute to others' welfare to relieve their suffering, and coincidently, to get some chits placed on the positive side of your karma ledger. To each planet there have been ascribed specific remedial acts of service that the astrologer can recommend. The Path of Service is always available to us, and using it can do much to compensate for your own difficult karmas, although the mechanism that creates the payback is another of those unmeasureable, 'unscientific' mysteries.
Search for the Soul Mate
The Astrologer is often asked: “When will I find my Soul Mate?”… or, its less optimistic version: “Will I ever find my Soul Mate?” What are we talking about when we use the term ‘soul mate’?
All of us share the common desire to achieve some form of ultimate satisfaction in our lives. This longing we all have gets unconsciously projected onto the world of form, and so we seek perfection through union with some imagined thing or person or process that attracts us.
From the spiritual perspective, this longing for completeness is actually synonymous with complete dissolution, because only through completely loosing ourselves can we dissolve into the world of God, the world of perfection, and so experience the ultimate satisfaction.
This experience of ultimate satisfaction then requires the ultimate surrender of the ego, the separate ‘I am’ self, that we each commonly identify with. This type of surrender makes us feel tremendously vulnerable, totally naked, and if it is another person who is being surrendered to, that will have to be someone ‘special’… or so we imagine. Actually, for the spiritually evolved individual, the surrender can happen with anyone. But for the rest of us, who wish to use relationship as the ‘vehicle’ for our journey into complete dissolution, someone who can be completely trusted is a requirement. This person is the ‘soul mate’.
Can Vedic Astrology offer us anything in our quest for the soul mate?
The 7th house of the astrology chart is field on which the partnership, marriage, one-on-one relationship, are hashed out. Each of us is born with our own relationship karma. From the Vedic Astrology perspective, this relationship karma, like everything else in the chart, is a product of the experiences of past lives. In other words, we are each ‘conditioned’ by the past, a past that sets up a certain destiny for this lifetime. The Astrologer analyzes the 7th house and evaluates the karma for positive and negative experiences connected with partnership. The presence of one of the benefic planets of guidance, Jupiter or Venus, would tend towards more positive experiences in relationship. Likewise, if the 7th house is occupied by a malefic planet such as Saturn or Mars or the Sun, the karma for happy relationship is suspect.
There are other chart factors that help to ‘elevate’ the karma for an ideal or spiritual experience of partnership. The 5th house is the house of Romance in a chart. The involvement of the 5th house ruler (planet ruling the sign in the 5th house) with the ruler of the 7th house, or the 5th house ruler occupying the 7th house, or vice versa, signifies a ‘love marriage’ (a term used in traditional India which indicated something other than a normal arranged marriage). The 5th house is also the house of Spiritual Practices, and in a chart that so inclined, the involvement of the 5th and 7th houses can signify relationship as a spiritual path. This would qualify as ‘soul mate karma’.
Similarly, the 9th house is considered a highly elevated part of the chart; it is the part of life that is Good Luck, as well as Beliefs, and Meritorious Deeds. Any involvement of the 9th house with the 7th house, or each of their rulers, is considered auspicious and helps to raise up the experience of partnership.
The 12th house of the chart is considered the house of Loss, and any connection of the 12th house with the 7th house is traditionally thought to be bad, leading to the loss of the partner. But another meaning of the 12th house is spirituality and meditation. If the 12th house ruler is a planet that is otherwise benefic to the chart, the result can be an ideal, spiritual partnership. For instance, for Gemini rising charts, Venus is the ruler of both the 5th house of Love and the 12th house of Spirit, and its placement in the 7th house or with the 7th house ruler indicates an Ideal Love.
Then there is the question of Timing. Through the various ‘clocks’ that are set in motion upon our birth, the astrologer seeks to determine when the 7th house karma will be ‘turned on’. The dasha system (planetary period system) is one of the most reliable of these clocks. The dasha of the 7th lord (planet ruling the sign in the 7th house), or the dasha of a planet occupying the 7th house, are periods in a person’s life when partnership karma will be notably activated.
But when looking at partnership, there is another chart, the partner’s, which is equally important. So the two have to be considered together. Now we have the combining of two karmas, and the plot thickens. Do the charts have individual astrological factors that augment each other’s positive inclinations? Or are the negative factors enhanced? Can the astrologer find spiritual connections between the two charts? Are there beneficial planetary connections that would activate houses such as the 5th, 9th, or 12th with respect to each other’s charts?
The astrologer looks for positive connections between two charts whenever partnership is contemplated, but when the ‘soul mate’ question comes up these connections need to be between partners who already are primed by their individual karma for true spirituality. The desire and ability to surrender the ego, to loose oneself in the other, has to be present in each person’s chart. Otherwise the relationship will focus on the mundane, the material and sensual satisfactions, and result in the normal projection of expectations onto each other that ends in the dissatisfaction commonly found in partnership. To reach the ultimate satisfaction, there needs to first be the capacity for complete surrender. So the question “When will I find my Soul Mate” has to be first answered with “Am I prepared for the Soul Mate?”
All of us share the common desire to achieve some form of ultimate satisfaction in our lives. This longing we all have gets unconsciously projected onto the world of form, and so we seek perfection through union with some imagined thing or person or process that attracts us.
From the spiritual perspective, this longing for completeness is actually synonymous with complete dissolution, because only through completely loosing ourselves can we dissolve into the world of God, the world of perfection, and so experience the ultimate satisfaction.
This experience of ultimate satisfaction then requires the ultimate surrender of the ego, the separate ‘I am’ self, that we each commonly identify with. This type of surrender makes us feel tremendously vulnerable, totally naked, and if it is another person who is being surrendered to, that will have to be someone ‘special’… or so we imagine. Actually, for the spiritually evolved individual, the surrender can happen with anyone. But for the rest of us, who wish to use relationship as the ‘vehicle’ for our journey into complete dissolution, someone who can be completely trusted is a requirement. This person is the ‘soul mate’.
Can Vedic Astrology offer us anything in our quest for the soul mate?
The 7th house of the astrology chart is field on which the partnership, marriage, one-on-one relationship, are hashed out. Each of us is born with our own relationship karma. From the Vedic Astrology perspective, this relationship karma, like everything else in the chart, is a product of the experiences of past lives. In other words, we are each ‘conditioned’ by the past, a past that sets up a certain destiny for this lifetime. The Astrologer analyzes the 7th house and evaluates the karma for positive and negative experiences connected with partnership. The presence of one of the benefic planets of guidance, Jupiter or Venus, would tend towards more positive experiences in relationship. Likewise, if the 7th house is occupied by a malefic planet such as Saturn or Mars or the Sun, the karma for happy relationship is suspect.
There are other chart factors that help to ‘elevate’ the karma for an ideal or spiritual experience of partnership. The 5th house is the house of Romance in a chart. The involvement of the 5th house ruler (planet ruling the sign in the 5th house) with the ruler of the 7th house, or the 5th house ruler occupying the 7th house, or vice versa, signifies a ‘love marriage’ (a term used in traditional India which indicated something other than a normal arranged marriage). The 5th house is also the house of Spiritual Practices, and in a chart that so inclined, the involvement of the 5th and 7th houses can signify relationship as a spiritual path. This would qualify as ‘soul mate karma’.
Similarly, the 9th house is considered a highly elevated part of the chart; it is the part of life that is Good Luck, as well as Beliefs, and Meritorious Deeds. Any involvement of the 9th house with the 7th house, or each of their rulers, is considered auspicious and helps to raise up the experience of partnership.
The 12th house of the chart is considered the house of Loss, and any connection of the 12th house with the 7th house is traditionally thought to be bad, leading to the loss of the partner. But another meaning of the 12th house is spirituality and meditation. If the 12th house ruler is a planet that is otherwise benefic to the chart, the result can be an ideal, spiritual partnership. For instance, for Gemini rising charts, Venus is the ruler of both the 5th house of Love and the 12th house of Spirit, and its placement in the 7th house or with the 7th house ruler indicates an Ideal Love.
Then there is the question of Timing. Through the various ‘clocks’ that are set in motion upon our birth, the astrologer seeks to determine when the 7th house karma will be ‘turned on’. The dasha system (planetary period system) is one of the most reliable of these clocks. The dasha of the 7th lord (planet ruling the sign in the 7th house), or the dasha of a planet occupying the 7th house, are periods in a person’s life when partnership karma will be notably activated.
But when looking at partnership, there is another chart, the partner’s, which is equally important. So the two have to be considered together. Now we have the combining of two karmas, and the plot thickens. Do the charts have individual astrological factors that augment each other’s positive inclinations? Or are the negative factors enhanced? Can the astrologer find spiritual connections between the two charts? Are there beneficial planetary connections that would activate houses such as the 5th, 9th, or 12th with respect to each other’s charts?
The astrologer looks for positive connections between two charts whenever partnership is contemplated, but when the ‘soul mate’ question comes up these connections need to be between partners who already are primed by their individual karma for true spirituality. The desire and ability to surrender the ego, to loose oneself in the other, has to be present in each person’s chart. Otherwise the relationship will focus on the mundane, the material and sensual satisfactions, and result in the normal projection of expectations onto each other that ends in the dissatisfaction commonly found in partnership. To reach the ultimate satisfaction, there needs to first be the capacity for complete surrender. So the question “When will I find my Soul Mate” has to be first answered with “Am I prepared for the Soul Mate?”
Understanding Children
Western Psychology would have us believe that environmental factors are the primary influences involved in the formation of the young psyche. But as anyone who has taken care of infants and young children knows, they do come into this world with many clearly defined characteristics that are obviously there from the very beginning. Identifying these inborn characteristics and their attendant behavior patterns is an area where Vedic Astrology birth chart analysis can be of great help.A newborn is, so to speak, 'fresh out of the oven', i.e., uncontaminated by environmental influence. Not including the obvious exceptions of those experiencing extreme early trauma, we can assume the first couple of years of life as still leaving the person relatively 'pure'. Thus, astrologically speaking, an infant or toddler should clearly exhibit the chief features indicated by their birth chart, with the more subtle traits showing up later in life.This is, in fact, what is observed: that the main physical, emotional, and psychological patterns foretold by the Rising sign, Moon sign, Sun sign, and major conjunctions of planets in the chart are the first to make themselves known. For the child's parents and caregivers, this information can be very useful in understanding what appears as unfounded or arbitrary conduct, and help in determining what a positive response might be, especially in the case of the more troublesome behavior patterns. The Moon in particular, is closely associated with the 'original nature': the psychology, the perceptions, and the basic mental patterns (i.e., non-intellectual mind) such as a child exhibits.For example, a child born with the Moon in Scorpio will be extremely emotionally sensitive, and have a noticeable tendency to hold on to negative feelings. Furthermore, if this Moon is in the part of Scorpio between 3 and 17 degrees, it lies in the Lunar sign known as Anuradha, which is closely associated with friendship. The analysis shows that such a child (or grownup!) will be very attached to friends, and really have a hard time 'letting go' of anyone whom he/she experiences as emotionally supportive. Knowing this, the informed caregiver can anticipate an over-reaction to any 'separative' event in the child's life, and take appropriate measures to ease the transition, to reassure that the friend will return, to have photos available to help 'reconnect' with that person, etc., so as to help avoid the powerful negative reaction that arises from such separation. Lunar signs (Nakshatras, or lunar mansions) in particular give very accurate clues to inborn behavior patterns. For instance, in the middle of the sign Gemini we have the lunar sign Arudra, which is associated with Storms. The symbology of a storm includes the gathering of clouds, the intensifying of the energy, the forceful 'explosion', and finally the cessation, and resultant clarity and calm, that follows. My suggestion to the parents was not to try to stop the behavior, but rather to provide more of it, of course in a safe form, such as a 'jungle-gym' for toddlers. The more 'victories' the child gets to experience, the more her self-confidence grows.The training, or conditioning, of a child is provided by the parental response to the child's actions. The positive alignment of the parental response to the child's predispositions will determine the child's sense of acceptance, which has so much to do with the path of development of the young mind. With a Vedic Birth Chart reading one comes to understand the natural traits that one's child is born with, which then will help in designing conscious parental responses that condition desirable childhood development.
Timing is Everything
Choosing the Birthday of Your Project is another likely name for this article. When is the right time to begin something? Intuitively we know that there are bad times and good times, bad days and good days. Just as our personal astrology chart shows the astrological influences prevailing at our birth that affect us throughout our life, we can look to the Heavens at the beginning of any event for indications of the success or failure of that event. This then suggests that by examining the celestial patterns in advance, it should be possible to pick a time for starting that would insure good results.In Vedic Astrology this technique is called Muhurta: choosing an auspicious moment to begin.
Further, Muhurta supposes that by undertaking a venture at a superior time, it is possible to compensate for deficiencies present in our personal birth chart. For instance, if the natal chart looks 'bad' for marriage, we can ward off some of this evil by choosing to get married at a time that is excellent for marriage. In a sense, the Marriage becomes an entity in its own right, with its own birth chart. Similarly, a business has its own birth chart, a building such as a house has a birth chart, a journey has a birth chart, even a surgical procedure has a birth chart, etc. In every case, the event or endeavor can have its 'birth' chosen beforehand for superior planetary positions that signify good performance, ease of accomplishment, longevity, and other desirable characteristics.
We also have to consider the relationship of the event to its participant(s). A good muhurta must promise satisfaction to the performer as well as assuring the success of the endeavor. For instance, in the case of a marriage, there is not just the 'stand alone' planetary pattern giving the characteristics of the event; also important is the chosen time's connection to the natal charts, i.e., how will that marriage be experienced by each of the people involved. One would want to choose a marriage Muhurta that indicates longevity, but if the relationship of the marriage chart to the spousal charts is inharmonious, the choice of that Muhurta only ensures long suffering. Likewise, it may be an unfavorable day for starting a journey, but that doesn't mean that everyone experiences delays at every airport in the world.
Thus it is apparent that not every good day, or good moment, is good for everyone. The astrologer must always check back to the natal chart of the specific person involved to see if they will be benefited by a particular choice for timing an action. Whenever a Muhurta is chosen, it must contain a sympathetic connection with the birth chart of the performer of the action. The main technique used is the mathematical relationship of the Moon's position in the natal chart with the Muhurta's Moon position.
The classic texts of Vedic Astrology stipulate that different days have intrinsic qualities that make them more, or less, appropriate for specific functions. Each of the days of the week is assigned to a specific planet: Monday is ruled by the Moon, Tuesday by Mars, Wednesday by Mercury, etc. It is best to perform actions indicated by the planet that rules the day. For instance, travel is best begun on Thursday, Jupiter's day, because Jupiter is the planet of pilgrimage. Going to the movies is best on Friday, Venus' day, because Venus rules enjoyments.
More details of what is appropriate on what day is found in the description of the Nakshatras, the lunar signs, sometimes called the 'Mansions of the Moon'. There are 27 of these sectors of the Heavens that constitute the path of the Moon. Each Nakshatra is associated with a specific energy pattern and lends itself to certain activites. For instance, when the Moon is in Rohini is great for getting married whereas when in Ardra it is bad for weddings, but great for defeating opponents (say, in a lawsuit). Having the Moon in a lunar sign that is appropriate for the action being taken is critical for the success of the endeavor.
The Muhurta also must take into consideration the relationship between the Moon and the Sun, that is, the day of the phase of the Moon. Basically, the Waxing Moon is preferred for commencing most projects, but certain days of the waxing cycle are preferable to others. The beginning days of the cycle, when the Moon is weak in its light, are unfavorable. As the Moon waxes, it is considered more favorable, until we get to the Full Moon, when the energy is too extreme, i.e., hard to control, thus unfavorable. As the Moon starts losing its light towards the end of the cycle, it is also unfavorable for initiating anything. The lunar days are called Tithis, with each one of them having its own qualities, and like the Nakshatras, it takes a whole book to explain it all.
The interaction of the days of the week, the lunar days, and the lunar signs, form the basis of the technique of Muhurta. There are good combinations and bad combinations, and combinations favorable or unfavorable for specific events. Then there is the current planetary pattern to be considered, and finally, how it all relates back to the individual's natal chart. Certainly picking a good Muhurta can get complicated, but by making use of this giant Cosmic Clock, the astrologer helps you to choose when to begin, thus ensuring more success to your efforts.
Further, Muhurta supposes that by undertaking a venture at a superior time, it is possible to compensate for deficiencies present in our personal birth chart. For instance, if the natal chart looks 'bad' for marriage, we can ward off some of this evil by choosing to get married at a time that is excellent for marriage. In a sense, the Marriage becomes an entity in its own right, with its own birth chart. Similarly, a business has its own birth chart, a building such as a house has a birth chart, a journey has a birth chart, even a surgical procedure has a birth chart, etc. In every case, the event or endeavor can have its 'birth' chosen beforehand for superior planetary positions that signify good performance, ease of accomplishment, longevity, and other desirable characteristics.
We also have to consider the relationship of the event to its participant(s). A good muhurta must promise satisfaction to the performer as well as assuring the success of the endeavor. For instance, in the case of a marriage, there is not just the 'stand alone' planetary pattern giving the characteristics of the event; also important is the chosen time's connection to the natal charts, i.e., how will that marriage be experienced by each of the people involved. One would want to choose a marriage Muhurta that indicates longevity, but if the relationship of the marriage chart to the spousal charts is inharmonious, the choice of that Muhurta only ensures long suffering. Likewise, it may be an unfavorable day for starting a journey, but that doesn't mean that everyone experiences delays at every airport in the world.
Thus it is apparent that not every good day, or good moment, is good for everyone. The astrologer must always check back to the natal chart of the specific person involved to see if they will be benefited by a particular choice for timing an action. Whenever a Muhurta is chosen, it must contain a sympathetic connection with the birth chart of the performer of the action. The main technique used is the mathematical relationship of the Moon's position in the natal chart with the Muhurta's Moon position.
The classic texts of Vedic Astrology stipulate that different days have intrinsic qualities that make them more, or less, appropriate for specific functions. Each of the days of the week is assigned to a specific planet: Monday is ruled by the Moon, Tuesday by Mars, Wednesday by Mercury, etc. It is best to perform actions indicated by the planet that rules the day. For instance, travel is best begun on Thursday, Jupiter's day, because Jupiter is the planet of pilgrimage. Going to the movies is best on Friday, Venus' day, because Venus rules enjoyments.
More details of what is appropriate on what day is found in the description of the Nakshatras, the lunar signs, sometimes called the 'Mansions of the Moon'. There are 27 of these sectors of the Heavens that constitute the path of the Moon. Each Nakshatra is associated with a specific energy pattern and lends itself to certain activites. For instance, when the Moon is in Rohini is great for getting married whereas when in Ardra it is bad for weddings, but great for defeating opponents (say, in a lawsuit). Having the Moon in a lunar sign that is appropriate for the action being taken is critical for the success of the endeavor.
The Muhurta also must take into consideration the relationship between the Moon and the Sun, that is, the day of the phase of the Moon. Basically, the Waxing Moon is preferred for commencing most projects, but certain days of the waxing cycle are preferable to others. The beginning days of the cycle, when the Moon is weak in its light, are unfavorable. As the Moon waxes, it is considered more favorable, until we get to the Full Moon, when the energy is too extreme, i.e., hard to control, thus unfavorable. As the Moon starts losing its light towards the end of the cycle, it is also unfavorable for initiating anything. The lunar days are called Tithis, with each one of them having its own qualities, and like the Nakshatras, it takes a whole book to explain it all.
The interaction of the days of the week, the lunar days, and the lunar signs, form the basis of the technique of Muhurta. There are good combinations and bad combinations, and combinations favorable or unfavorable for specific events. Then there is the current planetary pattern to be considered, and finally, how it all relates back to the individual's natal chart. Certainly picking a good Muhurta can get complicated, but by making use of this giant Cosmic Clock, the astrologer helps you to choose when to begin, thus ensuring more success to your efforts.
Your Financial Future
Certainly one of the most frequently asked questions of the Astrologer is 'When will my Finances improve?' or its corollary, 'How can I improve my Finances?'
To answer the question of How to improve finances the Astrologer looks for connections between various parts of your natal chart and the 'money houses': the 2nd and 11th houses.
To answer the question of When the financial picture will improve, the Astrologer looks for timing factors which will activate the areas of the chart which show financial promise.
The 2nd house of a chart is most directly concerned with Income. The analysis of this sector tells us what manner of material resources the soul has at its disposal during this particular sojourn on Earth. Each of the houses has a Lord: the planet that owns the zodiacal sign in the house, and thus represents that house in the chart. If the lord of a finance house ends up in a troublesome house, such as the 6th house of Struggle or the 12th house of Loss, or vice versa, finances will be problematical in general, and especially when activated by astrological timing factors. Where can your money be coming from? Any planet placed in a finance house will be the lord of some other house in the chart. That house, i.e., the area of life, that the planet is representing is a potential source of income. Likewise, the placement of the lord of the 2nd itself gives clues to sources of earning. For instance, if you have the lord of your 2nd house in the 4th, or the lord of the 4th in your 2nd, you can derive income from 4th house affairs such as real estate. In millionaire J. P. Morgan's chart we find the lord of the 4th in his 2nd house.
Planets also have special meanings inherent in their nature: Venus, the planet of Art and Luxury, if connected to your 2nd house, gives potential income from artistic endeavors and art related fields. Such is the case in the chart of Lord Tennyson, the poet, with Venus in his 2nd house. The planet that most generally represents difficulties, Saturn, placed in the 2nd, will make attainment of riches a slow and arduous process, as in the case of Mahatma Gandhi. Jupiter, the planet that signifies wealth in general, is most welcome in the 2nd house. We find Jupiter in the 2nd house in the birthcharts of Henry Ford and Bill Gates.
The 11th house of a chart is the house of Profit and Gain. In finances, it represents 'chunks' of money, whereas the 2nd represents the weekly paycheck. Thus the 11th can be looked to especially in the case of entrepreneurs, businessmen, consultants, and others who don't work a regular '9 to 5'. Again, the house's 'health' is determined by analyzing the house itself, as well as its lord, for the influence on it of benefic vs. challenging planets. If Jupiter, which in general represents Opportunity and Prosperity, is occupying the 11th house, or associated with its lord, then the chart is well on its way to proving to be a materially successful chart. Similarly, the involvement of Saturn or Ketu (the spiritual, non-material significator) gives the 11th less potential for benefits. Connections between the lord of your 11th and other houses, or vice versa, give indications of where 'profits' can come from. For instance, the lord of the 5th house, which amongst its many meanings is the house of speculation, when placed favorably in the 11th, gives money from investments. A connection between the 2nd house and the 11th house has a special name: Dhana Yoga, meaning Wealth Combination. Nelson Rockefeller's chart has the lord of the 11th in the 2nd house.
But even in a chart that shows financial problems, there are possibilities for relief. The 8th house of a chart, amongst its many meanings, is the house of 'Other People's Money', or Unearned Wealth. This simply translates into support from outside of one's own efforts. A strong and well-disposed 8th house will put the resources of others' at the person's fingertips. Paramahansa Yogananda, the famous Yogi, has the lard of his 5th house (Past Life Dividend) in the 8th house of his chart. The lord of the 7th house, the house of partnership, if placed in the 9th house of luck, brings Good Fortune through marriage. The 2nd house ruler, placed in the 7th, puts the planet representing income in the house of Partnership, thus: income from the partner (could also be from Business partners). As always, any combination of factors in a chart must be evaluated carefully using the formulas of Vedic Astrology to see if the result will be strong and benefic before predicting positive results.
The patterns shown in the natal chart are always regarded as being latent, i.e., they await activation. Vedic Astrologers look to two main activating systems: the Dashas (planetary period and sub-period) and the Transits (juxtaposing of planets in the Heavens alongside the Birth chart). The dasha system in Vedic Astrology tells you during which years of your life a certain potential shown in the chart will come into play for you. For finances, we are particularly looking for dashas that involve the 2nd and 11th houses of the natal chart. But dashas activating other houses can as well bring material improvement, for example: a dasha which activates a good connection between the 5th house of Investments and the 4th house of Property brings prosperity through real estate.The Transits are the easiest technique to use for determining when something happens, although it can get complicated when contradictory transits occur simultaneously. For a positive effect on finances, we first look to Jupiter, the planet of Increase and Prosperity. Thus, if Jupiter is transiting in the 2nd house, it generally represents an uptick in wages. When Jupiter transits your 3rd house, benefits can come from 3rd house people: siblings, close relatives, and neighbors. The 3rd house is also the house of Initiative and Self-promotion, so now would be the time to realize benefits through advertisement. Jupiter transiting your 8th house of 'Unearned Wealth' can indicate a loan from a bank, support from the partner, or even a Windfall such as an inheritance. When Jupiter is moving through your 10th house prosperity comes through an increase in Professional Activities. But, since nothing in the Heavens operates in isolation, the Astrologer always has to watch for possible countervailing factors (mainly other transits) that may limit Jupiter's effects.
Yet another technique for increasing one's prosperity is to utilize activation that comes through contact with another person. There is a highly developed system within Vedic Astrology for evaluating this, too complicated to go into here, but basically the idea is that prosperity factors inherent in your natal chart can be 'turned on' (or off!) by someone else's karma interacting with your own. Most commonly this is the marriage partner, but it can just as easily be an employer or employee, a teacher, a relative, etc. The analysis requires a birth chart from each of the people involved, and doesn't necessarily result in positive results going both ways, i.e., it may be that only one party benefits, or that one is actually impoverished by the other! This is why in traditional India prospective marriage partners, business partners, and even parents of a new-born would run to their astrologer and get an analysis of inter-chart connections to see if the person coming into their life would bring benefit them or not.
To answer the question of How to improve finances the Astrologer looks for connections between various parts of your natal chart and the 'money houses': the 2nd and 11th houses.
To answer the question of When the financial picture will improve, the Astrologer looks for timing factors which will activate the areas of the chart which show financial promise.
The 2nd house of a chart is most directly concerned with Income. The analysis of this sector tells us what manner of material resources the soul has at its disposal during this particular sojourn on Earth. Each of the houses has a Lord: the planet that owns the zodiacal sign in the house, and thus represents that house in the chart. If the lord of a finance house ends up in a troublesome house, such as the 6th house of Struggle or the 12th house of Loss, or vice versa, finances will be problematical in general, and especially when activated by astrological timing factors. Where can your money be coming from? Any planet placed in a finance house will be the lord of some other house in the chart. That house, i.e., the area of life, that the planet is representing is a potential source of income. Likewise, the placement of the lord of the 2nd itself gives clues to sources of earning. For instance, if you have the lord of your 2nd house in the 4th, or the lord of the 4th in your 2nd, you can derive income from 4th house affairs such as real estate. In millionaire J. P. Morgan's chart we find the lord of the 4th in his 2nd house.
Planets also have special meanings inherent in their nature: Venus, the planet of Art and Luxury, if connected to your 2nd house, gives potential income from artistic endeavors and art related fields. Such is the case in the chart of Lord Tennyson, the poet, with Venus in his 2nd house. The planet that most generally represents difficulties, Saturn, placed in the 2nd, will make attainment of riches a slow and arduous process, as in the case of Mahatma Gandhi. Jupiter, the planet that signifies wealth in general, is most welcome in the 2nd house. We find Jupiter in the 2nd house in the birthcharts of Henry Ford and Bill Gates.
The 11th house of a chart is the house of Profit and Gain. In finances, it represents 'chunks' of money, whereas the 2nd represents the weekly paycheck. Thus the 11th can be looked to especially in the case of entrepreneurs, businessmen, consultants, and others who don't work a regular '9 to 5'. Again, the house's 'health' is determined by analyzing the house itself, as well as its lord, for the influence on it of benefic vs. challenging planets. If Jupiter, which in general represents Opportunity and Prosperity, is occupying the 11th house, or associated with its lord, then the chart is well on its way to proving to be a materially successful chart. Similarly, the involvement of Saturn or Ketu (the spiritual, non-material significator) gives the 11th less potential for benefits. Connections between the lord of your 11th and other houses, or vice versa, give indications of where 'profits' can come from. For instance, the lord of the 5th house, which amongst its many meanings is the house of speculation, when placed favorably in the 11th, gives money from investments. A connection between the 2nd house and the 11th house has a special name: Dhana Yoga, meaning Wealth Combination. Nelson Rockefeller's chart has the lord of the 11th in the 2nd house.
But even in a chart that shows financial problems, there are possibilities for relief. The 8th house of a chart, amongst its many meanings, is the house of 'Other People's Money', or Unearned Wealth. This simply translates into support from outside of one's own efforts. A strong and well-disposed 8th house will put the resources of others' at the person's fingertips. Paramahansa Yogananda, the famous Yogi, has the lard of his 5th house (Past Life Dividend) in the 8th house of his chart. The lord of the 7th house, the house of partnership, if placed in the 9th house of luck, brings Good Fortune through marriage. The 2nd house ruler, placed in the 7th, puts the planet representing income in the house of Partnership, thus: income from the partner (could also be from Business partners). As always, any combination of factors in a chart must be evaluated carefully using the formulas of Vedic Astrology to see if the result will be strong and benefic before predicting positive results.
The patterns shown in the natal chart are always regarded as being latent, i.e., they await activation. Vedic Astrologers look to two main activating systems: the Dashas (planetary period and sub-period) and the Transits (juxtaposing of planets in the Heavens alongside the Birth chart). The dasha system in Vedic Astrology tells you during which years of your life a certain potential shown in the chart will come into play for you. For finances, we are particularly looking for dashas that involve the 2nd and 11th houses of the natal chart. But dashas activating other houses can as well bring material improvement, for example: a dasha which activates a good connection between the 5th house of Investments and the 4th house of Property brings prosperity through real estate.The Transits are the easiest technique to use for determining when something happens, although it can get complicated when contradictory transits occur simultaneously. For a positive effect on finances, we first look to Jupiter, the planet of Increase and Prosperity. Thus, if Jupiter is transiting in the 2nd house, it generally represents an uptick in wages. When Jupiter transits your 3rd house, benefits can come from 3rd house people: siblings, close relatives, and neighbors. The 3rd house is also the house of Initiative and Self-promotion, so now would be the time to realize benefits through advertisement. Jupiter transiting your 8th house of 'Unearned Wealth' can indicate a loan from a bank, support from the partner, or even a Windfall such as an inheritance. When Jupiter is moving through your 10th house prosperity comes through an increase in Professional Activities. But, since nothing in the Heavens operates in isolation, the Astrologer always has to watch for possible countervailing factors (mainly other transits) that may limit Jupiter's effects.
Yet another technique for increasing one's prosperity is to utilize activation that comes through contact with another person. There is a highly developed system within Vedic Astrology for evaluating this, too complicated to go into here, but basically the idea is that prosperity factors inherent in your natal chart can be 'turned on' (or off!) by someone else's karma interacting with your own. Most commonly this is the marriage partner, but it can just as easily be an employer or employee, a teacher, a relative, etc. The analysis requires a birth chart from each of the people involved, and doesn't necessarily result in positive results going both ways, i.e., it may be that only one party benefits, or that one is actually impoverished by the other! This is why in traditional India prospective marriage partners, business partners, and even parents of a new-born would run to their astrologer and get an analysis of inter-chart connections to see if the person coming into their life would bring benefit them or not.
Planets on the Edge
One of the Vedic Astrology conundrums is how to read a planet that is in between two signs, i.e., in the last degree of one or the first degree of the next sign. The middle of a sign is considered the strongest placement for manifesting the energy of that sign; likewise the very beginning and end of a sign are considered weak. A planet located at the junction of two signs has a foot in two different worlds, and is denied full expression in either. The planet is literally 'moving' from one part of the cosmos to another; it is in transition, and thus at a disadvantage. There is a special term used for this condition, called 'Sandhi'.Since Vedic Astrology uses the 'equal house' system, where the borders of the sign correspond to the borders of a house, the sandhi planet also becomes a problem from the standpoint of analyzing which house (area of life) the planet is operating in. Since the planet is not distinctly contained in a particular house, it creates confusion in determining the functional nature of its energies. This confusion is then further spread to the other houses in the chart that the planet controls by virtue of its rulership of the signs in those houses, as well as determining which houses it is aspecting.The techniques available in Vedic Astrology can really split hairs. There are advanced methods used to determine more exactly which part of life a planet that 'sits on the fence' will lean towards. The more obvious method is to analyze your life experience. For instance, if Saturn sits between your 10th and 11th houses, do you have more trouble with your career (10th house) or your friends (11th house)? If Mars sits between your 3rd and 4th houses, do you fight more with your sibling or neighbor (3rd house) or your mother (4th house)? The answer will show which house the planet is having more influence on.If you have a sandhi planet in your Vedic Birth Chart, you have to be wary of its weakness. A weak planet is not able to follow through on its promise. Generally, you have to work harder to understand and bring out its potential for you: the planet works in mysterious ways, it is not dependable, and can become a source of trouble. The confusion of the planetary energies can sometimes be helped through the use of the appropriate gem, thus strengthening the planet's ability to manifest.
Similarly, when planets up in the Heavens are changing signs by transit, it is also considered unfavorable for activities that require that planet's energies. I.E., don't get married when Venus is changing signs; don't start construction when Saturn is changing signs. For the faster-moving planets (Mars, Mercury, Venus) this period lasts merely a day or so. For slower-moving planets (Jupiter and Saturn) the transition can stretch out for a week. Generally, it is not a good time for initiating new projects when any planet is sandhi, because the Vedic Birthchart of that endeavor would have a weakness that will plague it for its entire life.I like to think of a planet caught at the juncture of signs as a Threshold Planet, the idea being that the planet is about to enter its new home. The nature of a Threshold as a transition between two worlds implies transcendence. This brings us to the most preferred use of the sandhi times of a planet's journey: Spiritual Practice. The ancient texts recommend no important work be done when planets are sandhi, rather, one should spend time in prayer and meditation. Similarly, a Threshold planet in your birth chart forces you to engage in contemplating what it represents, to confront its confusion, and ultimately help to bring that planet more completely into its new home (house) in your life.
Similarly, when planets up in the Heavens are changing signs by transit, it is also considered unfavorable for activities that require that planet's energies. I.E., don't get married when Venus is changing signs; don't start construction when Saturn is changing signs. For the faster-moving planets (Mars, Mercury, Venus) this period lasts merely a day or so. For slower-moving planets (Jupiter and Saturn) the transition can stretch out for a week. Generally, it is not a good time for initiating new projects when any planet is sandhi, because the Vedic Birthchart of that endeavor would have a weakness that will plague it for its entire life.I like to think of a planet caught at the juncture of signs as a Threshold Planet, the idea being that the planet is about to enter its new home. The nature of a Threshold as a transition between two worlds implies transcendence. This brings us to the most preferred use of the sandhi times of a planet's journey: Spiritual Practice. The ancient texts recommend no important work be done when planets are sandhi, rather, one should spend time in prayer and meditation. Similarly, a Threshold planet in your birth chart forces you to engage in contemplating what it represents, to confront its confusion, and ultimately help to bring that planet more completely into its new home (house) in your life.
Vedic Astrology and Religion
What does Vedic Astrology say about Religion? The Vedas are the ancient sciences of India. One of the 'branches' of the Vedas is the science of Astrology. There is also an art to the interpretation of this science. Although people may pose the question “why do you believe in Astrology?”, Vedic Astrology itself is not, strictly speaking, a religion.Religion is about Belief, about Faith, and generally has some externalized form, a Deity (or more than one) to worship, pray to, propitiate, etc. Vedic Astrology comes from a religious culture, and although it uses the rich symbolism of the mythology of that culture extensively, the rules of chart interpretation are essentially rational and thus scientific in their application. The raw material, the positions of the planets relative to the Earth, is itself mathematically determined observable phenomena and thus also scientific.The science of Astrology recognizes that there is a natural desire and tendency for humans to acquire a belief system. The part of the chart that primarily speaks to this is the 9th house of Dharma, a word meaning variously Path, Law, Religion, Truth, Destiny. Another indicator is the planet Jupiter. Certain of the astrological signs are as well strongly predisposed towards religion. But as always in chart interpretation, all factors have to be considered to come to a verifiable conclusion. For instance, even in a chart that looks 'religious', if the person has indications of a strong ego, the religion will be mainly self-serving; a religion of one's self. A chart that has a great deal of emphasis on the 4th house indicates one needs a religion that espouses 'family values'. A strong connection with the 12th house inclines one to a religion with charitable, humanitarian values.Being a science, Vedic Astrology doesn't take sides. The type and quality of the Belief System is the question that can be answered: one seeks God in the church, another in a beer can. In our currently polarized Western culture, we have religions of all kinds: some are devoted and pray to pop stars. If the chart shows the person is devoted and conventional, then socially acceptable set of beliefs with a devotional component is indicated. Another person may be inclined towards a 'modern' or a foreign religion: Rahu in the 9th house is one indicator of this. When the chart contains a retrograde Jupiter the person is more inclined towards a religion that promises personal experience of the Divine: Jupiter is the planet of belief, the retrograde condition makes the person look inward.This last brings up the point of Religion vs. Spirituality. One can be spiritually inclined yet not be a subscriber to a particular organized religion. They are generally treated separately in Vedic Astrology, if we define spirituality as being more about rapture and personal experience of the Divine and religion as being more belief and faith. Vedic Astrology comes from a culture that has traditionally acknowledged both: the people praying in the temple as well as the yogi sitting in the cave. The 'yogi in the cave' part is usually found through emphasis on the 8th house of mystery and power while the 9th house is more 'organized worship'…. But then we have a couple of houses which seem to apply to both camps: the 5th house of spiritual practices, and the 12th house which is simultaneously separation from society, as well as charity to those in need. Often the question is asked of the Astrologer: “what spiritual practices should I follow?” Again, there is no simple answer, but some indications can be found though the primary factors of Moon and Rising Sign. For example: if there's an emphasis on Air signs, then there has to be an intellectual component, if an emphasis on Water, then a devotional component. The location of the 12th house ruler is also used: in the 2nd house of speech, one could try japa (repetition of sounds), if in the 6th, practice service to others, in the 7th, the spirituality of conjugal relationship.As always, things get pretty muddied up by the various writings and interpretations that have been laid down over the centuries, and not much help comes from our current situation, which is complicated, to say the least. Used to be, you were either religious or not, a householder or an acetic. Now we have so many choices. Yet the human pattern of needing some guiding light still needs to be satisfied, and with the help of Vedic Astrology, we can get some insight into our personal path.
Vedic Astrology and Religion
What does Vedic Astrology say about Religion? The Vedas are the ancient sciences of India. One of the 'branches' of the Vedas is the science of Astrology. There is also an art to the interpretation of this science. Although people may pose the question “why do you believe in Astrology?”, Vedic Astrology itself is not, strictly speaking, a religion.Religion is about Belief, about Faith, and generally has some externalized form, a Deity (or more than one) to worship, pray to, propitiate, etc. Vedic Astrology comes from a religious culture, and although it uses the rich symbolism of the mythology of that culture extensively, the rules of chart interpretation are essentially rational and thus scientific in their application. The raw material, the positions of the planets relative to the Earth, is itself mathematically determined observable phenomena and thus also scientific.The science of Astrology recognizes that there is a natural desire and tendency for humans to acquire a belief system. The part of the chart that primarily speaks to this is the 9th house of Dharma, a word meaning variously Path, Law, Religion, Truth, Destiny. Another indicator is the planet Jupiter. Certain of the astrological signs are as well strongly predisposed towards religion. But as always in chart interpretation, all factors have to be considered to come to a verifiable conclusion. For instance, even in a chart that looks 'religious', if the person has indications of a strong ego, the religion will be mainly self-serving; a religion of one's self. A chart that has a great deal of emphasis on the 4th house indicates one needs a religion that espouses 'family values'. A strong connection with the 12th house inclines one to a religion with charitable, humanitarian values.Being a science, Vedic Astrology doesn't take sides. The type and quality of the Belief System is the question that can be answered: one seeks God in the church, another in a beer can. In our currently polarized Western culture, we have religions of all kinds: some are devoted and pray to pop stars. If the chart shows the person is devoted and conventional, then socially acceptable set of beliefs with a devotional component is indicated. Another person may be inclined towards a 'modern' or a foreign religion: Rahu in the 9th house is one indicator of this. When the chart contains a retrograde Jupiter the person is more inclined towards a religion that promises personal experience of the Divine: Jupiter is the planet of belief, the retrograde condition makes the person look inward.This last brings up the point of Religion vs. Spirituality. One can be spiritually inclined yet not be a subscriber to a particular organized religion. They are generally treated separately in Vedic Astrology, if we define spirituality as being more about rapture and personal experience of the Divine and religion as being more belief and faith. Vedic Astrology comes from a culture that has traditionally acknowledged both: the people praying in the temple as well as the yogi sitting in the cave. The 'yogi in the cave' part is usually found through emphasis on the 8th house of mystery and power while the 9th house is more 'organized worship'…. But then we have a couple of houses which seem to apply to both camps: the 5th house of spiritual practices, and the 12th house which is simultaneously separation from society, as well as charity to those in need. Often the question is asked of the Astrologer: “what spiritual practices should I follow?” Again, there is no simple answer, but some indications can be found though the primary factors of Moon and Rising Sign. For example: if there's an emphasis on Air signs, then there has to be an intellectual component, if an emphasis on Water, then a devotional component. The location of the 12th house ruler is also used: in the 2nd house of speech, one could try japa (repetition of sounds), if in the 6th, practice service to others, in the 7th, the spirituality of conjugal relationship.As always, things get pretty muddied up by the various writings and interpretations that have been laid down over the centuries, and not much help comes from our current situation, which is complicated, to say the least. Used to be, you were either religious or not, a householder or an acetic. Now we have so many choices. Yet the human pattern of needing some guiding light still needs to be satisfied, and with the help of Vedic Astrology, we can get some insight into our personal path.
Gender in Vedic Astrology
The implication is that, given a certain chart, would life be different with a different gender?According to spiritual principles, everyone has both sexes within them, it's just that one or the other predominates, giving us our physical gender. Likewise in Vedic Astrology, the chart alone doesn't specify the sex of its owner, but regardless of physical gender, we can tell if a person has more masculine or more feminine qualities. This is because the planets and the signs themselves have gender qualities, and by the rules of interpretation, certain factors will predominate over others.For instance, the Sun and Mars are obviously masculine. If both are strong in a chart- woman or man- the person has 'male' qualities of dominance and leadership. Likewise, the Moon and Venus represent the feminine side. If strong, even in a male chart, they give qualities of nurturance and attractiveness. Likewise, all the rest of the Heavenly indicators have gender, and all are present in every chart.Yet, the planets will not act exactly the same in a man's chart compared to a woman's. The nurturing qualities of the Moon typically get more expression in a female as compared to a male. The Moon also represents the cyclical part of a woman's body, which obviously gets much less play in the body of a man. The aggression of Mars in a Man's chart gets more opportunity for expression in society whereas in a woman's chart it has fewer acceptable outlets (although in our modern culture this has changed somewhat).So, in answer to the question posed above, yes, your life would be different were you born of a different sex. To give an example: say Venus, the planet signifying beauty, is placed in its own sign Taurus in the first house, the house that shows physical appearance. In either a man or woman's chart, this would give the person the benefit of being physically attractive. Now, if in the same chart, say that the Sun and Mars are in Cancer, a sign that softens these planets' masculine qualities. What looks like a potentially good chart for a woman: attractive, caring, and emotional, would simultaneously indicate a rather effeminate man.Likewise, if Mars is prominent in a chart, a man would make use of this energy to drive himself towards success and likewise be dominating in partnership. In a traditional male-female relationship, this would be acceptable. The same chart for a woman, though it may make her eager for success, would spell disaster in relationship, because most men can't handle being dominated by a woman.
There are other factors in analyzing a chart where gender makes a difference in the interpretation. Venus, generally the planet of relationship, represents the marriage partner, but only in a man's chart. Whereas in a woman's chart, her husband is indicated by Jupiter. Also, in a woman's chart, Mars is the planet of her sexuality, but for a Man, it is Venus. The Moon, as mentioned before, has a special relevance in female charts with regard to the physical well-being. Venus contributes special meaning here as well for female hormones.The signs have qualities of Male and Female: the odd-numbered signs (beginning with Aries as No.1) being male, the even-numbered ones, female. Again, a predominance of one gender in signs will incline the person towards more male or female qualities. Having a chart that has most of the planet occupied signs the same as the person's sex makes for an easier expression of the energies, the reverse tends to create difficulties.Gender is an aspect of form that the soul chooses to experience on this plane. How the gender fits with the inherent qualities one is born with constitutes a major factor in the karmas to be encountered in this lifetime.
There are other factors in analyzing a chart where gender makes a difference in the interpretation. Venus, generally the planet of relationship, represents the marriage partner, but only in a man's chart. Whereas in a woman's chart, her husband is indicated by Jupiter. Also, in a woman's chart, Mars is the planet of her sexuality, but for a Man, it is Venus. The Moon, as mentioned before, has a special relevance in female charts with regard to the physical well-being. Venus contributes special meaning here as well for female hormones.The signs have qualities of Male and Female: the odd-numbered signs (beginning with Aries as No.1) being male, the even-numbered ones, female. Again, a predominance of one gender in signs will incline the person towards more male or female qualities. Having a chart that has most of the planet occupied signs the same as the person's sex makes for an easier expression of the energies, the reverse tends to create difficulties.Gender is an aspect of form that the soul chooses to experience on this plane. How the gender fits with the inherent qualities one is born with constitutes a major factor in the karmas to be encountered in this lifetime.
Fate Versus Free Will
Vedic Astrology is often accused of putting too much emphasis on fate. In Western culture we prefer the idea that we are each the creators of our own path in life, that we live in a “free-will universe.” One’s success in life is defined by how much one is able to bring personal desires to fruition. Yet, how many of us get everything that we want? Even a cursory examination of our lives shows that much of what happens seems beyond our control. Is this because of fate?In this culture it is popular to say that if you are not getting everything you want in life it is because you are not making enough effort, you are not manifesting enough “intention,” you don’t believe enough in yourself, etc.… These are all ways of saying, “Shame on you,” for the problem. Or, we can take a more Eastern view and blame it on “your karma.” Well, what if the truth were actually a mix of both of these viewpoints?The modern science of Quantum Physics proposes that, at any given time, there are a multiple of possible futures. Which of these possible futures will occur depends on the strength of the probability associated with it. Vedic Astrology recognizes the same condition because many astrological factors are simultaneously going to be in play at any particular time. Which of the possibilities indicated in an astrology chart will be strong enough to manifest? The rules and calculations of Vedic Astrology seek to determine this by assessing the relative strength of the possible futures.But one thing that cannot be so easily determined—in Quantum Physics or in Vedic Astrology— is our awareness of the situation and our response to that awareness. If we know about the simultaneous possible futures, can this knowledge and our subsequent actions influence which future manifests? The answer, it seems, is: “Sometimes yes; sometimes no.”This then, brings in the element of fate. When the factors that determine which future will manifest are strong enough that they can’t be influenced by our present actions, we get “fate,” i.e., that which is beyond our control. At other times, the factors are not so strong, or are pulling in directions that counterbalance each other. In this case it seems our consciousness and actions can tip the balance, giving us the opportunity to exercise our “free will.”Therefore, the crucial ingredient in deciding which possible future prevails can be how well informed we are about the energy pattern that will bring results in our human world. For instance when Mars, the planet of accidents is transiting directly opposite your rising degree it creates a pattern that indicates the likelihood of an undesirable event. If this pattern reinforces other factors in the natal chart then a higher potential for this possible future results.But is our “free will” really free? Each of us is conditioned by our past. We each have built-in preferences, learned behavior, fears, considerations, and other self-restricting psychological patterns that inhibit real freedom of choice. These individualized qualities are also depicted in the birth chart. Awareness of them helps us to understand how we habitually limit our free will.
LIVING LIFE SKILLFULLY WITH VEDIC ASTROLOGY
In Vedic Astrology the birth chart shows us the karma and destiny we are born with. But it is through predictive analysis that we will find out if, and when a particular karma or destiny will be realized. Few people live up to their full potential. Much of what is promised in the birth chart can lie dormant or latent, awaiting some means of activation. Vedic Astrology recognizes this and has systemized a number of techniques to reveal when a particular potential is likely to be realized. This Activation of Potentials can be broadly classified as internal or external.The internal mechanisms of activation are processes of timing, which work like clocks that begin ticking away starting out from the time of birth. Included here we have the various dasha systems (planetary periods of influence), the progressions and the transit cycles. Each of these timing systems will “turn on” particular potentials in your chart at specific times during the lifespan. The internal activations share the common factor of being automatic, i.e., beyond our conscious control. They illustrate the unfolding of our life’s development, of our karma. Since they are all mathematically determinable, they are easy to track with modern computer software programs.The other way in which potentials in our birth chart can be activated is externally, i.e., with our conscious will playing a part. Whenever we interact with someone, our birth chart intermingles with that other person’s planetary positions. The two charts, juxtaposed against each other, become mutual activators for various potentials in each other. This is the basis of compatibility analysis in astrology. In theory at least, we have some say about whom we associate with. We can, armed with astrological data, forecast whether our interaction with another person will create favorable or unfavorable activation of our latent potentials.
We can also have conscious effect on our potentials through the various remedial actions. The use of gems for the enhancement of a particular planet’s energies is one such technique. By using the appropriate gem we can encourage potentials which, though favorable in our chart, need a “boost” to bring them up to where they will materialize more readily. Certainly our conscious acts help to stimulate favorable potentials and avoid undesirable ones. The most recommended of these remedial actions are prayer and meritorious deeds.
The ancient texts are full of specific prayers, mantras and charitable actions, designed to encourage or discourage particular karmas as indicated in the birth chart.
Locational Astrology, where one moves to a place on our planet which will emphasize particular birth chart factors, is yet another technique to use for external activation. Similarly, we can look to this method to understand why the place where we live is giving rise to detrimental activation or could favorably improve our life.Determining the what and when of activation is only part of the picture. We would like more specifics, such as whether the activation will give us positive or negative results. To know the quality of the activation we have to look at two things. First, the birth chart factor being energized —is it predisposed for favorable or unfavorable results?
Secondly, what is the nature of the activator and how will it interact with the potential shown in the birth chart? For instance, Saturn transiting over your natal Moon can give good results if your natal Moon is adapted to Saturn’s energy. In that case this transit will activate positive interactions with older and more established people, and give gains through taking on responsibilities—things that Saturn represents. Whereas, in another chart where the Moon is poorly conditioned to receive Saturn’s energy, this transit will give much hardship.Vedic Astrology always tries to predict events with accuracy. Powerful combinations of planets in the natal chart will readily manifest their promise and need only modest activation to stimulate creation of events—these are easy to predict. Other, often desirable potentials need a stronger “push” to give results. Determining the strength of activation becomes crucial for knowing if a promised event is going to manifest, or merely show up as hopes and dreams.Vedic Astrology is full of rules and formulas to help in this regard, but probably the most obvious and reliable technique is to watch for multiple activation. For instance: A planetary period (dasha) highlights a part of the natal chart for several years. A strong, slow-moving planet like Jupiter enters that same sector of the chart, creating more activation during a particular year. Another planet transits opposite a sensitive point associated with that same area of life and now, with multiple activation in play, we know that the probability of something happening is high.Note that all of the foregoing are internal activators, i.e., beyond conscious control. But now, knowing the timing for strongest activation, we can bring into play the external, conscious activation. In other words, by aligning the timing of our actions with the timing indicated by chart activation, we act in harmony with our destiny, getting determinable results and thus, live our lives more skillfully.
We can also have conscious effect on our potentials through the various remedial actions. The use of gems for the enhancement of a particular planet’s energies is one such technique. By using the appropriate gem we can encourage potentials which, though favorable in our chart, need a “boost” to bring them up to where they will materialize more readily. Certainly our conscious acts help to stimulate favorable potentials and avoid undesirable ones. The most recommended of these remedial actions are prayer and meritorious deeds.
The ancient texts are full of specific prayers, mantras and charitable actions, designed to encourage or discourage particular karmas as indicated in the birth chart.
Locational Astrology, where one moves to a place on our planet which will emphasize particular birth chart factors, is yet another technique to use for external activation. Similarly, we can look to this method to understand why the place where we live is giving rise to detrimental activation or could favorably improve our life.Determining the what and when of activation is only part of the picture. We would like more specifics, such as whether the activation will give us positive or negative results. To know the quality of the activation we have to look at two things. First, the birth chart factor being energized —is it predisposed for favorable or unfavorable results?
Secondly, what is the nature of the activator and how will it interact with the potential shown in the birth chart? For instance, Saturn transiting over your natal Moon can give good results if your natal Moon is adapted to Saturn’s energy. In that case this transit will activate positive interactions with older and more established people, and give gains through taking on responsibilities—things that Saturn represents. Whereas, in another chart where the Moon is poorly conditioned to receive Saturn’s energy, this transit will give much hardship.Vedic Astrology always tries to predict events with accuracy. Powerful combinations of planets in the natal chart will readily manifest their promise and need only modest activation to stimulate creation of events—these are easy to predict. Other, often desirable potentials need a stronger “push” to give results. Determining the strength of activation becomes crucial for knowing if a promised event is going to manifest, or merely show up as hopes and dreams.Vedic Astrology is full of rules and formulas to help in this regard, but probably the most obvious and reliable technique is to watch for multiple activation. For instance: A planetary period (dasha) highlights a part of the natal chart for several years. A strong, slow-moving planet like Jupiter enters that same sector of the chart, creating more activation during a particular year. Another planet transits opposite a sensitive point associated with that same area of life and now, with multiple activation in play, we know that the probability of something happening is high.Note that all of the foregoing are internal activators, i.e., beyond conscious control. But now, knowing the timing for strongest activation, we can bring into play the external, conscious activation. In other words, by aligning the timing of our actions with the timing indicated by chart activation, we act in harmony with our destiny, getting determinable results and thus, live our lives more skillfully.
Ketu Indicates the Mystery of Past Lives
Past Lives, or Rebirth as it is often referred to, is not a theory in Hindu culture; it is a fact. Generally we have amnesia about out past lives, but with the help of Vedic Astrology we can get some clues about where we came from, and how that past is influencing our present circumstances.One of the best techniques for examining the past life is through the analysis of the placement of Ketu in the natal astrology chart. Ketu is the South Node of the Moon, one of two eclipse points: crossover points of the path of the Moon with that of the Sun, as seen from the Earth. Ketu is known as the 'inlet point' for past life karmas. Here the word karma is referring to past life completed actions. The prior activity of the soul comes through in this lifetime as unconscious behavior patterns, naturally familiar due to the prior experiences. The past life actions have created a 'groove' in the soul's memory. Thus, in this life, we are prone to fall back into that groove.Opposite Ketu is Rahu, the North Node, which is considered to represent the karmas (actions) that have to be encountered in this lifetime for the soul's continued education. The relative strength of Ketu vs. Rahu has to be determined to tell whether the person tends to 'hang out' in the old, familiar, past life behaviors, or else embraces the new lessons shown by the Rahu position. Additionally, at different times in one's life one or the other of the Nodes will be emphasized, most notably during the Dashas (the planetary periods) connected with that node, but also through activation from other planets when they transit over the natal nodal positions. The activation of Ketu brings up unresolved issues from the past. The activation of Rahu makes us confront dilemmas related to what we are becoming in this life's incarnation.If we wish to take a more active part in our soul's evolution, and move forward in this life, it would be good to understand more about our past life. We can become aware of where we are repeating the past; where we fall back into the old groove. The Houses of the chart correspond to specific different areas of human activity. Thus, the house position of Ketu in your Vedic Astrology chart will tell you something of what activities in the former life were a dominant concern.For instance, if Ketu is placed in the 3rd house of everyday survival, then running around doing errands, keeping busy with the affairs of close relatives and neighbors, and promoting oneself to others with gossip, etc., are familiar activities that one tends to naturally fall into. In this case, Rahu's placement would indicate that the lessons of the opposite 9th house: the pursuit of higher knowledge, practice of religion, relationship with father and guru, are areas that need development. If the reverse is true, where Ketu is in the 9th house, then one has a tendency to study scripture, hang out in an 'ivory tower', and/ or stick to a religion or philosophy inherited from the past life. Rahu's corresponding position shows the 3rd house with its practical everyday requirements, cooperation with others, and development of mundane skills to be what one has to focus on this time.The sign that Ketu occupies gives us clues about the qualities of the person we were in the former birth that become natural inclinations in this lifetime. These qualities are particularly obvious while we are young: the past life is still fresh in the soul's memory. The opposite sign position of Rahu shows what qualities and attitudes the soul seeks to learn to express in this birth. If Ketu is in Sagittarius, then you come in with a strong belief that your own way is best, that your own freedom to act comes first, and so feel threatened by anything that comes from another's reality. What you need to learn is to become more 'Gemini-like': to be interested in gathering more data, cultivate an interest in other people's truths, and to enjoy the exchange of ideas. Another example: if you are born with Ketu in Virgo, the past life was given over to the examination of details, with a need for exactness, getting everything right, and an attachment to order and routine. This lifetime you need to become more Piscean: be aware of the universal consciousness, surrender to the Higher Power, and trust what can't be measured or controlled.A more detailed analysis of the relative strength of Ketu vs. Rahu is necessary to determine which house and sign position tends to predominate in one's life, and what potential issues will arise from the imbalance. But by simply knowing our own chart's nodal locations we can become more aware of unconscious behavior patterns inherited from the past birth and thus see more clearly what we have to overcome to continue on our path.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Misconceptions About Sadesati
Sadesati one of the most terrible periods, according to the believers in astrology, is the dreaded 7-1/2 years of Saturn transit called "Sadesati" in North India and "Elinatishani" in South India. When the transiting Saturn transits the 12th, 1st and 2nd houses from one's Rasi, i.e., where one's Moon is placed in the birth chart, it is called Sadesati. ( Saturn takes 30 years to make one round of the zodiac hence 2-1/2 years in each sign multiplied by 3 = 7-1/2 years).While it is true that during this 7-1/2 years Saturn transit period people do experience some tensions and troubles, it is nothing to be scared about. On an average every man has to go through at least 2 sadesatis during his life time. The results of the sadesati transit vary considerably from person to person depending on the planetary configurations in one's birth chart. Even while giving some troubles and tensions, it does not deny you success. For example when Mrs. Indira Gandhi became a Cabinet Minister for Information and Broadcasting in 1964, she was going through her Sadesati! In January 1966 when she became Prime Minister she was still going through her Sadesati!! There are thousands of people who not only got away scot-free during sadesati, but actually prospered during it.All kinds of dreadful results are forecast by the astrologers to scare the people and apart from living under fear, people spend a lot of money quite unnecessarily on all kinds of remedies. Actually the pundits love Saturn, Mangal, Rahu and Ketu, the fearsome four names in Indian astrology, as they have given more money to them by way of remedies than the benefic like jupiter or sun!There are plenty of remedies for sadesati, the most effective being the daily reciting of Hanuman Chalisa or the Dasaratha Shani stotra.Saturn, which according to Hindu mythology is the son of Sun God, is an excellent planet. No other planet can give what Saturn can. In fact having a well placed saturn in ones chart is one of the best things to hope for! When Mrs. Indira Gandhi re-elected PM, she was going through the mahadasa of Saturn. When Amitab Bacchan was at his peak, he was also going through Saturn mahadasa. Unfortunately people and the pundits ignore the positive side of Saturn and project it only as an evil planet.
Sadesati
Sadesati is one of the hardest period in every one's life. Saturn is belived to be planet of sorrow & hardships. Saturn completes its rotation around the Sun in 30 years. Thus Saturn passes through each sign for a period of 2½ years.
When Saturn passes through the 12th Rashi (sign) from the birth moon sign, the sadesati begins. When Saturn passes through the 2nd sign from the birth sign, sadesati comes to an end.
Depending on the power of the original horoscope, original Saturn, Jupiter & their placements in horoscope, the hardships & damages during the sadesati vary. Some of the results of sdesati are frequent failures, loss of property, money, illness, trouble in the career, worry e.t.c. It is advisable to wear a Stainless/Silver/Gold Ring of Neelmani (Blue Saphire) in the middle finger of right hand during sadesati. It is advised to first test if theBlue Saphire is useful, by placing it in the pocket, or tying to the arm e.t.c. So also this ring needs to be powered by mantras. Consult a knowledgeable Astrologer.
During sadesati reading the Shani Stotra gives a good protection from sadesati.
Visit the following blogspot for all details about Sadesati: http://sadesati.blogspot.com/
When Saturn passes through the 12th Rashi (sign) from the birth moon sign, the sadesati begins. When Saturn passes through the 2nd sign from the birth sign, sadesati comes to an end.
Depending on the power of the original horoscope, original Saturn, Jupiter & their placements in horoscope, the hardships & damages during the sadesati vary. Some of the results of sdesati are frequent failures, loss of property, money, illness, trouble in the career, worry e.t.c. It is advisable to wear a Stainless/Silver/Gold Ring of Neelmani (Blue Saphire) in the middle finger of right hand during sadesati. It is advised to first test if theBlue Saphire is useful, by placing it in the pocket, or tying to the arm e.t.c. So also this ring needs to be powered by mantras. Consult a knowledgeable Astrologer.
During sadesati reading the Shani Stotra gives a good protection from sadesati.
Visit the following blogspot for all details about Sadesati: http://sadesati.blogspot.com/
Misconceptions About Rakshasagana
The second major misconception while matching horoscopes of marriage is Rakshasagana. Once again this becomes a highly objectionable thing in case of a girl.
While matching horoscopes for a marriage under the Koota matching system, the birth stars in which the Moon is placed at the time of birth, called Janma Nakshatra, in which the bride and bridegroom are born, are analyzed and matched for various compatibility factors. One of them is the Ganas of the nakshatra. All the 27 Nakshatras come under 3 groups. They are Deva Gana, Manushyagana and Rakshasagana. If both bride and bridegroom are born in the same Gana then the matching is supposed to be the best. So the best combination is Deva-Deva, Manushya - Manushya and Rakshasa-Rakshasa. In the Gana matching this combination gets 4 out of 4 points. The next best is between Deva-Manushya and Manushya-Rakshasa. This gets a score of 2 out of 4 points. The last and worst combination is Deva-Rakshasa which gets a score of 0 out of 4 points. This is as per the detailed South Indian Dasha Koota matching system. In the North Indian Ashtakoota Matching system the Gana matching is allotted 6 points and you get either 6, 3 or 0.
Unfortunately too much importance is given to this Gana matching because of two reasons. Firstly as in case of Mangala Dosha, the person born under Rakshasagana has more confident and aggressive tendencies and hence this becomes a major taboo for a girl. Secondly a good Gana matching enhances prosperity. However, what the average public and even a lot of astrologers fail to take into account is the fact that, out of the total 35 point Koota matching, the Gana matching carries only 3 points. What is even more important is the fact that out of the 9 planets we are only taking into account the Ganas of the stars in which the Moon is placed at birth and totally ignoring the Ganas of the stars in which the balanced 8 planets are placed.
Hence it is foolhardy to attach too much importance to Gana dosha
While matching horoscopes for a marriage under the Koota matching system, the birth stars in which the Moon is placed at the time of birth, called Janma Nakshatra, in which the bride and bridegroom are born, are analyzed and matched for various compatibility factors. One of them is the Ganas of the nakshatra. All the 27 Nakshatras come under 3 groups. They are Deva Gana, Manushyagana and Rakshasagana. If both bride and bridegroom are born in the same Gana then the matching is supposed to be the best. So the best combination is Deva-Deva, Manushya - Manushya and Rakshasa-Rakshasa. In the Gana matching this combination gets 4 out of 4 points. The next best is between Deva-Manushya and Manushya-Rakshasa. This gets a score of 2 out of 4 points. The last and worst combination is Deva-Rakshasa which gets a score of 0 out of 4 points. This is as per the detailed South Indian Dasha Koota matching system. In the North Indian Ashtakoota Matching system the Gana matching is allotted 6 points and you get either 6, 3 or 0.
Unfortunately too much importance is given to this Gana matching because of two reasons. Firstly as in case of Mangala Dosha, the person born under Rakshasagana has more confident and aggressive tendencies and hence this becomes a major taboo for a girl. Secondly a good Gana matching enhances prosperity. However, what the average public and even a lot of astrologers fail to take into account is the fact that, out of the total 35 point Koota matching, the Gana matching carries only 3 points. What is even more important is the fact that out of the 9 planets we are only taking into account the Ganas of the stars in which the Moon is placed at birth and totally ignoring the Ganas of the stars in which the balanced 8 planets are placed.
Hence it is foolhardy to attach too much importance to Gana dosha
Misconceptions About Mangala Dosha / Kuja Dosha:
One of the biggest misconceptions and fears in the Hindu society with respect to marriage is the presence of Mangala Dosha or Kuja Dosha in the chart of a boy or a girl. I have seen a countless number of good matches being rejected by people just because the boy or the girl has Mangala Dosha present in the chart.
Even the various Shastras of astrology differ as to in which houses it is present, what the exceptions are and what the effects and remedies are. According to some authorities Mars is placed in the 1,2,4,7,8,12, from lagna causes Kuja Dosha. Some authorities omit the 1st house and some others omit the 2nd house.
Some astrologers thump the table and quote Parashara and Varahamihira to prove their point. To start with most of the astrologers only have a very hazy idea of the sastras. On top of that, let me tell you that the existing shastras and their translations are not very pure! Take for example the Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra of Rishi Parashara. In chapter 2 verse 5-7 we have the following: "Rama is the incarnation of the Sun, Krishna of the moon, Narasimha that of Mars, Buddha that of Mercury, Vamana that of Jupiter, Parashurama that of Venus, Koorma that of Saturn, Varaha that of Rahu and Matsya that of Ketu". Sounds great. However, according to astrology Parashara was the father of Vedavyasa who wrote the Mahabharata. According to our calculations the Mahabharata period was 2500 BC to 3200 BC., or around 1200BC. according to the western historians. Buddha belonged to the much later and fairly authentically recorded period. He died in 544BC. Then how did Parashara say that Buddha is the Avatara of Mercury more than a millennium before? If he were forecasting then he would have clearly stated that "Buddha avatara will be born". Obviously some of the people who wrote the shastras added a few things of their own!
Rishi Parashara, in his Brihat Parasara Horasastra, chapter 81, verse 47 said the following: "If Mars is placed in the Lagna, 12th, 4th, 7th and 8th houses, without any aspect or conjunction of the benefic planets, the husband of such a woman will certainly have an early death." So it is clear that if Mars has the aspect or association of a benefic, there is no dosha. It must be noted that in the very next verse, verse 48, he gave the other important exception as follows: "The yoga in which a woman takes birth and becomes a widow, if a male takes birth, he also becomes a widower. If a woman with the widowhood yoga marries a man with similar yoga, such yoga will be cancelled." So the 2nd exception given by him is that this feared dosha is cancelled if both the girl and the boy have mangal dosha.
However by and large the majority of the astrologers include the 2nd house also in the mangala dosha and accept the 6 houses. As there are 12 houses in a horoscope and as Mars in 6 houses causes Mangala Dosha, it simply means that 50% of the people born have Kuja Dosha of some level. Hence it goes without saying that this Mangala Dosha is not something which will ruin a person, because it is not the intention of God to condemn half of mankind.
The prevalent misconceptions are that, if a person has Martian affliction it will either ruin the marriage or will cause one's death or the death of the partner. Especially if a girl has Kuja or Mangala Dosha, called "Mangali", she is looked upon as a devil by the mother-in-law. Nothing can be farther than the truth. First let us examine what the Kuja Dosha is all about and how it affects marriage.
The planet Mars symbolizes courage, aggression, vitality, confidence, fighting spirit and warrior qualities. If Mars is placed in any of these 6 houses, it gives aggressive tendencies to either the person or the spouse. In certain cases if Mars is malefic to the native, it also gives danger to life, provided that other bad combinations are also present. These two are the main negative qualities. Hence the first reason for the "Dosha Complex" is that - in the olden days the ideal wife was regarded as one who is meek, obedient and submissive. Hence a girl with the so called Martian afflictions, who is likely to have courage and fighting spirit, was considered by our MCP society as a girl with "Dosha". The second possible reason for the "Dosha Complex" is that during the war torn middle ages when a lot of the sastras were written, a "Martian person", who is normally well built, courageous, aggressive and has fighting qualities, was a prime candidate to be recruited by the king for his army and hence the chances of his death or serious injury were quite strong. In the present changed circumstances it is foolishness of the highest order to be scared simply because one has Mangal Dosha.
However, Mangala Dosha is not something that can be ignored. It does cause marital discord. Before marriage it is very essential to match horoscopes for Kuja Dosha. If a person has Kuja Dosha in the horoscope the spouse must also have Kuja Dosha. This way the Dosha is cancelled. Otherwise both should be without any Dosha. Various "authorities and experts" have given a lot of exceptions and cancellations for the Dosha. They are so many that almost everything is cancelled! The truth is that in majority of the cases the so called exceptions and cancellations do not work.
Mangala dosha is present in 6 houses. This Kuja Dosha or Mangala Dosha must be examined from the Moon, Venus and Saturn also. Percentage of Mangala dosha in each house is as described here. In 8th house the dosha is full, in lagna 1/2, in 7th 1/4, in 4th 1/8 and in 12th and 2nd houses 1/16. As per the exceptions and cancellations.
No dosha if mars is in its its own house or exaltation house. No dosha if aspected by a benefic.
If a strong benefic is placed in the 9th house then the dosha of Mars in the 7th and 8th is cancelled.
However apart from the Mars, the planets Saturn, Sun and Rahu also cause similar dosha! From the point of view of causing dosha, if Mars causes 100% dosha, Saturn causes 75% dosha, Sun causes 50% dosha and rahu causes 25% dosha. These doshas must also be evaluated similarly!
As per the koota matching his advise was to give more importance to dina, gana, rasi, yoni and rajju and less to the others. So much so for the nadi dosha fear!
The matching of horoscopes and especially the extent of Mangala Dosha is the job of an experienced astrologer and must be done after carefully analyzing both the horoscopes.
Even the various Shastras of astrology differ as to in which houses it is present, what the exceptions are and what the effects and remedies are. According to some authorities Mars is placed in the 1,2,4,7,8,12, from lagna causes Kuja Dosha. Some authorities omit the 1st house and some others omit the 2nd house.
Some astrologers thump the table and quote Parashara and Varahamihira to prove their point. To start with most of the astrologers only have a very hazy idea of the sastras. On top of that, let me tell you that the existing shastras and their translations are not very pure! Take for example the Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra of Rishi Parashara. In chapter 2 verse 5-7 we have the following: "Rama is the incarnation of the Sun, Krishna of the moon, Narasimha that of Mars, Buddha that of Mercury, Vamana that of Jupiter, Parashurama that of Venus, Koorma that of Saturn, Varaha that of Rahu and Matsya that of Ketu". Sounds great. However, according to astrology Parashara was the father of Vedavyasa who wrote the Mahabharata. According to our calculations the Mahabharata period was 2500 BC to 3200 BC., or around 1200BC. according to the western historians. Buddha belonged to the much later and fairly authentically recorded period. He died in 544BC. Then how did Parashara say that Buddha is the Avatara of Mercury more than a millennium before? If he were forecasting then he would have clearly stated that "Buddha avatara will be born". Obviously some of the people who wrote the shastras added a few things of their own!
Rishi Parashara, in his Brihat Parasara Horasastra, chapter 81, verse 47 said the following: "If Mars is placed in the Lagna, 12th, 4th, 7th and 8th houses, without any aspect or conjunction of the benefic planets, the husband of such a woman will certainly have an early death." So it is clear that if Mars has the aspect or association of a benefic, there is no dosha. It must be noted that in the very next verse, verse 48, he gave the other important exception as follows: "The yoga in which a woman takes birth and becomes a widow, if a male takes birth, he also becomes a widower. If a woman with the widowhood yoga marries a man with similar yoga, such yoga will be cancelled." So the 2nd exception given by him is that this feared dosha is cancelled if both the girl and the boy have mangal dosha.
However by and large the majority of the astrologers include the 2nd house also in the mangala dosha and accept the 6 houses. As there are 12 houses in a horoscope and as Mars in 6 houses causes Mangala Dosha, it simply means that 50% of the people born have Kuja Dosha of some level. Hence it goes without saying that this Mangala Dosha is not something which will ruin a person, because it is not the intention of God to condemn half of mankind.
The prevalent misconceptions are that, if a person has Martian affliction it will either ruin the marriage or will cause one's death or the death of the partner. Especially if a girl has Kuja or Mangala Dosha, called "Mangali", she is looked upon as a devil by the mother-in-law. Nothing can be farther than the truth. First let us examine what the Kuja Dosha is all about and how it affects marriage.
The planet Mars symbolizes courage, aggression, vitality, confidence, fighting spirit and warrior qualities. If Mars is placed in any of these 6 houses, it gives aggressive tendencies to either the person or the spouse. In certain cases if Mars is malefic to the native, it also gives danger to life, provided that other bad combinations are also present. These two are the main negative qualities. Hence the first reason for the "Dosha Complex" is that - in the olden days the ideal wife was regarded as one who is meek, obedient and submissive. Hence a girl with the so called Martian afflictions, who is likely to have courage and fighting spirit, was considered by our MCP society as a girl with "Dosha". The second possible reason for the "Dosha Complex" is that during the war torn middle ages when a lot of the sastras were written, a "Martian person", who is normally well built, courageous, aggressive and has fighting qualities, was a prime candidate to be recruited by the king for his army and hence the chances of his death or serious injury were quite strong. In the present changed circumstances it is foolishness of the highest order to be scared simply because one has Mangal Dosha.
However, Mangala Dosha is not something that can be ignored. It does cause marital discord. Before marriage it is very essential to match horoscopes for Kuja Dosha. If a person has Kuja Dosha in the horoscope the spouse must also have Kuja Dosha. This way the Dosha is cancelled. Otherwise both should be without any Dosha. Various "authorities and experts" have given a lot of exceptions and cancellations for the Dosha. They are so many that almost everything is cancelled! The truth is that in majority of the cases the so called exceptions and cancellations do not work.
Mangala dosha is present in 6 houses. This Kuja Dosha or Mangala Dosha must be examined from the Moon, Venus and Saturn also. Percentage of Mangala dosha in each house is as described here. In 8th house the dosha is full, in lagna 1/2, in 7th 1/4, in 4th 1/8 and in 12th and 2nd houses 1/16. As per the exceptions and cancellations.
No dosha if mars is in its its own house or exaltation house. No dosha if aspected by a benefic.
If a strong benefic is placed in the 9th house then the dosha of Mars in the 7th and 8th is cancelled.
However apart from the Mars, the planets Saturn, Sun and Rahu also cause similar dosha! From the point of view of causing dosha, if Mars causes 100% dosha, Saturn causes 75% dosha, Sun causes 50% dosha and rahu causes 25% dosha. These doshas must also be evaluated similarly!
As per the koota matching his advise was to give more importance to dina, gana, rasi, yoni and rajju and less to the others. So much so for the nadi dosha fear!
The matching of horoscopes and especially the extent of Mangala Dosha is the job of an experienced astrologer and must be done after carefully analyzing both the horoscopes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)