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Dedicated to Vedic Astrology - Vedanga Jyotish, a science that is deep-rooted in Indian culture, tradition, and philosophy of life.
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| History of Jyotish |
Vedic culture is extremely ancient, at least 5000 years old by conservative estimate. Vedic culture has its own unique theology, philosophy, arts, sciences, and literature which exist to this present day. Vedic astrology is an integral part of this culture and has been practiced since time immemorial. The Vedas have six supplementary appendixes known as the Vedangas, limbs of the Vedas. One of these is the Jyotish Vedanga--Vedic astronomy and astrology. For thousands of years many Rsis (sages) maintained the tradition of Vedic astrology on a parallel track with the Vedas. Portions of these have been extracted at various times and put into the Jyotish Vedanga.
Many Rasis such as Vashistha, Bhrgu, and Garga were masters of astrology and taught it to their disciples in the Guru parampara (disciplic succession). Before the beginning of the present age, Kali-yuga, which began in 3102 B.C., Parasara Risi milked the essence of the various Schools of Vedic astrology present at his time and distilled it into his text known as the Brhad Parasara Hora Sastra. Parasara Rsi spoke this text to his disciple Maitreya Rsi, and Maitreya taught it to his disciples and it was passed in this way through the ages. Thus, the basic school of Vedic astrology practiced in India is called the Parasara School of astrology. Parasara was among the last of the Rasis (great sages) of the Vedic age. After him it was humans who preserved the line of Vedic astrology. Notable amongst them was Satyacarya and in particular Varaha Mihira who wrote several important texts on astrology. After them several other texts were composed which are also considered "classics" of Vedic astrology, such as Saravali, Jataka Parijata, Sarvartha Cintamani, and Horasara. All of these texts follow Parasara in their teachings.
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| There are Six Main Branches of Vedic Astrology: |
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Gola -- positional astronomy
Ganita -- mathematical diagnostic tools for analyzing the results of Gola
Jataka -- natal astrology
Prasna -- answering specific questions based upon the time the question is asked
Muhurta -- selecting an auspicious time to start something
Nimitta -- omens and portents. |
There are also many sub-branches. The sages following Parasara have written texts on all branches. From India, Vedic astrology spread to the Persians and from the Persians to the Babylonians, and from them to the Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians. With the rise of Islam the Arabs learned astrology from both the Greek Hellenistic astrologers on one side (the West) and Vedic astrology from India on the other side (the East).
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| The Planets are the main activating forces of Karma in Vedic Astrology |
The Sun - The higher Sun is the Self or Soul, the lower is the expression of our false self or ego. Every heartbeat, thought, inspiration, act of photosynthesis or anything else real or imagined on Earth has been fueled by Sun's power. His is the energy of confidence and power, consistency and inspiration. The strength of the Sun will show our inherent capacity for truth and transformation. The Sun is the only light in the chart, or in life. The other planets merely reflect the Sun's Light. It is the ONE that connects all things - the ocean of light that is our true nature. As such it illuminates the path of truth, giving the strength to sacrifice our smaller desires so that we may purify and reclaim our Self as the highest truth.
Keywords: Soul's energy, Confidence, consistency, Power, Self-growth and development, Ego, Father
The Moon - The higher Moon reflects the joy and sharing that comes with having peace of mind, the lower Moon shows the neglect and withdrawal we experience when faced with losing that peace. The Moon is the Soul as it descends into matter, and it is our connection to this soul through sense mind and body. It is where we are the most easily hurt and the most vulnerable. The Moon shows the quality of our nurturing and our capacity to nurture others. It shows the clarity of our perceptions and how they are distorted as well as our basic desire to have peace of mind. The Moon is like the window we are looking through. Whatever affects the Moon, deeply affects our life and outlook.
Keywords: Peace of mind, connection or neglect, other people, the public, Mother, nurturing
Mars - The higher Mars is the spiritual warrior, stopping at nothing to know the truth so as to free the soul from bondage. The Lower Mars is the combative and opinionated nature to which we can be reduced. Mars gives us the discipline and focus to improve and transform our life through right action based on our principles. When his principled energy is directed inward toward higher purposes, he brings the courage to face our internal weaknesses and improve our lives. When directed toward outer and lower purposes he is the very energy we are struggling against. This lower nature creates a paradigm of security based on our opinions, not on God's law (Dharma). These limiting opinions will bring us into conflict with others and takes us further from the truth he is seeking.
Keywords: Physical strength, Focus, opinions, aggression, logic, discipline, recklessness, friends and Brothers
Mercury - The higher Mercury is the God of discrimination, and the capacity of the mind to be fair and balanced. The lower Mercury can drain our mental energy through over stimulation and trivia, leaving us unable to recognize the important details to focus on and strengthen. Mercury is discrimination, for either good or bad. Proper discrimination implies neutrality; such is the nature of Mercury. This neutrality can lead to a disconnected, ungrounded intellect or one prone to bad influences. His nature is also to play, be curious and experiment, as it is through these activities that we hone our skills and through proper speech and clear communication that we are able to manifest something tangible from them. He governs the detail-oriented nature of the mind. Mercury shows if we will become ensnared in the details or organize them into a paradigm of truth, which leads to our freedom.
Keywords: Speech and communication, skills, intellect, dexterity, equanimity, neutrality, curiosity, playfulness
Jupiter - The higher Jupiter is God's grace, wisdom, ethics aligned with right behavior and optimism. The lower Jupiter can be a haughty showman, concerned with appearance, status and the admiration of others. Jupiter is our capacity to do well, and to always wish to choose the good over the bad. He is where we expand in life and want to share God's grace. Through wealth, children and education we expand externally; through faith and valuing God's grace we expand internally. Jupiter rules all of these domains. We all have a higher vision of ourselves that we are expanding toward -Jupiter shows that vision and how we would like it to play out in our lives. Jupiter gives us the hope that things will get better. A weak Jupiter will either lack hope or be unrealistic in expressing it. A foolhardy optimism is possible. Jupiter aligned with our sense of duty will allow for our higher vision to not only lead us externally but also expand internally.
Keywords: Knowledge, Expansion, (children, education, spirituality) teachers and teaching, Optimism
Venus - The higher Venus is Divine Love and devotion through surrender, the lower Venus is hedonism and over indulgence in sensory pleasures. Much of our human life is learning to transmute our physical desires, from the animal (sensory pleasure) to the human (human love) to the God (Spiritual devotion). Venus is key to this transformation as she rules all three of these important qualities of life. Her Sanskrit name means "sperm", as it is she who shows how much vitality we will ultimately have. In truth we all want the same thing in life, which is to be happy. Venus is the planet that gives us happiness, but maturity with Venus is learning to find happiness in the things that replenish our energy, not drain it. The main issue with Venus is how high of a price we are willing to pay for our happiness. Part of this discipline is learning to think of the needs of others, thus the first lesson of Venus is to respect and value others needs as much as our own. A strong Venus will not pay too high of a price for happiness and thus not leave our selves and others feeling devalued through the selfish pursuit of our desires. From this point of selflessness a deeper devotion to God emerges.
Keywords: Pleasure, love, sex, happiness, sensual desire, service, devotion, courtesy, manners, vitality, respect, improvement
Saturn - The higher Saturn is a Monk in meditation, the lower is a cold, ruthless individual, disconnected from his feeling nature and other people. It is through Saturn that we come to experience ourselves as a separate being and make peace with our or not, the ultimate limitation is being death itself. Saturn rules the nervous system and through it creates painful complexes that reinforce our separation from God, through form and concept. Anxiety, fear, sorrow, insecurity, loss and life's painful lessons are all ways Saturn teaches us to give up attachment to form and not take things so personally. His neuroses will teach us perseverance and Self-control, as we will hide behind a wall of self-sufficiency to avoid being seen in our state of weakness. However, at some point something much bigger than what we can control will force us to our knees, like the death of a loved one, a chronic illness or an excessive amount of responsibility that was our distraction. These crises force our pain into the open where we must face them. Those who cannot learn from life and the hard lessons of Saturn will be reduced to bitterness and foolishness in old age. The greatness of Saturn is that he teaches us sensitivity to others and a respect for all; for once we have suffered we become sensitive to all who suffer. Once his ability for control is properly aligned with dharmic purposes, Saturn gives the perseverance and concentration to put into practice what we have learned, not just acknowledge it mentally. He allows us to be alone to work through our salvation, which is the only possibility.
Keywords: Ambition, fear, responsibility, the perseverance and capacity for hard work, stress, isolation, Old people
Rahu - Rahu, the north node of the moon, shows the main forces of desire that have compelled us to take a body in this lifetime. Rahu represents material desire, but because he is not a physical planet he operates on the subconscious level. He distorts our perceptions and colors the world according to his desires. He tends to obliterate the essence of things, focusing on their material substance. He is our deepest subconscious material desire. Rahu obsesses over the things we need to learn so we can eventually be freed of them. There are certain lessons we can only learn in a physical body, in the physical world, and rahu's obsessions indicate those things. Rahu will tend to feel like Saturn in that both of these planets bring stress and fear. The stresses of Saturn are based on the tangible known things in the universe that can go wrong, the health, the income, etc.; rahu feels stress and worry about the many unknown, undeveloped qualities of our mind and experience. His obsessions are all attempts to assuage the undeveloped part of our consciousness. Yet Rahu can be very spiritual when powerful and aligned with dharmic planets. When we desire truth, Rahu can bring Spiritual progress very quickly. Rahu affects all Spiritual growth in one way or another, as it is he who represents matter and the purification of matter.
Keywords: Obsession, attachment, distorted perception, blowing things out of proportion, psychic ability
Ketu - Ketu, the south node of the moon, is the other half of the demon, the headless body. Where Rahu obsesses over the things of this world, Ketu seeks to be freed from them. Rahu is material and loses the essence of things in their substance. Ketu perceives the essence of things but is unsatisfied with anything substantive in the world. Whereas Rahu shows where we are obsessed to grow and experience new things, Ketu is where we may want to fall back on familiar patterns and become stuck in them. Ketu brings doubt and a sharp criticism to the areas of life that he sees, resulting in us looking ever higher to find the truthful answers to them. Yet he is eternally unsatisfied, noticing only what is missing from whatever he is influencing, thus those areas of life will be especially hard to "work on" as we will be filled with our deepest levels of doubt and self - loathing where Ketu is concerned. Ketu will tend to feel like Mars in that both Ketu and Mars are critical and opinionated. Ketu has the same sharp and focused nature. His criticism is based on past skill and it is where we will fall back on a set of ideas of how things should or should not be. These ideas close him off to the greater and necessary possibilities that must be considered in order for the karmas with him to be completed. Ketu is the completer of karmas and shows where we must "lose our head" around what we have experienced and mastered, in order to eventually be freed of it.
Keywords: Dissatisfaction, detachment, solitude, intense scrutiny, liberation, explosive nature. |
| The Astrology Signs show how we grow spiritually through the four qualities of life. They show what happens top us on Earth. Bhavas (Houses) |
1st - (Sun) shows the head - ego - ones self, body, general prosperity, health and well being, basic self expression, physical constitution, personality, its associations are key (ex. 6th health - 7th relations. etc.)
2nd - (Jupiter, mercury) gathering / holding resources, livelihood, speech, youth, financial success (or not) through career / labor. Show our tastes, food, art / poetry / capac. To communicate, how we operate and express.
3rd - (Mars, mercury) curiosity, power, brother, friends, motivation, interest basic life energy, impulses and intention that drives us. Will ambition, passion, zeal, rashness impulsiveness main interests, sport, and hobbies.
4th - (Moon) emotion, happiness, property, mind, upbringing, education, refinement, masses, popularity, land acquisition, vehicles, what is internal, capacity to Relax, it's afflictions are hard to overcome, most sensitive
5th - (Jupiter) creative intelligence, education, speculation, romance, children, past life credit, games, spiritual practices. Creativity in general - giving birth to our ideas - children show our primal creative urge
6th - (Mars, Saturn) health and disease, work and service, foreigners, pets, enemies, effort, resistance to illness, immune system. Our capacity to do hard labor - overcome physical obstacles / enemies.
7th - (Venus, Jupiter) Long term romantic relationships, general relations with others, business associates. Being opposite the ascendant, it shows that to which we are most drawn and most challenged to learn.
8th - (Saturn) sex, death, the occult, dark / hidden side of life, longevity, research, destruction / regeneration of any sort. Through the 8th house we confront our mortality. It can determine the ultimate meaning of our lives.
9th - (Jupiter) religious, philosophical or ethical principles, grace, dharma (life purpose). Shows our highest principles operating in the world, shaping our life events, or their inability to do so. The luckiest house.
10th - (Mercury, Jupiter, Sun) public status, material achievement, skill, success, career, our affect on the World Politics. Strong planets here override even the ascendant for importance.
11th - (Jupiter) aspirations and goals, financial and material gains, friendship, impulse, abundance and excess. Ability to project our intelligence on the world. Where we expand. Planets here show their expansive nature.
12th - (Saturn, Ketu) subconscious, hidden nature, loss, liberation, decrease, wastage of energy. Foreign journeys. Shows the individual negated by adversity into sorrow or negated by inner peace to enlightenment. |
| House Types |
Kendra 1, 4,7,10 - (Lakshmi Houses) (Like a cardinal sign) most important, they are strong and active to accomplish their potential - Sharp energetic - power for achievement and strong will. Tenth is the strongest - seventh, fourth, first. Tenth house even overpower the ascendant. Malefics and Benefics are exalted (1) BODY (4) HOME (7) MARRIAGE (10) CAREER. Same Modality as the ascendant.
Trine 1, 5, 9 - Houses of dharma (1) personal (5) creative (9) ore collective. They give as well as take. Not as strong as angles but they boost the chart and strengthen signs 5 and 9. called houses of Vishnu. Jupiter and the moon are good in trines. One trine aspects all others. They are in the same element as the ascendant. More important for spirituality.
Succedent - 2, 5, 8, 11 - (like a fixed) Accumulation of resources - maintaining what we have. 5th, 11th, 2nd, 8th. Income houses. 5th - speculation, 11th through income, 2nd personal work, 8th inheritance. Also mind self expression, 5th, intelligence, 2nd speech, 8th insight, worldly communication
Cadent - 3, 6, 9, 12 (like a mutable) give sensitivity, adaptability, high intelligence - but unstable, uncertain - mental or nervous problems. Good for spiritual development. 9th, 3rd, 6th, 12th. 6th and 12th difficult for health and happiness - 9th and 12th more spiritual. 3rd and 6th give conflict and striving.
Upachaya - 3, 6, 10, 11 they are increasing houses. Planets in them give more over time. Mars and Saturn do well here, give power to overcome obstacles. Malefics do well in the 11th.
Apachaya - 1, 2, 4, 7, 8 houses of decrease. They lose their strength through time. Malefics do not do well in them, particularly the 8th.
Dusthanas - difficult houses. 6, 8, 12 - benefices are weakened esp. under malefic influence - esp. moon. 6th - Malefic good for power but can cause disease. Benifices good for intelligence, but disease. Rahu good for spirituality. 8th. Mars can cause death or harm. Saturn long life sans prosperity. 12th Benefics are good for rebirth. Venus for prosperity. Ketu for spiritual capacity. Rahu nervous system disorders.
Planets near the midheaven in houses 9, 10 and 11 represent how we affect the world in terms of our values (9th), actions (10th), and goals (11th). Opposite in houses 3,4 and 5 are our vital energy (3), emotional state (4), and intelligence (5th). Planets high in the chart tend to dominate those low in the chart. |
| The dasha's shows how our karmas unfold in astrology. The main dasha system is the vimshottari dasha system. |
| Dasha System in Vedic Astrology |
| Dasha Periods and the Cycles of Unfolding Karma |
The dasha shows how our karma unfolds in Astrology. There are many dasha systems in Vedic Astrology that allow us to se karma unfolding here on Earth. The most prominent is the Vimshottari dasha system. It is a system that uses a 120 year cycle where each planet rules a certain number of years, which is also broken down into sub periods from there. The sub periods (called bhuktis) are in the same order and divided relative to the dasha length below. For instance Ketu dasha starts with Ketu / Ketu, then Ketu / Venus, then Ketu / Sun, etc. Very accurate results are possible using this dasha system to predict what karmas will unfold at what time.
The planetary dasha's in the Vimshottari dasha system unfolds in this order.
1. Ketu 7 years
2. Venus 20 years
3. Sun 6 years
4. Moon 10 years
5. Mars 7 years
6. Rahu 18 years
7. Jupiter 16 years
8. Saturn 19 years
9. Mercury 17 years
There is much speculation about why they are in this order. I have heard many theories and I like them all. There is a strange harmony to this dasha order that seems to work. It is relevant to view the dasha system as a microcosm of the human life.
The dasha system starts with Ketu, as it is the planet where we are closest to God, where the soul is not yet rooted in the body as we often observe in very young children. Ketu is the dasha where we become aware of all that we do not need. Just as the infant only needs breath and minimal sustenance, beyond that he is more essence than substance. Relative human age 0-1 years
Venus dasha is when this baby is nurtured and cared for by Venus, the nurturer. Venus is the dasha that feeds the fat baby. Hers is the longest dasha as on Earth as we come here to learn to care for each other, in a body first. So this body needs care and courtesy while it is learning. This is the most important time in our lives, when our mind and perceptions about the world are forming. Relative human age 1 -3 years
Sun dasha shows the emergence of our individual identity, ready to shine from his light, no longer feeling the need to be supported by others. This necessary ego-centricity allows a healthy sense of self to emerge, a healthy ego is one where we feel positively empowered, not allowing others to run over our boundaries or us to over run theirs. Relative human age 4-12 years
Moon dasha is the need to connect this individual experience with others in a meaningful way. It is no longer enough to just feel ourselves shine; we must learn to see ourselves as a reflection through the eyes and experiences of others and reflected back to us in society. We become sensitive like the awkward teenager in the Moon dasha . Relative human age 13 - 19 years
Mars dasha is when we learn to compete with others in the world and learn to make allies instead of enemies out of our competitors; through courage and disciplined action we test our principles in a world of consequence through the gregarious and raucous energy of Mars. Relative human age 20 - 27 years
Rahu dasha shows our worldly life and our material existence. With the exuberance of youth behind us we are in the world, enmeshed in Maya and accumulation. Marriage, Children, career, and all the trappings of adult worldly life and its ability to veil our higher intelligence is the soul in Rahu dasha. Relative human age 28 - 40
Jupiter dasha is where we can reclaim our inherent wisdom after Rahu runs us crazy! It is a time when we feel our load has been lightened or at least we feel back in control of our mind. Jupiter comes to provide insight, maturity and life lessons, as he is also Guru, teacher, so we can share some of our wisdom with others. Relative human age 40-55
Saturn dasha is when we will become aware of our limitations and learn to be practical about them. After the enthusiasm of Jupiter, Saturn will bring us back to Earth and make us face reality. Reality is not the optimism of Jupiter it is the cold hard facts of Saturn. Those facts are the death of our body and the temporal nature of all material life. Saturn will give us the time to work through our karma in isolation. Relative human age 55 - 65
Mercury dasha is when we can become like a child again, playful and non-judgmental, but through knowledge and clear thinking, not through ignorance. After the practical heaviness of Saturn our mind is clear and open and capable of discrimination, jnana yoga. Relative human age 65 - ? |
| Transition Periods between Dashas |
When these dasha s change, major shifts in energy occur. This is why people seem to change overnight, the dasha are what change. To prepare us for these radical shifts the preceding bhukti period is always a preparatory time, whose energy is similar to the next dasha period. Observe:
The last Bhukti of Ketu dasha is Ketu / Mercury. Mercury Bhukti prepares the worldly mind for the approaching Venus dasha , as Mercury is the builder and the planet that wants to tangibly manifest a worldly life, he helps to bridge the otherworldly Ketu to worldly Venus.
The last Bhukti of Venus dasha is Venus / Ketu. Ketu Bhukti prepares the mind for the purgative nature of the Sun dasha . After 20 years of accumulation in Venus dasha the last 14 months Ketu starts to take the things away we no longer need.
The last Bhukti of Sun dasha is Sun / Venus. Venus Bhukti prepares the mind for the Moon Maha dasha , as the Moon is where we will seek worldly connection and happiness through family and the public and the Sun dasha is where we may have been reclusive or interested in more soul (and sole) pursuits.
The Last Bhukti of Moon dasha is Moon / Sun. Sun Bhukti helps to prepare the mind for the upcoming Mars dasha , as the independent nature of the Sun is similar to that of Mars. Mars is the time when we will find our worldly strength and courage; the Sun Bhukti begins that fiery transformation in the mind.
The Last Bhukti of Mars dasha is Mars / Moon. Moon Bhukti prepares the material mind for the approaching Rahu dasha and his attachment to the world. The Moon is the archetype of the Soul's descent into form, Rahu is the subconscious attachment to materiality and its ability to eclipse the mind, (the Moon) thus the Moon is helpful here.
The last Bhukti of Rahu dasha is Rahu / Mars. Mars Bhukti prepares the inspired and gracious mind for Jupiter with his courage and discipline. The end of Rahu illusions is spent with the general of God's army clearing a path through courage, clarity and mental innocence so Jupiter will have the room to teach us his higher lessons.
The last Bhukti of Jupiter dasha is Jupiter / Rahu. Rahu Bhukti prepares the practical and realistic mind for Saturn by reattaching itself to stress and worldly concerns. Jupiterian optimism must give way to Saturn realism. Rahu represents our worldly attachments and bring the stress of Saturn in a subconscious way.
The last Bhukti of Saturn dasha is Saturn / Jupiter. Jupiter Bhukti prepares the mind for the Mercury dasha through increased optimism and hope. This renewed optimism clears a path for Mercury through which he can use to develop our skills, experiment and play. Mercurial play is how we learn about the world.
The last Bhukti or Mercury dasha is Mercury / Saturn. Saturn Bhukti prepares for the approaching Ketu dasha by focusing and constricting the energy of Mercury. Much has been built and discovered in the 17 years of Mercury dasha , we must learn to focus in Ketu, Saturn teaches us to concentrate.
Then it starts over again. |
| The Moon in the Dasha Scheme |
The start of the first planetary dasha cycle is reckoned from placement of the Moon at birth. The Lord of the Nakshatra (corresponding star in the Moon sign) will determine the 1st dasha period. The percentage of the amount of distance traversed by the Moon through that Nakshatra is deducted from the balance of the mean dasha length to determine the first dasha length. Example - if the Moon had traveled ¼ through the Nakshatra of Bharani, ruled by Venus, then ¼ of the length of Venus dashawould be deducted from it's mean length of 20 years. Thus the first dasha would be Venus for 16 years.
The Vimshottari dasha is shown from the Moon because it is from the Moon that everything grows, first in our consciousness then later in the world. The Moon is the consciousness; it is the mind that has been with us for time immemorial. It is where our deep mental impressions (called samsaras) reside. When a planetary dasha runs, first we get the samsaras from that planet, based on our past karma with it, and then we act upon those samsaras, creating new karma. If we have misused that planet's energy in past lives or this one, we get those difficult samsaras when the dasha runs, thus attracting the experiences we must in order to experience our mistakes and learn from them. If we have used that planet well, we get those samsaras also.
It is important to note that assessing dasha periods in a general way can be dicey. There are as many possibilities with dasha s as there are charts. Venus for instance is a first rate benefic, yet as a dusthana lord or debilitated, her periods can seem like hell. This is because of what is mentioned above. A debilitated planet will show the difficult karma associated with it. In that case the themes stated below will be the areas of loss and suffering experienced. As an example if Venus is harmed we will especially feel pain in relationships, wealth, happiness, etc, when her dasha runs, because those are the things she rules. The planets have an innate quality and energy and when their period runs we will feel that energy for good or ill. When referring to these dasha periods we are also referring to their sub periods
Ketu - 7 years. First and foremost the Ketu's job is help us complete the karmas we are finishing in this life. His job is to give us only what we need and take everything we do not need in order for our soul to develop. Worldly success is just as possible in Ketu dasha as any other, but much of the time they are things that only last through his dasha and no further. Again, this is because he gives it so we can finish with it, then he takes it when his dasha is finished. Of course losing things in life usually does not feel very good, so many times on either end of Ketu dasha , people are suffering, as something is about to end. But Ketu only hurts us if we are too attached to things that are unnecessary. Ketu supports esoteric and healing careers like Astrology, Yoga or other sacred healing practices. Mostly though, his dasha is hot and fast and can make life seem out of control. People should always avoid making long-term commitments at the end of Ketu dasha , as life is about to change drastically. If we are too attached to a meaningless life of materiality, Ketu can hurt us deeply. His dasha follows Mercury who is a very worldly planet and a builder, so often times the worldly gains of Mercury are parsed by the South node and his need for a Spartan existence. Ketu is a malefic planet and a cruel one so his energy will feel harsh, even when he is giving good things.
Medical indications: Ketu can give Mars type of accidents and diseases as well as mysterious illnesses, muscular or nervous system disorders. Psychologically he gives self-doubt as well as a hyper criticism of all he is associating with.
Venus - 20 years. Venus is a time when we will mainly seek worldly happiness and a loving partnership. Coming after Ketu dasha , Marriage is often a theme in Venus dasha s or a marriage that has more loving qualities of Venus. Wealth is also an important theme as are Women, children and other people in general. Venus as a benefic will want to give things to us and we must be careful not to fall into the worldly quality of her charms and sensual pleasures. Although Venus is Mother Lakshmi, the Goddess of beauty and wealth, Venus is also the great caretaker and her dasha will make us take better care of people or ourselves or make us aware that we are not doing a good job in that area of life or that we are not being treated with the courtesy and respect that we deserve. She is a Brahmin, a teacher, and she would like to teach us in a gentle way, but unfortunately, we do not learn life's deep lessons when we are happy in the world, as Venus would like us to be. We generally only learn when we are suffering. In being a caretaker she would like us to be of service and that also means service to God, as Venus is also the main planet of devotion and a higher path of surrender. This great benefic would like to give us the kingdom of God and a silver platter (with a good meal!) Even when we suffer during her dasha there are lessons to learn and it is as gentle as possible.
Medical indications: As a kapha planet she can give illnesses related to internal organs, mainly of the reproductive system, STD's, as well as the kidneys, diabetes.
Sun - 6 years. The Sun dasha shows the time when the Souls energy burns deeply into the life. We would like to purify and hone our expression down to only that which serves to take us to the heights we have imagined. It is the time when we are finding our true selves. We may experience a crisis of confidence, which spurs the need to seek inner truth. Education, spirituality, politics, business, affecting the world in a big way, can also be themes of the Sun dasha . If the Sun in weak, we will feel hurt by the inability to project the confidence we need to blaze a path to truth and light that we have envisioned. The Sun is the planet of confidence and charisma, and also the planet with the most inherent strength as he lights up the entire chart. His strength and forbearance will likely have us sacrifice something, especially after the excess and hedonism of Venus dasha. The nature of the Sun as a cruel Graha is that he will separate us from those things extraneous and in the way. Power is the theme of the Sun dasha, the power to shine as truth and to express our unique Soul nature. But we may also suffer, as the Sun will burn the impurities we have gathered along the way and separate us from those who do not support or comprehend our new and unique path.
Medical Indications: The Sun rules the basic vitality and energy in the body, so if he is weak in the chart his dasha period may show an overall decline in vitality. Also he rules the heart and can give heart attacks in his dashaperiod.
Moon - 10 years. The Moon dasha is a time when we seek connection. Marriage, family and Motherhood (especially for women) will be themes. But also activities involving us with the public and other people will be themes. Starting a business, buying a home, staking a claim in the tangible world will be important. A strong or well-supported Moon can make it s dasha the best time of our lives. A weak Moon can make us feel that everyone else has that "normal life" that we don't. If the connections to family and children and home are absent, there could be much suffering in Moon dasha . It is also a time when memories of our own childhood can become major themes as the Moon rules our memories. We will likely revisit our own childhood through the evolution of our growing family or lack of. How were nurtured and how we nurture others will be played out and this possible loss experienced. If indicated we may experience some deep mental crises at this time as the Moon is the main planet of mental illness and insanity. The Moon is a gentle Graha, so even if we are suffering there is no cruelty to her energy. Yet she is fickle and lovesick, needy and totally impressionable. Just as the Moon itself is the most sensitive part of whom we are, so too the Moon dasha can be the most vulnerable part of our life.
Medical Indications: The Moon shows the overall constitution and water in the body, the water that maintains our tissues. If the Moon is weak we will have excess vata, which makes for nervousness and anxiety in her dasha period. The Moon also rules the breasts and can show breast cancer or tumors when harmed.
Mars - 7 years The Mars dasha is another hot and fast dasha. It is a time when we will be involved in pursuing our goals with energy and passion. There will likely be a sense of excitement and energy during this time as well as a daring course through the 7 years of Mars dasha. Sports, competition and other interests will be important at this time. Mars is the planet that makes us want to improve our life through disciplined action. His dasha will either bring us closer to that improvement, or when Mars is compromised, we will suffer, noticing our lack of strength, courage and inability improve. This will either bring complacency, or bring us into conflict with others through arguments, fighting and power struggles. It is the nature of Mars to fight for what is right, but we will be overtaken by our enemies, suffering due to our perceived powerlessness if he is weak. Associates, allies and those that we do battle with will also are themes in Mars dasha, as well as siblings and business relationships and entanglements of all sorts with them. Mars also rules landed property so buying a home may be important. Mars is a malefic planet so even when he gives things, there is a harsh quality to it.
Medical Indications: He brings stress, hypertension and overexertion, so health problems like heart attacks and other stress related ailments might appear during his dasha. Also a problems with the blood, like leukemia is possible as Mars rules the marrow.
Rahu - 18 years. Rahu dasha is a time when our material life can spin out of control. Rahu is the planet of our material attachment. Rahu is associated by sign, house and planetary conjunction and aspect with the qualities we are most in need of developing in this lifetime. As his energy eclipses our mind on a subconscious level, his dasha period can feel like things we do not understand are compelling us. Mysterious scenarios will unfold and put us in places we would have never imagined. Then unexpectedly, everything changes and we are doing something totally different. His energy is similar to Ketu, (the other half of the Node) but with Rahu it is our subconscious obsessions that are controlling us, compelling us to develop those parts of ourselves that are in need of developing. Yet Rahu can bring enormous success during his dasha period as he will be focused and determined to explode the worldly quality of whatever he is associating with. There are also psychic events and kundalini experiences possible with Rahu. But in general, during his dashaperiods we are likely to feel out of control as we accumulate or experience without wisdom or maturity.
Medical Indications: Rahu creates mysterious illnesses, often time of the nervous system like weird allergies, toxic poisonings and environmental diseases. Physical ailments that occur during Rahu periods are especially hard to cure because of the obscuring nature of this node. Many times a person will not become cured until Jupiter dasha, when suddenly something changes and they are better.
Jupiter - 16 years. After 18 years of Rahu we get the dasha of the great benefic Jupiter. As guru, Jupiter will always teach us something and give us something. His dasha periods bring children, marriage, wealth as well as titles and honors. Jupiter is the planet of hope, faith and optimism that allows us to keep going because we believe our best days are yet to come. He can make us religious, put us in touch with our Guru, and give the right moral conduct and the awareness to do the good rather than the bad. When Jupiter is weak his dashamay make us unrealistic, overly optimistic or have a sense of self-entitlement or a haughty view. He may bring bad teachers or problems with them. Also when weak, Jupiter will deprive health, wealth, children and many other things, forcing the native to find a deeper fulfillment without them. However, Jupiter is a gentle Graha and though we may suffer, he will give usually give knowledge and right understanding of the problem. He has a way of putting us into situations that increase our understanding of life and our problems. Suddenly we will meet a person who introduces us to our Guru, or some random event will change our lives for the better. Jupiter is God's grace, that ineffable force, that good karma that is always leading us higher.
Medical indications: As a planet of expansion and a kapha planet, Jupiter can create obesity. Also he has to do with allergies and excess phlegm. As ruling tissue he can be the excess mass that is shown by the body producing cancer cells. Psychologically, Jupiter brings optimism and
Saturn - 19 years. The expansive nature of Jupiter gives way to the practical persevering quality of Saturn dasha . Saturn dasha is a time when we will face our limitations. The inescapable truth is that our limited body and mind will perish one day. Saturn makes us aware of this through the aches and pains in our body; the death of our loved ones, chronic illness and the resulting fear of these things getting worse. The more attached we are to worldly gain and pleasures; the more Saturn dasha may hurt us. However great success is also possible, as Saturn is a planet of practical efforts and perseverance leading us toward our goals. He gives a very responsible nature and high levels of ambition. However, much of this external focus is an avoidance of the inner work that must be done in order for the mind and heart to settle. In such cases, Saturn may bury us beneath a mountain of responsibility until we relent or break down physically and emotionally. His dasha can place us in hospitals; make us deal with old people, death, legacies and inheritance. Insurance, wills, banks, things attached to legacies and family history are relevant. Saturn is the planet of pressure, internal and external. He is the great karmic taskmaster who rules with an iron grip, bringing suffering commensurate to our avoidance of truth. As such, a Saturn dasha is also a time when enormous spiritual growth and progress is possible through perseverance and facing the truth alone, which is the only possibility. He teaches us to thrive in isolation rather than crave worldly distractions. He teaches us to get by with less and simplify our lives. And, he teaches us humility and sensitivity to others. Because when we suffer we develop compassion for others who suffer.
Medical indications: Saturn is the indicator of chronic illness. He is a vata planet that brings pain to the joints and drying to the body. Arthritis, paralysis, constipation, cancer as well as problems with the knees, teeth and bones are possible in Saturn dasha. Psychologically, he brings depression, anxiety, fear, cynicism, bitterness and depression.
Mercury - 17 years. The limitations and restrictions that define Saturn dasha give way to the playful and curious energy of Mercury dasha. Mercury dasha is a time of learning, experimentation, curiosity, mental stimulation and pursuing our interests. But he can also be a time of excessive stimulation and unfocused action. The neutral quality of Mercury is always a potential problem. He does not judge he builds. It is his job to find the right details necessary to succeed and build our life. Saying the right things, making the right decisions, talking to the right people, are what allow us to succeed, or not succeed as well as show how we will go about it. Whatever is influencing Mercury will show how we go about things and how they will manifest in the world. Thus Mercury dasha is a time when our career and worldly life could skyrocket or plummet. We can either ascend to the heights by devising an effective plan or become overwhelmed by the many tasks and details of life, which can spiral into mental escapism, lethargy and fantasy. He is the lightning fast quality of the mind. That speed is necessary for the equanimity that he brings. The capacity to see all possibilities at once and prioritize and assess them accurately is what makes Mercury the God of discrimination. More than any other planet, Mercury gives us detachment from our emotions, which is truly discrimination in action
Medical indications: Lungs, allergies, skin problems, Speech defects, Mercury is a planet of the mind, like the Moon, serious afflictions to him can manifest as mental illness. |
| The Signs (Rashis) |
Whereas the Houses show the different areas of life and what concrete results will unfold, the signs show the operating forces that affect those things. In Vedic thought and Vedic Astrology these forces refer closely to the 4 aims of life and they are reflected in the qualities of the 4 sign elements. These 4 aims are precepts that act as a guide for life in this physical world, they provide a structure so that we may not only grow toward realization, but we will also enjoy our lives in the process.
The 4 aims of life and their corresponding elements are:
Dharma (right action) - related to Fire Signs. Our dharma is what we really feel compelled to do. It is usually our career or vocation.
Artha (wealth and comfort) - related to Earth Signs. Artha means wealth. It is the money and resources we need and what we to do keep it.
Kama (happiness and pleasure) - related to Air Signs. Kama is the pleasure that we derive from the things we have, and the price we pay for it.
Moksha (transcendence, liberation) - related to Water Signs. Moksha is our desire to transcend the confines of mind and body and the difficulties it brings.
In addition to the 4 elements, each element has one of these 3 qualities to it. The qualities are:
Moveable - active and changing but pushy - like pitta
Fixed - steady and focused but stubborn - like kapha
Dual - flexible, can lead or not, but can be unfocused - like vata
1. Aries (Male Mars - HEAD - Moveable Fire) Key: Developing inner courage and strength, not just bold and brash actions. Use their sharp minds to pursue spiritual truth.
2. Taurus (Female Venus - FACE/NECK - Fixed Earth) Key: Transform the desire and attachment to comfort and pleasure into a desire for higher wisdom and devotion.
3. Gemini (Male Mercury - LOWER NECK/SHOULDERS/ HANDS - Dual Air) Key: When they seek inner knowledge not outward sensation they can be very spiritual.
4. Cancer (Female Moon - CHEST - Moveable Water) Key: Channel the Moon's intuitive power to cultivate surrender rather than lead to deeper attachment.
5. Leo - (Male Sun - SOLAR PLEXUS - Fixed Fire) Key: To allow the soul's warming light to shine, illuminating and uplifting others, rather than overpowering and thus, burning them
6. Virgo - (Female Mercury - BOWELS - Dual Earth) Key: To realize that developing tolerance for their imperfections and the imperfections of others is true purification.
7. Libra - (Male Venus - LOWER ABDOMEN - Moveable Air) Key: To realize the love of beauty includes the love of truth. This will lead to their transcendence.
8. Scorpio - (Female Mars - Genitals - Fixed Water) Key: If they learn to control their obsessions, profound spiritual insights rarely attained by others are possible.
9. Sagittarius - (Male Jupiter - HIPS - Dual Fire) Key: Must learn to use their magnanimous spirit to uplift the soul, not just have a good time or seek popularity.
10. Capricorn - (Female Saturn - Knees - Moveable Earth) Key: Need to learn more self surrender, to take themselves, the world and their place in the world less seriously.
11. Aquarius - (Male Saturn - Lower Legs - Fixed Air) Key: To see their self - negation and humility as an empowering key to higher awareness, not as a sentence to a life of servitude.
12. Pisces - (Female Jupiter - Feet - Dual Water) Key: Can experience the joy of the soul if they can control their imaginations and develop discrimination.
Astrology signs show the psychological nature of the planets in vedic astrology. |
| Vedic Astrologyis one of the main vedic sciences. Others include yoga, ayurveda, sanskrit, vaastu and palmistry |
Vedic Astrology is also called Jyotish, which translates into the "Science of Light." The term Vedic means from the Vedas. The Vedas are the books that contained the Spiritual hymns and the storehouse of knowledge that arose from the ancient culture that was located in the area of what is now called India. The culture at that time was called "Bharat," The great and famous story "Mahabharata" means "Great Bharat." The Bhagavad Gita is from the MahaBharata. The term "Veda" means "knowledge." Actually it refers to the knowledge of truth, absolute truth, and the truth of the Self and the underlying mysteries of existence.
The Vedas were written as the ancient Sat Yuga or "Age of Wisdom" was coming to a close. These documents were meant to preserve the wisdom of this earlier enlightened epoch in human history. Many cultures seemed to possess similar occult knowledge, the Toltecs and Egyptians and Native Americans, yet it was the ancients of this area who best preserved this wisdom. It is estimated that the Vedas are more than 5,000 years old, based on Astronomical references in them. The miracle in the Vedic system is how well preserved and coherent the Sciences are, especially given the history of India and its numerous invasions.
Vedic Astrology is the master Science from this more enlightened era. It is the Science of our karma, the Science of Spirit, called Purusha, and its affect on matter. Thus way of perceiving the world is much different than our current Materialist World view.
The 5 Elements - The Building Blocks of Life
Spirit is called Purusha. When spirit takes form it is called prakriti. Every object as prakriti is an expression of purusha. Matter expressing Spirit. This world of Matter expressing Spirit is formed by the 5 elements. They are the building blocks of The Vedic Sciences. Their properties provide the archetypes that underpin all aspects of Vedic thinking. Starting with the grossest and moving toward the finest, the 5 elements are:
Earth - Water - Fire - Air - Ether (space)
The 4 gross elements of the physical universe are expressed in the Astrological chart; the 5th element of Space is Consciousness, beyond form. It is our awareness.
The 3 Gunas - The Qualities of Nature
Besides 5 elemental components of nature there are 3 qualities of nature, called the 3 gunas. The term "Guna" means "that which Binds," The 3 Gunas are:
Tamas: Stability - inertia - ignorance - attachment. Tamas binds through inertia and our tendency to cling to situation and form. Best expressed through the physical body
Rajas: Activity - passion - desire. Rajas bind through motivation and our desire to experience pleasure. Best expressed as the Mind and Emotions
Sattwa: Harmony - knowledge - peace. Sattwa binds us to worldly happiness, which also ultimately becomes a barrier to final liberation. Best expressed as the Soul.
Everything in the universe is a combination of these 3 qualities of nature. As the Gunas interact with the elements the senses are created and man reacts to his physical environment as an embodied creature.
The 3 Gunas bind us to this physical world and give us the false feeling that our mind / body complex is our true self. However operating behind this form is pure Spirit, untouched by the effects of the 3 Gunas. It is this purity of self that is our true nature. It is this purity of self that is God. We are God, everything is God. Just like the newborn baby is not aware of his latent abilities to walk and talk and procreate and think, so too is man largely unaware of his latent God like quality, until he begins the process of awakening. Until this process begins he will incur the karma associated with his wrong thinking and mistakes acting as a mind / body.
The Astrology chart is a portrait of this karma.
All human suffering is an experience of mistaking the false self, of idea and form, with our pure being, our true Self. As the True Self is unlimited and infinite, when we experience the limitations of ego, imposed over this unlimited expression we suffer. The goal of an embodied life is to awaken from this illusion of separateness and to reclaim our perfect, complete nature. It is there always functioning. It never leaves us we leave it.
To learn more about this Subject, purchase the Vedic Sciences telecourse class that I taught |
| Rahu Ketu are the Lunar Nodes in Vedic Astrology. |
Rahu and Ketu - (excerpts from "The Ascendant - The 108 Planets of Vedic Astrology")
Rahu and Ketu are the Lunar Nodes in Vedic Astrology. They are Grahas in that they grab and attach us to our karma just like the starry Grahas, yet they do not rule over Rasis like the other starry planets. They are shadows, the eclipse points where the Earth's orbit around the Sun intersects with the Moon's orbit around the Earth. Even though they are not physical planets they are perhaps the most influential forces in the chart. It is along the Rahu / Ketu axis that the main forces of karmic desire are seen.
The myth of Rahu and Ketu sheds much light on their function and greater possibility. Shortly after the beginning of time, the Gods and demons were in a terrible war, neither side making any progress. So they decided to join forces and churn the milk ocean to get the pot of amrita (immortal nectar) at the bottom. Once the nectar was extracted then came the job of distributing it. The Gods, not wanting the nectar to fall into the hands of the demons, devised a plan. Lord Vishnu disguised himself as the enchanting and beautiful Mohini to distribute the nectar. The Gods and Demons were seated on two different sides of an aisle as Mohini distributed the nectar to the Gods only. The demons were too enchanted by her beauty to notice she was not giving them the nectar. However one demon, Rahu, noticed what was happening and disguised himself as a God and managed to get a drink of the nectar. As soon as this happened, the Sun and Moon told Lord Vishnu what was happening and Vishnu returned to his form as Vishnu and let fly his sudarshan and chopped Rahu in half, but only after Rahu managed to take a drink of the nectar. Thus he is immortal, but chopped in half. The head is Rahu and the tail is Ketu.
Rahu is a head without a body. Everything he comes into contact with he becomes obsessed with, like a person with a voracious appetite. Rahu represents material desire, but because he is not a physical planet he operates on the subconscious level. He distorts our perceptions and colors the world according to his desires. He tends to obliterate the essence of things, focusing on their material substance. He is our deepest subconscious material desire. Rahu obsesses over the things we need to learn so we can eventually be freed of them. There are certain lessons we can only learn in a physical body, in the physical world. Rahu's obsessions indicate those things. All human beings are crazy in some way, Rahu shows the area of life where we are unbalanced and obsessed. Rahu keeps us obsessed until we learn detachment from what he is influencing. As such, he represents attachment. Losing our higher Self to the things of this world is the main reason we suffer in life. Rahu's obsessions bring much suffering as long as we desire experience. Once we desire liberation, Rahu is incredibly spiritual.
Ketu is the other half of the demon, the headless body. Where Rahu obsesses over the things of this world, Ketu seeks to be freed from them. Rahu is material and loses the essence of things in their substance. Ketu perceives the essence of things but is unsatisfied with anything substantive in the world. Whereas Rahu wants to grow and experience new things, Ketu wants to fall back on the familiar and withdraw; creating a fear of stagnation and disgust with the familiar that is often turned inward as self-disgust. Ketu brings doubt and sharp criticism to the areas of life that he sees. Eternally unsatisfied, he only notices what is missing from whatever he is influencing. He presides over the absolute aspect of God. He is strict and exacting and sucks the worldly joy out of all he touches, including the things Rahu is obsessed over through house and sign. It is the push and pull of Rahu's obsession and Ketu's doubt that allows the soul to learn the lessons of the Nodal house and sign placement. |
| Rahu and Ketu in Rashis |
The Rashis show the emotional and psychological forces that compel us to act. The Rashi placement of Rahu will show the psychological temperament we are developing in this lifetime. It shows emotional energy that creates stress in our life. The Rashi of Ketu shows the temperament we have recently developed and where we have skill. It shows where we are critical of others and ourselves.
Rahu in Aries / Ketu in Libra - Ketu in Libra show they have developed a measured and thoughtful approach to decision making, one which carefully considers all consequences and the price to pay. Skill and diplomacy with others is also highly developed. Rahu in Aries shows the native must develop the ability to act on impulse and follow their instincts. This will make them act first and think later as well as be more self interested or self inspired.
Rahu in Taurus / Ketu in Scorpio - Ketu in Scorpio show a native who has experienced the intense, probing nature of the mind, one which is painfully aware of death / rebirth, life's ups and downs and endings. They have established a certain amount of Peace with that difficult side of life. Rahu in Taurus shows they are learning to develop more consistent emotional patterns, rather than the emotions being pulled to their most turbulent extreme. These increased stability allows for deeper, more long lasting and valuable emotional connections. Given the turmoil possible with the Nodes, they are exalted when in this placement.
Rahu in Gemini / Ketu in Sagittarius - Ketu in Sagittarius show a native who has established a hopeful, idealistic and innately spiritual mindset in their recent lives. Faith in God and a higher purpose are areas of life, which they are well acquainted. Rahu in Gemini will bring forth a curious, multifarious approach that compels the native to test their beliefs not just accept them blindly. This placement will make one Spiritual in a cosmic sense, not just religious in an orthodox sense. The Nodes are also very well placed in this position, as Rahu is able to develop through the psychological quality of Gemini.
Rahu in Cancer / Ketu in Capricorn - Ketu in Capricorn will show a native who is skilled in controlling the many external factors in life. Psychological strength was buttressed by a powerful career, bank account, worldly achievement, etc. Rahu in Cancer shows inner emotional strength is being developed in this lifetime. Learning to understand and develop control over our emotional turmoil is the lesson here. This is one the most difficult placements for the Nodes as we feel the need to developed the very area of life where we are the most insecure. |
| Rahu and Ketu in Bhavas |
The Bhava where Rahu and Ketu resides show external areas of life that we are trying to develop or that we have recently developed. Rahu shows the areas of life that we want to experience, want to achieve. It shows our material attachments. Ketu shows where we would like to withdrawal, what we have already experienced and thus tend to neglect and where we will have detachment. Rahu feels
Rahu in the 1st house / Ketu in the 7th house - Ketu in the 7th shows that in recent past lives there was an over reliance on partners and others in general, when defining the sense of Self. This will make for a native who is very critical of partners and partnerships. In this life the Self as and individual is being developed. Thus the native with Rahu in the 1st will see all of life's situations as opportunities to grow. When un-evolved this will make for high levels of egocentricity, when evolved high levels of Spirituality. These people may have their individuality suppressed early in life in order to find it later.
Rahu in the 2nd Ketu in the 8th house - Ketu in the 8th house show a native who in recent past lives benefited greatly from
Others resources and other people's money, thus their inherent sense of value came from others. This will make a person who is very reluctant to rely on others to help them. Rahu in the 2nd house makes for a person who will work hard to develop their own resources, thus allowing them to feel worthy and of value based on their own efforts, not the help of others. These people may have been devalued in some way to force them to find it for themselves.
Rahu in the 3rd house/ Ketu in the 9th house - Ketu in the 9th house show a person who was guided by gurus or teachers or relied on powerful teachers to uplift them and define their belief system, thus they may be very skeptical of teachers and Spiritual teaching in particular. Rahu in the 3rd house will show a native developing the courage to challenge and test their teachings and teachers and to explore their own paradigms of understanding aside from what they are told by others. This will give the native confidence in their own ability to make the right decisions regarding their own fate. These natives may have had an upbringing where an oppressive religious environment led to rebellion.
Rahu in the 4th house / Ketu in the 10th house - Ketu in the 10th house show a native who relied on their worldly status and external power of achievement in order to feel secure. This lead to a person who felt too attached to their actions and ultimately defined by them. They will be skeptical of worldly achievement and all that it brings. Rahu in the 4th house shows a native developing a secure domestic life and the nurturing quality that accompanies it. Escaping from the world into ourselves, and feeling at peace in our own private world is key here. These native may have lacked proper nurturing when young, which compels them to find peace of their own accord.
Rahu in the 5th house / Ketu in the 11th house - Ketu in the 11th house show a native who relied on their external ambitions and the admiration of their peers in order to feel important. They willingly subjugated their personal, internal inspirations for the aspiration of others. The native will tend to shun those who wish to be aligned with them through a shared vision. Rahu in the 5th shows the need to develop that which they are the most inspired towards, not that which will make them popular or successful. An individual creative life is the most important to these native. Expressing their unique vision is key. They will likely be tempted to do what the masses deem as popular in order to refine their unique expression. |
| Rahu, Ketu and the Grahas |
When Rahu joins or aspects a Graha it distorts that planet's expression in a way similar to the effect described above. The aspect / conjunction not only affect the planet on a soul level, it affects the planets as a house lord, as a planet's primary worldly influence is as a house lord. Rahu will explode the outer form of the Graha as a house lord and Ketu will cause the energy to be withdrawn and criticized. A planetary conjunction is more powerful than an aspect as the conjunction joins the energy of the Node with the energy of the planet.
Rahu conjunctions with a Graha show psychological influences that are becoming developed. Planets conjoined Rahu will likely be expressed with immaturity, as is the nature of Rahu. Ketu conjunctions show energies that are already developed and where we have much skill, yet we are trying to finish. Planets conjoined Ketu will likely have maturity and refinement to their expression, yet the native will not feel satisfied with their level of development.
Behaviorally Rahu will be over expressive and magnify or exaggerate the qualities of the planets he is associating with, especially through conjunction. This quality of exaggeration is how Rahu brings their forces into our lives. They may be exaggerated externally or internally as psychological forces, or both. All of this is dependant on the houses involved and conditions. Ketu will withdraw and collapse around the planets he is associating with, especially through conjunction. He will tend to hide those things from our view and the view of others as he focuses on them internally. Ketu will try to extract the purest essence from these planets. As such, we will only notice what is missing where Ketu is concerned. In can be stated that the stage of Rahu with a Graha is where the native is in the developmental stage of its energy, and Ketu is where this energy is being completed.
Sun
Rahu / Sun - The Rahu / Sun association will show a native who projects the power of the Sun and thus may appear very confident and charismatic, yet there is usually stress and fear beneath the surface revolving around a lack of confidence. Much of their bravado and dramatic expression is an over compensation for this fear. The true nature of self is being developed in this native, thus a large ego can be seen in less evolved types as well as a personality, which over estimates in own importance to others. Over time, a person with this placement becomes more realistic about their own importance and greater understanding of themselves beyond the level of personality.
Ketu / Sun - The Ketu / Sun association shows very high levels of self-doubt and shows a native who is not likely to feel content with their worldly actions, they are be a perfectionist. No matter what they do in the world they will feel a sense of lack. The native is being freed from the ego and a need to feel confident and powerful as the skilled eye of Ketu watches every ego game and false expression of self with disdain. The quality of surrendering their smaller Self to the highest Self is being developed. Many times this will show a Spiritual native. Usually this native has had a childhood where they felt isolated and were made to doubt themselves on a deep, core level.
Moon
Rahu / Moon - The Rahu / Moon native will have a sense mind and emotional core that are not fully anchored in the heart. Thus there will be an ungrounded quality and stress revolving around their basic feeling nature and expression as an embodied creature in a physical world. It is through the Moon that we take in our environment and either experiences ourselves in a joyful or a stressful way. High levels of self-consciousness and feelings of separateness are seen here as the mind looks outside for what it inherently lacks within. Thus painful relationships of all sorts can result. Over time, and as external factors fail to bring peace, the native learns to trust their inner voice and high levels of intuition and even psychic ability can be seen.
Ketu / Moon - The Ketu / Moon association show a native who experiences deep levels of doubt and criticism of their own mind and mental outlook. This is one of the most difficult placements as it can make for a deeply discontented mind and extreme moodiness. Typical worldly experiences and pleasurable emotions can lead to painful episodes under Ketu's probing and watchful eye. Many of the moods are from past life events that overtake the native, and then pass. Smaller disturbances trigger mental episodes that neither the native, nor anyone else can control. Yet generally they are good at controlling the emotions as this placement shows, yet control is not the same as having the detachment to enjoy without longing or regret.
Mars
Rahu / Mars - The Rahu / Mars association leaves the native feeling stress revolving around the use of personal will and strength. This native will be engaged in power struggles of all sorts. Arguments, impulsiveness and a hostile nature will be likely. Through the dissatisfaction experienced in these arguments and confrontations, they are developing courage to look within for truth and the discipline to take positive, focused action in order to grow toward a true and lasting power. That power cannot be eclipsed by the opinions of another or their perceived superior strength.
Ketu / Mars - The Ketu / Mars association shows a native who is skilled in the use of where to exert their personal, will yet they will experience some frustration with how to express this more humbled approach. This native may find himself in situations where they are tempted to fight or do battle on principle. The scrutiny of Ketu / Mars will likely see the futility in such a battle, yet later they will doubt if that was the right thing to do. This behavior may lead to occasional explosiveness and destruction as the Ketu / Mars energy is also finishing the tendency to destroy and break things in frustration.
Mercury
Rahu / Mercury- the Rahu / Mercury association show an understanding of skills and information is being developed. This native will feel convinced that if they study, get as many facts as possible and develop their skills accordingly, there will be an ultimate answer. This leads to more and more frustration. As there is always another fact or skill to learn. What is being developed is the realization that the best use for our mind is as a tool that doubts all mental concepts as being ultimate. Rahu's exhaustion of skills and information leads the mind to Jnana Yoga, recognizing each incorrect attachment to the thinking process. This allows us to separate truth from fiction.
Ketu / Mercury - The Ketu / Mercury association are showing the mind at the point where all mental concepts are in doubt and the highest levels of discrimination are being developed. A very skilled person and one with a probing intellect will be observed. Yet Ketus presence will be keenly aware of the pieces of information they do not have, rather than the ones they do. This can create much worry and mental vacillation as they keep searching for more information to doubt. They are learning to act more on intuition and to use the mind for its highest purpose, to see through the mental traps that give us the illusion of understanding and give the false paradigm of security we base our lives on. |
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