Astrology and Spiritual Growth

THE YOGA SUTRAS OF PATANJALI

Roy Eugene Davis' Commentary on the Yoga Sutras.

All astrology deals with the likely outcomes of past actions: the way our actions contribute to the experience of our outer environment, condition our body, emotions and thoughts, and thus determine our character and personality traits. If this was all that had to be considered astrology would be an exact science. Our past activities would completely condition our future. But we are more than the body, emotions and mental traits that we so often identify ourselves with.

We are all blessed by free will and our lives are largely shaped by the interplay of fate (karma) and free-will. We all have freedom of choice and the extent to which we exercise this ability determines the extent to which our lives are conditioned by manner in which astrological influences affect and condition us. No one should feel completely conditioned by their past karma (which is indicated by the positions of the planets in our horoscope).

Certainly past karmic influences will arise and our lives are shaped by the choices we have to make. However, our future is determined and unfolds from our states of consciousness and our mental states, which continually modify the future that is suggested by the conditions of the birth chart, which has much to say about our subconscious conditioning but less to say about the consequences of our taking control of our lives and becoming more Self-determined.

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, although primarily a treatise on the practice of Samadhi, contains a wealth of knowledge for the Vedic astrologer (and the person intending to rise above their astrological influences). An astrologer who practices and properly comprehends the message within the Yoga Sutras is better equipped to counsel those who are seeking guidance. Study and meditation on the Yoga Sutras serves to deepen intuition as well as provide concise knowledge on the most efficient means of transcending the karmic condition.

What is the Horoscope and How do we Change Karma

Vedic Astrology Horoscopes look very different from the western natal chart.

The birth chart is a collection of your past habits, tendencies, actions, thoughts and momentum in a particular direction through life.  This can be called karmic, because habits, tendencies, thoughts and actions are what create a person’s karma.  Just like any habit, circumstances can be changed by thinking differently, acting differently, challenging and changing one’s belief’s systems, and putting energy and momentum in the direction you would prefer to go. This is sometimes easy, and sometimes hard.  It depends on how much time and attention you have already invested into the path which you are currently traveling.  It also depends on how attached you are to certain thoughts, beliefs, actions, etc.

This is one reason why regular meditation and prayer can be so helpful, as it directs your attention to a consciousness beyond the small confined human circumstances and gives space and openness to be receptive to unplanned good fortune and to other ways of seeing the world. Vedic astrology has a number of remedial measures that help to assist this process, such as gemstones, mantra, service, behavioral changes, etc, but truly, an effective expansive regular meditation practice is invaluable while transcending the indications of the chart.

The Purpose of Astrology

It is often difficult to see our shortcomings or even our strengths unless someone else points them out to us. Astrology provides a keen glimpse into the areas of our life that are fully supported and that a client might be taking for granted. It can also show areas that are weak and need strengthening through remedial measures. A Vedic astrologer can ascertain the resources available to a client and give advice on making the most of what is available.

Vedic astrology can pinpoint times to take actions that are supportive of particular endeavors. Imagine a client expressing interest in moving to

Timing is everything.

another country and starting a new business. Success for that endeavor could be indicated in the chart, which is one reason the client had the inspiration in the first place, but the astrological influences do not indicate success for said venture until five years down the road. If an astrologer did not share this information with the client, she might make the move and start her business only to struggle needlessly for the next five years.

 H uman beings incarnate to fulfill four main purposes in life:

• P roper livelihood in accordance with our natural tendencies.

• T he ability to procure resources for our needs.

• E njoyment of our life circumstances.

• Liberation of consciousness from the mistaken sense of individual isolated existence.

Vedic Astrology Terms and Definitions

Understanding how to practice Vedic Astrology is time intensive.  Understanding the terms and definitions used in the process helps.

When you participate in Vedic Astrology session, it can also help to understand the terms used.  Although, this is not necessary to have a good Vedic Astrology session, as a helpful astrologer can share the information you need without all the jargon.

For those interested, the following terms and definitions are most commonly used.

Amrita – One of the treasures emanated from the galactic churning.
The nectar of immortality.

Artha – One of the four goals of human life, to be able to procure
necessary wealth and resources.

Ascendant – The first house of the birth chart. The sign rising on
the Eastern horizon at birth.

Aspect – The infl uence of a planet directed at another area of the chart.

Ayurveda, meaning "life knowledge", is a way of life and medicine aiming at optimal health and well being.

Atma – Self. The absolute reality of the universe.

Ayanamsha – The longitudinal difference between the tropical
and sidereal zodiac.

Ayurveda– The natural medicine system of India based on the three doshic, or constitutional types called Pitta, Vata, and Kapha. “Ayur” means life and “veda” means knowledge.

Astrological Heart Problems

This is the chart of an athletic (over) achiever, in her mid twenties. With the Sun and an Exalted Mercury in the 10th, I was able to discern the tri-athlete level ability, and the conjunction of Mars and Saturn, easily showed her intensity and drive.

Her Dasha fits well with the Asthotari Dasha sequence, a conditional nakshatra specific dasha, that will be more precise for her, rather than the standard Vimshottari Dasha.  Having begun the Mars Major period in 2007, she adamantly confirmed, that was when life started to become harder and more stressful, and it was in this dasha she discovered the holes in her heart.

The Mars dasa can show surgery, because he rules the 12th, and has that connection with Saturn and Ketu.

In the Trimamsha Varga, Mars is in the 12th house, a house of loss, in neutral status, which makes it’s energy scarce.  This is aspected by a Sun in a Great Enemies sign, which does not help.

The afflicted fire element, while did help sustain her drive, may have pushed her too far.

Dhruva Galactic Center Middle of Mula Ayanamsa

According to Ernst Wilhelm, (www.vedic-astrology.net) when asked about the Sri Yukteswar Ayanamsha:

Vedic Astrologer and Kriya Yoga Teacher, Sri Yukteswar

“Sri Yuktesvar never used the ayanamsa named after him. When he wrote the Holy Science and talked about the Yugas he used Mean Motions of the precession, which is 24000 years, just like Manu Samhita uses the same mean motions. Talking in mean motions makes truth for all time. However, in this particular cycle, it will take 25600 years for the equinoxes to progress through the zodiac. And Sri Yuktesvar knew this of course as it was known during that time. He then goes on to say that the revati star marks the first point of sidereal aries, which is what the galactic center middle of mula ayanamsa comes to by the way. The then uses mean motions to arrive at a revati position that is not true from observation, but true from a mean motion point of view. Yuktesvar was not talking about precession in respect to

astrologers calculating an ayanamsa, but about mean motions of the great cycle. Readers did not understand this and so derived an ayanamsa based on mean motions in his book – not what he intended. But that is the norm, people take wise words and do the unintentional with them.

How to Choose an Astrological Remedy

Question: “What methodology do you use for choosing remedial measures, Ryan?”

Response: “For a long time I would assess the house placements, their lords and strengths of the individual planets, and if one of the friendly

Gemstones, properly proscribed can alleviate astrological difficulty by strengthening the stressed planet, so you have more energy to take appropriate action.

planets to the ascendant was under a lot of stress, I would advise gemstones for that.  Of course I would also assess this from the moon sign, and the sun sign, and the navamsha lagna, before deciding.Mantras I would advise as well, for any planet that was causing difficulty, as well as service or charity, and I would also advise yagyas.

What I advised was based on what I could anticipate that the client would actually be able to do.  Some folks just can’t commit to sitting once a day for 40 days to do a mantra, but can easily arrange a yagya or purchase a gemstone.

Now my approach is a bit different.  Using dignities, and the ishta/kashta information, as well as considering dashas in effect, and the planetary placement in the appropriate varga, I do the same.  It’s just the method of assessment has become a bit more involved.”

Saturn, Karaka of Longevity or Illness?

According to Ernst Wilhelm:

“ALL planets represent necessary functions, only when they are bad to they indicate problems. Saturn’s job is to keep the body clean so that it does not get sick. If his ability to do this is weak, then the body gets a disease. So the stronger Saturn the less chance of disease and the longer the longevity. Then, if Saturn is joined a planet in cleaning the body the part that all the toxis get stuck in are the organ of the planet he is with. Of if he aspects a planet he is an enemy to he will dump toxins there too. But it is not that he is causing the disease, just that the toxins are too much and he has to put them somewhere and so then disease sets in.”

This is a very nice explanation of how Saturn can work in Vedic Astrology.

A Strong Saturn Can Keep the Body Clean and Long Lived.

Rahu in the 7th

Rahu and Ketu are the points where eclipses occur.

Question: “I would like to know what in my horoscope is Ketu which is located in the 1st house, and what of Rahu in the 7th house. I want to know what is their position in the individual houses and what impact their position is my life.”

Response: “Rahu in the 7th can give association with foreigners or people outside of your caste. It can attract addictive personalities, or people of a very sensual nature. Rahu represents fears and phobias, and so can create a lot of confusion in relationships. It can also make relationships start out well, and then fall through in an explosive crisis.

Ketu is good for intuition, and renunciation of the world. It can give an explosive personality, and being in scorpio can make one very interested in deeper psychology, and also teaching. One could make good income through teaching, research and psychological or spiritual pursuits. “

Question: “Does Rahu always create havoc AND make sure the relationships fall apart? or IF things go bad in a relationship he will make sure the relationship falls apart? “

Response: “Not always, but really, we need to assess the chart as a whole to see how Rahu is functioning.

Some positive benefits show good relationships with foreigners, or the partner may live or work far from home.  It can give out of the ordinary or non traditional relationships (of course in the past, non traditional was considered a bad thing) or taboo relationships.

Rahu breaks down boundaries, and can challenge social norms.  It can make a person deal with others in clever fashion.  Material prosperity can often improve after marriage because of this.  “

Houses and Signs Question

I was recently asked, via email: “If you know the 1st house is in the 4th house wouldnt that tell you which house each sign is in?  And with the planets could they be mutual relationship without being in the same sign or house?”

Response: “Basically,

Mars rules Aries and Scorpio
Venus rules Taurus and Libra
Mercury rules Gemini and Virgo
Moon rules Cancer
Sun rules Leo
Jupiter rules Sagittarius and Pisces
Saturn rules Capricorn and Aquarius

They always rule those signs, that never changes.  However, house rulership changes depending on the ascendant, because the ascendant determines how we count out the houses.  Houses always start with the ascend sign.

So if we have a Gemini Ascendant (the ascendant is the first house) then we know that Mercury rules the 1st house (Gemini) and the 4th house (Virgo), the moon rules the 2nd house (Cancer), the Sun rules the 3rd house, (Leo), Venus rules the 5th house (Libra) and the 12th house, (Taurus), and Mars rules the 6th house (Scorpio) and the 11th house (Aries), and Jupiter Rules the 7th house (Sagittarius) and the 10th (Pisces) and Saturn Rules the 8th (Capricorn) and the 9th (Aquarius).

See how that works…. So this changes with each ascendant, based on how we start counting the houses, and the houses always start with the ascendant.

For Scorpio Ascendant, we have the following house rulerships:

1st Mars  (scorp)
2nd Jupiter  (sag)
3rd Saturn (Capri)
4th Saturn (Aquarius)
5th Jupiter (Pisces)
6th Mars (Aries)
7th Venus (Libra)
8th Mercury (Gemini)
9th Moon (Cancer)
10th Sun (Leo)
11th Mercury (Virgo)
12th Venus (Libra)

This is always true for a Scorpio ascendant as the above mentioned for Gemini is always true.

It’s that way for all the ascendants.”