Eastern Astrology

EAST INDIAN ASTROLOGY

By Frater M. M. E. A.

You may go directly to remarks about Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, The Sun, Venus, Mercury, The Moon, The North Node and The South Node.

Jyotish, the East Indian form of Astrology, is considered a Vedic science, the Vedas being a venerable and ancient class of Hindu scripture thought to be preternaturally perceived from the structure of the universe by the "Rishis", a kind of sage in the dimmest reaches of Indian pre-history. The Vedas preserve a form of religion that has easily recognizable co-relations in the more familiar Greek or Assyro-Babylonian Pantheons, including Gods such as Indra, Vayu, and Agni. Later religious developments, occurring during the "Medieval" period of hindu culture (600 a.d. to 1800 a.d.) leave their footprint as more developed concepts of Deity and religion that overlay this earlier structure. Drawing primarily on scriptural classes such as the Brahmanas and the Upanishads, these developments embrace such Divinities as Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu, or the more familiar Krishna or Kali, all characterized by the great devotional tradition of Bhakti, selfless love.

Jyotish, a form of Astrology remarkably similar to the early medieval Western type, has ranges of remedies for unfortunate planetary conditions, that parallel our own Planetary Magick. These remedial practices can be seen among modern East Indian populations both at home and abroad, most noticeably as the slightly odd , and sometimes extravagant use of gemstones. It can be difficult to gain information from the users as they evidence embarrassment at times, but with a bit of friendly non-patronizing coaxing they will often be able to direct you to the local Jyotishi, or Astrologer.

The ordering of the planets in Jyotish follows the pattern of the days of the week, exactly as in the accepted Western form. Traditionally the Nodes of the Moon follow this, being considered planets in their own right. The North Node is termed Rahu, and the South, Ketu.

The following correspondences are a short list only, and in some cases will be notably different with the correspondences of the Western Schools, but always food for thought and spurs for creativity will be seen. Jupiter, in a cadent house in the Natal chart, should alert one to the need for planetary remedies of the Jovial kind and can be applied in interior decor colour choices, clothing choices, scents both worn and suffumigated, and most charmingly... cuisine. Coffee, for instance , is thought by the Vedics to be toxic, and the addition of a Jovian herb such as licorice ( a small amount), and balanced out by Cardamom( Venus) and a sprinkle of cinnamon ( Sun) can be delightful. Bright gold and transparent gemstones along with the deep blues of Lapis (the Western choice) can be pleasant to sit in front of your computer in your field of vision while you clack away on the keyboard. All of this creative application can support workings in the Jovian range of things, either visionary work, talismanic, Deific, or Evocative.

A NOTE ON THE RULERSHIP OF THE SIGNS: The Jyotishis use the Sidereal Zodiac, as opposed to what we usually use here in the West being the Tropical Zodiac. The East Indians, by their own admission, don't take the sign qualities very much into account, and will offer a whole range of points defining 0 degrees of Aries, anywhere up to and beyond 22 degrees difference with the Tropical. Even the East Indian government has an official published figure for the use of Astrologers. The Jyotishis go on to say that not much information can be derived from signs. I've taken this as a clue which Zodiac to apply, deriving much information from the Sign in my practice of Astrology and of Magick. The rules of Debilities, Exaltations, etc, are exactly the same as the ones we use in the West.

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KETU (the South Node)

1. Square of Ketu

Total value:117

2-Planetary symbol: a flag

3-Directions:Macrocosmically not applied, microcosmically NW.

4-Gemstones:Cat's Eye (chysoberyl family), Quartz Cat's Eye. (Gold settings). Avoid the gemstones during any periods of bleeding, fever, headaches, infections, ulcers, eye pain.

5-Deities:

a)Planetary: Ketu: Smoke coloured, grey robed. Two armed, serpent headed, having a serpent as a vehicle, carrying a mace in one hand and the other making the gesture of generosity. Cat's Eye crest jewel.

b)Ruling Deity (adhidevata): Chitragupta (God of Karma)

c)Overruler (pratyadhidevata): Brahma (as God of Knowledge)

6-Planetary Profile: Insight, discrimination, confidence and the lack thereof. Poor perceptions, or conversely overly acute ones. Self-destructive tendencies. As in an overactive Mars, but more in the nature of a collective influence from the world around us ( a weakened Ketu makes us susceptible to injury in War or mass calamities. Sense of constriction, lack of freedom. Excessive attachment to the past, or lost causes. Digestion, circulation, ulceration, anemia, chronic bleeding disorders, muscular problems, nervous disorders with mysterious or unknown causes.

7-Colours: those of the Suns range of bright fiery yellows , oranges and reds. Avoid opaque/whitish colours, or the dark and cloudy.

8-Herbs: subtle, as in Rahu. Sage, Calamus(use caution), bayberry, wild ginger, juniper.

9-Oils: Camphor, cedar, myrrh, , frankincense. Strong Keu need a bit of soothing with substances like Gotu Kola, Bhringiraj, skullcap and passionflower.

10-Mantra: OM KETAVE NAMAHA.

11-Seed Syllable (Bija Mantra); KEM ("came")

12-Yoga: Knowledge yogas generally, the capacity for self-inquiry. Transcendence of time and the senses. Meditation on the subject of Death will assist to develop the higher powers of Ketu.

13-Lifestyle: the developing of confidence in ones thoughts and perceptions. Spiritual and occult studies helpful. Control and direction of the power of insight. Astrology. Advisable to stick with accepted and legitimate traditions. Discipline, concurrent with the development of will and energy along with compassion and freedom.

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