Reconciliation of the Tropical and Sidereal Zodiacs. Part I.

The universe is, quite obviously, our mother – “mother nature.” The stars and planets of the heavens are her body. The movements of those planets and stars is the “body language” or “sign language” that our mother uses to help us navigate an understand the destinies we have created for ourselves over countless lifetimes on a great journey towards self-realization.

Like any language, it is quite important to grasp the fundamental grammar. Astrological grammar has three primary divisions:

1)      the planets

2)      the space through which they roam – the “zodiac”

3)      the way this space relates to a given time and place on earth – the “houses”

In this paper (being presented first as a series of posts on my blog) I will address our understanding of the second part of astrological grammar: the zodiac. This topic is in dire need of address because the international community of serious astrologers has not yet agreed upon how to even define it!

Stated basically, there are two opposing ways to define the zodiac: in reference to the stars, or in reference to the Sun’s relationship to the earth. The former is termed a “sidereal zodiac” and the later a “tropical zodiac.” One camp of astrologers believes that the tropical zodiac alone is correct. Another camp believes that the sidereal alone is correct. A few believe that there must be room for both. In this paper I will propose and explore a marriage of the two zodiacs.

My background and roots are in Indian astrology – often given the fairly misleading moniker of “Vedic astrology.” Naturally, then, my exploration of this topic will stem from that vantage point, but am confident that what I discover will be of significant value to the entire international astrological community.

The Sidereal Zodiac is the Stars Themselves?

Initially, the tropical zodiac seemed to me imaginary, a mistake, or perhaps at best theoretical. After all, I could look up in the sky with my own eyes every night and see that Jupiter, for example was literally in Taurus. Thus the sidereal zodiac initially struck me as the obvious, real and accurate one.

But there are a few undeniably weird things about it.

First of all, the actual zodiac constellations are of all different sizes; some very large and others very short. The sidereal zodiac does not reflect this at all. Like the tropical zodiac, it defines all the signs as being of identical size.

Actually, what I see with my eyes is not twelve but thirteen constellations within zodiac space – the thirteenth being the recently made famous Ophiuchus.

So I have to admit, after all, that the sidereal zodiac really is not the actual stars in space. And this leads to the question, “What exactly is it?” The answer caused me to realize that the sidereal zodiac is not as different from the tropical as it initially seemed.

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End of Part I – Continued in PART II

Vic DiCara

www.vicdicara.com

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Astrology “ABC”s from Ancient Sanskrit Texts

Learn how to think, not what to think

There are several medieval and ancient Sanskrit astrology textbooks that have a great wealth of knowledge – but are completely misunderstood by readers without the cultural background required to correctly approach them. This handicap is not the special curse of non-Indian’s by any means! All humans since the dark ages have lost the intellectual culture required to make good use of Sanskrit literature.

The most important point of that culture to understand is this: Gurus do not come to teach you what to think! They come to teach you how to think!

Thus, the statements in the Sanskrit astrological texts (or “scripture”) are examples given by gurus to illustrate to us students the way to think like a guru! We are not supposed to Xerox, memorize, or cut-and-paste these statements. We are supposed to enter into them and discover their spirit.

I hope that I can now manage to share with you a few examples of how to use Sanskrit knowledge, particularly the knowledge in the Astrological texts, as a result of the grace my guru has kindly shown me. I will give examples of very basic “ABC”-level statements from a text entitled Brihat Jataka (“The Encyclopedia of Natal Astrology”) and will show you how to not just read or memorize the statements but instead to enter into them and understand the thought process which the examples in those statements serve to illustrate.

If you are familiar with the basic meanings of the planets this will all make amazing sense to you, I think. If not you may first want to start by learning about the planets.

Another obstacle we have to overcome is the impulse to jump to final conclusions prematurely. For example, a guide will make some statement to illustrate the nature of what happens when, say, the Sun is in Virgo… our first impulse is to say, “Wait, I have the Sun in Virgo (or I know so and so with the Sun in Virgo) and that’s not how things are for them.” I will say three things to help us deal with this short circuiting impulse:

• A single factor (such as Sun in Virgo) is just a single fact. The final conclusion is made when we understand how that single factor resonates with the many other factors in the horoscope.
• It is good to see how the principle plays out in the real world – but be sure to consider all the astrological factors (or at least many of them), not just one before drawing a conclusion on how practically useful the knowledge is for you.
• We can have some amount of faith - it is very important. The points mentioned may not always be at the fore of existence for an individual, but they are always there in some degree and in some permutation. With faith we have the patience to search for the full understanding rather than dismissing what initially confuses us.

Now lets dive into gaining a deeper, more useful insight into the Sanskrit astrological texts:

SUN IN VIRGO

Remember, Virgo is a sign that belongs to Mercury. The following bullet points are statements from Brihat Jataka (as translated by Ernst Wilhem) about this very basic placement. Between the bullet points, I will explain what the author of Brihat Jataka was thinking, what he was illustrating by his statement.

• The individual will be a writer, painter, poet,mathematician, and well up in other subjects of knowledge,

Sun (Career) + Mercury (communication & intelligence)

Thus, the Career operates in fields related to communication and intellect.

• but he will possess a feminine body.

Sun (Self) + Mercury (Beautiful)
Thus the body (visible self) operates in a beautiful way.

MARS IN GEMINI OR VIRGO

Remember, both Gemini and Virgo belong to Mercury.

• One will become spirited

Mars (passion) + Mercury (intellect) – Thus one’s thoughts are full of passion and ambition – one is “spirited.”

• and intolerant,

Mars (selfish) + Mercury (diplomatic relations) – Selfishness enters into ones diplomatic relations, so one appears “intolerant.”

• will get many sons and

Passion (Mars) + Intellect (Mercury) leads to enjoyment/copulation/children.

• no friends.

Mars (selfish) + Mercury (friendly) – Selfishness enters into ones ability to have friends and can spoil it.

• He will be doing good to others,

Mars (insight/incisive) + Mercury (intelligence) = knows that to do good karmas is in ones own self-interest, therefore does good deeds for the sake of getting good karma in return.

• and be clever in music, singing and in the knowledge of warfare

Mars (insight/ incisive) + Mercury (intellect) = insight in the arts (particularly martial arts)

•  The individual will be a miser

Miser means keeping money, not spending.

Mars (Practicality, Utility) + Mercury (Party) = one prefers not to party, but rather to be pratical and do things that have utility and purpose. Therefore he does not enjoy and expend.

• fearless

Mars (bravery) + Mercury (intelligence)

• and desirous of wealth

Mars (conquering property) + Mercury (commerce) – The passion to conquer and control enters into ones commercial interactions, one becomes “desirous of wealth”

MERCURY IN VIRGO

Virgo belongs to Mercury, and Mercury is “exalted” in a portion of Virgo. Brihat Jataka says that one born under this combination will become (bullet points):

• unselfish,and generous

Mercury (balanced and flexible) is strong in this sign. This leads to a person who is flexible to others needs, “unselfish and generous.”

•  a learned scholar

Mercury (intelligence, education) is strong

• endowed with many qualities

Mercury (master of arts and sciences) is strong – so one has an intellect that is open to education and thus one learns many things and thereby develops many good qualities.

• happy and forgiving

Mercury (diplomatic and witty) is strong

• He will know how to convince others by reasoning

Mercury (intelligent communication) is strong – therefore one can communicate diplomatically and intelligently, and use that rather than force or coercion to accomplish ones goals.

• and will be void of any fear.

Mercury (intelligence) is strong – “fear of unknown” is diminished.

JUPITER IN SAGITTARIUS OR PISCES

Jupiter owns both these signs – Sagittarius and Pisces (we don’t consider new planets like Uranus in Sanskrit texts). So remember that this placement basically indicates a strengthened Jupiter. The Brihat Jataka says the individual will become:

• the head of an assemblage

Jupiter (the teacher at the front of the class) is strong in these signs. This placement enables and encourages the individual to be in a similar position, at the front of a group giving instruction and guidance.

• or the ruler of a province, a minister to a king, or a general

Jupiter (the guide, wise leader) is strong. The idea all these specific statements illustrate is that one with Jupiter in these signs is enabled to be a guide and leader for others.

•  and will be wealthy

Jupiter (prosperity) is strong.

VENUS IN LEO

Leo belongs to the Sun. Brihat Jataka says the individual born under this combination will

• get money through wife or women

Venus (Women & Money) + Sun (Career). So the career brings money when women/cosmetics/beauty/sensuality/arts are involved.

• exalt his excellent wife as the most high

Venus (Wife) + Sun (Royalty). So one is inclined to treat the spouse/opposite sex like they are royalty. This also implies loyalty and submission to the opposite sex/spouse.

• and will possess few sons

Venus (Fertility) + Sun (Sterility).

SATURN IN TAURUS

Taurus belongs to Venus.

• Practicing illicit intercourse with women of low caste not fit to be approached

Saturn (perverted/low class) + Venus (women & sexuality). Here the guru makes a specific statement, don’t tie your brain to the specific statement itself, but to the concept that it illustrates! The concept is that one will be fond of women (or to remove the male bias, “spouses”) who are not really worthy of ones fondness for one reason or another. Maybe they are old, maybe they are low class, maybe they are uncultured and unrefined and insensitive. But still one has fondness for them for some strange reason. Probably the strong, persistent desire to be with women prompts one to accept any and every woman. “Perversions” are enjoyable and attractive from this placement.

•  not at all wealthy

Saturn (Poverty) + Venus (Wealth)

• having many wives

Saturn (Perversion) + Venus (sexuality). Saturn is an insatiable, unstoppable force. One is inclined to enjoy many partners when this force contacts Venus energy as it does for example when Saturn is in Venus’ Taurus.

- Vic DiCara

www.vicdicara.com

Myths of Astrology vs. Facts of Science

Question

Image via Wikipedia

Do you believe that the idea that eclipses occur because Rahu‘s immortal head is swallowing the sun is a metaphor, or that there is actually a being named Rahu who is actually swallowing the sun when an eclipse occurs?

My Answer

First it would be good to admit that the culture who came up with that crazy sounding myth is the same culture which was predicting the time and place of eclipses with near modern accuracy. So maybe we shouldn’t be too quick to write off the whole thing as crazy?

My understanding is that eclipses occur where the path of the Moon intersects the path of the Sun (“ecliptic”) only at times and from places where the two bodies, Sun and Moon, are simultaneously present at the intersecting locations. This is how Vedic astrological/astronomical literature defines and accurately calculates the invisible position of “Rahu” and “Ketu” and thus accurately predicts the occurance of eclipses.

Image via Wikipedia

Vedic literature also says that at the two locations where the Moon’s path crosses the Sun’s, there is a demigod/demon (force of nature) positioned. And that this powerful force (“Rahu” on one end, “Ketu” on the other) takes advantage of this location to exact revenge upon the Sun and Moon by swallowing them.

The level of reality upon which demigods and demons exist as discrete localized personalities is not the level of reality in which human beings in the current epoch of development, exist, except in very rare cases of persons with stuff usually called “ESP” or persons who have intentionally cultivated higher tunings of their sensory faculties (by yoga disciplines, for example). On our level of reality, there is no demon swallowing the sun or moon when there is an eclipse. All we see on our level of reality is their “shadow” or effect – we see an intersection of lunar and solar ecliptics causing the Sun and Moon to baffle one another and their light to be temporarily extinguished.

So, on our level of reality, no there is no Rahu… also there are no demigods living “on the Moon”, No angels in the “clouds”, etc.

Our level of reality is not the only level of reality. This is what I am getting at in general by agreeing that empiric evidence is extremely relevant and useful for our practical world, but disagreeing that it is reliable as the sole or final authority for determining the totality of reality. This is the point of my Boy and His Ruler, story. (You can CLICK THIS to read the very short story)

- Vic DiCara

www.vicdicara.com

Astrology and Bhakti? Is Karma Relevant to Spiritualists?

Student: Before I studied astrology with you, I thought that it could never predict spiritual things since spiritual things transcend karma. But reading your descriptions of Prabhupada and Aindra’s horoscopes shows me this is not the case.

Vic: Yes, excellent question. It is important to have a clear and conclusive understanding of this topic. The question raises itself not only in relation to the charts of spiritualists like Aindra Ji and Prabhupada, but even more deeply in relation to the horoscopes of incarnations of Godhead such as Krsna, Rama, and Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Student: Yes yes! I told a devotee about your reading for Krishna‘s chart and they told me, “He shouldn’t do that.”

Vic: The vaishnava-shiromani (the jewel on the grown of devotional spiritualists) Srila Vishvanatha Chakravarti told me the positions of the planets in Krsna’s horoscope, in his commentary on Srimad Bhagavatam. Am I to conclude he told me these because I should not consider them carefully? That would be silly, right? One who can understand Krsna better and explain about Krsna to others by examining those positions outlined by Vishvanatha should do so. That is Krsna Katha (discussion of Krsna, a major practice of devotional spiritualism), isn’t it?

Student:

Vic: Bhaktivinode Thakur gives the Horoscope of Sriman Mahaprabhu in his commentary on Caitanya Caritamrta. Should some relatively neophyte devotee say that it is improper to study the planetary positions of spiritual beings in the face of Vishvanath and Bhaktivinode doing so?

Student: Amazing.

Vic: Vaishnav-aparadha (needlessly criticizing a devotee) is much worse that being ill informed or neophyte, so I should really watch my mouth and not offend any devotee who feels that astrology has no place in Krsna Consciousness. But I have explained the reasons why I myself would not accept that conclusion. Even in this I have offended Vaishnavas and so should be very careful to state clearly that I respect their devotional sentiment although I quietly and humbly hold to a different conclusion on this particular subject, and humbly request their consideration of my opinion.

Student: Yes.

Vic: Anyway, let me answer your question before class time runs out.

Student: Yea!

Vic: The question is answered from two angles. From one angle the answer pertains to when the influence of bahiranga-maya (the potency facilitating ignorance) ceases to have karmic influence over a spiritualist. From the second angle the answer pertains to how antaranga-maya (the potency facilitating the enlightened state) acts within the material sphere.

Student: I see.

Vic: Lets cover the first angle first.

Student: OK.

Vic: Right from the very beginning of devotional spiritual practices (sadhana-bhakti) the effects of karma begin to dissipate. There are four stages of karma: unmanifest (aprarabdha), inclinations (kutam), actions (bijam) and manifest reactions (prarabdha).

When ones spiritual practices dawn on perfection one attains the level of bhakti-yoga termed bhava-bhakti. At this stage only manifest reactions remain (prarabdha). There is still karma acting even at the stage of Bhava-Bhakti, but it has no significant momentum. It is only the shell of the final reactions of a soul’s karma. Thus the bhakta at this level continues to exist in a body and in the material world – this is the extent of the prarabdha karma.

When pure love of godhead becomes absolutely integrated into the spiritual ego one attains the level of bhakti yoga termed prema-bhakti. At this point the bhakta is physically reborn into the activities of Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as they are currently being manifest in one of the material universes. Certain experiences of separation from Krsna during that final transitional birth cause the last whiffs of the final shreds of prarabdha karma to disappear, and at that level one attain a fully transcendental existence, form, residence, etc.

Student: Awh yess, i seee.

Vic: So, to put it plainly, the extent that one is not yet in Krsna-lila – the extent to which one is not actually interacting in tangible reality with Krsna – that is the extent to which karma (and thus astrology) still holds potential sway over the person.

For practical purposes it can be said confidently that one at the level of bhava-bhakti is sufficiently freed of karma, and have no measurable need to care for its effects. Therefore they have no real need to concern themselves with astrology. Stretching it a bit further, we can extend this immunity to karma/astrology even to the spiritual practitioners who are beginning to acquire asakti (devotional addictions) and ruci (devotional enjoyments) as a result of performing their sadhana (practices) on the platform of nishta.

In short the degree to which one has attained realization of krsna-prema is exactly proportionate to the degree to which karma (and therefore astrology) becomes meaningless to one.

Student: I see.

Vic: There is no reason to limit this to Astrology. To the degree that one attains prema, in the equal degree one will have no need for material support in their spiritual efforts, whether from astrology, social institutions, or religious practices of particular varnas (social roles) and ashramas (spiritual roles).

That is the first angle on answering the question. Is that much clear so far?

Student: Yeah. It is so far.

Vic: The second angle on the question is that Krsna appears in this world, ya know? In it. That is why he comes through the agency of Ksirodakshayi Vishnu (the supreme lord of the material universe). And this is why karma of this world moves into a particular astrological alignment to make it possible to manifest krsna-lila (Krsna’s pastimes) here within the material sphere.

Student: Ahhh!

Vic: I mean, isn’t this exactly what Vishnu told Brahma when Brahma went with the demigods and Bhumi (the Earth Goddess) to ask for an incarnation to happen!? Vishnu told Brahma, “OK, I am going to incarnate in the Yadu dynasty. Now, all of you demigods make the preparations and take your places.”

Right?

Student: Mhm.

Vic: The navagraha (Nine Planets) are demigods, you know. They too listened to this order from Vishnu and fulfilled it.

Student: Ahh.

Vic: So the second angle on answering this question is that karma can act under the direction of yogamaya (the potency that facilitates not ignorance but the enlightened state). When Krsna appears in the world, yogamaya takes over the functions of universal karma to make it possible for spiritual reality to manifest within the material sphere.

Not just for Krsna but also for parama-siddhas like Srila Prabhupada, you can say that the karma in his chart is an orchestration of yogamaya to facilitate and manifest the lila (activities) that Krsna wanted and needed Prabhupada to manifest.

Okay?

Student: I’m understanding now.

Vic: Great! That is my job, and my pleasure.

- Vic DiCara

www.vicdicara.com

© 2010 Vic DiCara, All Rights Reserved