Integrity Among Astrologers?!

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“Astrologers” today are busy cranking out thousands of “predictions” in the hope that one will come true and make them famous in the eyes of innocent, naive onlookers.

When one prediction comes true, the dozens of failed predictions suddenly disappear. The astrologer is praised by fools, and like a fool he accepts this praise around his neck like a garland of rotten flowers. Where is the integrity!?

Frightened, faithless people are frantic to show that astrology is “real.” My friends, Astrology is real. Your “accurate predictions,” however, are not. It is not our task to “prove” that astrology is real by making flawless predictions. This is simply not a fair task. Can a weatherman prove that meteorology is “real” by accurately predicting the weather day by day? Hardly! Yet meteorology is real. Can a medical doctor prove that modern medicine is “real” by curing cancer, or a common cold? sometimes. Why do you need to proove astrology is “real”? You don’t. It is real. Now instead of proving it, use it.

Astrologers, do not be ashamed to be wrong! Everyone is wrong. Why are you supposed to be different? Do you think that learning bits and pieces about astrology makes you God? We are astrologers, we are not God. We will always make mistakes – this is nothing to be ashamed of! What you should be ashamed of is pretending to be all-knowing and all-accurate! Being wrong is not blameworthy, being dishonest is!

Being wrong is just as important as being right – for by both we can learn and grow. Every science is wrong. From those constant mistakes  we learn and develop better science. If you, my dear Astrologer friends, are too afraid to admit that you are sometimes wrong, you are cutting off your opportunities to truly grow as astrologers!

Many astrologers think that if they admit they are not always right, they will not get customers. Let those fake plastic customers go to fake plastic astrologers. Be honest! I get “customers” because what I do for my customers is my honest best. I tell them what I see in their charts and in their futures.

Clients who want a fool-proof prediction are as silly as the astrologers who pretend to supply them. But persons who humbly  approach a humble, honest astrologer seeking guidance and knowledge from the divine will never go wrong, will always be led to the truth!

To add insult to injury – the people who claim that their 1 out of 20 “accurate” guesses makes them great astrologers are the same people putting forward so much intellectual chaos into the science by frolicking and brandishing about “new discoveries” and “new systems.” We claim to be discovering and inventing new systems, planets, signs, etc. but we lack the integrity to deeply understand even the most basic principles of this great and ancient science.

The very sad fact of the matter is that out of 100 astrologers perhaps 2 or 3 can very deeply and clearly explain something very basic. For example:

• What is the unifying principle causing the third house to be about apparently divergent subjects such as bravery, communication, and siblings?
• What is the unifying principle that makes the Sun be about apparently divergent subjects such as soul, body, career, and father?
• What is the unifying theme among the three nakshatra owned by a given planet, for example: Ashvini, Magha, and Moola?
• How to the amshas implicitly and directly affect the birthchart, irrespective of their separate existence as subcharts?

What to speak of these questions! Frankly these are rather advanced questions for the caliber of astrologers today! Even far simpler, more fundamental questions can barely be answered by 10% of astrologers today:

• Why are there 12 zodiac signs, not 11 or 13?
• Why are there two real zodiac systems – sidereal and tropical?

Yet these same people who simply do not understand the ABC’s of astrology are inventing and using new astrological languages? Really!?!?! This is all dishonesty and psuedo-science. It does not benefit human society  and it certainly does nothing to improve the quality of astrology.

The scientific principle is that the most simple and fundamental satisfactory explanation for a phenomena is the best explanation. The science of astrology needs to take far better heed of this principle. If you cannot explain an event or condition using basic principles (planets, houses, signs and nakshatras) you need to improve your understanding of the basic principles, not run off and invent some new theory!

I have Rahu in my second house and I am born to Capricorn: I am blunt and harsh and speak wild things. So naturally your reaction will be – “well who the hell does he think he is – the Jesus Christ Savior of astrology!?”

No, I don’t – but someone has to say these things.

- Vic DiCara

www.vicdicara.com

Classical Vedic Astrology

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Let’s start by defining classical.

 Classical –                  

1. Having the form used by ancient standard authors;
2. Being of recognized authority or excellence.

Now let’s define vedic, which is a form of the word veda.

Veda –

1. Knowledge
2. Written compilation of knowledge

Something is vedic if it is directly related to this written compilation of knowledge, veda. Indian culture quite successfully recorded a compendium of all human knowledge. Knowledge of Astrology is one of the sciences covered in these Vedic writings.

Now we can combine the two to understand that the phrase “Classical Vedic” is something that directly follows the standards set by the ancient Vedic astrological authorities. Who are they? They are a small group of sages with names like Parāśara, Jaiminī, Bhṛghu, and Gārga . We also consider later authors who mastered the teachings of these sages to be among the “standard authors” defining “classical” Vedic astrology. Virahamihira is the name of one such later authority.

If astrology conforms faithfully to the definitions and standards formulated by these Vedic authorities, only then can it be called “classical Vedic astrology.” My Classical Vedic Reading quotes extensively from such authors, especially from the astrological encyclopedias compiled by Parāśara and Virahamihira.

Before we begin the reading, it is very important to be clear on what these quotes – and the books they are drawn from – really are. Vedic books are very different from modern books, because modern books are written for a popular audience, whereas Vedic books are not. Vedic books would not be sold in stores, for example – but would be kept in the libraries of learned people. They speak not to the masses, but to the experienced specialist.

This is a very reasonable way to deliver knowledge. It has a lot in common with the way a modern pharmacy delivers medicine to the public. A pharmacy holds a huge stockpile of medicines, but you or I cannot just walk up and demand whatever medicine we want. We first have to visit a specialist, a doctor, who examines us and determines which medicines in the pharmacy we should and should not receive. All the details recorded in the vast pages of the Vedas are like a huge pharmacy of knowledge. The guru or “guide” is the equivalent of the doctor who is able to understand exactly how to explain the knowledge in the Vedas for the best effect to the “patient” – you and I.

People who try to directly use the Classical Vedic astrology texts to read horoscopes are like patients trying to prescribe their own medicines – it doesn’t work well. The statements in the Vedic astrological texts are codified, symbolic communications from one master of astrology to another. The symbolism of these words communicates volumes of concepts. A person qualified to be a “doctor” of astrology, can make perfect sense out of these concepts, and in turn explain these concepts to a member of the general public in a beneficial way that directly applies to them and helps them understand their destiny and role. In short, the words of the astrological classics are not meant to be read to the public. Rather, the meanings within those words have to be explained as they are relevant to the specific individual.

The format I use for this Classical Vedic Reading facilitates this, while also giving you a glimpse of the intriguing and colorful language of the classical authors.

For each condition in your horoscope I will

• Quote what a classical authority says about it.
• Explain the deeper concepts encoded in that literal quote.
• Express how these concepts apply to you.

By going through the many conditions in your horoscope, the most important and powerful themes pertaining to your destiny and role in life will gradually and richly reveal themselves.

The conditions I will explore are:

• The planets in the signs
• The planets in the houses
• The lords in the houses
• Important Conjunctions
• Important Aspects
• Debilitated, Exalted or Combust Planets
• Important Alignment “Yogas”

- Vic DiCara

www.vicdicara.com

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Do “Malefic” Planets Have Value?

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What is “malefic”? In Sanskrit it is क्रुर (“krura”) -  “rough, harsh, strong.” Malefic planets possess this nature, that is why they are called क्रुर or “malefic.”  By contrast, “benefic” planets are सैम्य (“saumya”) or “gentle, soft, and generous.” What we really learn about life is that there is a right time and place for everything. There is a right time and place for energy that is strong and rough – and there is a wrong time for it. Similarly there is a right time and place for energy that is soft and gentle – and there is a wrong time for that as well.

What are the right circumstances for “krura” energy to use its brute strength? In astrology we express the answer to this question using the terminology of the houses. We say that krura strength is welcome and needed “in the third, sixth, tenth and eleventh houses.” What does this mean? It means that toughness and strength (which is what so-called “malefic” planets carry) is welcome regarding our own personal desires and ambitions (3^rd house), how we deal with challenges and opposition (6^th house), how we conduct ourselves in the unsafe public world (10^th house) and how we go about earning profits for ourselves (11^th house).

This is why classical astrology welcomes “malefic” planets into these four houses.

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