Astrology Weekly Newsletter

November 30, 2006

In this issue:


Editorial

This newsletter's guest writer, Acharya Bharat, is presenting you the Nakshatras:

The Real Secret of Vedic Astrology ~ Nakshatra

In the Vedic (Hindu) system of Astrology, known in Sanskrit as Jyotish, the 27 constellations and not the 12 star-signs are the key to understanding celestial influences on our planet. These 27 constellations are known as the 27 Nakshatras, which are 300 to 400 light years away from earth. Based on a person's moon Nakshatra at the time of birth, Jyotish offers a most powerful predictive technique compared to other forms of astrology.

The term "Nakshatra," when broken down into its constituent parts: "naks" meaning "sky" and "shetra" meaning "region", translate into "Sky Map." Another translation is arrived at using a different dissection: "naksha" is "map" and "tara" is "star" and so Nakshatra is "Star Map." Both meanings clearly show that in the eyes of the ancient Vedic (Indian) seers the 27 Nakshatras (constellations) and not the 12 zodiacal star-signs map the sky.

It was the Moon that ancient people first looked to for calculating time and connecting to the stars. 'Nakshatras' is the name given to the constellations or mansions of the Moon, as the Moon resides in each of these constellations for one day.

The system of constellations is very ancient, dating back more than 5,000 years as they were referred to in the oldest Veda (Hindu's scripture). These lunar mansions appear in Chinese and Arabic astrology but have not received much attention in Western or European astrology. Each of the 27 Nakshatras consists of 13º and 20 minutes of the zodiac. Multiplying this length by 27 equals the entire zodiacal belt of 360 degrees.

The Nakshatras are classified in various ways, according to basic attribute, primary motivation (Kama - sensual desires; Artha - material desires; Dharma - living life based on spiritual principles; Moksha - liberation from birth and death), sex, caste, species and so on. They are particularly revealed by their presiding deities, ruling planets and their symbolic form.

The Nakshatra and the signs of the zodiac both begin from the same point. The beginning of the first Nakshatra, or constellation of Ashwini, the first Nakshatra, is the same as that of the first sign of Aries. Each sign contains the combined influence of the Nakshatras falling with it. Compared to the signs, the Nakshatra or Nakshatras possess a deeper effect. The signs are merely "a heap, mass, or collection" of influences as their Sanskrit name suggests.

The planets are the cosmic creative powers. Each planet radiates certain specialized forces. The planets make their impact on the zodiacal field. This specialized circle divided by the signs and Nakshatras is the negative or passive field of influences, while the planets are the positive or active fields. The signs and Nakshatras create the necessary environment, while the planets are the precipitating forces.

Prakriti (the female creative impulse) is the force that sustains the general background of the zodiac. Prakriti produces the basic conditions on which the seeds sprinkled by Purusha (the male consciousness factor) fructify and grow. The Nakshatras and signs of the zodiac are the passive creative potency whereas the planets are the creative or generating forces. The planets are active causes whereas the signs and Nakshatras are the material layer of the action. The Nakshatras and signs constitute the horizontal arm, while the planets represent the vertical arm in the cross of cosmic creation.

In Vedic astrology, the personality traits are read more through the birth star (Nakshatra of the Moon) than by the Sun sign. Nakshatra positions of planets are examined in the birth chart as well. The use of Nakshatra is very important in Vedic astrology, much more than with zodiac signs.

Indian seers say that the Nakshatras represent the abodes into which the fruits of our labor (our Karma) is transferred and stored. The Nakshatras dispense the fruits of Karma, the highest of which is the fruit of our worship and meditation, our spiritual labor of life.

Vedic astrology uses a system of planetary periods called Dasha (Major Period) of various planets based on the Moon Nakshatra at the time of birth. Most important is Vimshottari Dasha, a 120-year-long cycle of planetary positions based upon the birth Nakshatra, stars. The planetary periods of Vedic astrology provide an easy and comprehensive system for judging the effects of planets throughout out our lives. The planetary periods are the most accurate system of how the planets distribute their effects through time and different stages of our lives. The major seven planets plus two lunar nodes are assigned periods ranging from 6 to 20 years.

With the help of this Dasha (Major Period system) a Vedic astrologer can predict future events very accurately. However, Western and other astrological systems do not have predictive capabilities as Vedic astrology.

Acharya Bharat is a Hindu (Vedic) Astrologer, Yoga teacher, and Brahmin-Hindu priest. He has studies Yoga and Vedic astrology in India and USA. For over twenty years, Bharat has served as a guide to many people of all ages with Yoga and Vedic astrology. Bharat promotes spiritual astrology, a discipline that will throw light on your Karma, your spiritual path, and your ultimate goal, the self-realization. To solve your problems with the Vedic astrology and Yoga, please contact Bharat: www.PadminiLight.com, Portland, Oregon, USA, E-Mail: bharatyoga@comcast.net


Book review

"The New American Ephemeris for the 21st Century" by Rique Pottenger

Since the first edition of this book "The American Ephemeris" published in 1978, based on computer programming by Neil Michelsen, astrologers learned to rely more and more heavily on computers to perform complicate calculations so much needed in astrology.

David Cochrane wrote: "Before Neil Michelsen developed new ephemeris and table zone times, astrologers were like carpenters using hand tools to build houses and Neil gave us power tools. Before Neil Michelsen's time many astrologers were very wary of computers and felt that the enroachment of technology on their sacred art would profane and degrade their practice."

In the fall of 2006, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the first publication, Rique Pottenger continues the work that Neil began and publishes "The New American Ephemeris for the 21st Century"

In this lengthy book, the ephemeris span over a hundred years (2000-2100) giving daily positions for all planets used by astrologers and the true lunar nodes, without forgetting Pluto and including Ceres (inserted between Mars and Jupiter). Since the Moon is the fastest moving celestial object (roughly 13 degrees/day), Moon's position is actually given for midnight and noon, which is a good idea.

Besides these, monthly positions are listed for the Vernal Point, Galactic Center, Eris, Chiron, Vesta, Pallas, Juno and the mean lunar nodes, which represent the most common additional influences observed in astrology.

In addition to the ephemeris, the book provides most practical information for the astrologer - exact time and date of the following:

  • planetary stations (direct/retrograde stations)
  • planetary ingresses in signs
  • planets changing hemisphere by declination
  • major and minor aspects between planets
  • all Moon phases and solar/lunar eclipses
  • void of course Moon periods - specifying the last Moon aspect and the ingress in the next sign

What else could one expect from this book that isn't already in there? Seems like Rique Pottenger has thought of everything. I bet that 99% of astrologers would be happy to have this book on their shelf for quick reference whenever needed.

I consider myself a computer geek and since 2000 when I got my first astrology software I didn't think that I would use a printed ephemeris again. But having it all together in one place, including so much data of immediate practical use, is really useful and it doesn't require any computer or even electrical power. So then, you already know one of my answers to the famous question: "What would be the three things you would take with you on a desert island?"
FYI, the other two would be a pack of Sabian Symbols cards and the Bible.


Sky Events

Astrological data for December 2006

(all times are Universal Time - GMT)
  • Saturn turns retrograde on 6th December at 4:08 am.
  • Mars enters Sagittarius on 6th December at 4:59 am.
  • Mercury enters Sagittarius on 8th December at 5:53 am.
  • Venus enters Capricorn on 11th December at 5:34 am.
  • The Sun enters Capricorn on 22nd December at 12:23 am.
  • Mercury enters Capricorn on 27th December at 8:56 pm.
  • Ceres enters Pisces on 29th December at 12:56 am.

Moon Phases

  • Full Moon on 5th December at 12:26 am - 12Gem43.
  • Last Quarter on 12th December at 2:33 pm - 20Vir25.
  • New Moon on 20th December at 2:02 pm - 28Sag32.
  • First Quarter on 27th December at 2:49 pm - 05Ari42.

More astrological data for 1st December 2006

  • Vernal Point: 05Pis09
  • Galactic Center: 26Sag56
  • Eris: 20Ari21 Rx
  • Chiron: 05Aqu46
  • Pallas: 21Cap06
  • Juno: 14Lib06
  • Vesta: 28Lib17
  • Mean Lunar North Node: 21Pis18

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Details on each kind of reading are available on this page.

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