Vedic Knowledge

I predicted in my weekly forecast that Tuesday would be a bad day – perhaps the worst we would experience this month.

For me, the day started out with the septic system in our building overflowing.  Our entire office smelled terrible and we were without water and toilets for two days.  (I found it mildly amusing that I had advised not to examine what’s in the garbage that stinks and to just throw it out.  Actually, we had to spend two days analyzing what was clogging the septic – and causing the stink!)

But our problems were mild compared to what happened in Haiti.  And for such a disaster to happen to a place already plagued by dire poverty, extreme de-forestation, and the worst AIDS epidemic on the planet really begs the question: Why do bad things happen to those already suffering enough?

Jyotisha is an amazing tool for figuring out the answer to that question.  The answer may not necessarily make us feel like the universe is any more just, but at least we can see the amazing correlation between the events on earth and the configurations in the sky.

So I ran the chart for the moment that the earthquake hit in Haiti and was blown away at how much devastation, and yet evolutionary force, it indicated.

The star that was rising is named “Adra” (in Gemini), which means “the Lord of the Storms” and Ketu sat in the same sign connected to a star that brings hope – except that Ketu almost always negates the positive meaning with any star or planet it associates with.  (Ardra, by the way, is called “Betelguese” in modern astronomy and forms part of the Orion constellation.  Interestingly, all ancient cultures that built pyramid structures oriented them to this star as they all regarded it as a “gateway” to higher universal influences that are intimately connected with the forces of evolution, birth, death, and rebirth.)

The Moon, as I mentioned in my blog, was connected to the Mula constellation in Sagittarius (together with four other planets!).  Mula is a group of nine stars in the exact center of our Milky Way galaxy and seems to always be associated with cataclysms that precede great evolutionary changes. (On December 21, 2012, for example, our Sun will transit a particular degree of Mula that it hasn’t entered in 26,000 years.)

Sagittarius is the sign most closely associated with the Guru principle and Mula relates to the numerology of the number 9, which is also Guru and highest spiritual lessons.

Guru means “heavy” — the weighty lessons and experiences that push us beyond our boundaries and limitations.  A true Guru will always offend your Ego, your rigid sense of right and wrong, and your unflinching and stubborn commitment to staying where you are.

Mula is also the domain of the goddess Kali – who brings destruction and sometimes tumultuous endings.  She seems so cruel with her garland of skulls and skirt of severed arms, dancing wildly in a cremation ground haunted by hungry jackals and vultures.  And yet, her devotees call her “Mother!”

It seems to be a law of nature that growth only happens in the wake of profound destruction. When all hope is lost and grief is all we’re left with, something amazing inside us awakens. Disasters force us to look forward and distance ourselves from the past – because the past only brings pain.  We have to reinvent.  We have to re-imagine.  We have to re-inspire.

Disasters also bring us an opportunity to serve and to cultivate deep compassion.  Compassion is the highest human emotion.  It elevates everyone who enters its healing aura.

Knowing this may not help us to feel better about the natural disaster that just hit Haiti and its cruel injustice.  But it brings us closer to understanding why bad things happen to good people.  When the world focuses its collective compassion on the people of Haiti, we bless them and elevate them — something they’ve needed for a long time, but haven’t received until this disaster hit.

And in exchange, the world for once turns its attention from its own self-destructive and selfish obsessions with greed and violence and oppression and opens its heart in empathy with other human beings.

This is how we evolve as individuals and as a planet.

This week brings us the New Moon on Thursday, which I personally always find to be a great relief.  New Moons are fertile ground for creativity, reinvention, and peace of mind. In my experience, I find they bring the least amount of emotional complication.

And an annual solar eclipse on Friday, the 15th!

This coming week, Friday is the most auspicious day in the entire month that will bring a refreshing feeling of peace of mind and opportunity to be free from the usual turbulence in our mind and emotions.  It’s the first day of the waxing cycle and is connected with the great constellation, Uttarashadha — the highest victory or the elephant’s tusk. (Think Ganesha — remover of obstacles and initiator of auspicious beginnings.)

It’s a great day for initiating new directions in life. If you’ve been wanting to initiate a love relationship, for example, your efforts will bear fruit if started on this day. (So send a message, ask him/her out, send flowers — you get the idea.)

If you’ve been frustrated by an annoying and lingering obstacle, it’s a good day to adopt a new and effective strategy.  In other words — Take a radical change of direction. Step out of your comfort zone.  Do something totally unexpected, yet life supporting.

It’s a good day to let go of fear.  It’s a good day to celebrate everything that’s been given to you.

(And, at Shruti Institute for Vedic Arts, we’ll be starting our weekly Sri Laksmi Pujas on Friday beginning at 6:30 pm to inspire prosperity, happiness and fulfillment.  Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend — even remotely by sending us a divine intention to hold during the puja on your behalf to katyayani@shrutiinstitute.com)

Here’s the rest of next week’s Moon forecast:

Monday — January 11th (12th phase of waning cycle); Jyestha constellation in Scorpio

Okay, not the best start of the week.  Jyestha is a fierce nakshatra (constellation) and is ruled by Mercury (which is still Retrograde) and sits in Scorpio’s sign ruled by the planet of conflict and war — Mars (who’s creating all kinds of menace from his position in gentle and caring Cancer).

Try not to listen to the thoughts in your mind or make decisions based on your feelings.  Remember that everything is constantly changing.  So don’t place too much stake in people’s opinions — including your own.

Tuesday — January 12 (13th phase/waning); Mula constellation in Sagittarius

Probably the worst day of the month.  A wise person once told me that when storms hit, it’s best to dive deep.

Try to avoid fights and accusations.  Don’t take anything personally.  Let go of what no longer serves you.  And if it’s leaving you by some unpleasant means, don’t fight to hang on.  Know that when the garbage is being taken out, it stinks a bit.  Don’t waste time analyzing what in the garbage is causing the stink.  Just throw it out!

Wednesday — January 13th (14th phase/waning); Purva Ashadha in Sagittarius

Again, the real problem with today is Mercury’s Retrograde position.  Plus the Moon is connected with Rahu (the North Node of the Moon), who is like the Coyote.  He acts like your friend so he can trick you into giving you what he wants.

What this portends is confusion on the level of heart and mind.  Try to avoid making serious decisions on this day.  Your heart is liable to be tricked by your mind, which is not functioning in a logical manner.

Try not to sign any business contracts or agree to a long-term financial commitment.  There’s a great opportunity for cheaters or those who don’t play fair to have the upper hand.

Be flexible and detached.  And be willing to wait a few days.  If you’re involved in a court case that could financially obligate you, see if you can delay the hearing.  It’ll be worth it.

Thursday — January 14th (15th/30th phase waning); Purva Ashadha in Sagittarius

Ah, finally the New Moon.

You should feel much better today.  The icky energy has passed.  It’s a great day for beginning new studies or for forgiving someone or for freeing yourself from a mental habit or emotional pattern.

Take the opportunity of the New Moon to cleanse yourself — fast, meditate, sweat lodge, hot Yoga, burn old photos, clean the house, etc.  Enjoy the reprieve!

Friday — January 15th (1st phase waxing); Uttarashadha in Sagittarius

The first phase of the waxing Moon is always a good day to start anything that you want to see bear positive fruits.  Today is especially auspicious for starting something that will benefit you in the long-run.

Today is really the best day to start in on New Year’s resolutions — especially the ones that are really tough like quitting a habit, starting a new job, eating a different diet, trying out a new strategy for success.  But if you make the effort today, the positive energy of the Moon’s position will carry you.

The wise expression — Well begun is half done — really applies today.

Saturday — January 16th (2nd phase waxing); Shravana in Capricorn

I love this day.  Shravana is the naksatra that is ruled by the goddess of learning, Sarasvati.  It is also the constellation whose three stars signify the three letters in the mantra, Om (A-U-M).

Chant mantras today.  Start your meditation practice.  Sit in silence.  Feel that this entire universe is part of your self.

A great day to learn Sanskrit, a musical instrument, communicating from the heart, and spreading an uplifting message.

(I’ll be teaching my workshop, “Awakening with Sanskrit,” coincidentally at Core Power Yoga in Broomfield today.  All are welcome to join me. Just send me an email to let me know you’ll be attending.)

Sunday — January 17th (3rd phase waxing); Dhanistha in Aquarius (with Jupiter!)

When the Moon and Jupiter sit together in a sign (as they do today), it creates what we (Vedic Astrologers) call “The Elephant/Lion Yoga.”

Elephants and Lions rule the jungle and every other creature must pay them their due respect — because the elephant might smoonch you or the lion might eat you!  In exchange for our reverence, these animals become our greatest allies.

Look to where you are supported today.  You are always taken care of.  You just have to open your eyes and see where the support is coming from — not from where you want it to come from.  Someone is trying to help you.  Accept the help with gratitude and don’t question it.