Eight Sign Zodiac This is an introduction to the eight-sign e ight-sign zodiac called K lachakra.
1
Introduction
A"adala Padma Pad ma (Eight petal lotus) is the foundation of Hindu philosophy. It is based on the K lachakra (wheel of time), which is co mposed of eight spokes and has the 28 constellations distributed in these spokes. Each of these spokes is in one of the cardinal card inal or intermediate directions and is reckoned starting from the east and moving in the clockwise direction. Based on this we have the a"adala padma and the a"a-ma$gala kriy[1] [1]..
1.1
Planar directions
Basically there are eight plane directions and t wo vertical directions that define all movement. The eight plane directions are subject to time-quality changes while the vert ical always point upwards and downwards and are essentially, essentially, stable, non-changing over long time periods to merit the definition of being fixed like the po le star ‘Dhruva’. The eight planar directi d irections ons are the t he two dimensional image of a map while the vertical directions add the third dimension. K lachakra does cater to the t he three dimensional movement but for most practical purposes of Vedic astrology, we restrict the time quality change to the two dimensions – map having ha ving eight directions.
The four cardinal directions are the t he East, South, West and North that define the grand cross signified by the ‘+’ which is considered very auspicious and is the four junctions of time called gyatr # . They are called K lachakra ‘Kendra’ where kendra means pillar p illar and the four kendra energies are four pillars of life. Sunrise is equated w ith the east and the Sun is the master of the four cardinal directions as the heavenly lamp enlightens the way for all karma to manifest. The four Kendra are guarded by the royals and the br hma'a planets. Sun guards the east and Moon guards the north; Jupiter guards the south so uth and Venus guards the west.
The four intermediate directions are called Ko'a (literally corner) and indicate sharp, destructive, hostile energy. The four Ko'a are guarded by ferocious R hu (NE), violent Mars (SE), hostile Saturn (NW) and mischievous Mercury (SW). The represent t he time of high energy consumption or drainage and loss of energy. To gether they are the fallen cross represented by ‘x’, the multiplication which shows rapid de letion of resources and unhindered exploitation. For example, at sunrise or 6.00am Sun starts the upward sine-curve while at 9.30am Mars starts the downward portion of the curve.
1.2
Order of Planets
The arrangement of the planets follows a definite order based on the tattva. Of the kendra, the tenth bhva is the throne of heaven and shall manifest first. This is followed by %k 'a and P(thvi tattva in Lagna – the horizon in the east where the sky father ‘Dyau-Pit([2]’ and earth mother th th P(thvi meet to create. Finally the 4 and 7 house work in harmony with Jala and Vyu tattva graha. The order of the planets after Ketu is à Agni [Sun, Mars], %k 'a [Jupiter], P(thvi [Mercury], Jala-Vyu [Venus, Saturn], Jala-Vyu [Moon-R hu]. It is noteworthy that while Agni tattva is clearly marked and separated from other tattva in the tenth bhva, P(thvi and %k 'a share the Lagna bhva with %k 'a (Jupiter) preceding P(thvi (Mercury). Jala is in the sukha bhva while Vyu is in the Dr bhva, yet they are interlinked and jala graha is followed by vyu graha. This establishes an intricate link between the 4th and 7th bhva or home and spouse. For example, th a person with Moon in the 4 bhva is likes good food (Moon signification) and is looking for a th spouse (7 bhva) who is a good cook. In another example which is a direct remedy from th k lachakra, R hu is the 4 bhva merits remedy by the wo rship of Durg (Moon) during R hu K la for peace at home and more faith in relationships.
1.2.1
Agni Graha: Karma
The first are the Agni tattva graha Ketu, Sun and Mars are placed in the Vertical Upward, East and South-East directions respectively. These planets have directional strength in the tenth bhva. Ketu is unchangeable with time and is relatively fixed like the pole star. It does not participate in the k lachakra time quality directly. The other eight graha from Sun – R hu who are the charak raka planets are involved. It is evident then that this is the heart level chakra which is showing the manifestation of desires which caused the rebirth in the first place. Sun takes the responsibility of the throne of earth and establishes the dharma in the K lachakra. Mars manifests in the south-east as agni. In the po sitive this is K rtikeya, the br hma'a guru teacher of pr 'a and mahvkya, and guru of Mahar i Pippalda. Of all the fires, anger is the worst. The anger (Ma) stemming from desire (Ve) is what is indicated by the k lachakra superimposed with the d(g-chakra as the d(g-chakra shows desire in the south-east direction while the k lachakra shows anger manifesting due to the kar ma done to satisfy the desire. This is th the cause of rebirth in most philosophies of substance and is indicated by the 7 bhva (Ve signification of d(g chakra) and Mithuna r 'i (Ma signification of k lachakra). Conjunctions of Mars and Sun à See Chapter 3.
1.2.2
Pthvi-k #%a: Lagna
Thereafter the planets having directional strength in the Lagna bhva follow. Jupiter is stationed in the southern direction guarding the longevity (and life itself – j # va graha) while Mercury is in the south-west direction struggling to bring the perfect order (Virgo trait) where complete disorder (Nir (ti) exists. This is the disorder of the mind which man ifests as disorder in life. This is the disorder of the social material world which d oes not exist in the spiritual orders of various religions of the world. Disorder of every kind is symbolized by the direction of Nir (ti (SE) where Mercury causes a person to start learning the means to bring order ((ta). The source of learning is Jupiter, the kendra graha just as the Sun (kendra graha) was the source of energy which the ko'a graha Mars consumed. The relationship between Mercury and Jupiter defines the ways to learn. Ignorance of every kind is akin to death (m(tyu) and the enlightening wisdom of B(haspati is the light that Mercury seeks. The time of Jupiter is akin to the mid-day when all evils are dispelled, one of the brightest sunshine. The time of Mercury is the time for counting the money and thinking about one’s work and doing everything that will remove the d isorder which creates losses and strife. 1.2.3
Jala-V#yu: Venus-Saturn
Joys and sorrows go hand in hand. Venus shows the avenues for happiness, laughter, relaxation, enjoyments, relationships and connecting with everyone and everything in this world. Saturn is the reverse as in strength it g ives sorrows, despair, stress, denials, loneliness and disconnecting with everyone a nd everything. Venus (Lak m # ) is the blessed daughter of the great ditya Varu'a, god of the oceans[3]. In some ways Varu'a is like Oceanus but is actually much bigger as the latter is more restricted to the [i] sign Pisces . Who else but Vi'u, the giver of eternal bliss, could win Lak m # as spouse. The time of Venus is one where re lationships are established, where friends spend time in café,
relatives and business acquaintances meet in drawing rooms and the family sits in the living room. It’s the sunset or early evening energy. The time of Saturn is where we face the punishment for our sins and those who forgot to ask for forgiveness will have to bear their sentences. T he two planets Venus and Saturn work together as beings (souls) are constantly coming into one’s life and leaving when the karma experience is completed. 1.2.4
Jala-V#yu: Moon-R #hu
Moon is represents good thoughts and family definition while R hu indicates the boundary which keeps the non-family out. R hu causes suspicion, disbelief and screens everyone and everything. In the process, everything and everyone gradually gets excluded from family definition and this leads to loneliness and separation from everyone and everything t hat was dear at a previous point of time.
To understand this better, think of the re lationship between the words ‘family à familial à familiar à fame’ which is the domain of the Moon. The Moon is like a big white circle (depending on your Moon at birth) which keeps adding people inside the circle, a plus ‘+’ for everyone who we have a likeness for. We group these people in the mind based on the reason for the liking them or familiarity. One such group can be the blood lineage where parents and siblings, spouse and children are included and the familiarity is due to a co mmon ‘surname’ that they share (patrilineal). Since Moon rules blood, this group is very strong in the psyche o f the individual. In a way, these are the four major challenges of life.
[1] A"a-ma$gala kriy is the ritual of worshipping the deities and the graha inside the hor oscope before conducting a Pra'na (Horary chart) or studying a horo scope. [2] Chapter 2 [3] Pisces, sign of the Ocean is the exaltation of Venus. [i] Greek Mythology: Okeanos (or Oceanus) was the Titan god o r Protogenos (primeval deity) of the great earth-encircling river Okeanos, the source of all the earth’s fresh-water including rivers, wells, springs and rain-clouds. This is the sign Pisces which is the so urce (dharma, protector) of all the water bodies of the planet. Okeanos was also the go d who regulated the rising and setting of the heavenly bodies which were believed to emerge and descend into his watery realm at the ends of the earth. This is again in line with the sign Pisces which is the last sign of the zodiac where everything sets. Okeanos’ wife was Teth ys, is the nurse of the zodiac, who was probably thought to distribute his water to the earth v ia subterranean caverns. Pisces symbolises all healing places including hospitals and nurses a nd doctors are included. Unlike his brother Titanes, Okeanos was extremely peaceful and neither participated in the castration of Ouranos nor joined the battle against the younger Olympian gods. Okeanos was depicted in ancient Greek vase painting as a bull-horned go d with the tail of a serpentine fish in place o f legs, similar to his river-god sons. His usual attributes were a fish and serpent. In mosaic art he therefore appears as a sea-god or the sea personified (god of Pisces region), with crab-claw horns, and for attributes, a serpent, oar and school of fish. His wife Tethys, shown seated beside him, had wings o n her brow, in the role of mother of rain-clouds.
