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April *Light On Vedic Astrology* Newsletter
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In This Issue:
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April 3, 2004
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Synchronicities and Omens
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April Printable Ephemeris
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About the Mystical Number 108
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Discussion Boards Question on Combustion
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Namaste friends,
We've all had those seemingly coincidental moments - an owl or a rainbow appearing, or a huge smile from a child (like the boy to the right!) that somehow felt like the perfect message we needed.
Astrology is based on the concept that every moment has something to tell us - particularly the ones that count - like the moment we're born! But it can also be the moment of the birth of an important question. The chart of that moment can reveal the answer. This is called horary astrology or "prashna" in Vedic astrology. Sometimes the information gleaned from the prashna chart can give the most valuable information during a reading. However, my teacher K.N. Rao also cautions that the question must be sincere for this method to work.
I've been fascinated with these concepts for many years. Here's some excepts from an article I wrote on synchronicities and omens that was published this month in Zento magazine which is available at most Borders bookstores in the US:
In India the study of omens is called "nimitta" and is an integral part of Vedic astrology. In 1993, I studied with an old Vedic astrologer in South India who had his clients throw cowry shells after asking an important question. He would then analyze the shells and give his answer. This is a common divination system that induces a meaningful coincidence or synchronicity. One day a distraught man came in and said, "She's left me again!! Will she ever come back?" As usual, the client was asked to throw the cowry shells. To my amazement one shell fell off the table, rolled along the floor, and went out the door! My teacher looked over at me and winked to see if I'd gotten the message. This time she was 'out the door' and not coming back.
Recently I was quite surprised with an omen that appeared. At my home I have a bird feeder outside my window and sometimes the neighbor's rooster comes over and steals all the birdseed. Usually I get upset and have to chase him away. But one time, during an astrology reading, the rooster jumped on top of the bird feeder and began crowing repeatedly. - louder than ever! It was the perfect message for my client who was just talking about needing to stand up for herself, and claim her space!!
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I thought it might be interesting to share some excerpts of the technical discussions several of us have been having on the discussion boards lately. This question was about combustion which is a term given to a planet that is within close degrees to the Sun. To view the entire discussion click below.
Milan
2/27/04 at 11:56 AM Subject: Combustion
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Paul,
If Mercury is combust through a very close conjunction with the Sun(within two degrees) in the first house, what are the effects for a Taurus ascendant?
I have noticed that a Sun-Mercury conjunction is common in many charts. Do we interpret this conjunction/combustion of Mercury as being negative and suggest that the subject is susceptible to suffer from the malefic tendencies of Mercury such as dishonesty, poor intellect etc?
Thank you ,
Milan
Vaughn Paul
2/27/04 at 12:15 PM Subject: Combustion
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Hi Milan,
Combustion effects the physical effects of the planet not the mental effects. I've discussed this on other posts and was taught to me by R. Santhanam and mentioned also Hart De Fouw's excellent book "Light on Life". A close combust Mercury suggests brilliance of mind and heightens intelligence not the reverse. However, it suggests problems to the physical significations of Mercury - nerves, skin, lungs etc. Of course, the positive effects of Mercury will be heightened if it's aspecting by benefics and if it also rules benefic houses. This is the case for Taurus rising as it rules the 5th house. So 5th lord with Sun strengthens the Sun in Taurus. I wouldn't be too concerned that Sun is in Taurus and is a natural enemy of Venus. It's just one factor of many.
Sun with Mercury is Buddhi Aditya Yoga which is very common since Mercury is alwasy not more than 1 sign from the Sun. Vaughn Paul
Gurnam Sambhy
2/28/04 at 01:14 AM Subject: Combustion
Manoshi
2/28/04 at 06:07 AM Subject: Combustion
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I have seen that mercury when combust gives speech problems, poor communication skills etc.
Manoshi
Milan
2/28/04 at 06:54 AM Subject: Combustion
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Thank you Paul, Gurnam and Manoshi
Manoshi, whilst speech or communication problems are not a concern generally, there is a problem in speaking to large/unknown audiences public presentations, meetings where speech seems to become impaired probably due to excessive nerves, which usually leads to shying away from such situations.
Milan
Vaughn Paul
2/28/04 at 02:13 PM Subject: Combustion
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Hi Milan, Manoshi, and Gurnam,
I have seen many charts of people with Mercury combust and they are often very intelligent, mathematical, communicative which is why I asked R. Santhanam this question in 1992 because it was confusing to me. That's when he explained it. Manoshi, do have specific charts that you can share of individuals with combust Mercury and have speech problems etc?
Milan, the principle of temporal or functional benefit that you ask about applies to the house that the planet rules not the house it's located in. For instance, for Cancer lagna Saturn is a functional malefic because it rules the 8th house, a dushtana or malefic house. So it would be both a natural and functional malefic. Because of this status whichever house it's located in will be harmed. In this the lagna would be harmed. Hope this helps, Vaughn Paul
Manoshi
2/28/04 at 05:50 PM Subject: Combustion
ganesh
2/28/04 at 11:47 PM Subject: Combustion
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Hi Paul and Manoshi,
I totally agree to Paul's view on combustion.I know people with deep combust in their charts and yet possessing excellent communication skills and command over Mathematics. However Paul was the first astrologer from whom I could learn this explanation. All the other astrologers seem to be confused when results prove contrary to those written in the texts.
Isnt sun with mercury called Budhaditya yoga in Sanskrit? Budh(Mercury)+Adutya(Sun)=Budhaditya....
Take Care everybody
Milan
3/01/04 at 11:11 AM Subject: Combustion
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Thank you for your response Paul.
You mention 'natural' and 'functional' malefics which vary under different ascendants. Under this principle Jupiter or Venus could potentially become functional malefics despite being naturally the most powerful benefics. Do we also then judge the aspects of Jupiter or Venus to also be harmful ? To what extent can house lordship transform the natural nature and aspects of a planet? Do we also treat the functional malefic/benefic nature of planets differently in accordance with house lordship in divisional charts or consider only the functional nature in the Lagna chart?
My proposition (open to criticisms of course as I am a beginner) is that for a Taurus ascendant, for example, Jupiter becomes a functional malefic due to its lordship of the 8th house. However the placement of Jupiter in say the 2nd house would not be detrimental for 2nd house issues such as wealth and family , but it wouldn't be beneficial either and bring fortune and expansion which it otherwise would have had it not lorded over the 8th house. The 2nd house matters would be very average for this individual. I do not feel that mere lordship of a 'dushtana' or a trine house is a strong enough factor to promote a natural malefic to benefic status and demote a natural benefic to malefic status.
I would be interested to learn if you have found this principle to be accurate when in your experiences.
Thank you,
Vaughn Paul
3/01/04 at 12:39 PM Subject: Combustion
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Hi Milan,
Both natural and functional status of planets is important. Since the natural status always remains no matter what the functional status is, benefic planets can never become fully malefic and malefic planets can never become fully benefic. But if natural benefic planets become functional benefic they can become doubly benefic and malefic planets can become doubly malefic by becoming also functional malefics. For instance if Jupiter is in the ascendant then it will always do some good no matter what it's functional status. Likewise, if Saturn is in the ascendant it will do some harm no matter what it's functional status is. The divisional charts should also be analyzed the same as in the rasi chart. Hope this helps, Vaughn Paul
Milan
3/01/04 at 01:32 PM Subject: Combustion
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Thank you once again Paul for taking the time to respond to my queries. With your invaluable input I'm starting to develop a clearer logic in chart interpretation.
Milan
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Ever wonder why a typical beaded neclace from the East, called a mala, is alwasy strung with 108 beads? If you've been initiated with a mantra you've probably been told to chant your mantra at least 108 times a day, not fifteen minutes a day. Why? Zen temple bells ring 108 times in Japan at New Years. Was the tradtion brought over from India? Tibetan Buddhists also have malas with 108 beads. Obviously this number is significant. But why not a more round number like 100?
The early Vedic sages were great mathematicians (they in fact invented our number system!) and 108 was definitely the number of choice because it represents the totality of the universe. For instance:
1. The number 9 represents wholeness and 108 when added equals 9. 1+0+8 = 9. Vedic astrology is based on the 9 planets, a whole number, which why classical astrologers will not accept the outer planets. Interestingly, if you multiply 9 times ANYTHING, the answer is always 9 when you add the numbers together. Try it!
2. The 9 planets travelling through the 12 signs constitutes the whole of existence. 9 x 12 = 108
3. The 27 nakshatras or lunar constellations spread over the 4 elements - fire, earth, air, water or the 4 directions - north, south, east, and west. This also constitutes the whole of existence. 27 x 4 = 108
4. Consider the powers of 1, 2, and 3 in math: 1 to 1st power = 1; 2 to 2nd power = 4 (2x2); 3 to 3rd power = 27 (3x3x3). 1x4x27 = 108
5. The universe is made up of 108 elements according to ancient texts. The current periodic table claims a few more than 108.
6. The diameter of the Sun is 108 times the diameter of the earth (give or take a few miles).
7. In the Sanskrit alphabet there are 54 letters. Each has masculine and feminine, shiva and shakti. 54 times 2 is 108.
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