History of the Lunar Mansions

September 15, 2004

A VERY BRIEF HISTORY OF THE LUNAR MANSIONS

As far as we know, all the ancient cultures had some sort of system of

lunar mansions, the stars or asterism through which the Moon passed on its

nightly journey across the sky. These weren't equal divisions of the

zodiac. Many of the mansions weren't very close to the ecliptic, and they

were very unequally spaced from each other. Even when AlBiruni wrote his

large treatise on astrology in 1029 CE [The Book of Instruction in the

Elements of the Art of Astrology], which contained all the astrological

knowledge of the ancients he could get his hands on, the mansions didn't

have specific boundaries. Here are two examples:

1. Al-sheratain (two signals), the first mansion is marked by two bright

stars on the horns of Aries; they are disposed in a north and south

line...(etc.)

4. Al-debaran is a large shining red star in the easterly eye of Taurus.

The head of Taurus is shaped like a bowl with its mouth to the

north....(etc.) (Page 81-82)

What happened next in the history of the mansions? Well....they were

adopted into the Tropical zodiac, and that's when they were made into the

*equal* 28 divisions of the ecliptic. This is recorded in Cornelius

Agrippa's Three Books of Occult Philosophy, Book 2, Chapter 33. Agrippa

lived between 1486-1535. The mansions were listed like this:

1. Alnath, 0 Aries to 12 Aries 51

2. Allothaim or Albochan 12 Aries 51 to 25 Aries 42

3. ....25 Aries 42 to 8 Taurus 34.

And so on.....

These equal mansions were adopted into the Picatrix, a

philosophical/magical Medieval text. These mansions were strictly Tropical.

After awhile the popularity of the Picatrix died out along with the use of

the lunar mansions themselves until....

Voila!! Cyril Fagan ‘discovers' the sidereal zodiac and decides to

resurrect the 28 equal mansions with markers at 15 Aldebaran/Antares. The

only problem with this lunar zodiac is that it never existed in ancient

cultures. As far as we know, the 28 equal mansions were invented by Tropical

astrologers after the sidereal zodiac had died out in the west.

Probably sometime around 300 CE astrologers or astronomers in India decided

to convert the 28 mansions of the Moon into 27 equal divisions of the

ecliptic. Although most of the original lunar mansion stars fall in the

appropriate Indian mansion, these were not the mansions of antiquity

anymore than the 28 equal mansions were. So we now have:

1. A list of the 28 mansions of antiquity--no boundaries, only single stars

or asterisms.

2. 27 equal lunar mansions invented in India

3. 28 equal Tropical mansions invented sometime after AlBiruni's time(after

1029 CE)

4. 28 equal sidereal mansions invented by Cyril Fagan in the 20th century.

**Note** however, Andrew's (Kyuseiki) September 14, 2004 post on this list

re:

28 mansions and " a possible lost remnant of medieval Christian (Rosicrucian)

sidereal star-wisdom. "

We can take our pick as to which system of mansions we want to use. But we

can't claim that there were 28 equally sized lunar houses from 4000 years ago.

Internet resources on the Lunar Mansions:

http://www.renaissanceastrology.com/picatrix.html

The Astrological Journal of Great Britain has a well researched article in

the Jan/Feb 1996 journal. Vol 38, No 1. I don't have the URL, but if you go

to the Astrological Journal website, you'll be able to find this article by

Ian Freer: " The Picatrix: Lunar Mansions in Western Astrology.

Sincerely,

Therese

" How can Pluto be in Sagittarius when it's so close to Antares? " -----

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September 15, 2004

, Therese Hamilton

<eastwest@s...> wrote:

> Probably sometime around 300 CE astrologers or astronomers in India

decided

> to convert the 28 mansions of the Moon into 27 equal divisions of the

> ecliptic. Although most of the original lunar mansion stars fall in the

> appropriate Indian mansion, these were not the mansions of antiquity

> anymore than the 28 equal mansions were.

The 28th nakshatra is Abhijit located between Purvashadha and

Shravana. It is the only nakshatra of which the main star *Vega* is

located far away from the ecliptic. That is also why it is hard to

locate it on the ecliptic. But fifteen thousand years ago Vega used to

be the polestar. The fact that the deity which belongs to this

nakshatra is Brahma, the Creator, seems to underline this. On the 28th

intercalary Abhijit used in Vedic prasna and gotras see:

http://ephemeris.com/history.html

'Originally, Hindus divided the ecliptic into 28 nakshatras...The

Chinese adopted a division they called hsui that was similar to the

nakshatras, but these divisions had UNEQUAL LENGTHS and so are not

listed below...At some point, Hindu astronomers began skipping the

Abhijit nakshatra and using a division of 27 nakshatras though even

today both 27 and 28 nakshatra systems are in use.'

http://srath.com/lectures/hinducalendar.htm

http://varahamihira.blogspot.com/2004/07/nakshatras-in-jyotish-i.html

'The 28 nakshatra scheme is used for analysis of chakras such as

sarvatobhadra chakra, the sannadi chakra etc...'

http://www.geocities.com/vijayabalak/stars/nakshathra.html

'The taiaareeya brahmana (third Ashtaka) derived from yajurveda again

lists 28 nakshatras including Abhijit. It is referred to in Athrvana

veda...'

http://vedic.indastro.com/learn-astrology/nakshatra-abhijit.php

http://www.selfrealisation.net/Vedic Astrology/gotra.htm

> 4. 28 equal sidereal mansions invented by Cyril Fagan in the 20th

century.

> **Note** however, Andrew's (Kyuseiki) September 14, 2004 post on

this list

> re:

> 28 mansions and " a possible lost remnant of medieval Christian

(Rosicrucian)

> sidereal star-wisdom. "

More on this later...

Andrew

September 15, 2004

Andrew,

And I thought *I* had a monopoly on information and internet links!

Nope--your Virgo (Mercury?) is stronger than mine! I'll print your post to

put with my lunar mansion material.

Thanks,

Therese

At 02:32 AM 9/15/04 -0000, you wrote:

>The 28th nakshatra is Abhijit located between Purvashadha and

>Shravana. It is the only nakshatra of which the main star *Vega* is

>located far away from the ecliptic. That is also why it is hard to

>locate it on the ecliptic. But fifteen thousand years ago Vega used to

>be the polestar. The fact that the deity which belongs to this

>nakshatra is Brahma, the Creator, seems to underline this. On the 28th

>intercalary Abhijit used in Vedic prasna and gotras see:

>

>http://ephemeris.com/history.html

>(...)

September 15, 2004

, Therese Hamilton

<eastwest@s...> wrote:

> And I thought *I* had a monopoly on information and internet links!

> Nope--your Virgo (Mercury?) is stronger than mine! I'll print your

post to

> put with my lunar mansion material.

No just more intense. I have Mercury exalted in Virgo conjunct Algorab

sextile the Moon conjunct Sabik and Spiculum with aspects from each to

the ascendant and midheaven, respectively. One of the Hubers' students

once called this combination 'the eye and the ear.' Information

oriented I guess.

Andrew

September 15, 2004

Dear Therese and Andrew

Do you have Ken Johnson's book on the nakshatras (my absolute favorite!!!!)

Do either of you have any observations about Abhijit? This is one that is

very difficult to find any information on.

HAve either of you worked with the deities? They were my keys to what level

of understanding I have about the naks....most of which garnered by working

with clients and having them show me.

The deities are often difficult to find anything on...and yes, I've got a

stack of books to paw through.

heading out to the dentist

c

Therese Hamilton [eastwest]

Wednesday, September 15, 2004 10:17 AM

Re: History of the Lunar Mansions

Andrew,

And I thought *I* had a monopoly on information and internet links!

Nope--your Virgo (Mercury?) is stronger than mine! I'll print your post to

put with my lunar mansion material.

Thanks,

Therese

At 02:32 AM 9/15/04 -0000, you wrote:

>The 28th nakshatra is Abhijit located between Purvashadha and

>Shravana. It is the only nakshatra of which the main star *Vega* is

>located far away from the ecliptic. That is also why it is hard to

>locate it on the ecliptic. But fifteen thousand years ago Vega used to

>be the polestar. The fact that the deity which belongs to this

>nakshatra is Brahma, the Creator, seems to underline this. On the 28th

>intercalary Abhijit used in Vedic prasna and gotras see:

>

>http://ephemeris.com/history.html

>(...)

" How can Pluto be in Sagittarius when it's so close to Antares? " -----

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September 15, 2004

, " cynthianovak "

<cynthianovak@s...> wrote:

> Do you have Ken Johnson's book on the nakshatras (my absolute

favorite!!!!)

I have yet to read this but I understand that it is excellent. I have

read the book by Dennis Harness on the nakshatras and it is well done.

> Do either of you have any observations about Abhijit?

Abhijit included the bright star 'a Lyrae' under whose influence the

Gods had vanquished the Asuras. Its inclusion with the other twenty-

seven nakshatras (despite its remoteness from the ecliptic) was thus

due to its reputation as a favourable omen. It is often not included

with the other nakshatras because its influences were believed to be

mitigated or even eliminated by the effects of precession in reversing

the order of culmination of its limiting stars. However it is central

to the nakshatras that relate to the matrimonial exchanges since the

asterisms are equally divided into fourteen male and fourteen female

lingam (gender). It is also crucial in determining the Brahmana family

lineages (gotras):

http://vedic.indastro.com/learn-astrology/nakshatra-abhijit.php

http://www.selfrealisation.net/Vedic Astrology/gotra.htm

http://.org/learn/nakshatra.htm

Here is a link to an interesting site that lists all 28 nakshatras

along with both their Vedic and their Avestan names:

http://www.astrologer.ru/book/lunar_ephemerides.html.en

> Have either of you worked with the deities?

I am not sure what this means. I am not a Hindu or a practitioner of

Vedic astrology -- so I guess this means that I do not work with any

deities. Nor with prescribing gems either.

Jyotish Sastri Shyamasundara Dasa writes:

'Recommending and selling gems as an astrological remedial measure has

become one of the biggest scams in the astrological world. The theory

is that if some planet in your chart is giving you trouble then, to

mitigate the effects, you should wear the appropriate gem that will

appease that planet. This is a bogus idea unsupported by any authority

in astrology - neither Brghu, Parasara, Varaha Mihira, etc. Gems do

have power, and the scriptures speak of the good and bad effects of

gems, but never in astrological terms. The fallacy is in thinking that

by wearing a particular gem one will neutralize all the negative karma

associated with the corresponding planet. But planets are not causal

agents; they merely indicate where troubles in life originate, they

don't cause trouble. In its portfolio, a planet has countless items

including gems, trees, herbs, metals, fruits, flowers, directions etc.

By the above theory, a person should be able to neutralize negative

planetary effects by utilizing any or all of the items associated with

the planet, many of which are much cheaper than costly jewels. If a

person is having problems with a weak Sun in his chart, for example,

the theorized remedy is to simply plant a thorny tree (ruled by the

Sun) in his yard, to help boost the solar energy...Prescribing of gems

for astrological purposes is fallacious at best, or at worst, even

harmful. It is fallacious because there is no scriptural authority to

confirm the use of gems for such purposes. And besides, where do gems

get their powers, if not from Lord Krsna (God)? Then there is the

expense...For example, a poorly placed Sun or Mars conjoined with

Saturn could give indigestion, because of Saturn's suppressing the

heat represented by these planets. A gem-prescribing astrologer would

direct the subject to wear a ruby or red coral, to increase the power

of Sun or Mars, respectively. But actually no such benefit would

result. There might be some other benefit associated with these gems,

as mentioned in Garuda Purana or Brhat-samhita, but not the

improvement of digestion. A much simpler, effective, and inexpensive

prescription would be to take more ginger, or chilies and hot spines,

in one's food, eat only foods that are hot in temperature, avoid cold

foods, etc. These are practical measures to counteract the cold

effects of Saturn...Worse than the astrologer who recommends gems is

the one who sells them too. He who only recommends gems may merely be

ignorant of philosophy and advanced astrological theory, whereas the

one who also sells jewels is often a total scam artist out to swindle

credulous people who have misplaced their faith in him. Often such

crooked astrologers work in cahoots with a jewelry store. In fact,

tantric astrologers started this misleading practice, and jewelers

support it. Low-level tantrics began this to deviate persons from

worshipping God, and jewelers support it because it increases their

business. In India, particularly in a tantric center like Bengal, if

one enters a jewelry store, therein he will likely notice many small

offices full of palmists and astrologers who read charts for a modest

fee and then recommend an expensive stone to counteract troubling

planetary influences. The customer buys the gem from the shop, and the

astrologer gets a commission. If the astrologer both recommends and

sells the jewel, he makes a sizable profit. I know of a few so-called

astrologers of very limited talent who specialize in reading innocent

persons' charts, saying all kinds of ominous things to scare the

heebee-jeebees out of them, then calming and assuring the client that

all will be fine if he just wears a ruby or pearl or some other stone.

Of course, it just so happens that he has some gems with him (usually

inexpensive and of low quality), which he is willing to sacrifice for

a handsome price to this now-relieved sucker -- relieved of money as

well as anxiety. Lesson: Don't trust any astrologer or palmist who

sells jewels. They are more likely interested in increasing their bank

balance than in truly helping you.'

I thought I would post the above material because it seems so rare to

read an honest article written by an astrologer with integrity whose

practise runs counter to the current astrological fads and fashions.

Ad astra per aspera

Andrew

September 16, 2004

Cynthia, Andrew has nicely replied to your question about Aabhijit! (below)

At 07:06 PM 9/15/04 -0000, Andrew wrote:

>

>Abhijit included the bright star 'a Lyrae' under whose influence the

>Gods had vanquished the Asuras. Its inclusion with the other twenty-

>seven nakshatras (despite its remoteness from the ecliptic) was thus

>due to its reputation as a favourable omen. It is often not included

>with the other nakshatras because its influences were believed to be

>mitigated or even eliminated by the effects of precession in reversing

>the order of culmination of its limiting stars. However it is central

>to the nakshatras that relate to the matrimonial exchanges since the

>asterisms are equally divided into fourteen male and fourteen female

>lingam (gender). It is also crucial in determining the Brahmana family

>lineages (gotras):

>

>http://vedic.indastro.com/learn-astrology/nakshatra-abhijit.php

>

>http://www.selfrealisation.net/Vedic Astrology/gotra.htm

>

>http://.org/learn/nakshatra.htm

>

>Here is a link to an interesting site that lists all 28 nakshatras

>along with both their Vedic and their Avestan names:

>

>http://www.astrologer.ru/book/lunar_ephemerides.html.en

>RE: Gemstones and remedial measures:

>Jyotish Sastri Shyamasundara Dasa writes:

>

>'Recommending and selling gems as an astrological remedial measure has

>become one of the biggest scams in the astrological world...

>Lesson: Don't trust any astrologer or palmist who

>sells jewels. They are more likely interested in increasing their bank

>balance than in truly helping you.'

I agree. I've never used gem stones or recommended them to anyone. Mary

Summer Rain in EARTHWAY has inexpensive or no-cost remedial measures to use

with each planet. These are self-administered, 25 choices to a planet! This

is a terrific study for astrologers. Find the afflicting planet, and set

your client on the road to (low cost or free-of-charge) self-healing.

Therese

P.S. I'm sorry if my replies to posts are brief. I've felt tired lately and

often when I look for a word in my mind, it isn't there. Very frustrating!

September 16, 2004

, Therese Hamilton

<eastwest@s...> wrote:

> I agree. I've never used gem stones or recommended them to anyone. Mary

> Summer Rain in EARTHWAY has inexpensive or no-cost remedial measures

to use

> with each planet. These are self-administered, 25 choices to a

planet! This

> is a terrific study for astrologers. Find the afflicting planet, and set

> your client on the road to (low cost or free-of-charge) self-healing.

I have never heard of this book. But the remedial measures sound as if

they are very practical and accessible. There is a similar practice in

'traditional' (i.e. Medieval and Renaissance) astrology of using herbs

and tinctures to treat the afflicting planetary influences. I think it

was Nicholas Culpeper who recommended 'treating' the afflicted planet

through strengthening its opposite -- if the Moon is afflicted then

you strengthen the Sun with its corresponding herb. Other astrologers

of course had different approaches but Culpeper seems to have based

this practice on not giving further 'stimulation' to the afflicting

planet.

Andrew

September 16, 2004

Dear Therese, I also do not recommend gem stones. I often am intrigued by

the stones a client is wearing. If for example a client is having real Mars

struggles and sits there wearing red coral, I'll suggest that he or she stop

wearing that stone for a while and see if there is any difference. If a

client asks which stones they should wear because she wants to buy

something, I'll give them the simple recommendation but alwyas suggest that

she see how it feels. I honestly do not believe that buying a big golden

sapphire will change your finances other than to put you further into debt.

If the client really believes in this, I'll suggest an inexpensive stone

like citrine.

Reagrding the naks. I did not have much to go on when I was learning Vedic.

I was also a full-time tropical astrologer. What I did was work wiht my

clients tropically, then give a little from the Vedic at no cost. I was

testing the sidereal zodiac and trying to decide if the price to do

certification was worth it <grins>

When it came to the naks. I was really lost. My brain doesn't just want to

memorize something to get through the test. I would read the general myth

and ask clients if that made any sense to them. I'll admit, that I only

offered the general gist of it. Their responses were so dramatic that I

kept going with my study.

Here is an example, you all know the Rohini myth: the most beloved wife,

but also the daughter so desired by her father that the gods hid her in the

heavens. Father becomes a stag and leaps into the heavens after here, there

he is shot down and his head paced in Mrigashira.

If I see planets in Rohini and they aren't so happy or tied with a node my

antennae are immediate up. One woman, with Venus in Rohini with Ketu in the

12th, opposed by Saturn and Rahu in the 6th. I took a deep breath and asked

if the myth made sense. Yes, se replied, she was raped by her dentist while

sedated.

One woman and attorney with Mrigashira and Ardra stong. I ask: ARe you a

family law attorney? Yes! I tell her the myth but focus upon the father

losing his head and ARdra where the gods shoot him down. Does this make

sense in any way? Oh yes, last week I deposed the Bishop. We are suing the

dioces for sex abuse. In this case, there is no Rohini, but the simple

essence of the mrig and ardra are strong.

I long ago stopped thinking of the naks as simply tools of the Moon. I use

what works. The deities are also very interesting.

Ashlesha gits a lot of criticism. I had a client several weeks ago. ASC

and Sun in ARdra, Mars and Mercury in Punarvasu, Pluto in Pushya, Venus and

Moon in Ashlesha. These are all close aspects. He's sitting there in front

of me and gives me no information. The naks. give lots. So, I ask are you

a therapist? Yes, that's the only response. Would you be a Jungian? Yes!

The Ashlesha with the deities the nagas who swim between the worlds offered

a big clue, ARdra dealing with overcoming destruction. So in my simple mind

with little training the naks make sense. When I read the stuff on my Vedic

program or in the astrology books they make little sense.

The deities are often hard to find. The most useful books have nothing to

do with astrology. I'm excited about the links posted.

thank you

cynthia

Therese Hamilton [eastwest]

Thursday, September 16, 2004 12:13 AM

Re: History of the Lunar Mansions

Cynthia, Andrew has nicely replied to your question about Aabhijit!

(below)