Philosophy of Jyotish/Astrology: Principles, Goals, Practices & Benefits of ....

March 15, 2005

Dear Friends: March 15, 2005

It's such a great pleasure to reflect on these topics. Last month, it was very exciting to see that the 'unconventionally creative' juices of Sun in Aquarius dominated and lead to many wonderful and unique Astrological insights. This month, as the Sun moves into Pisces, now, is a perfect time, to reflect upon things; reflection, and contemplation, being two of the most significant qualities that are a part of the Sign of Pisces.

Therefore, it's a great time to reflect upon this last year. How did I do? Did I accomplish all that I wanted or dreamed about? Is there anything that I wished I could have done differently? And, finally, what do I want to accomplish for this up-coming year?

With these and other thoughts in mind, it's very appropriate to 'reflect' upon the basic Philosophy, Principles, Goals & Practices of Astrology.

I used to be an Education and Philosophy major in college, so it's with great satisfaction that I've realized that Jyotish/Astrology, is literally, the most comprehensive, far-reaching, and also, practically satisfying 'knowledge' that I've ever come across.

This is quite an amazing thing to say, when you compare 'Astrology' to all the Philosophies that have come through human civilization, religions too, which are some of man's attempts to understand the Universe. Now, over the last 300 years we've moved into a scientific age, and thanks to the keen and precise insights of the Philosophy of 'Science' we've grown the most, at understanding Nature, and discovering, how the Universe works.

However, though Science as lead to many discoveries, in many ways it's made our lives, more miserable. I say this because the science of Mind, or Psychology has not kept up with the science of Physical sciences, for example. So, now we can create the most amazing factories to build this and that, but because of a keen lack of insight into the karmic repercussions of polluting our air and water, we've driven our world onto the brink of many very scary emergencies.

Did you ever think, when you were growing up, that someday, you wouldn't want to, or couldn't drink your own water? Did you ever think that the World's progress would be killing off over 1000 species of plants, and animals, every year, to extinction?

I rarely reflect on the dark side of all that's going on in the World, but this morning, it's occurring as an amazing contrast to all the hope, and power that really good Astrology, can bring to our life's situations.

Today, we'll review the basic Philosophy of Astrology, and then move into an Overview of the most important Principles, Practices & Goals. We'll find, in sharp contrast, the opportunity for growth, and speedy progress, of enlivening Astrology, really quite amazing...

The basic idea of Astrology is that there is a very intimate relationship between what's going on in the Heavens, or Stars, or 'sky', and what's going on in the every day realities, of individuals being born on this Earth.

In other words, the qualities of the Sky, living in a Solar system, which is surrounded by Planets, Mercury, Mars, Venus, Earth, and it's Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, etc.... are an intimate reflection of the life of every individual.

There's a life of our Solar system, which is not moving, without purpose through a Galaxy which also has no real purpose. But, our Solar system, has supreme value because it's lead to the development of life, and evolution on one, at least, of it's planets. As a result our Sun, and Planets have cooked up, the opportunity for life and evolution, now, for over 5 billion individuals, or souls, on this Earth.

That is the main purpose and goal of our Solar system. However, what's fascinating about Astrology, is it has the most intimate insight into how those 'happenings' and movements of the Stars, 'out there', provides a very keen reflection into what individual's lives, down here, will be all about!

Astrology believes that there is an innate 'purpose' to the Sky's movements, and as the Sun, Planets and other Stars, called Constellations or 'Signs', move through the Heavens, there movements are 'mirrored' by the individuals being born and growing up, or evolving on this Earth.

Secondly, Astrology believes that the details of this 'intimacy' between Cosmic and mundane, Earthly life, is the 'configuration' of the Heavens at the exact moment of our births! In more familiar terms this 'configuration' of the 'sky', Sun, Constellations, and Planets, when put into the form of a drawing, chart or map, is the Astrological chart, that we've heard about or are so familiar with.

Traditionally, one approached one's family or village, Astrologer's to get insight and advantage about this great Astrological 'Chart'. It was and is still used, today, for keen insight into child rearing for parents. It's used for deciding what subjects in school will be most advantageous for students. It's especially very popular as a keen tool to help individuals choose just the right partners for the very important field of 'marriage' and matchmaking, partnerships.

It's also being used for helping individuals make a living. One can see, looking at one's chart, what kind of career, is ideal for each individual. Typically called Dharma. Also, one can glimpse how one make's money as well as participates in a career.

In other words, one's Astrological chart, is a very good, precise, 'reading' of the actual, character, nature, characteristics, tendencies and personality of any and every individual being born. This alone would be enough of a reason, to take advantage of this great wisdom.

However, Astrology, also has an ability to figure out, or decipher, the good and bad, strengths and weaknesses, that every individual will be starting with.

Therefore one's Astrological chart shows where are one's greatest strengths, as well as where will we encounter our greatest challenges.

This ability to see the two basic qualities of human life, is extremely advantageous, because as it turns out, it's our own weaknesses, short-comings, and mistakes of judgement, or actions, that are the source of all our problems, in life.

Even modern Psychology, today, understands that most of individual's problems are self-made. Depending upon circumstances in the past, or frustrating sub-conscious tendencies, and inclinations, individuals literally sabotage themselves, in all the areas of human life. This quality of 'karma', though not necessarily understood by modern science, is however, roughly understood, because Psychology now understands why individuals make mistakes.

However, modern Psychology does not know how to help any individual stop making these same mistakes. For example, if one received one's lack of self-confidence from one's up-bringing, and either parent, or maybe some specific individuals, uncles, teachers, or even strangers, made us feel unworthy; however, though modern Psychology can trace back where the dysfunction may have begun, it's still very poor at knowing how, exactly, to create balance, or a healing, and help the individual grow through their problems, or challenges.

For Astrology, this is really what Astrology is all about. Not only does one's Astrological chart, show where one's challenges will be coming from, but, there is a whole field of Astrology, which has to do with remedial measures, that's specifically designed to help any individual face, understand and completely transform any and every problem of human life, into it's natural solution!

For lack of self-confidence, Astrology identifies, this, most often, as a problem with one's Sun, in one's chart. Could be the Moon and/or Rising Sign, too, however, even more important then being able to identify the problem, Astrology also contains the knowledge as to how to eliminate the problem, or strengthen that Planet!

Unfortunately, it's been this aspect of Astrology which has been the most 'rusty' or neglected, or misunderstood, over the last few hundred years. Now, however, a time of renewal and revival of this most precious aspect of Astrology is now available, for us!

Astrology then, has the ability to describe what every individual will be like, at birth!

Way before the young person grows into the person that they will be, their Astrological chart, shows what their tendencies will be like. Their Astrological chart also shows what their strengths, and their weaknesses will be.

Gaining this knowledge, early, before these tendencies and challenges have manifested, and even more intensely, confirmed for the person, the ignorances that they represent; is the great opportunity of good Astrology.

Learning then, how to see the dangers on the horizon, and especially neutralize and literally transform these same dangers, from calamities, into opportunities of growth; is the real interest, purpose, and power of really good Astrology.

Today, we're in the most precious time, because Astrology has now been revived, is now more available in it's fullness, completeness, to not only see those problems, in our charts; but, now, prescribe specific remedies, and treatments, that will literally, dissolve and solve any and every problem in our charts, and faced in our lives.

This is the greatest domain and scope of modern day Astrology.

To 'see' the life, as it's coming, and being lived, and to have tremendous insight into especially, how, to help any individual, live and accomplish their goals, dreams, or pursuits; is the purpose of Astrology.

This then, is the great Philosophy, Principle, and Goal of Astrology, today.

To 'see' the life, to understand it's meanings, and especially be able to prescribe certain remedies so all problems can be solved on an inner, interior level, and therefore, turn the predictable, or karmic unhappy futures, into more evolutionary, natural and happy results!

Let's now examine some specific details as to exactly how one's Astrology, accomplishes

these aims!

#1, Astrology understands what a person will be like.

Every parent would love to know this, and as a result help their child grow up into the adult, that expresses the greatest positive opportunities of life.

The key is being able to understand early, what the child will be like.

Though for most of us, even learning this 'wisdom', later in life, can be very fulfilling.

To that end, each symbolism of Astrology, goes to explaining every aspect of the individual's nature.

o The Sun represents our self-confidence, self-esteem and realities of self-worth.

o The Moon's in our charts, represent our emotional natures. Therefore the Moon can be

looked at to figure out whether someone will be shy, self-conscious, and have feelings

of self-doubt or emotional instabilities, and uncertainties.

o Finally, the Rising sign, is the 3rd Astrological 'configuration' that goes to explain self-

confidence. The Rising sign, expresses our personalities, and as a result, how we come

across to others. Because much of success in life, involves dealing either, directly with

other individuals, or with projects that also, involve other people, learning exactly how

our individuality and personality, interacts with 'others' can easily be seen through the

details of our Rising sign.

Then, there are other Planetary aspects which have to do with each and every other aspect of individual life.

o There is something in our Astrology chart, called 'Houses' which not only give insight into

one's karma related to every aspect of life; however, these same 'Houses' also explain

what each area of the body will be like.

So, the first house represents one's head, and/or face.

2nd house, has to do with shoulders and arms.

3rd house has to do with chest, and lungs.

Etc.

Knowing these details helps us see again, where the strengths and/or weaknesses are.

If our family Astrologer can help us see, where our children will have their weaknesses, and especially where dis-ease, or even disease might come, this is a tremendous insight into the very real life, that we all are living.

Modern science understands this quality of Physiology, and human nervous system. In modern science there is this new field of 'Genetics', which believes that there is an explanation, in our bodies, cells, and especially, 'genes' that explains exactly why we're the way we are.

There is right now, in fact, an on-going pursuit of 'mapping' all the details of which genes are responsible for which aspects of human life so that eventually, through genetic manipulation, we might be able to change any of the weaknesses, in Physiology, that are currently responsible for all of problems in life.

This is pure Astrology. However, the knowledge and wisdom of this amazing 'mapping' is already known to ancient Astrology, and the ability to transform any and every aspect of undesirable aspects of human life, too, are already well known, by the fields of Jyotish, and the entire family of other Vedic sciences, like yoga, and Ayurved.

What needs to happen now, is the literal 'science' of this ancient knowledge of Astrology, needs to be brought out and applied systematically to each and every area of human life.

Each one of you could contribute to this great possibility.

I have found myself, contributing to this unfoldment, innocently and quite accidentally, hehe.

Well, at least accidentally, from my point of view. But, stumbling upon this wisdom, has inspired me, to help others discover exactly how they can gain advantage from this great knowledge and many of you will choose, for yourselves, to help contribute to this great human endeavor

First thing is to learn the details of your own chart. Understanding one's Astrology, is the first great real goal of Astrology. Once you've discovered exactly what your Astrology is all about, you'll discover exactly what your life-purpose is.

Then, once you've understood this, then, the second most important area of Astrology can be started and that's exactly how to transform your weaknesses, and/or undeveloped qualities, into their natural strengths!

Once we've learned these two things, we'll automatically find ourselves living the life we were really meant to live!

If we don't learn this 'wisdom' we will live out the pre-determined, weaker, karma of our charts.

The Planets in our charts, are the Cosmic genes which explain very precisely each and every aspect of our individual life. Learning how to transform, the malefically functioning one's is one of the greatest goals of great Astrology.

Once we discover this very important aspect of Astrology, we will be amazed with this great opportunity. I'll never forget the first few times, that I discovered, insights into myself, that were of a planetary nature, and better understanding myself, and especially how to stop, those bad habits. That was the single most exciting and precious turning point in my life.

We are already doing this. Even if we don't know it, or our Astrology; we are already living the deep, meaning of this process. Even if we don't understand that our Mars is over here, and causing us or reflective of the fact that we are accident prone, and without realizing it, going to have many accidents in our lives.

But, at some point, after, 1, 2, or 3 or 4 of those accidents, suddenly we get it. Suddenly, and without warning, we'll have this 'aha', or 'eureka', and suddenly we'll know. We'll suddenly realize that we are going too fast!

Since this is already going on, in life, what can Astrology contribute with this process?

Astrology has the great ability, of keen insight, into these realities, way before the challenges happen. Therefore, parents can begin the process or revitalization, even before a child knows it. This is one of the reasons why we're supposed to follow our parents. The parents supposedly, represent the gift of Guru, or teacher, to us, that can see the dangers before hand, and help us avoid these challenges.

Unfortunately, most parents don't understand their own challenges. And so often, parents don't have the wisdom or the ability to see the problems, or help their children solve them.

This is why Gurus, teachers and mentors, are so revered in life. Because where parent's have not been able to see the solutions, we go to professionals, Astrologers, Gurus, teachers, even God, (which is the ultimate aspect of Guru, for example), to help us understand ourselves and find our solutions.

But, ultimately, each one of us, has to become our own teacher. Each one of us, needs to understand our own 'Star' patterns, and especially how to transform ourselves into the highest potential of the person that we can become.

When we learn this, we will become our own best Guru, and that's an amazing experience to have. You don't stop believing or revering God, or Guru, you just find yourself, and your own Jupiter, within.

To that end, there is a completely new development in Astrology today.

For the first time in human history, not only are millions of individuals going to Astrologers, all over the world, but, now, millions of individuals are for the first time, going to themselves, to learn this precious knowledge, for themselves.

This is the single one thing that each one of us can do, to enliven the Guru, or Jupiter, within ourselves. And, since, Jupiter is the greatest benefic, and has the greatest ability to bring us wisdom and unbelievable, transformative power; I hope that each one of you, continues in your active discussion, and learning of your own Astrology!

To that goal, if I can help in any way, I am very humbly happy to do so.

In fact, all of my thoughts, actions, emails, articles, readings, and projects, have this one goal in mind; to teach, and share, how to know even a little bit more about Astrology. The goal then, will be to stop undermining the life, and achieve the success, that's the truest, purpose of this God, given opportunity of human life.

One great Guru recently said: " Finding oneself in a human birth is the rarest of opportunities. It's only after 3 million previous births that one arrives at the pinnacle of human birth. Therefore if one doesn't find God, or become enlightened, in this life, one will have traded a diamond for spinach! "

I think of this expression sometimes, when I forget how precious this opportunity is for my life. Then, I seize upon the motivation to strive ahead, and discovering those tools, that are so vital for success in every aspect of life, bring... much fulfillment and intense satisfaction in life.

Here's hopeing each one of you, discovers the life that you're meant to live.

And here's hopeing each one of you, discovers the hidden wisdom that so far has not been known so you can solve any problem of the life, and accomplish the natural goals and aspirations of your life!

Jai Guru

Mark Kincaid

Astrologer

Founder of Nature's Astrology

m.kincaid

641 472-0000.