Introductory Jyotish Series: Part 2 Understanding Our Charts....... Mark Kincaid 7/26

July 30, 2005

Introductory Jyotish Series:

Part 2

" Understanding " Our Charts.......

Dear Friends:

Welcome, again to our on " Nature's Astrology-Best of West & Eastern Astrologys. "

In this Article on Jyotish, we will be examining the Principle of Jyotish Understanding and it's many benefits in our lives.

Traditionally, Jyotish has been practiced by Professional Astrologers and 'done' with

individuals in the form of what is called Jyotish 'Readings' or 'Charts'.

When anyone would go to an Astrologer it was with the hope of gaining greater understanding or help in regards to any aspect of one's life.

Most people ask one of these three most basic questions:

#1 What is my life purpose?

Or....

#2 How can I improve my financial situation?

Or.....

#3 How can I improve my relationships?

Even though these have often, been the most common questions, in truth, any question about, literally any and every aspect of life; can come under the heading or expertize of Jyotish.

For example, problems or concerns with eating, and food can be asked.

Also, questions about my relationships with younger brothers and sisters, and artistic or

musical skill or potential can be asked.

In addition, questions about one's relationship with Mother, homes or peace of mind, too,

are sometimes asked.

Further, questions can be asked about children, education, health as well as pre-marital

relations, and finally commmitted relationships like Marriage and even, business

partnerships.

All of these questions, interestingly enough correspond quite precisely with the first 7 houses

of the basic, 'birth' chart.

Final houses, 8, 9, 10, 11, & 12th, can give us insight into such questions as " compulsions " ,

obsessions and addictions, all spiritual matters, career, potential for financial wealth, and

finally even spiritual enlightenment.

Each area of 'the' Astrological chart, can be looked at to help us 'UNDERSTAND', more and

more about literally each and every aspect of life.

The Astrological Chart, can be looked at to help us Understand 'why' we're the way we are.

Traditionally, this Astrological Inquiry, was made to Astrologers who had made a committment and investment in this great wisdom for the benefit of humanity.

Today, however, the scope of Astrology has begun to change, dramatically.

In addition to the traditional 'Astrological Chart', reading, now, millions of individuals,

throughout the World, are beginning an intimate study of their Astrological chart, themselves!

This represents quite a dramatic departure from the more traditional activities of individual or family chart readings.

The Principle however is the same.

When you're looking at your Astrological Chart; look at it with the idea of how to gain greater insight, Understanding & even Wisdom, as to any and every aspect of life.

This is the first great premise, or Principle of Astrology.

I call it the Jyotish: " UNDERSTANDING " ....

That, the Astrological 'birth' chart, created from the exact moment of our births, has the

ability to give us great insight into our human situation.

It's believed that the description or interpretation of this Astrological 'chart' has the capacity

to explain the 'STARTING POINT', of our lives.

I like to call this aspect of Astrological Understanding, the Principle or 1to1 Correspondence.

I believe there is, in fact, a very literal 1to1 correspondence between every aspect of our lives,

and every detail and aspect of our Astrological charts.

When you begin examining your chart, in these groups, or reflect upon your life; try to find

that mysterious, though very real, 1 to 1 Relationship!

I'll list some of the classic significations associated with the 3 main categories of the

Astrological chart: Planets, Houses and Signs.

Planets:

Sun - Represents our Self-worth. Sun signifys self, Individuality, 'I', ego and self-confidence.

Moon - Represents our Emotional Nature. Moon, therefore is the primary significator for

all feelings, emotions, even intuition as well as empathy and understanding. Moon is also

looked at for relationship with one's Mother, as well as peace of mind, emotional or mental

development and states of mind.

Mercury - Represents Intellect, therefore the status of one's Mercury in one's birth chart, then, is a signfication of one's intellectual capabilities, decision makings, and clarity of mind.

Mercury also, rules communications, as well as all intellectual pursuits.

Venus - Represents the expressive heart. If Moon represents how one 'feels', on an inner

level, then Venus represents how we express those feelings. Venus also stands for one's

inter-personal relations and as such governs success in love, friendships, and even business

partnerships.

Mars - Represents our physical talents, prowess, and physical strength. Mars represents how

we 'stand up for ourselves', and how we fight, stand tall, firm, resolutions, determinism, and

'fighting for Righteousness'.

Jupiter - Represents how we 'Expand' in life. Jupiter, therefore is the primary planet of all

progress and prosperity. How we grow, develop, and even Success, itself, is looked at through

the important details of our Jupiters.

Saturn - Represents how we appreciate balance, timings, rest, rejuvenation and recuperation.

If Jupier represents expansion, then Saturn represents 'contraction'. We expand with one foot, but it's really our Saturn, 'planeted' foot, that comes first. Every day we live our lives,

but how infrequently do we realize that 'how well, we rested previously, at night', is in fact,

the true source of our success.

This is why Saturn is also looked at for maturity, discipline, as well as balance, and deep,

inner Silence and Enlightenment.

Rahu/Ketu - Finally, Rahu & Ketu are the 2 'Shadowy' planets that stand for a number of

things even though there is no real planets, out there, of Rahu & Ketu. Rahu & Ketu are

described as Mathematical points in space that reflect certain tendencies, characteristics

and qualities.

I like to think of Rahu & Ketu as representing the " Desire Mechanism " . In other words, Rahu

and Ketu stand for how we desire and the spontaneous, balanced or imbalanced ways in which

we go after our natural fulfillment of desires.

This is why Rahu & Ketu have come to be associated with the lower or imbalanced kinds of

desiring like compulsions, obsessions and addictions.

In truth, Rahu & Ketu stand for that, 'desire' mechanism. If balanced then we have our desires, but we're not attached, identified, or ruled by them. As a result we don't have

obsessions, compulsions or addictions.

However, if we're out of tune with the natural, way in which we can have desires, then, our

desires end up ruling us, and therefore, those compulsions and addictions are the result.

Make a List of all your QUALITIES, TENDENCIES or CHARACTERISITICS.

This will serve as your Astrological Template.

This can also serve you as the basis of your Self-Inquiry, through Astrology.

Write down a through list as to how to think about yourself.

o Self-Confidence. Do you have it? Do you doubt yourself? Do you have strong will, self-

esteem, self-worth, or self-mastery? All these descriptions will reflect the status of your Sun,

in your Astrological chart.

o Emotional Stability. #2, how do you 'feel'? Do you feel relatively smooth, natural, balanced, or even? Or, do you feel many ups and downs, do you have your feelings, hurt easily? Or, do you have a strong, inner, emotional eveness? How you feel?, states of mind,

anxieties, worries, are all ruled by the Moon.

o Intellectual Clarity. How clearly do you think? Can you easily understand intellectually?

Do you have an easy time thinking things, through, coming to clear decisions, and making

decisions. Mercury rules clarity of mind, and therefore has to do with communications,

intellectual intelligence, even IQ, is a reflection of one's Intellect-Mercury.

o How loving are you? Do you express yourself and/or your feelings easily? Or, do you feel

shy in expression, inhibited, or private? These questions will give you some basis for under-

standing the status and/or strength of your Venus, in your chart.

o How strong are you physically? Do you have good energy, are you dynamic, and/or athletic? Questions of physical strength have to do with the Planet Mars in your chart. Also,

how strong are you to stand up for yourself? Can you fight for yourself, or the disadvantaged?

The balanced Mars energy therefore is a champion, crusader, environmentalist, etc. If Mars

is imbalanced, weak or distorted, then the negative sides of Mars dominate. Do you feel too

much anger, resentment, jealousy, backbiting, fighting, dishonesty, even criminal behavior

is partly a reflection of this important Mars planet.

o How mature or balanced are you? Are you patient, steady, coordinated physically as well

as mentally? Are you wise, beyond your years, or young, impatient and immature? Saturn,

therefore, rules discipline, timings, health, and the mature aspects of doing and/or being in

the right place at the right time.

o Do you feel any compulsions, addictions, or obsessions? Do any of your desires rule you, or

do you rule them?

o Think of any other numbers of questions about yourself, and even your relationship with

Parents and siblings.

o Next, ask yourself about schooling.

o What subjects did you love, or major in, in school, grade school or college?

o Did you have any breaks in your education?

o What career, have you found yourself in?

o Do you make enough money?

o Do you have more bills, then income?

o Have you been able to save money, in life?

o Finally, how do you feel about yourself, spiritually? Do you have faith, believe in God?

What is your relationship with 'life', 'God', or any personal or even, impersonal Deity?

How do you feel about religion, formally or informally?

Write down what you know, and even what others have said about yourself.

There is no right or wrong here, just describe how you see yourself.

This will be your baseline.

From here as you study your chart, see if you can find the Astrological 'CONFIGURATIONS', that may be expressive for any of these qualities or characteristics.

Understanding

*

3 Pillars of Jyotish/Astrology

Now as you begin to study your Astrology chart, keep in mind, there are 3 Primary Pillars

of Jyotish.

There are three primary aspects of Astrology that all-together, will be able to help you

understand 95-98% of yourself.

These include:

#1 Your Astrological or Birth Chart.....

#2 Something called your Dasas, or time-periods. And,.....

#3 The Transits.

These are the 3 most important parts of your Astrology that each one of us, is going through, right and

living!

Coming to understand these three, simultaneous parts of your life, will give you tremendous

insight, understanding and even, Wisdom, about your life!

Start with what you know and then as you study your chart; Ask yourself One Question!

Q #1 Does this description of my chart, fit me?

Does the description of your Sun sign, or the House or conjunction between your Sun, &

Mercury, fit you?

First, refer to your Qualities List.

Is the description about your chart, similar to any of the Descriptions that you made in your

Qualities List?

If so, then there is a great likelihood that this represents a special, 'TRUISM', about your chart.

Also, does that description, ring true, for you?

You will be, ultimatley, the best judge of your chart!

Therefore, you need to be able to look within, and resonate with that description!

Don't take in, especially any negativity, that's not really you!

Sometimes, people get sad or depressed studying their charts, because they come across some

description that is negative, or undesirable.

Dont' invent any more problems then what is already there!

#2 The Second Goal

In your Study is

Positive vs. Negative.

Once you've begun your study of your chart, and you've begun to find the literal, 1to1

Correspondences, then, begin classifying them as either Positive or Negative.

First Goal - Self Study...

The first goal is to find how your chart fits you. The many different Astrological configurations will begin to resonate and/or fit you. Write these 'ahas' down.

These are your Chart!

#2 - Divide Your Chart - Into Positives or Negatives.

Then, secondly, divide your Astrological configurations into either Positive or Negative.

This is an important part of Jyotish/Astrology because this 'classification' will help you

undertand what are the Benefics and Malefics, in your chart.

In life most people recognize we have positive and negative sides of us.

However, very few people realize, that these 'negatives' are indications of where we've come

to change, to grow, and transform ourselves.

In Jyotish, all of one's Astrological configurations are described as either being indicative of

our Benefics or our Malefics.

The " Benefics " , in our charts, correspond with our balanced, strong, healthy, or 'good' Planets.

The " Malefics " , correspond with our negatives, undesirables, challenges, problems, grief,

and sufferings.

Jyotish has made a great discovery about Human Nature.

The " Benefics " in our charts, correspond with the Positives, in our lives, while, the " Malefics " ,

correspond with the unwanted negatives!

Modern Psychology, today, has finally realized that most of one's problems in life; are in fact,

self-created.

You'll hear quite often, that " people, sabotage themselves. "

This is a common fact about human nature. Maybe we learned to shout when we were growing up. Hey, our parents did it! Maybe our friends shouted, alot. So, it shouldn't be

too surprising that later in life, we adopt this learned behavior.

What people don't realize, however, is that the karma for getting exposed, to that angry, or

too pitta, or Marish, up-bringing, is there in our chart's, a reflection of our Karma, that we

were born with!

In future articles we'll go into more depth about both how to Understand our charts,.... & Later:

How to use our charts for Self-Improvement!

Sincerely,

Mark Kincaid