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Astrological Remedies
Author: Krishna
Darshan - Alan Wiuker
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One of the roles of Vedic astrologers is
to identify the afflicting planets in the birth chart, but
also to advise and prescribe methods to alleviate or counteract
those negative effects or sufferings caused by those adverse
planets.
Those alleviating remedial measures are called "Upayes" or
"Upayas". First we have to understand the notion of "fixed"
and non-Fixed karmas. The Karmas can be classified in 3 ways,
according to the possibilities of changing it:
Dridha or Fix karma,
is the karma which is very difficult or impossible to avoid
or change (only Divine grace could do it)
It is identified in the birth chart when there are many adverse
indications showing the same affliction, usually repeated
on the divisional charts, repeated from the moon ascendant
(Chandra lagna) and without any benefic aspects of other planets
or other placements suggesting the contrary. The more the
indications showing the same thing in the chart, the more
difficult it will be to change or avoid the results.
If the same indication is shown reading the chart from lagna,
Chandra lagna and Surya lagna at the same time (sudharshana
chakra) and there are no alleviating factors or aspects, the
situation may be extremely difficult to change.
Adridha or non-fixed karma
is the karma which can be change with a minimum effort, or
the effect doesn’t last long enough to create a problem.
This can happen when there are actions done in the past which
neutralize or compensate each other.
An example of that: suppose someone has done a wrong action
like stealing in a past life, but after that he has also done
a lot of charity and help to other people. He may still have
to experience some negative result from the wrong action,
perhaps being stolen or loose something dear, but because
of the other and predominant good actions he may get unexpected
donations, wealth, get help from others and recover the lost.
This can be seen on the chart when there is an affliction,
but there are many other factors which bless the house or
indicate the opposite result. For example, let’s say,
there is a negative planet placed on a certain house, but
the ruler of the house is exalted on another good house, hemmed
between two benefic planets, and aspected by more than one
benefic planet. The problem may still have to be experienced
and will manifest in certain time of the life, but it can
be overcome easily or even turned into something good at the
end.
Dridha-Adridha is the mixed
kind of situation, when the karma can be changed, but only
after intense and prolonged effort.
Suppose you see several adverse indications of affliction
to a certain house or area of life in the birth chart, but
there are some benefic planets aspecting it or some other
alleviating factor in the chart.
Most people’s chart is of that kind, a mixed karma.
It is here that finding the right type of Upaye can be very
helpful for the person.
One key to find the most appropriate Upaye is to see which
are the planets that are beneficial in the chart, and especially
those planets that are throwing good benefic aspects to an
afflicted area of the chart, and find the way to boost them,
strength or amplify their signification.
For example, if Venus is a benefic planet for a chart and
is aspecting an afflicted planet or house, it may indicate
that the remedy will be related with Venus significations,
and the remedy could be Bhakti Yoga, Kirtan, Pujas, opening
the heart and love, being more social, listen or play music,
arts, wearing appropriate Gemstones, aromatherapy, etcetera.
If Saturn is a benefic influence and help on the chart, then
it may indicate that the remedy is more related with the strengthening
of the self-discipline, responsibility, austerity, selfless
service, fasting and etcetera.
How the astrological remedies work
The planets are nor just physical masses of matter floating
on the space. They are tremendously powerful astral energies
or psychic forces which affect us in our astral body, the
subtle energy and psychic field surrounding and interpenetrating
our physical body.
The planetary energies create a pattern, a shape and a combinations
of colors in our astral body, which irradiates and attracts
a similar energy towards it.
The different planets contribute to the color of the aura
and that color and vibratory wavelength is related with our
thoughts, feelings, health, and the situations we attract
to our life.
The Upayes work by managing or changing those astral influences
in our own astral body, strengthening or diminishing certain
colors, frequencies or wavelengths like creating a kind of
protective shield.
There are several
types of Upayes or remedies:
Some of them are:
- YOGA
The most important Upaye or way we can purify and enlighten
our astral body is Yoga
Please don’t understand here the word Yoga as just
a form of physical exercise, as it is commonly understood
in the west.
Even though the physical practices or asanas are a very
important part of it and they themselves can bring important
changes in the astral body and the mind, Yoga also includes
a discipline of the mind, emotions, subtle energies, actions,
behavior, the practice of meditation and most important,
a total surrender to God.
Yoga goes right to the
source of the human problems which is the spiritual ignorance
and it gives tools to change the thought and behavior
patterns that are associated with the negative planets.
For each planet and actually for each planetary combination
or each individual chart situation the astrologer has
to find which is the appropriate Yoga, and give the right
kind of spiritual advice for the consultant.
In some cases it may be more meditation, in other case
it may be more towards devotion and developing pure and
selfless love (Bhakti Yoga), in others the practice of
asanas or body postures, or different breathing exercises
and pranayama, or the path of karma yoga, selfless service
and detachment in action, Jnana yoga, Kundalini yoga,
etcetera, or most probably a certain combination of more
than one path.
All those teachings and techniques are based on the developing
of self-discipline of the mind and emotions to bring them
from a gross level into a tune with the Divine mind and
“Dharma” or cosmic order.
Please read my article “Yoga,
meditation and Jyotish” for some more detailed
explanations about how each Yoga works.
Even though The yogic disciplines are the ones that go
to the very source of the problems, they can be the most
difficult to practice for the majority of people, who
just expect the astrologer to give him some quick and
easy solution, a magic formulae, whereas the yogic remedies
require a change of lifestyle and rigorous discipline
sustained over a long period of time.
It is like in a case of a person suffering from cough
goes to a doctor and ask for a remedy.
The good doctor tells him: “quit smoking and do
breathing exercises every day”. But the patient
doesn’t want to give up his habit and looks for
another doctor who just gives him a cough pill.
There is nothing wrong with the cough pills, but in that
case it doesn’t go to the source of the problem.
In the same way, all human problems are caused by the
fact of not being aware and in tune with their Soul or
divine nature. This is called spiritual ignorance, which
is the cause of all karmas and wrong actions which lead
to pain either in this life or on a future one.
When we see an afflicting planet on a birth chart, it
is showing something we have done wrong on the past lives
and we need to acknowledge and change in this life. The
afflicting planets are in fact, teachers. It
is the role of Jyotish to recognize the afflicting planets
and their associated karmas to prescribe the right discipline.
Each afflicted or afflicting Planet is showing a need
to learn certain lesson or to strength certain aspect
of the mind and personality.
Understanding that is the key to the use of astrology
as a healing path.
Of course each chart has to be analyzed individually and
as a whole, and the houses which those planets afflict
may show different areas of life in which the meaning
has to be applied, but some of the main relationship between
the planets and the needed lessons to learn are:
Sun:
Working out some ego issues. Understanding who we really
are, understanding the true nature of the Soul. Meditate
on the Atman or inner Self, finding the peace and light
within the Self.
A weak Sun may show lack of self-esteem, but a too strong
Sun badly placed can show a too strong ego and a selfish
personality.
Learning how to use and relate with power, position and
authority in a Dharmic way.
Learning to respect the Father and elders, and heal the
relationship with them.
Sun:
Working out some ego issues. Understanding who we really
are, understanding the true nature of the Soul. Meditate
on the Atman or inner Self, finding the peace and light
within the Self.
A weak Sun may show lack of self-esteem, but a too strong
Sun badly placed can show a too strong ego and a selfish
personality.
Learning how to use and relate with power, position and
authority in a Dharmic way.
Learning to respect the Father and elders, and heal the
relationship with them.
Moon:
Learning to control and purify the mind and emotions.
Develop mental peace through meditation.
Issues with the mother from bad karma to her.
Respect mother, motherhood and woman. Uplift and channel
the emotions trough Bhakti, pure love and devotion to
God.
Mars:
Develop courage and initiative without a selfish purpose;
learn to relax, calm down and practice non violence, control
anger and use of energy, physical and mental strength
for defense of dharmic principles alone.
There may be a tendency to try to impose your will to
others by force, a dictatorial or tyrannical nature which
has to be changed.
Protect righteousness and justice. Destroy and detach
from unnecessary possessions or negative patterns. Separate
from the wicked and ignorant. Develop a one-pointed mind.
Practice Hatha Yoga and relaxation techniques.
Mercury:
Learn discrimination and proper use of intellect. Apply
intelligence for spiritual and selfless purposes.
Sublimate the intellect into intuition. Learn to deal
honestly on business. Speak the truth alone. Aspire for
knowledge and impart knowledge to others selflessly.
Practice of Gñana yoga and study of Vedanta philosophy
under a competent teacher.
Jupiter:
Develop a mature faith, philosophy and believe system,
being practical at the same time. Learn proper relationship
with teachers. Respect and support religious people and
values. Follow dharma, righteousness and justice in daily
life. Accept an honest, mature and wise person as Guru,
do service to him/her and learn about spiritual knowledge.
Venus:
Learn to enjoy life in a healthy and “sattvic”,
pure way.
Heal the sexual relationships. Sublimate the grosser sexual
energy, avoiding attachment to sensual pleasures and over
indulgence.
Transform the need of love from a physical level into
a spiritual and divine compassion.
Recognize the beauty of the creation as a manifestation
of the divine presence and grace. Become an artist as
an instrument of God’s creation work.
Recognize the beauty of woman and the female qualities
as a manifestation of the divine mother or cosmic Shakti.
Bhakti Yoga is indicated.
Saturn:
Saturn indicates areas that we have to focus and develop
responsibility. Develop inner strength and capacity to
bear the hardships of life.
Develop strict inner discipline but without repression
of the human love and compassion.
Learn to be humble, work hard and serve other people as
a duty, without feeling humiliated or expecting nothing
in return.
Practice of concentration, austerities, fasting and seclusion
for spiritual strengthening.
Work hard for the benefit of others without expectations,
as an offering to God. Serve the Sick, afflicted and poor
people.
Karma Yoga is indicated
Rahu:
Rahu and Ketu show the play of “Raga-Dwesha”,
the attractions and repulsions that take place constantly
on the mind on a sub-conscious level. They are the factors
that create the mental agitation and lack of mental peace.
Rahu’s afflictions can be related with subconscious
turmoil coming from unresolved situations from previous
lives.
It indicates a need to understand the unconscious and
subconscious mind and bring the unresolved issues into
a conscious state.
Rahu’s attraction to the dark and hidden areas can
easily tune to lower or negative astral entities and lead
to adharmic actions.
Beware of wrong type of spiritual practices which can
damage or open too much the astral body. Avoid negative
places and people and any kind of intoxication. Be aware
and sublimate the strong inner desires.
Rahu is related with strong compulsive desires and fears
which are usually unconscious and come from the frustrations
of previous lives. They can easily turn into addictions.
Rahu’s Yogic remedy is basically to introspect,
recognize and detach from the mind’s strong desires.
Channel and express your personal ambitions and desires
toward a higher and spiritual goal, without becoming obsessed
and without expecting powers or astral experiences.
Overcome fear by developing spiritual strength, esoteric
knowledge, faith, devotion and detachment.
Ketu:
Ketu shows a need to renounce the lower Ego, the materialistic
attachments, and change the previous “Samskaras”
or mental impressions and tendencies we bring from the
past lives.
Ketu shows something we may have done too much on the
past and now there is a need to compensate for that. Ketu
feels guilty about the personal ego and mistakes done
in the past.
Ketu shows a need to spiritualize the areas of life indicated
by its house and sign placement, or the planets it conjuncts.
It usually does that by creating separation or dissatisfaction
towards the related area of life.
The best ways to manage the Ketu energy is by spiritual
practices like seclusion, meditation, introspection, renunciation,
study of ancient spiritual disciplines and Vedanta philosophy,
following the intuition, understand death and the ephemeral
nature of the material and sensual world.
Both Rahu and Ketu have to be understood as an axis, which
shows the play of “Raga and Dwesha”, the desires
and repulsions that swing the mind and steal the inner
peace.
Understanding their patterns is most important for solving
and working out the karmas and inner conflicts.
- MANTRAS
The use of mantras is also a very important form of Yoga,
and it is especially recommended as a powerful astrological
remedy as well as a spiritual practice and meditation
technique.
A Mantra is a sound formula, either a syllable, a word
or a combination of words, that when repeated enough times
with the right intonation, devotional feeling and concentration
of the mind, has the capacity to change the vibrations
on the astral body, neutralizing or changing the negative
effects of the adverse planetary influences.
The Mantras are sounds discovered or “heard”
by the Rishis on deep meditation states. No one can “invent”
a mantra.
The Vedic Rishis and Yogis understood the process of creation
of the world in the form of sound vibrations. Everything
in the universe has a particular sound vibration, which
can be heard in meditative states.
Thought itself is nothing but sound, in a particular wavelength.
Each thought has not only a particular sound, but also
a corresponding shape, color, size and weight.
Sound and form go together. Besides each form or shape
there is a sound vibration, a name, and vice versa.
The Sanskrit alphabet was made from the sound heard on
the different chakras and Nadis (astral tubes), and that’s
why the mantras are in Sanskrit language.
Mantras are actually what the Sanskrit language is made
of.
When a Mantra is repeated correctly, it activates those
nadis and chakras.
Repeating a mantra is therefore a way we can manipulate
and change the vibratory level on our astral body and
activate the Kundalini Shakti or spiritual transformational
power.
Each Planet also has a vibratory level and sound associated.
All the actions and thoughts, the karmas that we have
created on the past, even past lives, create a particular
type of sound and color pattern on our mind and astral
body.
That sound and color pattern in our astral body is what
attracts the life events.
In what we think, we become. According to the vibration
of our astral body we will attract a material situation,
a life experience related to that vibration.
The position of the planets at the moment of birth and
their continuous movements, transits and periods of influence
(dashas) affect our mind and astral body, triggering,
amplifying and releasing those past impressions of the
karmas into an actual experience, which makes the different
life situations manifest in different ways at different
times.
So, by repeating a mantra we can invoke a high and positive
level of astral energy that can neutralize and change
the negative patterns.
Each Planet has one or more Mantras which when repeated
help to transform their negative effect into the positive
one. It is like “healing” the effect of that
planet on our astral body.
Each planet has also a presiding deity, whose mantra can
be used with the same or even better effect.
Remember that the planets are nothing but the instruments
of God to perform the law of Karma.
Even though God is one, it can be invoked in different
ways to help us overcome and liberate from the grip of
the planets.
There is a highest category of Mantras called the “Moksha
Mantras” which are also called “the names
of God”, and if repeated with sincere devotion and
mental concentration, have the capacity to remove all
karmic afflictions, independently of which planet is the
afflicting one.
It is recommended to choose one Moksha Mantra and focus
on that one Mantra for the whole life as the “personal”
mantra, or “Ishta Devata” mantra.
That mantra can also be chosen by looking at the birth
chart.
The best situation is to receive the Mantra from an experienced
or realized teacher or Guru, trough a ceremony of “Diksha”
or initiation. In this way the right pronunciation and
intonation is learned, but the most important benefit
of that is that the “Shakti” or power of the
Mantra can be transmitted from teacher to disciple through
initiation. Its power and effects will be greater and
faster in this way.
So some of the Mantras commonly used for astrological
remedies are:
- Planetary mantras:
-
For the Sun: "Om
Suryaya Namaha"
or the Mantra of lord Rama: "Om
Sri Ramaia Namaha"
or the Gayatri mantra: "Om
Bhur Bhuvah Swaha, tat savitur varenyam, bhargo devasya
dhimahi, dhio yo nah prachodayat"
For the Moon: "Om
Chandraya Namaha"
or "Om Somaya
Namaha"
or the Krishna Mantra "Om Namo Bhagavate
Vasudevaya"
or the Siva Mantra "Om Namah
Sivaya"
For Mars: "Om Kujaya
Namaha"
or "Om Angarakaya Namaha"
or the mantra of Lord Subramanya: "Om
Subramanyaya Namaha"
or "Om Sri Sarabhanavabhaya Namaha"
For Mercury: "Om
Budhaya Namaha"
or the mantra of Lord Vishnu: "Om
Namo Narayanaya"
For Jupiter: "Om
Brihaspataye Namaha"
or the mantra for the Guru: "Om
Gum Gurubhyo Namaha"
or "Om Sri Gurave Namaha"
For Venus: "Om Shukraya Namaha" or the
mantra of goddess Lakshmi: "Om Sri Maha Lakshmiay Namaha"
or goddess Saraswati: "Om Aim Saraswatiay Namaha" or Durga:
Om Sri Durgaiay Namaha"
For Saturn: "Om
Shanaye Namaha"
or "Om Shanaischaraya Namaha"
or the Siva Mantra: "Om Namah Sivaya"
or the Hanuman Mantra: "Om Sri Hanumate
Namaha"
For Rahu: "Om
Rahave Namaha"
or the Durga Mantra: "Om Sri Durgaiay
Namaha"
For Ketu: "Om
Ketave Namaha"
or the Ganesha Mantra: "Om Gam Ganapataye
Namaha"
- The Maha Mritunjaya Mantra
This is a powerful Moksha Mantra which can be
chanted for protection of any adverse planet or any kind
of adverse omen, danger, disease or accident.
"Om
Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam, Urvarukamiva
Bandhanan Mrityor Mukshiya Mamritat"
-
The Ganesha Mantra
Lord Ganesha is the remover of all obstacles
and the Patron of all the planets. He is called the "Graha
Pati" the lord of all the planets and his Mantra can be
repeated to remove afflictions from any planet.
" Om Gam Ganapataye
Namaha"
The Maha Mantra
This is a great Mantra specially recommended
for this iron age or Kali Yuga to remove ignorance and
suffering and attain God realization.
Rama and Krishna also stand for the Sun
and Moon respectively.
"Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Here Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare"
- YAGYAS AND PUJAS
Jagyas and pujas are traditional forms of Vedic worship
to specific Deities or planets.
This method of astrological remedy is emphasized on the
classical Jyotish scriptures
God is the ultimate controller of the planets and dispenser
of karma, and everything is possible under his/her grace.
There is a very advance knowledge in the Vedic tradition
about how to invoke a specific Deity or one of the manifestations
or powers of God trough the proper ritual and mantras.
By this act, the Deity representing the planet is invoked,
invited to come and is served by offerings of a special
seat, foods, flowers, clothing, water, milk, ornaments,
jewels, light, fire, incense, and other sacred objects.
There are specific powerful mantras in the form of Vedic
hymns for invoking those energies.
The sincerity of the worshipper in wanting to purify his
mind and ego is very important.
The Puja is a simpler ritual that any person with a little
training and sincere intention can do, whereas the Yagyas
are more sophisticated and elaborate rituals which should
be conducted by a traditional Vedic priest, who does the
offerings and rituals in the name of the worshipper.
Is important to say that from the Yogic point of view,
the highest for of worship is when the intention is to
surrender totally to God’s will, without expecting
anything.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says that the worship of
gods with the sole purpose to fulfill the material personal
desires is done by people of “small intelligence”
The highest devotee prays: “Thy will be done, my
lord”, please give me that which is for my highest
good and not just what my ignorant mind wants!
- AUSTERITIES AND FASTS
One way of astrological remedy is to do certain form of
austerities.
Austerities or “tapas” is a form of accepting
voluntarily a penance or self-restraint, in order to pay
a karmic debt. Tapas strengthens the mind, will power
and capacity to endure any difficulty in life. It takes
the mind away form the duality of “likes and dislikes”,
Raga and Dwesha.
Taps activates the “Tejas” or fire element
in the mind and body, which bestows inner strength, sharp
mind and the capacity to achieve any desired situation
and overcome any difficulty in life.
Instead of trying to avoid any form of pain at all means,
which is what the mind usually does, the Yogi takes upon
himself some challenge to become stronger.
Tapas can be especially powerful to counteract any negative
influence from Saturn or to strength the Mars or Sun energies
if weak on the birth chart.
The most recommended Tapas are:
Doing service to the poor, the sick, the personal teacher
or the wise people, refrain from pleasures that are not
healthy and make the mind scattered and attached, observing
a pure simple moderated diet, occasional fasts, keeping
silence or only speaking what is absolutely necessary
and beneficial, getting up early in the morning to do
Yoga, meditation or other spiritual practices, assuming
and maintaining a steady posture without movement for
meditation, sleeping on a hard bed, sitting on the floor.
One of the highest (and most difficult, but recommended)
tapas is: ”Bear insult and injury”, not responding
with aggression or negativity towards an offender, not
identifying with the ego.
But tapas don’t mean torturing the body by extreme
or “masochist” means, which harm the physical
body. Some people cut, burn, beat, pierce their bodies.
This kind of extreme Tapas is considered as “Tamasic”
or born out of ignorance and delusion.
The Bhagavad Gita clearly explains that:
“Worship of God, the brahmanas, the teachers, the
wise, purity, straightforwardness, celibacy and non-injury
are called the austerities of the body”
“Speech which causes no excitement, which is truthful,
pleasant and beneficial and the study of the Vedas are
called austerity of speech”
Serenity of mind, good heartedness, self-control, purity
of nature, this is called mental austerity”
The austerity which is practiced with the object of gaining
good reputation, honor and worship, and with hypocrisy
is here said to be of a “rajasic”, unstable
and transitory”
“That austerity which is practiced out of a foolish
notion, with self-torture or for the purpose of destroying
another is declared to be “Tamasic” or ignorant”
Ch 17, v14-19
Fasting is regarded as an efficient way of physical, mental,
spiritual and karmic purification.
During fasting the toxins from the body are released and
that allows the negativity of the mind to be released
too. The mind and will power becomes strong. Karmic debts
can be purified too.
The prana or vital force usually occupied in digesting
the food can be engaged in healing the body and flowing
to the higher chakras during fasting.
When there is an afflicting planet on the birth chart,
or during a difficult “Dasha”, planetary period
or difficult transit of that planet, the austerities and
fast should be perform on at least the whole day of the
week ruled by the planet for at least 6 consecutive weeks.
Sun – Sunday
Moon – Monday
Mars – Tuesday
Mercury – Wednesday
Jupiter – Thursday
Venus – Friday
Saturn – Saturday
Rahu – Saturday
Ketu – Tuesday
- DONATIONS
When a planet creates an affliction on the chart, one
way to counteract it is by offerings or donations of items
related to the planet, to a person related to the planet
on the day of the week ruled by that planet.
There are many factors to be considered in each individual
chart for that, but just to give a couple of examples:
For Saturn: Donate food, money or new black cloths or
black mustard seeds to the poor, sick or handicapped people.
For Jupiter: Donate money and do personal service to the
Guru or a spiritual teacher, a priest, monk or a spiritual
or religious organization. Do it every Thursday.
Finally, only Devotion
and total surrender to God,
removal of the ignorance of Ego and realization of the Self
as Atman can be the real remedy for any karmic suffering.
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