Happily humbled by K.N Rao

I was humbled last night.

After reading a 25 page interview with the great K.N Rao, my perspective on life collapsed to be reborn.  There were words he said, with soOOoo much potency and meaning, I couldnt help but surrender to.  On his training, he mentions, “I was never allowed to keep the horoscope in front of me. I had to see it once and have a clear visual memory of it. Further when the analysis proceeded, I was trained to dynamically visualize the various planets, their aspects, positions etc. In fact as the training progressed, the verbal analysis would unfold itself as a visual dance-drama inside of me. Further I was required to do many of the intricate calculations mentally. I can unequivocally say that this method of training, more than any skill per se, has helped me immensely in practicing astrology.” The role he plays as an Astrologer, has altered the course of my entire life-especially my relationship to my “astrology career.”

……To podcast, or not to podcast, this is the question.

Welcome to aKosmic Mind.

Here is a blurb:

Question: Being a well-known and highly reputed astrologer, does it not put an added burden on you for being scrutinized and repeatedly tested on the accuracy of your predictions? Does protecting your image and stature sometimes stand in the way of you practicing astrology in a free and unfettered fashion?

KNR: One of the reasons why an astrologer often feels burdened is because of lack of practical understanding of astrology among the clients. That is a real problem. For example, there is no acceptance or understanding of (1) variability brought out by inherent uncontrollable uncertainties such as inaccurate birth times or (2) acceptable error limits. Everybody wants perfect answersevery single time. That is never going to happen no matter how good the astrologer is! Does the world abandon the science of aeronautics and space exploration if the space shuttle crashes due to errors by the world’s best scientists at NASA? The answer is no – they learn from their mistakes and improve. But astrology is thought to be something “out of the world” which is simply not true. Everybody is subject to laws of nature including the astrologer, and each of us works under the gamut of Maya. Why then forget the Will of God? As the great Tulsidas has said, “Haani-Laabh, Jeevan-Maran, Yash-Apyash, Vidhi Haath” (Profit and loss, life and death, fame and infamy are in His hands).

My experience is that, often times, it is the unnoticed and unquoted individual predictions which are truly inspired. They give great internal satisfaction to an astrologer. Sometimes such predictions get great publicity through informal channels and grapevine. After hearing about these predictions people come to the astrologer with great expectations. These expectations (or for that matter any expectations) create a preconditioned mind to “hear” a very highly favorable or certain type of predictions that would alter the course of people’s lives. For instance, I predicted in one case that the boy would become an engineer, go to a foreign country, marry a foreigner but would remain afflicted with an incurable ailment. Fifteen years later when events took place exactly as I had predicted other people came running to me to hear a similar prediction. If you do not give them a similar prediction they feel disappointed and sore. Why should I put a strain on myself and try to live up to their expectations? From my personal experience I have learnt that being true and honest to myself is the only way to live one’s life harmoniously. This brings you peace and a palpable proximity to God. Isn’t that the true purpose of why Jyotish was revealed to us in the first place?

Question: On a final note, would you like to give any advice to aspiring astrologers?

KNR: My advice to aspiring astrologers is to do their astrology quietly. They should not seek publicity or promote themselves, and let their good predictions earn them a good name. It is how so many, including me, started. It is only in 1983, after more than forty years of practicing astrology, that I was dragged into the limelight, much against my wishes. And if an astrologer can practice as a service without charging any money – it is the best. Or leave it to the client to donate what they wish. Never demand or put a price on your service. I know I am old-fashioned in this matter – but for a good reason. (Note – I asked K.N. Rao about charging money in the West for astrology services. He said, “It is all right in USA. Do as you have been doing.” – Vaughn Paul Manley 7/5/05).

Astrology is a revelatory science and it is revealed, not by aggression but by faith and surrender to the divine. Always remember the four “Mahavakyas”[47] of astrology – Have Faith; Be Diligent and Practice Patience; Humbly learn from your mistakes, and Live a Life of Service. Then the divine lotus of astrology will open within you.

…..oOo…..

and the link for the rest: http://www.lightonvedicastrology.com/articles-knrao-printer.htm

I do hope you take the time to read this one.  It is soOOooo important, for astrologers, or anyone into the healing arts to hear the advice of this wizened old Tree.

namaste,

sOma

www.holestoheavens.com

kosmognosis@gmail.com

Rahu: the Esper on the horizon

…also known as the North Node of the moOn, it is strange man who greets you in a dream, and gives this:

Rahu/Ketu Yantwho we are destined to discover.

It is an integration point for our Soul. It shows us the way towards destiny. Smokey eyed and dangerous. The dragon on the mount, waiting for us, patiently like eternity, for the day of our arrival.  Swallowing the Sun and Moon as the days pass, bringing fear into hearts in a world corrupt.

There seems to be a huge division between how astrologer’s in the West view the North Node, to those in the East.  Not only is the name different, but the entire relationship to it.  To be clear: The Nodes arent planets–in fact, they don’t even exist, they are theoretical points based on the moOns nodes.  In  Jyotisha “Vedic astrology,” Rahu represents a destructive magic carpet ride into the bowels of the world at a insatiable speeds, no different than a hungry ghost trapped between worlds.  The reason for this demonic behavior, is because Rahu is not complete.  He was chopped in half by Vishnu after sneaking some amrita at the cosmic tea party.  And so forever Rahu and Ketu are destined to find their revenge, like an Ouroborus searching for itself, infinitely following its tail.  In the West, the North Node represents a theme of potential growth and the idea of destiny.  Healing happens through the North node in the West, destruction in the East.  Some Astrologer’s only put the North node in their charts, leaving out the South.  It hints to the importance and praise that is given to the North Node in many Western forms of Astrology. And indeed, it does show “destiny,” and does help tremendously in understanding the person.

One feared, the other embraced (even though fear is still present). What do they have in common? I mean, there seems to be loads of overlap between both systems with all the other planets, but not the Nodes?  Where is their meeting place? Do they overlap at all?

I believe they may……:

…..Steven Forrest says the North Node doesnt even exist until we willfully discover it.

Sam Geppi says its wild eyed and hungry.

I TEND TO AGREE…with both.

It’s like this: We know about it–intuitively–but its a strange psychic cloud, impossible to fully understand until you are either taught about it, or your curiosity gets the best of you.   I think this is connected to why Indians fear Rahu. It is because he is a shadow (Rahu and Ketu are sometimes referred to as “the Shadow planets.”)  I think their fear is healthy.  It is based on emperical evidence.  After thousands of years observing the effects of this eclipse producing point, you start to freak out, just like the birds going to bed at high noon.  Eclipses bring a primal fear to the surface of all beings.  It is that fragile moment when the lights go out. It is Rahu eating again, but not digesting (he doesnt have a stomach, Ketu is the stomach).

what am I driving at here?

I am pointing out a common thread between the two approaches to the North Node (Rahu).  The worldly hunger Rahu creates in Jyotish, is the same appetite that gets created in the West.  When people discover their North Node in the West, and they start experiencing its benefits, it can easily get out of control.  Depending on house, sign, aspect, the North Node in both systems shows us the potential for both success and destruction in the world. Rahu is hungry and lost, and he can bring us to a world we have been needing for lifetimes, but we need to be ever aware of the balance with the South node.  It is Ketu, the South Node of the moOn where we are coming from.  We must never forget the winds at our backs.

in one word: Sea Legs

May you be blessed by your experiences of the Nodes of the Moon.

…for more info visit:

www.holestoheavens.com

kosmognosis@gmail.com

The musical coloration of Steven Forrest’s case for Astrology

…I attended Steven’s wonderful lecture last night at Naropa about Light, Sound and Astrology.  I am urged to reflect on a few pieces;
and so…
He builds a strong case on why sound and light (or sight) are the senses we simple could not go without.  Taste–with the exception of a few Taurus moOns–will be the first to go, then our touch and smell.  It is sight and sound we cannot do without.  Through our eyes we experience the majestic illusion that is the world.  It is no different than a cosmic movie, where all of us play our parts (a metaphor Steven used).  We also experience the stars and planets through light. The entire world is made of it. And as far as sound goes….well, you gotta have music.
By using a thought dream experiment and taking us to a Nazi ruled island filled with blank canvas’, we were given the choice of three tubes of paint; we decided the Primaries were the way to go.  It is with the Primary colors we can create the kaleidoscope of potential color.  With just three colors, we could have it all.  He then drew the star of David and started mixing the colors discovering “ROYGBIV.”  He thus began to give us support for the number 7 and how it relates to Everything–including the planets. 

Like mentioned, music is not exempt from these rules.  There are 7 notes in a scale, with the 8th (or the second ‘Doe’) acting as the beginning of the next octave.  But if you look at a piano, there are actually 12 notes between octaves.  And then he supported the 12, supporting a future debate we all may have with a Scientist, that says, “There are actually 13 lunar cycles in a year,” and it is your response that reflects, “Well, actually sir, is you count the actual lunar phases, there is 12.3.” (and it probably just continues, but you get my point).  12 Lunar phases in 1 year.  This is most likely how the number 12 emerged, by watching the moOn.7 and 12: the numbers that show up everywhere.
…there are 11 dimensions currently…..when will they discover our 12th dimension (whatever that means).
(7 chakras, 7 deadly sins, 7 continants….etc)………………(12 months, and 12 disciples, and 12 signs of the zodiac…..etc)
It was a great talk.  It was also great to see so many lovely faces in the crowd.
And so….in India, Astrologer’s are called “Jyotishi’s.”: its a sanskrit word that translates into “bringer of Light.” Elegant isnt it.  The Astrologer is meant to bring in light to their clients hearts and minds.  With their words and their wisdom, Astrologers help others “see more clearly” about what their life is all about.  In Jyotish (or Hindu Astrology), their is something used in every reading called Upaya–or “skill means.” It is used as a remedial measure against the Graha’s (planets) that are afflicting the person.  So there are yagyas (fires), and pujas (rituals), and mantra (words), and yantra (symbols) etc, that are all used to help strengthen certain planets in the chart.  It is the most amazing and logical piece of Jyotish, and it is missing from the West.  After all, when was the last time you went to your Astrologer and he gave a mala made of pearl to do japa on, because your moOn is currently afflicted by Saturn? If you have, you are a very lucky one. Or better yet, blessed.

This is the light: the Wisdom combined with the Remedy. As Astrologers, or those who love sharing Astrology with others,  we must be uber-aware about the power we possess.  Astrology can be soOOoo dangerous in the wrong hands.  It is up to us to always remember that we are “bringers of light (and sound)”.  We are here to help.
…maybe the sound part has to do with all Astrologer’s being musicians??? We need to investigate that one…
So, next time you give a reading, give a remedy if you don’t already.  Food, asana, meditation, anything.
Graha shanti my friends,
namaste
sOma
www.holestoheavens.com