Subject: Homework: Janma/Lagna Nakshatras

[Guest guest]

Dear Sanjay, dear friends,

 

Before giving my answers, I would like to ask about reference material on the

Nakshatras - I don't not find much in my personal library. Any suggested titles?

 

Ok, here I go with my answers:

 

JANMA NAKSHATRA: Moon is in the second quarter of Vishakha. Vishaka is ruled by

Jupiter; Jupiter is exalted in Cancer Ascendant, ruler of 6 and 9; Jupiter is

Vargottama. Moon is Atmakaraka, sits in 4th House.

 

I believe that Vishakha gives diseases of arms and breasts. Being of the male

species, I believe I only have to worry about the former... At first I

dismissed it, but on second thought I realized that I have had a little problem

with benign fatty lumps in my arms- these lumps have especially appeared in

Jupiter subperiod of Mercury. Add to that that Lagna Nakshatra Pushya has to do

with fat, growth, and that Lagna contains exalted Jupiter, also a promotor of

growth. The Graha Distri aspect of Saturn on Lagna probably prevented me

growing fat.

 

Moon (Atmakaraka) sits with Saturn (Amatyakaraka) in the same Nakshatra -

Vishakha. I am a rather emotional soul, affected by moods - over the years I

have come to be fascinated by this process of my own mind. I observe my mood

changes carefully, almost like one would watch the sea and the tides - this has

helped me in being more accepting of these moods and to trust that when I'm

down eventually I'll come up again. Similarly when I'm 'up', I am deeply aware

that the flipside may be just around the corner. I find these mood shifts -

even though they can make me depressed - to be useful for my work as a literary

writer and artist.

I also have tremendous self-doubt at times - it takes me a good bit of courage

to send this note to the group for example. I am very critical of my own

creative efforts, always anticipate criticism. The doubt does not extend to

other activities and decisions though - it is mostly about self. I am rather

melancholy by nature - even though people who know me superficially, perceive

me as jovial, happy. I have learned over time to appreciate this melancholy

side of myself, because it gives me introspective ability, deepens my

experience of life, shapes my tastes for music and art .

 

From one of the texts I read, I understand that Vishaka gives one the ability

to delve - sometimes obsessively so - into a subject matter. I have had this my

whole life - especially with respect to intellectual pursuits and artistic

endeavors. I am now less prey to the overwhelming nature of this, I am now more

consciously in control of the process. The fact that Vishakha is in 4th house

of formal education, probably gives this intellectual questing - furthermore

the artistic aspect of it may be indicated by the fact that the 4th house is

ruled by exalted Venus in 9th. But at the same time, there is also an intense

sense of self-doubt in this respect (which has pushed me to delve even deeper,

analyze more thoroughly): I realize that in the eyes of the world I seem

intelligent, but I am always more aware of a sense of the limitations of my

intelligence - I feel this quite intensely again in this writing to you. There

is always so much more to know, but life is so short. Perhaps for this reason,

I have pursued and received several college degrees, maybe hoping to be able to

find some external confirmation of my intellectual ability. This all happened

during end of Saturn dasa (Rahu and especially Jupiter subperiod) and in

Mercury dasa.

Only after I obtained my Ph.D and became a college professor in Philosophy, did

that urge to expand my academic knowledge diminish. During most of Saturn dasa

- when I was in Elementary and Secondary School - I was actually quite average

in school and did not show signs of much academic promise. At that time I

found studying most difficult, lacked discipline and found certain subjects,

such as math, quite beyond my grasp. Later I surprised myself when I found

mathematics most fascinating at the college level - during Saturn/Jupiter - and

did rather well in my exams, obtaining some maximum scores .

I am by nature more of an intuitive, a non-linear thinker, but developed later

in life the discipline and ability to also think logically/scientifically.

I am really more drawn to the arts in every possible sense - I write poetry,

practice sculpting, I used to paint a great deal, and I play the piano

'religiously' . I do all this for the pleasure of it. I have good writing

ability - writing is now my main area of activity, my career. I saw sculpting

and writing mentioned as activities for Vishaka.

 

 

LAGNA NAKSHATRA: Pushya; is ruled by Saturn (Amatyakaraka); Saturn is

retrograde and exalted in 4th House (resides there with Atmakaraka Moon). Moon

is ruler of Lagna. Saturn rules 7 and 8.

The information I found on diseases for people with Pushya ascendant, did not

seem to fit, ie. diseases of mouth and face. Except that as a teenager - in

Saturn dasa - I had some dental problems (nothing major) and a bad case of

chicken pox which left me with some small scars on my forehead.

I read about the nourishing ability bestowed by Pushya. I recognize this - I

have given a lot of myself as a teacher and I do the same in my writings. I

also believe that the 'growing, abundant' quality of this Nakshatra is

reflected in my creativity. I find it sometimes hard to stop myself when I am

in a creative mood . The fact that exalted Jupiter sits also in Lagna (but in

Punarvasu), adds to this sense of abundance. From Graha Dristi comes an aspect

of Saturn, which restrains.

 

- What my mind thinks of as 'good': the spiritual, authentic experience of

life. To live truthfully, honestly with oneself and with others. To live up to

one's ability.

 

- Bad: the superficial, commercial, 'easy', 'pop', collective experience of

life, which ignores the fundamentally spiritual nature of our existence.

 

- What makes me happy: My little family, and sensing when I am spiritually in

touch. Reading a good book while listening to some classical music, in a

pleasant landscape or dwelling, is also my idea of time happily spent. I'm not

fond of anything too extravagant, or effortful in a physical sense - if I were

to find myself on a beach for example, I wouldn't have the urge to dive in the

water, but rather to sit on a rock and gaze at the horizon, listen to the sound

of the waves, watch my kids collect shells and pebbles, enjoy the company of my

wife... Oh, life can be wonderful!

 

- Animals. I have no information on what animals 'go with' what Nakshatras. I

concur with the member from Denmark who notes that animal life in our corner of

the world (I live in Belgium, not so far from Denmark) cannot be compared to

that of India. At present animals are barely present in my life - at least not

in 'kept' condition. I live in the countryside and enjoy the songs of wild

birds in the trees, the sight of cows grazing in the meadow... That kind of

thing.

Before the birth of our sons, my wife and I had a couple of cats - their

independent nature and cuddly character made them attractive companions, we

felt. That was in Mercury dasa.

In a psychological sense, I identify with animals, and especially with the

bear - he is strong, can be exuberant, is furry & cuddly, and in winter he

withdraws completely from the world for his hibernation, preparing for a new

spring.

Thank you,

sincerely,

Frans