Significance of Degrees of Sidereal Zodiac

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Significance of Degrees of Sidereal Zodiacby Yeluripati Krishna Rao In the art of delineating horoscopes several methods are employed by astrologers to predict character, mental make-up, the ups and downs in the native's fortunes, marriage, children, longevity, nature of death and other important aspects of life. While the western astrologers use the Tropical Zodiac and progressions (Primary and Secondary directions) and Solar Return charts etc. to predict events, astrologers in India invariably use the Nirayana (Fixed) Zodiac and the Vimshottari Dasa System for the purpose of prognosticating the important aspects of life and for timing events. Rasi, Navamsa, Drekkana, Saptamsa, Dasamsa and other various sub-divisional charts are also made use of to judge the horoscopes in greater detail pertaining to children, career, education and other important aspects of life. In addition to the various methods advocated by the sages who have propounded the wonderful astrological systems, the symbolisms of the degrees of the sidereal zodiac (of the fixed stars) and their interpretations as given by Charubel, Sepharial and Adriano Carelli also provide much useful information. The duration of each Lagna (Ascendant) is 2 hours and the duration of each Navamsa Lagna (1/9th division) is about 13 minutes. In the case of twins born in the same Ascendant and in the same Navamsa Lagna with a difference of 8 to 10 minutes, it is quite likely that there may be much variance in their character and the pattern of their lives due to the fact that the cusp of the Ascendant and the cusp of the mid-heaven vary by a couple of degrees in 4 minutes time approximately. This change of the degree of the Ascendant may be accounted for the change of character and the pattern in their destinies although the Navamsa Lagna is the same. In this article and attempt has been made to elucidate the significance of the degrees of the Nirayana (sidereal) zodiac in analyzing the charts of some renowned persons whose horoscopes are well known. In addition to the rising degree of the Ascendant, the degrees held by the luminaries, the Sun and the Moon, the mid-heaven and other planets may also be made use of in judging nativities. For instance in the horoscope of Dr B V Raman, the Sun is posited in the 23rd degree (22°53') of Cancer (Ayanamsa = 22°38'). This degree is ruled by Neptune and, is a degree of peace. It is symbolized by fishermen pulling in their nets in calm weather. Dr Raman is gifted with mediumistic power and his impressions enable him to make but few errors in his affairs. This is known to be the degree of the astrologer, the seer or prophet who has the gift of healing. Chart 1: B V Raman: Born on 8-8-1912 at 7.37 p.m. Rasi: Aquarius: Ascendant 8°15'; Pisces: Rahu 22°49'; Taurus: Saturn 10°12' and the Moon 26°38'; Cancer: the Sun 22°53'; Leo: Venus 2°16', Mercury 14°05' and Mars 21°23'; Virgo: Ketu 22°49'; and Scorpio: Jupiter 12°58'. It is significant to note that the Sun is in the 23rd degree of Cancer also in the horoscope of Alan Leo who was born on 7th August 1860 at 5.49 a.m. at Westminster in England. Alan Leo was a renowned British astrologer of the 19th century who wrote more than 12 standard works on Western Astrology. The 9th degree of Aquarius rising in the Ascendant is symbolized by a huge rock rent by a flash of lightning. This symbol denotes one who has a powerful, aggressive, forceful and executive nature, capable of driving his way through all obstacles, however hard and enduring they may be. Quick, energetic and alert, he will make considerable progress in his particular walk of life, and may be the means of convincing the most skeptical concerning certain matters of a celestial and ethereal nature. His spirit is very intense and forceful, incisive and critical and heedless of reviling and bitterness of spirit in others. He will do his work with clarity and directness of execution, and will let light into dark places. His departure will be sudden, but will not transpire till he has done some work of magnitude. It is a degree of conversion (vide The Degrees of the Zodiac Symbolised by Sepharial). The above interpretation of the symbolism of the 9th degree of Aquarius is so fitting to the life and career of Dr Raman, that further elucidation is not necessary. In keeping with the symbolism of the 9th degree of Aquarius and the able interpretation given by Sepharial the native is undoubtedly a great astrologer of the 20th century who has made several accurate predictions solely on the basis of Hindu Astrology which speak for themselves. He has written more than 25 books on Hindu Astrology, which is no mean achievement. If Astrology is now accepted as a science by the elite, the credit is due entirely to the relentless efforts and dedication of Dr Raman for more than five decades. The 9th degree of Aquarius is ruled by Mars. Its keyword is reputation. It is symbolized by a large, bright military shield lying on a mountain from which flow rays reflecting shafts of brilliant light. It denotes one of powerful energy and firmness of purpose, who in the second half of his life attains the reward of his labours and the gratification of his ambitions. He then attracts fame, drawing it unto himself as the loadstone draws steel. From the wisdom come rays which dazzle men by their brilliance. The Moon is posited in the 27th degree of Taurus (26°01' to 26°60' = 27th degree). This degree is symbolized by an alchemist at work in his laboratory; upon his table is much gold. It indicates a patient, thrifty nature. One who by industry and inventive faculty will acquire wealth, but yet will simply. It denotes an eccentric (unconventional) vocation and success therein. Such a person is likely to have more means at his command than his nature requires. It is a degree of success. The exalted Moon in the 27th degree of Taurus—in the 10th house from Aroodha Lagna—gave him success in an eccentric vocation (Astrology) in keeping with the symbolism of the 27th degree of Taurus as given by Borelli, a French astrologer, in his work La Volasfera which has been translated into English by Sephaial. Another interesting feature of Dr Raman's chart is that Jupiter (the lord of the 2nd house wealth) is posited in the 13th degree (12°58') of Scorpio very near the point of Midheaven. Scorpio 13° is symbolised by a great and lonely tower rising from an eminence of rock. It shows one of a powerful and independent nature, relying on his own counsel and capable of standing alone. A degree of taciturnity and reserve will add to the general inscrutability of the mind of this person and dispose him to command the respect and regard of others. His position will be elevated, his success in life will be assured by his own innate strength, and his fortunes will remain untouched by the hand of change. It is a degree of stability. The 13th degree of Scorpio is known as the degree of reverse and ruled by Neptune. It is symbolized by water bubbling over rocks and flowing into a large river. It denotes one whose work is destined to live and influence men long after he has left the earth, one of an intensely psychic nature, sensitive and mediumistic. He will have many earthly struggles and will find many sharp obstacles in the way of his progress. Dr B V Raman stands as a colossus in Hindu Astrology in keeping with the symbolism of the 13th degree of Scorpio occupied by the greater benefic Jupiter in the 10th house from Janma Lagna. The interpretations of the symbolism of the 13th degree of Scorpio are so clear and so fitting to his life and work that I need not dilate upon it at length. Thomas Alva Edison, the inventor of the incandescent (electric) lamp, the first motion picture camera, the talking machine (gramophone), devices for locating hidden guns, gas masks etc., etc. was born on 11-2-1847 in Libra Ascendant (13°10') with Mercury in the 20th degree of Capricorn and the Sun in the 2nd degree of Aquarius (1°16' Aquarius) The 2nd degree of Aquarius is symbolized by book on which stand a compass and an hour glass. This is the index of one who has a scientific and highly versatile mind. He will be disposed to the study of the laws of nature, will gain an intimacy with the principles of scientific and philosophic investigation and may be the inventor of some instrument, or discoverer of some force in Nature by which the elements of space (the compass) and time (the hour glass) are annihilated to a great degree. Undoubtedly he will be a man of depth of thought and will make some useful discoveries. It is a degree of extension (vide Sepharial's Degrees of the Zodiac Symbolised). When Edison died in 1931 at the ripe age of 85, he had more than 1200 inventions to his credit in keeping with the symbolic interpretations of the 2nd degree of Aquarius. Is not the great inventor's genius borne out by the symbolism of the 2nd degree of the sidereal zodiac? Swami Vivekananda, the great disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, was born on 12-1-1863 in the 27th degree of Sagittarius Ascendant. He was born with Jupiter in Navamsa Lagna (Scorpio) which accounts for his scholarship in Sanskrit and English, Guruna sarvavid granthikascha is the relevant Jaimini aphorism which means, if Jupiter joins the Karakamsa or the 5th from it, he will be an all-round man and will know many branches of knowledge, well-read in sciences and author of various works. He becomes a versatile genius (vide Jaimini Sutras by Prof. B Suryanarain Rao). Chart 2: Swami Vivekananda: Born on 12-1-1863. Rasi: Sagittarius: Ascendant 26°30' and the Sun 29°24'; Capricorn: Venus 7°00' and Mercury 12°15'; Aries: Mars 6°20'; Taurus: Ketu 22°15'; Virgo: Saturn 13°25' and the Moon 17°25'; Libra: Jupiter 4°00'; Scorpio: Rahu 22°15'. Karmajnananishta Vedavidascha Jeevay is another Jaimini aphorism which means when Jupiter joins the Navamsa with Atmakaraka, the person will be well-versed in Vedic or religious rituals, will have religious wisdom well known in the rules of sacrificial functions and will have good knowledge in Vedanta and will be a religious man (vide Jaimini Sutras by Prof. B.S.Rao)