Neidan and Yoga

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Agni Rocks! Time to make your move.

Happy Springtime, Everyone!

In Jyotish and yoga, five great streams of energy—called the tattvas (or, subtle elements)—underscore all the to-ings and fro-ings of life and the universe. Agni (or, fire) represents the power in nature to initiate, sustain and achieve a goal. It stands for raw energy and vitality—what gives you that get up and go!

Three planets in Jyotish provide the means for agni to manifest: Surya (Sun), Mangala (Mars) and Ketu (south node of the Moon). Of these, both Surya and Mangala have just shifted house to a far, far better location. Surya-dev, the royal patron of all beings in this part of the cosmos, trundled across a mighty chasm of turbulence (known as a gandanta) to set up court in Mesha (Aries). Here, it is exalted. What’s that mean? A whole lot. Like what? Here you go:

For the next four weeks, Surya is exalted (as good as it gets) in Mesha and so acts in the best ways possible. Health, luck, dignity and practical wisdom all increase during this time. Since, Surya also represents the over soul for all beings in our part of the celestial firmament, his blessings and bounty get shared with all. So, soak it up and make the best of this time. What you initiate now has especial power and righteousness and can lead to greater fortune and wisdom for you and those in your family and community.

Sounds good? But wait … there’s more: Mangala just crossed the axis related to another gandanta (between Vrishchika and Dhanu) and plopped himself nicely into Mithuna. While Mangala and Mithuna’s lord, Budha (Mercury), are not the best of friends (in fact, they hate each other most days of the week), several very constructive aspects help to swing this around to an incontestably positive event.

First, by stepping out of Vrishabha (Taurus) and moving on, Mars broke the kala sarpa yoga that has been plaguing everyone for the last several months. This postures as truly good news, for the slanted playing table (in favor of chaos and choices leading to bad or poor ends) has been rectified and we all now get a balanced share of Light to counter the darker influences in this world. Whew! Welcome relief and excellent timing, indeed.

Second, Mangala is the karaka (main significator) of the third house (initiative, path in life, taking up and applying the tools needed to get the job done) in any chart. Because Mithuna is the third house of the natural zodiac (chart with Mesha as the lagna [first house]) then the karaka for everybody’s third house is in the third house of God Himself (or Herself). This follows since the natural zodiac is God’s view of this world system. Hence, the earth and its inhabitants receive the grace and empowerment and divine guidance that only a karaka can bestow. In effect, a karaka is an ordinary graha but given special dispensation from the heavens to perform some special tasks. Therefore, within its prescribed purview, a karaka acts as a hand of the deepest spiritual dimensions.

In Hindu myth, religion, as well as in Jyotish, the word, Agni (with a capital letter a), stands for a Vedic deity that was one of the top honchos among all the gods and goddesses. All the Vedic rituals and prayers were only effective when performed with him in mind. In this way, the community along with its creatures and nearby lands, all received his blessings and auspicious endowments. You can think of this ancient deity (at least several thousand years old) as the reified (abstracted) form of agni (fire).

To sum up: Agni (the great lord behind the scenes) now showers protection and favor down upon all earthly beings through the portals of his messengers (manifestations), Surya and Mangala. While both these grahas exist and act in their own right, they are fundamentally part of a greater power and wisdom, the tattva called agni or more affectionately (and usefully) known as Agni. It’s akin to our solar system belonging to the Milky Way galaxy. Or, a galaxy belonging to a super-galaxy. Like it or not—COVID or no COVID—you are now officially in the money. Enjoy! And, spend it wisely as best you can. You deserve the good turn.

How long do the festivities last? This high-wire magic of especially good fortune buzzes on for a month but will provide a pleasant afterglow for a few more weeks up until the beginning of June. Remember, what you initiate now counts. The context (heavenly support) that reigns when you plant seeds has a lot to do with their overall fruition (or lack thereof). Just as a farmer doesn’t plant his main crop late in autumn when winter wakes and icily storms forth … just as a canny stock market trader times when she sells and buys shares … so too, you would benefit neatly by going with the flow of nature—making prudent decisions and taking affirmative steps toward your goals now.