[What follows is a guest-piece by our associate, Clécio Pereira Juventino. We have been significantly intrigued by this notion of a 'Hellenic Astrology' for some time - motivated in no small part by our own ongoing observations of the strong concordancies of Hellenic star-lore with its Vaidika / Jyotisha cousin, and therefore pointing toward an … Continue reading The Hellenistic Astrology Approach
Astrology & Jyotisha
On Tonight’s ‘Triple Wolf Moon’
While it's not an official observance - we nevertheless found tonight's astrological occurrences to be pretty legit. It's a bit of a 'Triple' Wolf Moon. Insofar as it's a Wolf Moon … whilst Ardra is up (Jyotisha / Hindu astrology) and the Moon is in Gemini (Western astrology .. with a twist - more on … Continue reading On Tonight’s ‘Triple Wolf Moon’
Rohini – A Re-Examination Of The Red Goddess And Rudra
This morning marks an astrological transit - that of Mangala (Mars) into Rohini. Now, to explain a bit about this in terms that will, perhaps, be a bit more familiar - Rohini is a Nakshatra, a (lunar) star sign; and it is correlate with what, in Western terms, would be identified with Aldebaran or Alpha … Continue reading Rohini – A Re-Examination Of The Red Goddess And Rudra
The Sovereign-Sires Of The Sky – Lord Shiva And Devi As The Ultimate Rulers Of The Grahas
We had earlier had our attention drawn to this verse (and its backdrop) by several associates. It is a work of one of the great Tamil Shaivite saints, Sambandar (also anglicized, as here, as Campantar) - and, as one can immediately see, it is a verse for the simultaneous praising of Lord Shiva, as well … Continue reading The Sovereign-Sires Of The Sky – Lord Shiva And Devi As The Ultimate Rulers Of The Grahas
For Guru Purnima – And The True Making Of Heroes
Tonight marks one of the most pervasively resonant of the Hindu religious observances - that of Guru Purnima. It is an occasion wherein we honour, as the name should imply, our Gurus and other Teachers. Those who have so enriched our world through the bestowal of that most precious of gifts - their illumination of … Continue reading For Guru Purnima – And The True Making Of Heroes
For Matariki – An Explication Of The Vedic Krttika (Pleiades) Constellation
Today is our first observance of Matariki - which, for our international readers, is a newly minted NZ public holiday for the rising of the Pleiades (Matariki being a Te Reo Māori name for the constellation, as well as for the beginning of the New Year which accompanies its ascent). Now, we are of course … Continue reading For Matariki – An Explication Of The Vedic Krttika (Pleiades) Constellation
Shani Jayanti – Graha Adrasteia
Today marks Shaani Jayanti ! Who is Lord Shani ( शनि ) ? An Archer, Crow-associated, Son of the Sky Father ; an Enforcer of Divine Justice and the Cosmic Order. He of the Dread Glare, and the Inevitability - not so much of Time (Kala), but rather of Consequence. This is what 'Shani' means … Continue reading Shani Jayanti – Graha Adrasteia
Exquisite Ketu Art – For Tonight’s Lunar Eclipse
For tonight's Lunar Eclipse - fine modern art of Ketu, by Andrey Yarashevich. Now Ketu is the 'tail' of Svarbhanu - following the Censurer of the Sun's decapitation; Rahu being the Head. As a point of interest, the frequent usage of 'Ketu' that we find in the more archaic layers of the Vedas - should … Continue reading Exquisite Ketu Art – For Tonight’s Lunar Eclipse
Tuesday – The Day of Mangala (Mars)
Today is TUESDAY - the Day of Mars (Dies Martis in Latin). Therefore, art of Mangala (a term which, intriguingly, may either mean 'Auspicious' - or Mars, a Graha ['Planet'/'Influencer'] often regarded as rather Inauspicious indeed). He is a General of the militant forces of the Gods, and amidst Their foremost martial champions. And therefore, … Continue reading Tuesday – The Day of Mangala (Mars)
Somavati Amavasya – Worship of Shiva and the Ancestors on the Monday of the Dark Moon
Today is Monday - Lord Shiva's Day; however it is also Amavasya - a day with special significance and potential for observances for the Dead (as we have covered in some of our previous pieces looking at the Libations to the Ancestors). What Amavasya means is the 'Dark' point of the Moon's 28-day cycle - … Continue reading Somavati Amavasya – Worship of Shiva and the Ancestors on the Monday of the Dark Moon