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
NavaGraha
On Prayer – An Indo-European Commentary Upon Purported Germanic ‘God-Bothering’ With Same
Recently, our attention was drawn to a post from a "Reconstructionist Germanic Heathenry" page which made some claims about prayer that we feel deserve a bit of a closer look. The post itself had been taking aim at "Christian Baggage" in Germanic revivalist adherents - and had singled out … well, we'll quote for you: … Continue reading On Prayer – An Indo-European Commentary Upon Purported Germanic ‘God-Bothering’ With Same
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
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
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)
Red Coral! For Mars And For Victory
These turned up yesterday. Three Red Coral pendants in silver mountings. As for 'why' - well, there's two overlapping reasons for this acquisition on my part. Red Coral is the Mars Ratna ['Jewel'] - it is worn for Victory, whether that is over external opponents or indeed over one's own self. As a part of … Continue reading Red Coral! For Mars And For Victory
Brief lines from the Rahu Stotra
Since it is Shaani's Hora [Saturn's Hour] on a Monday [Moon's Day - Lord Shiva's Day] - and something Lunar resonant has been reminded of … it seemed appropriate to post this. Rahur dhanavamanthri cha simhika chitha nandana,Ardha kaya, sada krodhi, chandradhithya vimardhana Rahu, Vizier of Danavas and Delighter of Simhika [His Mother]Half-Bodied, Ever Wrathful, … Continue reading Brief lines from the Rahu Stotra
Rahu – For Tonight’s Lunar Eclipse
With tonight's Lunar Eclipse, it seemed apt to mention Rahu - one of the two 'dark' Graha ['Influencers', 'Planets'] of Vedic Astrology … and rather directly responsible for Eclipses, as we discussed in our earlier 'Rahu – The Dark Graha And His Veiled Grasp' Here are a few lines from AtharvaVeda XIX 9 that I … Continue reading Rahu – For Tonight’s Lunar Eclipse
Rahu – The Dark Graha And His Veiled Grasp
We begin to speak of a figure often veiled, an astrological potent who is, by definition, 'obscure' - and that, in the archaic Latin sense. The Graha - Rahu. Now before getting any further, it is necessary to provide a very brief overview of some relevant Hindu astrological understandings. The piece will unlikely make much … Continue reading Rahu – The Dark Graha And His Veiled Grasp