The Purpose of Vedic Astrology and an Evolutionary Model

Vedic astrology sheds light on our shadows and helps us shed self-blame and self-shame. Our goal as Vedic astrology counselors is to help people understand how the planets are puppets that pull the strings of our emotions and thoughts. Then we can take a step back and stop blaming ourselves.

A good consultation in Vedic astrology will help people remove reproaches from the planets and become free from self-criticism and self-punishment. Our anger is often associated with transits of Mars, and fear and depression are associated with transits of Saturn. Understanding the cause and effect of transitive or planetary periods creates a sense of transcendence and deep inner awareness in the mind.

This realization creates a moment of recognition and enlightens us to understand that we are not our thoughts, feelings, and ego. In a sense, this is a gyana technique. It is a meditative practice that uses self-observation and discernment to move away from identification with the ego toward inner consciousness. It can free us from the shackles to which we are usually bound.

I have used this technique daily for years to create a mental buffer, knowing that temporary shadows will pass. I still need to work on myself, but I try to be kinder to myself and less hard on myself when Saturn is bothering me.

Evolutionary models: a modern metaphor

My astrological evolutionary model was inspired by the classic movie Groundhog Day (Ramis, 1993). For those unfamiliar with the film, Bill Murray plays a weatherman who is trapped in a nightmare and relives the same day over and over again. Since he cannot die, he continues to make bad choices at first, such as overeating, acting recklessly, and being rude. However, as the film progresses, he picks up the piano, saves people’s lives, becomes incredibly romantic, and the entire town comes to respect him as a model citizen.

This film is a cinematic seminar on how to become a kinder, more artistic, and more creative humanitarian. It becomes a metaphor for reincarnation and overcoming our negative past lives and qualities such as selfishness, addiction, and disrespect.

By examining our many incarnations as embodied in the planetary forces and karma of our astrological charts, we can create a blueprint for understanding our evolutionary development. My evolutionary model of Vedic astrology looks at planetary dignity, house placement, benefic and malefic influences to determine whether we have acquired the archetypal energies of the Earth through past lives. Planets with a strong placement and beneficial influence suggest learning various lessons over a lifetime, while weak planets with a bad placement and influence suggest more effort is needed.

typical planet model

These are some of the classic models of evolution that I have come to understand after working with these energies for many years. If the Earth is strong and dignified, then higher evolutionary lessons have been cultivated over many lifetimes. If dignity is weak, there are even more lessons to be learned about that archetype.

Mars: Are we willing to see through the slippery layers of ego that want to be right, want to look good, and want to be better than others? Instead, consider how you can help and contribute to the planet? Strong Mars placements, such as in Aries or the 6th house, suggest mastery of service in many lifetimes, while weak placements can bring out darker energies such as sexual conquest, inadequate ego development, and boastful behavior.

solar: Are we going to grow towards selfless service as good kings, or are we going to get caught up in self-aggrandizing power trips and control?

month: Do we want to be the benevolent mothers of the universe, always cultivating compassion and giving mercy for the benefit of others, or will we degenerate into cruelty and abuse? Are we so caught up in the vortex of our minds and emotions that we forget the divinity within us at our core?

Jupiter: Will we act fairly with good judgment and maintain moral standards, or will we be corrupted by material wealth and corruption? Do we exalt ourselves by criticizing others to make ourselves feel better, creating a false sense of separation and preventing us from being compassionate?

Venus: Do we want to be unconditionally loving in our relationships and expressions of beauty, or do we turn toward criticism, criticism, and separation? Do we lose control of our senses through addiction and overindulgence?

mercury: Are we going to ethically support the world with our material skills and create abundance for all, or will we become trapped by self-interest and corrupt business practices? Have we learned how to communicate truthfully and honestly, or are we spreading falsehoods for personal ambition?

Rahu (North Node): Will we become involved in corruption and unethical practices for personal gain, or will we realize the futility of the material world and strive to raise our kundalini to the crown chakra so that we can find God?

Ketu (South Node): Do we understand the purpose of our existence: to unite with God and help others through selfless service and spiritual wisdom, or are we caught up in the frustrating web of material success and feeling like something is missing?

Ego allows us to diagnose our deepest levels of identity and existence. Often the ego becomes distorted and unbalanced, protecting us from facing the harsh reality of who we are. At the deepest level, it interferes with our divine identity. This is one of the biggest blocks to enlightenment. It continues to deceive us and keep us trapped in illusions. Being someone and having an identity is important, but at some point we must shed all the false bonds of masks that keep us from realizing our divine nature.