Stepping into Moksha: How the Cosmic Person reveals the evolutionary role of Sagittarius, Capricorn and Aquarius

Are you interested in learning Vedic Astrology from an experienced teacher? Do you want to deepen your understanding of the ancient wisdom of the stars and planets? If so, you might want to check out the Asheville Vedic Astrology Apprenticeship Program, a two-year online course that covers all the essential topics of this fascinating discipline.

The Asheville Vedic Astrology Apprenticeship Program is offered on the teachable.com platform, where you can access the lectures, exercises, quizzes, and assignments at your own pace. You will learn about the fundamentals of Vedic Astrology, such as the rasis, the signs, the houses, the planets, the vargas, the dashas, the yogas, and more. You will also learn how to interpret charts, make predictions, and apply remedies.

If you are looking for even more rigour, you can also enrol in the Certification Pathway, a complementary program that allows you to submit your work for assessment at the end of each semester. There are nine semesters in total, and each one has a specific focus and theme. By completing the Certification Pathway, you will demonstrate your mastery of Vedic Astrology and earn an invitation to join the Practicum Year of supervised, applied Vedic Astrology.  Successful completion of the Practicum Year will entitle you to Certification from Asheville Vedic Astrology and its associated benefits.

But don’t take my word for it. See for yourself the quality of the work produced by students on the program. Today’s blog post is a paper written by one of our apprentices at the end of the first semester, which explores what we can learn today from the ancient texts about the Rasis.

We hope you enjoy reading this paper and find it informative and insightful. If you are inspired by what you see and want to join our program, please visit the Asheville Vedic Astrology Apprenticeship Program on teachable.com or contact me for more information. I look forward to hearing from you and helping you on your journey of learning Vedic Astrology.

Stepping into Moksha: How the Cosmic Person reveals the evolutionary role of Sagittarius, Capricorn and Aquarius by Brooke Hankin.

Energy builds and blossoms from one sign to the next. Beginning with one and ending at twelve, the path from birth to death. The direction of energy through the signs adds layers of meaning, an essence of the sign, which leads us through the path of our consciousness. From where we begin here at the ninth sign, Sagittarius, it is the power our mindset has over our experience in the world. The tenth sign, Capricorn, is doing the hard work and then surrendering. The eleventh sign, Aquarius, is the psychological battle one goes through to finally awaken into the twelfth sign. 

Sagittarius

The ninth sign, Sagittarius, is symbolised by a bow and arrow taking aim. Brihat Parashara Hora Sastra (BPHS) describes Sagittarius as “Back rising is the Bow owned by Jupiter, Sattvik, golden, vigorous at night, fiery, a Kshatriya, two-footed at the beginning, four-footed at the end, regular limbed, bearing a bow, standing in the east, moving on the ground and made splendid by Brahma.” Yavana Jataka describes the ninth sign as “A man carrying a bow, one whose rear half is that of a horse, (is the ninth sign); they say this is the thighs of the Maker of the world. Its places are level land, (places where there are) horses both singly and in herds, alcoholic drinks, weapon-bearers, sacrifices, chariots, and horses.”

Sagittarius rules the gluteal muscles which are largely responsible for the ability (in humans) to propel and power forward movement; to stand upright and run for long distances. Jataka’s description of a horse further adds to the representation of power, and BPHS description intermingles the concept of the consciousness of a man with the power of a horse. The idea of power can be extrapolated to represent the power of thoughts in the mind, as all the experiences we have are based on the state of our mind. We have the capacity to make changes to our life once we master our mind, faith and belief systems, however doing so takes great strength and dedication. BPHS’s description of two footed mixed with four footed creature can be interpreted as the ability of the ninth sign to have the planning and flexibility to move forward with our ideas, while also being appropriate, functional, present, and grounded in the moment.  Jataka references level land, weapon bearers, and chariots. This could be interpreted as the internal fight of mastering our mind and consciousness, to bear burdens and achieve our goals though time and strength of faith. 

Nine is the number of completion in relationship to our self-development. Here we can make deeper connections with the world and move on to a new stage of life. With moving from a limited sense of self to the community, we naturally expand into a larger sense of self. Number nine is also related to education, as this sign is ruled over by Jupiter, the Guru. Jupiter is being able to see things from different points of view; to accept and understand all the perspectives to make ideas function. Realisation moves to outward activity, but from a place of deeper connection to the greater whole. To see the divine impulse of un-ending giving and acceptance of varied and diverse views. It is here that the path beyond the intellect is fully engaged. Expressing the oneness of all things. The activity of loving, giving, and learning occurs due to natural inspiration and becomes effortless. 

Capricorn

Capricorn, the tenth sign, is symbolised as a sea monster or a crocodile. BPHS describes Capricorn as “Ruled by Saturn, Tamasic, earthy, southern, vigorous at night, back rising, large limbed, spotted/many-colored, moving in the watery ground, four-footed at the beginning and without feet at the end, is imagined the water goer.” Jataka describes the tenth as “pointed out as being a sea-monster (makara) whose front is like a deer, but whose hind-end is like a fish’s; they say this is the region of the knees of the Creator. Its places are rivers, forests, woods, paths and so forth, marshes, and pits. “

Capricorn represents the knee area, the largest joint in the human body, which is responsible for our ability to stand, move and maintain balance. The knees distribute the power generated from the gluteal (ninth sign) to the earth. Being both four footed and footless, Capricorn has the ability to navigate our emotional landscape well while maintaining activity in the world and accomplishing goals. Translating goals, ideas, power into this world is challenged with threats. Though, if the path is maintained properly and carefully, the end goal can be achieved. Just like the crocodile, a prehistoric creature that has not changed its form for millions of years. It never needed to change its form or evolve, it just needed to endure to survive.

Saturn rules the tenth sign, highlighting areas of lack, mistakes and problems that need to be addressed. Capricorn is willing to suffer and take responsibility for their faults, however they won’t focus or dwell on it. Mars is exalted here, as Capricorn is a Tamasic sign and feminine in quality. An exalted Mars brings a slight receptivity to immediate focus and attention towards tackling the most pressing of matters, while simultaneously providing protection and support. 

Just as the ninth sign is pulling back the bow and taking aim, the tenth sign is releasing the grip and taking shot. Shooting for something greater as our consciousness takes shape. However, aim is key; if the aim is off in the ninth sign, it will reflect and come into action in the tenth. Capricorn is about accomplishing the goal and ignoring what gets in the way. It is not about trying to figure out the details that lead to the root of the issue like the eighth sign. Capricorn is the simpler approach of working hard with laser focus on the end goal. Conversely, firing the arrow requires surrender. It is the act of doing the hard work and what is appropriate right now before you, then fully surrendering to what is. 

Aquarius

The eleventh sign, Aquarius, is symbolised by a man holding a pitcher/pot of water on his shoulders and pouring it out. BPHS describes Aquarius as “Kumbha is a jar holding man, deep brown in complexion, medium-bodied, two-footed, vigorous during the day, standing in the middle of the water, airy, front rising, Tamasic, a Sudra, abiding in the western region and lorded by the son of the Sun.” Jataka describes the ninth as “A pot being poured out (carried) on the shoulder of a man-this, the authorities say, is the eleventh (sign); it is the shanks. Its places are tanks, (fields of) poor grain, (haunts of) birds, and (areas suitable for) women, liquor-sellers, and gambling.” 

A pitcher carried on the shoulders can be translated to carrying a heavy burden. Conversely, the act of pouring it out can represent all the concepts, belief systems, ideas, and identifying thoughts that are required to be emptied out before reaching the twelfth sign of Pisces, the sign of dissolution and divine consciousness. Therefore, Aquarius can be seen as our final psychological battle, as pure divine consciousness cannot be experienced while there is attachment to ideals, concepts or objects. 

Aquarius is related to brotherhood and the masses. The eleventh is working for the benefit of a larger organisation or being a part of a larger community. It deals with the actualisation of losing individuality completely and embracing it. There is strength in numbers by joining a group of individuals together as greater goals can be achieved. The eleventh is the pouring out love for the good of others and the benefit of all. Aquarius is ruled by the male expression of Saturn. This is Saturn’s Moolatrikona sign, where the planet feels most at home. Saturn and Aquarius are both air elements, working hard within the harsh reality of the world and towards developing themselves for the betterment of others. 

Aquarius rules the shanks, the lower portion of leg from the knee to the ankle. Its function is balance, stability, and to transfer the force initially generated by the gluteal muscles down to the feet. It is the connection between actions and deeper understanding.

Conclusion

Signs 9, 10 and 11 ask us “Have we matured appropriately through the signs to step into enlightenment and consciousness, or will we be left alone and paralysed with our burdens?”

References:

1. Kurczak R, Fish R. The Art and Science of Vedic Astrology. Createspace Independent Pub; 2012.

2. Kurczac R, Rasi and Signs Classes, Teachable (2023 March).

3. Veda. (2023, March). Veda. Retrieved March 21, 2018, from http://www.veda.mn/Book/JCC/THE%20YAVANAJATAKA%20OF%20SPHUJIDHVAJA.pdf

4. Internet Archive. (2023, March). Retrieved from Internet Archive: https://ia800201.us.archive.org/13/items/ParasharaHoraSastra/BrihatParasharaHoraSastraVedicAstrologyEbook.pdf