Who is afraid of Shani? (The Truth about Saturn)

The Planet Saturn is known in Western Astrology as the "Greater Malefic". In Indian (Vedic) Astrology the Planet of Discipline (Shani) is also considered a Malefic Planet. That being said, there is a huge misconception about the Energies of Saturn today.

Astrologers may have named Saturn a Malefic, but they have analyzed the placement of Saturn in the Chart to see whether Saturn is "acting as a Malefic" or not. Nowadays most people automatically assume that Saturn (Shani) is a bad, unlucky planet, without even checking the details of their Chart.

Shani Dev (Saturn)

It is time for someone to speak up in defense of Saturn. The Planet Saturn is related to delays, boundaries, hard work and generally "restrictions". It should be noted that these"restrictions" aren't random and mean spirited (malefic). This simply means that Saturn gives us a constant Reality Check, hence the other nickname "The Great Disciplinary". As Saturn is very strongly associated with Time, punctuality, along with dedication, hard work, reliability also becomes something that Saturn requires from us.

No matter how "harsh" these words seem, if one takes a step back and considers the role these "harsh" concepts play in our everyday lives, it easy to see that "discipline", "punctuality", "hard work" and "discipline"are only cruel, if we live a life of utter laziness with no purpose whatsoever.

No other Planet has such an undeserved Bad Reputation

Traditionally, the 10th and the 11th Houses are ruled by Saturn. These are the House of Carrier and Public Recognition (10th) and the House of Friends, also known as the House of Gains. The 11th House is probably the single most important House for incoming material gain and earnings. The fact that Saturn rules these houses, really underscores the unbelievable ability of Saturn to give. Saturn is the Planet (provided it is well placed and well aspected) that can give the most, regarding, money, fame, public recognition and success.

The World XXI representing Saturn in the Tarot Deck

The Houses that Saturn aspects in the Birth Chart always receive these characteristics as well. (Saturn in or aspecting the House of Death will give a long life, due to the "delaying" effect of Saturn). Equally, "sudden accidents" will greatly benefit from Saturn, as the Planet of Discipline will invariably dilute major accidents into small easier to manage mishaps.

During the Mahadasa (Planetary Period) of Saturn extra care should be taken of "following the rules" of Saturn, and hard work should be expected. But isn't work a good thing? Purpose, punctuality, discipline, steady work are the backbone of a productive and happy life.

Lapis Lazuli should be worn to enhance the energies of Saturn

Embrace the qualities required by this Great Disciplinary, perform your duties diligently and on time, be reliable, work hard, persevere in your projects and Saturn will give you the Success you deserve. Wearing Blue Sapphire and Lapis Lazuli will bring excellent results! (Unless the Birth Chart indicates otherwise)

Blue Sapphire is the Traditional Vedic Gem recommended for Saturn

As Astrology is best used as a tool for understanding the Universe and improving our lives, Planetary Gems will be way more effective if we consciously embrace the qualities of the Planet whose energies these magnificent gems channel. Wear a beautiful Blue Sapphire and actively "aim" for improving your attitude towards discipline and work, and the results will absolutely amaze you.

Star Sapphire from Sri Lanka

Finding Auspicious Time for Greater Luck and Success

As the Signs and Planets at the moment of birth affect us throughout our entire lives, our everyday activities are also influenced by the Planetary Support or Adversity we continuously receive from the heavens. By knowing the nature of these influences and consciously planning our day to day activities according to the placement of Signs and Planets in the Birth Chart, we can fine tune our lives for Greater Luck and Success.

Horas (Planetary Hours) must be carefully calculated for each day on every location, as they depend on the exact timing of the sunrise and sunset.

The time between sunrise and sunset are divided by 12. This gives the length of the Day Horas. The time between sunset and sunrise are also divided by 12, giving us the exact length of the Night Horas. 

Here in Malaysia we have 12 hours of sunlight and 12 hours of night time because we are very close to the Equator. In practical terms this means that both Day Horas and Night Horas are 1 hour each. In higher latitudes (going farther from the Equator either South or North) the difference between the length of the Day and Night Horas, as well as the yearly fluctuation is a lot greater. 

 

The order of the Planets ruling the individual Horas is the following:

Sun, Venus, Mercury, Moon, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, (and it always repeats in this order)

On Sundays the 1st Hora is the Hora of the Sun

On Mondays the 1st Hora is the Hora of the Moon

On Tuesdays the 1st Hora is the Hora of Mars

On Wednesdays the 1st Hora is the Hora of Mercury

On Thursdays the 1st Hora is the Hora of Jupiter

On Fridays the 1st Hora is the Hora of Venus

On Saturdays the 1st Hora is the Hora of Saturn

You can simply go with the system of Natural Malefic Planet give unlucky Horas, and Natural Benefic Planets give auspicious Horas, but I find this a too broad brush approach. Astrology gives way better results when it is carefully calculated on individual basis.

The best way to harness the power of the Planets in our daily life is based on the Birth Chart. Identify the Ruling Planet of the Sign in your Birth Chart that occupies the House associated with the action you want to perform, and perform this action in the Hora of the Ruling Planet.

If you want to propose, or have a romantic date, do it during the Hora of the Ruler of your 7th House . If you want to send out a resume, do it during the Hora of the Lord of your 10th House, etc, etc.

Tarot Card of the Day 4 of Pentacles

As the Sun is in Capricorn right now, let's look at briefly the card that corresponds to this specific astrological situation in the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck. The 4 of Pentacles is also known as "The Lord of Material Power".

As the image says, money and wealth even under your feet and above your head

Part of the Suit of Pentacles, it represents the element of Earth. Pentacle cards refer to wealth, money, the physical body, health, security and generally the manifest world. In the case of the 4 of Pentacles, this strong "Earth character" is further reinforced by its association with Capricorn, the Cardinal Earth Sign of the Zodiac.

The Devil XV represents the Cardinal Earth Astrological Sign of Capricorn

The Sun XIX represents the Sun

 As Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, in addition to The Sun (Sun) and The Devil (Capricorn), the 4 of Pentacles is also astrologically related to The World (Saturn)

The World XXI represents the Planet Saturn it also the last card of the Major Arcana, the last step on "The Fool's Journey"

Don't let the image fool you to believe that this card is about stinginess. It is a very secure and strong card relating to wealth, physical strength and wellbeing. As all the 4s of the Minor Arcana, the 4 of Pentacles is related to The Emperor in the Major Arcana, signifying structure, strength and stability.

The Emperor IV is the Archetype of 4 representing strength, structure, stability and authority

Depending on its placement in the Tarot Spread, the 4 of Pentacles can mean wealth, security, strength, but also can indicate stagnation. As Capricorn is a Cardinal sign, there is a sense of action and initiation involved in reading this card correctly.

Numerically the 4 of Pentacles is related to Death, the number XIII of the Major Arcana.

Death XII represents death but also change and secrets (the white rose on the flag is an ancient symbol of hidden knowledge and secrets)

The 4 of Pentacles very often shows up in a Tarot Spread as a "reassurance", meaning that everything is secure and structured, it is safe to take action regarding financial matters.

Retrograde Mercury Enters Sagittarius January 13th

   Today Mercury exits Cardinal Earth Capricorn on its retrograde cycle and reenters the Mutable Fire Sign of Sagittarius. Speedy Mercury is in conjunction with the Sun, tomorrow Mercury will be in exact Inferior Conjunction. This means that Mercury's energy is completely annihilated by the Sun, so for the these three days all financial transactions and business communications should be avoided.

   The Waxing Crescent Moon is in Aquarius, the Fixed Air Sign ruled by Saturn is giving wonderful opportunities for socializing, spending time with friends and family. Don't stay alone, these couple of days are ideal to be around people. If your Birth Chart doesn't indicate otherwise, wear pearls and moonstone to be fully in tune with the growing energy of the Moon. New ideas, new ways of seeing the world, friendships, relationships are the major influences presently available for us from as the Moon transits Aquarius.

   This social and relationship aspect is enhanced by Venus, as the Planet of Beauty, Wealth and Love is leaving Saturn behind. Still in Scorpio, but no longer in conjunction with Saturn, Venus is now fully functional and exuding sexual attraction and strong magnetism. If you have romantic plans, this is a good time for wearing diamonds, white topaz, white sapphire!

 Diamond, the primary gemstone for Venus.

 White Sapphire, the traditional secondary gem recommended by Vedic Astrologers for channeling the energy of Venus.

White Topaz, a relatively inexpensive, yet very effective gem for attracting Love, Romance, Beauty and Wealth.