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Glossary of Astrology & other terms |
CADENT Also known as Apoklima (q.v.). It I refers to the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th houses in a natal chart related with spiritual quest. CANCER The zodiacal sign extending from 900 to 1200 of the ecliptic (q.v.). Symbolized by a crab, it is a cardinal sign ruled by Moon. Jupiter is exalted here and Mars is debilitated. It is classified watery by elements, Rajas by attributes, feminine by temperament and powerful by night. It represents the heart of the cosmic man, Kala Purusha (q.v.). The presence of Moon in the sign, specially in the ascendant, makes a person shy, recluse, emotional, and experiencing extreme conditions in life. CAPRICORN The zodiacal sign extending from 2700 to 3000 of the ecliptic (q.v.). It is symbolized by a goat with its hind part as that of a dolphin; sometimes it is represented as the unicorn, and often as a crocodile. It is a cardinal sign characterized female by sex, earthy by element, quadruped by species, related to south direction and with vata (air) as its biological air-hum our. It is powerful by night. The sign is owned by Saturn; Mars is exalted here and Jupiter is debilitated: The Sun is enigmatic and troublesome in this sign. T. Subba Rao refers to Capricorn as the Creative Intelligence. The impulse from the sign leads the cosmos and human beings towards their destiny. Blavatsky relates the sign with the Occult Hierarchy, commissioned to 'create' man in a special mould. It is the task of the Fifth Hierarchy, the mysterious beings who preside over the constellation 'to inform the empty and ethereal animal form, and make of it the Rational Man'. (S.D. I., P. 279) She also states that the Dhyanis in India and Egypt were connected with the crocodiles and their abode was in Capricorn. (I b. p. 266) Capricorn is a mystical sign capable of producing selfishness as well as occult insight. CAPUT DRACONIS Rahu (q.v.), the north node of the Moon. CARDINAL HOUSES Angles kendms (sk); the 1st, 4th, 7th and 10th house divisions in a horoscope. These are the most important houses in a chart, as they represent very significant aspects of an individual's life. Ascendant, or the 1st house in a chart, is related with general personality, energy content, opportunities and direction in one's life. The 4th house division is related with general prosperity, mother, property, vehicles, and intelligence. The 7th house is related with marriage and sex as well as business partnership, social status and death. The 10th house deals with profession, career, livelihood, reputation and social interactions. Planets in cardinal houses, even if malefic, acquire auspicious significance making decisive impact on the individual's life. Their lordship by benefic planets is considered inauspicious unless the ruling planet is posited in a cardinal house itself. CAUDAD DRACONIS Ketu (q.v.), the southern node of Moon. CASUALBODY Karana Sharira (sk); the cover for the seed of one's future incarnations. It is neither an objective nor a subjective body, but the direct cause of the Sushupti (q.v.) condition, leading to the Turiya (q.v.) state, the highest state of Samadhi (q.v.). It is called Karanopadhi, or the causal sheath, which, according to Taraka Raja Yogis, is the repository of all causes of phenomenal existence. In the Vedanta system, it corresponds to Vijnanamaya and Anandamaya sheaths combined together, the latter comes next to Atma and is thus the vehicle of the Universal Spirit. Blavatsky states that Buddhi alone cannot be called the causal body but it becomes so in conjunction with Manas (q.v.), the incarnating entity, or the ego. CHAKRA Circle, disc-the perfect symbol of the cosmos. It refers to the natal chart depicting distribution of planets in different houses. In spiritual literature, chakras refer to the seven energy centers extending from the spinal cord to Etheric Double (q.v.), astral body and to other invisible counterparts of the human aura. The cornucopias receive life energy from the Sun and other sources and circulate it in the parts of the body to vitalize them. CHAKRA, ARUDHA A concept used in Jaimini Astrology (q.Q., The zodiacal sign which is as many houses away from the ascendant lord as the ascendant lord is away'rom the ascendant. The horoscope cast with Arudha Lagna as the ascendant is called Arudha Chart. Similarly, other Bhavas (q.v.) can be treated and separate charts prepared. Arudha Bhavas are magnetic points indicating auspicious results if the Bhava is expected by benefices; malefic expecting the house produce inauspicious results. CHAKRA DASA A method of calculating planetary ruler ship. If a person is born during daytime under this system, the sequence of ruler ship, is from the ascendant, if he is born in nighttime, it is from the Moon sign; if born in the afternoon, then from the 9th sign. The lords of these signs enjoy the ruler ship for 10 years which is followed by the lords of subsequent signs, the duration of each being ten years. CHAKRAVARTI A universal emperor; one who is born with the mark of Vishnu's discus visible in his palm, which is supposed to be a mark in palmistry signifying that the individual will rule over an extensive territory. CHAKRAYOGA A planetary combination formed by Rahu in the 10th, house lord of the 10th house in ascendant, and ascendant lord in the 9th house. It makes the individual the administrator of a region after the age of twenty; he commands an army and is very respected. Alternatively, all planets in odd houses beginning with ascendant also produce Chakra Yoga. It bestows high social status to the individual. CHAMARYOGA A planetary combination in which the ascendant lord in exaltation is placed in a cardinarhouse expected by Jupiter. Alliteratively, if two benefices occupy the ascendant, the 7th, 9th or 10th houses, Chamar Yoga is formed. It makes the individual wise, philosophical and a good orator. Such an individual is generally born in a royal family. CHANDRA Moon (q.v); also known as Soma (a celestial drink, as well as a Vedic deity), Shita Rashmi (soothing rays), Abaja (born of water), Shitanshu (cool rays or cool lustre), Mriganka (eyes of a doe), and Klesha (anguish as well as worldly occupation). CHANDRA-KETU A son of Rama's brother, Lakshamana, Chandra-Ketu (which means Moon and its south node) ruled over Chakora, a country in the Himalayan region. CHANDRA YOGA A planetary combination constituted by an exalted planet in ascendant expected by Mars, while the lord of the 9th house is placed in the 3rd house. It makes the individual administer, an adviser, or the commander of an army. The individual is courageous and lives for more than six decades. CHANDRIKA YOGA A planetary combination in which the ascendant is occupied by the lord of the sign in which the 9th lord is also placed while Mars is posited in the 5th house. Persons born under it are powerful, attain a high social status in life but do not have male issues. CHAPA YOGA It is a planetary combination in which all planets occupy the 10th to the 4th houses. Persons born under it are expert thieves, and are socially despised. Chapa Yoga is also formed if the Sun is in Aquarius, Mars in Aries, and Jupiter in its own sign, which makes the individual a globetrotter like a king. CHART, NATAL Commonly known as jamna Kundah; depicts planetary positions at the time of birth. For preparing it, the ecliptic (q.v.) is divided into 12 divisions. The zodiacal sign rising at the time is known as ascendant or the 1st house; the zenith represents the 10th house; the western horizon is the 7th house; and the nadir is the 4th house. The other divisions provide hints for predicting different aspects of life. Some of the important features of these houses are given below: 1st House: General personality physical features, temperament, longevity, and opportunities in life. 2nd House: Financial assets, family relations, speech, eyes (right), and death. 3rd House: Siblings, valour, neck, short travels, and longevity. 4th House: Intelligence, mother, breast, real estate, learning, royal patronage, and emotional expression, 5th House: Creativity, stomach, offspring, education, and intellectual studies. 6th House: Reactions to one's efforts, difficulties, litigations, and latent powers. 7th House: Marriage, Spouse, expression of one's personal and emotional urges, generative organs, some travels, and death. 8th House: Hidden aspects of one's life, anus, longevity, place of death, mystic rituals and professions like smuggling espionage etc. 9th House: Dharma (righteousness), penance and religious observances, pilgrim ages and meritorious deeds of previous births. 10th House: Karma (interaction with the external world). Fruits of one actions and profession. 11th House: Acquisitions income, companionship (including some extramarital liaisons). 12th House: Life after death, pleasures of bed expenditure, foreign travels and the lowest part of the body. CHATURMUKH YOGA A planetary combination formed by Jupiter in a cardinal house from the sign occupied by the lord of the 9th house, Venus in a cardinal house in respect of the sign occupied by the lord of the 11th house, and the ascendant lord and the lord of the 10th house themselves placed in the cardinal houses. This combination makes the individual erudite and successful in his undertakings and much respected even among the Brahmins. He is well provided with material possessions and lives a very long life. CHATURSAGAR YOGA An auspicious planetary combination formed by all planets, benefices as well as malefic, occupying cardinal houses. It bestows wealth, affluence, and high status in life. Such a person becomes famous and remains so long after his death. CHATURSHITISAMAA/ SHATABDIKA DASA A system of Dasa (q.v.) calculation. It is applicable when the lord of the 10th house is located in the 10th house itself. The planetary ruler ship under this system is worked out by counting the birth asterism from Swati (q.v.) and dividing the number obtained by 7, the remainder will indicate the planetary ruler ship in the following sequence: Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn. Each planet rules for 12 years. The balance at birth of the first ruling planet depends upon the distance traversed by Moon at birth in the asterism. The number obtained as the remainder indicates the order of the planet in the sequence given above. CHATURTHAMSA Fourfold division of a zodiacal sign, each consisting of 70 30'. The deities presiding over the four divisions are Sanak, Sanandan, Sanat, and Sanatan, respectively. The planetary ownership of these divisions belongs to the sign lord for the first division, the lord of the 4th sign from it rules over the second division, the lord of the 7th sign from it over the 3rd division, and the lord of the both sign over the 4th division. CHATUR-VARNA The four castes according to the code of Manu, viz., Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaisya, and Sudra. Brahmin is the sacerdotal and learned class, the members of which may be, but are not necessarily, priests. Kshatriya is the regal, and the warrior caste. Vaisya is the trading and agricultural caste. Sudra serve the other three castes in meeting their individual requirements, while the other three serve the society as a whole. CHATURVISHAMSA Also known as Siddhamsa. It refers to the 1/24th division of a zodiacal sign. CHHADAKA That which conceals or covers. Full Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, and Ketu are Chhadakas for the 2nd and 12th houses from them. Jupiter owning a malefic house and becoming a malefic to the native becomes a Chhadaka for only the 12th house; others thus placed are Chhadaka for the 2nd house only. In another sense, a planet in 2nd from a Bhava (q.v.) is Chhadaka for that Bhava while that in 3rd is called Vedhaka, that which is placed in 4th is Bandhaka and the planet in the 8th house is Pratibandhaka. CHHATRA YOGA A planetary combination formed by all planets situated in the first seven houses of the chart. It makes the individual very happy from the beginning of his life till the very end. CHHAYA Shadow. The shadowy body of the wife of Sun, Sanjna, kept by her to attend to the needs of her husband while she herself was away on a visit to her father's place. From Chhaya were born Saturn, Savrni (a Manu), Tapti (a river), and Visthi (a son). CHITRA The 14th asterism extending from 1730 20' to 1860 40' of the zodiac. It is ruled by Mars; its presiding deity is Tvastra, the celestial architect. Its primary motivation arises from Kama, desire; and its basic attribute is Tamas, inertia. It is classified a farmer by caste, a tiger by species, a demon by temperament, and a human by animal type. The asterism is concerned with west direction. It leads to involvement in Mayavic (illusory) existence, but for spiritually advanced individuals the asterism makes them highly creative, enabling them to produce original artifacts. The asterism is symbolised by a pearl. CHITRA BHANU The 16th in the cycle of 60 Samvawtsara (q.v.). It is ruled by Brahma. Birth during this year makes the individual brilliant, proud, devoted to gods; but he, sometimes, indulges in dishonourable activities. CITTA (pronounced Chitta, Ch as in Champion). Abstract consciousness; mind. One of the three aspects of consciousness, the other two being Sat, truth, and Ananda, bliss. In Vedanta, these three are considered the three aspects of the primeval unity, & three aspects of Sachchidananda, the Supreme Spirit. The self-existent and self-sufficient Sat, due to its latent tendency of polarisation, differentiates itself as Self and Not-Self. The Self-expressed as Not-Self is said to be Citta and that which relates the two is Ananda. Yoga aims at restoring the unity between the two-Self and Not-Self. In astrology Moon represents the Citta aspect of the consciousness. It reflects the attribute of Sat, represented by the Sun; it establishes a relationship between the object or the mundane activities of the individual and his central subjective core, the Sun. COMBUSTION Destruction by planetary influence. The general effect of a planet destroyed by its close proximity to the Sun is known as combustion. The extent of closeness for it differs for different planets, as it is given as follows: ± 120 for Moon; ± 140 for Mercury; but if Mercury is retrograde, the distance of only ± 120 between Sun and Mercury is applicable; ± 100 for Venus, but if it is retrograde, only ± 80 is applicable; for Mars it is ± 170, but only ± 80 in retrogression. To be combust with the Sun, Saturn should be within a range of ± 150 from it. The nodes are never combust. There is no uniform acceptance of these magnitudes. The combustion of a planet is neither an unmitigated evil, nor does it completely obliterate its special features. In the case of Moon, this relationship spoils the sensitivity of the individual. A combust Venus destroys marital happiness. Jupiter conjunct makes the individual profane, and transgressing well established social norms. Saturn debases the nature of Sun. Rahu, when closely associated with the Sun, leads to several perversions and dishonorable behavior. When Mars is associated closely with the Sun, the individual is filled with great enthusiasm and is capable of performing many chivalrous deeds. CONJUNCTION Any two planets situated together in a house. Combustion refers to the relationship between Sun and the other planets, whereas conjunction is a general term applicable to any two planets. Various astrological combinations, known as Yogas (q.v.), are formed by such combinations, which have special results. Thousands of such combinations have been identified in classical/Vedic astrology. COSMIC ASTROLOGY Sidereal astrology. Its zodiacal signs are fixed stellar constellations. It establishes relationships between our solar system, the fixed stars and the galaxy. Cosmic astrology possesses very accurate (occult) predictive base and provides a sound basis for spiritual astrology. It reveal ' s many deeper aspects of an individual's life. COSMOGONY A theory of the origin and development of the universe. Cosmology deals with the philosophy of the origin and general structure of the universe with its parts, elements, laws, and such of its characteristics as space, time, causality and freedom. It forms a branch of astronomy that deals with the general structure and evolution of the universe. Astrology provides a bridge between the philosophical aspect of cosmology and the impact of cosmic forces on human and terrestrial events at their deeper levels. CUSP The central point in a house division where a planet exerts its maximum impact. |