#Pursuit of moksha

[adikkachannels]

Unveiling the Belief System of Sanatana Dharma: A Tapestry of Spirituality and Cosmic Harmony

Embark on a journey through the heart of Sanatana Dharma's belief system, where cosmic harmony, diverse deities, and timeless truths converge. Discover the tapestry of spirituality that weaves through Hindu scriptures and Tantras. 🌌🕉️ #BeliefSystemHindu

Introduction: Sanatana Dharma, often referred to as Hinduism, is more than a religion; it’s a way of life that embraces a diverse array of philosophies, beliefs, and practices. In this article, we embark on an exploratory journey through the annals of Hindu scriptures, puranas, vedas, and other texts, to unravel the intricate and profound belief system that forms the foundation of Sanatana…

[velvetseahorse]

Astrology observations and notes

- Mula natives can be intense in intimate relationships. Claire Nakti mentions them being energy vampires, a trait that I believe all Ketu nakshatras share. However, Mula individuals take this to an extreme—they deeply desire to consume their romantic partners or loved ones, often expressing love and affection in ways that can be violent or disturbing. For example, Mula ☽ native Amy Winehouse once carved “I love Blake” (referring to her then-boyfriend Blake Fielder-Civil) onto her stomach using a shard of glass during a photoshoot. Mula ☉ native Keith Richards snorted his own father’s ashes. He explained, “The truth of the matter is that after having Dad’s ashes in a black box for six years—because I really couldn’t bring myself to scatter him to the winds(…)when I took the lid off the box, a fine spray of his ashes blew out onto the table. I couldn’t just brush him off, so I wiped my finger over it and snorted the residue.”

- All three Pisces nakshatras (Purva Bhadrapada, Uttara Bhadrapada, and Revati) are late bloomers. This may be because Pisces is the last sign of the zodiac and is connected to the 12th house, which rules moksha and the dissolution of individual existence into the eternal flow of life. The ultimate purpose of the 12th house is spiritual liberation and freedom from samsara. Sidereal Pisces natives are often tested and placed in situations where they must lose aspects of themselves to gain wisdom and grow, which can delay the usual stages of development in their lives. Pisces is naturally detached from material matters and easily in tune with its divine essence. Similar to Ketu, Pisces is often associated with spirituality and higher wisdom. In fact, many Vedic texts suggest that Ketu co-rules Pisces, but I’ll explore that topic in another blog post. The 12th house represents confinement, the subconscious, loss, endings, isolation, delusion, unseen realms, and private emotions. It is a deeply spiritual and sensitive house where suffering is often hidden, but it also holds profound wisdom when approached with the right mindset. Pisces natives are highly sensitive, and when faced with harsh realities, they often cope by withdrawing from the world. They prefer to live in a reality of their own making—a gift they naturally possess. However, they cannot escape responsibility entirely, as life’s traumas frequently force them to reflect and grow. Pisces natives are natural observers rather than active participants, and you won’t often find them following societal trends. They tend to stay alone, forging their own unique path. As escapists at heart, Pisces struggles to make sense of things logically, often relying on emotions and intuition instead. This is why Mercury debilitates in Pisces. For Pisces, life feels like a ripple in water—vast, reflective, and abyssal like the ocean. Because of their tendency toward isolation, the mundanity of life can be deeply depressing for them. They may overthink, fall into maladaptive daydreaming, or become so lost in their imagination that they miss out on their own present lives and development. Once Pisces natives stop escaping and begin addressing their emotions in a healthy way—through spiritual practices or creative expression—they can unlock their full potential. Pisces is highly creative, with Venus exalting in this sign, emphasizing their natural gifts in art, music, and storytelling. Most Pisces natives feel a calling for something greater than an average life and often possess the talent to fulfill that calling. However, their main challenge lies in taking consistent steps toward their goals and overcoming their finicky, scattered tendencies.

- Ashwini natives are prone to addiction, self-medicating habits, and mental health challenges. Ashwini is a Ketu-ruled nakshatra, and Ketu, being the opposite of Rahu (the head), represents the headless body—detached from material desires and driven by the pursuit of spiritual liberation. This detachment creates disillusionment with the material world, leaving Ketu natives in their most raw, primal state, seeking the deeper truths and secrets of existence. Ketu’s influence is often compared to Mars because both planets help break through limitations, but their motivations differ. Mars is driven by ambition and devotion, while Ketu is fueled by detachment from material pursuits. This immense detachment makes Ashwini natives especially susceptible to addiction, often as a way to numb themselves or escape from overactive mental activity. Aries, the sign ruled by Ashwini, governs the head, and Ashwini as the first nakshatra carries the primal spark of energy and mental impulses. This nakshatra relates to mental activity, making its natives highly energetic but also restless and prone to overthinking. Their constant mental stimulation can lead to exhaustion, agitation, and self-destructive behaviors if not managed well. Ashwini natives have a natural intelligence and a desire to attain things quickly. However, this need for constant intellectual or physical stimulation can result in impulsive and reckless behavior when they are not moving or engaged in something meaningful. Ashwini is a restless nakshatra, and when placed in social environments requiring conformity, natives may struggle to fit in, often resorting to sarcasm and bluntness. Their detachment from societal norms, combined with their cosmic youthfulness and childlike nature (symbolized by their deities, the young twin horses), can make them appear rude or immature. Although Ashwini natives may try to behave in a “normal” or formal manner, this often leads to frustration due to their need for freedom and stimulation. Their childlike energy and cosmic vitality are best channeled into pursuits that allow them to move, grow, and explore.

- Venus in the 12th house is a beautiful but challenging placement. Natives with this position view romance, spirituality, or even life through rose-colored glasses. While this gives them a dreamy and idealistic perspective, it can also lead to disconnection from reality, resulting in disappointment and, often, depression. Venus is desires, romance, pleasure, and art. When placed in the deeply private and spiritual 12th house, these aspects become tied to one’s emotional and spiritual well-being. People with Venus in the 12th tend to keep their relationships very private, often out of fear of outside interference. The 12th house also rules hidden enemies, which can make these natives cautious about exposing their love life. They are unconditional lovers, often idealizing their partners to the extent that they may overlook toxic or unbalanced dynamics. It’s common for Venus in the 12th natives to love more intensely than their partners, which can lead to one-sided or non-secure relationships, such as secret affairs. These natives are often seduced by the idea of love in their minds, finding it difficult to accept the reality of their situation. This disconnection can lead to insecurity, particularly regarding their self-image. Physically, those with Venus in the 12th house are quite beautiful, but they may struggle to see or embrace their own beauty, feeling unworthy of love. Despite these challenges, Venus in the 12th house produces some of the most empathetic, self-sacrificial, and artistically gifted individuals. Venus is exalted in Pisces, the ruler of the 12th house, which enhances their creative potential. The 12th house governs hidden things, so natives may have hidden artistic talents that they should explore. They can create art that has a profound emotional and spiritual impact, capable of healing others and excel in surrealist forms of expression, romantic poetry, music, and visual mediums that convey unexplainable yet resonating emotions.

- Ashlesha and Uttara Bhadrapada bring to mind the effects of anesthesia. Ashlesha represents the beginning stages of anesthesia, with its Shakti—the power to inflict poison—a clinging and restrictive energy that feels paralyzing. This is akin to how anesthesia is injected into the nervous system, suppressing consciousness and inducing a detached, deep sleep-like state. Uttara Bhadrapada represents the culmination of this process, embodying the state of deep sleep. Its deity, Ahirbudhnya—the serpent of the depths—reflects the energy of stillness and dissociation of what’s above (reality/conciousness) , as well as the 12th house’s connection to sleep and the unconscious. Uttara Bhadrapada signifies the transcendental detachment from the physical body, much like the dissociative, dream-like state brought on by anesthesia. Ahirbudhnya’s symbolism as the serpent of the deep ocean mirrors the sensation of being submerged or taken into a controlled, deep state under anesthesia. Ashlesha’s clinging, paralyzing venom parallels Uttara Bhadrapada’s surrender and stillness, with both evoking states where the body is subdued or transcended. Ashlesha operates through the subconscious and instinctual nervous responses, while Uttara Bhadrapada focuses on spiritual transcendence. Anesthesia acts as a bridge between these realms, allowing the body to rest while bypassing conscious awareness.

- Pushya and Krittika natives can have features characterized by full lips, almond-shaped or wide-set eyes, which can also be rounded and downturned , or upturned and almond shaped typically deep-set. They tend to have very soft cheeks and overall gentle facial features, even among Krittika natives. Those born under the sheep yoni have soft, curly, or full hair. These natives dislike being alone and will often join others they can’t emotionally or socially relate to simply to avoid solitude. Krittika is in the ♉︎ and ♈︎ rashi, while Pushya is in ♋︎. Interestingly, Taurus exalts the Moon, and Krittika is the nakshatra where the Moon is exalted. Despite their planetary differences, both share similarities, including being associated with the goat/sheep yoni consort. Both Krittika and Pushya are nurturing by nature; however, Pushya leans toward giving, while Krittika tends to receive. There is a pure aura about them, as they are spiritually pure at their core and often sacrificial. For example, Joan of Arc, a Pushya ↑, led French armies based on divine visions she claimed to have, ultimately leading to her martyrdom by being burned at the stake—an example of these nakshatras embodying the archetype of sacrificial lambs. Krittika’s symbol is a blade, and the name itself means “one who cuts.” Its deity, Agni, the fire god, represents purification through fire, especially of the soul. Krittika women, in particular, can face disdain from both men and women due to their sovereign and independent nature. They are often misunderstood and may fall victim to others attempting to humble or overpower them.

Ebonee Davis - Pushya ↑ Halle Berry - Pushya ☽ Krittika ♈︎ ↑

Spike Fearn - Krittika ♈︎ ☽ Mick Jagger - Pushya ☉ krittika ♉︎ ☽

-Jyeshtha natives are known for being great writers, excelling in songwriting, literature, poetry, and rap. There are many notable poets, rappers, and songwriters with Jyeshtha placements, including Ottessa Moshfegh, Joan Didion, Bob Dylan, Emily Dickinson, Jim Morrison, Clarice Lispector, and Sonny Hall. Rappers like Nicki Minaj and JT, as well as singer-songwriters such as Sinead O’Connor and Tom Waits, also carry strong Jyeshtha energy. Jyeshtha is ruled by Mercury, which governs communication and expression through use of speech and writing. It also rules numbers and words and how we use them to problem-solve and convey ideas. Known as the “elder,” Jyeshtha’s deity is Indra, and Jyeshtha natives tend to excel because of their high standards, ambition and intuitive expertise in their craft. Relying in the ♏︎ rasi—a mysterious, transformative, intense, and passionate sign co-ruled by Mars and Ketu—Jyeshtha natives delve into themes of impersonal tragedy, exploring the darker aspects of the human psyche. Their writing is distinguished by their technique, style, and wordplay. Mars appears prominently in charts of many rappers through both signs (Aries and Scorpio) and nakshatras (Mrigashira, Chitra, and Dhanishta).

- Chitra nakshatra is quite similar to the Venus nakshatras in terms of behavior in my opinion. Chitra is all about refinement, creativity, beauty, and enjoying things that appeal to the senses. Although ruled by Mars, its connection to Venus (♎︎) and Mercury (♍︎) gives it a visually oriented and perfectionist nature, much like the Venus nakshatras, which are immensely creative. Both Chitra and Venus nakshatras share a tendency to push boundaries, sometimes indulging in taboo subjects. Venus nakshatras are known for their exclusivity, often socializing and collaborating only with other Venus nakshatra natives. Similarly, Chitra exhibits a form of discrimination by networking and associating only with those they deem worthy—often based on aesthetics or social status. Chitra natives are also highly judgmental, frequently offering unsolicited critiques because they cannot tolerate anything they perceive as imperfect. This mirrors the Venusian tendency to prioritize beauty and refinement above all else Especially because Venus (Shukra), the guru of demons and Chitra is demonic Rakshasa gana. there are, of course, key differences between Chitra and the Venus nakshatras.

- Saturn in the 4th house: The 4th house is one of the most private houses in astrology, ruled by Cancer, which is governed by the Moon (representing emotions). This house symbolizes our early home environment, upbringing, and especially our relationship with our mother. The mother is our first home (the womb) and nurtures us emotionally. How our parents teach us to regulate emotions is crucial for our emotional well-being. However, with Saturn in the 4th house—a restrictive and malefic planet—its energy clashes with Cancer’s nurturing qualities, as Saturn is in its detriment in this sign. Saturn represents coldness, self-limitation, underdogs/outcasts, effort, and karma. Natives with Saturn in the 4th house experience a difficult childhood, being forced to mature quickly and take on heavy responsibilities at a young age. They may feel disconnected from peers, unable to engage in carefree, childish behavior due to these responsibilities. This placement often indicates a mother who is emotionally distant or invalidating. These natives might have been told to “be strong” instead of expressing their emotions. In some cases, they may have served as their mother’s emotional crutch, catering to her emotional needs instead of receiving the nurturing they needed. Traumatic family events may linger, leaving them feeling tied to their family out of a sense of duty. For Saturn in the 4th house natives to thrive, they need to move away from their homeland or create physical distance from their family. Despite the hardships, individuals with this placement tend to develop deep empathy, a strong sense of responsibility, and profound wisdom. However, they are prone to anxiety and mood disorders, making it crucial for them to seek therapy, learn emotional regulation, and to give themselves a break and allow themselves love by building a supportive community that provides comfort and belonging.

- Jupiter in the 5th House: The 5th house is an important and auspicious house in astrology, representing past karmas and influencing one’s life journey. Creation is a central theme of the 5th house, whether through children, art, intellect, or ideas. With Jupiter placed here, this becomes a highly favorable position. Jupiter, known as Guru, is an expansive planet that represents luck, joy, knowledge and abundance. It thrives on self-improvement through activities like reading, studying, meditation, and creative pursuits such as music or painting. Natives with Jupiter in the 5th house feel an innate optimism about education, creativity, and spirituality. They approach learning and creating with a sense of childlike curiosity and openness, allowing them to absorb knowledge and express their creativity with purity and innocence. This mindset helps them flourish in these areas. Because the 5th house also rules children, individuals with this placement have a growth-oriented relationships with children. They may naturally take on roles as teachers, mentors, or guides, and children are likely to be drawn to them easily. Their own children will be blessed as well. However, this positive energy is best expressed when the 5th house is free from malefic influences or harmful conjunctions to Jupiter. Without such hindrances, Jupiter’s energy shines brightly, encouraging intellectual and spiritual growth. It’s important for those with Jupiter in the 5th to remain mindful of their potential naivety. While optimism and generosity are key strengths, they must remember that actions still carry consequences. Overindulgence or excessive reliance on luck can negatively affect their karmic balance. To truly thrive, these natives should strive to give as much as they receive, ensuring that their abundance benefits not just themselves but others as well.

*All these notes are just based off my own personal observations and readings. It may not resonate everyone with these placements

[arijackz]

✰ Astro Observations ✰

❤︎ Copyright © 2025 Arijackz. All Right Reserved.

★ Cancer Mercuries have the potential to become really good teachers. Cancer exalts Jupiter, which is the karaka of teachers, gurus, and is the graha that grants inner fulfillment through the acquirement of knowledge and worldly experience for the sake of one's conscious ascension. Moon and Jupiter share a resonance with themes of connectedness.

The moon is all about receptivity and accepting the influence of another; allowing an external force to touch and shift the gooiest corners of your internal world, thus creating an eternal bond and impression of that force within your psyche.

Jupiter, the traditional ruler of Sag and Pisces, is all about worldly intelligence and human awareness that only foreign exposure and dharmic alignment can achieve. Sag is the archetype of the traveler/ philosopher/ religious leader whose higher thinking allows their perspective to go beyond the immediate boundaries that limit the unity of the human experience such as race, cultural differences, economic disparities, etc.

Pisces exalts Venus, which is the graha of relationships and bridging people together for a cause. There is no force that unites people greater than death (Pisces). Pisces blurs the line between "self" and "non self", returning all the energy trapped inside material matter back to its original, whole source (The Big Bang/ God/ Whatever you want to call it).

Both Sag (Mula) and Pisces (Purva- Uttara Bhadrapada) want to remove any illusion or falsehood that prevents the soul from uniting with its true dharmic & moksha destiny.

All illusions start in the mind (the moon) and these natives (Jupiterians & Lunarians) are gifted with ease in garnering deep understandings of complex, nuanced topics (typically concerning the human psyche) and are able simplify their mechanics.

☆ The 3rd House is an underrated sexy house.

1) It's apart of the Kama trine houses (3rd, 7th, 11th) and is intrinsically connected to one's desires, the pursuit of gratification, and social appeal.

2) Governs the hands and arms, which allows sensory interaction and curiousness, thus creating attraction.

3) The 2nd house is how your voice sounds but the 3rd is what you're saying and how you're verbally influencing others. Unlike a water house, the 3rd is less concerned with the emotional weight behind building connections and focuses on the light, playful aspect of communication－flirtation. Thus creating a buzzing mental simulation, which births attraction and seduction.

4) Being the 8th house from the 8th house, this reaffirms (to me, at least) that the spark of one's raw energy and hunger for the fruit of their desires, translating to their libido and sexual tastes, can be shown in the third house.

Leo 3rd House: Your prowess is in how effortlessly you can charm the nuke codes out of the president.

Scorpio 3rd House: You vocal essence is liquid sex and attraction (Libra 2nd house), but the impact of your words are... sticky, they grasp and cling to an audience and embed their way permanently into their psyche.

★ Ardra Placements, ruled by the deity Rudra (Shiva's pre-mediative archetype) is known as the howler and is symbolized by a tear drop. This translates to an innate ability to alchemize one's pain and trauma into song as a means to lighten their emotional load.

Think of it like this: Ever since you popped out the womb, you've cried to 1) Notify the world that you are in need of something 2) To release excess stress hormones like prolactin, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and Leu-enkephalin into a perfectly shaped teardrop, and BOOM! You feel better!

The power of Ardra natives are rooted in how they shift their pain into something that can be heard (the howling) and alchemized into something that heals (the teardrop).

Ardra natives in Hollywood are BELOVED for their lyricism. Rahu gives them a communicative genius and an unorthodox approach to music, they tend to be pioneers or the faces of their field.

⇢ Taylor Swift - Ardra 🌙 ⇢ Lana Del Rey - Ardra ☀️

⇢ Ariana Grande - Ardra ☀️ ⇢ Kurt Cobain- Ardra 🌙

⇢ Lauryn Hill - Ardra ☀️ ⇢ Janis Joplin - Ardra 🌙

⇢ Vince Staples - Ardra ☀️ ⇢ Solange Knowles - Ardra ☀️

(Honorary Mention) Jennette McCurdy - Ardra ☀️

I CAN'T PROVE IT... but i'd bet money kendrick has an ardra placement (that asc lookin' reeaaallll iffy)

[room-surprise]

EXTERNAL INFLUENCES IN DUNGEON MESHI: INDIAN PHILOSOPHY

(SPOILERS FOR DUNGEON MESHI BELOW)

We know that Ryoko Kui spent considerable time at the beginning of working on Dungeon Meshi doing research and planning the series. Kui constantly references real world culture, history and mythology, but she also occasionally references real-world philosophy.

The story of Dungeon Meshi is full of philosophical questions about the joy and privilege of being alive, the inevitability of death and loss, the importance of taking care of yourself and your loved ones, and the purpose and true nature of desire. Kui explores these issues through the plot, the characters, and even the fundamental building blocks that make up her fictional fantasy world. Though it’s impossible to say without Kui making a statement on the issue, I believe Dungeon Meshi reflects many elements of ancient Indian philosophy and religion.

It’s possible that Kui just finds these ideas interesting to write about, but doesn’t have any personal affiliation with either religion, however I would not be at all surprised if I learned that Kui is a Buddhist, or has personal experience with Buddhism, since it’s one of the major religions in Japan.

I could write many essays trying to explain these extremely complex concepts, and I know that my understanding of them is imperfect, but I’ll do my best to explain them in as simple a way as possible to illustrate how these ideas may have influenced Kui’s work.

HINDUISM

Hinduism is the third-largest religion in the world and originates in India. The term Hinduism is a huge umbrella that encompasses many diverse systems of thought, but they have some shared theological elements, and share many ancient texts and myths.

According to Classical Hindu belief, there are four core goals in human life, and they are the pursuit of dharma, artha, kama, and moksha.

Dharma is the natural order of the universe, and also one’s obligation to carry out their part in it. It is the pursuit and execution of one’s inherent nature and true calling, playing one’s role in the cosmic order.

Artha is the resources needed for an individual’s material well-being. A central premise of Hindu philosophy is that every person should live a joyous, pleasurable and fulfilling life, where every person's needs are acknowledged and fulfilled. A person's needs can only be fulfilled when sufficient means are available.

Kama is sensory, emotional, and aesthetic pleasure. Often misinterpreted to only mean “sexual desire”, kama is any kind of enjoyment derived from one or more of the five senses, including things like having sex, eating, listening to music, or admiring a painting. The pursuit of kama is considered an essential part of healthy human life, as long as it is in balance with the pursuit of the three other goals.

Moksha is peace, release, nirvana, and ultimate enlightenment. Moksha is freedom from ignorance through self-knowledge and true understanding of the universe, and the end of the inevitable suffering caused by the struggle of being alive. When one has reached true enlightenment, has nothing more to learn or understand about the universe, and has let go of all earthly desires, they have attained moksha, and they will not be reborn again. In Hinduism’s ancient texts, moksha is seen as achievable through the same techniques used to practice dharma, for example self-reflection and self-control. Moksha is sometimes described as self-discipline that is so perfect that it becomes unconscious behavior.

The core conflict of Hinduism is the eternal struggle between the material and immaterial world. It is often said that all of the material world is “an illusion,” and what this means is that all good and bad things will inevitably end, because the material world is finite. On the one hand, this is sad, because everything good in life will one day cease to exist, but on the other hand, this is reassuring, because all of the bad things will eventually end as well, and if one can accept this, they will be at peace.

The central debate of Hinduism is, which is more important: Satisfying your needs as a living thing, having a good life as a productive member of society, serving yourself, your family, and the world by participating in it the way nature intended? Or is it rejecting desire and attachment, discovering the true nature of existence, realizing the impermanence of material things, and that one can only escape the suffering that comes from the struggle of life by accepting that death and loss are inevitable?

There is no set answer to this question, and most believers of Hinduism tend to strike a balance between the two extremes simply because that’s what happens when a person leads a normal, average life, however there are also those who believe that pursuing extremes will lead to ultimate enlightenment and final release as well.

BUDDHISM

Buddhism is an Indian religion and philosophical tradition that originated in the 5th century BCE, based on teachings attributed to religious teacher the Buddha. It is the world's fourth-largest religion and though it began in India, it has spread throughout all of Asia and has played a major role in Asian culture and spirituality, eventually spreading to the West beginning in the 20th century.

Buddhism is partially derived from the same worldview and philosophical belief system as Hinduism, and the main difference is that the Buddha taught that there is a “middle way” that all people should strive to attain, and that the excesses of asceticism (total self-denial) or hedonism (total self-indulgence) practiced by some Hindus could not lead a person to moksha/enlightenment/release from suffering.

Buddhism teaches that the primary source of suffering in life is caused by misperception or ignorance of two truths; nothing is permanent, and there is no individual self.

Buddhists believe that dukkha (suffering) is an innate characteristic of life, and it is manifested in trying to “have” or “keep” things, due to fear of loss and suffering. Dukkha is caused by desire. Dukkha can be ended by ceasing to feel desire through achieving enlightenment and understanding that everything is a temporary illusion.

There are many, many other differences between Hinduism and Buddhism, but these elements are the ones that I think are most relevant to Kui’s work.

Extreme hedonism involves seeking sensual pleasure without any limits. This could just be indulging in what people would consider “normal” pleasures, like food, sex, drugs and the arts, but it can also involve doing things which are considered socially repugnant, either literally or by taking part in symbolic rituals that represent these acts. Some examples are holding religious meetings in forbidden places, consuming forbidden substances (including human flesh), using human bones as tools, or engaging in sex with partners who are considered socially unacceptable (unclean, wrong gender, too young, too old, related to the practitioner). Again, these acts may be done literally or symbolically.

Extreme ascetic practices involve anything that torments the physical body, and some examples are meditation without breathing, the total suppression of bodily movement, refusing to lay down, tearing out the hair, going naked, wearing rough and painful clothing, laying on a mat of thorns, or starving oneself.

HOW THIS CONNECTS TO DUNGEON MESHI

Kui’s most emphasized message in Dungeon Meshi is that being alive is a fleeting, temporary experience that once lost, cannot truly be regained, and is therefore precious in its rarity. Kui also tells us that to be alive means to desire things, that one cannot exist without the other, that desire is essential for life. This reflects the four core goals of human life in Hinduism and Buddhism, but also could be a criticism of some aspects of these philosophies.

I think Kui’s story shows the logical functionality of the four core goals: only characters who properly take care of themselves, and who accept the risk of suffering are able to thrive and experience joy. I think Kui agrees with the Buddhist stance that neither extreme hedonism nor extreme self-denial can lead to enlightenment and ultimate bliss… But I also think that Kui may be saying that ultimate bliss is an illusion, and that the greatest bliss can only be found while a person is still alive, experiencing both loss and desire as a living being.

Kui tells us living things should strive to remain alive, no matter how difficult living may be sometimes, because taking part in life is inherently valuable. All joy and happiness comes from being alive and sharing that precious, limited life with the people around you, and knowing that happiness is finite and must be savored.

Dungeon Meshi tells us souls exist, but never tells us where they go or what happens after death. I think this is very intentional, because Kui doesn’t want readers to think that the characters can just give up and be happy in their next life, or in an afterlife.

There is resurrection in Dungeon Meshi, but thematically there are really no true “second chances.” Although in-universe society views revival as an unambiguous good and moral imperative, Kui repeatedly reminds us of its unnatural and dangerous nature. Although reviving Falin is a central goal of the story, it is only when Laios and Marcille are able to let go of her that the revival finally works… And after the manga’s ending, Kui tells us Falin leaves Laios and Marcille behind to travel the world alone, which essentially makes her dead to them anyway, since she is absent from their lives.

At the same time, Kui tells us that trying to prevent death, or avoid all suffering and loss is a foolish quest that will never end in happiness, because loss and suffering are inevitable and must someday be endured as part of the cycle of life. Happiness cannot exist without suffering, just like the joy of eating requires the existence of hunger, and even starvation.

Kui equates eating with desire itself, using it as a metaphor to describe anything a living creature might want, Kui also views the literal act of eating as the deepest, most fundamental desire of a living thing, the desire that all other desires are built on top of. If a living thing doesn’t eat, it will not have the energy necessary to engage with any other part of life. Toshiro, Mithrun, and Kabru are all examples of this in the story: They don’t take care of themselves and they actively avoid eating, and as a result they suffer from weakness, and struggle to realize their other desires.

Kui suggests that the key difference between being alive or dead is whether or not someone experiences desire. If you are alive, even if you feel empty and cannot identify your desires like Mithrun, you still have desires because you would be dead without them. The living body desires to breathe, to eat, to sleep, even if a person has become numb, or rejected those desires either to punish themselves, or out of a lack of self-love.

Sometimes, we have to do things which are painful and unpleasant, in order to enjoy the good things that make us happy. I believe Kui is telling us that giving up, falling into despair, and refusing to participate in life is not a viable solution either.

The demon only learns to experience desire by entering into and existing in the material, finite world. This experience intoxicates the demon, and it becomes addicted to feeling both the suffering of desire, and the satisfaction of having it fulfilled. This unnatural situation is what endangers the Dungeon Meshi world, and it’s only by purging the demon of this ability to desire that the world can be saved. The demon is like a corrupted Buddha that must give up its desires in order to return to the peaceful existence it had before it was corrupted.

The demon curses Laios to never achieve his greatest desires at the end of the manga, which manifests in several ways, such as losing his monstrous form, Falin choosing to leave after she’s revived, and being unable to get close to monsters because they are afraid of him. In some ways you could compare Laios to a Bodhisattva, a person who tries to aid others in finding nirvana/moksha, even if it prolongs their own suffering and prevents them from finding personal release. Laios gives the demon peace, but Laios himself will never be able to satisfy his desires, and must eventually come to accept his loss and move on with his life.

(This is an excerpt from Chapter 3 of my Real World Cultural and Linguistic influences in Dungeon Meshi essay.)

[emmkayyy03]

🎾 Jupiter vs. Venus: The Duel of Gurus. 🏅

In the infinite drama of the cosmos, two larger-than-life forces play the role of celestial teachers: Jupiter (Brihaspati) and Venus (Shukracharya). These two aren’t just gurus—they’re the ultimate life coaches, each with their unique vibes. Jupiter is the philosopher who hands you a map to enlightenment, while Venus is the savvy mentor who teaches you how to conquer the world and look fabulous doing it.

But wait—there’s more to Shukracharya than just luxury and indulgence. He wasn’t only the guru of the asuras; he was a healer extraordinaire, the cosmic doctor who literally brought the dead back to life with the Sanjeevani mantra. So, while Jupiter gives you the wisdom to transcend, Venus might just save your skin (and soul) when things go south.

Let’s dig deeper into this ultimate cosmic clash of the titans and see how their wisdom, morals, and approach to life shape their disciples.

🎓 Knowledge: Universal Truths vs. Practical Skills

Jupiter’s Wisdom: Jupiter’s knowledge is like a sacred text—ancient, profound, and illuminating. As the guru of the devas, he specializes in timeless wisdom that transcends the material world. He’s your go-to for unlocking the mysteries of dharma (duty), moksha (liberation), and the universe’s ultimate purpose. Think philosophy, ethics, and everything that makes you go, “Wow, life is deeper than I thought.”

Venus’s Knowledge: Venus is the practical genius who hands you a toolkit for mastering life’s complexities. From diplomacy to healing, Shukracharya doesn’t just teach you how to survive—he teaches you how to thrive. His lessons are rooted in the art of living: navigating relationships, enjoying material pleasures, and even harnessing the secrets of immortality. He’s the cosmic mix of a life coach and a healer, ensuring you’re prepared for anything life throws your way.

⚖️ Morals: Righteousness vs. Pragmatism

Jupiter’s Morality: Jupiter is all about the straight and narrow. He champions dharma and universal harmony, even if it means personal sacrifice. He’s the teacher who insists that doing the right thing is non-negotiable, no matter how tough it gets. With Jupiter, it’s always about the bigger picture.

Venus’s Morality: Venus operates in the real world, where things aren’t always black and white. His moral compass is more flexible, designed to help you navigate life’s gray areas. Shukracharya understands that sometimes bending the rules is necessary for survival—and that’s okay. His pragmatism is his strength, making him relatable and incredibly effective.

💎 The Hedonist vs. The Ascetic

Venus: The Sensual Healer Venus doesn’t shy away from the material world; he embraces it. He teaches that beauty, luxury, and pleasure aren’t distractions—they’re part of the human experience. But Venus is more than a connoisseur of indulgence; as a healer, he shows how to channel these desires into personal growth. His mastery of the Sanjeevani mantra highlights his deep understanding of life and death, proving that he’s not just about the good times—he’s about second chances too.

Jupiter: The Ascetic Sage Jupiter is the spiritual minimalist, urging you to detach from desires and focus on higher truths. He’s the guru who reminds you that fleeting pleasures pale in comparison to eternal peace. While Venus heals your body and mind, Jupiter seeks to heal your soul by guiding you beyond the illusions of the material world.

🌌 Life’s Approach: Harmony vs. Mastery

Jupiter’s Path: Jupiter leads with faith, devotion, and the pursuit of inner peace. His approach is about finding harmony within yourself and with the universe. His teachings encourage gratitude and humility, aligning your actions with the greater cosmic order.

Venus’s Path: Venus believes in mastering the art of life. Whether it’s relationships, success, or overcoming obstacles, Shukracharya equips you to excel in the material realm. His lessons emphasize empowerment and resilience, reminding you that even in chaos, there’s beauty—and power.

If Jupiter is the grand monastery, steeped in philosophy and higher learning, Venus is the opulent palace ballroom, alive with music, dance, and earthly pleasures. Jupiter’s domain is the university lecture hall, a sanctuary of timeless wisdom, while Venus presides over the art gallery, where beauty and creativity are celebrated. Jupiter governs the sanctum of a temple, a space for introspection and spiritual growth, whereas Venus sparkles in the marketplace, where life’s sensual joys and connections unfold. Each represents a world of its own: Jupiter uplifts the soul, and Venus enchants the senses

The Verdict 💫

So, here’s the cosmic tea: Jupiter and Venus aren’t competing; they’re balancing forces. Jupiter offers the wisdom to transcend life, while Venus gives you the skills to embrace and heal within it. Jupiter is the sage who helps you unlock eternal truths, and Venus is the healer and mentor who ensures you enjoy the ride and survive the bumps along the way.

Are you drawn to Jupiter’s lofty ideals or Venus’s grounded guidance? Let me know—Team Jupiter or Team Venus? ✨

[youremyheaven]

The 12th House in Astrology 🧜‍♀️🧚‍♀️ 🦋

(this can apply to both tropical and vedic placement of 12th house because regardless of the system employed, the energy felt and experienced is the same :-)

Most people have a lot of prejudice about the 12h and its energies. There is a largely negative portrayal of it in the mainstream astro community and very little nuanced discussion of the same. So, I thought I'd make a post exploring the 12th and final house in astrology and add more to the existing narrative regarding it.

The 12h is commonly described as the house of loss, liberation, isolation and decline

This house is said to governs misery, waste, expenses as well as divine knowledge, sympathy, Moksha (final emancipation) and life after death. It is also the house of detachment.

Now those are a lot of very contradictory terms. How could a house govern both loss and divine knowledge?

The 12th house and water houses (4h, 8h & 12h) in general are very complex and easily misunderstood. The thing about water is that it has no shape or form of its own, it takes the form of whatever vessel its poured into. another thing about water is that its the most easily polluted element. Water energy is one that must be precariously balanced because these natives easily absorb the influence of others (good or bad), this is one reason why the 12h is the house of "loss" because it truly is the death of the individual. you know those quotes about "i am an amalgamation of every person ive met, every book ive read, every song i loved...." 12housers are actually built like that.

being a 12h native can be rewarding because you absorb absolutely everything like a cosmic sponge but on the other hand, its very easy to lose all sense of self.

especially natives with 12h stelliums may often find it difficult to not take everything so personally. this is not because they think the world revolves around them but because its hard for them to separate themselves from others and their actions. they're personally of the type where everything they say or do is tailored specifically to the person they're interacting with. they may not even be aware that they're doing this, they pick up on energies almost by osmosis and guide their conduct that way. however they must realize that this is peculiar to them and is not something others are naturally accustomed to doing.

there is a reason why Venus exalts in the 12h. you lose all sense of self and give yourself completely to your lover with utmost devotion. love is sacred and profound to them, they will do absolutely anything for their love. which is why they have to be so careful with picking their partners. they have limitless capacity for giving but if you give to the wrong person, you'll be drained. when you merge with the right person, your cup never goes empty with your giving because your union satiates you completely.

if we were to think of houses 1 to 11 as a path of linear development, starting with the 1st house of self & identity and ending with the 11th house of friendship, community & legacy, then we will understand that after an individual goes through all these stages, the only thing left for them to do is seek liberation from this cycle; this is why 12h is the house of Moksha. once you've fulfilled your material desires, you will feel a lack in your life and the only thing left to do is pursue the path of spirituality. Moksha is however not given to one; one must strive for it.

this journey is a deeply personal one and liberation from one's ego and earthly pursuits is far from easy. no matter what these natives do, ultimately, they wont feel satisfied unless they've nourished themselves spiritually.

sometimes these natives may indulge in drugs or other substances to fill the void but as they evolve they will understand what theyre truly yearning for is the spiritual truth.

more often than not, these natives experience "spiritual awakenings" completely unprompted. god decides its time and it happens. much of their early life can be very dark and this "awakening" marks the beginning of a shift in their life. this happens in stages depending on the level of their spiritual evolution.

the 12th house is the house of isolation because what these natives experience is not something that others can understand easily. they are the most likely to develop psychosomatic conditions, simply because their energetic body is so susceptible to influence.

think of the vast endless ocean. can one individual possibly drink up all of that water? its absurd to even consider it. thats kind of what its like to be a 12h native. there's a limitless reservoir to tap into, the energy is so vast that its confusing and disorienting and you have no idea what to do with it. its very easy to be misguided as well. this is why its the house of decline. you have to constantly be on the look out in order to avoid the pitfalls, otherwise its easy to stagnate and easy to harm yourself.

There is a Latin quote that goes as follows:

"What nourishes me, destroys me"

This sums up 12th house energy pretty much. Its the energy of opposites and paradoxes. You need this endless reservoir to function, its the thing that feeds you but if you're not careful, it can also lead you to your own ruin.

Fun fact: Angelina Jolie has this quote tattooed on her. She is a Revati Moon. Pisces occupies the 12th house.

remember that Pisces' symbol is of two fishes swimming in opposite directions. this shows that the innate nature of these natives is to be torn between polarising energies and opposing forces. it is a balancing act to say the least.

these natives are easily misunderstood, simply because there is SO much to them. whatever you think they are, thats what they're not.

going back to the cosmic ocean metaphor, its easy to see how such abundance can feel like an excess and lead to misery and wastefulness. its simply a LOT to handle, not just for others but even for these natives themselves. this is one reason why so many of these natives tend to keep to themselves.

even the more sociable 12h natives often have an interior life that no one will know about, they have a whole another side to them that they keep separate, just because they want to assert complete ownership of this private side as something that belongs only to them and the other, more "public" side that they give to others.

these natives are the most empathetic and if you look at the charts of most "legendary" actors, they'll either have pisces/12h luminaries. empathy does not quite cut it, they can not only feel what others are feeling but embody it fully and experience it as their own. this is what makes them incredible actors. even non-actor 12h natives process things this way and often find that others around them are insensitive or lacking the same capacity. they do not understand why others don't feel as deeply as they do or understand situations the way they do. they find society at large to be very callous and apathetic.

a 12th house native is also capable of feeling apathy and absolute indifference but this is very selective; the 12h is the house of detachment because as it is, they're tethered to the world by a thin cord and are only very mildly connected to things. they're in this world but seldom inhabit it. another side to this is that they're wildly imaginative. although mercury debilitates in the 12h, it does not affect the native too badly, as they simply channel their thoughts into other forms. they are gifted at communicating abstract ideas and make excellent artists due to the same reason. robbed of any sense of what is "practical" or "realistic", they roam free in the realm of the mind. many abstract, surrealist and expressionist artists have either Pisces or other water sign placements in their big 3.

these natives live a life of non-being, as they're already so detached from everything, including themselves; this is not negative on its own and will manifest differently for different individuals; this can mean that they're extremely empathetic or detached to the point of inaction and passivity in extreme cases; they dont find a lot of things to be meaningful and its hard for them to apply themselves because of it. this gives us a glimpse of what life is like after death.

the 12th house also represents spirituality, introspection, foreign travels, hidden enemies, & the subconscious mind and it is the house of endings and undoing.

12th house natives are always intrigued by all things foreign, they feel like they do not belong to the place they're from and feel connected to cultures and people that are foreign to them. since they themselves feel like an alien or are made to feel that way, they feel naturally at ease in foreign places and cultures where everything is alien. they often settle overseas.

these natives court attention wherever they go, because the 12h energy is a very distinct and potent one. a lot of celebrities have it and its a very common fame indicator. due to this reason, they also attract enemies who remain unknown to them. these natives are seldom if ever, engaged in actual feuds with people and if they are, its usually for righteous reasons or because the other person started it. theyre wayyyy too peace loving and lowkey to pick fights with others. this is why they dont know who is speaking ill of them behind their back. they're always minding their own business and it surprises them that others are not doing the same.

everybody is guided by their subconscious and one major part of spirituality is to try and make ourselves more conscious. 12h representing spirituality (the cosmic ocean) makes even more sense considering its opposite (2 fishes swimming in opposite directions) which is the unknown, the subconscious. to be spiritual means to seek truth and to seek answers and swim towards the subconscious to shed light to it and understand it better.

lastly, it is the house of endings and undoing. 12h being the final concluding house represents the end of the cycle. when a cycle ends, the energy is of a complete transformation. only when something has reached completion can it come to an end. the butterfly does not emerge unformed but as a completely fully formed butterfly. the end marks the beginning. the 12h gives way to the 1h.

the creature in the cocoon was not a butterfly. it only became a butterfly when it emerged from the cocoon and to do so means loss of an old identity, loss of self, loss of all that you've ever known. this is your undoing. in order to become somebody else, in order to ascend, we have to be willing to undo ourselves. this is essential to any spiritual practice. we have to rid ourselves and our flimsy shell of identity in order to grow further.

for the same reason, 12housers are constantly transforming. they're the type of people who seem to have lived 10 different lives in one. be it their style, lifestyles, jobs, you name it, they're constantly undoing and transforming themselves. it seems to be the only way they know how to live. once theyve gathered all they can at one place, they outgrow it and change themselves almost entirely afterwards as they venture into something new.

thats it for now. i hope this shed some light on the 12h condition hehe<333

[kleopatra45]

Nakshatras and Padas

Each Nakshatra, a vital component of Vedic astrology, plays a crucial role in accurate future predictions. Divided into four Padas, each covering 3 degrees and 20 minutes, these segments are fundamental to understanding an individual's life goals and their pathways to achievement.

A Nakshatra reflects one's ultimate aspiration or life purpose, while a Nakshatra Pada represents the specific goals or destinations one aims to achieve. This division helps ascertain how, where, and in what domain one is likely to fulfill their objectives, serving as a valuable guide for navigating life towards fulfillment.

The Padas correspond to the four aims of life in Vedic astrology:

Dharma (righteous living)

Artha (material wealth)

Kama (desires)

Moksha (liberation)

These aims follow the order of the zodiac elements. For example, Ashwini, the first Nakshatra, signifies Dharma; Bharani, the second, signifies Artha; Krittika, the third, signifies Kama; and Rohini, the fourth, signifies Moksha. This sequence continues with some variations, such as Mrigashirsha also being a Moksha Nakshatra.

Each Pada represents one of these four goals and corresponds to a specific element—fire, earth, air, or water. This association offers deeper insights into the nature and qualities of each Nakshatra.

Dharma (Fire/Agni Tattva): The first goal or Pada, Dharma, involves discovering one's purpose and fulfilling soul desires through daily actions. The Agni Tattva Pada represents fire, symbolizing passion, determination, and ambition. Fire, a sacred element in Hinduism, signifies purity, knowledge, and enlightenment. It purifies and is linked with sacrifice, paralleling the idea of individuals following their Dharma making sacrifices for the greater good.

Artha (Earth/Prithvi Tattva): The second goal or Pada, Artha, focuses on generating income and wealth for oneself and loved ones. The Prithvi Tattva Pada represents earth, symbolizing stability, groundedness, and practicality. Artha signifies material wealth and prosperity, essential for fulfilling other life goals. The connection with Earth is rooted in the idea that all material wealth derives from Earth's resources, emphasizing the need to consider the impact of economic activities on these resources.

Kama (Air/Vayu Tattva): The third goal or Pada, Kama, represents the pursuit of desires, whether material possessions or personal relationships. The Vayu Tattva Pada represents air, symbolizing movement, communication, and intellect. Kama encompasses desires for sensual pleasure, physical intimacy, and material possessions, as well as emotional and intellectual aspirations like love and creativity. Like air, desires are subtle, intangible, and essential for motivation and growth.

Moksha (Water/Jal Tattva): The fourth goal or Pada, Moksha, is about liberation and freeing the soul from the cycle of rebirth. The Jal Tattva Pada represents water, symbolizing emotions, intuition, and sensitivity. Moksha signifies liberation from the cycle of birth and death, leading to eternal peace and happiness. Water, associated with life, nourishment, and purification, symbolizes the cleansing of the soul and spiritual enlightenment.

©️kleopatra45

[dushysworld]

Best/worst planetary placements in Vedic Astrology pt 2:

1) Mars the planet which represents blood, energy & determination in Vedic Astrology gets exalted in the sign of Capricorn where the fiery mars utilises it's energy into the right things (career and other goals) signified by the ambitious sign of ♑.

Mars gets debilitated in the sign of Cancer ♋ as it doesn't like the emotional and nurturing energy of Cancer. Mars is an action oriented planet and it prefers earth signs instead of water signs which make this Mars too emotional and lose its stability.

2) Mercury, the planet of communication and intellect gets exalted in the sign of Virgo ♍ *which is its own sign* as it functions its best when it's critical and analytical in nature just like a Virgo.

Mercury gets debilitated in the sign of Pisces ♓, this is because both mercury and pisces together results in confusion, indecisiveness and lack of clarity as mercury is all about analysing while pisces being a water sign is of a very imaginative nature.

3) Rahu the planet of obsession gets exalted in the sign of Gemini ♊. Rahu in these signs has its purpose of financial and communication fulfilled upto a very great extent. *Rahu is Materialistic*

Rahu gets debilitated in Sagittarius ♐ as Rahu doesn't like the philosophy and spiritual pursuits.

4) Ketu, the planet of spirituality/moksha gets exalted in Sagittarius ♐ as Ketu truly loves the independent and detached life as that of a philosopher like ♐. Also Sagittarius being Jupiter's sign helps this Ketu even more.

Ketu is debilitated in the sign of Gemini ♊, as Ketu doesn't like to speak much and prefers detachment rather than attachment, because without detachment we can't obtain anything in life that we truly want. Also without detachment we cannot truly learn to love ourselves.

A Message to y'all:

- From now onwards the posts are going to be even more interesting. So stay tuned and follow me for more updates on Vedic Astrology.

- I do consultations regarding love, marriage, career, life purpose, wellness and one's health all according to one's Vedic Astrology Chart.

[subir-astrologer]

KETU BEHAVIOR IN EACH HOUSE AS PER VEDIC ASTROLOGY

In Vedic astrology, Ketu is considered a shadow planet with no physical existence, but it has significant astrological influence. According to KP Vedic astrology Ketu do not own any house in Vedic horoscope as so it acts like an agent of that house where it is placed.

It represents spiritual detachment, liberation (Moksha), past karmic influences, and deep transformation. Ketu often brings a sense of isolation, otherworldliness, and enlightenment but can also manifest confusion, losses, and detachment in the material world.

Let’s understand Ketu’s behavior when placed in each house step by step :

1st House (Ascendant)

Positive: Strong spiritual inclination, interest in occult subjects, intuitive, detached from worldly pleasures, can lead a simple life.

Negative: Physical ailments, identity confusion, difficulty in self-expression, feeling disconnected from self or surroundings.

2nd House

Positive: Detachment from family matters, unorthodox speech, might earn through spiritual or unconventional means.

Negative: Financial instability, strained family relationships, issues related to speech (e.g., stammering), difficulty in accumulating wealth.

3rd House

Positive: Strong willpower, spiritual communication, creative writing, intuitive thinking, detached but courageous in actions.

Negative: Problems with siblings, overconfidence in taking risks, miscommunication, restlessness, lack of focus.

4th House

Positive: Spiritual detachment from home life, deep emotional intuition, and interest in occult or metaphysical studies.

Negative: Problems in relationships with mother or domestic issues, lack of emotional fulfillment, frequent relocation, difficulty in acquiring property.

5th House

Positive: Strong intuitive abilities, interest in spirituality, detachment from children or creative pursuits, inclination towards occult and mantra practices.

Negative: Difficulties in conceiving or relationships with children, confused intellect, gambling tendencies, difficulty in romantic affairs.

6th House

Positive: Ability to overcome enemies, diseases, and debts, strong intuitive healing powers, service-oriented approach in life.

Negative: Health problems related to mysterious or chronic ailments, hidden enemies, workplace troubles, and legal issues.

7th House

Positive: Spiritual union with partner, detached and non-materialistic relationships, interest in unconventional or foreign partners.

Negative: Problems in marriage or partnership, separation, lack of harmony in relationships, difficulty in maintaining long-term commitments.

8th House

Positive: Deep interest in occult, mysticism, and spirituality, ability to overcome sudden upheavals, strong transformative energies, financial gains through inheritance.

Negative: Health problems, sudden losses, accidents, mental stress, secrets and scandals, fear of death.

9th House

Positive: Strong inclination towards spirituality, detachment from religious dogmas, higher learning, and pilgrimage.

Negative: Issues with father, teacher, or gurus, lack of belief in traditional religious practices, challenges in long-distance travel or higher education.

10th House

Positive: Interest in spiritual or unconventional career paths, ability to work in isolation, fame through occult or mystical means.

Negative: Career instability, lack of recognition, trouble with authority, difficulty in maintaining a steady professional life.

11th House

Positive: Spiritual detachment from material gains, success through unconventional means, strong intuition for financial or social matters.

Negative: Difficulty in making long-term friendships, financial instability, unfulfilled desires, issues with elder siblings or social circles.

12th House

Positive: Strong inclination towards spirituality, liberation, and foreign travels, deep introspection, and ability to attain enlightenment or Moksha.

Negative: Expenses or losses, mental stress, isolation, hospitalization, addiction, or imprisonment, problems with sleep or subconscious issues.

Ketu in General :

Spirituality: Ketu encourages detachment and spiritual growth. It helps one let go of materialistic desires and attachments.

Confusion and Isolation: Ketu often creates confusion or disconnection from the areas of life it influences.

Past Karma: Ketu represents past life influences, so its placement often indicates unresolved karmic lessons.

Liberation and Transformation: Despite its challenges, Ketu offers deep spiritual transformation and the potential for enlightenment.

PLEASE NOTE : The effects of Ketu vary significantly depending on aspects, conjunctions, its strength in the chart, and the sign it occupies. A well-placed Ketu can lead to spiritual liberation, while a poorly placed Ketu can cause confusion and detachment from material success.

[makingspiritualityreal]

Moksha Houses Represent the Ultimate Fulfillment but also Loss of Blind Ambition.

To understand this post, it is necessary for you to be familiar with the basic Jyotish concept of Dharma Houses 1, 5 and 9, Artha Houses 2, 6 and 10, Kama houses 3, 7 and 11 and Moksha Houses 4, 8 and 12.

I'm not going into a lengthy explanation, as I have written on the subject before, but the concept outlines the basic harmony sequence of all houses in Astrology, where we begin with inspired, righteous action, then we get practical about grounding our actions into a solid legacy and then we work on spreading those actions around the world. Each of these stages requires intense external effort and can often end in relentless pursuit with lack of self examination. That self examination only comes in Moksha houses.

In Moksha houses, we ask ourselves the most triggering but also most pivotal question - am I happy? Has all this running around and chasing an ephemeral vision of success and happiness given me REAL substantial success and happiness inside my heart?

That is a very uncomfortable process, because how many of us can say with a clean conscience that whatever we do on the daily really contributes to the world positively, even if on a very small scale? Most people get whatever job pays them the bills, party on the weekend to forget how much they hate their work week, rinse and repeat. Many people perform tasks that will soon be replaced by robots. Many people perform jobs that are designed to entice people into spending their money on things, that are not really good for them. Many people spend their day mindlessly grinding pointless tasks, just for the sake of an ephemeral goal, without analysing what their day to day life actually looks like and checking the worthiness of that goal. Many people do what they do to get approval from their family/bosses/opposite sex, making themselves completely miserable in the process and achieving nothing of worth.

In Moksha houses, we are hit with the realisation, that nothing is really worth anything if we're not enjoying every second of it, in our hearts. Even if we sacrifice our time, energy or temporary happiness, it can be for a worthy cause, and so it gives us internal peace, knowing we're on the right track. The happiness, that comes from Moksha energy is long-term, enduring and real. You might say, happiness is wherever Jupiter comes in your chart, but that is not true. Jupiter represents where you are talented, and using that talent gives you satisfaction, but if you have Moksha planets in your chart, even if weighed down by malefics, finding true, lasting happiness is still a goal for you in this life.

[33-108]

"The Glory of Svātantrya Śakti : in the light of Kashmir Shaivism

In the grand and ancient pursuit of the recognition of one’s Self, the Ātman, various Ṛṣīs of yore have provided us with various descriptions and associated methodologies, in the form of the various Bhārathīya Darśanās. Each of these Darśanās define Reality in various ways depending on the criteria that are being used by the Dārshanikās. Criteria such as Omnipresence, Omnipotence, Permanence, etc. are utilized in these descriptions based on the framework that is used to define Reality. However, Kashmir Shaivism is unique, in that, it defines Reality as self-revealed (Sat) and of the nature of supreme Independence or Svātantrā. It is this criterion of Svātantrya, as one’s original nature, that we will explore in this post.

“caitanyamatma” – “The independent state of supreme consciousness is the reality of everything.”- Śiva Sutra 1.1

The Kashmiri Śaiva Śāstrās reveal that the nature of the Self is Caitanya i.e. the independent state of supreme consciousness. However, what exactly does this independence mean? Why is Svātantrya considered a Śakti (Power) and to whom does it belong? What is its Effulgence and Glory?

By Independence, two important inseparable aspects are emphasized here. Firstly, it is “independence to” act with full freedom. Svātantrya means the Power to know and act according to one's will ie. it is the unimpeded, unrestrained flow of expression of the Divine Will. Secondly, it is the “independence from” any other higher reality. Since the highest Reality, by definition, cannot depend on a more “permanent” reality, it is “independent from” all else that exists. In fact, everything that exists (and doesn’t exist), depends on this reality.

The Shaivācāryas teach us that both these aspects of Independence are found only in One Being – Lord Śiva. Thus, Svātantrya is the nature of the supreme reality, which is referred to by the name Śiva, or in other words, Svātantrya is the Śakti (power) that uniquely belongs to Lord Śiva. As Swami Lakshmanjoo explains in his commentary on the Śiva Sutras - “The singularly unique aspect of Lord Śiva is complete independence, Svātantrya. This complete independence is not found anywhere except in the state of Lord Śiva.” This is what has been stated in the Āgamas as well – “That supreme (Svātantrya) independent energy of Lord Śiva is said to be one with Lord Śiva”. (Malinivijaya Tantra 3.5)

That being said, Svātantrya Śakti is not something that is far away from our experience. It is the very heart of our experience. As it says in the Iśvara Pratyabhiña Śāstra, "The Divine Power is known as Citi. Its essence is Self-Consciousness. It is also known as Parā Vāk. It is, in itself, ever present, eternal. It is Svātantrya. It is the main Power of the Supreme Self." Iśvara Pr. 1. Pg 203-4

This description is further explained by the actualization of Svātantrya in the form of the manifest universe. As the first sutra of Pratyabhiñāhṛdayam says “citiḥ svatantrā viśva-siddhi-hetuḥ” – “The absolute Citi of its own free will is the cause of the Siddhi of the universe.” Therefore, whatever we experience is caused by and is reflected in Svātantrya Śakti. We may be unaware of it at the moment, yet it is the cause and substance of everything that we experience in our lives.

Why then, is the proper understanding of the nature of Śiva’s Svātantrya Śakti important to us?

Ācārya Abhinavagupta explains in the Tantrāloka (1.31), that Moksha or liberation is said to be attained only when one becomes Svātantra-atma (a being who possesses Svātantrya Śakti). Without this recognition and consequently, the attainment of moksha, all else is worthless. Therefore, the exploration and recognition of this aspect, the singular Power of the Self, is the most important pursuit of our life and the only one worth pursuing.

There are many ways to explore the nature and glory of Svātantrya Śakti. Ācārya Kṣemaraja in his famous work, Parā Prāveśika explains that – “vimarśa, self-reflective consciousness, is nominated by various names in the tantras. It is called cit (consciousness), caitanyam (the strength of consciousness), svarasoditā parāvāk (the supreme word), svātantryam (perfect independence), paramātmano mukhyam aiśvaryaṁ (the predominant glory of supreme Śiva), kartṛtvam (the power of acting), sphurattā (the power of existing), sāra (the complete essence of everything), hṛdayam (the universal heart) and spanda (universal movement).”

By understanding Svātantrya and all its various aspects, we gain a holistic understanding of its Glory and Effulgence. We also find ways to recognize its reflection in each and every movement of our life and through its recognition we gain entry into the state of Śiva."

Jayadev

[adikkachannels]

The Eternal Cycle: Understanding Reincarnation in Sanatana Dharma

Unveiling the Eternal Journey: Exploring Reincarnation in Sanatana Dharma. Discover the profound concept of samsara, karma, and the soul's quest for spiritual liberation. 🌟🕉️ #ReincarnationInHinduism #EternalJourney #KarmaAndDharma #reincarnation

Introduction: Reincarnation, often referred to as “samsara,” is a fundamental concept within Sanatana Dharma, also known as Hinduism. It signifies the belief that the soul is eternal and undergoes a continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. In this article, we delve deep into the profound understanding of reincarnation, its spiritual significance, and its influences on various aspects of…

[omegaphilosophia]

The Philosophy of Advaita Vedanta

Advaita Vedanta is a non-dualistic school of Hindu philosophy that teaches that the ultimate reality, Brahman, is singular and that the individual self, Atman, is not separate from this ultimate reality. "Advaita" literally means "not two," indicating the core idea that Atman and Brahman are one and the same, and that any perception of duality (between self and world, subject and object) is an illusion.

Key Principles of Advaita Vedanta

Non-Duality (Advaita):

The central tenet of Advaita Vedanta is that there is only one ultimate reality, Brahman, which is infinite, formless, and beyond all distinctions. The apparent multiplicity of the world and separate selves (Atman) is considered Maya (illusion).

Atman (the individual self) is identical to Brahman. The idea that we are separate individuals with independent identities is an illusion caused by ignorance (Avidya).

Brahman:

Brahman is the universal, unchanging, infinite reality that underlies all existence. It is beyond time, space, and causality, and is the only true essence of everything.

Brahman is often described as Nirguna Brahman (Brahman without attributes), meaning it is formless, indescribable, and transcendent, but it can also be understood as Saguna Brahman (Brahman with attributes) when conceptualized as a personal God with qualities for devotional purposes.

Atman:

Atman refers to the inner self or soul, which is eternal and identical with Brahman. In Advaita Vedanta, realizing that one's true self (Atman) is Brahman is the goal of spiritual practice.

The ignorance (Avidya) of this fundamental identity between Atman and Brahman is what causes Samsara (the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth) and suffering.

Maya (Illusion):

The world of appearance, multiplicity, and individuality is called Maya. Maya is responsible for creating the illusion of separation and duality.

While the world appears real on a practical level (Vyavaharika), it is ultimately unreal on the absolute level (Paramarthika). Realizing the nature of Maya helps one see beyond the illusion to the true oneness of reality.

Avidya (Ignorance):

Avidya is the root cause of the human experience of duality and separation. It is the ignorance of the true nature of the self, leading to the mistaken belief in the individuality of the self (ego) and the reality of the material world.

Liberation, or Moksha, is attained through the removal of Avidya and the realization of one’s identity with Brahman.

Jnana Yoga (Path of Knowledge):

The primary method to attain liberation in Advaita Vedanta is Jnana Yoga, or the path of knowledge. This involves deep philosophical inquiry and meditation on the nature of the self, using teachings like "Tat Tvam Asi" ("You are That"), which emphasizes the unity of Atman and Brahman.

The study of Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and other scriptural texts is central to the pursuit of Jnana.

Liberation (Moksha):

Moksha is the realization of the oneness of Atman and Brahman, which frees one from the cycle of Samsara. It is the ultimate goal of human existence in Advaita Vedanta.

This liberation is not about going somewhere else or achieving something new, but about realizing what has always been true: that one's true nature is already infinite, eternal, and beyond duality.

Guru and Shravana, Manana, Nididhyasana:

A guru (spiritual teacher) plays a crucial role in guiding a disciple toward the realization of non-duality.

The traditional method of learning in Advaita Vedanta includes:

Shravana: Listening to the teachings of the scriptures.

Manana: Reflecting upon those teachings.

Nididhyasana: Deep meditation on the truth of the teachings, leading to the experiential realization of non-duality.

Advaita Vedanta and Other Philosophical Systems

Dvaita (Dualism): In contrast to Advaita's non-dualism, Dvaita Vedanta holds that the individual self (Atman) and the supreme being (Brahman) are eternally distinct. Dualistic schools argue for a personal relationship with God and a clear distinction between creator and creation.

Visishtadvaita (Qualified Non-Dualism): This school also sees unity in the universe but believes that individual souls and the material world are real parts of Brahman, distinct yet inseparably connected.

Buddhism: Although there are some similarities between Advaita Vedanta and Mahayana Buddhism (e.g., the idea of emptiness and the illusion of separateness), Buddhism rejects the concept of an eternal, unchanging self (Atman), which Advaita Vedanta upholds.

Advaita Vedanta is a profound philosophical system that focuses on realizing the ultimate oneness of all reality, transcending the illusion of duality. Through spiritual knowledge, self-inquiry, and meditation, one can awaken to the truth that the individual self (Atman) and the universal consciousness (Brahman) are not separate, leading to liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

[rascosmicwisdom]

In Vedic astrology, Ketu is considered a shadow planet and is often referred to as the South Node of the Moon. It is an imaginary point in the sky that represents the point of intersection of the Moon's orbital path with the ecliptic, the apparent path of the Sun throughout the year.

Ketu is associated with spiritual growth, liberation, detachment, and past life influences. It represents our karmic patterns, lessons, and experiences from past lives that shape our present life journey. Here are some key aspects of Ketu in Vedic astrology:

1. Spiritual growth and enlightenment: Ketu's energy is deeply spiritual and encourages detachment from materialistic pursuits. It represents the longing for spiritual liberation and the desire to transcend worldly attachments.

2. Intuition and psychic abilities: Ketu is associated with heightened intuition, psychic abilities, and access to deeper realms of consciousness. Its influence can awaken intuitive insights, psychic experiences, and spiritual wisdom.

3. Mysticism and esoteric knowledge: Ketu is linked to the esoteric and mystical realms. It encourages exploration of ancient wisdom, occult sciences, and practices that delve into the hidden aspects of life.

4. Detachment and renunciation: Ketu's energy promotes detachment from worldly desires, attachments, and expectations. It encourages individuals to let go of materialistic pursuits and focus on inner growth and spiritual development.

5. Karmic influences and past life connections: Ketu represents our past life karmas, unresolved issues, and lessons that need to be learned in the present life. It can indicate karmic connections with people or situations, as well as past life talents or challenges that may manifest in the present life.

6. Moksha (liberation) and self-realization: Ketu's ultimate aim is to attain liberation (moksha) and self-realization. Its influence can help individuals move beyond the limitations of the material world and seek higher spiritual truths.

It's important to analyze Ketu's placement in different houses and signs of the birth chart, as well as its relationship with other planets, to understand its specific impact.

[sacred-awareness]

Redefining Abundance and Wealth In a Capitalistic Society

We've all felt it - that gnawing emptiness after buying something we thought would make us happy. The disappointment when we realize that consuming material items brings only fleeting gratification, never lasting joy. Another promotion leads only to further exploitation by employers. A bigger house leaves us feeling lonelier and more disconnected. A newer phone fails to fill the void that only genuine human connection can satisfy. Yet we keep chasing these hollow markers of success, trapped in an endless cycle of wanting more.

In our capitalist society, we're taught that abundance means accumulation: more money, more possessions, more status. But what if true abundance isn't about what we own at all? What if we've been chasing a mirage while the real oasis of fulfillment lies in a completely different direction?

Unlearning the Capitalist Definition of Success

From our earliest years, we're conditioned to equate our worth with our productivity. Success becomes a simple equation: work harder, earn more, buy more, repeat. We chase promotions, compare ourselves to carefully curated social media lives, and feel guilty when we're not "hustling." This endless pursuit leaves many of us exhausted, anxious, and disconnected from what truly matters.

The irony is that capitalism requires us to feel scarcity to function. It needs us to believe we're never enough, never have enough, never do enough. This manufactured scarcity keeps us consuming, competing, and clinging to our resources instead of sharing them freely.

The Myth of Failure in Capitalist Society

In a system built on competition, failure isn't just an outcome - it's a tool of control. We're taught to see failure as a personal deficiency rather than what it often is: a natural part of human experience or resistance to exploitation. The fear of failure keeps us obedient, makes us work longer hours, take out bigger loans, and accept less than we deserve.

But what if failure, as we know it, is just another capitalist construct? In nature, there is no failure - only cycles, changes, and adaptations. In many indigenous cultures, what we label as 'failure' might be seen as learning, growth, or simply taking a different path. When we free ourselves from this artificial binary of success versus failure, we can begin to see our lives as journeys of experience rather than competitions to be won or lost.

Wisdom from Spiritual Traditions

Throughout history, spiritual traditions have offered us completely different stories and ideas about abundance. It isn't looked at as an achievement of something more, but as a letting go of what doesn't belong to you - sharing your truth and traditions, honoring yourself and others in their authenticity. That's the real freedom: recognizing that you are just enough in your wholeness.

Buddhist teachings remind us that attachment to material things is the root of suffering, while true wealth comes from cultivating inner peace.

Indigenous wisdom shows us that abundance flows from our relationships - with each other, with the land, with our ancestors and descendants, with community and traditions.

Islamic teachings emphasize that true wealth multiplies when shared, not hoarded. The more we give, the more abundance flows through our lives. Hindu dharmic principles teach us that prosperity includes not just material comfort, but dharma (purpose), kama (pleasure), and moksha (liberation).

Redefining What Makes Us Rich

When we expand our vision of abundance beyond the material, we discover wealth in unexpected places:

In the depth of our relationships and the strength of our communities. In the meals we share, the stories we tell, the ways we hold each other through hard times.

In our connection to the natural world - the glory of a sunrise, the peace of a forest walk, the miracle of growing food from tiny seeds.

In our creativity and cultural heritage - the songs we sing, the art we make, the traditions we keep alive and transform.

In the wealth of time - to rest, to play, to simply be present with those we love without rushing to the next thing.

In our spiritual growth - the wisdom we gain through difficulty, the compassion we develop, the peace we find within.

Practical Steps Toward True Abundance

So how do we begin cultivating this deeper abundance? Here are some practices to explore:

Start each day by naming three forms of non-material wealth in your life. Maybe it's the bird song outside your window, a friend's kind message, or a moment of perfect quiet. There's no wrong answer.

Practice voluntary simplicity. What can you let go of to create more space for what truly matters? Sometimes abundance comes not from adding more, but from needing less.

Strengthen your community bonds. Share meals, tools, skills, and support. Experience the abundance that flows when we move from isolation to interdependence.

Create art, music, beauty, meaning - not for profit or praise, but for the simple joy of expression. These gifts grow richer when shared.

Make time for stillness. In quiet moments, we often discover we already have everything we need.

The Path Forward

In rejecting capitalist definitions of wealth and success, we aren't losing anything - we're gaining everything. We're reclaiming our time, our connections, our authenticity, and our humanity. True abundance isn't about having more, it's about realizing we already have enough, we already are enough, and in sharing that abundance, we all become richer.

The journey to redefining abundance begins with a simple question: What makes you feel truly wealthy? The answer might surprise you, and it probably won't be found in any store.

[youremyheaven]

Rahu & Ketu: The Mystery of Being

TW: abuse, rape, murder, abduction, childhood trauma, violence

The more I study Nodal energy, the more I realise how truly hard it is to remain within its influence, it escapes your grip or eludes you so easily and I think even Nodal natives feel this way, its really hard to have a stable/consistent self image or strong identity because with Rahu you are sooo many different things and your energy is dispersed completely (Rahu being the "head") and with Ketu, you're in the dark completely so you feel unable to identify with anything permanently i.e you outgrow things quickly (Ketu being the "body"). Both Rahu & Ketu are malefics and generally considered to be inauspicious but please don't be discouraged!!

The reason why they're considered inauspicious is because Rahu creates excessive immersion in the material realm as these natives are always looking out of themselves/seeking external things to centre themselves around. Since they're stuck in the head (literally) they're unable to be grounded or tethered. This causes overindulgence and gluttony. They might seem greedy on the outside but truly this is driven by their boundary-less nature where they literally do not know when to stop, nothing feels "enough" for them, they never feel "full". Since they're so vastly spacious internally, they can accommodate a lot, this makes them very tolerant and accepting of virtually every one and every kind of experience. But this internal spaciousness also means that they feel empty, just because its hard to "fill up" all that space and feel "fulfilled". This causes them to overexert themselves and go above & beyond. They do this just because they can. This is why they're such obsessive lovers. They have so much space, so much to hold, they need a great deal of stimulation just to feel normal. In social settings they may come across as very hyper, very loud, very extra, always doing the most, eager to please everyone (its similar but different to Jupiter energy). This over-attachment to the physical or sensorial realm means that its hard for them to transcend beyond it to attain true spiritual liberation. They can never fully let go because its very scary to be cut off that way. Its like floating in space, nothing to hold on to, no gravity, nothing to fall on, you can't stay still, its all very disorienting.

The reason Ketu is considered inauspicious is because it causes extreme detachment from everything. These natives don't have a strong sense of self, they feel themselves dissolve almost and they're always wandering in search of something to connect to. This complete lack of attachment to anything material or concrete means that these natives lack grounding. In order to care about something you have to be firmly rooted in reality and Ketuvians struggle with this because they're never fully here. They may intellectually understand or support social causes but its a torso without a head, which means they dont have the energy to be committed to sustaining interest in anything. They're the type of people who go through a lot of different "phases". One can only transcend if one is connected to life in the first place, these natives aren't. It DOES make spiritual understanding easier and Ketu is considered one of the most spiritual planets but it is difficult to be rooted or grounded in this or be disciplined about it because like I said Ketu is detached. They inherently understand certain spiritual truths but its very rare (unless other positive placements are present) for these natives to fully immerse themselves in spiritual pursuits.

(table by me😎hehe)

Its very interesting to me that none of the Nodal naks have the purushartha ("motivation") of Moksha (liberation). All 6 naks are evenly split between Artha, Kama & Dharma.

This again points to how even though Nodal influence helps one grasp spiritual concepts better and naturally embody certain spiritual truths, these natives are not motivated by it.

But often what happens is that these natives are unable to enjoy or benefit from their successes. Their lives are full of ups and downs. The shadowy nature of the planets and the fact that the lack of physical existence of these planets creates a very "boundary less" energy that makes them susceptible to every kind of influence, good and bad.

Pierce Brosnan- Ardra Moon

Pierce Brosnan’s hardships pretty much started at the very beginning. Born into a poor family in rural Ireland, he was swiftly abandoned by his father, who he would only go on to meet once. His mother was forced to send him to live with his grandparents while she worked as a nurse in England, then his aunt and uncle, and then onto a boarding house. His mother visited twice a year until he could move to England at age 11, at which point he became the focus of school bullies.

In 1980, Brosnan married Cassandra Harris and adopted the 3 children of her late-husband, adding one more to the mix for good measure. But in 1991, Cassandra died in his arms after a 4 year battle with ovarian cancer, which would later go on to take the life of their 41 year old daughter Charlotte in 2013. By then, he had become estranged from his son Chris, who had a major drug problem resulting in fights, thefts, and 2 drunk-driving crashes in 2 years. The crashes may have been the straw that broke the camel’s back, as Brosnan had already narrowly avoided losing his son Sean at 13, after Sean’s cousin drunkenly drove off a 200-foot cliff. In 2015, the $18-million Malibu home he lived in caught fire and sustained $1 million in damages.

Kelsey Grammar, Shatabhisha Sun, Mars in Ashwini, Ketu in Ardra

Kelsey Grammer’s troubles started early in life, with his parents splitting up when he was just two years old. His mother’s parents took them in, and helped raise Kelsey until he was 12, when his grandfather died of cancer. The following year, his father was murdered by a home intruder who had started a fire, all in front of his new family.

Then in 1975, Grammer’s 18 year old sister Karen was abducted, raped, and murdered by four men who left her for dead. Sadly, Karen had enough strength to make it to a nearby house, where bloody handprints revealed she was attempting to ring the door. The house was empty. Kelsey identified his sister’s body one week later. 2 years later, both of his half-brothers died in a scuba diving accident.

Shockingly, Grammer has appeared at the parole hearings of the last remaining member of the gang who killed his sister. In 2014, he spoke directly to the killer at the hearing, stating “You could not have come to a better person in the world than me to advocate for someone who has made some bad choices. I accept your apology. I forgive you. However, I cannot give your release my endorsement. To give that a blessing would be a betrayal of my sister’s life.

Nicki Minaj- Mula Stellium (Mercury, Venus & Ketu)

Throughout her childhood, Minaj had to contend with her abusive, drug-addicted father, who would regularly beat her mother, punch holes in the walls, get arrested, and sell their possessions for drug money. At one point, he attempted to kill her mother by lighting the house on fire. Despite all this, the pair are still together, and Dad apparently isn’t too happy when she tells that story. To this, she says “It’s the price you pay when you abuse drugs and alcohol. Maybe one day your daughter will be famous and talk to every magazine about it, so think about that, dads out there who want to be crazy.” Nicki is currently married to a paedophile and convicted rapist so there's that as well.

Terrence Howard, Mula Moon, Ashwini Venus conjunct Saturn

Terrence Howard suffered physical abuse not only at the hands of his father, but his mother as well. When he was two, he witnessed his father stab a man to death, for which he was convicted of manslaughter. His mother raised him until his father was released, at which point they divorced, and he was sent to live with his grandparents. At age 16, Howard had himself legally emancipated, moved to New York, and lived off welfare while he tried to make it as an actor. While that was undoubtedly one of the hardest decisions he will ever make, it seems it was the right one.

Jennifer Hudson, Shatabhisha Moon

In 2008, Jennifer Hudson's mother, Darnell Donnerson (57) and her brother, Jason (29) were shot to death by her estranged brother-in-law, William Balfour. Hudson's nephew, Julian (7), was reported missing, but found three days later dead of multiple gunshot wounds.

Roy Orbison, Ashwini Sun, Jupiter in Mula & Ketu in Ardra

In 1966, Roy Orbison's wife, Claudette Frady, was killed when the couple were riding motorcycles. She was hit by a semi truck and killed instantly. Just two years later, Orbison's house burned down, killing two of his three sons. In 1973, his older brother, Grady, was killed in an auto accident while traveling to spend thanksgiving with Orbison.

Shania Twain, Magha Sun, Mars in Swati She was born into poverty with five siblings in rural Canada. Throughout her childhood, she endured and witnessed abuse to her mother from her stepfather, who lived with the family. Aside from the abuse, her family often didn't have money to have food for lunch or shoes for the winter. Even more tragic, her parents were killed in a car accident when she was 22 years old, and Twain began singing gigs to provide for her siblings. She told Oprah Winfrey in a sit-down interview, "Coming from where I came from, it was unimaginable to ever be wealthy. That was just too far out of my reach." She then went on to become one of the best selling female pop and country artists of all time.

Ashley Judd, Ashwini Sun & Mercury, Magha Jupiter & Ascendant

This actress comes from a famous family, with both her mother and half-sister being country music artists. Judd’s parents divorced when she was four, and she moved all around the southern United States while her mother sought success, attending over a dozen schools. Judd is the survivor of three sexual assaults, and one of these awful instances resulted in an unwanted pregnancy, which Judd terminated. The harmful treatment didn’t stop there. Judd alleges that she was also sexually harassed by Harvey Weinstein, whom she later sued.

Christina Aguilera, Mula Sun

Christina’s father Fausto worked for the US Army, meaning that the family moved around a lot, even going as far as Japan. On top of this lack of stability, her father emotionally and physically abused her. Her parents divorced when Aguilera was six, and she subsequently became estranged from her father. Aguilera used music to escape her turbulent home life, and her talent was obvious from a young age. This talent took her far, and she is now one of the highest-selling artists in the history of music.

Reza Pahlavi and his wife, Princess Soraya, Ardra Stellium (sun, mercury & venus)

Soraya was his favourite wife and supposedly his "true love", but since she was infertile and he had no sons from his other marriage, he had to divorce her to marry another woman, Farah Pahlavi, Ardra Moon, Magha Rising (who did end up giving him 2 sons out of 4 children). Soraya lived in Paris following their divorce and did fall in love again but she did not live a very happy life (her partner died in a plane crash). Farah Pahlavi's reign as Queen was cut short by the Iranian revolution following which both Reza & Farah were exiled from their own country, they lived in many places, Reza passed away 2 years into exile and Farah has since lived in obscurity in the United States. 2 out of her 4 children committed suicide and it is widely assumed that the family has gone broke.

Tragedy can happen to anyone and no nakshatra or planet will protect or prevent it but Rahu influence creates sudden gains and losses. What is quickly gained is also quickly lost. This is why Rahu is deeply connected to entertainment because not only is the entertainment industry entirely illusory, it also does not guarantee anything. You're a glorified freelancer basically. If you're not wise, you can lose everything in minutes. There is so much temptation all around you, you're surrounded by so many false promises and its very easy to lose yourself in all of it. We often see celebrities and idolize their easy lives but very very very few get to be stars their whole lives and live lives of convenience and comfort. For 90& of people its a very scary, tragic, difficult experience of immense highs and lows.

Nodal success feels dissatisfactory because Nodal people are unable to ground themselves in anything solid (unless other aspects that can do this are present) its very very easy for them to lose themselves in Maya or to be so completely detached that they do the necessary "maintenance" work that it takes to be a fully involved human being in anything.

Many say that the reason Farah Pahlavi's life was so tragic was because she took Princess Soraya's rightful place and Soraya's sadness had "cursed" Reza & Farah's marriage. that's stuff of urban myth but don't you think its interesting that a woman who wasn't of noble birth, rose to the ranks of Queen at the age of 21, lived a life of luxury very few can even conceive of and produced 2 male heirs!! which is all that the King wanted🙄🙄but ultimately none of it mattered? Reza having an "heir" made no difference because the Iranian Revolution overthrew the monarchy, they had to leave their palace, their luxuries, their maids and servants and every kind of comfort behind to live like nobodies in exile. They watched their treasury grow smaller and smaller year after year and obviously, no one was used to "working" so nobody got a job to take care of themselves or the others (I mean Farah and her 4 kids btw). They can never go back to their homeland or regain what was once lost. They're in a position that very few (other exiled royals) can relate to. They are socially and culturally isolated. All of these are Nodal themes.

Another Princess with nodal placements and a similarly tragic life is Princess Diana, Ardra Sun & Mercury with Moon conjunct Ketu

There are many royals who've lived more moderate lives or less tragic lives. Having it all and losing it all is a very Nodal theme.

It reminds me of SUGA's Interlude by Halsey (Swati stellium) where she sings:

I been trying all my life To separate the time In between the having it all And giving it up, yeah (Hey) I wonder what's in store If I don't love it anymore (Hey) Step between the having it all And giving it up, yeah (Hey)

Success is a very illusory experience for these natives. Its like trying to build sandcastles on the shore. I am by no means suggesting that Nodal people can't be successful, just that if they depend on "success" to give their life meaning, they're setting themselves up for failure. You ruin anything you singlehandedly obsess over, its important to know when to stop, when to withdraw.

These natives tend to go to extremes just to feel something

Zayn Malik- Shatabhisha Rising and Gigi Hadid- Ashwini Sun & Rising

idk anything about their sex life together but if we're to go by the songs then its 👀 giving bdsm

After that horrendous Revati video that Claire did years ago (and has deleted since I think) people associate BDSM, sexual deviancy and all around freakish behaviour with Revatis but you know who is actually crazy in bed? Nodal people

pornography impacts the brain much like an addictive drug by triggering ever-increasing amounts of dopamine. Over time, the brain builds up a tolerance to the excess dopamine and requires either more access or more extreme content (or sometimes both) to achieve that same level of perceived pleasure. In short, when viewing pornography, your brain gets less pleasure while wanting more, often causing desensitization and an escalation in behavior.

Kanye West, Venus & Mars in Ashwini

Kanye West's first encounter with sexual desire came during early childhood, fueling a dependency on sex that would set in during adulthood. “My dad had a Playboy left out at age 5 and it’s affected almost every choice I made for the rest of my life," West told Elle in 2019. "From age 5 till now, having to kick the habit and it just presents itself in the open like it's OK and I stand up and say, ‘No, it's not OK.’” The singer also credited his faith in God with helping him overcome his struggles. James Franco, Ashwini Sun

Actor James Franco developed an addiction to sex while he was recovering from an addiction to alcohol. On The Jess Cagle Podcast, he admitted to sleeping with students who were attending an acting school he previously ran. “It’s such a powerful drug,” he said. “I got hooked on it for 20 more years. The insidious part of that is that I stayed sober from alcohol all that time.” Since 2016, Franco has been in recovery from sex addiction and continues to work towards a healthy lifestyle.

Billie Eilish, Mula Stellium (Sun, mercury & ketu)

Billie Eilish went through her own struggles with pornography addiction after viewing her first pornographic video at only 11 years old. In an interview on The Howard Stern Show, the "Bad Guy" singer said she used to watch porn to feel like "one of the guys," but has since distanced herself from it entirely. "I think it really destroyed my brain and I feel incredibly devastated that I was exposed to so much porn,"

Charlie Sheen, Mula Moon

he is a pretty well known sex addict and sexual assaulter :/

Michael Douglas, Mula Moon

He's been candid about his struggles with alcohol and sex addiction. Michael even went so far as to say that his throat cancer was caused by performing oral sex on so many women.

Every good thing can be "bad" if its used as a coping mechanism and this includes sex.

Ketuvians are like black holes that absorb all the light, they have to suck everything in. They absorb easily but they don't feel rooted in anything beyond a short period of time. many say that Nodal natives have no moral compass or that they're thrill chasers or that they're not "good people" but honestly Nodal energies are just really hard to master. some people turn it into art, or work or something else where they can channel their obsessive energies fully without holding back. compartmentalizing things is hard for these natives so its important to have areas where you can go all out whilst exercising some modicum of boundary or balance in others.

Maladaptive daydreaming is another big struggle for Nodal people. they're also prone to nihilism and cynicism because they can't enjoy life in the same way as they need a lot of stimulation (they're desensitized to ordinary levels of stimulation of any kind). This means they struggle to find meaning in life. Apathy is their natural state of being. Its just hard to care because in order to care you have to be firmly rooted which Nodal people are not.

This is a quote by Werner Herzog, Ardra Moon who is a filmmaker known for his nihilism and scepticism.

Dos Passos did not have any major placements in any Nodal naks save for his Mars in Mula and Rahu in Shatabhisha but I thought his quote by him really explained things

The real danger of Nodal influence is the indifference and apathy that its natives experience. But Nodal influence is such that you have no place in reality, you exist in the shadows, you live behind the curtain, when your whole life is one long tunnel its hard to "care" or be immersed enough to fully take in their feelings. Nodal natives experience emotional impermanence which means that if you do not actively see proof of or feel a particular emotion, you believe it does not exist. they have to consistently see "proof" of your love for them to believe you. they seldom believe that the feelings others have for them are "real". they think they are the only constant in their life.

its hard for these natives to be passive and consume something without interacting with it. Moon dominants thrive in passivity whereas Rahuvians need to become one with that thing to truly experience it. Ketu also craves this sort of complete union but its different since Ketu pulls you into themselves whereas Rahu wants to pull themselves into you.

Nodal influence creates natives with a very nebulous self-perception and identity. They do not know who they are, they are a mystery even to themselves. Do you ever talk to a guy and think that he has no personality because its hard for him to list favourites or describe what he likes or dislikes etc? He probably has Ketuvian influence. Ketu people try on new aesthetics/personalities like its a makeover game, for a couple of months they'll have a hippie phase, now they're emo, later they're into retro glam or whatever. they like to try on different personas to see which one they like the best, i know this sounds kind of creepy?? but its truly because Ketu natives lack identity and rely on external things to give them a sense of self. This is why they're very uninvolved in the lives of others. They cannot give themselves too much because they dont know enough about themselves to "give" to others.

In vedic mythology, at the beginning of time when the devas and asuras churned the ocean of milk to extract from it the amrita (the elixir of immortality) Mohini, the female avatar of Vishnu, started distributing amrita to the devas. However, one of the asuras, Svarbhanu, sat in the row of devas and drank the amrita. Surya and Chandra noticed him and they informed Mohini; however, by that time, Svarbhanu had already become immortal. Vishnu, as Mohini, cut off Svarbhanu's head with his discus. Svarbhanu, henceforth referred to as Rahu and Ketu, could not die, but his head was separated from his body; his head came to be known as Rahu, while his body came to be known as Ketu. 

Pertaining to this origin story, I have noticed how people with Nodal influence seldom benefit from "nourishing energy". This could mean they were neglected as children, lacked a good family environment, were abused or taken advantage of by others in their life (all of this is also subject to other placements in ones chart). Svarbhanu was a demon who temporarily became immortal because of a mistake. Like I mentioned with fame and success before, these natives struggle to "maintain" what they achieve, especially because their early lives were marked with deprivation of some sort. This could also mean absent parent figures. But there is a sense of "you shouldn't have been where you were".

Rahu energy manifests often as a very manic hyperactive energy

Ranveer Singh is the best example I could think of. He is known in the media for being an eccentric, hyperactive, loud cokehead lmao

He has Ardra Sun, Shatabhisha Moon

Ketu energy is more detached, more reserved, still weird and chaotic but overall less "hyper"

This interview with Lady Gaga is a good example, usually the people being interviewed are walking or moving around and trying to pretend its not scripted but she just sat there for the whole thing lol

Gaga has both Rahu & Ketu influence

She has Rahu in Ashwini in 1h as well as Swati Moon conjunct Ketu

i know i said last time ill make a post about the positive manifestations of nodal influence but its gonna have to wait a little longer 😬😬these are just some things i observed and i thought i should share them. hope this was informative.