Astro-spirituality: 9 planets and 9 forces of nature

As we discussed in different posts on the five Ss to live a spiritual life, we have fixations of the rational mind, the emotional mind, and the unconscious mind. Further, we also have a specific nature that is called Swadharma. 

Astrology is a very good tool to understand the nature of our fixations. Astrology also helps us understand the time periods when a particular fixation will be stronger. In such periods, generally, our decisions are guided by these fixations. The astrological analysis is like a pre-battle analysis of the army of the enemy. We need to know our fixations well to be able to get rid of them. Astrology like a good minister warns us about our fixations.

The planets in Astrology may be arranged in the following matrix:

The causal plane is the plane of the unconscious. The energy plane planets are the planets of action. The mental plane is the plane of the rational and emotional mind. We need to understand the terms Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas to appreciate the arrangement.

1. Tamas: Tamas means the desire to continue with what we possess. We want to live in our homes, have our health intact, live with the same family members, stay in the same city, not want any disturbance at the workplace, and want our social status to remain as it is.
2. Rajas: Rajas means desire to achieve something. We want a better home, to have better health, to marry, to have kids, to shift to a better city, to have a better workplace, have more wealth, to have name, fame, and knowledge.
3. Satva: Satva is the desire to have harmony. We want to have harmony in our investments, our family, relationships, organization, and society. We want to set up systems to bring about this harmony.

Now, we can go through the 9 planets.

Ketu: It represents the "Chitta" that contains the past memories and therefore it is the storehouse of our likes and dislikes associated with these past memories. It is a Tamasik planet and during the Dashas of Ketu, generally, our decisions are driven by fixations with old memories. If somebody had a trauma or bad relationship, the old memories generally haunt during the period of Ketu. 

At a lower plane of consciousness, these old memories may be like the memories of Manthara about old boons to Kaikeyi. At a higher plane of consciousness, these old memories may be like the memories of Ahilya about Rama who got divine bliss with just a touch of Rama. 

Rahu: Rahu represents "Mana" which is the Rajasik mind. Rahu is the cause of emotional aggression. During the Dasha os Rahu, we become restless and aggressive to achieve the desired outcomes. Our fixations with the objects of desire drive our actions during the Dasha of Rahu. We may become mad after power or name of fame or any other desire during Rahu Dasha.

At a lower plane of consciousness, the mental aggression may be like that of Kaikeyi to send Rama to the forest. At a higher plane of consciousness, it may be like the bhakti of Kevata towards Rama. 

Mercury: Mercury represents "Buddhi" or intellect. It is a Saatvik planet. During the period of Mercury, our decisions are driven by our fixations with the rights and wrongs. These rights and wrongs are stored in the rational mind. 

At a lower plane of consciousness, this intelligence may operate with worldly rights and wrongs as it operated in Bhishma or Karna. At a higher level of consciousness, intelligence may operate with universal oneness like Krishna.

Venus: Venus represents "Tamsik" action. During the period of Venus, we focus more on actions in a stable domain. For example, Venus brings interest in fine art, music, sculpture, dance, music, organization, management, etc. 

At a lower level of consciousness, Venus may manifest in the form of addictions to gambling, etc. While at a higher level of consciousness, it gives the energy to be a good artist or a good governor like Bharata. 

Mars: Mars represents "Rajasik" action. It gives the energy to achieve different outcomes. It represents physical energy.

At a lower plane of consciousness, Mars may manifest in the form of physical aggression, fighting etc. At a higher plane of consciousness, it may give the energy to carry out the most complex tasks like Hanumana.

Jupiter: Jupiter is the energy of "Satva". It gives us the energy to work towards harmony. At a lower plane of consciousness, it makes us arrogant of our knowledge. At a higher plane of consciousness, it brings a quest for spiritual knowledge and awareness of the metaphysical world.

Saturn: Saturn is the Tamasik storehouse of our past Karmas, stored in the unconscious mind. These old Samskars give a subtle direction to our lives. 

At a lower plane of consciousness, these old Samskaras operate like Kumbhkarna fighting Rama, and at a higher plane of consciousness, they operate like Vibhishana helping Rama to kill Ravana.

Sun: Sun is the Rajasik unconscious mind. It gives us the cause of action to live life. At a lower plane of consciousness, it may operate like Meghnatha fighting Rama. At a higher plane of consciousness, it may operate like Sugriva to help Rama get Sita back. 

Moon: Moon is the Saatvik unconscious mind. It brings harmony. At a lower plane of consciousness, it may manifest like Ravana who brings wealth and material harmony to Lanka. At a higher plane of consciousness, it may manifest like Sita who brings spiritual harmony to Ayodhya.