*Vedic Astrology, or Jyotish, is one of the oldest sciences on the planet and considered a relative of astronomy. It is an important and valuable part of the ancient Vedic texts. This complex, logic-based and also intuitive science, has survived thousands of years in India’s Vedic tradition and is still considered a highly valuable tool of guidance and life insight. It is not a religion, but rather a philosophical understanding of human and cosmic existence. In Sanskrit, Jyoti means light. Essentially, the study of jyotish is the study of light and how we interact with the cosmic light—within us and within the cosmos. Vedic astrology, or the sidereal approach to astrology, casts charts differently than Western, or Tropical astrology. The meanings, implications and purpose of jyotish is therefor different, as are the details used for prediction and the indications given below.

The Sun, or Surya in Sanskrit, is responsible for giving light and energy so that all things can grow and prosper.

Too much light, however, and the Sun burns and scorches. He reminds us that too much of a good thing can also be harmful. Sun represents resources and the things we need to survive. As the Sun brings light, it shows us truth, satya, while offering clarity, focus and removal of darkness.

In Jyotish, the Sun represents father and masculine energy. His attributes are like the king and he shares rank and position, power and authority, as well as respect and ruler-ship. The Sun will give us our dharma, the proper path to follow for our enlightenment. Traditionally, the father is supposed to help guide the child on their path of dharma. It is the father who is responsible for instilling self-esteem and ultimately gives the spark of life via his sperm.

The Sun is also responsible for illuminating the Moon, as well as the other planets.

The Moon directly reflects the Sun’s light and shares this filtered light—which is nourishing, supportive and doesn’t burn. In fact the glow of the Moon is said to offer soma, or divine, healing nectar.

Together, Sun and Moon represent God and Goddess, who together create life and our experience of reality. Sun represents the soul, our spiritual body, and will show us our relationship to spirituality in this life.

Essentially, the Sun is the light of the soul. It is the light within us that guides our lives. The soul is what insures there is life; if the soul is not happy, the body grows sick and dies.

Our sense of self (ahamkara) is also represented by the Sun. On this mundane, human level, the ego is also represented by the Sun. The ego is our shadowed self, the part of ourselves that identifies with the material, transitory, changing reality of life. Having a healthy relationship with the ego, the sense of self, is vital to being a well-rounded human being.

This must be a conscious practice—one that is invited into our human experience, while not negating the interplay of our spirit and ego. Deepening our relationship with the Sun and studying its expression in our jyotish chart can help us awaken to our karmas in this regard. There is a necessity to understand the dance between the spiritual and human dynamics at play within the Jyotish chart. I believe this is one of the unique gifts Jyotish provides.

The Sun is the most consistent planet and it sets the pace of time through rising and setting daily. As a result we experience days, seasons and bio-rhythms. In fact, life itself is structured around the Sun as a light source. He is the rhythm of nature and thus represented through the rhythm of music and dance.

Summer Solstice this year is June 21st, which marks the beginning of summer in the Northern hemisphere, as well as the longest day of light in the year.

“The summer solstice occurs when the tilt of a planet’s semi-axis, in either the northern or the southern hemisphere, is most inclined toward the star that it orbits. Earth’s maximum axial tilt toward the Sun is 23° 26′. This happens twice each year, at which times the Sun reaches its highest position in the sky as seen from the north or the south pole. The summer solstice occurs during a hemisphere’s summer. This is the northern solstice in the northern hemisphere and the southern solstice in the southern hemisphere.” ~ Wikipedia

Solstice this year falls on a Sunday which is also Father’s Day in the USA. It is a wonderful day to celebrate the Sun and the fathers in our lives, as well as all solar qualities. Moon will be transiting Leo (ruled by Sun) on this day, in the nakshatra of Magha, which is dedicated to our ancestors and typically the father’s lineage.

The Sun has just moved to Gemini and will continue through this airy, creative sign until July 17th. The hot, fiery combination of Mars and Sun are conjunct during this transit of the Sun. Gemini is a Mercury ruled sign, known for connection and communication and represents the merging of energies.

Represented by the number three, Gemini expresses the third energy that is created when two energies come together. Metaphorically, this connects to the energy of lovers joining, creating a “third energy” out of their unification. From an artistic perspective, Gemini can represent the artist and their medium, plus the arrival of a “third” energy—or the emerging transcendental experience.

The creative energy of Gemini is unstoppable, changeable and always moving. Sun in Gemini brings light to our communications, connections and creative energy. What are you seeing with this new light? How can you channel it more consciously?

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Do you want more astrological details about the Moon and the coming waxing cycle? Use my 2015 Moon Wisdom Calendar to track the powerful cosmic themes ahead. Part 2 of my calendar {July to December} is almost here!! Learn More.Need some extra guidance and clarity? Schedule a session with me.
 
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Author: Saraswati J.

Editor: Renée P.

Image: Pixabay