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Parapsychology - Addey, John

Who Was John Addey(1920–1982)?

Theosophist and astrologer, born on June 15, 1920, in Barnsley, Yorkshire, England.

Addey received his master's degree from Cambridge's Saint John's College.

He grew interested in astrology while at Cambridge, and after WWII, he joined the Theosophical Society's Astrological Lodge, where he met C. E. O. Carter, with whom he had a long-term connection.

Carter founded the Faculty of Astrological Studies in 1948 to teach astrologers, and Addey was one of its first students, graduating in 1951.

However, after a few years, he began to distrust his art and its scientific foundations.

He shifted his concentration to scientific study, with a particular emphasis on longevity and persons with polio.

His discoveries prompted him to establish an astrological "wave" hypothesis.

He went on to develop harmonics, a method of astrology that emphasizes the integral divisions of the horoscope chart, by combining finished and continuing statistical investigations of astrological effects with Hindu astrology insights.

In harmonics, he saw a way to establish a unified theoretical foundation to the numerous various astrological systems that were sprouting in the postwar world.

Addey was instrumental in the foundation of the Astrological Society, a professional association of astrologers based mostly in the United Kingdom, in 1958.

The advancement of harmonic theory was his overarching goal, which he articulated in a series of books in the 1970s.

Harmonics was first well welcomed by Addey's astrological colleagues; but, when astrologers worked with Addey's ideas, they found them to be too abstract and lacking in understanding to aid in the crucial process of reading an astrological chart.

As a result, Addey's theoretical work was quickly forgotten, yet his empirical findings remain a key component of current astrology's effort to provide a scientific foundation for the practice.

Addey formed the Urania Trust in 1970 with the overly ambitious aim of reintegrating astrology into astrology, an ambition on which he has made practically little headway.

Addey was also the editor of the Astrological Journal for a while.

Addey passed away in 1982.

John Addey's book, Astrology Reborn, is a good place to start.

American Federation of Astrologers, Tempe, Ariz., 1972.

Harmonic Anthology, by ———. American Federation of Astrologers, Tempe, Ariz., 1976.

Harmonics in Astrology, by ———.L.N. Fowler, Romford, 1976.

Selected Writings, by ———. American Federation of Astrologers, Tempe, Ariz., 1976.

The Astrology Encyclopedia, by James L. Lewis. Gale Research, Detroit, 1994.

~Kiran Atma

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Hinduism - How Does The Zodiac In Hindu Astrology Compare With Western Astrology?

The signs of the zodiac in Indian astrology (jyotisha) are almost similar to those in Western astrology, and it is widely assumed that the Greek zodiac was carried to India through Greek kingdoms in modern Afghanistan in the first to third centuries.

The Indian zodiac uses Dhanus ("bow") instead of Sagittarius, Makara (a sea monster that is commonly mistaken for a crocodile) instead of Capricorn, and Kumbha ("[water] pot") instead of Aquarius.

Each of the twelve signs, like Western astrology, has its own set of qualities that those born under them are infused with.

Although both begin with the sign of Aries, the two systems vary significantly in how they calculate the yearly beginning point.

The Western astrological zodiac starts on the spring equinox, with the sign of Aries being the first sign.

According to Indian legend, the zodiac begins when the sun touches the midway of a group of stars known as Ashvini.

It is therefore based on the sun's position in relation to the fixed stars, while the Western zodiac is based on the sun's position in relation to the earth—that is, when it meets the equator—and hence is independent of the fixed stars.

These disparities have resulted in a discrepancy between the two systems, which is now more than three weeks apart—Aries begins on March 21 in the Western zodiac, but not until around April 14 in the Indian zodiac.

This inconsistency may also be found in the accounts of Makara Sankranti and Karka Sankranti, which are considered the winter and summer solstices yet fall in the second weeks of January and July, respectively.

Given the three-week time gap, it's not surprising that the astrological calculations between these two systems diverge significantly.

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Hinduism - What Is A Hindu Year In The Hindu Lunar Calendar?

Both the solar and lunar calendars are used to establish the Hindu ritual year.

There are two indigenous Hindu solar year estimates, both of which feature twelve solar months, in addition to the Gregorian calendar and the common era.

These months correlate to the twelve zodiac signs in northern India, and they vary as the sun goes through them.

The year starts when the sun enters Aries, as it does in the Western zodiac, albeit in Indian astrology, this shift occurs around April 14, rather than March 21, as it does in Euro-American astrology.

A similar solar calendar exists in southern India, with names derived from the names of certain nakshatras or lunar asterisms.

Apart from the solar months, the solar year is split into two parts depending on the sun's movement: the Uttarayana for when the sun is travelling north and the Dakshinayana for when the sun is going south.

On Makara Sankranti, January 14, the sun starts its northward trip, which is considered the more auspicious period; six months later, on Karka Sankranti, July 14, the sun begins its southbound journey, which is considered the less auspicious time.

The lunar calendar, which has twelve lunar months, is far more important for religious purposes:

Chaitra (March–April),
Baisakh (April–May),
Jyeshth (May–June),
Ashadh (June–July),
Shravan (July–August),
Bhadrapada (August–September),
Ashvin (September–October),
Kartik (October–November),
Margashirsha (November–December),
Paush (December–January),
Magh (January–February),

The calendar in northern India normally starts on the first day of the brilliant half of Chaitra, and ends on the first day of the dark half of the same month.

The festivals designated by this lunar calendar happen at various times each year in relation to the solar calendar since these lunar months are based on the phases of the moon (ending with the full moon in northern India and the new moon in southern India).

Because the twelve lunar months take around 354 solar days to complete, each lunar year starts eleven days sooner than the previous one.

This mismatch is remedied every 212 years by the insertion of an additional lunar month, known as the intercalary month, which brings the solar and lunar calendars into broad agreement.

The intercalary month is added to each lunar month during which the sun does not enter a new zodiac sign, allowing it to fall in any month of the year.

Although the solar calendar is less significant in daily life, it aids in maintaining the basic correlation between the lunar calendar and the periodic festivals linked with it.

The three primary seasons (hot, monsoon, and cool) have strong linkages with the festival calendar, at least in northern India.

The chilly season, from October and February, is the most ritually busy period; in many locations, this is also the time after the harvest, when many people have more time and money to devote to religious observances.

Many ceremonies are related with heat in the hot season, but the rainy season, as a period of hazard, is often associated with rites of protection.

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Hinduism - What Is Vyakarana Or Vyaka Vedangas?

Vyaka (“analysis”) Vedangas is one of the six Vedangas.

The Vedangas were auxiliary fields of knowledge related with the Vedas, the earliest Hindu sacred books, and all of the Vedangas were linked to the Vedas' usage.

Vyakarana is, at its core, the study of Sanskrit grammar, which was plainly necessary for reading the Vedic writings.

Grammar is the queen of the ancient learned disciplines, and it is what is understood by the word vidya ("knowledge") in many situations, thanks to Vyakarana's status as the gatekeeper of the Sanskrit language.

Other Vedangas include shiksha (proper pronunciation), chandas (Sanskrit prosody), kalpa (ritual instructions), nirukta (etymology), and jyotisha (astrology).

~ Kiran Atma

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Hinduism - What Are The Attributes Of Venus Or Shukra Hindu Astrology?

Venus Or Shukra is a planet connected with love and pleasure in Hindu astrology (jyotisha).

It is regarded as a powerful planet with obvious beneficent tendencies, yet, like with all other planets, its abilities change depending on the circumstances.

Friday is presided over by Venus, whose good qualities make it a lucky day.

~Kiran Atma

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Hinduism - What Is The Significance Of Thursday In Hinduism?

(Brhaspativar) Jupiter is the ruling planet of the fifth day of the week (Brhaspati).

Because the sage Brhaspati is the religious preceptor (guru) of the gods in Hindu mythology, another common name for Thursday is Guruvar.

Jupiter is an extremely powerful planet in Hindu astrology (jyotisha), and because one's spiritual preceptor is often likened to a god in religious life, this makes Thursday a ritually important and powerful day.

On this day, one's religious preceptor is one of the "deities" to be honored and served.

On this day, the goddess Lakshmi, who is mostly venerated by women, is also honored.

Lakshmi is the goddess Vishnu's wife and the personification of riches, happiness, and good fortune, which she carries with her everywhere she goes and takes away when she departs.

Married women worship her as the human equivalent of Lakshmi in order to achieve these things or to keep them if they already have them.

Because it is commonly known that good fortune is fleeting and may change at any time, Lakshmi is also seen as a capricious and fickle celestial presence.

Changing jewelry on that day is one of the taboos for women, at least in areas of northern India, since it is supposed to agitate Lakshmi and heighten the risk of her departing due to her annoyance.

A tiger or lion is the animal vehicle of the Goddess's strong incarnations, such as Durga, in Hindu mythology.

The fact that the Hindi term sher may refer to any animal is reflected in modern iconography, which depicts both lions and tigers with no discernible differences.

In any instance, the Goddess riding such a hazardous animal is definitely a representation of her strength and capability, since these creatures are often represented as her friends in her mythology, fighting on her behalf in answer to her commands.

~Kiran Atma

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Hinduism - What Is Sunday Called In Sanskrit? How Are Sundays Perceived In Hindu Astrology Or Jyotisha?

(Ravivar) The first day of the Hindu week, with the sun as its ruling planet (and god) (ravi).

Sunday is considered generally auspicious but not exceptionally strong as a day, owing to the fact that although the sun is recognized as a god, it is not usually worshiped as a principal deity.

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Hinduism - What Are The Attributes Of The Sun In Hindu Astrology Or Jyotisha?

A planet linked with strength and vigor in Hindu astrology (jyotisha), however it may also be evil, probably representing the unrelenting destructive force of the Indian sun.

The sun's energy makes it a powerful planet, and the sun's location in the zodiac, as in Western astrology, plays an important part in determining a person's natal horoscope (janampatrika).

Sunday is ruled by the sun, a day of the week that isn't particularly auspicious or inauspicious.

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Shesha

Shesha (“remnant”) Shesha is a mythical thousand-headed ed snake on which the deity Vishnu sits as if on a sofa; it is also said to sustain the many areas of the earth, particularly the underworlds.

His name originates from the fact that he is said to be a partial incarnation of Vishnu, and hence is tied to Vishnu both as an incarnation and as Vishnu's cushion.

Shesha, like other of the gods' animal companions, does not have a significant function in his own right.

Shesha acts as the churning-rope to spin Mount Mandara, with all the gods pulling from one side and the demons pulling from the other, in the epic narrative of churning the Ocean of Milk, in which he plays an essential role.

Yet, once again, he is only instrumental, required for the plot to develop but with his major emphasis elsewhere.

Shesha is said to play a protective function.

He is the protective god for the fifth day of each half of the lunar month in Hindu astrology (jyotisha).

Saturn

A powerfully hostile planet connected with blockage and death in Hindu astrology (jyotisha).

Saturn's might and malicious temperament make him highly hazardous, especially because whatever misery he delivers will linger fourteen years—a number derived from Saturn's orbital period of fourteen years.

During the week, Saturn rules Saturday, which is often regarded as the least auspicious day of the week.

On this day, individuals abstain from a variety of activities and practice rituals of protection, such as donating alms (dana) to ward off any possible catastrophe.

Sainhikeya

Sainhikeya is a Hindu demon that appears in the narrative of the Ocean of Milk being churned.

The gods deceive the demons out of their part of the nectar of immortality (amrta) when the gods and demons join forces to churn the Ocean of Milk and get it.

As the gods divide the nectar among themselves, the demon Sainhikeya sneaks between the cracks and is offered some by mistake.

The Sun and Moon warn the deity Vishnu to the demon's presence as he consumes it, and Vishnu slices off the demon's head with his dis cus.

Despite the fact that the head and body are separated, both become eternal when they come into touch with the nectar.

In Indian astrology, the head becomes Rahu and the body becomes Ketu, both of which are hostile planets (jyotisha).

Rahu, according to legend, is also the source of eclipses: he roams the sky, pursuing the Sun and Moon and attempting to retaliate by swallowing them, but the two planets always pass through his severed neck uninjured.

Hinduism - Who Is Rahu In The Hindu Pantheon, Astrology, And Mythology?

In Hindu astrology (jyotisha), a wicked "planet" that has no analogue in Western astrology and was formerly the head of a demon.

According to legend, when the gods are drinking the nectar of immortality that they had churned from the ocean of milk, the demon Sainhikeya disguises himself and enters their midst.

The sun and moon alert Vishnu, who uses his discus to chop off the demon's head as the monster starts to drink.

However, after coming into touch with the nectar, Sainhikeya's two parts become eternal.

Rahu is born from the severed head, while Ketu is born from the beheaded body.

Rahu is the ascending node of the moon, rather than an actual planet.

This is the point in the sky when the moon's northward route crosses with the sun's path, resulting in an eclipse.

Rahu has a special dislike for the sun and moon, whom he blames for his death, and wants to devour them anytime he sees them in the sky.

He always succeeds, but they escape unhurt through Rahu's severed neck since he no longer has a body to digest them.

The traditional reason for solar and lunar eclipses is that they are associated with the wicked Rahu, which has led to eclipses being regarded as particularly unfavorable events.

Also see Tortoise avatar.

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Planets In Jyotisha

According to Indian astrology (jyotisha), there are nine planets that have an impact on humans: the five visible planets (Jupiter, Venus, Mercury, Saturn, and Mars), the Sun and Moon, and two planets not recognized by Western astrology, Rahu and Ketu.

Jupiter, Venus, and Mercury, on their own, are always beneficent.

The moon changes depending on its location in the lunar cycle, while the other planets are said to have malefic tendencies, with the exception of Rahu and Ketu, who are always malevolent.

The planets Rahu and Ketu travel across the zodiac, whereas the others stay put.

Each planet is linked to a complex web of links that includes bodily parts, familial affiliations, and personal characteristics.

All of these planets' impact may be heightened or lessened depending on their placement in a person's natal horoscope or their relationship to other planets.

The astrological tradition also acknowledges the technique of pacification of planets, which involves enhancing their positive traits while weakening and containing their negative ones.

Wearing certain gemstones that are said to connect to these planets, or performing particular protection rituals, are two ways to do so.

The personified form of the kid Dhruva, who is a metaphor for dogged pursuit of a goal in Hindu mythology.

Dhruva is a king's son, but his father prefers Dhruva's half brother above him for some unexplained reason.

Disturbed by this insult, Dhruva vows to rise above all others and retreats to the wilderness to do austerities (tapas).

The deity Vishnu arrives and bestows a blessing to Dhruva after he has undergone several physical mortifications.

Vishnu tells Dhruva that after his death, he would be positioned as the Pole Star, the pivot around which all the other stars in the sky shall revolve.

Hinduism - What Is A Panchang?

An almanac in Indian astrology (jyotisha) that records the positions of numerous celestial bodies during a calendar year, including the days of the moon's monthly cycle, its movement through the nakshatras, and the positions of the planets.

Because most Hindu religious festivals follow the lunar calendar, a panchang is required to establish when they will occur.

A panchang is also useful for determining when it is favourable and bad to do specific tasks.

Marriage timings are chosen with great care to prevent any potential inauspiciousness that can influence the marriage, although in many circumstances, a panchang will be consulted before beginning any important activity.

~Kiran Atma

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Hinduism - What Is The Sacred Symbolism Associated With Owls In Hinduism?

The owl is Lakshmi's animal conveyance, according to Hindu mythology.

A person desiring "Lakshmi" (money and success) will be single-minded in their pursuit and unable to "see" anything else, such as deeper knowledge, much as an owl is said to have difficulty seeing in the sunlight.

In contemporary Hindi, calling someone a "owl" or referring to them as a "stupid" is a minor insult.

Planetary Conciliation The sun, moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn are the nine "planets" recognized by Indian astrology (jyotisha); the remaining two are Rahu and Ketu, which do not match to any Western astrological qualities.

Nature considers each of these planets to be either beneficial or detrimental.

Any planet's relative power is said to be determined by its location in the horoscope and in relation to the other planets.

All are seen as minor divinities rather than plain material things, and as a result, a potentially dangerous planet might be "pacified" via ceremonies designed to reduce its disruptive potential.

Wearing the gemstone that corresponds to the particular planet, in order for the stone to neutralize the planet's influence, is a typical method of pacification.

More unfavorable circumstances need more drastic procedures, which sometimes include ceremonies in which the planetary inauspiciousness is disseminated via presents (dana).

Gloria Goodwin Raheja's The Poison in the Gift, published in 1988, is a good place to start.

~Kiran Atma

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Hinduism - What Are The Indications Of The Moon In Jyotisha Or Hindu Astrology?

A planet connected with fecundity (fertility) in Hindu astrology (jyotisha), albeit its aspect may be either beneficent or malicious—benevolent with the waxing moon, and malevolent with the declining moon.

The full moon is regarded the most fortunate moment of the lunar month.

The new moon, on the other hand, is seen as a ritually uncertain and hence potentially deadly moment.

During the week, the moon rules over Monday, which is widely seen as a lucky day and one that Shiva honors as Somnath, the Lord of the Moon.

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Hinduism - What Are Benefic And Malefic Effects Of Planet Mercury In Hindu Astrology?

Based on its brief orbit around the sun, a planet connected with mental speed, memory, and education in Hindu astrology (jyotisha).

Despite these usually beneficial characteristics, Mercury is seen as a weak planet, readily swayed by other planets or its location in the natal horoscope toward kindness or malevolence (janampatrika).

Mercury's connection to the mind shows that the mind's abilities may be used for good or evil.

Mercury is supposed to dominate Wednesday throughout the week; this day is neither particularly auspicious or inauspicious, reflecting the planet's light abilities.

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Hinduism - What Are The Indications Of Mercury In Hindu Astrology And Alchemy?

Mercury is a planet in the zodiac.

In Indian alchemy, elemental mercury plays a crucial role.

The universe is seen in Hindu alchemy as a succession of bipolar opposites in conflict with one another.

The unification of these competing forces leads to spiritual advancement and the termination of reincarnation (samsara).

Hindu tantra, a hidden, ritual-based religious discipline, shares this paradigm of combining or transcending antagonistic energies.

Hatha yoga, which is centered on a sequence of physical exercises that are also said to alter the subtle body, has a similar idea.

The merger of the sun and the moon is the dominating metaphor for this clash of opposites.

The sun and the moon are linked to other opposing principles through a complex network of relationships.

Mercury is conceived as the semen of the god Shiva, and thus full of healing power, in accordance with this bipolar symbolism.

It's also associated with the moon (possibly due to its bright silvery hue), healing and restorative properties, and the nectar of immortality.

The goddess Shakti's uterine blood is associated with the element sulfur.

The aspirant's body is purified and refined when mercury and sulfur are mixed and consumed, eventually making it immortal.

Modern descriptions of this practice caution that it should only be done under the supervision of one's guru (spiritual teacher); otherwise, these combinations will be harmful, as mercury is a poison in and of itself.

Obscure Religious Cults, by Shashibhushan B. Dasgupta, was published in 1962, and The Alchemical Body, by David Gordon White, was published in 1996.

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Hinduism - What Are Marriage Prohibition In Hindu Marriages?

Marriage Prohibitions are a set of laws that prohibit people from marrying one other.

Hindus, like other cultures, have well-defined norms and regulations about who one should marry and who one should not marry—marriages should be endogamous, or between members of the same social grouping (in this case, the jati).

Within this broader group, it is widely recognized that the bride and groom should not be from the same gotra or pravara—mythic lineages describing old sage ties.

The marriage of people with whom one had a sapinda relationship—common ancestry—was also prohibited.

The Sapinda connection ends after the seventh generation on the father's side and the fifth generation on the mother's side, according to one well-known code of law, the Mitakshara.

A legitimate marriage may be formed between people who have shared ancestors outside those bounds.

This sapinda formula was often disregarded, especially in portions of southern India, where marrying one's maternal uncle's daughter was not only acceptable, but encouraged.

While some dharma books criticize the practice as an abomination, others point out that it is a tradition unique to the south, where it is only authorized as part of the family's usual practice (kulachara).

Cross cousin marriage has a long history in southern India, and it is still practiced today.

There is also opinion among southern Indian brahmins that their tiny population—roughly 4% of the total—made it hard to locate brahmin wives under the tight criteria.

This ritual was judged less significant due to the conflicting imperatives of marrying other brahmins and adhering to lineage constraints.

Mars is a planet connected with action, conflict, and misfortune in Hindu astrology (jyotisha).

Mars is seen as a powerful but evil planetary force as a result of these links.

The day of the week controlled by Mars, Tuesday, is considered an unlucky day, and people commonly undertake rituals of protection to shield themselves from Mars's negative influence.

From 1901 until 1931, Marshall, Sir John, was Director General of the Archeological Survey of India (ASI).

Marshall obtained his British knighthood for discovering and excavating the towns of the Indus Valley civilization during his stint as director.

He also continued the work of his ASI predecessors, especially Sir Alexander Cunningham, in recording and cataloging India's ancient treasures.

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Hinduism - What Is The Hindu Festival Of Makara Sankranti?

Makara Sankranti is the Hindu New Year.

A religious celebration that occurs on the day the sun enters the zodiac sign of Capricorn (sankranti) (makara).

This happens around December 20 according to Western astrology, but January 14 according to Indian astrology (jyotisha).

This is one of the rare times throughout the festival year when the solar calendar is used rather than the lunar calendar.

The sun is said to be starting its "northward trek" on Makara Sankranti (uttarayana).

This will last for six months, until Karka Sankranti, when the sun enters Cancer and starts its "southward journey" (dakshinayana).

Because the uttarayana is seen to be more fortunate than its counterpart, the day of its transition is considered especially auspicious.

Makara Sankranti is predominantly a bathing (snana) celebration, with large crowds flocking to rivers, particularly the Ganges, on that day.

The greatest bathing festival on the Ganges is held on Sagar Island (also known as Ganga Sagar) in West Bengal, where the Ganges empties into the sea in the Bay of Bengal.

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