Connecting the sky: Part 1-Breath and Astrology
Author: Christopher Chayban
Connecting the sky: Part 1-Breath and Astrology
When practicing Astrology, we often forget to connect the sky. We see a chart on a piece of paper and we read the chart and the person, as if Astrology, the chart and us are something separate. Sometimes we have to connect back to the source. So let’s do it!
In recent feedback with my readings, I noticed there was something missing still. I needed a better link to the Divine, as a way to connect Astrology better for my self as well as others. So I came across a book by Swami Muktibodhananda called Swara Yoga-The Tantric Science of Brain Breathing. I was pleasantly surprised to find that a book, originally thought to be about yoga (mainly Swara Yoga), provided me with some important and useful information on Vedic Astrology that I would like to share with you in a moment.
But first!
What is a Swara/Swara Yoga?
Swara yoga originates from a text called the Shiva Swarodaya, in which Shiva is in conversation with his wife Parvati about the analysis of breath and the cosmic life force. The actual definition of Swara means the “sound of your breath” but it also denotes a certain type energy that is charged (Masculine/Solar, Feminine/Lunar or Neutral Energy) and flowing at a particular time. This relates to the main meridians or channels in the body known as the cooling breath (ida), the heating breath (pingala) and the equal breath (sushumna) nadi.
We actually breath out of one nostril most of the day and it switches from right to left or left to right every 60-90 minutes. Part of yogic practices and doing pranayama (breath control) is to equalize the flow of breath and prana (life force).
This re-occuring principle and dynamic of attempting to unite the masculine and feminine energies within ourselves appears to ripple down from above and vibrates into our everyday lives. Yet, it is not something from above doing something to us down here (although it may sound like it). Instead, a particular flow consciousness streams through our being and a cosmic life force that dances through out all of life and creation, we continue our journey in route and in search of finding this mysterious being we call the “self.”
In Astrology we are familiar with the Masculine and Feminine energies. For example, the Sun is a Masculine planet, the Moon a Feminine planet. Virgo is a Feminine sign, Sagittarius a Masculine, etc..These delineations were not made from bias or opinion they were discerned objectively from comprehensive analysis of the observable sky.
In the Swara Chintamani it states that when the zodiac months of Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn and Pisces the Ida Swara dominates and in the months of Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius, Aquarius the Pingala Swara dominates.
Likewise, in the Vedic Panchanga, the swara and breath is directly related to the “Tithi’s” or Lunar Phases of the Moon.
So let’s Connect the Breath or Swara to the Tithi’s
Below I have listed the Tithi’s and the Swara active at Sunrise.
On the Shukla Paksha (Bright Half )or Waxing cycle (Increasing Light) of the Moon at Sunrise the Ida Nadi/Chandra Swara or Lunar Breath (Left Nostril) is active, the Pingala Nadi at Sunset.
1st Tithi-Pratipada
2nd Tithi-Dwitya
3rd Tithi-Tritiya
7th Tithi-Saptami
8th Tithi-Asthami
9th Tithi-Navami
13th Tithi-Trayodashi
14th Tithi-Chaturdashi
15th Tithi-Poornima (Full Moon)
On the Shukla Paksha (Bright Half) or Waxing cycle (Increasing Light) of the Moon at Sunrise the Pingala Nadi/Surya Swara or Solar Breath (Right Nostril) is active, the Ida Nadi at Sunset.
4th Tithi-Chaturthi
5th Tithi-Panchami
6th Tithi-Shashthi
10th Tithi-Dashami
11th Tithi-Ekadashi
12th Tithi-Dwadashi
On the Krishna Paksha (Dark Half )or Waning cycle (Decreasing Light) of the Moon at Sunrise the Ida Nadi/Chandra Swara or Lunar Breath (Left Nostril) is active, the Pingala Nadi at Sunset.
4th, 19th Tithi-Chaturthi
5th, 20th Tithi-Panchami
6th, 21st Tithi-Shashthi
10th, 25th Tithi-Dashami
11th, 26th Tithi-Ekadashi
12th, 27th Tithi-Dwadashi
On the Krishna Paksha (Dark Half )or Waning cycle (Decreasing Light) of the Moon at Sunrise the Pingala Nadi/Surya Swara or Solar Breath (Right Nostril) is active, the Pingala Nadi at Sunset.
1st, 16th Tithi-Pratipada
2nd, 17th Tithi-Dwitya
3rd, 18th Tithi-Tritiya
7th, 22nd Tithi-Saptami
8th, 23rd Tithi-Asthami
9th, 24th Tithi-Navami
13th, 28th Tithi-Trayodashi
14th, 29th Tithi-Chaturdashi
15th, 0th Tithi-Amavasya (New Moon)
Notice the Lunar Breath is Active on the Day of the Full Moon when the Moon is at it’s brightest and the Solar on the Day of the New Moon when the Moon is darkest and the Sun’s energy is dominating.
Try to re-connecting to the energies some time that are happening everyday and all around you. What nostril is active for you right now? Is it the left? Right? Both? We can get desensitized and detach from our source easily, especially since a lot of us these days spend most of our time inside and away from nature.
Take some time a notice your breath and remember that you too are connected to the sky and all of creation and that it’s as much a part of you as anything else.
About the Author
Christopher is a certified Vedic astrologer by the American Academy of Vedic Arts and Sciences (AAVAS)
BIO: Where are you on your Cosmic Journey? We are all on a path and where that path is going is often a Mystery. As a Level 1 Tutor and an aspiring Teacher at the American Academy of Vedic Art and Science, I hope to help shine some light into those dark corners. I like to take my Artistic Background and bring people a creative and holistic approach to the Healing Arts. Whether through Yoga, Ayurveda or Astrology, I would like to cater to your needs in hopes of helping you advance your understanding of this seemingly wacky universe. After taking the Level 1 course at the American Academy of Vedic Art and Science, Sam was able to elevate and transform me and my fellow students in an amazing way. In a clear and precise fashion, Sam’s teachings have inspired me to help and share with you this wonderful science known as Jyotish.
Namaste, Sat Nam
You can check Chris out at:
https://www.facebook.com/cchayban
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cosmo-Kinekt/591379564230512
http://www.3rdeyedesigns.biz/cosmokinekt/
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