Although there are a multitude of reasons someone might seek an astrology reading, it really boils down to just three basic impulses. These are known as the three gunas of Vedic philosophy; tamas, rajas and sattva, and every question you ask in a reading has its basis in one or more of these.
The word tamas is often translated as heavy, inert and decaying. What does this describe? Well, your body, primarily. In relation to the mind, it can express itself in lethargy and confusion. If you seek an astrology reading under this impulse, you are likely feeling uncomfortable or confused and would like it to end. Most people seek a reading based on this impulse, because nobody wants to be feel uncomfortable, of course. We want to know when it will end, and, in the meantime, we want to know how to deal with it until it passes. Having a timeline of when your discomfort will end is helpful, as is knowing some things you can do to relieve it.
The second reason you might seek an astrology reading is because of rajas, which is the impulse that is often translated as excitable, active and desirous. What does this describe? Your mind! If you are seeking a reading because of rajas, you are looking for something you haven’t been able to get yet. Even if you have, you may be trying to find out how you can hold onto it. You are ambitious and will likely ask a lot of questions in the reading. You want to know how to get what you want, as quickly as possible. In a state of rajas, you are less concerned about others and have your own agenda, although your agenda often includes others.
The third reason you might seek an astrology reading is because of sattva, which is often translated as harmonious, balanced and luminous. Why would you want to seek an astrology reading based on this natural, harmonious state of being? Well, you may seek a reading to confirm intuitions, to feel inspired, to improve your life or that of others in your family, community or around the world. A pure sattvic state is not possible in physical form, as you have a body and mind which come under the influence of tamas and rajas. Under the sattvic impulse, however, you are not solely concerned with these issues and can see how your life has purpose and its impact on the world around you.
There is nothing wrong with any of these states - from a more philosophical perspective, at any rate. Even in your most depressed and desperate state, the deepest of tamasic states, you are learning a valuable lesson. In the darkest of times, you can reach beyond to see your true nature and spiritual essence. A state of decay can facilitate it, many times. If you were in so much pain that nothing in your life was working out, the only way out in this case would be to seek spirituality, to seek comfort in what lies beyond the pain of your life experience. However, nobody wants to be in pain, so Jyotish (Vedic astrology) focuses a lot on remedial measures to help lift you out of a dark place, perhaps a state of confusion, while calming states of agitation, to eventually reach a more balanced state. Regardless of what state you are in, your witness self, the spiritual essence of who-you-really-are, is always present, watching.
These three impulses are pulsating in everything and everyone, in different ratios and at different times. Although a constantly changing phenomenon, the snapshot of the planetary configurations at your birth show your predominant impulse, which has a say in how you experience your life, during any cycle or period in your life. You may be a depressive person, but you can, at times, feel balanced, harmonious and light. You may be a well-adjusted person but may go through a period of confusion and depression at some point. The three impulses are present in every living cell and at every level of our being, representing the continual unfolding of life (rajas), sustenance (sattva) and decay (tamas). When we understand these impulses, we can see that everything has a beginning, middle and end, and can accept periods of endings, as much as we welcome new beginnings, while enjoying the restful experience of a balanced, harmonious state of being.
Rajas
Rajas represents a beginning. It is a quality that is agitated, turbulent and self-motivated. Life, in any form, must have a desire to be born to come into existence in the first instance. In a general sense, you increase this quality by being more goal oriented. It possesses an outward motion that is said to move out and to the sides, as if looking around for more options. These self-seeking actions can break down into inertia and disintegration (tamas), but they can also allow the inertia to be broken up, to move into a harmonious state of balance (sattva). It is a stage you must move through in order to achieve a state of peace if you are feeling down. For most of us, however, this disturbed quality can dominate. If you never allow the mind and body to settle, you stay in this state of agitation – usually exhausting yourself into a state of inertia. You may then confuse this inert state with one of being relaxed and at peace. From outward appearances, the state of inertia may look like a balanced state of being. This outward drive ultimately leads to a loss of energy where we can slip down into a more inert state. If you have ever over-exerted yourself, you will be familiar with this feeling.
This impulse is represented by, and expressed through, its principle of creation. This quality has a self-serving component. The planets Mercury and Venus reflect more of this impulse, so, if you are younger, you will probably seek a reading based on either of these, e.g. education and relationships, as these planets are naturally more active in a young person’s life. There are natural timelines for these planets (naisargika), although you can experience a Mercury or Venus ‘planetary cycle’ at any age, based on your unique birth chart. Mercury and Venus represent the elements of earth and water, both of which are more rooted in the world. If you are more influenced by this impulse, you desire more and seek pleasure (Venus) and interaction (Mercury) with others.
Sattva
Sattva represents sustenance. It is uplifting and promotes clarity. It is light in nature and has the quality of stability and virtue. It is the principle of intelligence and has an inward and upward motion, as you withdraw your attention from external sources for inspiration. It brings about the awakening and development of a higher intelligence. Being more influenced by this impulse means being concerned for the welfare of others, not just your own. If you are in this balanced state, you will seek people and things that keep you in balance – just as when you are out of balance, you seek things that keep you imbalanced. Rajas and tamas are part and parcel of existence, and while you are in this physical body you are always subject to, and influenced by, these impulses. However, when you are predominantly influenced by a sattvic impulse, you are not subjected to as much desire or pain that is responsible for all disease in the mind and body; the rajas and tamas impulses.
The Sun and the Moon are both sattvic, i.e. they are both luminous and harmonious in nature if they are strong and unobstructed in your horoscope. The Sun represents the universal spirit (Paramatman), while the Moon represents our experience of embodied spirit (Jivatman). Your sense of an individual self is usually experienced through the mind and emotions, as reflected in the Moon. However, there is a deeper level to this that you can access once the turbulence of the mind is settled into a more harmonious state. It is easier to get a glimpse of your true self and spiritual essence in this state, although your spiritual essence is available to you in any state. Jupiter reflects this harmonious nature, a sattvic impulse, if well placed in your horoscope, as it represents natural order and a sense of cohesion.
Tamas
Tamas represents an ending. This impulse of inertia is reflected in our physical form, which will one day decay and die. Anything that has a beginning must also come to an end. Although you can experience a state of balance and harmony between the influences of beginnings and endings, you still must accept being placed on the wheel of time and the inevitability of your trajectory. Saturn, as the ‘Lord of Time’, represents this impulse, as does Mars.
This dark, inactive impulse is downward in its motion, literally causing you to look downward. It represents the principle of materiality, your concern for your physical body in the form of food, sex and sleep, as well as the structures you build around you to keep you safe, as represented by Saturn. At times, you may need to protect yourself by fighting for what you have built, as represented by Mars. When you are angry or fearful (Mars and Saturn) you are not thinking of anyone else; you are concerned with your own safety. This impulse represents the very necessary role of self-protection but can also lead to thoughts and actions which create a sense of separation from others. This impulse represents the very necessary process of destruction and decay. An ending ultimately brings regeneration and a new beginning, just as sleep ends our day and prepares us for the next.
The nodes of the Moon, Rahu and Ketu, express this impulse along with Mars and Saturn. They are known as 'shadowy planets', as they eclipse the Sun and Moon. This obscuring of the light – your luminous nature – shows their dark quality. If you are more influenced by these impulses, you are ignorant of your true nature and your individual connection (Moon) to spirit (Sun). This nature can be seen in these planets, and nodes of the Moon, either as an inherent quality or as a temporary influence, depending on current transits and ‘planetary periods’ of Saturn, Mars and the nodes.
Finding Balance
Not matter what cycle and impulse you find yourself experiencing more of, you can find more balance through activities which offer a counterbalance. If you are overactive, i.e. rajasic, more stillness can be introduced in order to correct the agitation, while still expressing your desires within reason. If you are more inert, i.e. tamasic, more activity can balance the stagnation. If you are feeling stuck, confused, sick and tired, you cannot become more balanced without moving through a stage of agitation, balanced with some rest, to eventually correct the imbalance. You would not expect to get out of bed in the morning feeling inert and then expect to experience any sense of balance with a heavy feeling which is natural to feel at this time of day. You would have to move your body and wake yourself up initially. The physical body is a more inert form which needs to be moved a certain amount in order to achieve balance. The mind and emotions are more active in nature and need a certain amount of stillness in order to achieve this balance. The experience of harmony is a balanced state of both activity and inertia.
Even within the most challenging Saturn cycle and deepest states of tamas, you can initiate activities which counteract the dullness; exercising more, eating fresh foods and getting more sunlight, while incorporating all the positive traits of Saturn into your life; such as hard work, consistent efforts, responsible actions, as well as some alone time and retreat.
Upon rising in the morning, you feel heavier at this time of day as you come out of a state of inertia. This inertia is a very necessary protective and ultimately rejuvenating period each night, a positive expression of tamas. If you allow it to dominate, however, it can lead to laziness and lethargy. Sometimes, more sleep is required in a Saturn cycle, as it is a time of endings which can take its toll, especially if you are using all your energy to hold onto things. There are many things you can do to feel better during this process. If you exercise, go for a walk, and get to work, this allows the energy to move and break up any stagnation during the clearing out phase. Once you have the energy moving again, there comes a time when you must gravitate to a sense of balance, and the resulting experience of peace and harmony. So, don’t overdo it in a Saturn cycle, as this will only create more rajas which will eventually fall back down into a state of tamas and inertia again.
One way to squeeze out as much sattva and balance out of your day is to take lots of mini breaks throughout the day. If you are doing a lot (rajas), then simply finish one thing, and then take a deliberate pause (tamas), or rest, before starting another. Sattva is a balanced state between rajas and tamas. And if you are in a deep state of tamas and not able to do anything, then start as slow as possible, maybe setting out something you can see that would motivate you to begin. An example would be setting your running shoes at the door which may encourage you to put them on at some point, even if that’s all you do for a while!
Eventually, you may feel inspired to leave the house and run. Incorporating these cues throughout the day, giving your life more structure, which tends to be lacking in a poorly placed Saturn cycle, or a disruptive Rahu cycle. It’s usually all or nothing with Rahu and often at the very last minute with panicked cramming. Rahu is like Saturn’s alter ego, flipping at your best laid plans on its head! It can be all or nothing. So, maybe do less than you think you need to in a Rahu cycle. Rahu’s influence would have you do everything, all at once, and then leave you exhausted unable to do anything, in a constant cycle of ups and downs. The remedy in this case is to have more order and coherence, slowly building up a habit from very little. Eventually, you can reach a state of harmony, a state that rests nicely between doing too little and too much.
OM TAT SAT
The word tamas is often translated as heavy, inert and decaying. What does this describe? Well, your body, primarily. In relation to the mind, it can express itself in lethargy and confusion. If you seek an astrology reading under this impulse, you are likely feeling uncomfortable or confused and would like it to end. Most people seek a reading based on this impulse, because nobody wants to be feel uncomfortable, of course. We want to know when it will end, and, in the meantime, we want to know how to deal with it until it passes. Having a timeline of when your discomfort will end is helpful, as is knowing some things you can do to relieve it.
The second reason you might seek an astrology reading is because of rajas, which is the impulse that is often translated as excitable, active and desirous. What does this describe? Your mind! If you are seeking a reading because of rajas, you are looking for something you haven’t been able to get yet. Even if you have, you may be trying to find out how you can hold onto it. You are ambitious and will likely ask a lot of questions in the reading. You want to know how to get what you want, as quickly as possible. In a state of rajas, you are less concerned about others and have your own agenda, although your agenda often includes others.
The third reason you might seek an astrology reading is because of sattva, which is often translated as harmonious, balanced and luminous. Why would you want to seek an astrology reading based on this natural, harmonious state of being? Well, you may seek a reading to confirm intuitions, to feel inspired, to improve your life or that of others in your family, community or around the world. A pure sattvic state is not possible in physical form, as you have a body and mind which come under the influence of tamas and rajas. Under the sattvic impulse, however, you are not solely concerned with these issues and can see how your life has purpose and its impact on the world around you.
There is nothing wrong with any of these states - from a more philosophical perspective, at any rate. Even in your most depressed and desperate state, the deepest of tamasic states, you are learning a valuable lesson. In the darkest of times, you can reach beyond to see your true nature and spiritual essence. A state of decay can facilitate it, many times. If you were in so much pain that nothing in your life was working out, the only way out in this case would be to seek spirituality, to seek comfort in what lies beyond the pain of your life experience. However, nobody wants to be in pain, so Jyotish (Vedic astrology) focuses a lot on remedial measures to help lift you out of a dark place, perhaps a state of confusion, while calming states of agitation, to eventually reach a more balanced state. Regardless of what state you are in, your witness self, the spiritual essence of who-you-really-are, is always present, watching.
These three impulses are pulsating in everything and everyone, in different ratios and at different times. Although a constantly changing phenomenon, the snapshot of the planetary configurations at your birth show your predominant impulse, which has a say in how you experience your life, during any cycle or period in your life. You may be a depressive person, but you can, at times, feel balanced, harmonious and light. You may be a well-adjusted person but may go through a period of confusion and depression at some point. The three impulses are present in every living cell and at every level of our being, representing the continual unfolding of life (rajas), sustenance (sattva) and decay (tamas). When we understand these impulses, we can see that everything has a beginning, middle and end, and can accept periods of endings, as much as we welcome new beginnings, while enjoying the restful experience of a balanced, harmonious state of being.
Rajas
Rajas represents a beginning. It is a quality that is agitated, turbulent and self-motivated. Life, in any form, must have a desire to be born to come into existence in the first instance. In a general sense, you increase this quality by being more goal oriented. It possesses an outward motion that is said to move out and to the sides, as if looking around for more options. These self-seeking actions can break down into inertia and disintegration (tamas), but they can also allow the inertia to be broken up, to move into a harmonious state of balance (sattva). It is a stage you must move through in order to achieve a state of peace if you are feeling down. For most of us, however, this disturbed quality can dominate. If you never allow the mind and body to settle, you stay in this state of agitation – usually exhausting yourself into a state of inertia. You may then confuse this inert state with one of being relaxed and at peace. From outward appearances, the state of inertia may look like a balanced state of being. This outward drive ultimately leads to a loss of energy where we can slip down into a more inert state. If you have ever over-exerted yourself, you will be familiar with this feeling.
This impulse is represented by, and expressed through, its principle of creation. This quality has a self-serving component. The planets Mercury and Venus reflect more of this impulse, so, if you are younger, you will probably seek a reading based on either of these, e.g. education and relationships, as these planets are naturally more active in a young person’s life. There are natural timelines for these planets (naisargika), although you can experience a Mercury or Venus ‘planetary cycle’ at any age, based on your unique birth chart. Mercury and Venus represent the elements of earth and water, both of which are more rooted in the world. If you are more influenced by this impulse, you desire more and seek pleasure (Venus) and interaction (Mercury) with others.
Sattva
Sattva represents sustenance. It is uplifting and promotes clarity. It is light in nature and has the quality of stability and virtue. It is the principle of intelligence and has an inward and upward motion, as you withdraw your attention from external sources for inspiration. It brings about the awakening and development of a higher intelligence. Being more influenced by this impulse means being concerned for the welfare of others, not just your own. If you are in this balanced state, you will seek people and things that keep you in balance – just as when you are out of balance, you seek things that keep you imbalanced. Rajas and tamas are part and parcel of existence, and while you are in this physical body you are always subject to, and influenced by, these impulses. However, when you are predominantly influenced by a sattvic impulse, you are not subjected to as much desire or pain that is responsible for all disease in the mind and body; the rajas and tamas impulses.
The Sun and the Moon are both sattvic, i.e. they are both luminous and harmonious in nature if they are strong and unobstructed in your horoscope. The Sun represents the universal spirit (Paramatman), while the Moon represents our experience of embodied spirit (Jivatman). Your sense of an individual self is usually experienced through the mind and emotions, as reflected in the Moon. However, there is a deeper level to this that you can access once the turbulence of the mind is settled into a more harmonious state. It is easier to get a glimpse of your true self and spiritual essence in this state, although your spiritual essence is available to you in any state. Jupiter reflects this harmonious nature, a sattvic impulse, if well placed in your horoscope, as it represents natural order and a sense of cohesion.
Tamas
Tamas represents an ending. This impulse of inertia is reflected in our physical form, which will one day decay and die. Anything that has a beginning must also come to an end. Although you can experience a state of balance and harmony between the influences of beginnings and endings, you still must accept being placed on the wheel of time and the inevitability of your trajectory. Saturn, as the ‘Lord of Time’, represents this impulse, as does Mars.
This dark, inactive impulse is downward in its motion, literally causing you to look downward. It represents the principle of materiality, your concern for your physical body in the form of food, sex and sleep, as well as the structures you build around you to keep you safe, as represented by Saturn. At times, you may need to protect yourself by fighting for what you have built, as represented by Mars. When you are angry or fearful (Mars and Saturn) you are not thinking of anyone else; you are concerned with your own safety. This impulse represents the very necessary role of self-protection but can also lead to thoughts and actions which create a sense of separation from others. This impulse represents the very necessary process of destruction and decay. An ending ultimately brings regeneration and a new beginning, just as sleep ends our day and prepares us for the next.
The nodes of the Moon, Rahu and Ketu, express this impulse along with Mars and Saturn. They are known as 'shadowy planets', as they eclipse the Sun and Moon. This obscuring of the light – your luminous nature – shows their dark quality. If you are more influenced by these impulses, you are ignorant of your true nature and your individual connection (Moon) to spirit (Sun). This nature can be seen in these planets, and nodes of the Moon, either as an inherent quality or as a temporary influence, depending on current transits and ‘planetary periods’ of Saturn, Mars and the nodes.
Finding Balance
Not matter what cycle and impulse you find yourself experiencing more of, you can find more balance through activities which offer a counterbalance. If you are overactive, i.e. rajasic, more stillness can be introduced in order to correct the agitation, while still expressing your desires within reason. If you are more inert, i.e. tamasic, more activity can balance the stagnation. If you are feeling stuck, confused, sick and tired, you cannot become more balanced without moving through a stage of agitation, balanced with some rest, to eventually correct the imbalance. You would not expect to get out of bed in the morning feeling inert and then expect to experience any sense of balance with a heavy feeling which is natural to feel at this time of day. You would have to move your body and wake yourself up initially. The physical body is a more inert form which needs to be moved a certain amount in order to achieve balance. The mind and emotions are more active in nature and need a certain amount of stillness in order to achieve this balance. The experience of harmony is a balanced state of both activity and inertia.
Even within the most challenging Saturn cycle and deepest states of tamas, you can initiate activities which counteract the dullness; exercising more, eating fresh foods and getting more sunlight, while incorporating all the positive traits of Saturn into your life; such as hard work, consistent efforts, responsible actions, as well as some alone time and retreat.
Upon rising in the morning, you feel heavier at this time of day as you come out of a state of inertia. This inertia is a very necessary protective and ultimately rejuvenating period each night, a positive expression of tamas. If you allow it to dominate, however, it can lead to laziness and lethargy. Sometimes, more sleep is required in a Saturn cycle, as it is a time of endings which can take its toll, especially if you are using all your energy to hold onto things. There are many things you can do to feel better during this process. If you exercise, go for a walk, and get to work, this allows the energy to move and break up any stagnation during the clearing out phase. Once you have the energy moving again, there comes a time when you must gravitate to a sense of balance, and the resulting experience of peace and harmony. So, don’t overdo it in a Saturn cycle, as this will only create more rajas which will eventually fall back down into a state of tamas and inertia again.
One way to squeeze out as much sattva and balance out of your day is to take lots of mini breaks throughout the day. If you are doing a lot (rajas), then simply finish one thing, and then take a deliberate pause (tamas), or rest, before starting another. Sattva is a balanced state between rajas and tamas. And if you are in a deep state of tamas and not able to do anything, then start as slow as possible, maybe setting out something you can see that would motivate you to begin. An example would be setting your running shoes at the door which may encourage you to put them on at some point, even if that’s all you do for a while!
Eventually, you may feel inspired to leave the house and run. Incorporating these cues throughout the day, giving your life more structure, which tends to be lacking in a poorly placed Saturn cycle, or a disruptive Rahu cycle. It’s usually all or nothing with Rahu and often at the very last minute with panicked cramming. Rahu is like Saturn’s alter ego, flipping at your best laid plans on its head! It can be all or nothing. So, maybe do less than you think you need to in a Rahu cycle. Rahu’s influence would have you do everything, all at once, and then leave you exhausted unable to do anything, in a constant cycle of ups and downs. The remedy in this case is to have more order and coherence, slowly building up a habit from very little. Eventually, you can reach a state of harmony, a state that rests nicely between doing too little and too much.
OM TAT SAT
