1. Makara Rashi_extracted_pages

If Saturn is your Planet

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'I worship Saturn, dark blue in color, who is born before the God of death, the son of the Sun and shadow.'

• Veda Vyāsa

Dynamic: How we take responsibility, how we focus and discipline our lives

Key Words: Focus, Longevity, control, discipline, patience, endurance, philosophical disposition, temperament, education

Signs: Capricorn/ Aquarius

Color: Black or deep blue

Gender: Masculine

Cakra: Ājñā / Mūlādhāra

Temperament: Tamas (inertia)

Governing deity: Lord Brahma and Yama (the Lord of death)

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Saturn in Vedic Scriptures

On the insistence of मणति फूडा सवमं केंसी एरिा लंकेश्वरी तवा अन्याश्य कापा क Śiva, Pārvati य्रह कारिका अतददास पाही हना बडी संखिनो कमलाक्षो हारणे हनि। पमराक्षतती रेवती क भूक इसनों शों वाकत सा हेकज बॉल सैथ पन्ध पग्य घूष बििष दासकामी ।3 अमः यो अ्रण्ड महारोषशातर देवा गूर यमू fasted for a स्वाहा।। पहरक्षार्शनि अररै गना २ मम मर्व शिाम हम २ चतुर आादत year to धो हारती महा डेदी यक्षणी त्रियश निवारिणम ३ आाशय २ भमक र मिह रै यजसेनावति यछ चुत्र हत परिवारा भ माशय २ ताडय २े गोलक 2 जेष २े जोह कै साना शशय धरवरा सर्योनकार बा्तः दृष्टमन्धा मम किन विनाधशासा बय तक सद्ीपभश्य क आ: पुष्य चूप दीम गमा थे है है कर कर साहा । अभ्य कमि कोदेक propitiate Vișņu धन स्वन पताकादि सर्व परिपर्णम दण बाहि २ तोयच २ हारती म कामार्ब साधनी देहि वामर स्वाहा ।। हारती बलि सवछ so that he ॐ नमः भी हेवज़ाय माहाना

would grant her a son. Lord Visnu , after the completion of the sacrifice, announced that he would incarnate himself as her son in every eon. Accordingly, Visnu was born to Parvati as a charming infant.

This event was celebrated with great enthusiasm and all the gods were invited to take a look at the baby.

However Śani, Saturn, the son of Surya, hesitated to look at the baby since he was cursed with the gaze of destruction.

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Parvati insisted that he look at the baby, which Śani did.

Immediately the infant's head fell off and flew away. Seeing Siva and Pārvati grief stricken, Vișņu mounted on Garuda, his divine eagle, and rushed to the banks of the Pushpa-Bhadra River, from where he brought back the head of a young elephant.

The head of the elephant was joined with the headless body of Parvati's son, thus reviving him. The infant was named Ganesa and all the Gods blessed Ganeśa and wished Him power and prosperity. Tendencies of Saturn and Capricorn

'Saturn has an emaciated and long physique, tawny eyes, big teeth, and is vata in temperament. He is indolent, lame and has coarse hair.'

• Brhat Parāśara Hora Śāstra

Symbol: The goat

Element: Air Ruling Planet: Saturn/Śani

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Ayurvedic constitution: Vata

Healing stone: Amethyst

Saturn confers the urge to move from the gross material environment to a spiritual goal. Under its influence, the soul experiences its own greatness but meets endless outer and inner limitations, which produce sufferings as it strives to actualize its potential.

Capricorn symbolizes chastity and purity. Its natives are austere and disciplined, courageous and enduring, like the goat which climbs unstable mountain peaks. They try to find stability in either spiritual or mundane life. The qualities of self-sacrifice and renunciation are developed in them.

In terms of achievement, it can show the best as well as the lowest result in life. It can show a strong ego development or a complete surrender to the divine will. Hard working, persevering, tenacious, they can achieve great things once they welcome their limitations. They often reach their goal late in life.

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But they can be very narrow in their views, rigid, cut off from their emotions, hard hearted or too intellectual and caught in their senses.

In Capricorn, the individual has to understand his limitations to grow and move towards his destiny: Saturn is the cosmic agent which teaches awareness to its chosen ones, sometimes through harsh lessons. It is also affiliated to Kala Bhairava, the principle of time in the universe.

Capricorn Nakşatras: Uttarāșāda, Śravaņa and Dhanișța

Tendencies of a person born under Uttarasāda

Uttarașāda is also known as the 'Universal Star'. Its energy is very concerned with humanity at large and shows a powerful radiation. Introspective and penetrative, it is characterized by intensity.

Uttarașada can bring you to the summit of your skills, support and recognition, not so much through

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your own personal efforts but with the appropriate support of all the gods.

You can be working like a workaholic, with extreme persistence when motivated by a project, but can step back and not finish what you started.

A strongly placed moon in the natal chart of an Śravana-born can make you reticent to share your trust easily. You are a good mediator, maybe good consultant or advisor in many fields. You are usually respected, noble but of wavering mind.

This instability can lead you to practice mantra chanting, tantra and other rituals. Some may even be engaged in penance and tapas, in order to gain the knowledge of enlightenment.

Under this naksatra, all actions are clearly motivated by a growing spiritual urge. The person may be introspective and self-centered, as he perceives the universal consciousness in him and contemplate on it. Over time, the person acquires humbleness in life.

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You can be attracted to careers such as research, the military, the hunter, boxer or fighter for a cause, government jobs, and social work.

Tendencies of a person born under Śravaņa

Śravana is also called 'the Star of learning'. It is the birth star of Goddess Sarasvati who brings knowledge, music, and eloquence to humanity. This naksatra is also symbolized by an ear, reflects the ability to hear the cosmic sound, and gives a meditative disposition to the native. It represents transcendental knowledge, and particularly, the knowledge of the Vedas.

One of its great features is outer and inner silence.

Under Śravaņa, you may have an urge to be alone, silent. You surely have wisdom, and are able to direct people to their appropriate path in life. Therefore, a degree of wisdom is conferred here.

Whatever be the path of the individual, Śravana works on developing the quality of centeredness and

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alertness. It generates an emotional purification in life. Often, you are attracted to worship, and to others, because of your kind nature. You can be very hard working and persistent in your aim. You like to travel and study other cultures, and you have a lifelong interest in studies of all kinds.

But be aware not to be overly rigid or too conditioned by principles and values that cripple you at times. You have to overcome some seriousness. You can also be hurt by others' opinion about you, as you are sensitive to it. Sometimes, harsh experiences in early life led you to seek spiritual knowledge.

But first, you may work to be financially stable, and then carry on your search.

Your feeling of low self-esteem will disappear with time and patience; often, you progress slowly, but very steadily. You will do well in professions such as teaching, speech therapy, linguistics, astrology, scholarship, business, geology, research, and the travel industry.

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Health wise, you may suffer from aliments such as eczema, rheumatism, and diseases related to vata constitution.

Tendencies of a person born under Dhanista

Dhanista is known as 'the Star of Symphony'. Its symbol is a drum and a tablā (a small drum); both instruments symbolize richness and fullness of sound. In a sense, Dhanișta deepens the impulse of Śravaņa's influence to perceive the truth, and makes it more practical. Such a person will combine the balance of the meditator, and the energy of the warrior.

Many seers are born under this naksatra, and its extreme energy can bring difficulties into ordinary people's life. Dhanista's life force can lead to great spiritual attainment, as well as the opposite.

Born under Dhanista, your approach to life is very practical; you are of good behavior and kind hearted. You dislike expressing your disagreement with others

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'til the last moment. But once you are angry, you are determined to crush your opponent.

You have excellent insight; you are attentive and can perceive the truth behind names and forms. It can make you feel close to humanity at large and be of a compassionate nature. You are also adventurous, having a free spirit and you definitely have spiritual warrior's quality.

On the other hand, you may as well be overly turned towards the outer world. Your seeking for security makes you overwork to acquire things for better comfort. This attitude may lead you to too much ambition, greed, or jealousy of other's success. You can become rude or even revengeful and fail to value people around you.

Patience and perseverance should be maintained in all the trials of life.

Historians, musicians, poets, doctors and surgeons, property managers, engineers, miners, scientists, researchers, and charitably involved people can be found under this naksatra's energy.

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Energy Centers and Capricorn

Ājña Cakra : the Unfoldment of Awareness

There are seven major energy centers in our body, called cakras in Sanskrit. They are directly connected to our emotions and impact different aspects of our personality and the way we relate to ourselves, others, and to Existence.

Each planet resonates with a particular energy center in the body. The earthy energy of Saturn is connected to Ajña cakra, located between the two eyebrows. It gives endurance and will power to achieve things.

When it is blocked, one experiences rigidity. When you break free from the rigid mechanism of the mind and beliefs, you become fluid, flowing, like a river; then you are intelligent. When you move out of your rigid habits of all kinds and grow, then you have awakened Ajna's intelligence. It comes hand in hand

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with a growing awareness and an ability to learn and understand the lessons and teachings life gives.

Spontaneity is intelligence. When you know that life is a drama, you are intelligent; when you are aware and conscious of your inner silence, then you are intelligent.

When you are not stuck anywhere for a long time, you are intelligent. When you can feel your ego consciously, when you are ready to transform and better yourself, then you are awakening Ajna, and the great evolving power which comes with Saturn.

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Capricorn and Āyurveda: Understand your Constitution

Generally, the Ayurvedic dośa (body constitution) related to capricorn is vata.

Vata influences the movement of thoughts, feelings, nerve impulse, and fluids in the body.

Let's use this scale:

If you experience symptoms such as anxiety, worry, shyness, a tendency to insomnia, chronic tiredness, mental and emotional depression, physical tension, stress, a weak immune system, headaches, underweight, constipation, dryness of skin, mental confusion, inability to take decisions, fast speech, too many fantasies, then there is a good possibility you are suffering from vata imbalance.

If you have good mental alertness, abundant creative energy, a good elimination system of waste matters, sound sleep, strong immune system,

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enthusiasm, emotional balance and stability, then the vata principle is balanced in your body.

Here are some of the common characteristics of people who have a predominantly Vata body constitution:

O Quick to learn and grasp new knowledge

Slim body

O Talk and walk quickly

Cold hands and feet,

O Excitable, lively,

O Changeable moods

O Respond to stress with fear and worry and anxiety

O Variable appetite and digestion

O Tendency to be tired easily

O Full of enthusiasm and joy

O Impulsive

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O Generally good management and leadership ability

Dry skin, dry hair, don't perspire much

O Headache, hypertension, sore throat, anxiety, muscle spasm, irregular heartbeat, constipation, winds, diarrhea, arthritis, neurological disorder.

How to manage vata?

Factors that can balance vata are warm and soothing food with added oil and fat, as well as sweet tastes. Cold items should be avoided and caffeine should be stopped, as it strains vata's nervous system. Mental and emotional peace and lifestyle routines are important to restore and maintain balance. Vata can be corrected by using warm sesame oil for self-massage. If you can't massage the whole body, at least apply warm oil on the feet and scalp. Maintaining a regular routine in terms of eating, sleeping and other activities will also help you to unclutch the mind.

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Food items to balance vata:

Warm and cooked food with added oil and fat is good for pacifying vata.

Warm milk, cream, butter, vegetable soups, hot cereals, freshly baked bread, potatoes, cheese and nourishing food are good for stabilizing vata.

On the other hand, food such as salads, iced drinks and ice creams, raw vegetables and greens are not very good for persons with vata imbalance. One should avoid drinks with high caffeine as vata finds it disturbing. As a snack, it is better to prefer nuts that are heavy and oily, as opposed to dry and salty.

All sweet fruits are good for vata. One should avoid unripe fruit that are too astringent. Cinnamon, cardamom, cumin, ginger and cloves should be favored.

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Meditation for Capricorn: Balance your Vata!

Saturn natives can benefit from techniques that work on their body and strengthen their concentration and centeredness. Capricorn tends to live in his mind. Bringing his intellectual nature into his body boundaries and senses through physical practices (Hatha yoga) done slowly will be very beneficial.

Here is a meditation for you:

Step 1-Duration: 10 minutes - Sit in vajrāsana (kneel down and sit on your heels). Place your hands on your hips. By doing this, you are establishing a connection between the upper and lower parts of your body. Chant 'hoo' for as long as possible with each exhale. Begin again with each inhale, holding the chant as long as possible as you exhale.

Step 2-Duration: 21 minutes - Continue sitting in vajrasana. With the hands on the hips, bend down at the hip to touch the forehead to the ground. Continue to chant the 'hoo' sound in this position.

This meditation will make your whole body to vibrate, contributing to lowering your inner chatter.

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Nithya Yoga for You

When the dynamism is low in the person, martial arts can be practiced to enhance the person's strength through the concentration this sport develops. Otherwise, gentle yoga postures which work on Ājña cakra, as well as Sūrya Namaskār (the ancient Sun salutation), can be practiced by all natives!

Dhanurāsana

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Instructions:

To blissfully enjoy the benefits of any asanas, make sure your body is warmed up, the spine worked on and stretched out before entering the postures.

. Lie face down on the floor.

. Bend both of your knees behind you.

· Start with the right side. Take your right foot with your right hand from the outside.

. Then take your left foot with your left hand from the outside.

· Straighten both of your arms while continuing to hold onto the feet.

· Bring your Ājña center (forehead) down on the ground.

. Inhale, start to gently kick your feet back behind you while continuing to hold the feet from the outside. Let your shoulders roll back. Lift your heart and open your chest.

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. Exhale, slowly lower your thighs, chest and forehead back down the floor.

. Let go of your feet and relax the legs down. Rest your head on your hands and visualize this movement once. See your body lifting up with ease in this more challenging posture.

· Relax into a soft smile and open your eyes. Repeat this movement five more times.

Benefits:

Dhanurasana means the posture of a bow. It massages and invigorates the internal organs, especially the digestive organs. It strengthens the abdominal muscles. It expands the chest muscles and benefits people suffering from asthma and other respiratory problems. Regular practice of this asana helps to strengthen concentration and mental determination. It also increases your energy, vigor and youthful vitality.

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Birthstones for Capricorn

Amethyst stone bracelet

This book comes with a unique energy bead bracelet which beautifully combines semi-precious stones with rudraksa beads, enhancing and radiating the properties of the stones. This bracelet attunes you to the Universe and contributes to destroy sufferings related to negative karmas. It is specially blessed by Nithyananda, the enlightened Master of our times for the fortunate ones who wish to receive the blessings of the Universe! Enlightened Masters are said to be the manifestation of the Cosmic Energy that radiates Enlightenment.

Jyotişa uses different gemstones (also called birthstones) to strengthen each planet's energies.

Gemstones are the finest and purest consolidation of minerals that exists, formed under extreme heat and pressure inside the earth. Stones are crystals of clear and purified minerals that are also found in the human body.

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Because of their mineral quality, they are agents of electromagnetic energy, which influences the electromechanical nature of the human body. When a stone is in contact with the skin, it starts working on the physiology and energy level of the body, as well as the pranic layer of energy.

The amethyst supports Saturn's energy in the natal chart. It rules over the nervous system, and fortifies it. It is beneficial for:

· Elevates Saturn influence

. Faithfulness

· Clearing the mind

· Detachment

. Gives what one desires

· Fertility

· Over conservatism

· Longevity

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Discipline

· Authority

. Ambition

· Honesty

. Humility

· Discrimination

. Clarity

· Eyesight

· Immune system

. Tension and neuroses

· Headache

· Deafness

· Alcoholism

· Bone structure

· Osteoporosis

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Five Techniques for a Capricorn Mind

Harness your intuition!

You usually have flair and drive to sense what needs to be done and how it should be done. You should learn to harness your intuition in your day-to- day life! You often feel you cannot afford to trust it in your practical life ... Feeling it may mislead you ... Did you forget all genius decisions, discoveries and masterpieces were made out of sheer intuition? Don't let your practicality and goals cut you off from your intuition. It is too big a price to pay! This intuition is the very path to beautiful mysticism in your life. Be very clear, when you reject it, you close your door to the higher aspects of life and reduce existence to an object. There may be a plan for business in your life, but your life should not be a business plan only!

Watch yourself

Whenever you feel depressed, just remain with it. You cannot be depressed for long because by its

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very nature, your inner space constantly clears itself. In this world nothing is permanent; everything fluctuates. And the world cannot change its basic law for you so that you remain depressed forever! Nothing is here forever; everything is moving and changing. Existence is like a river; it cannot stop for you, just for you, so that you remain depressed forever. If you watch your depression, you will feel that even your depression is not the same today that it was yesterday; it is different, it has changed. Just watch, remain with it and don't do anything. This is how transformation happens. Fighting it will not solve the problem; it will only increase it and leave you frustrated. Don't let your resistances bring negative feelings towards yourself. And be sure to take care of your health.

Have Confidence!

It feels difficult to come out of the following inner chatter: "Whatever I do is wrong. People are never happy with what I achieve ... Nobody cares for the efforts I'm putting into things." Your outer personality,

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your self-image, clothing, body language, and ways of presenting yourself to the outer world never seem right. So, again, you feel stirred by low self-esteem and a need of recognition. When this low mood happens, watch yourself carefully! Are you suffering from someone else's negative views or from your own constant self-criticism? Actually, nobody can hurt you unless you give silent permission. If you look sincerely, you'll find the inner critic is far more virulent than the outer. So to get out of this feeling, beware of your inner chatter and use healing words for yourself. You will see, your problem does not actually exist!

Passion with Patience!

Enlightenment is passion with patience. Passion alone will raise a great number of thoughts: this passion, this rajas, will allow you to be successful in the outer world. If you have just patience, you will deeply accept everything and earn peace in the inner world. But with either one or the other alone, you will not get the ultimate experience of enlightenment which

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gives you the fulfillment in both worlds. Enlightenment is the total sum of passion plus patience. It is a mix of a strong will and a deep prayer that raise your frequency to a higher level, to a different dimension. Through that alone will you be able to break through all your automaticities to awaken the non-mechanical part of the brain. They will bring revolution to your experience of reality. Be passionate, be patient! Be actively passive.

Stop worrying, start living!

You cannot believe your life can be lived without day-dreaming. If you live in super consciousness, whatever dream you have will give you deep satisfaction. These dreams will be a clear vision. Your mind has convinced you that you cannot live without fantasy: that is why you suffer. You can live without day-dreaming! You may feel you have to plan things to be able to survive. But more often than not, instead of planning things, you are worrying and limiting your growth with your worries. From today, have the courage to live with spontaneity. The people who have the

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courage to trust their vision become the geniuses. The courage to enter into life without daydreaming can simply revolutionize it. Just try this technique throughout the month!

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