By Vaughn
Paul Manley, M.A.
In December 1992 I studied with Sri Deoki Nandan Shastri, a
famous astrologer in Varanasi, India. Shastri's name has recently
been in the media because of being consulted by Michael Jackson
during his court trial. When I saw him he had a signed picture
of the actress Goldie Hawn who had also consulted with him.
After one of our tutorial sessions he looked at me with a wry
smile and asked, "So what represents the Earth in astrology?"
I said that I didn't know. He laughed and slapped my knee saying,
"The ascendant my good man!"
The ascendant is the sign constellation that intersects the
Earth on the Eastern horizon at the time of birth. It gives
birth to the body and represents the body, physical appearance,
and our primary character traits in the horoscope.
Deoki Nandan Shastri
We often consider remedial measures, like mantras, pujas (worship),
yagyas (fire ceremonies), or gemstones for an afflicted planet,
which help us harmonize our energy to the planet's energy. If
the ascendant/Earth is afflicted in the chart than our body
and/or mind is afflicted. How do we harmonize with the Earth
to remedy the situation? This is rather an important question
since our entire incarnation is spent here on the Earth! If
we don't have a healthy body/mind then it's very difficult to
experience a fulfilling life. It's our foundation, just like
the ascendant is the foundation of the chart. It can be immensely
helpful to practice remedial measures for distant afflicted
planets, but how much better to be also in harmony with the
planet we're on! In other words, harmonizing our body/minds
with the Earth is the basic remedial measure.
Here are suggested ways that are so obvious that they are often
overlooked or undervalued:
1. Water:
Research suggests that dehydration may be the root cause of
many sicknesses. It also suggests that at least 75% of people
may be dehydrated. In the book, Your body's Many Cries for
Water, author Dr. Batmanghelidj explains that water regulates
all bodily functions. For instance, it transports sugars to
cells for energy. Your body may not be fatigued it just might
be thirsty. Batmanghelidj writes, "Chronic, unintentional
dehydration is the origin of most pain and degenerative diseases
in the human body." Normally our bodies lose about
a gallon of fluids per day. We need to drink at least 3 quarts
a day or 75% - 80% of that to replenish our supply. The remaining
20%-25% generally comes from what we eat. The problem is that
most people get fluids from coffee, tea, soft drinks, and alcohol
which actually dehydrate the body. For instance, it's commonly
advised to drink 1 glass of water for every cup of coffee. Research
also suggests that the modern epidemic of Alzheimer's disease
could be the result of long term dehydration of the brain. Our
brain's are 80% water. Just a 2% reduction in water supply to
the brain can muddle our short term memory. Have you ever noticed
that your mind is sharper after drinking a tall glass of water?
It's valuable to have access to clean, purified water and to
drink more than your thirst suggests throughout the day. According
to a recent UN Human Development Report, "A lack of
access to clean water kills nearly two million children a year...
and claims more lives than AIDS or conflicts."
For more information visit: www.watercure.com
2. Oxygen:
A deficiency of oxygen is also considered a root
cause of illness. Dr. W. Spencer Way writes in the Journal
of the American Assoc. of Physicians, "Insufficient
oxygen means insufficient biological energy that can result
in anything from mild fatigue to life threatening disease.
The connection between insufficient oxygen and disease has
now been firmly established." A lack of oxygen
in the bodies tissues is a common indicator of disease.
The quickest and most effective way to infuse our cells with
more oxygen is by deep breathing and filling our lungs to
capacity. This purifies our blood stream and carries the oxygen
to the cells. This can be done while going on a walk or at
any time at all. Most people breath too shallow and too fast
which deprives the body cells of oxygen. The animals that
live the longest, like elephants and turtles, breath deep
and slow. This has an immediate correlating effect on the
mind and greatly reduces stress and anxiety, which is also
a major causes of illness. The yogic tradition of India has
taught the benefits of breathing exercises, or pranayam, for
thousands of years.
3. Nutrition:
All of our food is generated directly or indirectly
by the Sun. The more fresh organic whole foods - fruits, vegetables,
grains, nuts, seeds etc, that we can eat, the more of the
Sun's vitality will we derive from our food. Likewise, the
more processed food we consume, the less vitality we can expect
to feel.
Good nutrition is not only what we eat but what we don't eat.
High fat, sugary diets have led to our obesity and chronic
fatigue problem in the US today. Many people rely on caffeine
and sugar to push their energy levels up so they can perform
at work. This ultimately depletes the body of vitamins and
minerals. Add to this all the chemicals that are consumed
through the food due to chemical pesticides, fertilizers,
or irradiation and it's no wonder that people are sick and
fatigued much of the time. Eating well, on the other hand,
strengthens the immune system, lowers the risk of infections,
improves digestion, absorption and elimination etc. which
prevent illness.
4. Exercise:
Research has shown that physical exercise has the same or
better effect on stress and anxiety as medication - without
the side effects. The rates of depression have increased dramatically
in recent years and so have the numbers of people on anti-depressant
medication. In France, one out of seven people are on anti-depressants,
in the US one out of eight, and in Japan sales of anti-depressants
rose 500 percent between 1998 and 2003. In addition to reducing
depression and anxiety, exercise increases blood circulation
thereby oxygenating the cells, lowering heart rate, and blood
pressure, eliminating toxins, decreasing risk of cancer, high
blood pressure etc. Thirty minutes of walking or yoga practice
per day is something that virtually anyone can do and will
have immediate as well as long term benefits especially when
done regularly.
You may not hear very much in the media about the benefits
of drinking more water, breathing deeper, eating healthier
and exercising more often but this doesn't mean they are not
as effective or more effective than commercially sold drugs
and medications. There may not be the commercial interests
pushing this knowledge but that's good news. It means
that they are freely available (more or less) and can be utilized
anytime.
Sometimes people want an expensive remedial measure to improve
their physical and/or psychological health by offsetting an
afflicted planet in their horoscope. I often think that what
they really need to do first is to harmonize with the Earth,
and their own bodies better which are represented by the ascendant
in the chart. We've all witnessed how a walk in nature can
rejuvenate us like nothing else. These basic remedies from
the Earth are backed by convincing research and yet they are
often not emphasized or prescribed.
When we're in harmony with the Earth, and our own bodies and
minds, then we have the greatest chance of handling the stress
and challenges represented by afflicted planets in the horoscope,
and the subtler remedies to the other planets will be that
much more effective.
Suggested experiment for 1 week:
1) Drink 3 quarts/litres of purified water per day.
2) Take a brisk walk or practice yoga for 15-30 minutes per
day. Fitness instructors often suggest stretching yourself
without straining yourself.
3) Practicing deep breathing - filling your lungs to capacity
by breathing in through your nose, then exhaling through your
mouth. This can be done while your brisk walking, or at anytime.
Or add a pranayam practice to your yoga session.
4) Eat more whole foods: fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts,
seeds, legumes. Reduce your intake of processed foods, sugar,
caffeine, baked goods etc.
See how you feel. The physical and psychological benefits
could be quite amazing and revealing of how we can stay in
harmony with the Earth, our bodies, and the ascendant.
Copyright 2006.
Vaughn Paul Manley. All Rights Reserved.
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