In the Vedic tradition, the four universal goals of life are Dharma (life purpose and right conduct), Artha (prosperity), Kama (desire for pleasure), and Moksha (spiritual liberation). Kama, which literally means “desire” in the ancient Sanskrit language of India, specifically refers to and includes romantic love and sexual pleasures. The planets which have an association with Kama are Venus and Mars; the constellations associated with these two planets are Libra and Scorpio; and the sections of the horoscope associated with these two planets and constellations are the 7th and 8th Houses.
If we analyze these specific components of a person’s birth chart, we can identify major patterns regarding the person’s sexual identity, their relationship karmas, their reproductive health, their capacity for sexual enjoyment, and specific tendencies, beliefs, preferences, and attitudes carried forward from their past lifetimes. If you do not believe in reincarnation, it will be sufficient to acknowledge the empirical correlation between the birth chart patterns and the person’s actual behavior in daily life.
When a person’s karmas are activated according to their personal timetable of karma (based upon the exact birth time), or by the transit of planets through the 12 zodiac signs (which affects everyone), they can expect changes to occur, according to the indications of the birth chart. Because of the tremendous variations possible in birth chart patterns, it is impossible to accurately predict life events by just using transits. It may be more useful to look at specific examples of astrological influence.
Recently the celebrity golfer Tiger Woods captivated the news headlines with revelations about his personal life. His birth information is publicly known, so we can analyze his birth chart patterns in reference to his recent troubles. Tiger’s Vedic birth chart has Venus and a waning Moon in the constellation of Scorpio, plus he had just started a 10-year Moon Cycle in May 2009. Mars was in Taurus, opposite his Venus and Moon. The overall effects of this combination of planets are: 1.) a much stronger than average desire for sex, 2.) a tendency towards compulsive and addictive behavior, 3.) the orientation to keep extra-marital affairs secret, and 4.) much difficulty in changing these patterns.
These same astrological patterns also indicate a strong competitive nature, physical strength, stamina and endurance, tremendous will power and concentration, and the determination to succeed in the face of adversity. Obviously, these positive attributes have helped him to reach the highest levels of success in the world of professional golf. So we see that there can be both positive and negative attributes resulting from the same astrological patterns. Free will and the degree of Soul awareness are factors which can affect our response to planetary influences. We cannot blame fate or destiny for our actions.
Every year, from mid-November to mid-December, the Sun, Mercury and Venus transit through the constellation of Scorpio. For Tiger Woods in late 2009, these transits activated his karmic patterns for being vulnerable to sex scandal, and so it came to pass. Whether he can salvage his reputation and find redemption in the eyes of his family and friends, his corporate sponsors, and the general public, is yet to be determined. While going through a 10 year cycle of karmic influence governed by a waning Moon in Scorpio, he can expect an uphill struggle to restore his former status.
During the calendar month of February 2010, the Sun, Mercury and Venus will be transiting through the constellations of Capricorn and Aquarius. Capricorn represents the cosmic influence to preserve the status quo, to savor security rather than change, and to protect and cling to our material possessions. The New Moon occurring on February 13, 2010 can represent a turning point for individuals, and possibly for the entire world. It will be a time which supports the reorientation of our lives toward the Aquarian ideals of altruism, progressive thinking, cooperation instead of competition, openness to new possibilities, and the clarification of our plans and efforts to have a better life in the future. People will be less inclined to cling to old, out-worn beliefs and habits, and be more willing to embrace positive, constructive possibilities. Let us all remind ourselves of these possibilities during the coming New Moon, and strive to become the example that will inspire others to change as well. The change you can believe in, is the change that people can notice about your own life.