This chart is in the shape of a yantra (a mystical diagram), with diamond-shaped houses. The Ascendant (known as the Lagna in Sanskrit) is always located at the top central position of the chart. The houses are read counter-clockwise from the Ascendant. In this diagram, H2 indicates the 2nd house, H3 the 3rd house, and so on. The arrows indicate the direction in which the houses are read. Since the Lagna is always set for this format, the typical North Indian chart will have numbers in each house to show what sign of the zodiac resides in that house. The zodiacal sign that is rising is indicated by a number from 1 to 12: Number 1 is Aries, 2 is Taurus, 3 is Gemini, etc. through each of the 12 houses. Thus, if number 3 is in the Lagna, Gemini is rising and is assigned to House 1, Cancer to House 2, Leo to House 3. All North Indian charts are read like this, and the birth chart is typically shown to the left or above the Navamsha, the 9th harmonic chart.
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From Sykes-Picot 1916 to ISIS 2015
From Sykes-Picot 1916 to ISIS 2015: Setting the Stage for the 2015 Paris Attacks
By Edith Hathaway ©2015
“… From a proud tower in the town
Death looks gigantically down.”
Edgar Allen Poe, quoted by Barbara Tuchman in her book The Proud Tower: A Portrait of the World Before the War, 1890-1914, © 1966.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
ISIS is a Sunni Muslim jihadist group in the Middle East that declared itself a Caliphate as of June 29, 2014. Prior to this, the last major official Caliphate was the Ottoman Empire, which had control over the political and religious affairs of a large swath of territory. During the height of their empire in the 16th and 17th centuries, the Ottomans controlled much of Southeast Europe, Western Asia, the Caucasus, North Africa and the Horn of Africa – coincidentally, many of the same areas the new ISIS or IS (Islamic State) wants to control again, including almost half of Africa. ISIS presently controls territories within Iraq and Syria. The Ottoman Empire ruled over Iraq from 1533 to 1918; its empire was founded in 1299 and dissolved in 1923 when the secular Turkish state was formed. The Ottoman Caliphate began in 1517 and was abolished March 3, 1924. The Ottomans were predominantly Sunni Muslims, and from the 16th thru 19th centuries they were at war with the predominantly Shia Persians. (Shia Muslims currently represent between 10 to 15% of all Muslims, the rest being Sunni Muslims.) Continue reading
The Libra Ascendant -excerpt
Excerpt from In Search of Destiny: Biography, History & Culture As Told Through Vedic Astrology © 2012
Introduction
Libra is an active or Chara sign, the third Chara sign – after Aries and Cancer – and the only one to occur in the air element. As an air sign it is associated with the Vaishyas, the merchant or trading class. Tula is the Sanskrit word for Libra; it signifies balance and is often symbolized by the balancing scales. Libra expresses Kama – the desire nature, especially the desire to be in relationship and to create a more harmonious environment. At times the intensity of this desire can manifest in a very unbalanced way: Ascendant lord Venus is itself the planet of desire. Thus we observe closely the condition of Venus in the chart and as always, the natal Moon – ruling over the mind. In the process of seeking harmony and balance the Libra person may well create just the opposite. As Indian astrologer K.N. Rao is fond of saying: Libra and 7t h house matters are either “marital” or “martial.” Continue reading
Syria Boils Over – Into the World’s Problem
By Edith Hathaway © 2015
Introduction
Syria’s national crisis is gaining the world’s attention – finally. But why now – after several years of increasingly alarming headlines? The state structure may now collapse without outside intervention; Syrian national borders set in place in 1915 -1916 have become totally porous within the last few years; its citizens are fleeing in droves, causing a world refugee crisis not seen since the end of World War II; and as of late Sept. 2015, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has control over only 25 to 30% of Syrian territory due to the increasing power of ISIS, the Sunni- extremist group which now claims a large swath of Syria and Iraq. No longer are the Syrian government’s brutal attacks on the rebels center stage, but also the violent actions of ISIS and its much flaunted and horrific beheadings. Continue reading
The Virgo Ascendant -excerpt
Excerpt from In Search of Destiny: Biography, History & Culture As Told Through Vedic Astrology © 2012
Introduction
The Sanskrit word for Virgo is Kanya, meaning “the maiden” or “virgin.” Its symbol is a young woman, often pictured in a boat, holding wheat (or corn) in one hand and fire in the other. 1 Given this symbol, we know Virgo is greatly concerned with purity – both in food and agriculture and in mental and verbal discrimination. And if not, the body strongly rebels and may well suffer ill health. Virgo is often asked to carry the fire of dispute and to play the role of arbiter. Continue reading
The Leo Ascendant -excerpt
Excerpt from In Search of Destiny: Biography, History & Culture As Told Through Vedic Astrology © 2012
Introduction
Leo is Simha (the lion) in Sanskrit. After Aries, it is the second Dharma sign in the zodiac. Leo is fire and a fixed sign, leading towards consolidation. Vedic astrology associates all three fire signs (Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius) with the Kshatriya, or warrior class, which includes political leaders. Kshatriyas have royal status, as do the Sun and the Moon, the two great luminaries and symbols of the King and the Queen, respectively. This includes the signs over which they rule: the Sun rules Leo and the Moon rules Cancer. Since each luminary rules only one sign, their respective Ascendants are important for that reason, among others. Of the three fire signs all associated with royalty, Leo is considered the most royal sign, especially with Magha nakshatra at the start of Leo. Its symbol is a throne room. Continue reading
Hillary Clinton – 2016 U.S. Presidential Campaign: Some Early Clues
By Edith Hathaway © 2015
HILLARY’S CAMPAIGN LAUNCH
On Sunday, April 12, 2015 – after months and years of speculation, Hillary Clinton finally declared her candidacy for U.S. President in the Nov. 2016 election. Continue reading
Citizenfour
Best Documentary Film Award for Citizenfour: Laura Poitras & Glenn Greenwald
By Edith Hathaway © 2015
The Academy Awards ceremony on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015 yielded the usual Hollywood glamour and theatrics, along with some surprises. The subject of the film Citizenfour is NSA mass surveillance and Edward Snowden, now living in Russia due to a pending federal case against him as NSA whistleblower. Continue reading
The week of the Paris terrorist attacks: January 2015
by Edith Hathaway © 2015
The dramatic week of the terrorist attacks in Paris on the Charlie Hebdo offices and the Kosher grocery store, Jan. 7‐15, 2015, closely coincided with eight days during which Mercury and Venus were in a Planetary War, with Venus (planet of politics) winning over Mercury (planet of speech) due to its superior brightness. This Planetary War ran from Thurs. Jan. 8th at 4:23 am (Paris time) to Jan. 15th at 2:56 pm – the day the first issue of Charlie Hebdo was released since the office shooting. At mid‐day Jan. 7th tr. Mercury and Venus were within 1 degree 10 minutes of arc of each other. Continue reading
Edward Snowden – Part 2: Youngest & Most Iconic NSA Whistleblower
by Edith Hathaway © 2014
Birth data and background
Edward Snowden was born June 21, 1983, 4:42 am EDT, Elizabeth City, North Carolina. (Class AA data) Using Lahiri ayanamsha, his Ascendant is 18:37 Taurus. He grew up in a Maryland suburb, where his parents and extended family worked in various ways for the government, including his older sister. It seemed a natural development that Edward too would gravitate to work in some way for the government. Continue reading
Edward Snowden – Part 1: The Big Picture
by Edith Hathaway © 2014
Photo credit: Alan Rusbridger, The Guardian, July 2014
Edward Snowden became known to the world since he first identified himself as National Security Agency (NSA) whistleblower on June 11, 2013 from a hotel room in Hong Kong. His U.S. passport was revoked shortly before he left Hong Kong 12 days later, sending him scrambling to seek asylum in at least 21 countries. Most of them could not guarantee him safe passage, including Ecuador, one of his viable destinations. Stranded for 40 days at Sheremetyevo International Airport near Moscow, Snowden received temporary residence in Russia on Aug. 1, 2013, initially for one year, and subsequently for the next three years, through Aug. 2017. Joined by his girlfriend in July 2014, he currently lives in Moscow. Continue reading
Mysteries of the Vedic Dasha system
By Edith Hathaway
(See notes at the end for birth info. and other items)
Transiting planets set the tone for the birth chart, and astrologers assess all aspects of life from the freeze-frame of the planetary patterns at that moment. As those planets continue to make their orbits, they affect the birth chart, and predictions can be made from those patterns. Continue reading
Election 2012 Update
posted 6:45 am Pacific time Oct. 16, 2012
by Edith Hathaway
Some people have asked whether I would comment further on the U.S. Presidential election, and I will do so here. It is covered to a small degree in the Oct. 1, 2012 interview in Jyotish Star with Juliana Swanson. I did a lot of work linking astrology to the 2008 U.S. Presidential election, predicting Obama in late 2007. Continue reading
Q & A with Edith Hathaway – WSAA
Q & A with Edith Hathaway Washington State Astrological Assn. Posted by WSAA May 2, 2011
What brought you to astrology?
I think Astrology finds YOU! Astrology insinuated itself into my life when I wasn’t looking for it. I certainly was not surrounded by it growing up and going to school and college. At that point I was a musician and a composer, and had talents in various art forms, especially music. I think music has a special affinity with astrology and vice versa. Many astrologers seem to have musical backgrounds. They both organize a large number of symbols and make some harmonious sense out of them. Continue reading
Julian Assange: A Lightning Rod in the New “Information Warfare”
by Edith Hathaway © 2010, 2012
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange speaks to the press on December 16, 2010, as he arrives at Ellingham Hall in Ellingham, Norfolk, England, after his release on bail from a London prison. (Photo credit: AFP (Agence France-Presse)) Continue reading
Corporate Conglomerates vs. Nation States: Which Nations will Survive and Thrive?
Copyright © 2010 by Edith Hathaway
“There is no America. There is no democracy. There is only IBM and ITT and AT & T and DuPont, Dow, Union Carbide and Exxon. Those are the nations of the world today. The world is a business … and there is not a single law on the books to stop them !” [1]
Paddy Chayefsky, 1974
INTRODUCTION: Nearly 50 years ago, the world emerged out of an era of excessive nationalism and religious zeal into one of increasing dominance of corporate conglomerates over nation-states, even if the old themes still linger and provide convenient reasons for justifying wars and conflicts. Continue reading
Graha Yuddha: Testing the Parameters of Astrology and Astronomy
By Edith Hathaway
Copyright © 2003, Revised & expanded 2010.
Edith Hathaway is an international consultant (from 1980), author, teacher, and lecturer of Vedic astrology. Certified as Level IV Consulting Astrologer by the National Council of Geocosmic Research (1989), Master Astro*Carto*Grapher by Jim Lewis (1988), and Jyotish Kovid by the Indian Council of Astrological Sciences (1996), she is Senior faculty (from 1992) and Board member (1995-2010) of the American Council (& American College) of Vedic Astrology. Edith will lecture at the World Conference on Mundane Astrology, Oct. 1-4, 2010 in Vishakhapatnam, India. She will be featured speaker at the Washington State Astrological Association May 12 and 14, 2011 in Seattle, WA and a lecturer at the United Astrology Conference in May 2012 in New Orleans, LA. Her book In Search of Destiny: Biography, History, & Culture Told Through Vedic Astrology is due in 2011. See her website: www.edithhathaway.com. Continue reading
Fixed Stars – Interview with Diana K. Rosenberg
Interview with Diana K. Rosenberg
By Edith Hathaway, USA
Rob Hand calls Diana K. Rosenberg “the leading authority on Fixed Stars.” She has spent the past 30 years researching the subject of Fixed Stars. Her primary interest has always been research and teaching, rather than the consulting side of astrology. Her preferred astrological techniques outside of the realm of Fixed Stars include Uranian Astrology (90 Degree Dial, Planetary Pictures, etc.), Derived Houses, Planetary Nodes, and Solstice Points. Her preferred astrological techniques outside of the realm of Fixed Stars include Uranian Astrology (90 Degree Dial, Planetary Pictures, etc.), Derived Houses, Planetary Nodes, and Solstice Points. Continue reading
Jupiter & Saturn: Planets of Dharma & Karma
by Edith Hathaway (Copyright © 2007, Revised 2008)
In the Upanishads of ancient India, the jewel of consciousness is seen to manifest itself in “all that shines: the sun, moon, fire, and speech.” The brightest lights in the sky are earth’s key luminaries. What we should be doing here, the waxing and waning energy of life itself can be seen in the Sun and Moon and their interactions with each other. Human aspiration is always linked to them, as well as to fire and speech. The nature of Dharma is also that of fire. It governs the Ascendant – the beginning of life. Dharma is always present, but becomes more powerful as we understand how our true nature shows a purpose for being here and receiving this light in its various forms. Continue reading
Jupiter-Saturn and Transnational Companies – Part 1
By Edith Hathaway (Copyright © 2002, Revised 2010)
(The first of a two-part article published in the Jan. 2002 and Feb. 2002 issues of The Astrological Magazine, Bangalore, India.)
Just a week prior to the terrorist attack on New York City and Washington, D.C. September 11, 2001, a writer in Time magazine offered the following remark (in an article on US Secretary of State Colin Powell): “The United States is at one of its rare moments in history where it can afford to shape the world.” But other voices were echoing far different sentiments about the American ethos: “There is no America. There is no democracy. There is only IBM and ITT and AT & T and DuPont, Dow, Union Carbide and Exxon. Those are the nations of the world today. The world is a business … and there is not a single law on the books to stop them !” [1] Continue reading