an e magazine from ASSAM & NAGALAND      

Primacy of the Path

Thus, the quantum of solar electromagnetic energy reaching the Earth's surface will depend not only upon the cocentration of solar emission reaching the Earth's magnetic field, but also on the nature and condition of the circumterrestrial atmosphere. During or after a 'meteoric shower', or when a comet is present in the vicinity of the Earth and specially if such comet intersects the Earth's orbit 'ahead of the Earth', or even after a major volcanic eruption, the upper atmosphere will be laden with cosmic dust in the first two cases and with terrestrial volcanic dust in the third case. In such enhanced gas and dust laden media the possibilities of collisions between the solar protons or cosmic rays with the atmospheric particle will increase and a greater percentage solar and cosmic charged particles will be able to reach the Earth's surface.

This effect of 'changing the character' of the solar wind when it crosses any belt of dust particles should be true to interplanetary space also. When any comet approaches the Earth at a low heliographic latitude, and difference in longitude between the Earth and the comet is not too great, enhancement of geomagnetic disturbance is noticed. It can be argued that there may be other unknown factors behind this enhancement of geomagnetic disturbances, but the formulators of astrological tenets all over the world through the ages have given great emphasis on the 'general evil effects' of appearance of comets, and its 'dust laden paths'. We are making some postulations below, which have not been experimentally verified, but their rationales are self-evident.

Effect of comets and earthquakes: Traditional Indian astrologers generally believe that, during the period when a comet is visible in the sky, or a few continuous days after a major earthquake, the astrological rules would get suspended and the predictions should be kept in abeyance (Jyotish Ratnakar). If a comet is there on the sky, one should first determine the nature of the comet and then only venture to make predictions (Vrihadsamhita -Varahamihira). A comet passing near the Earth will enable the Earth to pull out a lot of 'comet dust' by its superior gravity, and more so if the comet interesects the Earth's orbit. We have already stated that unusual increase in concentration of cosmic or terrestrial dusts and ions in the upper atmosphere should increase the quantum of charged particles reaching the Earths surface. Astrological predictive rules are supposed to be applicable only when energy regime is normal or general. Unusual increase or decrease of normal energy variation pattern will render the predicting mechanism unworkable. If the earthquake is of tectonic origin, it is even more difficult to understand how it may effect the electromagnetic variations. It has only recently been established that major tectonic earthquakes affect the characters of regional geomagnetism albeit temporarily.

The belief that, during the period when a comet is near the Earth or a period of time after a major earthquake laws of astrological predictions go haywire indicates that atleast some laws of astrological prediction are linked with cosmo-geo-electromagnetism. It is reinforced by Varahamihira's observation that the evil or good effects of appearance of a comet will manifest on the Earth only 45-days after the sighting of the comet.

Rahu and Ketu : Rahu and Ketu are the two vexed entities in Indian astrology nominally recognised as 'Grahas' (wrongly translated into English as planets), but specifically identified as 'Asphuta Graha' (effects of unrevealed entities). According to 'Phaladeepika' one of the classical astrological treaties compiled in the medieval India, the positions of Rahu and Ketu in the birth-chart are the two pivotal points in predicting the future of the native, as these two entities have highest 'naisargik bala', the term which can be translated as 'natural power' or 'intrinsic strength or effect'.

In astronomy, location of Rahu is the point or node where the orbit of the Moon is intersectting the ecliptic and Ketu is positioned exactly at 180° opposite point on the Moon's orbit. European astrology named these points respectively Caput-draconis (head of dragon) and Cauda-draconis (tail of dragon). It should be noted that in the Indian astrology, the 'effects' (Pravaba) of Rahu and Ketu are taken into account irrespective of position of the Moon on its orbit. It is secondary that the influence of Rahu and Ketu will increase as the Moon is approaching these points, and the optimum 'effect' is expected when the Moon is located in exact coincidence. When the Moon is exactly 'on point of Rahu' and optical level also tally, solar eclipse will result. Similarly coincidence of Ketu and Moon will result lunar eclipse if optical condition is satisfied. Hence in astrology, Rahu is strongest during the solar eclipses and Ketu during lunar eclipses.