Astrological Mythology The Meaning of ... - Mandhata Global

that contains within itself the vibrating divine life is shaped into different
forms and sizes according to the archetype in the potter's mind. Every
impetus, whether external or internal, is a part of the cosmos which operates
according to the Divine design in the Creator's mind, the Mahat of Vedantic
philosophy. Under the impulse of this asterism, individual genius finds
expression, its main impelling force being the externalization of that which
is within. It leads to a radical transformation. This transformation, however,
is according to a plan, a design. The individual performs his assigned duty or
responsibility in the cosmic drama. But this takes place at a tremendous
sacrifice of personal pleasure and convenience.
One may remember that this asterism is owned by two deities: Indra, the god
of luxury and sensuous enjoyment, and Agni, the god of penance, under
whose influence the dross is burnt out completely. With a new beginning, the
process of transformation occurs in numerous ways; the shape of the clay is
also fashioned in many forms depending on the potter's objective. The
potter's mind and the role of the presiding deity, Agni, are identical in many
ways. The potter's mind can be better understood by examining the nature of
Agni as given in classical literature. There are many kinds of fire, but seven
are identified as the main ones. These seven are the seven flames which are
the seven human temperaments, or the seven channels on whose current the
seeds of manifestation are carried through the different planes of existence.
The One Supreme Principle becomes actively energized under this impulse.
The dual ownership of the asterism by Indra and Agni implies that the
course of evolution can be either on the path of materialization, on which
one gets all the luxuries in life, or on the path of spiritualization where all
kinds of deprivations have to be met. The two function within one primary
force — that of Tapas or asceticism, the process of destroying the nonessential.
The archway, another symbol given to Vishakha, marks the transit from one
place to another. In this allusion, the focus is not on the material, the clay
which is fashioned on the wheel, but on the living entity, the man on
pilgrimage. Passing through an archway indicates the entrance to a sacred or
important place. When Vishakha affects any aspect of one's life, it must
move it towards its inherent goal, the shrine of one's true nature. The onward
movement under such an impulse entails important changes. Generally it is
observed that the person affected by Vishakha becomes austere, hard-boiled,
detached and such changes which result from the burning away of lower
passions, as happens in the case of yogis performing tapas. In everyday life
one notices its influence as a feeling of uneasiness, not the usual
unhappiness that occurs during periods of psychological stress, but a feeling