“Everything is energy and that is all there is to it. Match the frequency of the reality you want and you cannot help but get that reality. It can be no other way. This is not philosophy. This is physics.” Albert Einstein

It’s always noteworthy to me that thousands of years ago Vedic sages knew about and labelled the concepts which Einstein and other scientists “discovered” recently. I am consistently reading about “discoveries” from NASA and modern astronomers which I read about years ago from the ancient teachings of various metaphysical systems.

There are records of Vedic Astrologers calculating the movements within our solar system which date back to 6,000 B.C. Along with calculating the movement of the solar system they also taught about the universal energies which give birth to physical life. They taught that planetary influences are the energy behind the chakras and nadis. It is this energetic system that allows Jyotish, Ayurveda, Yoga, Reiki, and other modalities to work for our benefit.

The ancient teachings assigned qualities to each of the seven major planets which are the delivery vehicle to the chakras which connect the cosmic energy to the body. Astrology relies on mathematical calculations as well as observations of the actions and reactions people have to the movements and qualities of planetary bodies. For thousands of years people have watched the movements and recorded similarities in events and reactions based on full moons, planetary positions and stelliums.

In Vedic astrology the nodal points were named Rahu (north node) and Ketu (south node). The nodal points could play a big role in certain charts and, when active during eclipses, they played a role in general society as well. As we approach the Solar Eclipse of April 8 I thought it would be appropriate to talk about Rahu.

Currently Rahu is more prominent than usual because he is the Dasa ruler of the American natal chart. Rahu’s Dasa rulership lasts for 18 years, and his current rulership started around September 2015 during the same summer in which Trump descended on a gold-plated escalator to announce his candidacy. Rahu brings about unexpected chaos, and Trump who was born on an eclipse, is a poster child for the darker qualities of Rahu.

“Rahu translates as “the seizer” and that definition certainly fits with the drive of Rahu to seize money, sex, fame, status, and power. Some of the other terms for Rahu in the Vedic texts are: “the chief; the advisor of the demons; the minister of the demons; ever-angry; the tormentor; bitter enemy of the luminaries; lord of illusions; one who frightens the Sun; the one who makes the Moon lusterless; the peacemaker; the immortal (having drunk the divine nectar); bestower of prosperity, wealth and ultimate knowledge – give a clue to its basic energy and attributes.” The Key Of Life: Prash Trivedi

Rahu is also said to be related to the “Seventh Ray of Creation” which Alice Baily attributes to magical ceremonies and ascended masters. Others attribute the Seventh Ray to the “seat of the soul” and the “freedom of God.” Rahu does seem to have a strong grip on creative forces as well as a desire to throw off the bonds of constriction.

On a positive level Rahu will push back against authority and seek to overthrow rulers and injustice. Rahu will push, through science, against illness and seek to create advanced technology as well as positive social solutions. Rahu, in western astrology, is known simply as the “North Node” and is considered a benefic influence because of the affinity Rahu has with material desires and success. Many of our politicians, athletes and performers who win office, trophies and Oscars have strong Rahu influences in their charts which gives credence to the “good” label given to the north node.

However, to label Rahu as the North Node “good” and Ketu as the South Node “bad” is both lazy and simplistic. Such simplicity belies the addiction, nervousness, desire nature and even mental illness that Rahu often encourages in natal charts.

Rahu’s idealism and creativity can be a powerful force for positive achievement but without balance and a moral foundation it can be a force for chaos, destruction and the social imbalance caused when far too many people with millions and billions of unearned dollars seek only more money and power.

It is the dual nature of Rahu that causes so much angst and confusion during the times of the eclipse. Rahu is responsible for creativity and dreams but is also known for “vata derangement” which is the result of too much of the air element being present. This over-abundance of vata/air can cause bouts of extreme stress, envy, resistance to change and an inability to just sit and let a storm pass.

April eighth is the solar eclipse and Rahu is in the sign of Pisces (Ketu is in Virgo). The solar eclipse happens during the new moon which is a quieter energy and Pisces is a quieter sign. Exalted Venus is also with the Sun and Moon in Pisces. Venus is a creative force which points to an approach to life that honors the truth of spirit. Mercury goes retrograde in the sign of Aries and will move back into Pisces on the 10th of April. It is important to protect the nervous system by embracing the quieter energy and to reject the illogical thoughts of a restless ego.

Mercury will be in his sign of debilitation when he joins Rahu on the 10th of April (turns direct on 4/25). It is best to keep ideals high and to understand that true freedom does not lie in getting what we want but in becoming free of our lower desires and egoic needs.

Rahu can bring about new realizations and creative ideas. Pisces is a gentle constellation which can bring about compassion. It, therefore, offers a more positive perspective to the seemingly unending exposure we get to the high levels of suffering on this planet. As we move through this eclipse energy it is helpful to know that suffering is shared by all of us.

This meditation can be helpful during this time: https://www.lionsroar.com/how-to-practice-tonglen/ ‘

This ancient Buddhist practice seems appropriate to another Einstein teaching: “When something vibrates, the electrons of the entire universe resonate with it. Everything is connected. The greatest tragedy of human existence is the illusion of separateness.”