MESSAGES FROM THE WONDROUS CANOPY OF THE HEAVENS

(part one)

MESSAGES FROM THE WONDROUS CANOPY OF THE HEAVENS

The first picture book of man has been the vast space above, with billions of sparking stars, full of
folklores about the hope of a new start amidst dream and reality. The undaunting adventurous
spirit of lesser mortals has time and again enabled man to surmount limitations and achieve “the
impossible” of a previous age on this sub-lunar plane. This is a very thrilling age where society is in
a fluid stage and constant change is the order of the day. Today, we are given to understand that
the world is reaching a population of over 7 billion people and the number of persons using the
“Message of the Stars” to guide them under the cover of the ”darkness of destiny” is increasing.
The populace, whether we classify them as “wise” or “gullible” take a clue from fate readers under
various “brand names”, either “masters” or “charlatans”, and prepare themselves to go out in the
world on their own, either for mere survival, or achievement, or “super achievement”.

The subject of the influence of the stars is so vast and infinite as the cosmos itself. This article is an
attempt to put before the lovers of astrology a few highlights of the stars and their influence on us.
All that is stated here does not have the stamp of “finis”. On the contrary it is “commence”. I
would be rather happy to happy comments and corrections so that the readers are enlightened
further, with a hope that a scientific temperament could be inculcated and the subject of astrology
could be elevated to a very worthy status.

The topic dealt with in this article is that of the Fixed Stars. Material on the planets and the signs
of the zodiac (whether Tropical – Sayana or Sidereal – Nirayana) could be discussed in detail,
separately in other articles. As this article is a lengthy one, it will be written in parts.

HEAVEN IS A BOOK BEFORE THEE SET

"The heavens declare the glory of God. The skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after
day they pour forth speech. Night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or
language where their voice is not heard." Psalm 19: 1-3

"He alone [God] spread out the heavens...He made all the stars--the Bear, Orion, the
Pleiades, and the constellations of the southern sky. His great works are too marvelous to
understand..." Job 9:8-10

"There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the
stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory."

I Corinthians 15:41

This is a research‐based article is written for the instilling a scientific temperament and information on
the Fixed Stars.At the same time it is a tribute to my teachers at the Jyotisha Bharati, Bharatiya Vidya
Bhavan, Mumbai. Prof. Anthony Writer
MESSAGES FROM THE WONDROUS CANOPY OF THE HEAVENS
(part one)

Bibliography

As my articles are based on research, I owe a lot to astronomers and astrologers from the dawn of
civilization. I feel it appropriate the mention the bibliography at the commencement. Had it not
been for their work, I would have found it difficult to understand this very complicated study of
astrology, and more so ever the subject of the Fixed Stars.

The Bowl of Heaven Adam, Evangaline

Star names‐ Their lore and meaning Allen, Richard Hinckley

The Treatise of the Bright Fixed Stars Annonymous 379

Chart Interpretation Handbook Aroroyo, Stephen

'Names of Stars from period of Vedas Balakrishna, S

Myths and Symbols of Vedic Astrology Behari, Bepin

Nirayan Horoscope and Western Aspects Bhatt, Chandrakant R.

Stars and Stones Brennan, Martin

Fixed Stars Brady, Bernadette

The Witness of The Stars Bullinger, Rev. E.W

The Encyclopeadia of Medical Astrology Cornell, Dr. HL

The Fixed Stars and their Interpretations Ebertin, Reinhold &George Hoffman

Advanced Astrological Text Book Forbes, Prof. G.B

The Nakshatras

The Lunar Mansions of Vedic Astrology Frawley, Dr. David

A to Z Horoscope Maker and Delineator George, Llewellyn

The Message of the Stars Hendel, Max

Hindu Astrology Lessons Houck, Richard

The Fixed Stars in the Signs Houlding, Deborah

Outer Space : Myths, Name Meanings Calendars Jobes Gertrude and James

This is a research‐based article is written for the instilling a scientific temperament and information on
the Fixed Stars.At the same time it is a tribute to my teachers at the Jyotisha Bharati, Bharatiya Vidya
Bhavan, Mumbai. Prof. Anthony Writer
MESSAGES FROM THE WONDROUS CANOPY OF THE HEAVENS
(part one)

The Arabs and the Stars Kunitzsch, Dr. Paul

Practical Astrology Lad, Prof. Jinabhai

The Art of Synthesis Leo, Allan

The Progressed Horoscope Leo, Allan

An Introduction to Astrology Lily, William

Christian Astrology Lily, William

Monarchy or No Monarchy Lily, William

Complete Practical Astrology Lyndoe, Edward

Mythological Astronomy of the Ancients Mackey, Samson

Astrology for the Millions Lewi, Grant

The Fixed Star Parans
in the Harmonic Concordance Chart Mahoney, Laura

The Greenwich Guide to Stars,

Galaxies and Nabulae Malin, Stuart

The Constellations Mehta, L

Notes on Fixed Stars Modi, Prof. Gopal & Prof. G.B. Forbes

The Living Stars Morse, Dr. Eric

Fixed Stars and Judicial Astrology Noonan, George C.

A Textbook on Astrology Pearce, Alfred J.

Almagest Ptolemy, Claudius

Tetrabiblos Ptolemy, Claudius

The Key and Guide to Astrology Rapheal

The Power of Fixed Stars Rigor, Joseph E.

The Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology Robson, Vivian E.

The Circle of Stars Roebuck, Valerie J.

This is a research‐based article is written for the instilling a scientific temperament and information on
the Fixed Stars.At the same time it is a tribute to my teachers at the Jyotisha Bharati, Bharatiya Vidya
Bhavan, Mumbai. Prof. Anthony Writer
MESSA
AGES FRO
OM THE WONDR
ROUS CAN
NOPY OF
F THE HE
EAVENS
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(part one)

Introducttion to Fixed Stars

S Rofffeo, Dr. Randaall C.

Fixed Starrs and Conste

ellations Rose
enberg, Dianaa K.

Brihat Parashari Hora Shastra Sage

e Parashari

The Phase
es of the Fixe
ed Stars Schiimdt, Robert

The Manu
ual of Astrolo
ogy Seph
harial

e Arcana of Astral Philosop

Complete phy Simm
monite, Dr. W.J.
W

The New Patterns in the Sky Staal, Julius D.W..

Identifyin
ng Planetary Triggers
T Teal,, Celeste

mical Light on Vedic Culturre.

Astronom Vaidyya, R. L.

Brihat Jattak Varaahmihir

The Only Astrology Bo

ook You Will Ever
E Need Wod
dfolk, J. M.

Astrologyy on the Web : The Fixed Stars

S Wrigght, Anne

My Teacchers from whom

w I learrnt Astrologyy and the Fiixed Stars att Jyotisha Bharati, Bharratiya
Vidaya Bhavan,
B Mum
mbai – the Stellar Habitatt,

The Late Prof.

P Gopalkrishna
Modi, Prinncipal, Jytisha
Bharati, Bh
haratiya Bhavaan,
Mumbai
Prof. Jinabai
J G. Laad, Prof. Gustasph
G B. Prof. D.V. Thakur, MMMC,
Emeriitus Principal,, Forbess, Principal, Jyotisha Bharati,
Jyotisha Bharati, Jyotish
ha Bharati,
Bharatiiya Vidya Bhavvan,
Bharaatiya Vidya Bhratiiaya Vidya,
Mumbaai
Bhavaan, Mumbai Bhavan, Mumbai

This is a research‐base
r ed article is written
w for thee instilling a scientific
s tem
mperament and informatio
on on
the Fixed e same time it is a tribute to my teacheers at the Jyyotisha Bharati, Bharatiya Vidya
d Stars.At the
Bhavan, Mumbai.
M of. Anthony Writer
Pro W
MESSAGES FROM THE WONDROUS CANOPY OF THE HEAVENS
(part one)

As stated by Prof. Jinabai G. Lad:

“The use of fixed stars has not been explored and used much in natal astrology for the
following reasons :
1. Due to the fatalistic interpretations given from time immemorial, the subject has not
aroused keen interest.
2. For historical and intellectual reasons, backed by the judiciary of the times, the
study of astrology and the fixed stars suffered much set back.
3. For many centuries due to lack of transparency in communication and non-
availability of literature with easy access on the subject, the utility of this subject
with a rich heritage was lacking.
4. Changes with the pattern of life and a lack of scientific temperament also stalled the
progressive use of fixed stars in astrological interpretations.”

In the words of Prof. Gustasph B. Forbes .

“And God manifests Himself in many ways” Khalil Gibran

“Predictive Astrology is indeed a very hazardous task and perfection in this field is indeed
illusory. My Guru, late Shri Gopalbhai D. Mody used to say that in astrology, you have to
go from known to the unknown. The Natal Chart before you is the only thing “known” to
you. And with a view to reach the “unknown”, an astrologer has to be very familiar with
all the tools he needs to use. But for doing this, the absolute necessity is an accurate,
casting of the Natal Chart. An accurate, Spashta Bhava Chalit Chart is a MUST. It is
precisely for this reason, that we place so much importance and stress on Kundali Ganit in
our curriculum.

Your prediction can be just as good as the accuracy of the Chart. And in no other field of
astrology is this more relevant than in the use of Fixed Stars in predictive astrology. A
reference to the fairly exhaustive list of such Stars are given in this thesis and you will
observe that often there are 3 to 6 Fixed Stars situated in just 1` of the Arc of the Zodiac.
It is said that a difference of 4 minutes in the recorded time of birth results in 1` difference
of the Cusps. Hence, it will be realized that immense accuracy will be needed to arrive at
the appropriate assessment of the results of these Fixed Stars. ~

But this not all. There are many pitfalls in predictive astrology, especially when following
the Fixed Star route for analysis. Let us evaluate them serially.

This is a research‐based article is written for the instilling a scientific temperament and information on
the Fixed Stars.At the same time it is a tribute to my teachers at the Jyotisha Bharati, Bharatiya Vidya
Bhavan, Mumbai. Prof. Anthony Writer
MESSAGES FROM THE WONDROUS CANOPY OF THE HEAVENS
(part one)

FIRSTLY, the general rule is that Fixed Stars are concerned only or mainly with
Conjunctions, either with planets or Points (Parts) or Cusps. However, experience shows
that in certain cases, even other aspectual patterns merit attention. More particularly and
most avoided is the Parallel aspects in astrological analysis of Fixed Stars. Students are
requested to bear this in mind always.

SECONDLY, it is said that the normal Orbs of Fixed Stars is just 1° of the Arc of the
Zodiac. But as we have seen above, there are often 4`to 6` or even more Stars within a
degree of the Zodiac. And these may be of varying result. Hence the stress on accuracy of
casting a Horoscope. To add to the confusion, some very few Stars have an Orb ranging
from 4° to 7° such as Regulas (Magha) at the tail of Leo and Formalhaut at the
commencement of Pisces. These niceties need to be taken care of for a balanced assessment
of the Chart.

THIRDLY, the Ancient Masters have identified each Fixed Star with Magnitudes ranging
from 1 to 16. In other words, Stars of the First Magnitude are the brightest as seen from
the Earth and then receding in brightness so that the Sixteenth Magnitude Stars are the
faintest. Mercifully, for predictive astrology, we take into account Stars of the first four
Magnitudes only.

FOURTHLY, the Fixed Stars are allocated the Nature of different Planets. This of course,
is not done at random. The nature of these Planets indicate and reflect their own Nature to
the Stars. Normally, where two or more are known to lend their nature to the same Fixed
Star, the one that is placed first is know to be of Primary influence while the second and
subsequent Planets are only considered to be imparting their Secondary Nature.

FIFTHLY, it will be observed that the Fixed Stars are broadly divided into certain groups,
such as friendly or evil Star groups, violent in effect, Stars affecting the eyes or causing
deformities in body, etc.

SIXTHLY, even the details of the Declinations and latitudes of the Stars are important
considerations in order to experience the effects of the Fixed Stars. Spica (Chitra) is
considered to be the most auspicious of the Fixed Stars, but it has South Declination and
hence can be of very little use to the native of Northern Hemisphere. This should never be
lost sight of.

Lastly, interpretations of Stars should never be taken literally but should be applied
according to the conditions in which he lives or as per the placement in the individual
Chart. For example, Caput Algol is considered to be the worst of all the Fixed Stars in its
effects. Normally, it is said to give physical blindness in certain placements as with the

This is a research‐based article is written for the instilling a scientific temperament and information on
the Fixed Stars.At the same time it is a tribute to my teachers at the Jyotisha Bharati, Bharatiya Vidya
Bhavan, Mumbai. Prof. Anthony Writer
MESSAGES FROM THE WONDROUS CANOPY OF THE HEAVENS
(part one)

Ascendant, sun or Moon. But if it is placed on the Tenth Cusp, then instead of physical
blindness, it can make the native blind to the situation in which he is place (karma blind) as
the Tenth house represents Karma.

Now, let us refer to the Nirayana and the Sayana systems as far as this branch of astrology
goes.

The Nirayana system (Hindus Astrology) divides the Zodiac of 360° into 27 equal parts, so
that each part is of 13° 20’ duration, which is known as Nakshatra. Each Nakshatra is
further sub divided into four parts called as “Padas” or “Charanas”, each measuring 3° 20’
duration and coinciding with a Navamsa. Each Nakshatra is ruled by a Planet and each
Pada is also ruled by different planets.

These nakshatras are made up of one or even thousands of Stars. But each Nakshatra has
one or more “YOGA TARA” which we call as Fixed Star in Sayana system. These so
called “Fixed” Stars also have some motion, howsoever insignificant these may be. Such
Stars may have a motion of say as little as 0°50” and thus need many years to move just 1°
of the Zodiac. Hence they are considered as Fixed.

Conclusion:

From the very elementary but nevertheless, extremely important exposition of Fixed Stars
given above, the student must have realized that what we know is merely, or rather, not
even the proverbial tip of the iceberg. Much devotion and determined meditation,
accompanied by incessant research, with an open mind, without any pre-conceived bias
alone will reveal the hidden esoteric meanings of Nature. However, a precondition to enter
this vast ocean of knowledge is extreme humility, with no place for ego at all, in the pursuit
of Divine Truth.”

This is a research‐based article is written for the instilling a scientific temperament and information on
the Fixed Stars.At the same time it is a tribute to my teachers at the Jyotisha Bharati, Bharatiya Vidya
Bhavan, Mumbai. Prof. Anthony Writer