I get knocked down … We all remember that 90´s hit with its lyrics “I get knocked down, but I get up again”. And for many of us, that sentiment can be a mantra for overcoming life’s difficulties. I have certainly used it that way! But Astrology is giving me a new perspective. I’m wondering about the wisdom of “but I get up again”. It takes a lot of energy to “get back up again” and maybe it is not the most effective way of contributing our gifts to the world. Let’s examine one of the Lajjitaadi Avasthas – “Saturn starving the Sun” so I can share with you what I mean. First, a little Astrology context … Lajjitaadi Avasthas are outlined in an ancient Vedic Astrology text called “Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra”. In Chapter 45 on Planetary States, Brihat Parashara defines 5 Lajjitaadi Avasthas
For example “Saturn starving the Sun” is all about Saturn’s “relentless negativity and doubt” undermining the Sun’s confidence and natural ability to shine. Ryan Kurczak describes this Avastha on p114 of “The Art and Science of Vedic Astrology Volume 2”.* “The Sun lacks self-esteem under Saturn’s influence. Saturn generates a lack of confidence that prevents the Sun from taking proper initiative and managing the affairs of life intelligently. This causes the Sun to not even try to get up out of its misery.” And this brings us to the “I get knocked down” part. I think this song sums up something about the “misery” of Saturn constantly knocking down the Sun. If you have this Avastha, it just feels like life is against you. What is the point of trying to keep going? And all the while, the list of things that you should be taking care of, is getting longer and longer and feeling more and more daunting. Hence, the power of “but I get up again”. It’s like a war cry or anthem to motivate those of us with this Avastha. Its irreverent beat encourages us to not dwell in the misery but just get up and keep going. And it’s just so catchy! Plus, we become part of a clan of the downtrodden, we are no longer alone. This helps us to not take the “knocking down” so personally because these relentless defeats happen to others as well. But where Astrology is perhaps pointing to some danger with this strategy is that the amount of force required to “get back up again” can lead us to overcompensate. That is, to push back too hard. And in the process, inadvertently hurt others. In fact, the determination needed to overcome Saturn’s aggression can lead us to act in an ego-driven way. We choose to show more confidence than we really have by ignoring the misery we are really feeling. Without this inner guidance system of our feelings, there is a risk that we achieve our goal “at all costs” because we are not ‘feeling’ how this is impacting on others (or ourselves). As the Sun represents the ‘King’ in Vedic Astrology, the archetype that comes to mind for me is Lord Farquaad from the first Shrek movie. In this movie, Lord Farquaad wants to be a king but is lacking royal lineage and height! These defects make him overcompensate for his imperfections. He also can’t tolerate imperfections in others causing him to banish all magical (i.e. flawed) creatures from the kingdom. He also builds an enormous castle. He becomes so obsessed by his vision to be king that he hurts others and does not seem interested in the welfare of his people. In contrast, the mark of a true king is his concern for his subjects. The king knows that he is only the custodian of the wealth and prosperity of the people. The king is motivated in all decisions by their wellbeing. For those of us with a Sun starved by Saturn, it is good to ask ourselves, “What can I do for the best welfare of others”. When we are guided by that, we are operating from the Sun’s true nature. Perhaps some archetypes that might be helpful here are kings who’ve ruled or been regal while in incarceration. Saturn’s limiting and restrictive nature effectively imprisons the Sun when it is causing a Starving Avastha. And two beautiful examples come to mind. The first is again drawn from an animated movie! “Joseph King of Dreams”. During the movie Joseph is unfairly imprisoned in a basement jail cell. There is just one small grated opening in the ceiling that lets in light. At first, Joseph uses all of his strength, determination and ingenuity to try to escape. He is angry at is unfair imprisonment. He cannot accept that this is to be his fate. Trying to escape is tiring and futile. It just uses up all of his energy but achieves nothing. Finally he gives up and is despondent at his fate. The grated opening in the ceiling also lets in rain, and makes the prison cave unbearably cold and wet. But after a period of stillness, Joseph begins to care for a tiny seed that manages to grow under the light and rain of the grated opening. Suddenly the rain that had been an enemy, becomes an essential resource. In tending to this plant, Joseph reconnects with his ‘Sun’, that ‘king’ inside of him that is interested in the welfare of others. Being a King to this tree, frees him from resentment because he is just in the present moment of being the best king he can be given the circumstances. When the plot moves on and he is released, he harbours no malice or resentment for the experience and is able to fully embrace his coming role. The second, very similar, example is Nelson Mandela. Born into a noble lineage of the Thembu people, his life played out standing up to an oppressive regime and he was eventually imprisoned. From his jail cell and sentence of hard-labour – he somehow managed to release resentment and connect to his royal core. He came to a place of such peace that he was actually able to befriend his prison guards. He also worked in friendship with politicians as they both found a way to end apartheid. His example inspired millions of people. I remember as a young person on the other side of the world, he was a leader for me even though I’d never seen him speak or rally etc because he was behind bars. What a radiating of royal energy that truly is! In both of these examples, the ‘King’ did not overcome by pushing back against his oppressor, escaping oppression or by “getting back up again”. Instead, he was victorious by accepting the oppression and being regal anyway. In some ways there was a befriending of the oppression or oppressor. And this is where, I’m wondering if those of us with Sun starved by Saturn can adapt our response? Can we be inspired to accept Saturn’s oppression and connect to our royal core anyway? Then, instead of wasting energy on trying to push back against unfair oppression or to escape, that energy could be used for the good of others. Let me know your thoughts and any experiences you have with this new approach! If you would like to know more about this Avastha or any of the Lajjitaadi Avasthas, please contact me. They are a fascinating collection on insights into our inner demons. And in defining them externally through the birth chart it allows us to be more objective and recognise some of the battles we might be engaging with (almost unconsciously) that are causing us suffering. Once they are identified, it’s easier to do something conscious in response! With love, Fiona *Ryan Kurczak, Richard Fish, The Art and Science of Vedic Astrology Volume 2 (CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform 2014),
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AuthorI'm an Ayurvedic Life Coach, Teacher and Massage Therapist living on the 'Linha de Cascais' in Portugal. I love sharing Ayurveda and appreciation of Life with others. Archives
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