Z for the Zodiac and Mahabharata - Mahabharata Mashup

Namaste, 

For the last post of the challenge, I chose another topic that interests me. The planetary positions, astrology, and tarot reading are fascinating. When I saw that the omens listed by Vyasa in Bhishma Parva mentioned the elements of the zodiac, I dug around a little to find more. 

I created a chart based on my very limited knowledge, but it was half-correct. However, a PDF shared by Jyotisha Journal helped. So, I combined astrology and tarot to interpret the events during the Kurukshetra War. 

• Three lunations meet twice in the same fortnight- the duration of the latter is shortened by two days (meaning the latter lunar cycle is just 13 days instead of 15)
• The Moon and the Sun have eclipses on the thirteenth day of the lunar cycle 

Two eclipses occurred during the Kurukshetra War. The first eclipse was likely lunar, while the latter was a solar eclipse. This (along with other pointers) indicates that Rahu was in Scorpio while Ketu was in Taurus. 

It's super strange for that to happen in eighteen days. However, reading Shalya provided new information (and also thanks to the review by Pradeep Bhattacharya added at the end of Shanti Parva for highlighting it). 

Balarama arrived right before Bhima and Dhuryodhana's duel. He said, “It is now forty-two days since I left when the Pusya constellation was in the ascendant; I have returned in the ascendancy of Sravana. I must witness this mace-duel of my students.” (Section 34, Shalya Parva).

Now, Balarama left for the tirtha yatra just before the battle began. He even visited the camp at Kurukshetra to talk to Krishna. That means the actual battle duration lasted for forty-two days though they fought for only eighteen days. The remaining days must have been for healing from injuries, clearing the battlefield, and maybe even mourning the deaths of Bhishma, Drona, Abhimanyu, etc. So, two eclipses in forty-two days is not unbelievable. 

Planetary Positions 

• 
  Sun – Scorpio
• Moon – Scorpio 
• Rahu – Scorpio 
• Ketu – Taurus 
• Mars – Virgo or Leo (Retrograde)
• Saturn – Libra (was in retrograde earlier, stayed here for a year with Jupiter in Vishaka star)
• Jupiter – Libra (when the war began) and Scorpio (when Karna died)
• Venus – between Virgo and Capricorn (not enough data, 2 steps behind or after Sun)
• Mercury – no mention, but possible between Libra and Sagittarius (one step before or after Sun) (but possible retrograde based on my hunch)

Signs and Tarot 

Scorpio is the main sign where planets seem to be. It is a fixed water sign. It corresponds to the Death card in the tarot (13-Mars planet) and represents the ending of something (automatically, the beginning of another). In this case, it can be the end of the Kauravas, the end of enmity, literal death (war), and the progress to the end of the yuga. 

The RWS (RaiderWaite Smith) deck shows the Death card with a skeleton knight riding a horse while holding a black flag, trampling on dead bodies as a king asks for mercy. There is a river and a setting sun in the background. A very direct representation of the Kurukshetra war. 

The next major sign is Libra, which comes before Scorpio. It is a cardinal air sign. It corresponds to Justice (11- Venus planet) in tarot. 

Justice represents karmic justice, truth, honesty, cause and effect, life lessons, and consequences for our actions. In this context, Justice is served to the Kauravas through death and defeat, while the Pandavas get justice through the win. However, they are not without flaws and pay for it through the death of all their dear ones. 

The RWS deck shows the Justice card as a man in red robes holding a sword upright in the right hand and a balance in the left hand. Someone/ authority who gives a person what’s due. 

Jupiter is a thinking planet (for knowledge, abundance, and learning) but also a judge and jury, though its role is mostly to help a person do the right thing. In fact, Jupiter moves from Libra to Scorpio when Karna dies on the 17th day of the war (though we don't know which actual day it would have been). Possibly signifying that it’s time he got the results of his actions (facing death after being judged by Justice as guilty). 

Mars Retrograde 

Mars is also called the God of War- a planet of action and energy. It is ruled by Scorpio. In retrograde, it increases stress, tension, and tempers. It makes a person lash out or strike blindly (Ashvatthaman butchering the remaining Pandava warriors and family in their sleep). Anger, frustration, trauma, feeling cornered, etc., are common signs during this period.

However, it also presents a chance to see things from a different perspective (Bhagavad Gita?) and understand things at a deeper level. 

Mercury 

While there is no mention of Mercury, my gut tells me it could also be in retrograde. Things are super messy, a trademark of Mercury retrograde- Failure of technology/ devices (Karna’s wheel getting stuck), miscommunication (the deliberate half-truth spoken to Drona about his son’s death), and so on. 

(We are just out of Mercury Retrograde that lasted from 1st April to 25th April and are currently in the shadow phase)

Two Eclipses During the War 

Historically, eclipses were seen as an indication of an upcoming war or military action. In certain cultures, an eclipse would indicate the death of a king/ ruler. If we consider this, it aligns with how Dhuryodhana died, and Hastinapura had a new king. Two eclipses may also indicate the opening and closing of the cycle (though it is calculated for the year). It rewrites patterns, ends the old, and makes place for the new, which also happened by the end of the war. 

That's a lot to process, I know! I fell into a black hole and wanted to drag you along. ;) 

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With this, we end the month-long challenge. I hope you enjoyed the posts as much as I did when writing them. Add Draupadi Parashakti to your bookmarks for easy reference as we upload more content on the site. 

Stay tuned for the wrap-up post coming in the next few days! 

I’m participating in #BlogchatterA2Z.

The first and last images are AI and made on Bing. The cards are from the internet.