A number of benevolent circumstances occur on Christmas Day of 2022. This is preceded by the Summer (or Winter solstice) and a New Moon. Some reflections are offered.
Subha Sivaloka Day
Christmas day itself is a day of Subha Siva Loka.
The overall auspiciousness of a particular day is determined by the ease of communication between the First World (Bhuloka), Second World (Devaloka) and the Third World (Sivaloka).
Five notations are used—Bhuloka Day, Devaloka Day, Sivaloka Day, Subha Sivaloka Day or Subha Subha Sivaloka Day.
The connections between Bhuloka (the earth realm) and the higher realms (Devaloka and Sivaloka) where the gods reside, are like “telephone lines”, and they only function during the times indicated.
On Bhuloka days, there is one telephone line open between Earth and Devaloka,
On Devaloka days, there are two telephone lines open between Earth and Devaloka,
On Sivaloka days, there are three telephone lines open between Earth and Sivaloka,
On Subha Sivaloka days, there are four telephone lines open between Earth and Sivaloka,
On Subha Subha Sivaloka days, there are five telephone lines open between Earth and Sivaloka.
When all five lines are open, we have a very rare occurrence, indeed. In the last century Subha Subha Sivaloka Day occurred on February 12, 1979, and the next one was March 1, 1993. However, from 1993 onward, there will be several Subha Subha Sivaloka Days, heralding the dawn of the New Age.
What does this mean? Christmas Day and the day following (26 December) are good occasions for getting prayers heard.
Tri Pushkar Yoga
Imagine being able to repeat a good deed you’ve done or an auspicious moment in your life. This is exactly the opportunity that a rare combination of a particular day, nakshatra and tithi offers, a rare muhurat which lets events repeat again at least thrice if they happen in this yoga. This auspicious muhurat is called Tripushkar Yoga.
Frm 3:45am to 1:54pm, Tri Puskhar Yoga is in effect. This means that any meritorious action you undertake during this period, will be repeated three times during your lifetime. You can get your times for Tri Pushkar Yoga on drikpanchang.com
Abhijit
From 7:34pm – thought 02:16am the next day, the intercalary nakshatra, Abhijit, will be in effect. It is good to be reminded about Abhijit from time to time.
28 minutes before and 28 minutes after midnight is called Abhijit Muhurta. 28 minutes before Midday and 28 minutes after Midday is also called Abhijit Muhurta. This muhurta is said to completely destroy evil propensities of unknown bodies including stars and planets. It is said that this time is most suitable for any auspicious work. If one undertakes a journey to any point except the South, the purpose of the journey will be fully achieved.
It is said that Lord Krishna was born during this Nakshatra, and that Lord Rama was born during this Nakshatra as well. It is noted that the Sun did not shine for many days after the birth of Lord Rama. Present day astrologers do not take Abhijit into account when making prediction, except in electional astrology. Others say that any planet in Abhijit will cause obstruction to any planets contained in Rohini nakshatra and vice-versa.
Abhijit means victorious and conquering completely and is connected to Brahma, the creator, and also to Vishnu the preserver. It is a star where the individual can write their own destiny. One can preserve the old and create something new. This constellation is very powerful and gives one spiritual drive and the ability to want to win regardless of circumstances. It is ruled by the Sun and it supports leadership during its transit in the constellation. Let’s hope that better leadership comes as the fruit of this transit – especially for the World and for Ukraine during this time but we are hopeful.
The New Moon
The new Moon will occur on Friday, December 23, 2022, at 21:17 hours in the Southern Hemisphere. The new Moon occurs every month when the Sun and Moon come together in the exact same degree of celestial longitude, known as a conjunction. The new Moon energy also always extends for a few days, so in this case, it will resonate up to and just beyond Christmas day.
The December New Moon occurs in Sagittarius – Sagittarius is of the sattva guna, serene, peaceful, the sign of Jupiter, so captured by paradigms of belief, symbolism, ideology, doctrine and the like: all reflecting the Hierophant duties of Lord Brihaspati. It occupies the 7th house at this time, so this brings us a nice balance of the sacred and the mundane, which sets a perfect stage for social and spiritual gatherings.
All this is occurring under the patronage of Mula nakshatra, the Galactic Centre where the Sun enters a phase of re-energising, uplift of energies for the coming year. This astronomical location is also known as Vishnunabi, the navel of Lord Vishnu, the place where creation emerges from the Self-Existent, Laya.
The (Winter)(Summer) Solstice
It is noted that the solstice standstill occurred in Mula Nakshatra, the Galactic Centre, ruled by goddess Nirriti. The cosmic force of Nirriti indicates danger, conflict, destruction, and yet the promise of transformation and new birth. On a personal level, we may take this time to do some inner tapasya and surrender that which does not lead us on to the sayujya, union with the cosmic Divine. Recall that the after-effects of the Sun standing still flows on for some time, so the opportunity for spiritual advance is at hand.
Swami: I am happy when anyone asks me about things, which he has not understood. Of course, you have every right.
Bhaktha: You said Sthula-rupa and Sukshma-rupa, the gross form and the subtle form, isn’t it? These two, are they the characteristics of the Manas only? Or are they related to everything?
Swami: They are characteristic of everything; in fact, all the names and forms found in the gross exist also in the subtle stage! Why, the gross is there, only to make you understand the subtle!
Bhaktha: Well then, Swami, we see the gross firmament, the Sthula-aakasa; has it a subtle Aakasa also?
Swami: My dear boy, all this exists in that subtle Aakasa. The subtle Aakasa is as imperceptible and as all-pervading as the gross Aakasa.
Bhaktha: What is its name, Swami?
Swami: It is known as the Sukshma Hridayaakasa, the subtle firmament of the heart.
Bhaktha: How can that be all-pervading?
Swami: Nothing else possesses the extent, the area, the breadth that this Hridayaakasa has. See how many scenes, how many feelings, how many conjectures, are immersed and imbedded in it!
Bhaktha: Then, have we a sun also in that subtle sky?
Swami: Of course! Who said, no? Without that, how can there be all this splendor, all this light and wisdom and brightness?
Bhaktha: What is its name, Swami?
Swami: When the heart is the Aakasa, the sun, naturally, is the Buddhi or the intellect that illuminates that sky. The effulgence of the Buddhi is as bright as the rays of the sun. So, the subtle sun is Buddhi.
Bhaktha: Then it is possible that the moon also in subtle form is in the Aakasa of the heart.
Swami: Why do you ask about all these, one by one? Did I not tell you at the beginning itself? Every gross name and form has its corresponding subtle form and name. The moon in its subtle form is Prema, with its cool rays pleasing to the heart. Love is the subtle form of the moon. Sandeha Nivarini, Ch IX
The New Year
There are two new year events in India in what is called the Panchangam. On Wednesday, 22 March, Ugadi is celebrated.
Ugadi or Yugadi is celebrated as the first day of the year by people of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka. On this day new Samvatsara, which is cycle of sixty years, starts. All sixty Samvatsara are identified by unique name.
Ugadi is celebrated as Gudi Padwa by the people of Maharashtra. Both Ugadi and Gudi Padwa are celebrated on the same day.
Ugadi is new year according to Luni-Solar calendar. Luni-Solar calendars consider the position of the Moon and the position of the Sun to divide the year into months and days. The counter-part of Luni-Solar calendar is Solar calendar which considers only position of the Sun to divide the year into months and days.
In sidereal astrology the Solar New Year occurs when the Sun enters Aries, the traditional first house of the zodiac. This day is called Mesha Sankranti, and occurs on 14 April 2023. You can check the timings for your location on drikpanchang.com website.
Mercury turns retrograde on 29 December 2022, so on January 1, 2023, for the (mundane) New Year Mercury will be retrograde-sandi (weak). This can point to a slower than usual start to the new year. It might be a good idea to delay any new year resolutions until Mercury goes direct, and perhaps instead enjoy an extended holiday period. Yet, this may be a frustrating proposition for some, as Mercury will be retrograding in the idealistic and striving sign of Sagittarius which is always ready to forge ahead to the next idea or adventure!
Mercury direct will occur on January 18, 2023.
Image Credits: Petr Horálek Photography
