THE NAKSHATRAS AND
THE ABSTRACTION CARDS

Below are two charts:

1. A Logistical Chart associates each card with a nakshatra, the translation of the nakshatra's name, the glyph of that nakshatra, the location of the fixed stars of the nakshatra and the nature of that constellation.


2. A Metaphysical Chart associates each card with a nakshatra, the symbol for that nakshatra, an interpretation of the symbol, the shakti of each nakshatra as identified by David Frawley and a Dognosticliché that combines clichés in a way that amuses and/or confuses.

VEDIC ASTROLOGY

The nakshatras are a small part of the vast study of Vedic Astrology, which is a translation of only a small part of the Indian philosophy of Jyotish. "Jyoti" translates as candle flame or the divine principal of light; "sh" refers to the best or wisest. Therefore, Jyotish is seen as the wisdom of the stars. Jyotish is explored in the Vedas as stories of the gods that apply to every day life. They were written in Sanskrit approximately 5,000 years ago. The oral tradition, or the Upanishad, spread these parables to support the notion that life is merely one stage of existence.

Vedic astrology, unlike western astrology, uses a sidereal system rather than a tropical system. Generally, western astrologers use the tropical system and eastern astrologers use the sidereal system.

The tropical system is rooted in time and focuses on cycles. Over 2,000 years ago, astrologers used the Spring Equinox as the starting point of 1° Aries and allotted 30° to each zodiacal sign to complete a circle around the earth.

The sidereal is rooted in space and focuses on the direct observation of fixed constellations, taking into consideration the tilt of the earth on its axis. (A flat earth? Feh!) The starting point of 1° Aries alters 1° every 72 years from the tropical system. Not since 285 a.d. have both systems been in complete alignment. In 2006 the difference is 23°.

Those who accept that these two differing systems are both useful in their own way, often see the tropical system as more earthly because of its focus on cycles and the seasons, and the sidereal system as more heavenly, because of its focus on the stars.

Vedic Astrology first appeared in the Rig Veda, the oldest of the Hindu Vedas (3000 BCE) largely focuses on the influences of the moon. This lunar focus was mirrored in the Greek, Egyptian, Chinese and Celtic traditions. The ancient Vedic sages looked to the origins of the soul, using the stars as symbols for understanding divine grace and cosmic law.

Nakshatras

The ancient Vedic astrologers used the nakshatras to denote stationary stars through which the moon moves during its monthly cycle of 27 days and 7 hours. Modern Vedic astrology redistributes the extra seven hours into the 27 remaining nakshatras.

The word "nakshatra" breaks down into "naksh", which means approach or worship, and "tra", which is a way of connecting to the cosmic. A later observation added to this translation by breaking the word down as: "na", not and "kshatra", destructible.

David Frawley associates each nakshatra with a shakti, the power of a specific deity to live in human form. Further information on the gunas and other qualities of each nakshatra can be found under each Abstraction Card here. All of this information and more will be included in The Book of Dognostication , to be published in 2007.

The Logistical Chart associates each card with a nakshatra, the translation of the nakshatra's name, the location of the fixed stars of the nakshatra and the nature of that constellation.

Metaphysical Chart associates each card with a nakshatra, the shakti as described by David Frawley, a translation of the shakti, the symbol for that nakshatra and a Dognosticliché, which combines clichés in a way that amuses and/or confuses.