scriptures point out that man must satisfy the laws of nature, while not discrediting the divine omnipotence. He should say: “Lord I trust in Thee, and know Thou canst help me, but I too will do my best to undo any wrong I have done.” By a number of means—by prayer, by willpower, by yoga meditation, by consultation with the saints—the adverse effects of past wrongs can be minimized or nullified. Just as a house may be fitted with a copper rod to absorb the shock of lightning, so the bodily temple can be benefited in certain ways.—Master teacher Sri Yukteswar as recounted by Paramahansa Yogananda in Autobiography of a Yogi [chapter 16]
Discipline does not mean suppression and control, nor is it adjustment to a pattern or an ideology; it means a mind that sees “what is,” and learns from “what is.”
Jiddu Krishnamurti, The Impossible Question
CHAPTER 6: KEY 1
Where Is Your Personality (Sun Sign) Taking You?
As most everyone who is familiar with astrology knows, the sun sign indicates the personality. It provides, as Linda Goodman explains in her book, Sun Signs, “an amazingly accurate picture of the individual.”
We are born as a certain personality and under a certain sign in order to more fully come to a certain type of experience. Being born into Libra, for example, will give one an added sense of beauty and equilibrium. This is especially helpful if the individual has come from a lifetime where he was so imbalanced or perhaps hurt, that he failed to appreciate the beauty around him, and now needs to experience things in a more aesthetic way.
The sun sign, also known as the birth sign, only presents part of the picture. A complete astrological blueprint, known as the natal chart, contains a wheel of twelve houses. Each of these houses indicates a different aspect of the individual. For the purposes of karma, we are primarily concerned with two of these, which make up the next two keys.
The first is the South Node, located in the opposite sign of the North Node. This is where you’ve “come from,” or the Soul Memory. The South Node points to your past-life experience. Usually we have a feeling of saturation or overload in the South Node area. We are just not interested.
The second planetary placement we are concerned with is the North Node. This is why you’re here, or the Soul Potential. The North Node indicates the purpose of your birth. It’s your karmic responsibility and karmic thrust, or what you’re supposed to be doing to get rid of your karmic “indebtedness.”
Since the nodes are always in opposite signs, if your South Node is in Gemini, your North Node is in Sagittarius. In this lifetime, this means you are supposed to use the more positive influences of your Gemini energy, such as organization, good listening skills, and a healthy curiosity, to master the opposite energy of your Sagittarian North Node. The problems associated with the South Node must be overcome in order to fully realize the promise of the North Node.
Found in this chapter and the one following are your North and South Node placements, determined by the time of your birth. Learning what these are translates into your steps to overcoming life’s problems and achieving your heart’s desire.
Look to your birth sign for an indication of your basic personality and the challenges it presents.
Negative traits are the expression of your sun sign’s most destructive tendencies. Positive traits are the expression of the most constructive tendencies particular to your sign. While sun signs are only a partial indicator or personality, they are good indicators of the opportunities thrown our way. Negative traits are our opportunity to be challenged in order to grow into the most positive expression of our sign.
ARIES—March 21 to April 20
Negative traits: blunt, arrogant, judgmental, restricted.
Positive traits: courteous, enthusiastic, energetic, loyal.
Most descriptive phrase: “I’m ready! Let’s go!”
Happiest Moment: When you’re in a position of leadership.
FOR POSITIVE EXPRESSION: Remember to share
TAURUS—April 21 to May 20
Negative traits: self-indulgent, materialistic, inflexible, repressed.
Positive traits: social, careful, vigorous, steadfast.
Most descriptive phrase: “I’m not extravagant, I just like to spend money!”
Happiest Moment: When you get your way.
FOR POSITIVE EXPRESSION: Avoid greed.
GEMINI—May 21 to June 21
Negative traits: unrealistic, compulsive, obsessive, impulsive.
Positive traits: honorable, humorous, adaptable, capable.
Most descriptive phrase: “Who needs to sleep, when there’s so much to live and learn?”
Happiest Moment: When you are laughing, talking, and reading all at the same time.
FOR POSITIVE EXPRESSION: Learn to concentrate.
CANCER—June 22 to July 21
Negative traits: rigid, fearful, isolated, passive.
Positive traits: fun-loving, responsible, perceptive, empathic.
Most descriptive phrase: “Why go out to eat, when I can fix us a nice meal?”
Happiest Moment: When you’re receiving reciprocal love.
FOR POSITIVE EXPRESSION: Don’t be spineless.
LEO—July 22 to August 21
Negative traits: sexually-obsessive, judgmental, opinionated, restricted.
Positive traits: loyal, observant, generous, powerful.
Most descriptive phrase: “Why buy second best?”
Happiest Moment: When you are elected president of anything.
FOR POSITIVE EXPRESSION: Remember humility.
VIRGO—August 22 to September 22
Negative traits: inflexible, puritanical, insistent, procrastinating.
Positive traits: patient, multi-talented, dynamic, free-spirited.
Most descriptive phrase: “Why buy new shoes, when these are perfectly good?”
Happiest Moment: When you find a bargain.
FOR POSITIVE EXPRESSION: Be patient.
LIBRA—September 23 to October 22
Negative traits: insensitive, unforgiving, self-righteous, complacent.
Positive traits: tasteful, socially superior, romantic, capable.
Most descriptive phrase: “I can’t decide . . .”
Happiest Moment: While enjoying music and art.
FOR POSITIVE EXPRESSION: Overcome ambivalence.
SCORPIO—October 23 to November 21
Negative traits: procrastinating, depressive, self-unaware, troubled.
Positive traits: influential, powerful, persistent, mystical.
Most