Eight Sign Zodiac

This is an introduction to the eight-sign zodiac called Klachakra.

Introduction

Aadala Padma (Eight petal lotus) is the foundation of Hindu philosophy. It is based on the
Klachakra (wheel of time), which is composed of eight spokes and has the 28 constellations
distributed in these spokes. Each of these spokes is in one of the cardinal or intermediate
directions and is reckoned starting from the east and moving in the clockwise direction. Based on
this we have the aadala padma and the aa-magala kriy[1].

1.1

Planar directions

Basically there are eight plane directions and two vertical directions that define all movement.
The eight plane directions are subject to time-quality changes while the vertical always point
upwards and downwards and are essentially, stable, non-changing over long time periods to
merit the definition of being fixed like the pole star Dhruva. The eight planar directions are the
two dimensional image of a map while the vertical directions add the third dimension.
Klachakra does cater to the three dimensional movement but for most practical purposes of
Vedic astrology, we restrict the time quality change to the two dimensions map having eight
directions.

The four cardinal directions are the East, South, West and North that
define the grand cross signified by the + which is considered very auspicious and is the four
junctions of time called gyatr. They are called Klachakra Kendra where kendra means pillar
and the four kendra energies are four pillars of life. Sunrise is equated with the east and the Sun
is the master of the four cardinal directions as the heavenly lamp enlightens the way for all
karma to manifest. The four Kendra are guarded by the royals and the brhmaa planets. Sun
guards the east and Moon guards the north; Jupiter guards the south and Venus guards the west.

The four intermediate directions are called Koa (literally corner) and
indicate sharp, destructive, hostile energy. The four Koa are guarded by ferocious Rhu (NE),
violent Mars (SE), hostile Saturn (NW) and mischievous Mercury (SW). The represent the time
of high energy consumption or drainage and loss of energy. Together they are the fallen cross
represented by x, the multiplication which shows rapid deletion of resources and unhindered
exploitation. For example, at sunrise or 6.00am Sun starts the upward sine-curve while at 9.30am
Mars starts the downward portion of the curve.

1.2

Order of Planets

The arrangement of the planets follows a definite order based on the tattva. Of the kendra, the
tenth bhva is the throne of heaven and shall manifest first. This is followed by ka and Pthvi
tattva in Lagna the horizon in the east where the sky father Dyau-Pit[2] and earth mother
Pthvi meet to create. Finally the 4th and 7th house work in harmony with Jala and Vyu tattva
graha. The order of the planets after Ketu is Agni [Sun, Mars], ka [Jupiter], Pthvi
[Mercury], Jala-Vyu [Venus, Saturn], Jala-Vyu [Moon-Rhu]. It is noteworthy that while Agni
tattva is clearly marked and separated from other tattva in the tenth bhva, Pthvi and ka
share the Lagna bhva with ka (Jupiter) preceding Pthvi (Mercury). Jala is in the sukha
bhva while Vyu is in the Dr bhva, yet they are interlinked and jala graha is followed by
vyu graha.
This establishes an intricate link between the 4th and 7th bhva or home and spouse. For example,
a person with Moon in the 4th bhva is likes good food (Moon signification) and is looking for a
spouse (7th bhva) who is a good cook. In another example which is a direct remedy from
klachakra, Rhu is the 4th bhva merits remedy by the worship of Durg (Moon) during Rhu
Kla for peace at home and more faith in relationships.

1.2.1

Agni Graha: Karma

The first are the Agni tattva graha Ketu, Sun and
Mars are placed in the Vertical Upward, East and South-East directions respectively. These
planets have directional strength in the tenth bhva. Ketu is unchangeable with time and is
relatively fixed like the pole star. It does not participate in the klachakra time quality directly.
The other eight graha from Sun Rhu who are the charakraka planets are involved. It is
evident then that this is the heart level chakra which is showing the manifestation of desires
which caused the rebirth in the first place.
Sun takes the responsibility of the throne of earth and establishes the dharma in the Klachakra.
Mars manifests in the south-east as agni. In the positive this is Krtikeya, the brhmaa guru
teacher of pra and mahvkya, and guru of Mahari Pippalda. Of all the fires, anger is the
worst. The anger (Ma) stemming from desire (Ve) is what is indicated by the klachakra
superimposed with the dg-chakra as the dg-chakra shows desire in the south-east direction
while the klachakra shows anger manifesting due to the karma done to satisfy the desire. This is
the cause of rebirth in most philosophies of substance and is indicated by the 7th bhva (Ve
signification of dg chakra) and Mithuna ri (Ma signification of klachakra). Conjunctions of
Mars and Sun See Chapter 3.

1.2.2

Pthvi-ka: Lagna

Thereafter the planets having directional strength in the Lagna bhva follow. Jupiter is stationed
in the southern direction guarding the longevity (and life itself jva graha) while Mercury is in
the south-west direction struggling to bring the perfect order (Virgo trait) where complete
disorder (Nirti) exists. This is the disorder of the mind which manifests as disorder in life. This
is the disorder of the social material world which does not exist in the spiritual orders of various
religions of the world. Disorder of every kind is symbolized by the direction of Nirti (SE) where
Mercury causes a person to start learning the means to bring order (ta). The source of learning is
Jupiter, the kendra graha just as the Sun (kendra graha) was the source of energy which the koa
graha Mars consumed. The relationship between Mercury and Jupiter defines the ways to learn.
Ignorance of every kind is akin to death (mtyu) and the enlightening wisdom of Bhaspati is the
light that Mercury seeks. The time of Jupiter is akin to the mid-day when all evils are dispelled,
one of the brightest sunshine.
The time of Mercury is the time for counting the money and thinking about ones work and
doing everything that will remove the disorder which creates losses and strife.
1.2.3

Jala-Vyu: Venus-Saturn

Joys and sorrows go hand in hand. Venus shows

the avenues for happiness, laughter, relaxation, enjoyments, relationships and connecting with
everyone and everything in this world. Saturn is the reverse as in strength it gives sorrows,
despair, stress, denials, loneliness and disconnecting with everyone and everything.
Venus (Lakm) is the blessed daughter of the great ditya Varua, god of the oceans[3]. In some
ways Varua is like Oceanus but is actually much bigger as the latter is more restricted to the
sign Pisces[i]. Who else but Viu, the giver of eternal bliss, could win Lakm as spouse. The
time of Venus is one where relationships are established, where friends spend time in caf,

relatives and business acquaintances meet in drawing rooms and the family sits in the living
room. Its the sunset or early evening energy.
The time of Saturn is where we face the punishment for our sins and those who forgot to ask for
forgiveness will have to bear their sentences. The two planets Venus and Saturn work together as
beings (souls) are constantly coming into ones life and leaving when the karma experience is
completed.
1.2.4

Jala-Vyu: Moon-Rhu

Moon is represents good thoughts and family

definition while Rhu indicates the boundary which keeps the non-family out. Rhu causes
suspicion, disbelief and screens everyone and everything. In the process, everything and
everyone gradually gets excluded from family definition and this leads to loneliness and
separation from everyone and everything that was dear at a previous point of time.

To understand this better, think of the relationship between the words family familial
familiar fame which is the domain of the Moon. The Moon is like a big white circle
(depending on your Moon at birth) which keeps adding people inside the circle, a plus + for
everyone who we have a likeness for. We group these people in the mind based on the reason for
the liking them or familiarity. One such group can be the blood lineage where parents and
siblings, spouse and children are included and the familiarity is due to a common surname that
they share (patrilineal). Since Moon rules blood, this group is very strong in the psyche of the
individual.
In a way, these are the four major challenges of life.

[1] Aa-magala kriy is the ritual of worshipping the deities and the graha inside the horoscope
before conducting a Prana (Horary chart) or studying a horoscope.
[2] Chapter 2
[3] Pisces, sign of the Ocean is the exaltation of Venus.
[i] Greek Mythology: Okeanos (or Oceanus) was the Titan god or Protogenos (primeval deity) of
the great earth-encircling river Okeanos, the source of all the earths fresh-water including rivers,
wells, springs and rain-clouds. This is the sign Pisces which is the source (dharma, protector) of
all the water bodies of the planet. Okeanos was also the god who regulated the rising and setting
of the heavenly bodies which were believed to emerge and descend into his watery realm at the
ends of the earth. This is again in line with the sign Pisces which is the last sign of the zodiac
where everything sets. Okeanos wife was Tethys, is the nurse of the zodiac, who was probably
thought to distribute his water to the earth via subterranean caverns. Pisces symbolises all
healing places including hospitals and nurses and doctors are included. Unlike his brother
Titanes, Okeanos was extremely peaceful and neither participated in the castration of Ouranos
nor joined the battle against the younger Olympian gods. Okeanos was depicted in ancient Greek
vase painting as a bull-horned god with the tail of a serpentine fish in place of legs, similar to his
river-god sons. His usual attributes were a fish and serpent. In mosaic art he therefore appears as
a sea-god or the sea personified (god of Pisces region), with crab-claw horns, and for attributes, a
serpent, oar and school of fish. His wife Tethys, shown seated beside him, had wings on her
brow, in the role of mother of rain-clouds.