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COPYRIGHT2012 Kooch N. Daniels. All rights reserved. No art in this book may be reproduced, stored, transmitted by any means or used in any form, electronic, mechanical, or by any information system without permission in writing from the artist. No original text in this book may be reproduced, stored, transmitted by any means or used in any form, electronic, mechanical, or by any information system without permission in writing from the author. Please respect the laws of copyright. Any unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and punishable by law.

Dedicated to my spiritual father, Dada, Harish Johari,
my earthly father, Joseph Nasser,
and my heart-warming partner, Victor Daniels.

My life has been blessed with the opportunity to study with eastern Indian artist, philosopher, and scholar, Harish Johari. His yearly visits close to my home in Sonoma County, California were something to look forward to throughout the year. For eighteen years I was lucky enough to sit at the feet of this amazing teacher and listen to his talks concerning astrology, numerology, chakras, ego, Tantra, yogic knowledge, and spiritual truths passed down from his spiritual lineage. After his passing, his protégé and talented student, Pieter Weltevrede began to continue Harish’s tradition of an annual pilgrimage to California from his home near Amsterdam to teach the sacred art of yantra painting. In time Pieter and I developed a friendship, and as you can see when looking at this work’s accompanying illustrations, he has allowed me to share his amazing art with you. With heartfelt thanks I offer my deep appreciation and humble prostrations to these remarkable men and teachers of ancient mystical secrets.

I also want to thank Victor Daniels and Nicola Scott for reading my material and offering editing comments. And I especially want to thank you for opening these pages and reading my humble insights on the meaning of the planets and our mythical and worldly connection with the stars.

A horoscope is a snapshot of life at a given moment in time and space within a larger conceptual system called astrology. Within this system, the movement of the planets and their rotation around our Sun depict activating powers that influence and underlie an astral blueprint of existence. When looked at symbolically, these celestial spheres can become bridges to seeing deeper into the personality. When understood on deeper levels they become pathways to uncover insights lost beneath logic. Knowing something about the energies associated with the planets, whether from perspectives relating to Vedic or Western times, creates a means to dive deeply into the known and unknown recesses of the psyche. This can be beneficial in reflecting on how to use your full spectrum of consciousness to fulfill your life’s purpose. “Astrology studies man as a microcosm and considers him to be an individual part of the macrocosm;” said Jnana yogi Harish Johari, “it is based on the assumption that the human body and psyche are influenced by celestial bodies, the stars and planets of our solar system.”

Each planet has qualities associated with it and these harmonize or disharmonize with the attributes associated with other planets and the various signs of the Zodiac. Because of planetary differences, some may be more beneficial or less harmonious (malefic) depending on the energy denoted by their symbolic nature. The seven ancient planets discussed in this text are the Sun, Moon, Jupiter, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturn, and the Moon’s nodes. As most people know, the Sun and Moon are not officially planets, but when studying the zodiac they are intentionally calculated as such and called luminaries. Also, when interpreting astrological entities, there are two opposite points 180 degrees apart where the moon traverses the ecliptic (the circle that the Sun appears to travel through in a year) that also assume planetary significance. One point is called the North Node or Rahu, the Dragon's Head, and the other is The South Node or Ketu, the Dragon's Tail.

The following interpretations of these nine celestial orbs bridge cultural boundaries and subtlety combine similarities between Eastern and Western analysis of the planets. Whatever astrological tradition you follow, understanding their symbolic message providesa reference to help navigate your path toward self-discovery. Also, reflecting on the images in Pieter’s illustrations will help you learn some of essential qualities that the ancient seers assigned to the planets. If you focus on his art during your meditation practice, (its best to view one illustration during one meditation) you can quickly gain greater understanding of your personal relationship with the planets.

Johari, Harish, The Healing Power of Gemstones, Rochester, Vermont, Destiny Books, 1988, p. 15.

The Sun

Hindu name: Surya or Ravi

Associated Zodiac Sign (Rashis): Leo, The Celestial Lion

House of the Zodiac: Fifth

Gender: Masculine

Exalted in Aries

Weakest in Pisces

Day of the Week: Sunday

Chakra: Manipura, Third chakra

Physical Body: Bones

Archetype: The Father / The Hero / The King

Color: Golden

Numerology: One

Gem: Ruby

Masculine, positive, yang energy; the father; creativity; vitality; determination; stimulation; individualism, illumination; resourcefulness; an outgoing and active nature

Self-centeredness; assumptive; too bold; undisciplined; childishly naive, indulgent; extravagant; demanding; and/or too focused on money, power, or fame