Retrogression is beautiful – especially from a spiritual perspective – whenever a transiting planet retrogrades it creates a wonderful opportunity for you to sit back and introspect on the matter of the house that it rules. Always remember it is necessary that in life – you get the opportunity or you create an opportunity for yourself to PAUSE for a while.
In life, it is necessary that you PAUSE during certain phases of life so that you can introspect and take a better view of certain matters of your life which need or has much scope for improvement.
Retrogression of transiting planet and retrogression of the natal planet are two different subjects. Transiting planet retrogression signifies a short span of time during which the native gets a rare window of opportunity to sit back – pause and introspect on the matters of the house that the retrograde planet signifies. However when it comes to the natal retrograde planet – then the native is destined to have lifelong learning lessons about the matters that the retrograde planet signifies in his or her chart.
When Venus is retrograde in a person’s birth chart – then such a person will have to go through many lessons of love – he may go through several break-ups in relationships, he may be cheated in love affairs, or he may simply go through all kind of sexual pleasures just to later realize that what an ass he has made of himself by running behind women and sex. So eventually – if the person is an evolved soul then this retrograde Venus in his birth chart enables him to learn – to evolve through the many bad or strange experiences that he had during his whole life. So retrogression leads to self-learning – to self-growth – especially if the soul is an evolved soul. When you fail – you learn something new – and this learning leads to success in the next relationship. However, if the learning is not happening – then you continue to fail in relationships.
Venus is the GODDESS OF ART – all kinds of arts. Love Making is also an art! And so women and men having retrograde Venus – generally are talented when it comes to the art of love-making – Kamasutra. In India – one man took the courage to document the many sexual positions by practically observing the art of lovemaking – and his name was Vatsyayana. I am of the view – that Vatsyayana must have had a retrograde Venus – because he was so much interested in analyzing the art of sex – that he spent many years of life writing a detailed scripture on the art of lovemaking – titled – “KAMASUTRA”.
However Vatsyayana was not a common soul – he was also a spiritual person – and this is seen through his writings. The whole purpose of Vatsyayana in sharing and educating society about SEX and LOVE MAKING – was basically to bring refinement in sexuality – because when you discuss SEX openly – when you DON’T find anything wrong about SEX – only then do you truly evolve as a much matured human being.
VATSYAYANA scripted the ancient Indian Sanskrit text on sexuality, eroticism, and emotional fulfillment in life however his personal life was highly spiritual and he was a very pious person and this is clearly reflected in the last words that he writes in his famous Sutras – the Kama Sutras (Sex Sermons):
Vatsyayana writes:
“After reading and considering the works of Babhravya and other ancient authors, and thinking over the meaning of the rules given by them, this treatise was composed, according to the precepts of the Holy Writ, for the benefit of the world, by Vatsyayana, while leading the life of a religious student at Benares, and wholly engaged in the contemplation of the Deity. This work is not to be used merely as an instrument for satisfying our desires. A person acquainted with the true principles of this science, who preserves his Dharma (virtue or religious merit), his Artha (worldly wealth) and his Kama (pleasure or sensual gratification), and who has regard for the customs of the people, is sure to obtain the mastery over his senses. In short, an intelligent and knowing person attending to Dharma and Artha and also to the Kama, without becoming the slave of his passions, will obtain success in everything that he may do.” – Vatsyayana
What a great human being – Vatsyayana was! Only a spiritual being can relate to these deep insightful words of – Vatsyayana!
Men and women having RETROGRADE VENUS have a far greater understanding of SEX and only that man and only that woman who can understand his or her SEX and SEXUALITY – can truly progress on the spiritual path. And nobody is going to tell you this – because not everybody is aware of the truth and those who are – may not dare to share. But I am telling you – that do not fear your sexuality – because unless you overcome your sexuality – you cannot transcend – you cannot truly become free of sexual desires. Remember – human life primarily revolves around two aspects – EGO and SEX. And overcoming these two aspects is the greatest challenge for a spiritual seeker – and a true spiritual seeker does not run away from EGO and SEX – instead, he tries to work on them by facing them and finishing them by realizing their futility. It is often said – that Prostitutes are bad – because day and night they do sex. Once it happened – a great King welcomed Swami Vivekananda. And this is a very old story – a story before Swami Vivekananda traveled to the US and became famous. So during those days – Swami Vivekananda was still evolving – he was very young but the King had heard about him and so he invited Swami Vivekananda to his court. And you know – how the Kings treat their guests – they treat them with beautiful dancers, beautiful prostitutes – and so when Swami Vivekananda came to his Palace – the King presented the most beautiful dancers, and beautiful prostitutes before him. The King completely forgot that to receive a sannyasin with the singing of prostitutes and dancing of prostitutes doesn’t suit. But he couldn’t know anything else. He always knew that when you have to receive somebody, drinking, and dancing have to be done.
And Vivekananda was still immature; he was not a perfect sannyasin yet. Had he been a perfect sannyasin, then there was indifference — no problem — but he was not indifferent yet. He has not gone that deep into Patanjali even. He was a young man and a very suppressive one who was suppressing his sex and everything. When he saw the prostitutes, he simply locked his room and would not come out of it.
The Maharaja came and he asked his forgiveness. He said, ‘We don’t know. We have never received any sannyasin. We always receive kings, so we know the ways. So we are sorry, but now it will be too much insulting because this is the greatest prostitute in the country — and very costly. And we have paid, and to say her to move and go will be insulting to her, and if you don’t come she will feel very much hurt. So come out.”
But Vivekananda was afraid to come out; that’s why I say he was still immature, still not a seasoned sannyasin. Still, indifference is not there — a condemnation: “A prostitute?” — he was very angry, and he said, “No” Then the prostitute started singing without him, and she sang a song of a saint. The song is very beautiful. The song says that “I know that I am not worthy of you, but you could have been a little more compassionate. I am dirt on the road; that I know. But you need not be so antagonistic to me. I am nobody — ignorant, a sinner. But you are a saint — why are you afraid of me?”
It is said Vivekananda heard from his room. The prostitute was weeping and singing, and he felt — he felt the whole situation of what he is doing. It is immature and childish. Why he is afraid? Fear exists only if you are attracted. You will be afraid of women if you are attracted to women. If you are not attracted, the fear disappears. What is fear? An indifference comes without any antagonism.
He opened the door: he couldn’t contain himself, he was defeated by the prostitute. The prostitute became victorious; he had to come out. He came and he sat, and he wrote in his diary that “A new revelation has been given to me by the divine. I was afraid… must be some lust within me. That’s why I was afraid. But the woman defeated me completely, and I have never seen such a pure soul. The tears were so innocent and the singing and the dancing were so holy that I would have missed them. And sitting near her, for the first time I became aware that it is not a question who is there outside; it is a question of what is.”
That night he wrote in his diary ‘Now I can even sleep with that woman in the bed and there will be no fear.” He transcended. That prostitute helped him to transcend. This is a miracle. Ramakrishna couldn’t help and a prostitute helped him. So nobody knows where the help will come from. Nobody knows what is evil and what is good. Who can decide? Mind is impotent and helpless. So don’t take any attitude: that is the meaning of being indifferent.
That prostitute was a woman with a pure heart. Always remember – never be quick to judge – you never know what lies beneath. Swami Vivekanand initially condemned the prostitute – but when she started singing – and he heard the words of her song – his heart melted – he came running to her – he must have touched her feet – he was a man of great stature – only a man of his stature can understand the heart of such a woman – that not only he is touched but he also sits down and writes in his diary – “A new revelation has been given to me by the divine. I was afraid… must be some lust within me. That’s why I was afraid. But the woman defeated me completely, and I have never seen such a pure soul. The tears were so innocent and the singing and the dancing were so holy that I would have missed them. And sitting near her, for the first time I became aware that it is not a question who is there outside; it is a question of what is.”
How deep is this my fellows – how deep – but only an evolved soul can understand the depth of it – others cannot.
The prostitute must have had a retrograde Venus – she may be an expert in the art of lovemaking – that’s what prostitutes are known for – and in fact, a prostitute is better than – the other woman. Because the other woman steals your husband – a prostitute has absolutely no interest in stealing your husband – therefore it is said that prostitutes have helped many married couples from falling apart!
Retrograde Planet, therefore, has the ability to bring a certain mastery in the matters that it rules however since much energy is spent in attaining mastery – the other dimensions of life suffer or take a backseat. For example – a retrograde Venus may compel you to spend most of your years in the matters of love, relationships, and the matters that Venus rules in your birth chart.
When Mercury is retrograde in a person’s birth chart – then such a person is always going through a lot of brain-storming – a lot of analysis which in turn provides him with a certain revelation or invention. Steve Jobs is one fine example of Retrograde Mercury – however, the buck doesn’t stop here. Although the retrogression of Mercury provides them the time and space to sit back, observe and analyze still it also gives them certain side effects such as making a wrong decision, choosing the wrong people, and getting cheated. In 1985 – Steve Jobs was forced to resign from Apple. He was the founder of Apple – and yet he had to leave Apple. However in 1997 – after 12 years of break – Steve returned to Apple with the new concept of the i-phone! This is the basic trend of Mercury Retrograde – that what was left unfinished – needs to be finished and for that one has to return and deliver. Since it is Mercury – the matter is more related to intellectual property. Intellectual property (IP) refers to creations of the mind, such as inventions; literary and artistic works; designs; symbols, names, and images used in commerce. By returning to Apple – Steve Jobs finished his unfinished karmic dues of delivering the greatest intellectual property to the human world – the making of the iPhone! He died in 2011 – but in the last 14 years that he spent working for Apple – he was able to complete most of his unfinished business – the Retrograde Mercury in his chart had delivered what was promised and what needed to be completed. It is said that when Steve Jobs died – the only book that he had with him was the book written by Paramhansa Yogananda – “Autobiography of a Yogi”. Probably during the last days of his life – he was reading this book and who knows – that this book may lead him to a new level of consciousness – a new level of rebirth in which the Mercury is no more retrograde because the work has been accomplished – the awareness has risen – the consciousness has expanded! God bless His soul.
So retrograde Mercury is not bad – because it provides a window of opportunity to sit back, and spend more time on a certain subject – it gives great potential to analyze deeply and find out that which others have been missing to find. However for retrograde mercury to fructify positively – the whole chart needs to have a certain quality to it. In a cheap fellows birth chart – a fellow who comments to hurt others – in such a person’s chart – this kind of development will prove futile. And therefore it is only when the person is an evolved soul or an evolving soul – that this Retrograde Mercury can show great results and lead one to some great inventions, discoveries as well as great artistic talents. Madonna and Lady Gaga also have Retrograde Mercury. Interestingly those who had Retrograde Mercury in their birth chart – these fellows enjoy the time when transiting Mercury goes retrograde! Simply because these fellows are born with the qualities of doing deep analysis – that the transit Mercury Retrograde period compliments their in-born retrograde mercury qualities. Transiting Retrograde Mercury proves challenging for those who do not have retrograde mercury in their birth charts – they are not used to pausing and analyzing – they like to analyze while moving ahead but transiting Mercury slows down the pace of their work-life and compels them to pause and look back.
People often relate reincarnations with retrograde – but that is a myth. Retrograde has absolutely nothing to do with reincarnation. Retrograde simply is a state of quality (Guna) that a native is born with. Many people also associate the myth – that a retrograde planet gives birth to the house behind it – meaning if Retrograde Mercury is in the 7th house – it will give results of the 6th house – this is also a farce – a myth. Nothing sort of this happens in real life – Retrograde Mercury means a state of the Brain that simply likes to pause (or is compelled to pause) and analyze. So when you pause and spend a lot of energy on analyzing – delays happen – people say that ‘you take a lot of time’ to conclude. But that’s how it is. To some – you may also appear as a black sheep or an odd figure – but then that is bound to happen because in the count of ten – only two will have retrograde mercury – and the minority always stands out – and so does the fellows having Retrograde Mercury.
However – I again repeat that the horoscope needs to have a certain quality to it – else Retrograde Mercury is like a SHARP EDGE SWORD – if it is put to use for a good purpose – it can lead to great intellectual output however if it is put to bad purpose – then cheaters, frauds and even black magicians are born with this kind of Retrograde Mercury in a troubled horoscope. However, in a good quality horoscope – the result of Retrograde Mercury is always good.
Always remember – and I say this specifically to my close followers – that in every man – GOOD and EVIL exist. GOD and DEVIL – both exist in you – depending on your KARMA – you either boost the GOD within you or the DEVIL within you – and retrograde Mercury will work based on which side you choose – the GOOD or the DEVIL. For example – on this forum, many people claim that they are students of astrology but look at their comments – their comments show what they are – in the true sense. And so always remember – a single planet is not bad or good – what makes him bad or good is the environment in which the planet is placed – if a good seed is placed in a bad garden – it will turn out bad. And if a bad seed is placed in a good garden – it will turn out good. So the environment matters – the holistic quality of the birth chart is what matters. It happened once – that there was a great artist – he must be like me – he was in search of a beautiful person. He want to paint a portrait of an innocent beautiful person and he searched and he searched and finally, he came across a beautiful young boy – and he looked so innocent – so candid – so energetic and so full of life that the young artist decided to paint his portrait. Millions of copies of the portrait were made and it sold far and wide. People felt great gratitude, for just being able to hang the picture on their walls.
After a gap of twenty years, when the artist had grown old, he decided to paint another portrait. This time – he wanted to paint a portrait of the worst cruel person on this planet. Because after living through many experiences of life – he realized that along with GOOD – DEVIL also exists in human beings. And so he started searching for a man who is not a man but a DEVIL. Someone who would go to gambling dens, bars, and to madhouses. This subject had to be full of hell’s fire; his face had to show all that is evil, ugly, and sadistic.
After a long search, the artist finally met a prisoner in a jail. The man had committed seven murders and had been sentenced to be hanged in a few days. Hell was evident in the man’s eyes; they spouted hate. His face was the ugliest one could hope to find. The artist began to paint him.
When he had completed the portrait he brought out his earlier picture and set it by the side of the new painting for contrast. It was difficult to assess which was better from an artistic point of view; both were marvelous. He stood, staring at both of them. And then he heard a sob. He turned and saw the chained prisoner, crying. The artist was bewildered. He asked, “My friend, why are you crying? Do these pictures disturb you?”
The prisoner said, “I have been trying to hide something from you all this time, but today I am lost. You obviously do not know that the first picture is also of me. Both portraits are of me. I am the same shepherd you met twenty years ago in the hills. I cry for my downfall in the last twenty years. I have fallen from heaven to hell, from God to Satan.”
This is how the story of human beings is. That a good man – the most innocent joyful shepherd eventually became a murderer and not just one murder but 7 murders. What I am trying to help you all understand is that – it all depends on what you are from within. And your birth chart is simply a MIRROR of what you are from within. Depending on whether your birth chart depicts GODLINESS or DEVILISHNESS – the retrograde Mercury will provide results.
Enough for now – in my next video – I will talk more – about Retrograde Jupiter and Retrograde Saturn.
Love to you all – and remember to meditate every day – no matter how much is your bank balance – if you are not spending time turning inwards – if you are not spending time in knowing yourself – then you are no less than an animal – a two-leg animal who just enjoys in having food, sex, and power.
Ponder on my words – if you can relate with me – you are my friend and if you cannot – then also you do not become my enemy – but your own worst enemy. Any person who refrains from focusing within – is an enemy of himself.
Meditate.
Jai Shri Ganesha. Jai Guru.
