Avatar & Rasi Chakra - The Play of The Opposite Signs
There is this children’s animation series called Avatar: The Last Airbender. Actually calling it a children’s show doesn’t do it justice as I watched it only as an adult and I loved it.
It actually offers a nice insight into the Rashi Chakra (the zodiac signs of Indian astrology) even though it has no direct relation to it.
In the story, there are four factions (call it nations) bound to a world torn in conflict. One is the Fire Nation who is the main aggressor here, another is the Earth Kingdom, then there is the Air Nomads, and lastly the Water Tribes. Each nation represents one of the core elements (Fire, Earth, Air & Water) that we associate with the 12 Rashis (Sidereal Zodiac Signs).
In the series, the Earth Kingdom symbolises strength, patience and perseverance. The Fire Nation symbolises boldness, assertiveness and a willingness to act (to initiate, to dominate). The Air Nomads symbolise detachment, discipline and learning. The Water Tribes symbolise adaptability, malleability, contentment and spirituality. On the surface they all seem like different people unable to really relate with each other or co-exist, yet there is a hidden (underlying) unity to them that the story tries to unravel. And it is only through the journey of self-discovery and bringing about a balance to the different forces at play that true harmony is attained in that world. That work is represented by the character called “Avatar” who emerges (reincarnates) in every life-cycle to bring balance to their world.
It is interesting how Nature pairs each sign in the zodiac circle. The sign exactly opposite each sign represents a quality that the particular sign is in some sense here to learn.
The sign opposite the Ascendant (Lagna) is the reflection of ourselves (7th = Others) through which we are asked to develop a more integrated understanding of life.
Aries (Mesha) is all about exploring individuality, independence, self-expansion, courage and initiative; while Libra (Tula), which is right opposite Aries, represents relationships, partnerships, compromises, willingness to work with others, and exploring opportunities.
Taurus (Vrishabha) is all about building security, resources, family, possessions and wanting stability, while Scorpio (Vrishchika) is all about dealing with uncertainties, challenges, transformation, fears and seeking depth (seeking answers beyond the shallow waters).
Gemini (Mithuna) is about learning at a ground level — learning music, literature, arts, sports, pursuing new hobbies, skills, etc, to make it in the world (Mercury represents the Mercantile Class). While Sagittarius (Dhanu) is about learning serious stuff — philosophy, metaphysics, transcendental wisdom, theology, religion, etc, in order to free ourselves (Moksha) from the shackles of the world (Jupiter represents the Brahmin Class or Priestly Class). Jupiter is seen as a Teacher (Guru) and Mercury as a young student (Shishya) and see the dynamic at play here.
Cancer (Karkata) is an impractical sign, home-loving, emotional, driven by the heart, wanting peace of mind, comforts, pleasures, nourishment, attached to one’s homeland, roots, etc. Capricorn (Makara) on the other hand is the most practical of the signs (almost too practical in its ways), ambitious, utilitarian, work-driven, status-conscious, committed to external action (deeds, karma). One sign loves to be a homebody while another wants to be out there achieving things.
Leo (Simha) is about self-expression, creativity, responsibility (we are responsible for our children) and achieving personal goals (sign of Royalty, King, Throne) while Aquarius (Kumbha) is all about collective welfare, collective goals, social upliftment, working for social causes, building groups, networks, wanting new reforms (rebellious nature = Rahu — co-ruler of Kumbha), campaigning for systemic changes (Rahu = Innovation), etc. Sun is the King (authority) while Saturn represents the poor man, the labour class, the servant, the neglected. See the interesting contrast between the two (Father and Son), King and Subjects (both entirely dependent on each other in different ways and yet somewhat oblivious of their interdependence).
Virgo (Kanya) is about seeking perfection on the lower plane (material world), by applying the instruments of the Intellect (Buddhi) to bring about order in an ever-changing or transient world (Maya), while Pisces (Meena) knows (intuitively) that true perfection is only attained beyond this world (through surrender of the individuated identity to the Higher Consciousness). One sign likes to explore the world by taking things apart (dissecting and analysis is the way of the Intellect) and seeing each part in minute-detail (Kanya = Detail-oriented) while Pisces likes to see the world without fragmentation (All is One, All is Brahman) and lives in a world of abstraction, imagination, escapism from the demands of the material world, and gathering spiritual insight (Ketu-consciousness). Virgo labours and competes in the real world to achieve its goals (6th = house of competition, enemies, litigation, battles, diseases) while Pisces seeks to surrender (12th = house of loss, loss of self-identity, renunciation) with the understanding that there is a higher principle at work behind the scenes.
See how Mercury the significator of intellect gets exalted in one sign and debilitated in another, while Venus the significator of love, wealth and wisdom (Maharishi Vyasa describes Shukra as ‘Sarva-Shastra-Pravaktaram’ — one who knows all the scriptures) gets debilitated in one and exalted in another. Virgo represents the celibate nun (Kanya = Virgin) trying to achieve purity by overcoming the six-internal enemies (Arishadvargas) while Pisces represents the ashram, the monastery, places of solitude and meditation. See how both signs are so different on the surface and yet complimentary (needing the higher qualities of the other).
Each sign opposite to the other represents a facet of itself (sort of like the Yin and Yang principle) which it needs to understand deeply in order to evolve and grow, and only through developing an integrated understanding of all the different energies (dualities) can there be balance and harmony between the “seemingly” opposite forces. Nature tries to create this balance (i.e. overcoming the illusion of duality) by enforcing partnerships (the 1–7 axis) and forcing the Individual to learn from the Other through the act and dynamics of relationship. It is an interesting arrangement.
“We are not to tell nature what she’s gotta be. … She’s always got better imagination than we have.” — Richard Feynman
