March 2009 Vedic full moon astrology: Holi

March 9, 7:49 PMAstrology ExaminerMaria Barron

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Covered in colours! (c)www.xsc.hu, used by permission

By Anindita Basu  

The full moon of March is celebrated as Holi in India. The origins of this colourful festival are obscure. Legend has it thus: There was once a very evil demon king called Hiranyakashyap. He declared he was God and decreed no one could worship any other god but him. But his child, his only son, the little prince Prahlad, turned out to be a Narayan devotee (Narayan is a Sanskrit name for Vishnu, the sustainer god of the Hindu trinity).

The father raved and ranted, and even took to threatening the child with death, but the little boy would persist in his “Om Narayanaya namah.” Enraged, the father decided to burn the child to death. The father’s sister (the boy’s aunt) – a demoness named Holika – apparently had a mantle that was fireproof. It was, therefore, decided that Holika would sit with Prahlad on her lap and the mantle across her shoulders, and the king would arrange for a fire to be lit around them, and because of the mantle, Holika would be saved while Prahlad would burn to death.

So, the fire was lit and the king stood there guffawing, “Now, where is your Narayan to save you? You will burn to death. Only I can save you because only I can command Holika to cover you with her mantle.” The little boy just smiled and said, “Om Narayanaya namah.” And the fireproof mantle slipped from Holika’s shoulders and covered the boy. Holika burnt to death; the little prince came out unscathed.

Today, people commemorate the demoness Holika’s death by making a bonfire of twigs and branches on the night of the full moon. “Holika is dead,” they shout in glee. All that’s old and useless is burnt up along, supposedly, with old enmities, old bitterness, and old winter. Holi is then played with the colours of spring – people throw colours on each other, laugh, cry, dance, and generally have a good time. Enemies turn friends; new friendships forged; the bitterness of the past left behind … Holi is a new beginning.

The full moon this Holi night has sun in Purva Bhadra and moon in Purva Phalguni.

The keyword for Purva Bhadra is moving, auspicious fire. Purva Bhadrapad is ruled by the somewhat obscure god called Ajaikapad who, in later texts, is taken to be a form of Shiva, the destroyer god of the Hindu trinity. Some texts also mention Purva Bhadra to be the vehicle of Agni, the fire god.

The ruling planet is Jupiter, teacher of the gods, the spiritual and ethical planet that upholds law and morality. Jupiter is an expansive planet – least bothered with constrictions – and coupled with the fire of Purva Bhadrapad, this may sometimes lead to an unstoppable urge to rise beyond all restrictions. The less enlightened flipside would be an aggressiveness that is concerned with materialism rather than spiritual attainments. It is this glowing upright expansive sun that casts its aspect on the moon.

Moon is in Purva Phalguni this night. The keywords for Purva Phalguni are prosperity, procreation, and material pleasures. The ruling deity is Bhag, the god who distributes wealth and fortune. Bhag presides over the forenoon, that part of the day which is brightest, busiest and happiest. Purva Phalguni is ruled by Venus, the refined, indolent teacher of the demons. This is a potent combination with the boon-granting qualities of Bhag.  At the lower levels, this may result in vanity and a senseless pursuit of material pleasures. On a higher plane, Venus shines as creativity for universal beauty.

This full moon combines the morality and large-heartedness of Jupiter with the creativity and beauty of Venus. It is a benign, friendly, jovial full moon that points to new beginnings. It is a spring full moon.