MOKSHA

philosophy, science and the occult, as well as creative expression, like art, are themselves lesser aspects of the goal of liberation. For this reason, the aim of liberation can also be defined as knowledge. All of us are seeking knowledge or freedom in one way or another. It is knowledge that gives us freedom, which extends our horizons and gives us access to the greater world beyond the limits of our body and senses. Yet knowledge may be lower, as of the outer world, or higher, as of the true Self. This latter is the real goal through which real liberation is possible. The lesser knowledge gives us greater space to operate in the world but it does not free us from the limitations of worldly existence.

Indications in the Chart

Jupiter and Ketu rule Moksha. Jupiter shows our general seeking of expansion and truth, our aspiration and need to grow and transcend. Ketu shows our ability to negate and transcend things. It affords deep insight, discrimination and perception. Saturn is also important as it gives detachment, renunciation and the capacity to be alone. Mercury is important, as the indicator of the intellect; it shows the level of knowledge that we seek.

Houses of Moksha are fourth, eighth and twelfth. The fourth shows our emotional happiness. The eighth shows occult and mental insight. The twelfth shows spiritual liberation.

The house influences of the ninth and twelfth together are important, as well as their lords, with Jupiter the significator of the ninth and Ketu of the twelfth. The ninth gives us our sense of values, goals, principles and aspirations. It shows the dharma behind our pursuit of moksha. The twelfth allows us to negate our experiences and go beyond what we already are (our conditioned being). It also shows the past and the latent impressions in the subconscious that motivates us. The fifth house has some importance as the measure of the good karma we bring into the present life, the indication of past spiritual practices. It also shows our devotion in life, what form or energy of the Divine that we seek.

The fourth and eighth houses also relate to liberation. The fourth shows our capacity for peace of mind, the foundation of all spiritual pursuits. It shows self-contentment, psychological stability and mental receptivity. The eighth shows our ability to go beyond death and time, the gateway to the eternal. It gives the ability to transcend suffering and often affords deep perception.

The planets of ignorance and attachment often limit our pursuit of Moksha. These are particularly Venus and Mars, the planets of passion and sexuality. Saturn can provide the detachment that aids us in liberation or it can create darkness of mind that prevents it. Jupiter can get us attached to outer affluence or religious ceremonialism. Hence, liberation is the most complex thing to measure in a chart. All planets have a higher or spiritual and lower or materialistic functioning.

Jupiter, as the great benefic, is the planetary indicator of our positive goals in life. So it is the most important planet in showing how we can achieve any of the four aims of life. How our Jupiter is oriented will show the areas in which we will seek our highest good in life.

Saturn, as the indicator of karma or destiny, shows the limitations we encounter but is also useful in giving us the lesson of suffering that takes us from the lower to the higher goals.

When both Jupiter and Saturn balance each other and further spiritual knowledge, we are able to attain our maximum destiny in life and become a person of true greatness.

The lunar nodes have a similar importance. Rahu, the north node, shows where we are apt to overly project ourselves into the outer world. Ketu, the south node, indicates where we are prone to overly contract ourselves into the inner world. When the lords of both nodes are in harmony our lives function well. When they are in harmony on a spiritual level, great transformation is possible.