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The increasing interest
in the doctrine of reincarnation is now finding a measure of scientific
support. A number of prominent researchers - most notably - **Brian
L. Weiss, M.D. - have written well documented books dealing with memory of past
life experiences.
The walls of the Borobudur, a magnificent Buddhist ruin on the island of
Java, are decorated with scenes from the 600 previous lives of Gautama
Buddha. To most Buddhists rebirth is a simple fact. It is one
of the determining elements in the ethical and moral philosophies of these
people.
The question arises:
Would it be possible astrologically to prove beyond a shadow
of a doubt that reincarnation is an actual fact? Could a chart be
set up at the time of death which would be the birth chart of the
individual entering the spiritual world, and would it be possible for such
a chart to reveal the condition of that individual in the after-death state as
well as the time and place of its rebirth on the physical plane?
Would it also be
conceivable that a birth chart of the present life could provide some clue
to the previous incarnation? Hindu philosophers would answer these
questions in the affirmative, but many Western thinkers have strong
reservations. Those astrologers who do believe in reincarnation base
their assumption on the natural progression of zodiacal signs supported by
the position of the Moon's South Node in the horoscope of the present
life. The South Node is considered karmic and relates to the
unfinished business brought forward from the past. Aspects made by
and to the South Node indicate assets and liabilities which the individual
has brought with him/her at the time of the present incarnation.
Lessons we have learned before contribute to pleasure and those unlearned
reveal difficulties which must be solved through conscious effort.
The horoscope for
future lives depends largely upon the accomplishments of the present
life. Growth continues until the physical body is cast off.
The sign of the cusp of the second house may indicate the general
direction of future activity. The Ascendant cusp sign (1st house)
signifies the present state of the evolving soul. The 12th house
cusp signifies the
previous life of the individual.
Ordinarily, the 12th house of the horoscope is termed the house of
self-undoing because it reveals the fundamental weaknesses of the
individual's character
which undermine the probability of present success. The term self-undoing
is identical in meaning with karma or the
accumulation of past actions which overshadows present conditions.
This accumulation is carried forward from life to life until all
weaknesses are overcome and final perfection is achieved.
The Law of Cause and
Effect is one of the most important of the seven great laws by which,
according to the ancient wisdom, the universe is sustained. Yet few
people apply this law to personal action, sometimes because of ignorance,
but more often, because the training of modern man has caused him to feel
that he is in some way superior to - or apart from the ordinary edicts of
nature.
The great philosopher
of India, Gautama Buddha, once said: "Effect follows cause as
the wheel of the cart follows the foot of the oxen." We live in
a world completely ruled by a law of universal compensation. Most of
the miseries which now afflict suffering mankind are due to our ignoring
the principle of compensation in action. We do not sense the
profound moral inference behind the story of the sowing and reaping.
So how does astrology
fit into this picture? What part do the stars play in the
administration of The Law of Cause and Effect? To understand this point,
we must have recourse to another law of the ancients - Reincarnation.
Life is eternally building, constantly improving vehicles for its own
expression.
Reincarnation
applied to man teaches that each human being has already lived many times
upon this earth, and in future ages will frequently return. The
present life of an individual is not the whole of his existence, but a
mere fragment.
** Publications:
Many Lives, Many Mansions
Same Soul, Many Bodies
Website: http:brianweiss.com
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