Who are you? Astro- Art analysis of Grace
Updated: Dec 12, 2020
Astrology involves the study of stars/planets and the influence they have on human beings. The influence reflects in the human personality. More so, habits, thoughts, aspirations and struggles can be understood through the astrological chart.
Today we explore the role of astrological factors behind the actions and choices of an individual. The exploration will involve an astro personality analysis through the medium of art.
The above painting was shared by Ms. SR who follows the 8th House blog. She made this painting in order to describe her life and experiences. She titled the painting GRACE.
Uniqueness of Grace
Before looking at the birth chart of Ms. SR, I looked at Grace and noted down some points which got my attention.
The Sun : the rays of the Sun against the dark clouds
The lotus/flower: not on earth but sideways
The dark moving sky: not merging smoothly at the end
The fruits of the tree: separate from each other and shaped round
The name Grace
A combined reading: Birth Chart and Grace
When I saw the astrological chart of Ms. SR, I tried locating the source of inspiration for the painting. The following features of the astrological chart appeared prominent;
Ascendant
The native (Ms. SR) is a Hasta ascendant with sign of Virgo in the first House. The nakshatra of Hasta is associated with the Sun and Sun's rays. The deity is Savitar meaning the first rays of the rising sun.
Clearly the prominence of the Sun in Grace is established by Ms. SR. The power and sanctity of the sun's rays is maintained even against the dark and overwhelming sky.
Because of sign rulership of Mercury, the influence of Hasta makes the native very practical, involving making of classifications and arrangements. In the painting one can see the neat arrangement of everything.
The only portion in the painting which involving merging i.e. the sky, from a dark to a light version is not smooth.
Mercury
Mercury, the planet of communication, intellect and logic is placed in Shatabishak nakshatra. Mercury in the chart is combust and retrograde. (combustion happens due to close proximity with the Sun. Retrograde planets are those which were in the retrograde motion when the native was born).
On the nakshatra of Shatabhisak (in which Mercury is placed), see the following paragraph from a previous post;
There are two other symbols for Shatabishak. One is a circle and the other a lotus flower. The circle symbolism brings in themes of continuum, boundaries and hidden energies. Just like one may never be sure of what is inside the circle, Shatabishak energies remain partly hidden or beyond exploration. (like the hidden realms of human mind or the outer space). The lotus flower in Shatabishak is about beauty in many of its forms. The 1000 leaves of the flower and its process of emergence and become complete reveal a lot about the star...
The lotus in the painting of Ms. SR is a visible manifestation of the influence of Mercury in Shatabishak. The most peculiar feature being that it is separate from earth, the life force for all living things.
Here the flower is full and vibrant. The representation of the flower in the painting sheds light on the how Ms. SR views growth and beauty. There is an understanding that beauty and growth can happen in unexpected ways. There are no limits to life and forms of existence.
Three planets on Purva Bhadrapada
Ms. SR has three key planets in the nakshatra of Purvabhadrapada. One of the symbols of Purva Bhadrapada is a man with two faces.
The theme of two faces/sides may indicate the experience of extremes - from anger to peace, from rags to riches. An experience of the two sides of every story.
Even in the painting it is hard to ignore the two sides theme playing out. First, the lotus is against the norm yet beautiful. Second, the fruit is red and wholesome yet separate from the tree. Third, the sun is bright and blazing even against the dark sky. Infact, the sky is darkest on the side of the sun.
The ability Ms. SR to weave patterns of this kind into one frame comes from a deeper influence of the nakshatra energies of duality.
Ketu in Punarvasu
Ketu represents our deeper psychological states coming from the past. It also sheds light of the higher or spiritual inclinations of a native. Punarvasu is translated to mean "good again", "return of the light", "visible infinity". Prash Trivedi calls it a transformation from darkness to light. Here again the play of two sides is evident.
In the painting, the sky appears to be very close to earth creating an impression of the higher realm on earth. The separation in the two shades of the blue shows the discomfort of separation from the infinite sky. In addition, the upward movement of the tree also represents the wanting or aspiration to merge with the "visible infinity".
The name Grace
Ms. SR gave the name GRACE to the painting. She believes the word defines her life. The most fascinating thing is that the theme of duality is also represented in this context.
Defining Grace- a paragraph from the book Manifestations of Grace;
Grace has many faces....Upon further reflection, one realizes that the forms of grace are limitless. Our understanding of grace is influenced by several factors...As we shall see, grace is discovered in the concrete circumstances of life, and thus its meaning is colored by the infinite variety of those circumstances.
In the above paragraph, the prominence of words like limitless, infinite, many faces and forms can not ignored.
Who are you?
The astro personality analysis based on the painting Grace gives an indication that the following themes are prominent in the life of Ms. SR.
1. Grace is always there.
2. Life is neither black nor white. It is all colors.
3. You can run but you can never hide.
4. Beauty lies in the eyes of the perceiver.
5. Life is full of miracles and possibilities.
6. Life force- dedication
7. Life aspiration- to rise, go higher, liberate
My gratitude to Ms. SR for letting me write this post.
References-
Prash Trivedi- The Book of Nakshatras
Elizabeth Drayer, Manifestations of Grace, 1990