2nd Degree of Aries - Aries Constellation of the Ram
We know the sky and our world from the first Constellation. That of Aries, or the male sheep, the ram.
From Time immemorial, it has been Aries that is the first sign of the Zodiac, even though the giant Perseus stood right beside in the same quadrant to the beginning of time.
All the same, the sheep, originally part of the flock of Cepheus, the king, as seen from every civilisation sets off the 12 of the Zodiac.
To the sheep, imbibed with the spark of Fire – whether in electrified sweat or just the Ancient Greek Traditions of the god of War – The male sheep or the Ram. The Ram that knocks down the door of the sky to open up our path.
It is interesting to note that a story to this effect appears in the Ramayana when the young god Rama takes Parsurama ’s bow and shoots an arrow shutting the gates of heaven denying him entry. Parsuram is the Indian version of the constellation Perseus. The arrow’s path is called Ramadhanush or Indradhanush . Which is another word for Rainbow.
Both Rama (vishnu) and Indra are stars in the Ursa Minor. Parsuram is the Indian version of the god of War. With time, the commander of heaven’s armies, Kartikeye is accorded the title of the god of war, Skanda. Kartikeye is also the son of Agni, whose abode is in Taurus. And for the purpose of mythology, is sometimes represented as Orion, with another reflection to Mars, the planet at the star Antares, which literally means the opposite.
Now whether indeed Aries is the Ram with the golden fleece for Jason and Argonauts in Greece.
Aries
Or the electrifying god of War. Another name in Greek Astronomy for the constellation Aries is Krios.
Another name in Indian Astronomy for Aries is Kriya. It is reflected that when Indra, or star Kochab started his reign as the king of stars, Aries was styled to him.
There are hymns in the Rig Veda that announce Indra & Agni the collective priestly set to flag off Aries, where man inhabits the Earth, and ghouls & demons no longer have sway.
The verse, of course also says that hymns and music of devotion is their wealth in the voice of the ocean.
This notion has credence as we’ll progress further along the Zodiac.
It is also interesting to note that most cultures with ancient civilisations match their Zodiacs at around 6000 B.C. Which is where the Solar and Lunar systems cross over, and the Aries appears their collective point.
Of course, the Indian lunar system of Nakshatras is said to be altered at this point. And two Asterisms, the Asvini & ApaBharani are promoted from the previous last to the new first then to Aries.
These signs leads us to believe that the previous era of Gods, or rather the Old Gods where the king of the Stars was Sirius, or Lubdaka have defined the original Nakshatra scheme where Krittika, the third asterism, shared between Aries and Taurus started the Zodiac.
Krittika does coincide with the Star of the god Agni, after all.
Naturally there are a lot of conjectures when dealing with stories of the stars, and new information of ancient schemes will always keep updating our understanding.
And validating the intuitive known stance of life and creation.
Bear in mind one thing as we proceed through these Sidereal degrees and Star Sabians ; It is said to ancient Indian tradition that the upper hemisphere of stars was first created, by the creator god Brahma (with assistance from a a few gods).
And that all the stars in the lower hemisphere were created by the previous king of the stars – Sirius. Or Lubdaka or Vishvamitra as he is known in Indian scripture.
All these second set of Stars in the lower hemisphere are mirrored reduplications of the original set in the Heavens.
As such, the top quadrant is known as the realm of the Gods.
And the lower quadrant originally was the realm of the Giants.
Bearing this in mind, Aries is promoted to lead the Zodiac After this second set of heavens is in play with the old gods.
To the Indian Nakshatra scheme, this is the first step station of the asterism Ashwini, of the Healing Horses. It is said to be ruled by the Tail of the Dragon or the Lunar Eclipse Ketu. And the Step station of this second degree is governed by Mars.
A coat of quotes and passing poetry
"THERE are two allied powers in man: Knowledge and Wisdom. Knowledge is so much of the truth, seen in a distorted medium, that the mind arrives at by groping. Wisdom what the eye of divine vision sees in the spirit. And Inspiration is a slender river of brightness leaping from a vast and eternal knowledge; it exceeds reason more perfectly than reason exceeds the knowledge of the senses. What men call knowledge is the reasoned acceptance of false appearances. Wisdom looks behind the veil and sees. Reason fixes details and contrasts them. Reason divides, Wisdom marries contrasts in a single harmony.
Sri Aurobindo
- Wisdom, from borrowed knowledge is experience redeeming itself.
"- Sri Aurobindo