The Transformatikos
by Adityanath
The Cosmic Spiral Cyclotron
which Tweaks our Trajectory
toward A More Perfect World
Homage to Ganesha whose wives Siddhi and Riddhi hold the promise of Power and Success.
OM GAM GANAPATI NAMAHA!
The Remover of Obstacles prepares the body and mind to accept the transformative powers of the Cosmic Spiral Cyclotron of the Planetary Energies. Traditionally, any mantric practice starts with an invocation of Ganesha, and thus shall we start The Transformatikos.
The secret of transformation is that a small change in trajectory can make a huge difference in the ultimate destination of the traveler. This is perhaps most obvious in this space-age era in the form of the small control rockets used to change the trajectory of a rocket or spacecraft. A short burst from such a rocket can send the ship either spiraling out of control or, when applied in an intelligent and balanced manner, shift the ultimate destination of the craft by hundreds or thousands or even more miles. It all depends on the length of the journey.
What may be less obvious is that we all start our lives with an established trajectory due to the inertia of our previous lives. This Inertia is known in both Hinduism and Buddhism as Karma. However, we must not simply accept this definition or equation but rather look more closely into the nature or rather the Gravity of this situation. For due to the Cosmic Hypothesis, “As Above, So Below,” it is to the Macrocosmic Planets of both Astronomy and Astrology that we must turn to get a better view of our Microcosmic situation.
Now, this manuscript is intended as an elucidation on the Art of Transformation and we dare not pause to describe the Art of Interpretation of the Lights or Jyotisha (as the Indian art of Astrology is called) lest we get bogged down in detail and lose sight of our goal. Yet we should mention that while there are many scientific explanations of why Astrology can not possibly work, these explanations are nearly always couched in Newtonian terms and are thus obsolete.
When viewed in Newtonian terms, the gravity of the doctor delivering the baby is more significant than the Gravity of the planet Jupiter. However, when one looks at the same concept from an Einsteinian angle, we find that the distribution of Planetary masses actually warps the Space-Time Continuum into a unique shape at the moment of our birth. That is, Gravity is much more than an apparent attraction of masses and its effect on us is more than skin deep.
The upshot of all this may not be immediately obvious, but if we can adjust the original (in)formative effects of each of the Planets, no matter how slightly, then we can drastically change our own life trajectory. Such changes may be infinitesimal at first, but over time can become Cosmic in scope. Thus can the secrets contained in The Transformatikos be used to secure our position on the Dragon Seat and ensure our success in the Shadow Rite of the Guardian Spirit described by Shri Gurudev Mahendranath in The Londinium Temple Strain.
We begin our Cosmic Planetary journey with a quick trip to the Moon, known in Sankskrit as Chandra or Soma.
The Transformatikos: Soma
(Part of The Transformatikos by Adityanath)
So, Ma, I think we need to talk about our relationship…
Soma is a Sanskrit word with many meanings, and the one thing that all these meanings have in common is that they revolve around the Moon. The original meaning of the word Soma relates it to a ritual drink of importance in Vedic culture. It is mentioned in the Rig Veda and is not only identified with the plant from which it is made but also personified as a deity in its own right. While the precise plant is not known, it was most likely some form of psychedelic mushroom.
Soma is also called Amrita which is cognate with the Greek Ambrosia. This drink of the Gods was considered to be the very element which was essential to their divine nature: it is what made them Gods. Clearly Soma itself was a God and became identified with the Moon as a lunar deity, and the Moon became known as the cup from which the Soma was drunk. When it was waxing, the cup was refilling itself, ready to be drunk again.
Being a psychedelic substance, it should come as no surprise that like the Moon, Soma was associated with dreams and the underworld. The action of any drug has, of course, a somatic or bodily basis: its action on the mind is due to changes in the usual chemistry of the body. It is not really so strange that the word “somatic” is derived from the Greek word “somatikos” meaning “of the body” which is in turn related through its Indo-European roots to the Sanskrit word Soma. The body itself is an underworld into which it is difficult for the mind to penetrate, but its condition and position are known to affect our dreams and thus our Yoga can be a key which unlocks our Vision.
Before we can detect and adjust the energies of the translunar inner and outer Planets, we must first become intimately familiar with the energies of the sublunar sphere in which we are embedded, for in the language of Jyotish it is the Moon which acts as both a mirror which reflects and a gravitic lens which concentrates the energies of these Planets upon the Earth. For our purposes, it is useful to think of the Earth and the orbiting Moon as being a symbol or representation of the nature of the relationship between the human body and its energy field or Aura, and by a similar analogy, to our home environment.
It is this subtle energy field which bears the imprint of the Gravitic shape of the position of the Planets in the Solar System at the time of our birth. The condition of the Aura is known to affect our emotions and thus our relationships. As our earliest relationship is with our Mother, the Matrix of our Aura is intimately bound up with our conception and birth and remains strongly connected with our relationship with our biological mother throughout our lives. Thus the Western psychological importance of the mother has a deeper spiritual significance that informs our emotions and conditions our personal psychological outlook.
Now, while various effects of the Full Moon on human psychology have been documented by science, it is a little known fact that the Gravitic vibrations of the other Planets also continuously play across the Aura and exert their own effects. This is indeed the basis for the Astrological concept known as Transits, but even less known is the fact that sound vibrations within the body can also affect the Aura. Yet even this subtle fact was known to the Ancient Seers of India and forms the basis for the art and science of the use of Mantra.
OM SOM SOMAYE NAMAHA!
These Seers apprehended or constructed a Mantra for each of the Planets which can be used to make subtle adjustments in our Auric energy fields and thus the trajectory of our lives. The Mantra given just above is the mantra of the Moon, and its use can bring harmony to our emotions. This mantra can be especially useful for those prone to depression, emotional instability, and defects in the relationship with the Mother, whether too distant or too close, as well as leading to eventual improvement in our environment or home residence.
Of course, a single repetition of this Mantra will have little effect, but the Seers provided a recommendation for the number of repetitions for each of the Planetary Mantras. The recommended number of repetitions of this mantra is 11,000. These need not be done in one sitting, but should be done over a period of days as a Working, doing for example 500 or 1000 per day for 22 or 11 days respectively.
Now we must digress from our subject matter, but only briefly, to describe some of the details of Mantra practice so that our readers may reap the full benefit of these mantras for themselves. Of course, the most important point is to sit and chant the mantra. But, what do we need, when should we chant, how should we proceed?
Typically in the Nath tradition one sits on an Asana which is simply a cloth to sit on made of fine wool. These can be of various colors, but white or red are probably preferable for Planetary Workings. Similarly, various types of practices are done facing different directions, but North or East are probably preferable for Planetary Workings. Some may find a pillow useful and those with infirmities may need to practice sitting upright in a chair. As for implements and offerings, Shri Mahendranath recommended that the elements be present for any puja: a lamp or candle for fire, incense for air, some stones or crystals for earth, and water with a flower for water and spirit. The type and color of candle, incense, stones and flower can be varied for each Planet (see Appendix for suggestions). It is also a wise idea to have an ordinary glass of water handy in case one’s throat gets dry.
As for when, many find early morning twilight to be best as it enables them to do the practice at the same time every day, though evening twilight is also suitable if one is willing to give up any interfering commitments and activities during the course of the Working. The best effect is achieved when one sits to practice at the same time in the same place every day. A further question is what day is best to start the practice? A new Mantra should always be started during the Waxing Moon on the day corresponding to the Planet involved. Thus, the Moon Mantra should be started on a Monday.
Finally, how should we proceed? After sitting for a few moments and allowing the mind to clear, start with a mala of Ganesha mantras. A mala is a string of 108 beads with an extra bead where the strand joins together called the Guru bead. When doing multiple malas of Mantras, the Guru bead is never crossed; rather, one stops at the Guru bead, turns the mala around, and proceeds by counting in the opposite direction. After completing a mala of Ganesha mantras, then begin the Planetary Mantra. The same amount should be done every day, though the amount may be increased it should never be decreased thereafter. Each mala of 108 should be counted as 100 towards the goal to allow for mistakes. Also, the number 108 is considered especially auspicious.
Once the day’s quota of mantras has been completed, sit in meditation for a few moments until the mind begins to wander, then close the session with three repetitions of Om Tat Sat!, clap the hands twice, get up and go about one’s usual business.