The Light of Asia, or The Great Renunciation (Mahâbhinishkramana), is a book by Sir Edwin Arnold. The first edition of the book was published in London in July 1879. In the form of a narrative poem, the book endeavours to describe the life and time of Prince Gautama Buddha, who, after attaining enlightenment, became the Buddha, The Awakened One.
A solar eclipse on July 19, 1879, at [26cn19] marks the publication of the book.
Cancer 27 (26° - 27°) Storm in a canyon filled with expensive homes
CRISIS LEADING TO TRANSFORMATION
Eventually our lives are disturbed by forces that call attention to the transient and shallow nature of luxuries.
The degree symbol describes well the challenge faced by the Buddha. Born a Prince who renounced his life of luxury.
Presented here is the chart for the eclipse drawn for London. In this post we look at some significant points about this chart.
First the Minor Arcana Tarot card linked to the third decan of Cancer, where the eclipse falls, is the Four of Cups. The man beneath the tree refuses the proffered cup. Waite says: “weariness, disgust, aversion...as if the wine of this world had caused satiety only”. What is the cause of the young man’s discontent ? He is neither starving nor poor nor ragged. The problem is stasis: he is dissatisfied with the status quo. Etteilla says the 4 of Cups represents “ennui”. He is bored.
Below is an extract from 36 Secrets by T. Susan Chang that surprisingly shows the connection to the Buddha.
Second, we notice that the eclipse makes a hard aspect to Jupiter [12pi14] conjunct the descendant [18pi08]. Jupiter is dignified in Pisces - the sign it rules and often associated with the saviour. The Sabian symbol of the descendant degree is:
PHASE 349 (PISCES 19°): A MASTER INSTRUCTING HIS DISCIPLE.
KEYNOTE: The transfer of power and knowledge which keeps the original spiritual and creative Impulse of the cycle active and undeviated.
To this if we add the Sabian for the South Node [24cn48] of the eclipse, we get a clearer picture of the Great Teacher.
PHASE 115 (CANCER 25°): A WILL-FULL MAN IS OVERSHADOWED BY A DESCENT OF SUPERIOR POWER.
KEYNOTE: The response of spiritual forces to the integration of personality through positive will-full endeavors.
We are dealing here with a man who uses his will and positive imagination in facing his life problems. To him comes a pentecostal descent of power. He receives the "mantle of power," the grace (baraka in Sufi philosophy) or the Providential assistance which can make him a true leader in his culture.
Finally on the MC [14ge] of the eclipse chart is the star Rigel [15ge] which was also conjunct the Buddha’s radix Sun. Below is an extract from an earlier post Gautama Buddha: History in the stars [1]
The Sun [12ta56] is conjunct the star Rigel of Orion [11ta11].
Rigel is the seventh-brightest star in the sky and is located in the left foot of Orion. According to BRADY (2008, p. 211), it is an active and educational star of learning and teaching. It symbolises the concept of development. Rigel’s driving force is to bring order to a place where there is disorder. This star wants to gain wisdom and knowledge and to spread it to others for the benefit of all.
[1] https://tinyurl.com/5bvt32h6
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