Ninth House and destiny

La Ninth House (9H) of the Zodiac is considered the most important house because it represents our destiny, what we carry with us from past lives and will determine our fortune in this life. From the first Nakṣatra of the 9H, called Adhana Nakṣatra, we see the root of our past karma That forced us to be born again on this plane. The regent of the Ninth House (9L) is our fortune in the Astral Chart, it indicates what is required for us to access the fortune promised by our destiny. 

How much luck will you have in this life? Why is your luck blocked? What to do to unlock it? All this can be seen from the study of the Ninth House (9H) and all related aspects. 

Karma and Dharma

The First House (1H) of the Zodiac represents the our nature and personality; but the Ninth House (9H) is different, representing The good fortune that will manifest itself in this life because of past actions In our past life. We have two concepts here: the action related to the Law of Karma; and what establishes the quality of the action, i.e., the Dharma. 

Our fate and fortune depend overwhelmingly on whether or not we have been in harmony with the Dharma, through our past actions. A key first point to understand: Our good fortune depends on our harmony with Dharma. If we have been in disharmony with Dharma in the past, our fortunes will be blocked. If we want to unblock it, we have to realign with Dharma what is indicated by the 9H. The 9H points us to the root of our past actions. 

The Dharma

Dharma is that subtle and universal law that determines what is right or what is wrong. It is what associates an action with a particular corresponding reaction. It is the glue that determines the two-way relationship between the quality of the action and the quality of the outcome that follows an action. Dharma is the needle on the scale that weighs actions and is a concept completely in synergy with the Law of Karma. While the Law of Karma determines the Cause/Effect relationship, Dharma determines the qualitative parameters that determine the quality of action/reaction. 

Divine law and human perception

The great Indian poem called Mahābhārata revolves around the complex concept of Dharma. Every page of the text talks about Dharma and how Dharma manifests itself in a million different facets, sometimes difficult to interpret. The Mahābhārata presents a rich and colorful picture of psychological types, personalities, situations, crises, problems and solutions to the problem of Dharma. And in this variety, the work shows the essential problem: the narrowness of human interpretation of justice, as opposed to the objectivity of a divine law, far greater and more complex .

Perceived Justice Vs Objective Justice    

To understand what Dharma is, we must understand the difference between (a) perceived justice and (b) objective justice. The interpretive problem of "what is right" arises precisely from the dichotomy between these two aspects.

1. The perception of what is right or wrong can certainly be a relative phenomenon. My perception of what is right is a factor closely related to my knowledge and sensibility, or to the education I have received and the culture to which I belong. Think for example of eating habits around the world. In the West, dogs and cats are considered pets, while cattle and pigs are considered food. In East Asian countries, cats and dogs are also considered food, and to us in the West, it seems like an injustice. But for a percentage of the Indian population, the fact that there is cow meat in Western dishes is considered a symbol of little civilization. Likewise from the Islamic view eating pork is considered a barbaric act. What about those who are vegetarians and consider it an injustice to feed themselves at the expense of other creatures. 

2. What is right for some appears blatantly wrong for others. But beyond our perception of justice, nature around us consists of inescapable and objective laws. These laws act beyond our opinions, sensibilities and backgrounds. For example, you may not know the Law of Gravity, you may ignore it, you may pretend it does not exist; but, if you throw yourself off a building thinking you are flying, you will inexorably fall -- at an acceleration of 9.81 meters per square second -- to the ground! In this case, the act of throwing yourself is objectively followed by an objective reaction. Is it relatively fair that I fell? This does not matter so much. The law of Gravity works just the same.

Knowing the Dharma to make good use of it

Here, Dharma is the inherent law of the universe. It is there, it was not created by man, and man can only learn about it. Just as man did not invent the law of gravity, he only learned to know it and eventually make good use of it. So is the case with the law of dharma. We can know it and make good use of it. 

Do you have planets in 9H? Which planet is the regent of your 9th House (9L)?

• Sattvic planets (such as the Jupiter, Moon and Sun) in these positions indicate harmony with the Dharma that will open up favorable situations in this life.
• Tamasic planets (especially Saturn, Rahu and Ketu), indicate that the doors of good fortune will remain closed.
• Rajasic planets (Mercury and Venus) indicate a Rajasic Dharma.

But not forever! That's what Vedic Astrology is for.. By understanding what blocks Dharma, it enables us to take action so that we can unblock it. It allows us to understand in what area of life we need to bring the light of Dharma and open the doors of the positive promises of our Christmas card. 

Ninth House, Sagittarius and Jupiter

So the Ninth House (9H) is the House of Dharma. In the Natural Zodiac the 9H is Sagittarius, Sign ruled by Jupiter. Jupiter indicates truthfulness, sacredness and nobility of spirit. The Sagittarius is responsible for maintaining the truth (satya, truthfulness), is the sign that burns everything that is not auspicious (śiva, good omen) and everything that is not purely beautiful (sundara, beauty).

Rahu represents all that is deceitful, transgressive and twisted. Rahu in Sagittarius is in debilitation and in 9H feels like dying.

Dual Nature of Dharma

One must understand the dual nature of Dharma. Dharma is something that protects and destroys at the same time. It has a nature as gentle as the rays of the Full Moon and as burning as the summer rays of the Sun at noon. 

Dharma eva hato hanti, dharmo rakṣati rakṣenaḥ (Manu Smṛti 8.15): Whoever Dharma kills, by Dharma is destroyed; whoever Dharma protects, by Dharma is protected.  

In 9H there is the Sun's power to burn and purify; there is Jupiter's power of truthfulness; and the Moon's power to give pleasure. That is why the Dharma favors those who are in harmony with it; but it blocks and burns those who are in disharmony. That is why House 9 is an intense House. 

Without the blessings of 9H what is left?

Without the blessings of House 9, the only option left is to find refuge in the 4H (happiness) from the 9H (Dharma).

That is, House 12 (the happiness of Dharma). The 12H is the house of loss or voluntary renunciation of this world, asceticism. If the 9H turns its back, the only thing left is to become a hermit, a wise ascetic.

The only thing left is to give up everything. There are no other options. This is why 9H is a crucial house in the Horoscope.

The Dharma of Things, Animals, Humans and the Soul

The Dharma of things, of inanimate objects, is to express their own characteristics and of being bound by physical laws. For example, the Dharma of water is to be transparent, liquid and to follow the physical laws of fluids. The Dharma of fire is to shine and heat, as well as to follow the constraints of the laws of energy. 

The Animal Dharma consists of following the primary instincts: feeding, defending oneself, finding shelter, sleeping and reproducing. 

The Dharma of Man Is more complex. The human form is a portal out of the cycle of saṃsāra. It has a Dharma on the animal and instinctive plane, which it has a duty to discipline and perform conscientiously. Secondly, a Dharma related to society according to one's nature, inclinations and talents. And finally, a Dharma related to eternal nature, that is, the duty to realize oneself spiritually.

The Dharma is based on four pillars 

In the Bhāgavata Purāṇa (1.7.24) the 4 ethical pillars on which man's conduct should be based so that it is in harmony with the Dharma are described. These are: Austerity, Purity, Compassion and Truthfulness. Interestingly, these pillars are the essential foundations of any authentic and authoritative spiritual path; and how, on the other hand, they are points that are universally acceptable as "ethically correct." Everyone appreciates the person who is decorated by these four qualities.

L'Austerity consists of practicing proper discipline of the body, being able to focus the mind and directing one's intellect toward an evolutionary goal. The Purity is to keep the body, mind, desires and words pure, genuine and simple. The Compassion is respect for the sanctity of life and the value of every living being. The Truthfulness Is the consistency between our thinking, our words and our actions. 

This is the path of yoga.