EYE ON ASTROLOGY:Â HIDDEN PSYCHOLOGICAL BLOCKS
There is a term in Vedic Astrology that is not discussed enough. It has a name that seems daunting but it is important to understand. It is know as Badhaka which translates into a block or obstruction and represents planets that block your personal growth. It is like Rahu with a shadow influence that runs your life but it hard to understand or unblock because it is invisible. They can be good planets but they have hidden shadow influences that are difficult to understand and may run your unconscious life. In a sense they become a very core hidden area that we cannot get a handle on.  (Parashara does not discuss them but the are in other texts like the Prashna Marga and the Jataka Parijat in Chapter 48.)
Because Vedic astrology is like reading strands of DNA, the planets involved, the signs that are involved, the placement of the blocking planet, the constellations involved and the influences of malefics and benefics involved all play a part and create many colorations. Sometimes the influence is minor and sometimes it can represent the deepest karmic influence in the chart.
If your are a moveable or cardinal ascendent (Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn), the hidden block is connected to the 11th house ruler and it creates problems with friends and income and groups. This is house is connected to hearing so there is a tendency to hear what is only convenient.  If you have a block here, you may feel blocked around earning an income or if even if you have a good one, you may not feel it is enough. They may have blocks with elder siblings that are very complex.  This may lead to feeling unsupported by others or in groups.
If you are a fixed sign ( Taurus, Leo, Scorpio or Aquarius), the 9th house ruler creates a block and this often manifests as hidden problems with Gurus, your father, spirituality or religion. This block may manifest in not being able to take the right advise from one’s father or Guru. As fixed signs, one may have trouble with change and this creates a problem when life throws one a curve ball. This house is connected to touch and feeling and when this gets shut down either there is a lack of sensitivity or a tendency for having ones feelings betrayed. A person with this influence often see religion or spirituality as a limitation particularly for Taurus rising with Capricorn owning the 9th house.  This one is an odd case because the 9th house brings good look and good fortune which many manfiest on a material level but it will also bring hidden karma with it and create suffering. I often think that people who are stuck in fundamentalist religion or spiritual by-pass have this hidden block.
If you are a dual sign ( Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius or Pisces) then the 7th house and its ruler is the block and this manifests with problems in relationship or business relationship. Often a spouse will block one’s spiritual growth and with this baggage, there is a tendency to want to change relationships often to try to get through the blocks.  There are emotional blocks that prevent one from seeing clearly in relationships.  This house is connected to sight and so they have trouble shifting perspective or seeing other people’s viewpoints. These people often see details and orderliness as a place to get stuck. Because the 7th house is also a maraka or death or disease inflicting planet, it may cause hidden illness for person that is hard to diagnose. Because  it is connected to the 7th house, it may be a bi-product of relationship problems which when they do not work make you sick or sometimes even kill you. I often say that if a relationship does not work it kills you.
There are levels of problems and they are more acute if the badhaka planet is connected to malefics or gulika, the shadowy son of Saturn or the lord of the 22nd Drekkana which is the lord of the 8th house in the D-3 chart.  In some cases if the blocking planet is very afflicted or connected with the 6th, 8th, or 12th houses or its owners, then very extreme karma and “curses” are present and they can create extreme psychological abnormalities and disturbances.  Abnormal psychologists would have a field day with this material for understanding the challenges of their most difficult patients. Badhaka is a real problem when it is afflicted by 1 or more malefics and then it can cause extreme suffering.
What is very revealing is that planets which are 12 houses from the blocking planet or bhakesh show you the past karma that you have inherited and need to work on. So if the Sun is 12 houses from your blocking planet, then you have misused power in past lives or have major issues with your father to work out.
The combination of signs, planets and aspects and influences always create a myriad of colorations. In my chart, Scorpio rising with 9th lord the moon being the bhadaka planet in the 1st house and aspected by Mars, it has lead to a fascinating combination. It is also connected to Mercury in Jyestha nakshatra which is the 22nd Drekkana lord.  I have always had difficult receiving touch like massage or sexual pleasure. The debilitated moon has created emotional trauma that has led me to seeking solace in religion and spirituality. It has created a spiritual by-pass situation where I have run to Gurus and meditation rather than heal the emotional scars of my mom not being present or touching me or holding me enough when I was young. I am only now getting in touch with the need to heal these issues to become more whole.
The various combination of Bhadaka and your hidden “curses” or blocks are very individual based on rising sign, placements and aspects. There are remedies to be able to move through them. If you need a reading, sign up at www.appliedvedicastrology.  Time to show some hidden light and unlock these karmas that often run our lives for years. We have also developed a team of professionals to work with these issues. See our program: https://www.appliedvedicastrology.com/transformational-counseling/
I will be speaking on this topic at the American College of Vedic Astrology Conference in Sedona starting on Nov. 30th. Â Register at www.sedonavedicastrology.com.
Our new class starting Sundays, Nov. 12th on Go to Meeting will cover this material. Secret of the House. Still one space available. 225.00. Two class payment plan available by paypal invoice upon request.
Register at : https://www.appliedvedicastrology.com/secrets-planetary-houses-new-class-begins-saturday-oct-7th/
All glory to my Jyotish gurus who have given me the wisdom to understand these deep and hidden aspects of our lives.
