Makara - Makaram
Makra (Hindi) - Ena - Enadriz - Mriga - Mrigadriz - Mrigaasya
Capricorn - Capricorne
Rashi of Shani (Saturn)
General Traits of Makara Lagna - Chandra in Makara
Makara =
a kind of sea-monster (sometimes confounded with the crocodile , shark , dolphin; the female of the sea-monster
regarded as the emblem of Kama-deva or as a symbol of the 9th Arhat of the present Avasarpini ; represented as an ornament on gates or on head-dresses
species of insect or other small animal
name of the 10th sign of the zodiac (Capricornus)
the 10th arc of 30 degrees in any circle
an army of troops in the form of a Makara
an ear-ring shaped like a Makara {makara-kundala}
the hands folded in the form of a Makara
one of the 9 treasures of Kubera
one of the 8 magical treasures called Padmini
a partic. magical spell recited over weapons
Ena =
stag
a species of deer or antelope (described as being of a black colour with beautiful eyes and short legs)
Capricorn.
mRga =
ranger, rover
a forest animal or wild beast , game of any kind , (esp.) a deer , fawn , gazelle , antelope, stag , musk-deer
the deer or antelope in the moon (i.e. the spots on the disk supposed to resemble those of an antelope as well as a hare)
the disk or antelope in the sky (either the Nakshatra Mriga-shiras or the sign of the zodiac Capricorn ; also in general the 10th arc of 30 degrees in a circle)
an elephant with partic. marks
a large soaring bird
name. of a demon or Vritra in the form of a deer slain by Indra
of a partic. class of men whose conduct in coitus resembles that of the roebuck (!)
of a horse of the Moon
musk
search , seeking , asking , requesting
a female deer or antelope , doe
name of the mythical progenitress of antelopes
class of women
a kind of metre; a partic. gait of a dancing girl
demoniacal possession , epilepsy
Properties of Makara Rashi
tamo-guna
(tamas, inert)
tattva
("that-ness", element)
prithivi tattva
(earth element)
owner
Shani
(Saturn)
rising portion
pristho-daya (tail first)
(daya = 'presentation' or 'portion')
X. Makara.
There is some difficulty in interpreting this word; nevertheless it contains within itself the clue to its correct interpretation.
The letter Ma is equivalent to number 5, and Kara means hand.
Now in Sanskrit, Thribhujam means a triangle, bhujam or karam (both are synonymous) being understood to mean a side.
So, Makaram or Panchakaram means a Pentagon.**
( * 36 is three times 12, or 9 Tetraktis, or 12 Triads, the most sacred number in the Kabalistic and Pythagorean numerals.--Ed. Theos.)
(** The five-pointed star or pentagram represented the five limbs of man.--Ed. Theos.)
Now, Makaram is the tenth sign, and the term "Dasadisa" is generally used by Sanskrit writers to denote the faces or sides of the universe.
The sign in question is intended to represent the faces of the universe, and indicates that the figure of the universe is bounded by Pentagons.
If we take the pentagons as regular pentagons (on the presumption or supposition that the universe is symmetrically constructed) the figure of the material universe will, of course, be a Dodecahedron, the geometrical model imitated by the Demiurgus in constructing the material universe. ...
~~ T. Subba Row. (1881). "The Twelve Signs of the Zodiac" in Five Years Of Theosophy. George Robert Snow Mead (ed.). London. (1885, 1894).
"Mystical, Philosophical, Theosophical, Historical and Scientific Essays Selected from "The Theosophist". Available at www.gutenberg.org
[They] are generally emaciated & weak and grow slowly. Their body will not be plump or muscular but slender. A native of this lagna grows tall suddenly on becoming young & his constitution improves with age. His nose is long & eyes deep-set. The hair is coarse.
They are economical, prudent, reasonable, thoughtful & practical minded. He is methodical, slow, steady & patient. He is calculative & business- like. A Makara native is capable of taking quick decisions.
He will have push & confidence. He has special organizing capacity & a lot of tolerance. He will be honest, sincere & reliable unless the lagna has evil influence on it. In the latter case he will become dishonest, selfish & even criminal.
[They] have to face lot of obstacles, difficulties & hindrances, but they are capable of overcoming them. They are hard workers & are able to consolidate their position sooner or later. They generally marry late, but prove good husbands & father of many children.
Saravali, Ch. 48, shlokas 38-41 One born in Capricorn ascendant will have an emaciated body, be timid, will
have a face akin to that of a deer,
be troubled by windy diseases,
will have a bright & elevated nose,
be not mighty,
will have many sons,
be hairy-bodied,
will have broad feet and hands,
be devoid of conduct and virtues,
be tormented by thirst (or morbid heat),
be dear to the fair sex,
will wander in hills and forests,
be valorous,
will have knowledge of Shastras, Vedas, fine arts, music & musical instruments,
will have little strength,
be a householder,
be hostile, wicked,
ill disposed to relatives,
splendorous,
will have a wicked wife,
will not be a talebearer,
be wealthy, virtuous,
will serve a king,
be very liberal, happy & fortunate.
Sthana (House)
Rashi & Pati
Phul (fruits)
House 1 - Appearances
Jane Fonda (actress)
Condoleeza Rice (US Sec. of State 2006-2008)
Makara [Capricorn]
Appearance depends significantly on the Shani's condition - rashi, sthana, co-tenants, drishti, etc..
However, Makara-lagna will have a vata or slightly stone-colored cast to their complexion, a very slightly opaque bone-colored patina, relative to their gene pool. Shani's condition along with the rashi of the Moon determines their appearance.
As a general rule these natives have highly conventional taste & appearance with few distinctive physical features. Except for the slight tendency toward a pasty complexion, they represent the solid center norm for their gene pool.
Each lagna has certain predispositions from the portfolio of its natural house.
These predispositions are only themes, and must be confirmed by other factors to justify true predictions.
These subtle rashi-lagna traits are not determining per se, but they will reinforce other influences, such as corresponding strength in the natural house, strong lagnesha, Chandra etc.
For Makara lagna, expect the subtle presence of domain-10 attributes. The native attracts prestige, public responsibility, & wealth from the father. They self-identify as people of dignity & ability. (Not to guarantee that they have it; just that they ego-identify with it.)
Attracted to the entitlements of bureaucratic office, hierarchical function, & organized group formations such as military combat. The native is particularly influenced by religious & government authorities, and favors a pragmatic security-driven response to life. They have a strong herd instinct which arises from the predominance of their animal nature
House 2 - Values
Kumbha [Aquarius]
Values are eccentric, showing a surprising mix of arch-conservative & progressive beliefs which tend toward a Philosophy of Personal Convenience. The native's own family ideology, style of talk & song, artistic & historical knowledge are reduced to the common & banal, but they have a strong sensibility for cosmic law and the unity of the Human Family.
Earned wealth is set by domain-11, but ability to retain wealth is determined by domain-2. When Shani rules domain-2, the more conservative practices for wealth-hoarding appeal to the native: property ownership, traditional bank savings, cash in the mattress. These natives also believe in generous tithing, according to their strongest value of all-human fellowship.
House 3 - Mental Process
Meena [Pisces]
Mental health tends to be good unless Shani aspects domain-3, & of course depending on the condition of Guru. Visionary thinkers who may lack a tolerance for earthly reality. The planning & administrative processes may be exceptionally optimistic, to the verge of Pollyanna thinking. operate with extremely positive expectations & a childlike belief in human goodwill. Not mentally organized unless Shani or Budha influence house-3. Tends to substitute blind trust for rational planning. However if Guru is well disposed, their trust is rewarded.
Motivated by desire for a good outcome for all, but oddly can become a liar & hypocrite. Not a 'detail person': can fabricate information or tell an improved version of the truth in order to enhance the big-picture outcome. Master of the "white lie". (& believes this can be done with impunity). Does not ken to limits on thoughts or rules for processes.
If Shani casts drishti upon both Budha & Guru, the native may face serious conflict between belief & reality. Often this is resolved in a mental state of "cognitive dissonance" in which the native holds two contradictory claims to be equally true. Thus the normally pleasant & positive Makara native may endure mental illness when faced with bitter truths which they cannot, philosophically, accept.
Looks for the good in everyone, regardless of facts to the contrary. Extremely sympathetic. Likes religious company. Often found in very large spiritual congregations, due largely to their 2nd-house global connectivity values. Likes to talk about children, charity, & their religious beliefs. Very giving people who socialize easily. Enjoys event planning, holiday parties & travel, fantasy environments. Childlike trust in siblings & neighbors. Wonderful teachers in small classrooms; fabulous sales people & promoters.
House 4 - Home, family, security, vehicles
Mesha [Aries]
Very active, perhaps aggressive, competitive behavior in the home environment. Character of Kuja in the radix will determine the activity levels. Verbal & physical conflict, if Kuja is damaged in radix.
Home is associated with metals, engines, heat/combustion, weaponry, hunting, competitions, military/police, adolescent male energy. Tendency for the home interior to become overheated, and for an unusual amount of metal in the house contents or construction.
Tendency to "short-cuts" in formal education. Small family unless Kuja is yuti Guru. Dislikes public transport, requires own vehicle. Unless Kuja is highly dignified, there is conflict between the parents in the childhood home.
Children & Intelligence
Vrishabha [Taurus]
Loves luxury, pleasure, & children - in that order :) Self-expression through sensual indulgence of romance, food & drink. Idealistic views of procreativity & children. Not practical with child-raising routines but loves childlike creativity & joy. Enchanted with babies.
Children's behavior is mainly determined by Shukra. However, the child-karaka malefic L3/L12 Guru is a troublemaker for Makara lagna. The situations of having children, keeping children, or raising children nearly always invoke 'cognitive dissonance' or 'denial' patterns for these natives, and their child-raising behaviors become problematic.
Makara enjoys political campaigns, speculation & gambling, literary & performance arts. Likes to be entertained & amused. If Shukra is dignified, may be a great promoter of children's arts & creativity, or of the arts in general. If Shukra is constrained, there may be no children or considerable difficult with one's own progeny, and trouble through speculation.
Imbalance: Enemies, Debt/Finance, Illness, Livestock/Pets, Servants
Mithuna [Gemini]
Budha is a very impressionable graha & the state of Makara lagna's health depends largely on the condition of L6/L9 Budha. As skilled rationalizers, these natives can hide their own health realities from their physicians & themselves. However, they can be articulate exponents of good health for others! Famed for their "do as I say, not as I do" advice :) (See domain-3 for their reasoning process.)
In general, Makara natives have few enemies. They prefer to talk their way through disagreements. Masterfully subverts overt conflict into covert manipulation.
Neutral Budha is not disturbed by immoral business practices e.g. usury, trafficking, racketeering, theft rings, other exploitations. Elaborate money-lending agreements are their specialty. Often found doing skillful mental work on the legitimate side of an illegitimate business. Domain-6 as 5th-from-2nd is an important money house.
They get into trouble during periods of the 6th lord just like everyone else, but Budha being L6/L9 they are usually rescued by their own cleverness. Many friends in low places.
Balance:
Marriage, Partnership, Agreements
Karka [Cancer]
Marriage is deeply emotional. Makara rising marries to recreate their family home and to recover the protection they received (or had hoped to receive) from their parents. Makara females tend to marry males who have many of the native's mother's traits. Makara males marry women who resemble their mothers both physically & emotionally.
Like Budha, the Moon is enormously impressionable. Happiness & fidelity in married life will vary extremely according to the disposition of the Moon. However, in general, unless Rahu interferes, marriage partner is chosen conservatively to match the culture, expectations & behavior of the parents. The Maraka native marries not for romance or fortune, but for the express purpose of starting a family.
Contracts, agreements, legal discussions, all types of advising are approached emotionally, according to intuition and immediate feelings & needs. Family interests dominate the marital life.
Overall happiness in marriage varies a good deal, & is dictated by the health of Chandra. In general this native is conservative in their marriage motive. If children are present in the marriage they are not much willing to divorce. Yet contracts are approached emotionally, so if the native's feelings have been deeply hurt they may indeed go look for another spouse/parent who could do a better job.
Hidden Matters:
Joint Assets, Pooled monies, Healing
Simha [Leo]
Joint assets of marriage are usually helpful to the native's ego development. Marriage brings a degree of social recognition and some type of prestige, according to the dignity of the Sun.
Spouse contributes wealth into the marriage & spouse's assets have their own charisma. Spouse's assets enhance the native's public standing & advance their career - again, according to the dignity of Surya. (8th house is 11th-from-10th, spouse's contribution to joint assets is normally gainful for career.)
Native is publicly or professionally identified with "hidden politics". Has access to confidential political information, which the native is permitted to utilize for personal & professional benefit.
High Religion:
Priesthood, Guru, Father, Social Morality
Kanya [Virgo]
The inspiration & consolation of Religion is easily accessible to Makara-lagna natives, but it comes in a mentalized form. Native enjoys conversing about religion, ritual, & priestly teachings, but they tend to view the entire matter as an elaborate business transaction.
An easy faith arises in their lives, due partly to their chameleon ability to mimic the beliefs of others. Budha is an adolescent graha; the native's faith also has an adolescent quality. Because Surya, the karaka for social ethics, rules the destructive 8th domain, the native is not much engaged in ethical inquiry. Nor is he concerned with matters of deep reflection, nor cosmic truth. Rather, religion for the Mrigadriz native is a project of thinking good thoughts, making good choices, and participating in the scripted worship of their chosen tradition. They enjoy attending sermons and watching complex rituals being performed.
Unless Budha is damaged or Rahu occupies domain-9, the native tends strongly to remain within the religious tradition of his upbringing. He is generally uncritical of his faith or that of others, but he enjoys discussing matters of religion & society from a journalistic point of view.
Public Status:
Career, Profession, Public Dignity
Thula [Libra]
Thula being a sign of balance & good design, the Makara native's public life including career, begins with social advantages. Unless Shukra is harmed, the native is graced with a pleasant public appearance. He is professionally disposed toward balanced relationships with both men & women. He is well-mannered (in public) and well-liked. Periods of L-5/L-10 Shukra are beneficial indeed.
Career development proceeds along social lines. Native raises prestige by accepting responsibility for wining, dining, & amusing his associates - according the taste & style of Shukra. E.g. Shukra/Kumbha has an eccentric, inclusive, sometimes vulgar entertaining style; while Shukra/Meena hosts with musical & artistic elegance. Shukra/Kanya is awkward & overly mentalized in partnership, and so his career under Thula may not well flourish.
If Shukra is strong, the native's success is due to his ability to manage a wide range of interpersonal relationships, and to establish balanced & beneficial relationships between numerous third parties. This talent extends to executive work in any sector of the economy. The foundation of the native's public reputation is his skill for gracious entertaining (which includes their style of hosting business meetings & interpersonal conversations with superiors). If Shukra or Shukra's lord is strong, much success from social grace & intelligent relationship management. If Shukra or his Lord are not well empowered, the native's taste & style are lacking.
Marketplace:
Networks, Friendships, Associations, Income, Gains
Vrischika [Scorpio]
Kuja rules domain-11 of connectivity & gainful marketplace associations. ENergized pursuit of gainfulness. Kuja likes to win.
Makara-lagna natives are ambitious, even aggressive earners who tend to succeed financially through shrewd & vigorous competition in their market niche. They are less concerned with legal restrictions & more concerned with loyalty in business relationships.
If Kuja is in bad company, all the marketplace connections are vigorously pursued, and income is gained though a network of criminals. L4/L11 Kuja is particularly talented at earning from real estate/property development, from education, and from their mother.
Dissolution:
Meditation, Sanctuary, Confinement, Privacy, Loss of Identity
Dhanus [Sagittarius]
The meditation & inner sanctuary house is blessed by all-good Guru. The native enjoys unfettered access to healing imagination, privacy, & prayer. Expansive fantasy life, which normally is protected from view & doesn't get them into any trouble. Abundant opportunity for private affairs with no harsh consequences. Optimistic expectation that private dealings will stay private, understandings which are developed "behind closed doors" will have a good outcome.
Generous donations to charitable causes. Sympathetic worldview. Depending on Guru's character and the location of Shukra, opportunity for extramarital relationships throughout life. This native is a skillful rationalizer with L6/L9 Budha. Their mind does not demand that their behavior should match their beliefs. Rather, their imagination is deeply empowered by beneficent Guru, and their understanding of marriage as primarily a family/parenting venue opens the philosophical door to multiple, cheerful, educational, and generous extramarital relationships which do not harm the primary marriage unless Guru is somehow harmed by a malefic.
Makara natives enthusiastically embrace charitable projects in foreign lands, and they welcome the opportunity to travel in the name of religion. Typically too active for serious meditation, they prefer active service to others as their most comfortable act of devotional prayer.
Summary of Graha Lordships for Makara Lagna
L-8
Surya karaka for rational self, soul, and ethical awareness, controls the hidden world of confidential information, healing secrets, and tantric ritual.
L-7
The highly fluctuating and impressionable Chandra
L-4, L-11
Vital and competitive Kuja controls
L-6, L-9
Conversational and sexual Budha
L-3, L-12
Wise and expansive Guru is not a helpful graha.
L-5, L-10
As lord of two auspicious houses, Sweet and sensual Shukra becomes a yogakaraka for Ena lagna.
L-1, L-2
Pragmatic and conventional Shani
---
gives the effect of Rahu's lord
---
gives the effect of Ketu's lord
"Mriga" = 'animal'
Makara is Mriga's animal nature, classically exemplified by the behavior of crocodiles ("Makara") in the jungle.
Mrigaasya has the herd instinct. Their animal-based behavior is straightforward and predictable. It is almost completely reflexive and instinctive.
One of the great virtues of a Makara incarnation is that one can live life largely apparently uninterrupted by the vicissitudes of human style "choice". What choice-making occurs is only on a limited basis regarding enhancement of material survival through reducing the fear response. The choice process is fully resolved in the moment of material attainment, which is to say the the Maraka native is happy with tangible proof of his survival and does not spend a lifetime seeking ineffable qualities such as meaningfulness or enlightenment.
Mriga rules the "base" chakra near the coccyx /anus which acts on brain signals regarding physical protection & security. Social approval which reduces fear of isolation or starvation is extremely important to this native, and one will do whatever seems required to obtain it.
Shani's lordship emphasizes the role of the Reptile Brain, the source of signals encouraging survival through conformity and single-minded pursuit of material requirements. Attributes of solid citizenry such as property ownership, military protection, lawfulness, conservative politics, respect for traditional social practices, respect of caste boundaries are
As a general rule, Mriga natives are vigorously straightforward individuals of the "guardian" type whose aspirations are predominantly guided by matters of security & material comfort. They are dependable, reliable, steady, always hungry, eager to conform, and easily startled.
Makara and Kumbha are the two rashis of Shani.
Makara governs the "solar" side of Shani's terrain. Makara rules "bottom" of the "pingala nadi" or central solar channel in the subtle yogic body, the solar side of muladhara chakra.
Kumbha rules the "lunar" side of Shani's terrain. Kumbha governs the "bottom" of the "ida nadi" or the central lunar channel which rules on the left side of the sushumna. (Or, it can be seen to form a caduceus-type snake-wrap around the central core, crossing at chakra points. There are several viable models.)
Makara is thus a more outgoing & productive sign than Kumbha. When Shani occupies swakshetra of Makara, He will be dutiful, dedicated to the active wellbeing of his hierarchy, devoted to developing healthy new structures. Compared to Kumbha, Makara is more warm, more rational, more concerned with outward appearances, more ego-oriented and more status-conscious.
Planets in Makara certainly get the cold, dry, pessimistic, somber, materialistic, & structural influence of Shani. But when considering the difference between Shani's character in his two adjacent rashis of Makara & Kumbha, it's important to note the solar psychic quality of Makara to understand how different these two rashis are.
Frawley's explanation of why Kuja is exalted in Makara, for example, is eminently sensible. (By contrast, Kuja is Kumbha is known to be weak and confused.)
Makara is a "cold, dry" sign because it is ruled by a "cold, dry" planet, Shani.
Mercury (Budha) and Saturn (Shani) are considered cold planets because they are concerned with material and mental matters notwithstanding the feelings of the heart.
As a generality, the four "cold" lagnas are Mithuna, Kanya, Makara, and Kumbha. Natives of these four lagnas tend to live on the material and/or mental surface of life.
Their social identity is directed largely by their sense of mental activity (Mithuna and Kanya) or their sense of material obligation (Makara & Kumbha). As a result their bodies are less sensitive to the spiritual and emotional vibrations.
This general observation can definitely be changed when the Lord of Chandra is a sensitive planet, or when the lagnesha (for Makara, lagnesha is Shani) is conjunct (yuti) more spiritually or emotionally disposed planets such as Guru or Moon or more psychic influences like Rahu/Ketu, or when the lagna is favorable aspected, etc...
However as a general rule the cold signs live on the mental and material surface of life; they tend to be driven by surface concerns and they lack depth. If both radix lagna and radix Chandra are ruled by Budha or Shani, the "cold" attribute is doubled.
Psycho-emotional predisposition: Chandra rules house-7 for Ena lagna.
Makara lagna has a psycho-emotional predisposition to expect that establishing relationships and contractual agreements will provide their security & protection. They are happiest (not always successful but happiest) in contractual roles that express balancing and negotiating behaviors. E.g., marriage counselor, attorney, advising physician, arbitrator or negotiator, broker, financial dealmaker & any type of arranger.
Chandra's radix & navamsha rashi's & any drishti to Chandra will show the native's specific style of pursuing security & emotional fulfillment. (E.g., Moon ruled by Shukra gives balancing & designing roles in beauty & justice; ruled by Shani gives contract enforcement roles in government & large organizations; ruled by Surya negotiating role in entertainment etc.)
Typically these natives love marriage & unions, and expect to gain social stability by investing in their key peer relationships. Despite their desire for stability, they are prone toward lifelong negotiating in all personal & professional dealings. Tends to attract moody & emotionally reactive spouses.
Yogakaraka Shukra
L-5/L-10 Shukra is a powerful yogakaraka for Makara lagna.
(Shukra is also yogakaraka for Kumbha lagna, where He is L-4/L-9.)
Depending on Shukra's full character (rashi, drishti, etc.) periods of Shukra are usually very beneficial for the Makara native.
A good position of Shukra in the Makara lagna chart can compensate for many other difficulties. Shukra is best in any kendra, but especially in lagna where it makes the person physically attractive & brings much happiness from profession & children.
updated: 04 October 2008
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