Blog – Simrita Sethi

Jupiter Retrograde 2021

Jupiter retrograde is generally associated with philosophical and spiritual introspection and reflection.
Jupiter went Retrograde in the sign of aquarius on 20th June 2021 because of which we may find ourselves questioning our societal values and thinking about how we fit or don’t fit into society.

If you have been running your life or operating under a certain belief system, you may find that this Jupiter Retrograde energy shakes things up a bit, and encourages you to look at things from a different vantage point.

During this period, it is the time when you question your beliefs, values that society organisation imposed upon us and not take everything at face value. Retrograde Jupiter is not favourable for speculation, investments or gambling as chances of winning are less during this period

To direct this energy in a productive way, use this retrograde period to think about how your beliefs and the way you are choosing to see things are coloring the experience of your life.
Perhaps a destructive behavior like greed or addiction is out of control. In this case, Jupiter retrograde will offer a chance to recognize and admit the problem. Things may get so out of control that an intervention or some drastic event must occur to shake you out of your complacency or ignorance.

Once Jupiter stations direct you should have come to terms with the relevant issues and be ready to leap ahead toward success and happiness.
Even while retrograde, bountiful Jupiter wants to help you figure out how to grow and change and become the best version of yourself. Use this time wisely — it’s a gift!

Jupiter will retrograde in the sign of Aquarius on June 20, 2021, till September 14, 2021 till it enters in the sign of Capricorn .Jupiter will become direct on October 18, 2021.

Vaastu

Simrita — June 21, 2021

The Power of Shaligram

According to Hindu scripture, the Tulsi plant was a woman named “Vrinda” (Brinda; a synonym of Tulsi). She was married to the Asura king Jalandhar, who due to her piety and devotion to Vishnu, became invincible. … Vrinda cursed Lord Vishnu to become Shaligram and to be separated from his wife, Lakshmi.

Shaligram is a blackstone brought from Gandaki river in Nepal. It is most revered stone worshipped by Vishnu Bhakts.

According to Shastras, keeping Shaligram ji along with Tulsi benefits the family in 6 dimensions: Noble way of life, Wealth, Protection from evil, good health, worldly pleasures and blessing from Lord Vishnu

Mainly Shaligram is worshipped by offering panchamrit snan ,Pure water,Tulasi water daily.
Shaligram stone is considered a form of Lord Vishnu.

Never keep this on floor, even on a cloth. If at all you have to keep them down, place them on a wooden surface that is clean.

It should be worshiped with, by daily Tirumanjana ( abhisheka) by water drawn from pure sources, dried with a pure cotton cloth, with a dot of sandal paste over it, and placing a TuLsi leaf and a flower on top of it.
it should be worshiped chanting ashtAkshara manTra ( Om namo nArAyaNAya) and Dwayam (Sriman nArAyaNa charanau SaraNam prapaDyE, SrImaTE nArAyaNAya Nama:) duly received from your AchArya or your father/grandfather.

You should announce (nivedana), with any good fruit, that you owe your existence with food you got due to His System.

Most of the shaligrams you see are just egg shaped stones. It is extremely rare to find original shaligram.
Today, any piece of stone is sold as shaligram . It’s one in a billion kind of a stone. If you happen to pick a real shaligram , it can make your life heaven if you know how to use it .
Its not a joke or child’s play to keep Salagrama at home, it runs in the family, and there has to be devotion and a lot of practice of rituals to be followed, Its like Lord Vishnu is present physically.
People living a simple life shouldn’t keep one and Manging the energy of shaligram isn’t for everyone. Shaligram is like a mini cosmos . It carries same type of energy as the universe.
Its energy can create disasters if kept the wrong way .

Vaastu

Simrita — June 21, 2021

The Power of Shaligram

Never keep this on floor, even on a cloth. If at all you have to keep them down, place them on a wooden surface that is clean.

Astrology News

Simrita — June 19, 2021

Mercury goes Direct 22nd June 2021

Mercury will station direct on June 22 2021 — putting an end to its retrograde antics and allowing us to resume some sense of normalcy within communication, timing, and tech.

It’s important to keep in mind that your situations may.. speed up, but not as their regular speed.

Mercury’s retrograde, this post-shadow period will come to an end on July 7th when the retroshade phase ends. You will have the opportunity to complete things that you could not during Mercury’s retrograde. When Mercury is back at its force after the first few days, the difference will be profound enough for you to physically notice.
There’s still a little bit of a lag in getting all things moving again.
Sometimes we blame ourselves that Mercury retrograde is bad, creates mis understandings but this is a good time to sit back and review where you put your energy in your life!
You will now see those problems that arose during Mercury’s retrograde in June more clearly and work slowly towards alterations.

Astrology

Simrita — October 5, 2020

AtmaKaraka Planet

Atma means the soul and karaka means significator. Atmakaraka is the significator of the soul’s desire.

According to the Vedic philosophy a soul is reborn because it has unfinished desires that were left unfulfilled in the previous lives and it is born again to get another opportunity to satisfy them.

The Atmakaraka planet shows the nature of the individual’s soul. It shows the soul color or soul flavour of that particular person. It is the planet that we have the most karma to work with in this life.

Sun:

When Sun is also char atmakaraka, the person automatically posses Leadership qualities. He is Authoritative and self confident. But he will be egoistic. He need to learn how to overcome the Ego and become humble. This is the purpose of the soul in this birth.

If sun is your atmakaraka You are learning to fine-tune and cultivate the qualities of the Sun. Showing self-expression, being in charge, learning how to execute justice while in charge, being the center of attention, being magnanimous and generous, cultivating creativity, cultivating charity, showing passion and fire in your work, learning to let others shine, learning to defer to others and not always want to be first, learning to become humble, learning to temper pride and express it in healthy ways rather than unhealthy ways that may destroy close relationships.

Moon:

Emotions and compassion towards others becomes a big issue. Due to excessive emotional dependence, the native may always be looking for relationships, or relationships will be looking for them.

You are learning to fine-tune and cultivate the qualities of the Moon. Being nurturing towards those in your immediate vicinity, such as family members, friends and co-workers, etc., caring for others, developing compassion, growing emotionally, helping others in their emotional affairs through showing understanding (not trying to give advice or change the person unless requested), nurturing plants or pets/animals, caregiving the young, the old, or the sick as a mother would, taking care of the home and family, conducting public affairs in a caring and nurturing way.

Mars:

Short temper, or excessive anger/violence may be expressed or experienced by the native, and the native should make a conscious step to throw away any weapons and grudges and learn the path of non-violence or ahimsa.

You are learning to fine-tune and cultivate the qualities of Mars. Being assertive and aggresive, being athletic, showing strength of body, showing strenght of mind, showing strength of will-power, fighting for the underdog, fighting for justice, tempering the qualities of Mars by channeling anger in a constructive manner, using the force of Mars constructively instead of destructively, making changes in your life through constructive force.

Mercury:

When to speak and when not to speak becomes a major issue either for the native or his/her social circle. Such people should be particularly careful of what they say, and to whom they say it.

You are learning to fine-tune and cultive the qualities of Merucry. Always learning something new, developing writing and speaking skills, learning what your patterns of thought are and re-channeling the less constructive patterns, learning new languages, reading a lot, acquiring knowledge, using knowledge, writing, and/or speaking ability to redirect others in a more positive direction, improving mathematical ability and analytical skills, continuing the learning experience even in old age for a young mind.

Venus:

Venus being a Atmakaraka in a horoscope represents that soul need to go through some learning especially in relationships matters in this life.

Relationships and sex becomes a major issue for such people. The person should always try to maintain purity in relations, and not to overindulge in casual sex.

Learn to let go of your vices, learn to let go of excessive behavior that is destructive in your life, controlling your physical cravings for Lust.

You are learning to fine-tune and cultivate the qualities of Venus. Learning how to give and receive love and affection, learning how to let go in matters of love in a healthy way in order to love more deeply and unconditionally, learning karmic lessons through personal love relationships, developing healthy habits of giving love to others without expecting anything in return, sending love and blessings to everyone that crosses your path .

Jupiter: You are learning to fine-tune and cultivate the qualities of Jupiter. Acquiring spiritual wisdom, becoming an expert and leader in one particular subject, teaching others, learning to be expansive and generous, giving in charity, learning how to channel wealth properly, spreading wisdom in all four corners of the world, learning deeper spiritual truths, sharing your truth, accepting other people’s truths without trying to change them, accepting other’s religious views with equanimity.

The native should always respect his guru or seniors and care his children. Jupiter is the Karaka for children, Guru, elderly person. So we should be concerned and careful about these aspect of life. With Jupiter Atmakaraka we have to learn lessons about these areas of life. We have some unfinished Karma from past lives regarding the area Atmakaraka Jupiter signifies.

Saturn: You are learning to fine-tune and cultivate the qualities of Saturn. Learning how to suffer life, learning how to withstand suffering and pain with equanimity of mind, learning yoga of mind and body to acquire equanimity in pain and suffering, learning to become detached in matters aspected by Saturn in a chart, learning detachment and equanimity, helping others in their suffering, helping the sick, the poor, and the elderly live better lives, giving in charity to those in need, helping to reduce the suffering of others.

Rahu:

The person trusts others too easily, and as a result often finds himself cheated or deceived, and a risk is there that the same person may cheat others in return in a never-ending cycle of cheating.

The person should learn to accept deceit and move on.

Foreign people/places also have a vital role to say with this graha.

You are learning to fine-tune and cultivate the qualities of Rahu. Learning how to temper your deepest yearnings and desire, learning how not to indulge in the things influenced by Rahu in the chart, channeling the desires of Rahu towards the spiritual Sattvic realm and away from Rajas.

News

Simrita — September 16, 2020

Saturn Direct 29th September 2020

Saturn turns Direct in Capricorn on September 29, 2020

Saturn is the great distributor of Karma, a planet that represents reality checks.

When saturn was retrograde , we were forced to face some truths we were escaping, take responsibilities we were hiding from, and accept our life and our reality as it is without hiding, projecting, deflecting, blaming, or dreaming.

everyone is working on accepting a particular truth or reality.

Saturn turning direct today allows us to move forward.

All of the things you have been working on internally are about to materialize. And all of the things you realigned and/or accepted internally are going to allow you to readjust your life, live differently, and manifest different outcomes.

The more responsibilities you took internally during the retrograde motion, the more you’ll find desirable changes in your life now that Saturn is direct.

Responsible Saturn, our planetary rulemaker stations direct in practical Capricorn on September 29, helping us to solidify all those beneficial new habits that we created for ourselves when the ringed planet started moving in reverse, back on May 11.

Now that saturn is direct Focus and motivation lead to productiveness, achievement, and recognition.

News

Simrita — September 7, 2020

ADDICTION- ENSLAVED

To be addicted to a substance is truly to be enslaved by that substance. The substance controls you. But that also means the people who provide that substance control you, in a way. And you are also a slave to seeking money so that you can buy the substance, even if that means stealing to get the money. You essentially become enslaved to everything having to do with getting and using that substance. The substance (and everything connected to it) controls you.

The cycle of addiction begins as a response to a stressful problem (getting drunk to avoid dealing with a bad job, running to get away from a bad marriage) or as an attempt to produce certain feelings (as Harvard psychologist David McClelland and his coworkers showed, many men feel a sense of power while drunk).

These feelings, in turn, lead into a cycle that makes the addiction harder to escape. For example, a man who abuses his family when he is drunk may feel disgusted with himself when he sobers up—so he gets drunk again to boost his self-esteem.

Soon the addictive experience feeds on itself. It becomes central to the person’s life, and it becomes a trap.

While most alcoholics/ addicts want to escape from facing their harsh realities and trauma. They fail to realise that they are now enslaved by a substance which not slowly destroys them , but their families too,

In addiction, moderation is lost, and what initially starts as something more pleasurable, with few, if any, consequences (like substance use, sex, pornography, impulsive eating…) eventually shifts into the primary source of conflict infiltrating numerous aspects of one’s life. What distinguishes addiction from a ‘problem behavior,’ is the brain becomes rewired to view the addiction (i.e. alcohol/drug(s)/behavior(s) as an essential survival mechanism rather than the ‘thing’ that has spiraled out of control.

Trauma, including adverse childhood experiences, is a major cause of substance abuse/addictions.

Trauma can be defined differently for everyone, and the presence of trauma can at times lead toward addiction.

Trauma and addiction are often co-occurring disorders, and need to be treated as such.

Trauma is the natural effect that happens when our body is in such a heightened state of stress that we are unable to process an experience in a typical manner. Trauma then, is less about the event and more about how the memory is processed within the brain, due to the stress level of the body at the time of the experience.

What may result in trauma for one person may or may not result in trauma for another.

Trauma Creates a State of Discomfort that Fosters an Urge to Escape

Our emotions and our body sensations give us tremendous information and cues about our presence in our environment. After trauma, the body enters a more constant state of hyper arousal and it alters the stress, threat response. This can lead to hyper vigilance and even feelings of being ‘crazy.’

An event that you cognitively may recognize to be a low threat situation can spark a loud threat response in the body (rapid heart rate, feelings of panic…).

The body is not intended live in this constant state of arousal and will learn how to disconnect from its physical, emotional and even cognitive experiences. The exhaustion of living in such a state of stress, can lead to the desperation to numb out, check out, or change the way you are feeling… all of which are desires fueling addiction. Addiction becomes all about seeking the drug or behavior that fosters the addiction – this tunnel vision creates the ultimate way to numb out, checkout.

1 in 5 children grow up in a home where a parent abuses drugs or alcohol. Witnessing the trauma of a parent suffering addiction at a young age has long-term effects on the child. Children growing up seeing a parent addicted to drugs or alcohol are more likely to develop substance use disorders in their adulthood. They are also 3 times more likely being neglected, physically, and sexually abused. Seeing a parent on drugs often creates distressing emotions which not only create delays in learning and development, but pronged mental and emotional disorders.

Since children are still developing their personalities and are vulnerable to external influences, they run the risk of repeating such behaviors. Children may be exposed to aggression or violent behavior due to a parent or both parent’s drug use. Arguments between parents may be normal, causing the child emotional distress as they witness family members fighting.

Early exposure to a home divided by drug use can cause the child to feel emotionally and physically neglected and unsafe. As a result, they can become more mentally and emotionally unstable. Children may develop extreme guilt and self-blame for a parent’s substance abuse. They may develop feelings of unworthiness for disturbances around the home or develop dysfunctional attachments in their adulthood. In extreme cases, children can be removed from the home and placed in foster care.

The effects of drug and alcohol addiction can be both short-term and long-term. Peaceful, loving homes can be divided by the strain caused by drug and alcohol abuse. Conflict becomes normal as family members fight to engage in a son or daughter who abuses heroin, for example. Trust begins to erode. Relatives may become more guarded if a relative abusing illicit substances acts with aggression or hides their disorder in secrecy. Marriages can end due to changes caused by addiction. Communication becomes more difficult, highlighting frustration.

Simrita — August 8, 2020

Heart Chakra – ANAHATA

Original name in Sanskrit: Anahata

Element: Air

Planets: Venus

Physical association: Heart, lungs, circulatory system, arms, hands

Psychological function: Love

The heart chakra – the wellspring of love, warmth, compassion, and joy is located in the center of the chest at the heart level.

Located at the center of the chakra system, the Anahata or heart chakra is often seen as the point of integration of personal and altruistic aspirations through love and relating. When this energy center is going on overdrive, it can blur the boundaries between oneself and others to the point of losing your sense of identity and misusing the power of love.

It means living your life with loving kindness and compassion towards others. It means that your heart is open to others and you inspire kindness and compassion in others. You create safe and supportive environment.

When your heart chakra is balanced, you feel surrounded love, compassion, and joy. You feel connected to the world around you .You are able to feel love for yourself and others in equal amounts.

OVER ACTIVE HEART CHAKRA

Excess within this chakra can present itself as: codependency, poor boundaries, demanding, clinging, jealousy, and overly sacrificing. Individuals displaying these characteristics tend to continually give to others and overextend themselves with little regard for their own well-being.

• Loving indiscriminately

• Lack of proper boundaries in friendships and intimate relationships

• Tolerating too much from others to the point of neglecting emotional self-care

• Acceptance of others without discernment

• Losing your sense of identity

• Giving to others or to a cause without restraints

• Saying yes to everything and everyone, even when it does not benefit you

• Codependency, being overly demanding of others

UNDERACTIVE HEART CHAKRA

• Being withdrawn and selfish

• Avoiding socializing, social interactions

• Being overly critical of others and oneself

• Lacking empathy

• Feeling isolated

Many people have an underactive heart chakra. Most of us have experienced a lot of heartbreak on this journey of life, and that can cause our heart chakra to shut down. When your heart chakra is underactive, you feel like it’s hard to get really close to anyone. You hesitate to let anyone in.You find it hard to connect with others and have a loner lifestyle.

You put yourself before others so much that you (or others) would call you selfish.

In an effort to protect our hearts we close them off from connection; from giving and receiving love. This closes off our ability to be compassionate, empathetic, and kind.

As a result, a lot of the physical symptoms of heart chakra imbalance are connected to the lungs, ribs, and heart. Look for the following: Hypertension, problems breathing, infection at the level of the lung, bronchitis, heart condition.

HEAL YOUR HEART CHAJRA

• Practice asanas that open your heart. Asanas are yoga postures that help you balance the mind, body and spirit. Heart chakra healing- yoga postures include eagle, camel, wheel, and any backbends.

Pay attention to your posture.

Most of us are walking around like hunchbacks, unconsciously closing our hearts. Begin to become aware of your posture while sitting, standing, and walking. Straighten the spine, engage the core, open the front of your chest, and drop your shoulders.

• Use the bija mantra, ‘YAM,’ associated with the heart chakra. Bija mantras are repeated tones that you say during mindfulness meditations, and are commonly used before or after a yoga practice. In yogic philosophy, YAM is the sound vibration that works with the opening the heart chakra. Repeat it to yourself any time you feel you are closing down.

• Meditate on your heart center. Imagine each inhale and exhale as a green color and imagine the color spreading throughout your entire body as you breathe. Imagine this green breath removing negativity from your heart as you exhale.

Herbs & Food nourishment: Lemon balm, all green foods & vegetables: kale, broccoli, spinach, chard, dandelion greens, parsley, celery, cucumber, zucchini, matcha, green tea, avocado, lime, mint, peas, kiwi, peas, spirulina, green apples.

Astrology

Simrita — August 7, 2020

The Throat Chakra-Vishuddha

The Throat Chakra in Sanskrit is called Vishuddha that means “especially pure”.

In Hindu astrology or jyotish, the graha (planet) ruling the throat chakra is Buddha or Mercury.

The Element is Ether ( Akash).

Known as the Vishuddha chakra, it governs all areas of the mouth, jaw, throat, and thyroid gland. When the throat chakra is imbalanced, you may experience:

• hoarseness

• sore throat

• thyroid problems

• laryngitis

• neck pain

Deficiencies in the this chakra often contribute to a number of physical ailments that can include thyroid imbalances, hearing problems, tonsillitis, mouth ulcers, tinnitus, bronchitis, asthma and ear infections.

Signs of an underactive throat chakra:

◦ Introverted

◦ Insecure

◦ Fear of Speaking Up

◦ Small Voice

Signs of an overactive throat chakra:

◦ Arrogance, lying or manipulation

◦ Condescending

◦ Rude

• Inability to Listen

◦ Gossiping

◦ Overly Critical

An overactive throat chakra leads us to use our voice in negative ways; tendencies toward criticising, lying, gossiping, abusive language and interrupting all reflect over-activity, as do speaking inappropriately and spending too much time trying to make oneself heard.

On the other hand, excessive shyness, secretiveness, and an imperceptible voice, as well as being unable to express oneself, are the result of an underactive throat chakra.

In addition, a blocked or unbalanced throat chakra leads to a variety of physical ailments, including laryngitis, thyroid disease, dental problems, TMJ, and neck pain, in addition to excessive or compulsive eating.

Here are some self-care tips and tools you can use to strengthen your Throat Chakra.

Methods to help balance the Throat Chakra:

• Be an active listener. Try to lean into conversations. Stop trying to think of what you will say when the person stops talking.

• Spend time in silence. Rest your throat chakra for a bit. This can be great for people who simply talk too much!

• Get a neck massage.

• Vocalizing, singing, humming & chanting

• Speak your truth

• Allow yourself to share your feelings, thoughts and ideas

• Stop judging yourself and others

• Practice allowing of self and other

• Journal

• Gargle with salt water

• Rest your throat

• Lying on your back and consciously relax your jaw, neck and throat

• Express yourself through creative activities

• Deep breathing exercises

• Exercising the vocal cords can dispel blockages in the fifth chakra.

• Engage in Head Rolls and Neck Stretches

This yoga warm-up decreases stiffness in your upper back, neck, and jaw. Each of these areas can hold incredible amounts of tension and need to be stretched regularly.

In addition to body positions and breathing techniques, yoga also gives us sound and vibration to create Throat Chakra healing. The Throat Chakra vibrates with the sound “HAM” (pronounced HAUHM).

PRACTICE MINDFUL EATING.

You might probably ask yourself, how does this relate to your Throat Chakra? It does relate as the fifth chakra governs your mouth, tongue and throat. So whatever you consume, or eat, can create a serious blockage, and vice versa, blocked Throat Chakra affects your relationships with food.

Ask yourself:

• Do I speak my truth?

• What story do I want to tell the world in 2019?

• How can I best serve others with my voice?

• Do I use my words to hurt or heal?

• Am I able to express myself creatively?

• Would I consider myself a gossip?

• What subjects am I anxious to talk about?

• How can I be even clearer when communicating?

• Am I being integral with my word?

• How can I strengthen my voice?

• Am I comfortable singing or humming aloud?

• Who in my life do I struggle to communicate with?

Astrology

Simrita — August 6, 2020

The Sacral Chakra

The Sacral Chakra is located just above the pubic bone and is responsible for passion, sexuality, intimacy, money, creativity, and joy. The balance of the Sacral Chakra allows us to improve our relationships with ourselves and others.

The planet MOON is associated with the sacral chakra and element is WATER.

As humans, it is part of our nature to create. This creativity can be expressed as procreation but the second chakra energy is certainly not limited to making babies. When we cook, bake, or garden, we are creating. We create when we find a new solution to an old problem. Any time we take raw materials, physical or mental, and transform them into something new, we are using our creative energy.

The sacral chakra is associated with the realm of emotions. It’s the center of our feelings and sensations. It’s particularly active in our sexuality and the expression of our sensual and sexual desires.

It is responsible for the Functioning of it’s the lymphatic and circulatory systems, reproductive organs, bladder, kidney, and large intestines.

Mentally, blocked sacral energy can be associated with addiction, repressed emotions, and lack of creative energy.

SIGNS OF DYSFUNCTIONAL SACRAL CHAKRA

• Dependency, co-dependency with other people or a substance that grants you easy access to pleasure

• Being ruled by your emotions

• Overindulgence in fantasies, sexual obsessions

• Or the opposite: Lack of sexual desire or satisfaction

• Feeling stuck in a particular feeling or mood

WAYS TO BALANCE SACRAL CHAKRA

The sacral chakra is connected to the element of water so nourishing your body, inside and out, with some H20 will do your sacral some good. It is recommended keeping your body hydrated by drinking lots of it. You can even make it fancy and more sacral chakra-friendly by adding a couple of slices of orange.

The sacral chakra is all about creative expression, so it makes sense that tapping into your artistic side and doing something creative would help open up this energy center.

Do some hip-opening movements

The sacral chakra is located right below your belly button so any hip-opening movements and poses will help get the energy flowing in that area. “You can do this by allowing your body to flow through dancing or dance-like movements, stretching your hips, and different yoga asanas or poses

Left nostril breathing called Ida Nadi breathing will help to open up the second chakra as it brings forth lunar energy. Simply close your right nostril with the first two fingers of your right hand and inhale and exhale through the left nostril, only for 8 to 10 breaths.