The Yagyas
Yagya means “perfect action” It is an ancient Vedic ceremony, recited by a celebrant, based on mantras that destroy one’s current karma by fire.
Each Yagya is dedicated to a specific planet. It takes place around a lit fire into which, at a precise moment, grains of rice representing the karma to be destroyed are thrown. The ceremony is held on a designated day (Monday for the Moon, Tuesday for Mars, Wednesday for Jupiter etc ,etc ) and assists the person whose associated planet reveals some fragility. The planet is invited to intervene, bestow blessings and offer protection.
Offerings are made to the planet concerned and thrown into the fire, which temporarily represents the planet on earth. During the Yagya, the planet and the individual come together as one. The individual expresses his wishes and desires within the particular deity’s domain. Thus, in a Yagya dedicated to Jupiter (Guru in Sanskrit), who represents abundance, happiness, success, luck and the spiritual realm, he or she will ask the planet to liberate them from this karma and grant them aid material and spiritual aid. In a Yagya dedicated to Venus, matters of the heart, art, harmony and elegance will be prioritised.
Regardless of the form of the Yagya, the sequence remains the same: prayer, Japa (the repetition of mantras), the making of offerings, and the expression of wishes, desires and thanks.
Meditation
This is a powerful remedial therapy practised alongside the recitation of Vedic mantras.
Ayurveda
This therapy involves adopting a specific diet related to the planets. It will reflect karma and regenerate the subtle body as well as the physical body.
Mantras
These are sacred phrases, recited or chanted, derived from the Vedas.”Man” means “for the mind” and “Tra” means “tool”.
A mantra is a tool for the mind. Its function is to calm an overactive mind and to instil positive thinking throughout one’s being. Mantras install a sense of stability, reduce stress and improve concentration.
Lithotherapy
“Lithos” means “stone” and “therapy” means “cure.” Lithotherapy is the cure – by – stones. It uses precious stones that have particular attributes. Bracelets, necklaces and rings are the most common items of jewellery involved. The stones’ relationship to its base minerals bestows benefits and has, itself, particular properties. Of course, we must match the type of stone with the impaired planet. For example, if our Moon reflects ‘fragile dignity’, we will wear a Moonstone. For Mars, we will wear jewellery made of carnelian, the specific stone for that planet.
We can even make a “Mala” that contains the stones of all 9 planets.
The Yantras
These are cosmic conductors of energy, Nature’s antennae, and a powerful tool for transmitting harmony, prosperity, success, good health,The Yantras are objects in the form of plaques, usually made of copper, decorated with a series of geometric designs reminiscent of mandalas, mystical diagrams embodying the energies of the planetary deities.
Each of the 9 planets has its own Yantra, as do all the deities. A self-conducted ritual will release the energies of, and obtain protection and blessing from, the planet being addressed.
Offerings
Offering a gift to a deity opens the heart, puts the ego in its proper place, and calms the mind. There is an accepted codification of gifts, which are given either to a Brahmin or to someone in need. To correct the effects of a fragile Moon, one might offer rice, sugar, or ghee.
For Jupiter, one might offer honey, turmeric, yellow fruits, gold, books…