Yoga & Astrology- the connection and application

For millennia, yoga and astrology have walked hand in hand as sacred sciences, each illuminating the profound connection between the cosmos and human existence. From the breath-centered wisdom of Swara Yoga (10,000 years old) to the alignment of Hatha Yoga (1,200 years old) and the elemental balance of Ayurveda (3,000 - 5,000 years old), celestial rhythms and planetary influences have shaped yogic philosophy. The Puranas (ancient texts) connected astrological knowledge through Siddhanta (astronomic phenomena) and Samhita (mundane astrology) to reveal how the macrocosm mimics the microcosm within us. 

At their core, both yoga and astrology link the interplay of elements, planetary timing, and polarity, as the components and forces that shape our bodies; from subtle to gross. (physical, mental/emotional, energy). Just as the stars move in divine order, yogic wisdom teaches that supreme intelligence flows through all existence with the same order, uniting the individual soul with the supreme soul, revealing the operating intelligence through the cosmos. 

In this article, we’ll explore how these sister sciences intertwine, guiding us toward deeper self-awareness and spiritual alignment. By understanding the planetary elements, celestial timing, and energetic polarities within us, we unlock the keys to harmonizing our inner and outer worlds. Let’s dive in. 

The Sun & Moon- Polarity

At the heart of both astrology and yoga lies the eternal interplay of the Sun and Moon, the celestial embodiments of masculine & feminine, positive & negative, Shiva & Shakti. These two luminaries are not just celestial bodies but living forces within us, shaping our consciousness, energy, and existence. 

Hatha Yoga, the 8-fold path rooted in uniting the polarities, the Sun (Ha) and Moon (Tha) represent the fundamental duality that must merge to awaken the energy wheels/centers (chakras) to raise dormant kundalini energy and ascend towards liberation. Without this polarity, creation itself would cease to exist. Hatha Yoga’s practices purify the body and mind, dissolving the illusion of separation (maya) between man and supreme intelligence, so that consciousness can transcend form. Utilizing the polar forces within and the universe to purify and elevate man. 

These polar forces operate as Shiva (pure consciousness) and Shakti (dynamic energy), the divine couple that create the fabric of reality. Within the human body, they flow through 2 channels (nadis), Ida and Pingala, these are subtle body channels that govern physical, emotion, and karmic experience. Together, these channels act as cosmic circuitry, charging the body, mind, and senses with the vital currents of existence. Swara yoga elucidates how human consciousness, and the physical body work in synchronization with the Sun and Moon through the channels of Ida and Pingala- it is how Shiva and Shakti are animating us in conjunction with cosmic consciousness. 

Ida:

• Left channel 

• Right brain (creative, calming, intuitive)

• Left nostril

• Feminine

• Negative polarity

Pingala:

• Right channel 

• Left brain (analytical, logical, linear) 

• Right nostril

• Masculine

• Positive polarity  

Swara and Hatha Yoga harness these forces through asana, pranayama, yantra, and mantra aligning the microcosm (man) with the macrocosm (universe). When harnessed they awaken higher perception, dissolve duality, and reveal the truth: Everything is energy, everything is connected. 

Timing of Practices- Activation

Yoga operates by celestial ordering, the refinement of its practices and access to universal consciousness is done by timing practices with planets. Planetary timing of practices (asana, pranayama, mantra, yantra) work to align universal consciousness with man, by influencing the forces in operation.  The most common astronomical timed practices are Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar) done at sun rise, the sequence working with the activating and invigorating nature of the Sun, or Moon Salutations (Chandra Namaskar), done at moon rise, works the negative energy, soothing nature, and accesses intuition. This works the polar charges within man based on the governing archetypal association of the planets. 

It is through timing that the nature of self and universe is revealed, we can only know what lives within us, when it becomes known-seen or felt- when it comes alive. This is when characteristics of the elements and planets (which are interrelated) are activated by transits, thereby revealing themselves within and around us.

The zodiacal belt represents the soul’s evolutionary journey within the supreme soul (paratman). It is in essence a karmic wheel, but as laid out in the Puranas, astrological association awakens a deeper understanding of universal consciousness within self and for the self to recognize the supreme within.  The aim of yoga and Vedic Astrology (Jyotish) is to transcend the zodiacal belt, the bind of karmic cause and effect-it is to be used, not to be tethered to. 

• The signs are intended for timing of forces through planets, and to recognize the universal laws of order. To work with the elements & planets in practice and ritual awakens the cosmic intelligence- makes it known. 

• The yogi is intended to harmonize with cosmic intelligence to transcend the soul above the planetary planes (Lokas) into supreme consciousness which is beyond time, space, duality, and form. 

• Timing with  planets allows the yogi to tap into the operating intelligence, Brahma, and synergize those characteristics within self- to bring them into conscious operation, which in essence opens the door to higher intelligence. 

• The yogi then shifts from unconsciousness operation to conscious co-creation, to transcend the karmic wheel of the zodiacal belt.  “ You rise into your rightful place, among the stars.” 

  
  

Planets & Signs - Elements

Now let’s get into the components of form and life- the elements and how to use the planets. The elements are the sacred architecture of existence. Yoga uses elements to connect energy, intelligence, and the laws of our universe to man’s existence and as a tool for ascension. They shape not only the physical body but the very nature of our thoughts, emotions, and karmic imprints. 

In yogic wisdom, the planets are conduits of elemental energy, their signatures vibrate within man and all beings, across the 7 planes (Tantric & Hindu Cosmology). Zodiacal signs represent the elements as planetary characteristics affecting the ego, body, and material world, and are used as such. They operate within the layers of consciousness and our creative reality (according to the Upanishads).  Elements build reality and the experience of self within that ideated reality.  Operating from subtle to gross elementary energy comes into existence through activation, planetary transits, and positions (also known as time & space) vibrate through each layer of existence and reality imbuing qualities, characteristics, and primordial nature. 

Ayurveda reveals how these elemental forces are connected to the composition of man and all beings. This is known as an individual’s unique constitution (Dosha). Doshas are simply a combination of elements, their ratio within each individual that expresses the elemental characteristics and disease tendency. Essentially Ayurveda, directly connects the planetary elements and their position at birth to the creation of man’s mental, physical, emotional bodies, and karma. 

Dosha (constitution) = Elemental composition in the mental, emotional, and physical body. 

• Vata = Ether + Air

• Pitta = Fire + Water

• Kapha = Water + Earth

  
  

Ayurveda, the world’s oldest medicine, translates to the science of longevity, however it isn’t just about healing, it is the foremost knowledge on elemental characteristics, and their manifestations within man and all beings. It is the bridge to connect cosmic intelligence to life, form (in man, animals, plants) and the nature of energy. 

• Planets and their elemental counterparts work to bring karmas, qualities, and experiential reality into existence across the realms- physical and astral, making them an integral part of man’s journey and spiritual realization. 

• Planetary consciousness is experienced as characteristics and qualities within the physical realm-dense/gross consciousness, as energetic nature and colors on the astral realm, and as vibrations/frequencies on  higher conscious planes. 

• To work with the elements or planets, follow the cardinal laws of Ayurveda: Like increases like, the opposite brings balance (quality, nature, sign). It is another form of polarity, addition or subtraction to increase or decrease the elemental expression or planetary influence.

Yogic Application by the Stars

Polarity, celestial timing, and elemental wisdom are the three principles of creation within universal intelligence and the aspects to unlock deeper experiences within yoga. These are not just philosophical concepts but living keys to align your practice with cosmic rhythms to awaken higher consciousness and conscious co-creation. They bridge heaven unto earth, turning theory into embodied wisdom. 

Of course, this knowledge deepens into intricate systems and lineage-specific applications. But, as a yoga teacher it is my duty and nature to provide guidance and offer clarity, so here it is. I’ve outlined 4 points to align your practice, and unfold the divine intelligence in operation. 

• Timing elemental focused yogic practices with transits, sun, or moon will change the nature of manifested energy. 

• Mantra, and yantra mimic and activate the quality and characteristics of the element or planets they represent through subtle vibration. 

• Asana and pranayama shift energy through energy channels (nadis) (polarity) to change the direction, quality, quantity, and  strength of energy across the mental/emotional, physical, and energy body.

• Yogic practices harmonized  with cosmic intelligence will elevate the yogi  into the higher conscious states of being. By aligning elements, using polarity, and planetary timing, energy is magnified and harnessed to awaken consciousness. (Tantra at its core uses energy (Shakti) to liberate consciousness (Shiva). (Alchemy teaches consciousness is released from form through energy-transmutation-laws of thermodynamics).

Conclusion

In writing this article, I set out to explain how yoga and astrology were connected throughout various lineages, and within philosophy, practices, and correspondences. My intention was to provide  greater insight into the depths of which yoga and astrology are interrelated as separate sciences. The truth is they are not separate, one is very much integral to the other, not engrained, or correlated- Inseparable.

Each yogi recites the unity of astrology and yoga in ॐ“AUM”, the primordial sound representing the triplicity of supreme spirit in universal ordering-cosmic creation, preservation, and destruction. The vibration in which all comes into manifestation. Each of Yoga’s paths, lineages, and practices aim to unify and awaken the aspirant to the spiritual truth, to unite the individual with the universal. Each path is drawn with cosmic intelligence, threading the celestial to the terrestrial, an infinite guide linking man to his rightful place among the stars. “I AM THAT, THAT I AM” or in mantra, “SO HUM, HAM SA”