Shifting magnetic pole affects Vaastu?

The reported news of the shifting magnetic pole at the rate of 64 km per year, seems to have generated speculations of its impact on Vaastu principles. Not to lag behind in liberally giving ‘opinions’, here I am to say something on this from what I understand.

The worry is that if the northern magnetic pole shifts, where will we pin point the North in Vaastu? Today’s Vaastu masters give great importance to North as capable of giving wealth. (Kubera moolai). How to note the exact North if the pole shifts at this rate, is the worry. (see news report given below)

In my opinion, this is not a problem.

Olden Vaastu masters were worried about exact east rather than about any other direction.

According to them the exact east (Shuddha Praachi) is determined by the Sun!

The directions are noted from the sun and not from magnetic North.

In determining the direction - which is the first step before starting work in a plot - they followed two parameters: one, the position of the sun and another noting the Pole star.

The sun keeps shifting its position everyday – which becomes distinct every month.

Methods have been given in olden books of Vaastu on how to determine the exact east in any month be the measurement of the shadow of the conch of specific height (12 inches) which varies differently in different months.

This is really a cumbersome work and requires patience and experience in determining the exact east.

Determination of the exact east is necessary because based on that only, the other 3 directions are found.

Why the other exact directions were needed? It is because based on them only, the Aaya and other factors can be determined. These are necessary for deciding the location and dimensions of rooms etc. This is a lost science as far as Tamilnadu is concerned. To know what is Aaya (Aaya prakarana) and related Vaastu principles that were originally followed, kindly refer to Kshethra phala in

http://www.thirumala.com/fortune-vaastu.aspx#kshetra

Even if the magnetic north oscillates, the exact orientation of North with reference to exact east will not change.

This can be understood form the other method the ancients followed.
They followed the Pole star or Dhruva nakshathra to determine the exact North and from that the exact south is determined. Once these two are known, the other two can be known easily.

Today people use magnetic compass to determine north and south and from that east and west are oriented. Going by this rapid shift in magnetic north, one has to calculate in how many years such a shift will make a difference to exact north as oriented from Sun’s direction in exact east. If it does make a difference then we must stick to Sun only and not go by the magnetic compass.

A fantastic truth about Vaastu is that it is not just about earthy issues.

It positions earth in the cosmos and derives maximum benefits to earth from the cosmos.

The Directions are given specific potential in a way to tap the existing potential in larger framework of the cosmos.

To understand this, we have to look at our position in larger framework.

The easy way to understand this is our square-shaped horoscope.

In the following picture, the side of the milky way galaxy that we can see is given. The centre of this galaxy lies at Sagittarius. Beyond that we can not see in the visible sky. Our earth (solar system) is located in the middle of the second half of the limb of the Milky way. This roughly comes closer to the sign Cancer. (It will be an interesting information to note a research study that a vast majority of people are born in Cancer ascendant only, compared to other ascendants.)

The end of the limb of our galaxy rests at Gemini. The directions given in astrology are also noted in this picture.

Aries , Taurus – East

Libra, Scorpio – west

Capricorn, Aquarius – north

Cancer, Leo – south.

The corners are

Gemini – South east

Virgo – south west

Sagittarius – North west

Pisces – North east.

The cross section of our galaxy on the side in which our earth is located stretches from north west to south east.

South east is where newer stars are forming. Science tells us that new stars are born as twins in these outer regions of our galaxy, thereby substantiating the name “Mithuna” (the twins) as given by our ancients. This Mithuna is where savita and saavittri are inner deities who generate growth. In Saavithri Upanishad this is beautifully explained with a final conclusion that the twin forces of Balai – Ati Balai give abundance of food.

Balai and Atibalai are the two mantras that Vishvamitra taught Rama and Lakshmana when he took them to the forest to guard the yajnas. These two mantras enabled them to be free of hunger (no need to take food- they would feel no hunger as though they had eaten well, even though they had not eaten anything) and free of sleepiness.

This part of the sky is endowed with Mithuna of Balai and Ati balai – probably enriched by the two signs Taurus and Cancer from its two sides.

It must be noted here that this direction stands for the place of making food – kitchen – so that whatever is cooked there, will also and automatically have the directional benefit – perhaps lent by some cosmic forces coming form that direction.

Opposite to this is the centre of our galaxy, which ‘supplies’ air to people – or becomes basis for the very existence of all the beings, including us – in this galaxy.

Now look at the opposite of this cross section.

North and east comes ‘above’ our galaxy while south and west comes ‘below’ our galaxy.

The North east has Pisces and South west has Virgo.

The Vaastu purusha - the eternal Vaastu purusha also known as Sthira Vaastu lies with the head in northeast (Pisces in cosmic map) and feet in South west while his limbs are enclosing our galaxy!

In that picture, Pisces in North east denotes, Mukthi maarga while Virgo (month of Purattasi) denotes Pithru loka or land of departed souls.

The Mukthi marga lies outside or above or in the northern realms of our galaxy while the pithru loka lies close to our galaxy or probably within itself.

If you look at the night sky throughout the year, you can see the stars of signs starting from Gemini to Scorpio very bright and distinct. Without any scientific knowledge about them, I can say with confidence that all these constellations are part of our galaxy.

From Capricorn to Pisces, the stars are faint. They are far away galaxies and somewhere near them (or in their direction) lies the initial root of all our galaxies. Otherwise our ancients would not have given importance to this direction, nor recorded it as Devayaana or the route of Mukthi.

This direction (Northeast) is thus important as a Direction of that Eternal Something.

The task of marking exact east on earth is related to this direction because a little north of exact east (shuddha praachi) is known as Aishee prachee – or eesha praachi - for building temples for Shiva.

A little south to exact east is noted for Aimdri praachee – or indra prachee – the location of Devendra.

These directions are oriented not from the magnetic north but from the pole star – in relation to which earth is wobbling. The relation between the exact direction of pole star and the sun is a constant – if we go by the Vaastu principles given in very olden books. It shows that Exact east is position of sun at the equator from where the Pole star is at right angles.

Some tidbits related to this topic.

The North is given importance in cosmic scale before it denotes the direction of Elevation – mukthi maarga or Devayaana.

The goal of life is for the Individual Consciousness to elevate to the level of Supreme Consciousness – either to merge with it or be subservient to it – all these are schools of thought. But what is undisputed is that the Individual Consciousness in us is in a constant process of elevating itself to the level of Eternal Consciousness which is surging in the direction of Northeast. So North, North east and East become important directions of positive energy. Such a surge can happen only when the physical environment is also in tune with it or conducive to it. That is why the insistence on directions in housing and anything connected with us.

Vaastu is applicable to Land primarily and it is adopted for all the substances we handle – from furniture to weapons and from vehicles to places.

The North gains importance – in material terms and also in spiritual accounts.

Look at the picture again.

The signs of the North and east are considered auspicious and we do all auspicious functions only in those months when sun rises in these signs. The energy flow received by earth in these months from these directions is of sublime ones – of the eternal Consciousness.

The opposite of it occurs in the other half of the year.

The signs from cancer to Sagittarius are inward constellations. We will be on the other side while the sun will be rising in these constellations. The energy flows from these constellations reaching us will that of whatever that is formed and recycled within our galaxy. The souls undergoing recycling in the name of re-births are remembered by us during these months.

It starts from Gemini, in fact, after Canopus reappears after conjunction with sun. Canopus is known as Sage Agasthya. In olden days our ancients used to offer water ceremony (arghya pradana) to Canopus within 7 days of its reappearance (Heliacal rising).

From that time onwards, starts the remembrance of Rishis (Upaa karma or AaavNi avittam) when sun is in Leo and of departed souls (pithrus) when the sun is in Virgo.

These remembrances are part of ‘paying off debt’. If not done, one comes under troubles.

At the physical level, this corner is a feared one. If this corner is not properly secure, losses are accrued. Heightening this corner is recommended as a remedy. In the level of consciousness, paying of debts to forefathers and is the remedy.

This is how the Vaastu principles have emerged.

Locating the exact North – when it results in material prosperity must be followed by spiritual harvesting. That is the import.

Such a North in cosmic terms is not dependant on magnetic pole of the earth.

The exact north is related to the Pole star in the north and the sun in the east.
The outer constellations to solar system also come to the picture here and therefore the direction is not earth based.

Another justification that I can think of is that the Sthira Vaastu ( perpetual Vaastu with head in Northeast) is with reference to eternal principles. He is interpreted as ‘Chara vaastu’ – as one changing direction with the movement of sun through the months (signs).

Based on changing position of Vaastu, the doors are installed.

There is another Vaastu also – “Dina Vaastu” (given by Kalidasa of Uttara Kaalamritha) which does a rotation everyday with the movement of sun in the sky.

From these it is deduced, that Sun becomes the locus for deciding directions and not the magnetic pole.

- jayasree

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http://www.dc-epaper.com/DC/DCH/2009/12/27/ArticleHtmls/27_12_2009_001_015.shtml?Mode=0

Vaastu: Magnetic north shift good

HYDERABAD

Vaastu adherents are upset over the report by National Geographic that the earth's magnetic pole is shifting towards Russia at a speed of 64 km a year.

This means "north" is no longer where it was. It's going east. According to some Vaastu experts, the shift could have a huge impact. "When we have to check Vaastu, we normally start with the true north and begin all construction on that basis," said K. Phani Raj, a Vaastu expert. "But equally, if the north's magnetic pole is shifting, it will have an impact."

Mr C. Ragavendren, another Vaastu consultant, said, "North is Kubera Sthanam and hence any change in north will hit the financial position of the family," adding, however, "If north is shifting towards east, it's for the good."

Scientist H.V. Rambabu at the National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad, says, "The pole reverses once in a million years and direction of north will alter once in 40 years for us. No real cause for worry." The shift will come to the aid of those who ignored Vaastu experts and constructed houses without angling it northwards.

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From

http://in.news.yahoo.com/139/20091225/981/tsc-earth-s-north-magnetic-pole-racing-t.html

Earth's north magnetic pole racing towards Russia due to core flux

Fri, Dec 25 11:10 AM

Washington, December 25 (ANI): A new research has determined that Earth's north magnetic pole is racing toward Russia at almost 40 miles (64 kilometers) a year due to magnetic changes in the planet's core.

The core is too deep for scientists to directly detect its magnetic field. But researchers can infer the field's movements by tracking how Earth's magnetic field has been changing at the surface and in space. Now, according to a report in National Geographic News, newly analyzed data suggest that there's a region of rapidly changing magnetism on the core's surface, possibly being created by a mysterious "plume" of magnetism arising from deeper in the core.

"It's this region that could be pulling the magnetic pole away from its long-time location in northern Canada," said Arnaud Chulliat, a geophysicist at the Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris in France.

Magnetic north, which is the place where compass needles actually point, is near but not exactly in the same place as the geographic North Pole.

Right now, magnetic north is close to Canada's Ellesmere Island.

Navigators have used magnetic north for centuries to orient themselves when they are far from recognizable landmarks.

Although global positioning systems have largely replaced such traditional techniques, many people still find compasses useful for getting around underwater and underground where GPS satellites can't communicate.

The magnetic north pole had moved little from the time scientists first located it in 1831.

Then in 1904, the pole began shifting northeastward at a steady pace of about 9 miles (15 kilometers) a year.

In 1989 it sped up again, and in 2007 scientists confirmed that the pole is now galloping toward Siberia at 34 to 37 miles (55 to 60 kilometers) a year.

A rapidly shifting magnetic pole means that magnetic-field maps need to be updated more often to allow compass users to make the crucial adjustment from magnetic north to true North.

Geologists think Earth has a magnetic field because the core is made up of a solid iron center surrounded by rapidly spinning liquid rock.

This creates a "dynamo" that drives our magnetic field. cientists had long suspected that, since the molten core is constantly moving, changes in its magnetism might be affecting the surface location of magnetic north.

Although the new research seems to back up this idea, Chulliat is skeptical whether magnetic north will eventually cross into Russia.

"It's too difficult to forecast," Chulliat said. (ANI)