Evolving through signs 7, 8, and 9

The signs in astrology set the foundation in which fields of life grow. The numerical symbolism and evolution of numbers 7 through 9 as it relates to the astrological zodiac signs 7, 8, and 9 represents the evolution of higher consciousness where individuals broaden their worldview by learning to recognize and let go of the ego’s tightly held ideals and beliefs. The result of this reveals a deeper connection to one’s path and to the community at large. These numbers deal heavily with internal shifts in development, bringing prosperity to the individual when worked with well, and psychological difficulty when negative.

After signs 1 through 6, the zodiac picks up with sign 7, Libra. As a cardinal and masculine sign, Libra is marked with active and dynamic qualities that help to define a person and the action they take in the world. The airy quality of this sign represents the power of one’s thoughts and overall mental capacity, as well as a sociable and communicative nature. Libra’s status as a masculine and cardinal sign indicates the ability to be outgoing, active, and enterprising. Yavana Jataka describes Libra as,” a man bearing goods upon a balance while standing in the marketplace. Libra represents the hips, navel, and bladder. Its places are those of custom duty, lyres, coins, cities, roads, caravansaries, and ripened grain.” Additionally, Jaimini text simply states, “In Libra, trade.” Both texts emphasize Libra as the sign of trade and commerce, which can be taken both literally and metaphorically. The sign of Libra exudes the energy of balance as it is represented by the scale, symbolizing weighing the value of things in the greater economy of consciousness. The scale is typically thought of in the context of business transactions in a marketplace, however, it also represents fairness and equality in the constant flow of energy which occurs in the universe. This flow is not limited to money, and can be distilled to the true essence of what Libra is about; Libra is the economy of consciousness in which things are constantly transitioning from one state to another. Because of this, The energy of Libra is also one of a killer, as one’s cherished ideals and notions of the ego cannot be entertained. This notion is further supported through the texts of Parashara, which describes Libra as a sign of “killing” and “destroying.” 

Furthermore, Libra is the sign of partners and relationships; the distance from the 1, with 1 representing our physical body and the self, symbolizes others and the projections of the self onto others. Yavana Jataka mentions Libra as relating to the navel, which can represent the relation to our mother as a metaphor for relation to others. The text mentions several other things that reinforce the idea of the others and the activity that one takes for the other such as custom duty, cities, and ripened grain; these things encompass a scope of political activity that is necessary for a society of people to thrive. The giving up of ego for the sake of the other illustrates a key theme in Libra. As the psyche evolves through Libra, the concept of the grander economy occurring in the universe becomes apparent and an individual can better understand and face their cherished ideals and learn to accept change through healthy detachment.

From here, the next stage in psychological development involves using the healthy detachment, which developed in the 7, to live in harmony in the 8. Yavana Jataka describes sign 8, Scorpio, as possessing the following qualities: embodies a scorpion in its hole, relates to the genitals of the creator, caves, pits, and abodes of snakes. Further, Jaimini’s description contains similar qualities: deals with demons, frigidity, creeping animals, deprivation of the mother’s breast, abandonment, damage, loss, insufficiency, and nonexistence. The descriptions from both texts illustrate a grim outlook, as sign 8 deals with deep psychological states and safety. Safety is key here; without a feeling of internal safety and security, the 8 cannot express itself in its most positive capacity in order to achieve this wholeness. The energy of Scorpio gives one the desire to seek internal safety and security in order to feel at peace with the world around them, reflecting the archetype of the scorpion hiding in its hole stated in Yavana Jataka. Through contemplation, knowledge becomes available due to a lack of attachment to one’s individuality and specific dogmas. The eight is ultimately about living in friendship with “the all”, or wholeness of the universe, and represents the highest kind of relationship we can have with the world. In Scorpio, one recognizes the collective as one, and can therefore access emotional and psychological depth within themselves and others without the fears and projections of the 7 through reaching a secure and safe mental state. 

Another key theme in the 8 is the capacity to connect deeply with others through the conjugal bond, and Yavana Jataka states Scorpio relates to the genital region of the creator. This type of bond signifies oneness with another that is achieved through the rejection of obsessions and compulsions that prevent an individual from loving freely and abundantly. This oneness with another additionally symbolizes oneness with the universe. Psychological poise manifests as a result of a healthy mind free of compulsions, obsessions, and negative thought forms. Jaimini includes the phrase “deals with demons” in Scorpio’s description, which can refer to stray, negative thoughts that prevent a healthy psychological state. Furthermore, Scorpio’s status as a water sign indicates the involvement of emotions and one’s inner emotional nature, and therefore classifies as a brahmin sign. Scorpio’s status as a fixed sign makes it steadfast, intense, and resistant to sudden changes. Positively, Scorpio gives the capacity for a consistent and strong emotional nature and psychological poise, like a calm water. Negatively, the emotional nature can be unbalanced and make one attach to negative thought forms. 

From the 8, the next stage of development occurs in Sagittarius. In signs 1 through 9, the zodiac moves through a process of evolution; 9 completes that evolution of our self development, and therefore holds the qualities that strengthen one’s dharma and greater connection to the world. As we flow from the 8 to the 9, our realizations from Scorpio, the friendliness with all, will allow us to see and understand the bigger picture and move toward outward activity with a greater connection to the all in Sagittarius. The ninth sign represents the capacity to move from a limited sense of self to the community, a greater collection of I’s. This greater sense of belonging in the world will allow one to broaden their worldview and see how everything fits together. Sagittarius will consequently assist one in experiencing religion and culture with deeper connection.

Yavana Jataka describes Sagittarius as a bow and arrow taking aim, a man carrying a bow with his rear half that of a horse, related to level land, places where horses and herds reside, places with alcoholic drinks, weaponry, sacrifices, chariots and horses. Jaimini texts state, “In Sagittarius, while proceeding, a fall from a vehicle and height.” The archetype of Sagittarius, a bow and arrow taking aim, indicates shooting for high aspirations and goals. Building on this, Sagittarius’s status as a masculine fire sign imbues it with the qualities of inspiration, activity, and assertiveness. Because of this, in Sagitarius one is able to follow aspirational goals with energy and ambition, as symbolized by the high aiming bow and arrow. Additionally, Sign 9 is mutable, and therefore carries the qualities of both cardinal (first 15 degrees) and fixed (last 15 degrees). This dual quality allows the field of Sagitarius to nurture greater fulfillment through exploring one’s culture and following dharma, while also having the ability to dedicate oneself to a particular philosophy, culture, or path without judgment of others by understanding how everything fits into the bigger picture. Yavana Jataka brings this idea of battlefields and weaponry with Sagittarius, which highlights Sagittarius as kshatriya sign, but also represents the internal fight occurring to master the mind and consciousness. The text references the rear half of Sagittarius as that of a horse; the 9 holds great power for the ability to achieve goals and further the spiritual path, implying a human consciousness with the power of a horse. Jaimini texts point out the possibility of downfall in the 9. While proceeding to achieve, cruel effects can lead to the possibility of a downfall, decline, or fall from status.

The numerological evolution of signs seven through nine represents the evolution of higher consciousness where individuals broaden their worldview from the individualized self to the whole; by recognizing the limitations of the self, inner transformation of the psychological state occurs. These numbers give their most positive qualities when one is able to deeply understand internal shifts in development, and mirror it back in the outside world. If one faces difficulty with this stage of development, one is unable to recognize and transcend the suffering created in the mind and expand it to a path beyond the mind and intellect.