Hi Ernst,
First of all, fantastic discussion on the shadbalas of the planets in the Shadbalas audio course.
You say in the course that a shadbala is the capacity of the jaataka to use that planet effectively. So here, the jaataka is the agent (free will).
At the same time, you say that each of the shadbalas represent a specific responsibility of each planet. Here, the planet is the agent (Destiny).
What exactly do we mean when we say "The jaataka uses that planet". How does a jaataka use a planet?
I haven't found any other source that discusses shadbalas they way you have! Did you learn these nuances from some classical text or some person, or are these from your own intuition?
The interpretations are simply derived from the astronomical basis of the calculations. From our point of view, a person uses their different abilities, which in this context, is the shad balas of the planets. at the same time, the person is the result of their abilities. so I dont think to much about who the agent is. there really is none. The agent of free will is god, not the jeeva.
does the jataka use the planet or does the planet use the jataka?
So when Rahu-Ketu matures, would it be the planets themselves becoming conscious of how they behave?
Or would it be the moon/mind/Manas/individual consciousness becoming aware of its role in the hierarchy as the 2 and learn to use the planets without getting pulled into the avasthas that they create?
Maturations are so very interesting. First we mature the conscious planets of starting with jupiter at 16 and ending with saturn at 36. Now we are mature, finally, half our life about is over.
Then we get to rahu maturation and then ketu maturation. Those are the road. So when rahu matures we start to get the idea of what road is right for us, we get mature in respect to the road we have to take. To take where? The road we have to take to get to the road that we are all here for. This last road is the Ketu road. The road to absolute okayness with ourselves, and yes, I mean ABSOULTE, eventually, maybe not this lifetime, but sometime...
So we develop our muscles, then we gain the maturity to see the scary road we have to travel, and then we see the road we have to travel to become OK.