Gandhi on true democracy

“My notion of democracy is that under it the weakest shall have the same opportunities as the strongest…no country in the world today shows any but patronizing regard for the weak… Western democracy, as it functions today, is diluted fascism…true democracy cannot be worked by twenty men sitting at the center. It has to be worked from below, by the people of every village.”  Gandhi

So much for Bush’s touted ‘democracy’!

Born in Porbandar, India on Oct 2, 1869 (NS), at 7:11:48 am  LMT (-4:38; Hour of Jupiter, the Guru and wise teacher), Mohandas Gandhi  has Sun 8Lib56 in 12th house (a politician’s placement!), and Moon 19Leo59 in 10th house of Public Status.

Gandhi and America share a North Node position, his 5Leo42 in 10th house. (Ben Kingley’s NN is 7Leo01 and is the only conjunction I see between their natal charts.)

The ‘live-wire’ Air-Fire blend of Sun Lib-Moon Leo is full of playfulness, great kindness, gentility, and quick wit. Nobility and an ethical conscience are brought to public service, although there can be a stubborn refusal to admit personal limitations.

A decided streak of theatricality along with vivaciousness marks this visionary and religious blend.  A passionate idealist, this combo is in love with the beautiful and noble idea, yet huffiness may appear if pride is wounded – a liking for flattery doesn’t include empty adulation.

A natural talent for diplomacy combined with dramatic skills make for a charismatic political or social leader, an adored teacher, and a respected and well-loved friend.

‘Images for Integration:  A political idealist is crowned leader by adoring followers…A performance of  The Importance of Being Earnest.’ (‘Sun Sign-Moon Sign’ by Chas & Suzi Harvey.)

Gandhi left for England just before his 19th birthday (did I hear someone say, ‘Nodal Return’?) in 1888 where he studied law and lived on bread and spinach until he located an Indian restaurant just before he starved to death. He was a strict vegetarian, you know, and had a thing about salt.

Here’s a link to a site about the Richard Attenborough film, ‘Gandhi’ (1982) starring Ben Kingsley (now Sir Ben), where you’ll find a few videos and a trailer from the film:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083987/

Perhaps I’m incorrect, but I do think Attenborough has been knighted by Queen Elizabeth as well. Or was that David? But let’s get back to Gandhi…

Assassinated by a Hindu gunman, Nathuram Godse, on Jan 30, 1948 in Delhi, India, Mohandas Gandhi lives on larger-than-life and is noted primarily in the West for his strong belief in non-violence (ahimsa.)

Gandhi’s life story is very interesting if you get a chance to read about him, for with times like these – in the West and the East – the world can use all the ahimsa it can get.

Gandhi was once asked what he thought about ‘western civilization’ and he said he thought it would be a very good idea. Well, we’re still working on that and have been set back considerably by jingoist war-mongers who wage war for their own profit and political gainery…and they’ll tell all the lies it takes to promote it, too.

And now, one more quote from the man which may sound even more familiar to most people than the one this post began with, and is food for thought for anyone aspiring toward evolving out of the reptilian stage of existence…

“Hate the sin and love the sinner.”  Mohandas Gandhi

~:~

Sir Ben Kingsley (nee Krishna Bhanji), Dec 31, 1943 in Yorkshire, England, Sun Cap-Moon Pisces. Gandhi’s birth data Rodden Rating: A, from memory.