SUN
The Sun is the king in the planetary cabinet. It is the source of light and life. It signifies father, which is the source for bringing into existence and supporting a new born in life. That is why the Sun signifies father and vitality. If the Sun is strong in a nativity, the father and vitality will help the native to grow in a healthy way. The Sun signifies also the king, the master, the government, the president of the country, highly-placed persons, administrators, contractors, chairmen of industrial establishments, physicians, chemists, pharmacists, bureaucrats, politicians, police, power, social status, progeny, male child, and is secondary significator for husband.
As the Sun is personified as a king and doctor, when strong it denotes high administrative positions in government, including politics, doctors in medicine, etc., self-confidence, courage, nobility, dignity, ambition, splendor, prestige, faith, loyalty, generosity, authority, power, leadership and creativity.The Sun is a male planet, hot, dry, constructive, satvic, pitta, and has sturdy bones. Its nature is royal, benevolent and cruel and its temperament is fixed and steady. The Sun gives a square body, majestic appearance, powerful speech, makes a person courageous and bestows administrative capabilities. Its complexion is blood red and it rules orange, pink and golden colors, the fire element, hot or pungent flavors, the sense of sight, the Sundays, the east direction, copper, gold, ruby, temples, deserts, palaces, government buildings, and towers. The Sun represents head, body, soul, ego, Self, intelligence, will power, clarity, self-realization, health, bone structure, constitution, blood, brain, bile, digestive fire, organ of voice, heart as life-centre, right eye for males and left eye in case of females. In case it is weak in a nativity, it gives weak eyesight, headaches, erratic blood circulation, heart trouble, dental problems, bone fractures, overheating, fevers, blood pressure, baldness, neuralgia, bone cancer, weak immune system, etc., and denotes pride, egotism, self-centeredness, pompousness, ostentation and despotism. The Sun is significator planet for vitality and life giver in any nativity, because it rules the digestive system which provides nourishment to the whole body. As the soul can be better and easily elevated if one keeps perfect health, it also represents the soul. The Sun is also general significator for employment, inheritance, mental inclinations, professional position, comforts, creative intelligence, easy gains, general fortune, higher education, spiritual education and spiritual life.
MOON
The Moon is the queen in the planetary cabinet. Next to the Sun, the role of the Moon is very important as it signifies mother. The mother brings up the child and is the first preceptor of the child. That is why the Moon signifies mind also. If the position of the Moon is strong in a nativity, the mother will be having sufficient resources and will bring up the child and develop the child’s mental faculties in a peaceful manner. The Moon acts as a nourishing and soothing agent. It rules the senses and the emotions and gives the native the capability of looking after, which includes the fields of training, public relations, administration and soothing (physician). The Moon signifies also the queen, hoteliers, public relations, moneylenders, sailors, house-keepers, physicians, nurses, midwifes, healers, psychic abilities, eating establishments, cooks, catering and other professions that deal directly with the people at large, and is secondary significator for wife. The Moon enjoys status in administration by virtue of being the wife of the king. When strong, the native does not have to strive for acquiring status and it denotes affluence, receptivity, sensitivity, imagination, good memory, meritorious deeds and sound habits.The Moon is a female planet, cold, moist, mild, satvic and its constitution is a mixture of vata and kapha. Its nature is royal, has auspicious looks, pleasant speech and its temperament is fickle and changeable. The Moon is volatile as it is changing its position daily. Depending upon the brightness of the Moon, while a weak Moon gives a slim body, a full Moon may give a plump body if it is connected with the ascendant or its lord in a powerful way, in isolation. Its complexion is tawny and it rules white and silver colors, the water element, salty flavors, the sense of taste, the Mondays, the northwest direction, bronze, silver, pearl, watery places, public places, hotels, hospitals and ships. The Moon represents face, mind, consciousness, perception, feelings, tolerance, thought, intellect, receptivity, femininity, sensitivity, imagination, good memory, fertility, general weakness, emotional health and functional health as it governs fluids in body, good quality of blood and lymph, glands, tonsils, breasts, stomach, lymphatic system, face, lungs and chest. It governs the left eye in the case of males and ovaries, menstrual cycle, uterus, generative organs and right eye in the case of females. In case it is weak in a nativity, besides psychic problems it causes sleep disorders, lethargy, drowsiness, lung problems, mouth problems (including loss of taste), neurological disorders, epilepsy, digestive complains, water retention, blood disorders, anemia, blood-pressure, enlargement of spleen, diseases of the uterus and ovaries, tuberculosis, menstrual disorders, and the native is vulnerable to frequent cough and cold, fever, lack of appetite, general weakness, etc., and denotes hyper-sensitivity, over-reaction, inability to respond and difficulty getting in touch with feelings. The Moon is also general significator for sleep, nourishment, public, social behavior, change, travel, basic education, comforts, emotional peace, family, financial solvency, happy married life, inheritance, income and gains, love and care, mental peace, milk, grains and liquids.
MARS
Mars is the commander-in-chief of the planetary cabinet. It signifies courage both mental and physical. Mars denotes position in military and para-military forces, police, vocations employing fire and metals, engineering, chemicals, surgeons, dentists and executive posts. It governs gangsters, manufacturers, executioners, athletes, builders, designers, entrepreneurs, fire-fighters, martial arts, mechanics and project erectors. Mars is also the general significator of younger brothers, which adds to the strength of the native and becomes a source of strength and courage. The weakness of Mars makes a man lacking in courage and not enjoying the help and comforts from the younger brothers. When strong in the nativity, it denotes thirst for action, passion, ambition, physical strength, goal-directed energy, power to carry through, courage, bravery, heroism, competitive and fighting spirit, vim and vigor.Mars is a male planet, dry, fiery, tamasic and pitta. Its nature is cruel, unrelenting, active and generous, and its temperament is violent, angry and rash. Mars gives short stature and a stout and well built body, red eyes and thin waist. Its complexion is blood red and it rules bright red colors, the fire element, bitter flavors, the sense of sight, the Tuesdays, the south direction, copper, red coral, places near fire, kitchens, battlefields, places for aggressive and violent or physical contests, football stadiums and military installations. Mars represents the chest, bone marrow, blood, bile, digestive fire, intestine, forehead, neck, muscular system, acuity of vision, sinews, nose and external generative organs. When afflicting or itself being weak and/or afflicted it causes inflammations, overheating, inability to tolerate hunger, wounds, burns, accidents, fractures, piles, liver complaints, skin rashes, ulcers, lacerations, operations, all sorts of acute complaints, fevers (particularly eruptive), epilepsy, mental aberration, tumors, cancer in the muscular parts of the body when closely conjunct with Rahu, dysentery, typhoid, cholera, pox and boils, etc., and denotes anger, irritability, haste, impatience, inconstancy, lack of drive and courage, and an ‘all-or-nothing’ attitude. Mars is also general significator for energy, strength, enemy, army, accidents, acute diseases, aggressions, assets, immovable properties, motivation, arguments, quarrels, fights, explosives, weapons, guns, general health, mechanical or technical ability, sports and surgery.
MERCURY
Mercury is the prince in the planetary cabinet. It basically rules the rational mind and speech, analytical faculties, sharp intellect, power of discrimination and confidence. Personified as a thinker and knowledgeable in the field of mathematics, Mercury signifies advisory roles, astrologers, financial advisors, strategists, business, commerce, engineering and related fields, research scholars, communicators, editors, authors, accountants, bookkeepers, lawyers, experts in analytical works, software engineers, auditors, intellectuals, teachers, transporters, publishers, salesmen, traders, mediators, diplomats, authors, etc, and is the general significator of friends. When strong in the nativity, it denotes a good communicator with intelligence, rationality, imagination, wit, cleverness, skill, dexterity, verbal and mental ability, shrewdness, sound judgment, humor and flexibility.Mercury is a eunuch planet, rajasic and tri-dosha i.e. its constitution is a mixture of vata, pitta and kapha. Its nature is royal, friendly and its temperament is volatile and versatile. Mercury has the best appearance, is witty, fond of jokes and laughter, when strong in the natal chart as lord of the ascendant. Attractive features, well proportioned body, large eyes and witticism are its significations. Mercury takes upon itself the qualities of the planets with which it is associated. Its complexion is akin to that of grass and it rules green colors, the earth element, mixed or varied flavors, the sense of smell, the Wednesdays, the north direction, brass, emerald, places for sports, business, communication or transportation, airports, post offices, accounting offices, places where public but non-violent games are played, parks, libraries, bookstores and public assemblies. Mercury represents the lower part of abdomen, skin, mind, nervous system, urinary bladder, bronchial tube, gastric juice, digestion, intestines, lungs, tongue, mouth, hands and arms. When weak, it causes psychic diseases, insomnia, nervous breakdown, epilepsy, skin diseases, leucoderma, impotence, loss of memory or speech, vertigo, deafness, asthma, diseases of respiratory canal, disorders of intestines, dyspepsia, etc., and denotes difficulty in thought and communication, timidity, low self-esteem, aloofness, amorality, expediency, over-intellectualization and poor discrimination. As Mercury is weak quite frequently, whenever its sub-period is in operation in any nativity it creates tensions in life, lack of confidence, situation of indecisiveness, etc., which ultimately leads to faulty decisions. The effect is more if Mercury is weak in the natal chart as well as in transit at the time of operation of its sub-periods. It makes a person a nervous wreck and can even cause paralysis when closely afflicted by Rahu-Ketu axis, if the ascendant and its lord are also weak or the sign Virgo falls in the ascendant. Mercury is also general significator for consciousness, communications, eloquence, learning, childhood, logic, maternal uncles, potency, nervous control, respiratory functions, basic and higher education, humor, wit, mathematics, professional position, psychic ability, speculation, short journeys, books, papers, publishing and places of entertainment.
JUPITER
Jupiter is a minister in the planetary cabinet. It is the preceptor of the gods. Jupiter is personified as preceptor, judge and it is linked with the treasury. When strong in the nativity, it signifies the fields of top political and administrative positions, chairmen of industrial establishments, contractors, financial advisors, bankers, high administrative positions in government, kings, politicians, bureaucrats, lawyers, physicians, pharmacists, priests, judges, teachers, astrologers, management experts, administrators. It rules also propaganda of spirituality, services with the state, teaching, law, financial institutions, advisory roles, and is primary significator for husband. If strong, it gives growth, expansion and a humanitarian and spiritual outlook, and denotes wisdom, optimism, faith, geniality, generosity, joviality, humor, idealism and good powers of judgment. It bestows intelligence and knowledge of scriptures in its main and sub-periods.It signifies elder brother, husband in female nativities, male progeny, wealth, morals, sincerity, friends, divine grace, father and in fact all good things in life.Jupiter is a male planet, mild, temperate, warm, satvic and kapha. Its nature is saintly, generous and its temperament is mild, benign and soft-hearted. Jupiter gives impressive and magnificent disposition, thin brown hair, tawny eyes, large body when found strong in a nativity and rules the ascendant or influences the lord of the ascendant. Jupiter is intelligent and endowed with all the branches of learning. Its complexion is tawny and it rules the yellow colors, the ether (akasha) element, sweet flavors, the sense of hearing, the Thursdays, the northeast direction, gold, yellow topaz, treasuries, banks, vaults, dignified places such as courts of law, prestigious universities, altars, political assemblies, charitable institutions, high level financial institutions, monasteries and missions. Jupiter represents the hips, the fat tissue, blood, arterial system, glands, liver/gall bladder, pancreas gland, digestion, absorptive power, ears/hearing power, navel, feet, physical development, palate and throat. When weak, it causes lymphatic and circulatory congestion, thrombosis, anemia, tumors, jaundice and other liver complaints, ear problems, dyspepsia, flatulence, cough, cold, asthma, phthisis, diabetes and other diseases of pancreas glands, etc., and denotes overconfidence, overindulgence, extravagance, immorality, greed, materialistic attitude (wanting the best of everything). Jupiter is also general significator for elder brothers, father, male progeny, children, teacher, friends, fortune, justice, education, charity, wealth, creative intelligence, easy gains, general fortune, higher education, income and gains, kindness, mental inclinations, knowledge, happiness, wisdom, morality, virtue, dharma, professional position, prosperity, spiritual education, spiritual life, good behavior, expansion, compassion, optimism, sincerity, honesty, common sense, divine grace and, in fact, all good things in life.
VENUS
Venus is a minister in the planetary cabinet. It is the preceptor of demons. Venus is personified as a preceptor and lover. It rules knowledge of life saving drugs and arts, and vocations in the field of financial administration, art, cinema, theatres, paintings, music, designing, architecture, interior decorator, modeling, advertising, legal, teaching, hotels, medicines, fashion and luxurious items, and is the general significator for wife and/or happy married life. When strong in the nativity, it denotes aesthetic sense, worldly knowledge and pursuits, psychic ability, potency, pleasures, correct behavior, luxury, beauty, harmony, creativity, rich tastes, affection, friendliness, love, gentleness, sociability, clarity, charm, harmony, balance, elegance, gracefulness and refined sensuality.Venus is a female planet, warm, moist, rajasic and its constitution is a mixture of kapha and vata. Its nature is royal, sensual, generous and benevolent and its temperament is easy going and accommodating. Venus is joyful in spirit, possesses a slim body, is splendorous and has lovely eyes, giving a charming appearance, sharp and beautiful facial cuts, and dark-bright and slightly thick curly hair when found strong in a nativity and rules the ascendant or influences the lord of the ascendant. Its complexion is fair and it rules royal blue and variegated colors, the water element, sour flavors, the sense of taste, the Fridays, the southeast direction, silver, diamond, places of pleasure and amusement, theatres, cinemas, restaurants, bedrooms, art galleries, opera and symphony halls, dance halls, beauty salons, elegant shops and clubs. Venus represents the pelvis and the sexual organs, desires and yearnings, reproduction, the semen/ovum, private parts, kidneys, face, eyes, neck, throat, chin, cheeks, skin, venous system, etc. When weak, it causes venereal diseases, diseases of urinary or reproductive system, diabetes, anemia, stones in bladder or kidneys, cataract, weakness of sexual organs, paralysis, asthma, phthisis, cough, cold, sexual perversions, impotence or inability to have sexual relations, loss of bodily luster, etc., and denotes greed, laziness, vanity, ambiguity, lack of charm, sentimentality, vice and sensual corruption, and lack of taste and refinement. Venus is also general significator for assets, vehicles, conveyances, comforts, luxuries, art, dance, drama, music, painting, jewelry, romance, family, marital tie, income and gains, prosperity, wealth, materialistic pursuits, opulence, financial solvency, medicine, hypnosis, mantras, ornaments, perfumes, flowers, festivals, professional position, musicians, singers, songwriters, actors, actresses, artists, dancers, designers, engineers, fashion designers, financial advisors, jewelers, perfumers, legal advisors, ministers and teachers. It signifies also people dealing with entertainment, pleasure and beauty as well as people that tend to earn their livelihoods through arts, romance, silver, delicacies, ornaments and finery, poetry, advice or counseling, and fashion design.
SATURN
Saturn is the servant in the planetary cabinet. It is personified as a statesman and leader of low castes and signifies jobs requiring hard work with less remuneration, leadership of workers, trying to acquire positions in government services, labor oriented industry, routine workers, engineers, real estate agents, research work, scientists, dealing with labor, dealing in roots and fruits, dealing with servants, working with spoiled food, stones or wooden materials, butchers, dealing with products or activities below the earth, etc. When strong in the nativity, it signifies perfection and highest human qualities, spirituality, detachment, concentration, inwardness, dutifulness, reliability, honesty, humility, sincerity, stability, longevity, authoritativeness, discipline, responsibility, conservatism, practicality, realism, durability, eye for detail, sobriety, constancy and consistency.Saturn is a eunuch planet, cold, dry, contracting, short-tempered, worn-out, tamasic and vata. Its nature is cruel, selfish and indolent and its temperament is harsh and hard-hearted. Saturn has an emaciated body, long stature, brown and sunken eyes, protruding teeth, prominent veins, wrinkles, long hands and face, lazy and melancholic nature, coarse and excessive hair when found strong in a nativity and rules the ascendant or influences the lord of the ascendant. Its complexion is dark and it rules black, navy blue and bright brown colors.
RAHU
Rahu is personified as a diplomat and a shadowy planet and a legendary deceptor when disposed beneficially. Indicates diplomatic jobs, jobs requiring manipulations with facts, deals in poisons and drugs. It signifies cheats, pleasure seekers, insincere and immoral acts, etc.It is phlegmatic in nature and gives malignant growth. When afflicting, causes malignant growth, disease of phlegm, intestines, boils, skin, ulcers, spleen, worms, high blood pressure, etc. It gives smoky and unpleasant appearance due to habits of overeating, resulting in foul smells and unclean body and nails.
KETU
It is dry and fiery in nature. Its affliction causes wounds, inflammations, fevers, intestinal disorders, aberrations, low blood pressure, deafness, defective speech and gives emaciated body with prominent veins. It is personified as a saint and inclines a person more towards mystic science and spiritual pursuits.
OTHER GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PLANETS
Strong Planets
A strong natal planet protects and promotes its general significations and the significations of its mooltrikona house. Any planet is considered strong when it is not in the state of weakness. It can increase its strength if:
a) it is young, i.e. its longitude is between 10º to 20º in a particular sign.
b) it occupies own or good navamsa and other divisions.
c) it is under the close influence of the functional benefic planets.
d) it occupies its exaltation, mooltrikona or own sign.
Weak Planets
A weak natal planet is not capable of fully protecting/promoting its general significations and the significations of its mooltrikona house during the course of its sub-periods and during the triple transit functional malefic influences. By descending order of weakness, any planet becomes weak when:
1) The most effective point of its mooltrikona sign is afflicted by a functional malefic planet within an orb of one degree.
2) The most effective point of its house of placement is afflicted by a functional malefic planet within an orb of one degree.
3) It is conjunct or aspected by any functional malefic planet within an orb of one degree.
4) It is combust due to its nearness to the Sun.
5) It occupies malefic houses from the ascendant, except if in its own mooltrikona sign.
6) It occupies its sign of debilitation.
7) It is in the state of infancy or old-age.
8) It occupies its debilitated sign in navamsa.
9) It occupies the mooltrikona sign of a weak planet.
10) It is the Moon within 72 degrees either side of the Sun. However, this is a minor weakness. NOTE: In serial nos. (1) to (3) above, when the affliction is special or multiple i.e. when it comes from:
1) a conjunction with/ aspect from the most malefic planet,
2) an aspect from a functional malefic planet placed in a dusthana,
3) a conjunction with Rahu or Ketu (Rahu-Ketu axis)
4) an aspect of a functional malefic planet afflicted by other(s) functional malefic planet,
5) more than one functional malefic planet at the same time,
Then the otherwise “strong” planet should be considered afflicted (and weak) even when the orb of affliction is of two degrees.
Afflicted Planets Whenever a planet is already weak for any other reason and is under the close influence of any functional malefic, it is treated as an afflicted planet. But when the planet is not weak for other reasons, it can only be considered afflicted under the exact influence of any functional malefic, becoming a weak planet for that reason. So whenever any planet is afflicted, it becomes weak. The significations of the house having a mooltrikona sign of an afflicted planet are harmed.
Afflicting Planets Only the functional malefic planets can be afflicting planets.It is very necessary to understand the difference between afflicting planets and afflicted planets.
DispositorDispositor is a planet in whose moolatrikona sign another planet is located in the natal chart.
QUALITIES AND SEX OF PLANETS The Sun, the Moon, Venus and Mercury are of rajasic nature. Jupiter is of satvic. Mars, Saturn, Rahu, and Ketu are of tamsic nature. The Sun, Mars, and Jupiter are male while the Moon, Venus, and Rahu are female. Mercury, Saturn and Ketu are eunuchs.
FUNCTIONAL NATURE OF PLANETS The functional nature of planets is the key analytical factor in the horoscope analysis. Besides Rahu and Ketu, the planets, whose mooltrikona signs are in malefic houses (sixth, eighth and twelfth) with reference to the ascendant, act as functional malefic planets in a nativity. For this purpose, under the Systems’ Approach, the sign Cancer is considered as the mooltrikona sign of the Moon.
FUNCTIONALMALEFIC PLANETS:- The functional malefic planets for various ascending signs are as under:Aries: Mercury, Rahu and Ketu.
Taurus: Venus, Jupiter, Mars, Rahu and Ketu.
Gemini: Rahu and Ketu.
Cancer: Jupiter, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu.
Leo: The Moon, Rahu and Ketu.
Virgo: Saturn, Mars, the Sun, Rahu and Ketu.
Libra: Mercury, Rahu and Ketu.
Scorpio: Mars, Venus, Rahu and Ketu.
Sagittarius: The Moon, Rahu and Ketu.
Capricorn: The Sun, Jupiter, Rahu and Ketu.
Aquarius: The Moon, Mercury, Rahu and Ketu.
Pisces: The Sun, Venus, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu.
FUNCTIONAL BENEFIC PLANETS:- The functional benefic planets for various ascending signs are as under:Aries: The Sun, the Moon, Mars, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn.
Taurus: The Sun, the Moon, Mercury and Saturn.
Gemini: The Sun, the Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn.
Cancer: The Sun, the Moon, Mars, Mercury, and Venus.
Leo: The Sun, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn.
Virgo: The Moon, Mercury, Jupiter and Venus.
Libra: The Sun, the Moon, Mars, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn.
Scorpio: The Sun, the Moon, Mercury, Jupiter and Saturn.
Sagittarius: The Sun, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn.
Capricorn: The Moon, Mars, Mercury, Venus and Saturn.
Aquarius: The Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn.
Pisces: The Moon, Mars, Mercury and Jupiter.