Characteristics of Planets
The Sun’s position in a horoscope should be studied for information about the person’s extemal appearance and behavioral traits, for all things related to the father, for the person’s power, health and leadership ability, and for their depth of knowledge of the self within. The Sun represents people in government service, person working within a church or temple, people connected with gold trading, those in health-related industries, and those who are famous or popular. The Sun is the king of planets and supplies light (vision) and heat to all. Thus the Sun’s position is considered to see how powerful or influential a person is, or how noble, or how self-realized a person may be. Of course you should also check the situation of the houses connected to these affairs, for example: look to the ninth house and the Sun for a person’s spiritual realization, and look to the tenth house and the Sun for a person’s professional status.
How long does a planet stay in a sign: Sun takes approximately 30 days to travel through each sign.
The Moon represents the subtle mind, and thus a person’s thinking, feeling and willing processes will correspond to the position of the Moon in the horoscope. The Moon is a soft, feminine planet representing interactions with the public, business affairs, and all karma having to do with the mother. It represents watery places, public businesses, sensitivity towards other’s feelings, women, milk and other liquids. Emotions, motherhood and health in the period of youth are also to be interpreted from the Moon position. It is most important to study the position of the Moon in the chart. More discussion on this topic may be found in the chapters on how to interpret your horoscope.
How long does a planet stay in a sign: Moon goes through all twelve signs in about 28 days. It takes approximately 2 1/2 days in each sign.
Mars is a masculine planet, fiery in nature, which signifies the energy of the living being and how it is used. Mars is the karaka or indicator of energy, competitive spirit, athletics and electricity or fire. Thus machinery, electronics, restauranteurs or cooks, soldiers, etc. all come under the category of Mars. It also represents the real estate and construction businesses, and all matters pertaining to property, determination and courage, military affairs, strength, attachments and sexual strength or passion. Affairs relating to brothers should be determined by a study of Mars (and the third house) in a horoscope. When Mars is powerful, the person is energetic, constructive and helpful to good causes. If Mars is afflicted, they will be erratic and waste energy on worthless things. Mars is a naturally malefic planet and can indicate violence and destruction when badly placed in a chart.
How long does a planet stay in a sign: Mars takes about 2 years to travel through all the Zodiac signs. Mars stays for about 1.5 months in a sign.
Mercury represents the intelligence, and thus education, literary affairs, communication of ideas, advertising, lecturing, etc. all come under the category of Mercury. Mercury is young, sexless, and fast- moving by nature. People who are playful, enthusiastic and talkative have an influential Mercury in their horoscope. Mercury signifies, to a certain extent, the Vaisnavas or devotees of Krishna. Astrologers, office-workers, accountants, sculptors or people who use their hands in their profession will also be found to have a prominent Mercury in their charts. Knowledge of languages, memory, learning of the scriptures, business acumen and the ability to speak convincingly all come under the jurisdiction of Mercury. Friendships, leaming, proficiency in art and the ability to do things quickly or to do several things simultaneously come under Mercury’s folder.
How long does a planet stay in a sign: Mercury takes around 1 year to travel through all 12 Zodiac signs. Mercury stays for 14 to 30 days in a sign depending on the motion.
Progeny (children), inclinations, pleasure, artistic talent, recreation, amusement, sports, romance, competitive activities like cards, crosswords, lottery, gambling or betting, love affairs, ambassadors, good or bad morals, mantra-tantra, religions mindedness, high learning and wisdom, intelligence, enormous riches, spiritual practice etc.
How long does a planet stay in a sign:Jupiter takes about 12 years to travel through all 12 Zodiac signs. Jupiter stays for 1 year in a sign.
Venus is also a brahmana or teacher by nature, and is quite benefic. Venus represents sexual affairs, obtainment of a good wife, the comforts of having a nice home, furniture and vehicles, luxurious paraphemalia, etc. Venus rules artists and entertainers and persons who make a living by dealing in the sensual things of the world. Venus is described in Sanskrit prayers as one who has knowledge of botlt material and spiritual things. One with a good Venus in their chart is charismatic, loving in nature, able to make others happy. Venus rules over peacemakers, flowers and other beautiful things of nature, dancers and those playing musical instruments, omaments and jewels, vehicles and tropical places, sweet and fattening foods, cows, nice clothes and cosmetics. Overindulgence and affliction to the excretory system manifest in charts where this planet is powerful. A Venusian person moves gracefully and may be talented in sports.
How long does a planet stay in a sign:Venus stays for approximately stays for 23 days to a little over 2 months in a sign (depending on the motion).
Saturn is a powerful planet and is malefic in nature. It rules over death and the aging of the body, the practice of yoga or detachment from the material world, foreign places or people from faraway lands, black marketeers or thieves, and it specifically has much to do with one’s work or employment. Saturn rules laborers, and its position in the chart indicates the line of work a person does, or the type of struggle one has to go through to succeed. Sudras, or unclean manual laborers, are represented by this planet. Black-colored items like gasoline and iron, agricultural products, old things, lumber, laziness, deadly substances, hunters, all come under Satum‘s portfolio. Saturn can represent good things like compassion for the needy, social services, good longevity, meditative realizations, humble service and power over the masses.
How long does a planet stay in a sign:Saturn is a very slow moving planet. It takes around 29.5 years to travel through all 12 Zodiac signs. Saturn stays for approximately 2.5 years in a sign.
Rahu is a malefic planet by nature, causing frustration, irregular or irreligious habits, use of intoxicants, troubles from ghosts or evil spirits, uncleanliness, infectious disease or just a lifestyle filled with chaos. Its general function is to intensify the effects of the house in which it is situated; for example, Rahu in the second house causes intense financial struggle and Rahu in the seventh may cause serious trouble with the mate. Rahu can give a kingdom and the ability to use the media to sway many people, when it is powerfully situated. Rahu represents snakes, Buddhists, fear, suffering from previous sins, shady characters. Rahu will act like the lord of the sign it is in. According to the Vedas, Rahu is a demoniac planet who on occasion attacks the Sun and Moon, causing solar and lunar eclipses.
How long does a planet stay in a sign:Rahu always move in a retrograde motion. Rahu and Ketu takes around 1.5 years to travel through each Zodiac sign.
Ketu, like Rahu, is a shadowy planet that acts like the lord of the sign it is in. Most texts say that Rahu acts like Satum and Ketu acts like Mars. Ketu is a restrictive planet, causing obstructions to one‘s endeavors or poverty-stricken conditions of life. Ketu is a malefic by nature and afflicts the house that it is in, unless it is exalted or conjoined with a benefic planet. Poison, suffering and the desire for liberation come under Ketu’s categories.
How long does a planet stay in a sign:Ketu always move in a retrograde motion. Ketu takes around 1.5 years to travel through each Zodiac sign.