Planet Aspects
Life on the earth is sustained due to presence of almighty Sun. There would be no life on earth without Sun. Astrologically speaking Sun is the centre of extreme power and all the planets revolve around him due to his huge gravitational force. Sun is indeed the Lord and Almighty. He is Prana and plays vital role in the life of human beings. Here, in this article, I shall try to highlight the very importance of Lord Sun in Vedic Astrology also.
In our Solar System, all the planets revolve round the Sun in a separate orbit. Sun gives light and life. All the planets depend on Sun for energy. He is the most powerful of all the planets in our solar system. All the energies on the earth are fuelled by the rays of Sun. Due to this power, he is considered as King or father of our solar system. Sun is the only source of energy and other planets in our solar system reflect only suns` light.
Sun rays are connected with the inner most spirit of human beings. Hence, the Sun is depicted as the Soul of the universe representing the life-force on the earth. In Vedic Astrology, Sun has been described as Soul (Atma) of all beings. Sun is self of a person.
Life on the earth is sustained due to presence of Luminaries in our Solar System - almighty Sun and peaceful cool Moon. Sun governs Soul and Moon rules emotions and feelings. There would be no life on earth without these two luminaries. Astrologically speaking, Moon denotes mental and emotional power in human beings. She is Mann (feelings) which plays very important role in the life of human beings in maintaining stable relations with each others. Here, in this article, I shall try to highlight the astrological role Moon plays in the life of human beings.
Moon is considered Queen of the Solar System. According to Vedic System of Astrology, Moon is a natural benefic and is capable of giving great mental power and prosperity. Prosperity in life is directly linked with the combined positions of Moon with Jupiter or other benefic planets in a horoscope. Jupiter signifies wealth. The combination of these two planets is specially considered very auspicious for wealth and prosperity.
Moon is considered tender by nature and represents love and beauty. Poets have written lot on the beauty of Moon and have compared the beauty of woman with Moon in their poems. Moon has been a favorable subject for the scientist too.
Colour of Mars is red and this is considered furious and masculine planet by nature. In a horoscope, Planets Mars rules the courage and confidence. Occupation wise Mars represents military, soldiers, warriors, builders, engineers and real estate business. Famous surgeons also have the good positions of Mars in their horoscopes. In modern times, marketing is also under the control of Mars.
Police, Military and Para Military department also comes under the influence of Mars. This also governs technical and engineering field and person with good Mars is bound to have excellent qualities of being technical mind. Martians prefers arguments and are short-tempered.
Mars is considered malefic but for Cancer and Leo ascendant, this becomes Yogkaraka and bestows the native with prosperity and wealth. Mars is the ruler of Aries and Scorpio zodiac signs. It has been observed that Mars give open aggressiveness to Arians and secretive aggressiveness to Scorpions.
Mercury is nearest to the Sun. In Vedic Astrology this is called Budh which means cleverness. This planet represents the qualities of intelligence, wit and humor in a person. Mercury is considered a benefic planet but under some situations it may play a role of malefic planet. Mercury placed in 6th, 8th or 12th houses fails to deliver good results. The same is the result when Mercury is the lord of 6th, 8th or 12th houses in a horoscope.
Mercury is the planet of communication and it represents the fields related to commerce, trade, accounts, banking, and computers. A Strong Mercury denotes success in these fields. People with Mercury in strong position in their chart have sharp thinking but inborn anxiety and indecisiveness also.
Mercury is dual natured planet and governs two zodiac signs namely Gemini and Virgo. Body parts that are ruled by Mercury are the arms, ear, lungs and nervous system.
Jupiter represents education, wisdom, wealth, happiness and knowledge in Vedic Astrology. This is also considered as highly beneficial planet. Jupiter bestows with everything best if it is favorably placed in the horoscope of a person. His nature signifies growth and development. The person under his influence will be lucky, fortunate, religious, successful and generous with high moral values.
Jupiter is considered as Guru in Indian Astrology as Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system. Guru means one which is vast and great. Jupiter is the ruler of the two signs Sagittarius and Pisces. He is exalted in Cancer Sign and debilitated in Capricorn. Occupation wise Jupiter signifies its influences on priests and teachers.
Negative Jupiter in a horoscope indicates pessimism, depression, and exhaustion. Color is yellow and gemstone is Yellow Sapphire. He takes one year to complete his orbit path.
Venus is the planet well known for love, romance, sex, beauty, music, dance and recreations sources. This is also known as Morning Star and can be easily recognized when seen in the north direction early in the morning. This is the brightest planet in the sky.
Venus governs two zodiac signs namely Taurus and Libra. This is exalted in Pisces and is debilitated in Virgo. This is the planet of attraction, love, wealth, knowledge and prosperity.
The profession ruled by Venus include textile industry, readymade garments, food, restaurants, hotel, tour and travels, music, theater, poetry, literature, cinema, sex industry, film industry, actors, actress, beauty parlors, jewelry business, cosmetic shops, costumes, astrology, paintings, photography and other creative work etc.
In Hindu Astrology, Shani means which moves slowly- shanaiye shanaiye. Planet Saturn has also been named after his nature. He moves very slowly. He takes about two and a half year to cross a zodiac sign. Actually, Saturn is a very huge planet and is placed at a great distance from Earth. Due to this distance, we find him moving slowly.
Mythically, Saturn is son of Lord Surya and his wife Chhaya (Shadow). Saturn has strained relations with his father. Saturn is considered as dry and cold planet. He represents old people. Saturn is considered a malefic planet in Astrology. But when placed in beneficial sign and house, he bestows a person with great wealth and fame. In adverse condition, this planet gives loss, sorrow, poverty, misery, accidents and hurdles in life. Saturn gets directional strength in seventh house.
Saturn is connected with the age and longevity of an individual. He gives long life if placed favorably in horoscope.
All the planets, which I have discussed above, have physical and visual existence. But Rahu and Ketu have no physical shape. These are the imaginary points in the sky. But even then, Rahu is considered most powerful and has been allotted the status of a planet by our Rishis and seers. Mostly, Rahu confers malefic effect. He is considered a dirty planet indicating laziness, filthiness, delays and hurdles. He stays for 18 months in a zodiac sign.
In Hindu mythology there is an interesting fiction that describes how Rahu and Ketu came into existence. Once both, the gods and the demons agreed to form an alliance to produce nectar that could give them immortality. Nectar was to be obtained by churning the ocean. In the process, nectar was churned out. When the nectar was being served to the gods, a demon, disguised as a god, and sat between the Sun and the Moon in an attempt to acquire the nectar. The demon was recognized by the Sun and the Moon who complained of the demon to Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu immediately severed his head from his chakra. But the demon had already consumed enough nectar to make him immortal. The head of the demon, known as Rahu, became immortal. And the remaining corpse of the demon was known as Ketu. Ever since, Rahu and Ketu became the strong enemy of Sun and Moon. Sun and Moon eclipses occur due to Rahu and Ketu who swallow up Sun and Moon when they come near to them. In this way Rahu and Ketu take their revenge from Sun and Moon.
In Vedic astrology Rahu and Ketu are known as two invisible planets and they are strong enemies of the Sun and the Moon. Rahu and Ketu are actually the astronomical points in the sky respectively called the north and south lunar nodes. The places of intersection where the Moon`s path meet the Sun`s path is known as North Lunar Node and South Lunar Node respectively. Thus, the relation of Rahu and Ketu with Sun and Moon has been described through the language of symbol in Hindu mythology.
Like Rahu, Ketu is also an imaginary planet or a node that is positioned opposite Rahu. The constellations govered by him are Ashwin, Magha and Mool. An interesting story has already been described above while discussing about Rahu. The North node is called Rahu and the South node is known as Ketu. It is believed to represent the tail of demon.
The South node or Ketu is regarded as a point of difficult Karma from his past life where a person reaps the results of his selfish and egoist deeds of the past. The other side of Ketu represents the tendency towards Moksha or liberation and mastery of secret and mysterious knowledge.
Rahu and Ketu are famous for giving sudden and unexpected results. Both Rahu and Ketu are the parts of the same demon. Both are 180 degree apart. When Ketu, Sun and Moon lie in the same zodiacal longitude lunar eclipse takes place. Rahu has special enmity with Sun and Ketu with Moon.