Notes on Vedic Astrology

Shani moves house in September 2009

2009-08-30T13:34:00.002+04:00

Shani transits to Kanya on September 9, 2009. Kanya is the house for Budha ( Mercury). While Shani was uncomfortable in its paternal enemy house of Surya for the last 2.5 years, will find itself relatively happy in its friends (Mercury) house. For those who were born with Guru in Pisces, this may not be a bad period despite Ezhara Shani, Astama Shani or other Shani periods. This is because the mutual Guru Shani aspect will act as a saving grace. I am a great believer of Guru aspect and I believe that a powerful Guru aspect on the particular house can ward off much trouble and bring happiness. That's almost the reason why any astrologer looks into the position of Guru first, and then Shani next. The former bring purva punya and the latter purva karma. The two position alone can summarise almost fifty percent of the natal chart.

Capacity to Love

2009-08-30T13:29:00.001+04:00

In addition to nakshatra compatibility, dasa compatibility in a horoscope in my humble opinion, one needs to check the partners capability to love before entering into a marriage unison or a legal wedlock.

Just as the planets in our horoscope influence our lagna, looks, certain charecteristics including and not limited to thought process, the position of certain planets influence our capacity to love. Generally it is considered to be Sukra /Venus known as the planet of love and passion. Sukra’s position in a horoscope largely determine the person’s spouse, love and imply the status of marriage ( whether or not marriage will occur during this life time etc). However this article is not about marriage or the conditions of marriage but it is about the capacity to love your spouse.

What makes one a loving husband or fiercely possessive loving wife? In my humble opinion the following factors:

- Placement of Sukra / Venus
- Fifth house and its occupants, both from lagna and Chandra
- Placement of lord of fifth house
- Second lord and its placement. ( selfishness )
- Mars for a female horoscope and Sukra for a male horoscope.
- Shani aspecting Sukra or Shani aspecting Mars

Sukra /Venus

If Sukra is found to be combust, then the capacity to love is largely decreased for factors owing to ones one paternal household matters. In a male horoscope it could also mean problems relating to semen. In this short article, it is my endeavour to talk about love between partners or couples, and not about mother’s love. Hence I will not touch upon chandra’s position for mothers unconditional love.

Sukra being a planet of love, then why is it that its capacity to love is being affected if it is combust. That is because, sukra, unlike the Chandra, does not rule unconditional love or spiritual love. Sukra’s love rules pleasures, it is more sensual and rules inter human love. Therefore the presence of surya too close to sukra inhibits one's capacity to love unless saved by the grace of Guru aspect.

Shani has struck!

2009-03-25T08:04:00.000+04:00

Looks like shani has finally struck its ammunition over me. Ezhara shani identifies itself with classic problems such as wrongful accusations, misunderstanding, police cases, imprisonment. The karmic result of my birth seems to be showing its effects during my second phase of ezhara natu shani or sadhe sathi. Shani moved to my twelth house from moon on Aug 5 2007. This being my tenth house from lagna, I thought work would be affected. It was. I took a break of six months for maternity leave and resumed when the Guru transited to Dhanus protecting my tenth house with its aspect.

Shani with its tenth house aspect on my Seventh house of marriage affected my relation with spouse. I was away from him during my pregnancy and for six months from maternity. Then When shani moved to makara I thought I was temporarily protected.

But Shani has struck!

Extramarital Affairs

2009-03-21T11:54:00.000+04:00

I love to study astrology. The more I learn the more I realise the vastness of the subject. My father taught me the starting lessons in the summer of year 2000 and since then each day I realize the vastness of the three dimensional moving science. In recent times I have begun to analyse into the horoscopes of my friends much to their insistence. The unmarried clan want to know what the destiny holds for them in the areas of love and marriage while the married counterparts are more concerned with the stability of the marriage on children, finance .... The one question which bothers me is often is " Extra marital affairs" How is my spouse's charecter, will she/he cheat on me??

The first rule of thumb is to check on the eleventh house and its lord for such matters. This is in relation to ones spouse's tendency to flirt. While eleventh house stands for friends, gains in business, elder co-borns, income, gains, realization of hopes, ankles this is the house to know for spouse's lovers. Since eleventh house is the fifth from the seventh house. However, eleventh house would be indicative of spouse's love affairs depending on the weakness of the seventh house as well. There should be a relation between ones weak seventh house and the eleventh house. If ones seventh house is weak or the lord is ill placed and if the eleventh house contains an expansive planet like Guru or sukhra then we can be certain that during the period of elevent house the spouse will fall into relation outside of marriage. Because Guru / Sukra wants to have it all.

If you wonder about your spouse's chastity, check eleventh house, its lord both in rashi and navamsha. If you are undergoing the eleventh house lord dasa and if the current transit brings rahu ( foreigner) and if one goes through rahu ketu return. For the case of an example, a Makara lagna having mars debilitated in karka the seventh house could bring marital troubles due to the same but not necessarily the end of marriage.

For vrischika lagna, L-8/L-11 Budha is an especially strong indictor of extramarital affairs. Lord of randhra bhava is usually responsible for termination of the first marriage whether through death of the spouse or simply saturation/ death of the marriage i.e., divorce.
Simultaneously during a bhukti of of youthful, mentalized Budha, the Vrischikha native may experience the breakdown of fossilized marriage & the possible development of extramarital affair - but of course this is only likely if Budha's condition warrants such behavior.
Similarly Vrishaba lagna people should watch out for the periods of Guru dasa or bhukthi.

Weighty Issue

2009-02-04T10:56:00.000+04:00

Thin is in. That's all people talk about these days. You could meet a friend after a long time and the first thing he /she says to you is : Gosh you have put on so much weight or Gawd thats great you have lost a lot of weight. Nothing is better than looking anorexic these days. Its a fad and I dont know how long it will last. The buxom beauities of the 80s have disappeared and only anorexic poles are all over the place. If someone choses a Size 12 or above the shop assitant doesnt bother to help. You are fat then you are probably good at helping yourself!

Astrologically, we are paying more attention to the First House (or Ascendant or Lagna), which represents our body, than any other area of our life (or Horoscope). Jupiter is the planet that stands for fat. It is fairly well established principle in astrology that Jupiter expands the house where it moves into each year with transit. In a rasi chart it tends to expand that house where it aspects. when Jupiter moves into your First House your potential to expand your physical body and put on excess weight increases exponentially. Luckily, this happens only once in 12 years!

And Jupiter has moving into the house of Capricon on 6 December 2008. If you have Capricon as your Ascendant/Lagna, you require some special advice to help you resist putting on weight and if you are already over weight, a plan to reduce the same.

The process of breaking down any complex substance or using up the complex substance is ruled by Mars, including the breaking down of the fat in the body; whereas, the process of combining simple compounds into complex structures is ruled by Venus. The products that are results of the Mars Processes (which are usually toxins or waste products) are ruled by Saturn and the body needs to get rid of it. Whereas, the end products of Venus ruled processes are ruled by Jupiter. They are stored in the body for later use. Fat is one of them.

In short, dieting is nothing but a Mars ruled process resulting in a Saturn ruled by product! So, to lose weight all you need to do is increase your Mars and Saturn energies and reduce the Mars-Jupiter energies. It is all about balancing the two sets of energies. Venus rules the sweets, starches (rice, idli, dosa etc.), appetite and your pleasure seeking senses. The output of these is products ruled by Jupiter, which causes expansion and heaviness.

So, here is a simple formula for weight loss:
a) Reduce Venus ruled products and processes;
b) Increase Mars ruled processes (like exercise);
c) Get rid of Saturn ruled end-products (like toxins);
d) Use-up the Jupiter ruled products (like Fat).

Year 2009

2009-01-02T08:43:00.000+04:00

Happy New Year - 2009

It is a new year in the English Gregorian Calender. Whatever religion you follow and whatever calender you would like to follow, we cannot disengage ourselves from the Gregorian calender. Although in vedic astrology the first of January in any given year has no significance, If you live in this world at this age and time then the Gregorian calender is a part of you.

Current Planetary Position

On January 1, 2009 the planetary position is as follows - Shani in simha, Guru in Makara along with Rahu, Makara also has transiting budha in it for the next 25 days or so. Surya and Mars are in Dhanus. Sukra in Aquarius.

For most part of the year Shani, Guru and the Chaya grahas are going to be in the same position. In the months of May June for a period of 60 days Guru will transit to Kumbha temporarily and be back to its debilitated position in makara. Guru being debilitated in Makara is one but I feel what adds to it is the presence of Rahu in the same rashi as well. It could be a time of change for makara lagna especially if the dasa or bukthi is connected guru or rahu. Guru leads to expansion and rahu change. Therefore it could be an awesome period of expansion and revolutionary change for makara lagna. For Kataka lagna this could bring marriage to foreigners or love marriage if the current dasa or bukthi assists.

I had predicted pregnancy for one of my friends this year with the Guru transit which much to my delight has been confirmed. She had no intention of being pregnant as she wanted to pursue her Phd. Born on March 6, 1977 - she is kataka lagna. With an exalted venus in the ninth house I have no doubts that she will complete her Phd. When the ninth lord transits to its own house in 2011, I am sure she will obtain her phd. The fifth house lord is also exalted ( in the seventh house) which makes her intelligent with a massive discerning power. She has an instinct for whats right and whats wrong.

I have concerns on her pregnancy though. She runs Rahu dasa ketu bukthi. Ketu transiting in lagna will her a feeling of virakthi (selflessness ) from herself. However in her rasi chart Ketu is in the 10 th house so I hope thats the area which Ketu will affect. I would rather have her career stagnated for a year until the next ketu rahu transit rather than it affecting her health, her self. May the Supreme Lord guide her through a peaceful pregnancy and successful delivery.

Transits this year

Rahu ketu transit is expected in 17 November 2009, when Rahu will transit to Dhanus and Ketu will transit to Mithuna. For those astrologers who belong to the school of thought where Rahu is exalted in mithuna then this transit brings the neecha placement for rahu and ketu. I personally believe that Rahu is exalted in mithuna given the dual nature of mithuna rasi, there cant be another house where it will shine. Also in many horoscopes which I have come across ( bearing in mind my very very limited experience) where people suffer during the dasa or bhuthi of rahu, rahu has been placed natally in Dhanus. Dhanus being the house for Guru stands radically opposite to what Rahu makes one do. Guru is logical Rahu is irrational. Guru is calm rahu is rash and the list goes on.

The transit of Guru will occur exactly 32 days after the rahu ketu transit, in the month of December on the 19th Dec 2009. Guru moves to Kumbha, a philosophical position for Guru. I call it a philosophical position because although it belongs to Shani, Guru is not debiliated in Kumbha. We will deal with that next year.

The huge change this year will be on September 9, 2009 when Shani transits to Kanya after residing the last two and half year in Simha. This will be a welcome change for Kataka rasi for this will be the end of their sadhe sati period. The turmoil and emotional distress for the last seven and half years could finally be an end.

Too much of a good thing !

2008-11-24T08:15:00.000+04:00

I hope I am not sounding like Martha Stewart! Is so, then thats a good thing :-)

In Vedic Astrology, the general rule says that the planet in its own house and rashi should produce good results. But often it doesn't. A chart with Guru in fifth house being meena rashi or Dhanus rashi does not produce children. Sun in ninth, Mars in third often don't produce the desirable results. Although prima facie, it appears that in its best placement, the planet has offered the best results on an anatomy it is disclosed that it does not produce the good effects. For eg, a person with Guru in Fifth may end up being a good teacher but childless or devoid of the desired male offspring.

Can there be too much of a good thing?

That's when the anathema to the general rule comes into play. Karako Bhavo nastho literally means the significator or the owner destroys the house. When the significator planet (Sanskrit "karaka") occupies the house which also signifies , the matters of that house are damaged. Well not , completely damaged but blemished to a certain extent.

For eg, a person with Sukra in seventh house are quite overwhelmed by intense, dominating personality of the spouse especially if the seventh house also happens to be a Tula rashi or Vrishaba rashi. By means of the excessive demands of the spouse the native experiences "too much spouse" . Despite potentially good external appearances, matters of the house are internally "damaged" and the person is eventually less happy in the marriage. The marriage may eventually die even is the spouse appears to be rich, handsome and strong. The reason for the death of the marriage may be due to the dominance of Sukra and therefore the reason lies in Sukra related things such as sensuality, charm, extravagance etc...the wife may be too beautiful, or the husband may be looking for more sensual elements thus resulting in the death of the deeper elements of marriage such as trust and bonding.

Swakeshtra Surya in ninth house will give a father in power and authority. But the father may also be arrogant, self important and have little time for the native. The charts of such people usually have a father who is a military general or an authoritative politician or a father who will be more ego focused in his own career.

Let us consider this rule on all planets in order of house:

Sun - Sun is the karaka for the Soul and father. Karaka for first and ninth house. As discussed above one is hit by the rule of karako bhava in a swakestra sun in 9 th house or a uccha sun in first house for Mesha lagna. Such an individual may be either too self centered concentrating on his physical looks or susceptible to too much of a soul searching pursuit and in both ways will have very little friends, family or people surrounding him.

Guru - Guru is the karaka for wisdom and wealth. Therefore the ruler of second house and fifth house. Guru in fifth house produces " too much expansion" gives huge literary & artistic production which overwhelms the natural instinct to marry and reproduce; thus few or no birth children. Often a wonderfully gifted, childless teacher, but this position is not so ideal to be a parent.

Mars - Swakestra Mars or Uccha Mars in third house as for Virchika Lagna may give too many siblings or a sibling in army or a far off land. The comfort level from the sibling is very low. Mars is also the owner of sixth house, the house of enemies. Mars in sixth house destroys one's enemies. However, if Mars is in Mesha rashi and is the sixth house, the native will also be too self destructive.

Chandra - Karaka for parents, mother. Swakeshtra or Uccha Chandra in fourth house may give a demanding mother with less emotional bonding.

Shukra - Karaka for spouse, luxury, sensual senses. Too much of Sukra dominance in seventh house as explained above.

Sani - in 12 "too much deprivation" - gives such shocking depth of loss that it overwhelms the natural human capacity to accept dissolution. Shani transforms neutral acceptance into shock & depression. (Post-traumatic shock disorder often seen during Shani periods, with radix Shani in 12.)

Budha - is a karaka for knowledge and information. In the tenth house it may give rise to too much of information;however will have less damaging effects as compared to a Sun in the tenth house.

It should be remembered that this rule applies only when the significator is not producing the results. Other aspects such as a benefic aspect or Drishti should also be taken into account which may alleviate much of the troubles created by this principle.

Neecha Bhanga

2008-11-23T09:46:00.000+04:00

Many students of astrology have misunderstood the nature of Neecha Bhanga Raja Yoga, a.k.a. cancellation of debilitation. They have confusion as to whether the Raja Yoga actually happens, doesn’t happen, or only happens in namesake. The reason for this confusion is that every cancellation of debilitation does not create Raja Yoga.

Raja Yogas are only created when certain other conditions, which I will discuss further, are fulfilled along with the following conditions as stated by Dr. BV Raman:

I.
1) Lord of the sign occupied by a debilitated planet, placed in a Kendra (angle) from the Lagna or the Moon.
2) The planet which gets exalted in the sign where a planet is debilitated is in a Kendra from the Lagna or the Moon.
3) The lord of the exaltation sign of the debilitated planet is posited in a Kendra from the Lagna or the Moon.
4) A neecha planet exalted in the Navamsa.

II

5) A debilitated planet being aspected by another debilitated planet.
6) Lord of the Navamsa occupied by a debilitated planet in a Kendra (angle) or trikona (trine); the ascendant being a movable sign or the lord of the ascendant is in a movable Navamsa.
7) Lord of the Rasi where a planet is debilitated is in a trine from the Lagna or the Moon.
8) The planet that gets exalted in the sign where the planet is debilitated, is in a trine to the lord of the exaltation sign of the debilitated planet.

III

9) The lords of the debilitation and exaltation signs are in mutual kendras (angles).
10) A debilitated planet, aspected by the lord of the sign, situated in an auspicious house.
11) Lord of the Rasi in which a planet is debilitated or the lord of the planet’s exaltation sign, or the planet who gets exalted there is in a trine from the Lagna or the Moon.

Of the three sections given above, the importance of the yogas may be said to decrease in the descending order.

As stated, certain other conditions, which are normally overlooked by most students, are necessary for a Neecha Bhanga to fullfull the requirements of a Raja Yoga. The planet creating the cancellation should not own, be conjunct or aspected by the rulers of, the 3rd, 6th, 8th or 12th houses. Furthermore, the rulers of the houses where the Neecha Bhanga is taking place should be well placed and well aspected. If these requirements are not fulfilled then the Raja Yoga may not be complete, despite the fact that they may fulfill the rules stated by Dr.B.V. Raman.

Marks of Intelligence

2008-11-23T09:37:00.000+04:00

Om Guruve namah

In Vedic Astrology, the intelligence of a person is measured in many ways. The primary and probably the most important one is to see the fifth house and its lord placement. Guru, the planet of Knowledge. Budha aka Mercury is the planet which is an accepted Karaka for intelligence more so because it is associated with speech and communications. Rahu, the Gynakaraka is also a node known for intelligence however, associated with shadyantra rather than pure knowledge. So how do we measure a person’s intelligence from a horoscope?

Using the following steps will help us obtain a fair idea:

The fifth house and the placement of its lord. For Vrichika Lagna and Simha Lagna the placement of Guru as the fifth house lord becomes pertinent.
The placement of Guru – the Karaka for knowledge and Bhakthi as both should go hand in hand. The placement of Guru is important for almost every aspect of life and cannot be undermined.
Placement of Mercury – the karaka for speech, communications, occult knowledge, and math is also an indispensable factor while considering ones intelligence. A natal chart with Mercury in twelfth house will not be able to complete his studies but should Guru be in a prominent position or aspecting the 5th house, the native will be an intelligent college drop out.
Fourth House – the placement of planets in fourth house also plays a role since it is twelfth to fifth house. The fourth house also depicts primary education which plays a role in carving ones intelligence and mental acumen in early child hood days.
Argalas – last but not the least the Argalas to the fifth house should also be analyzed. This will help in analyzing in which manner ones intelligence is chanelled. Hence the 6th, 8th and 3rd house also plays a heavy role. The 3rd house is pivotal in depicting ones strength in communications.