FAQ'S ON GENERAL ASTROLOGY - 1

Why are planets in the 12th house considered to be bad?

Not all planets when they are placed in the 12th are considered bad.

The 12th house represents the realization of the senses (Touch, Taste, Smell, Sight and Sound). The planet which is posited in the 12th will influence the native to experience this creation through its perspective.

For example: - If Rahu is placed in the 12th, then the native will be more materialistically oriented.

If Ketu is posited in the 12th then the native will have less tendency towards sensuality and hence will have a great chance to renounce the worldly materialistic pleasures and trod the path of salvation and hence Ketu is known as Moksha karaka and the 12th is also known as the Moskha Sthana (the house of realization).

Venus is also known as the karaka for the 12th house (signifier).

Here Venus represents relishing the beauty of this creation (in its purest form). When Venus is placed in the 12th, the native will be acute and astute in his senses and hence will be hyper sensitive. This makes the native understand this creation better through his senses.

So the planets posited in the 12th are to be analysed to understand the effects of the house.

What is longevity per astrology?

Longevity is the span of Aayu (the number of years a person can live). Here there are two concepts. One Aayu is judged by the number of years a person is permitted to breath (Prana) and the other one is to judge the Aayu as the number of years a person is active performing actions (Karma).

Both these factors are important to be analysed from any given horoscope if the query is about Aayu. Longevity is not to be seen when it is not required, but only in cases when the native in question is suffering from a fatal disease or is admitted in hospital in a critical condition and the relatives have come with a query.

In many cases it is when the native has become invalid medically and the relatives want to know, how much more the person has to endure in this life time (Janma).

Basically it is seen from the 8th of the Rasi chart and then it is further cross checked from many other divisional charts.

Does a combusted planet sitting in its own Moola Trikona sign become powerless?

Whether a planet is Exalted or in its Moola trikona, when it is near to Sun (say within 5 degrees, except for Mercury which is 3 degrees) then the planet is said to be combust.

When a planet is combust, it loses most of its original characteristics since the power of Sun engulfs it or in other words overpowers it.

In an Aquarius ascendant, what if Lagnesh is in Bhagya-Sthan and Bhagyesh in Lagna?

You have mentioned one of the best Raja yogas with Saturn the ascendant lord of Aquarius getting exalted in the 9th house (sign of Libra) and the 9th lord Venus getting placed in the ascendant sign of Aquarius.

The three most important factors which will disturb this splendid combination is

 1. When either of the planets become retrograde, 

2. When either of them are conjunct with Rahu and 

3. When Venus is combust due to being close to Sun.

Other than that, this is one of the strongest of combinations. The native will live like a king with many followers.

Do we know when and where we can meet out spouse based on astrology?

It would be a very delicate prediction to make and would require extreme acute level of knowledge.

Its not that it cannot be done, but the first time one would meet his / her spouse would be just another meeting or just a coincidence or may be a social congregation. Not every rendezvous ends up in a relationship or marriage and as we know, each person will be meeting strangers very often than rare.

What happens when both Mars and Jupiter are in the same sign of Scorpio in the natal chart?

Mars and Jupiter are great friends due to their similarities in their character and significations.

Now that Mars is placed in its own sign makes it positively placed. Jupiter and Mars jointly will give rise to a strong Raja yoga.

This Raja yoga will always give positive results, but also depends on the ascendant sign as both Jupiter and Mars may become temporary malefics.

What are some appropriate questions that one should ask to best utilize the services of a Vastu consultant when they make a home visit?

The first query you should ask is as to whether the property can become positively powerful by the good practices of the inhabitants (like practicing meditation and dhyan).

2. How much of alteration can be avoided.

3. Does the property sync with the natives horoscope (the one who is living there - at least the chart of the head of the family).

Only after that you can go into the actual details.

Does a person save his/her wealth when Saturn, Sun, and Mercury in the fourth house of Cancer ascendant where Venus and Mars are in the second house of ascendant?

The 12th lord Mercury with the 2nd lord Sun constitute a strong Budhaaditya yoga in the 4th house in Libra. Along with this combination the 7th and 8th lord Saturn is placed. This is a malefic combination. The only positive placement is that of Venus due to its exchange with Sun (Parivarthana yoga).

Sun is debilitated in this combination.

Though the native is not a miser, he will be very conservative with regard to spending. On a long term basis the native will save money.

Why is the placement of the Sun not considered good in the 1st house of the natal chart?

Sun gains Dik bala in the 1st house since it is East. I have personally never studied that Sun in 1st house is malefic or bad.

Sun represents the consciousness and the best place for it to be placed is the head the 1st house.

Sun also represents good health, strong bones and sparkling eyes. Its position in the 1st house may make the native bald soon (Kalvata Yoga), but will give other attributes which no other planet will be able to give.

Why are planets in the 12th house considered to be bad?

Not all planets when they are placed in the 12th are considered bad.

The 12th house represents the realization of the senses (Touch, Taste, Smell, Sight and Sound). The planet which is posited in the 12th will influence the native to experience this creation through its perspective.

For example: - If Rahu is placed in the 12th, then the native will be more materialistically oriented.

If Ketu is posited in the 12th then the native will have less tendency towards sensuality and hence will have a great chance to renounce the worldly materialistic pleasures and trod the path of salvation and hence Ketu is known as Moksha karaka and the 12th is also known as the Moskha Sthana (the house of realization).

Venus is also known as the karaka for the 12th house (signifier).

Here Venus represents relishing the beauty of this creation (in its purest form). When Venus is placed in the 12th, the native will be acute and astute in his senses and hence will be hyper sensitive. This makes the native understand this creation better through his senses.

So the planets posited in the 12th are to be analysed to understand the effects of the house.

How do I see any possibilities for job loss, suspension and dismiss from service in a native's horoscope?

If the 8th and the 12th lords get involved along with the 10th lord or the 10th house, then there is a chance that the native might be subjected to humiliation or even harassment at job.

This is a basic combination, but there are many variations which have to be analysed.

The key dashas to understand whether a person is going through a tough time at his job are: -

1.    Jup/Sat or Sat/Jup

2.    Rahu/Sat or Sat/Rahu

3.    Ketu/Sat

4.    Ketu/Merc or Merc/Ketu

These are some important planetary periods in which the native will feel out of place at job or will have to report to a tough / rough boss.

Has your zodiac prediction ever come true?

Most of the times yes. Rather than prediction which actually fortifies the belief of the questioner, the emphasis has to be with regard to future betterment.

Why does Scorpio avoid attachment?

In general people feel that Scorpions are aloof and to themselves. Acutally Scorpions are very affectionate and like to be with their family. They are obsessive about protecting their family and will defend till the end.

What is the sure shot way in astrology to predict foreign travel (to a Western country) in the next 6 months?

There is no sure shot formulae to analyse foreign travel in the next 6 months generally. But yes, for every chart which is unique there will or will not be possibilities to travel faraway from birth place to a foreign country.

The strength of the planets which are giving rise to this yoga and the timing of the event has to be verified after analysis.

When classics where written thousands of years ago travelling abroad or even going to far-off lands was considered a taboo. With this perception, one should understand the implications of the yoga which suggests that a native may visit/travel or settle abroad.

The parameters for abroad travel or immigration is as follows:

1. 3rd lord/house (short travel)

2. 7th lord/house (business travels)

3. 9th lord/house (Long journeys)

4. 12th lord/house (displacement from place of stay)

5. 4th lord/house (present place of stay)

6. Rahu/Ketu (Mlechcha Grahas – represents foreign lands and people)

When 3rd/7th/9th lords are strong and are associated with fast moving planets travel should be predicted. Also if the 3rd/7th/9th house fall in a chara rasi (movable sign) then travel should be predicted. Here as said above the purpose of travel gets modified depending on the lord and on the type of planets influencing it.

For example, when Rahu influences then there would be travel abroad to places where non-vegetarian food is used. It also suggests that the cultural practices would be different from the place from which the native hails. In simple words it is a change a Villager experiences when he/she enters New York (USA).

Shift residence from one city to another within a certain distance is seen from the 3rd house (12th from the 4th). But if the displacement is for a far-off place then the influence of the 12th lord or house is a very important factor. If benefic planets are aspecting this change then the change would be profitable and vice-versa.

If there is a strong dhana yoga in a chart with the influence of the 12th lord on the 2nd then it should be understood that the native may get profits from foreign lands and if there is travel associated then one should understand that there would be immigration to foreign land.

Here transit of Jupiter and Saturn plays an important role to understand the timing of travel. In cases of immigration one common query is to whether the native will be immigrating alone or he will be able to take his family with him. In this case, we need to analyse the position of the 2nd lord and the 2nd house. If there is sufficient bhava bala in the 2nd and the Dasha/bhukti is favourable then one should suggest that the native will be able to take his family members along with him to foreign lands.

For example, if Saturn is transiting over the 2nd bhava (which signifies food) then one should understand that the native will be deprived of home food and hence would have to eat out (outside food from eateries). This may be for a temporary period or may extend to 2 to 3 years if the 2nd lord is badly posited in the natives chart.

Which astrological house tells about foster parents?

Parents, Foster Parents, Guardians and even blessing of God has to be seen from the 9th house of the Zodiac/Rasi Chart.

The D12 is concerned with regard to Parents and here the placement of Sun and Moon are considered important.

In cases of adoption the role of Saturn is to be analysed in both the charts.

How do you know a second marriage in a Kundali chart?

The 7th house is seen to understand the First marriage and the general relationship and general communication of the native with the outside world.

The 9th house is seen for knowing the timing and stability of the second marriage.

If the 7th house is protected by benefics and is devoid of malefic influence then the first marriage will hold good. But in some charts/cases we have seen that the 7th is blemished with malefic influence and hence the first marriage may cutoff short.

I will list down some combinations which may give rise to a second marriage after the closure of the first marriage.

1.      If a Maraka planet (for the 7th house considering the 7th as the ascendant) is placed in the 7th house or is placed in the 2nd house (since the 2nd is the 8th from the 7th, which represents longevity of the 7th). Also the 7th lord should be weak or malefically influenced.

Then there is a threat to the longevity of the spouse and hence the closure of the 1st marriage.

2. If the 7th lord goes to the trik sthanas (the 6th / 8th / 12th) and the 7th house is posited with a strong malefic then there might be separation from the 1st marriage. This should also be verified after analysis of the dasha period.

3. If the 1st/7th axis is posited with Rahu/Ketu and the 7th lord is very weak and also the ascendant is weak then the longevity of the 1st marriage is very short.

There are thousands of combinations which pose a threat to the 1st marriage or any relationship which is as intimate as marriage. But, not all get divorced. Many just walk out of the relationship, but maintain the status of marriage for social purpose.

When there native goes through a favourable period of the 9th lord or the planet which is posited in the 9th or when Saturn/Jupiter transit over the 9th house or the 9th lord, there will be a chance for second marriage.

D9 has a very important role to play in this analysis.

This is a very sensitive subject and requires confidentiality between the client and the astrologer.

Are Surya and Shukra in the seventh house?

Whether Sun and Venus are in the 7th house or not we can know if you provide your birth details.

Anyway, I think you want to know what will happen if Sun and Venus are placed in the 7th house from ascendant.

Sun and Venus are considered as enemies and this combination does not give good results if Venus is very close to Sun.

Now, let’s say Venus is 10 degrees away from Sun (minimum) then Venus is not combust and hence will give good results with regard to marriage, relationship, etc.

Now if Sun is also independently placed in the 7th , which is actually the west (since Ascendant is the east) wherein Sun loses Dik bala, it will give moderate results and may delay marriage.

We need to know the exact placement to go through the chart and analyse.

Is it true that Makar Lagna females always have a troubled married life?

The lord of Makara (Capricorn) is Saturn and the 7th house from it would be Cancer (whose lord is Moon).

When Saturn is strong, the Moon is also strong with benefic aspects with the 7th house posited with benefics or aspected by benefics then there should be no problems or troubles in married life.

Certain planetary periods and transits may give difficulties and challenges, but there is no theory or proof that a Capricorn ascendant chart of a female is bad for marriage.

Each chart will have its own challenges, we astrologers have to analyze, understand and only then predict.

Why is astrology called the father of all sciences but not considered as science?

Astrology is not called the father of all sciences. There are many other scientific streams which are as good as Astrology.

Astrology is one of the Vedangas (limbs of Vedas).

1.      Siksha

2.      Chhanda

3.      Vyakarana

4.      Nirukta

5.      Jyotisha (Astrology)

6.      Kalpa

Vedangas support to protect the authenticity of the Vedas and hence are regarded in high esteem.

It is not considered as a science by the modern scientific community as of now. The times will change and people will once again start believing this ancient wisdom and will respect its utility.

The biggest myth about astrology is that “Astrology is only used for predictions.”

Actually astrology is to be used to understand the Mundane phenomena and the interactions of the Human kind with this creation, the human role in one's life and the way one can achieve self realization using this birth by synchronizing the body, mind and the soul.

In basic terms

Body is represented by the ascendant and the ascendant lord

Mind is represented by the Moon

Soul is represented by the Sun

The constellations/planets associated with these entities will configure the behavioral pattern of a person. His innate cravings (Vasana) will emerge from the nodal points of the nervous system (Chakras) and try to satisfy itself by interacting with the external material world (Maya).

One using this Science of Astrology can understand one’s self. The strengths and weaknesses of the human body, mind and soul can be realized and there by liberate one’s self from the shackles of Karma.

What are the causes of miserness and materialistic thinking in astrology?

The kendras (quadrants) motivate a person to achieve materialistic comforts or to acquire property.

The more the planets in the quadrants the more the materialistic a person becomes.

The more the planets in the trines the more the emotional or sensitive a person becomes.

Miserness happens from benefics being placed in the 12th with a weak ascendant and ascendant lord.

What is the significance of Shad Bala and Bhav Bala in Vedic astrology?

In Brihat Parashara Hora shastra there are two chapters wherein Sage Parashara has explained how the strength of planets and house can be quantitatively be calculated.

These numbers clearly indicate the strength and the way they manifest in the dasha period of planets (and even in planetary combinations).

In the method of Shad bala (Six fold strength) the following strengths are counted

1.      Sthana Bala (Positional Strength)

a. Ochchabala (strength of exaltation), b. Saptavargaja Bala (7 levels of strength), c. Ojayugmarasyamsa Bala (Odd and Even strength), d. Kendra Bala (Qaudrant Strength) and e. Drekkana Bala (10 degree strength in signs).

2. Dig Bala - Directional Strength

3. Kala Bala - Temporal Strength due to time, date, month, year, etc.

4. Chesta Bala - Retrogressive Strength

5. Naisargika Bala - Natural Strength

6. Drik Bala - Aspect Strength.

Likewise the Bhava Bala (house strength) also has detailed methodology.

Which planet rules which house of the 12 houses in the birth chart?

From Aries to Pisces the planets that rule these signs are as follows: -

1.      Mars

2.      Venus

3.      Mercury

4.      Moon

5.      Sun

6.      Mercury

7.      Venus

8.      Mars

9.      Jupiter

10.  Saturn

11.  Saturn

12.  Jupiter

The Significators of the House from the 1st house to the 12th house (Here the 1st house is the house the ascendant is placed).

1.      Sun (Skull, Confidence, Soul, Individuality, etc.)

2.      Moon (Teeth, Eyes, Mind, Face, Family, Food), Jupiter (Wealth, Property, Habits), etc.

3.      Mars (Courage, Activity, Siblings, Arms, Ears, Neck)

4.      Venus (Vehicles, Materialistic Comfort, Enjoyment, Residence, etc), Moon (Mother, etc.)

5.      Jupiter (Poorva Punya, Progeny, Knowledge, Wisdom, etc.)

6.      Mars (Valour, Victory, Competitive spirit, etc.), Saturn (Service, Selflessness, etc)

7.      Venus (Spouse, Relationship, Wellness, etc.), Mercury (Business, Partnerships, etc.)

8.      Saturn (Longevity, struggles, hurdles, etc.)

9.      Jupiter (Righteousness, Higher Education, Guru - Teacher - Mentor, Blessings, etc.)

10.  Mercury (Career orientation, Manipulation, Planning, etc.)., Rahu (Industrialization, etc.)

11.  Each planet in this house will indicate the way the native would want to make money. This house represents Profits.

12.  Venus (Sensual enjoyment, etc.), Ketu (Spiritual search and motivation, Renunciation, etc.)

What is the best combination of planets for fame and wealth in the horoscope of a Scorpio ascendant?

For fame Sun has to be well placed for a Scorpio ascendant. Sun will give position, status and respect in social circles. Like wise for wealth the second lord Jupiter if exalted or placed in the 2nd will give excellent financial position to the native.

If you do not know the exact date of birth and time of birth, how can you decide your horoscope?

When there is no date or time of birth then one should go for a prashna kundali (a horoscope which is generated purely on the time of the query).

Only if the query is genuine and the queriest has honest intentions does the prashna kundali work.

The Astrologer also has to be following the strict rules of being an astrologer to practice prashna.

Since the method of Prashna depends on the bode or intent of the situation of environment around us the astrologer has to be extra special and sensitive to subtle signs which happen around him and the questioner. Each and every sound or act which happens will have a bearing on the result of the query.

I have tried to explain the intricacies of the art of prashna kundali, but I am sure it takes more than a paragraph to explain.

What is the process for your consultation on astrology personally?

Firstly a genuine and honest query is required along with accurate birth details.

After that is ascertained then the chart is generated and verified.

The planetary positions, aspect and conjunctions are understood.

The Bhava bhala (house strength), Shadbala (Six fold strength of planets), Astaka varga (Numerical values of bindus and rekhas), Planetary periods, transits, Avasthas (Status of planets), Yogas and other important points of divisional charts depending on the query will be analysed.

The D1, D9 and the respective divisional chart will be analysed using Tajaka system and Parashara system to accurately determine an event.

Only after verification can a prediction be made.

What should we see in a D60 chart? Why is it so important in astrology?

It is a divisional chart which is analysed to understand the finer positions of the planets and understand their inner strengths in a very accurate level.

Charts of Twins can be seen with this chart kept together so as to understand the difference.

Usually the Karmic influence over the native can be read through this divisional chart.

 

Is Kendradhipati dosha is applicable only to natural benefics/malefics or to functional benefics/malefics as well?

Kendradipathya dosha is applicable to all kendra lords, in particular it is applicable to Dwiswabhava lagnas (dual sign ascendants).

For instance, if the ascendant is Gemini - Jupiter will acquire the negativity of being a quadrant lord (both as the 7th lord and as the 10th lord). Many astrologers opine that even Mercury being the ascendant lord holds both the 1st and the 4th kendras and hence would also acquire negativity.

In the second example lets discuss Scorpio ascendant.

Mars and Saturn are kendra lords (quadrant lords) but also hold other lord ships like Saturn holds the lordship of being the 3rd lord and Mars is also the 6th lord and hence does not comprise to becoming a dosha karaka (a negative planet).

Sun is the lord of the sign of Leo which is the 10th house from Scorpio and is considered to hold only a Kendra and hence acquires the dosha.

The quality of a planet acquiring the Kendradhipathya dosha has to be understood in detail after going through a lot of charts.

The planets which acquire this dosha will present difficulties and hurdles in a native’s life.

How do I get my right Janam Kundli? The time given by my parents does not seem to be correct going by general predictions?

You need to get your birth time rectified. You will have to provide the list of events till date with approx. month/year.

The date and place of birth and then the approximate time is to be furnished.

Find a good astrologer and get this done.

Which star signs tend to be the most honest?

All the 12 signs can practice honesty depending on the placement and association of the ascendant lord and the aspect of planets over the ascendant sign.

We assume that people who are outspoken and frank are honest, but in reality those people who are silent and keep their views to themselves also might be practicing honesty.

Many people will know many honest facts which may if revealed affect another person or persons emotionally.

That is why the phrase “Bitter Truth” came into being.

You may know the truth, but do not have to reveal it everywhere. But, when it is the right moment and you avoid telling the truth, then you are not practicing honesty.

There is a thin line between Sookshma Dharma and Dharma Sookshma.

In what respects do astrologers say the most about life?

Astrologers use the science of astrology to decipher the planetary placements of a chart.

The significations of Signs, Planets, Houses, Aspects, Combinations, Planetary Periods and so on have been elucidated in the classic Astrological texts like BPHS (Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra by Parashara), Phaladeepika by Mantreshwara, Brihat Jataka by Varahamihira, Jataka Parijata by Vaidyanatha Dikshita, etc.

Most of the calculations are mathematical and can be understood by anyone who has the zeal for understanding scriptures.

Astrology is a combination of mathematics and geometry. It has calculations, specific degrees and time. Why is it still that we have different predictions for the same planetary movement?

It is correct that Astrology is a pure science of interpretation. An astrologer has to go through many combinations of planets and their placements, aspect, status (avastha), planetary period, Transit, many different methods of interpretation and after all that the human factor of the astrologer comes in between.

This Human Factor is the most important one. As the quality of interpretation varies does the accuracy of prediction.

Every astrologer including myself is a victim to this and the error is inevitable. The more the commitment the more the perfection. Let us all honestly practice this divine science with more sincerity.