FAQ'S ON GENERAL ASTROLOGY - 3

Does a benefic planet become afflicted or weak if it goes in the Trik houses (6, 8, 12)?

It depends on the lordship of the benefic planet.

For example:

1. Jupiter is the 3rd and the 6th lord for Libra ascendant and when it is placed in the 8th or the 12th gives rise to a Vipareet Raj yoga.
2. Venus is considered as a natural benefic. In the case of Gemini ascendant Venus is the 12th and the 5th lord. When it is placed in the 8th house ( in the sign of Capricorn) it might give difficulties to the native with regard to marriage and married life, but since being the 5th lord and being placed in the 8th (i.e 4th from the 5th house) the native will benefit by doing good in education and higher studies.

Hence we are required to study this aspect of benefics or even malefics being placed in the Trik sthanas (the 6/8/12th houses from the ascendant) separately for each chart since they will mostly be unique.

Is it true that if Lagna lord is debilitated then the whole horoscope is weak? I am a Virgo ascendant with Mercury in pieces in the 7th house.

No, if ascendant lord is debilitated it does not mean that the whole chart becomes weak. Mercury still aspects the ascendant and hence will protect the ascendant.

It means that the ascendant which represents your self esteem, confidence and your way of living life has become weak. You may tend to listen to free advises and try to depend on them. Self thinking and discretionary power will be less and hence will be dependent on others support.

There will also be trust and belief issues.

Apart from that, if there is a good aspect of Venus over the ascendant or if Mercury has gone through Neecha Bhanga Rajayoga then things will change entirely.

Also if Mercury is retrograde in motion things will change. The whole chart has to be studied to arrive at accurate results.

What is the result of debilitated Sun in the second house for Virgo ascendant with 4th house Saturn and 9th house Jupiter, Mercury and Venus in ascendant? I am finding it hard to save money.

The planetary positions do not give full clarity of why you are not able to save money. The present dasha period is also to be analysed to understand the same.

The position of the 2nd lord Venus in the 12th from the 2nd that is the ascendant sign Virgo has made it weak due to debilitation.

Mercury exalted in the same sign (Virgo) has cancelled the debilitation of Venus and given rise to Neecha Bhanga Raja Yoga.

Jupiter the 4th and the 7th lord is placed in the 9th house in the sign of Taurus which is the sign of its extreme enemy Venus (which is the dispositor and is debilitated).

Saturn is placed in the 4th and its dispositor Jupiter is in the 6th from it.

All these combinations show difficulty in finance, but still for the sake of more accuracy one should be able to analyse the planetary period and the transit overlap (for which degrees have to be analysed).

What are the astrological combinations which shows the person does not have any siblings?

The 3rd house signifies siblings in general. Mars is the significator of siblings in the planetary level.

When both these entities are afflicted by malefic placements/conjunctions there will be trouble to siblings or with the siblings.

For example.

When Mars being the brathru karaka (significator of brothers/siblings) is placed in the 3rd house (which signifies siblings) it gives rise to a negative yoga called as the Karako bhava nashaya (the significator destroys the significance if posited in the house that signifies siblings).

I have personally gone through many charts wherein Mars is placed in the 3rd house and still the native has siblings. Here one should analyse the malefic associations of Mars. If Mars is beneficially associated in this position then the negativity will get cancelled and the native will have good siblings and also have good relationship with them.

The combinations less or no siblings are

Mars + Ketu, Mars + Retro Saturn, Mars itself becoming either debilitated or retrograde, A week Mars (with less points in the Shadbala) is associated with Rahu/Ketu anywhere in the chart, the 3rd lord getting malefically associated and the 3rd is posited with a malefic

In certain cases when Mars is associated with a malefic(s) but the 3rd house is well posited, then the native will be the youngest of all the siblings.

When planets like Rahu/Saturn/Ketu are associated with the 3rd lord and are posited in the 8th house or with the 8th lord or the 8th lord is posited in the 3rd, then there will be conflicts between the native and his siblings with regard to property or any other matter.

The 11th house is seen for elder siblings and the 3rd house for the younger ones. In particular the 11th is seen for the immediate elder sibling and the 3rd house is analysed to know the immediate younger sibling.

What type of disciplined approach does Saturn demand in its Dasha and Bhukti for an Aries ascendant when retrograde Saturn is present in Lagna with Jupiter at 1:23:45 and Saturn at 16:32:35?

The degree point of ascendant is also important to know the exact longitudinal distance between ascendant and the other planets.

Depending on the longitudinal distance the planets will either stay in the same house or move to the next or the previous.

Saturn is debilitated and retrograde in the chart and is placed in the ascendant sign of Aries.

Saturn in this status will make the native over sensitive and obsessed or particular things.

Jupiter the 9th lord is also placed in the ascendant at 1 degree. This is a very good position of Jupiter.

The eccentric effects of a retrograde saturn over the behaviour of the native have got cancelled due to the placement of Jupiter in the ascendant.

10th house is only specify our profession? Or any other combinations of house specify our profession?

The 10th originally signifies our karma and since we work or are in action when we perform out professional duties, it is also called as the house of profession.

Of the 4 quadrants the 10th house is the last and the most important one.

The 1st is Dharma (Righteousness)

The 2nd is Artha (Financial Stability)

The 3rd is Kama (Relationships, Affliations, Desire)

and The 4th is Moksha (Salvation through continuous conscious actions) quadrants.

The 10th from the 10th, i.e the 7th house controls the 10th house. The 10th represents the Karma and the 7th house represents the way the native will perform the same.

For example :

A person can get bored/sick of doing the same job for years and would want to quit it. A person who is searching for a job desperately will be very happy to fill in the same spot which made the former person feel dejected due to its routine boredom.

Its very clearly mentioned in the astrological texts as to the extent of Karma is seen through the 10th house and way we perform it is seen through the 7th.

Can we avoid the effect of bad planetary placement in our horoscope?

Each planetary placement will initiate a desire into the native. If the planet is well posited it will see to it that the desire which started as a dream/thought will manifest into reality. But, If the planet is weakly posited or malefically disposed then the desire will either not manifest or will be just a thought.

These failures in manifestations of desires are collectively known to cause depression, stress, anxiety and diseases.

If we need to control the ill effects or bad effects of planets then one should know to control ones desires or ready oneself to accept the results as they come.

This is a very difficult topic to understand and follow.

Each planetary position will create a Vasana (Conscious yearning in the present birth due to past karmic perceptions) with a purpose to trap the native into the cycle of samsar (cycle of birth and death).

To elevate oneself from this karmic cycle, one has to meditate and liberate ones mind from this material, emotional, egoistic world of Maya (illusions).

This can be done, but with shear commitment and continuous practice and satwik way of life.

Why is an extra day added to February?

One extra day is added to February because it is the last month (the 12th month).

As per Hindu calender Chaitra Masa (the month when it is full Moon in the constellation of Chitra) is the first month and it falls in the presently known month of March.

The subsequent months are

2. Vaishaka - Vishakha constellation

3. Jyeshtha - Jyeshtha constellation

4. Ashada - Ashada constellation (which contains Purvashada and Uttarashada)

5. Shravana - Savan - Shravana constellation

6. Bhadrapada - Bhadrapada constellation (which contains Purvabhadrapada and Uttarabhadrapada)

7. Ashwayuja - Ashwini constellation

8. Karthika -Krittika constellation

9. Margashira - Mrigashirsha constellation

10. Pushya - Pushya constellation

11. Magha - Makha constellation

12. Phalguna - Phalguna constellation (which contains Purvaphalguni and Uttaraphalguni)

Christian churches wanted to implement their calender which started from January (just after christmas) and started changing the names of the months.

They achieved from January to August (which was named on St. Augustus) and after that as we know the subsequent months are

September - Saptha (ambara - Sky) Masa (7th month)

October - Ashta Masa (8th month)

November - Nava Masa (9th month)

December - Dasha Masa

It makes sense when you start counting from March as the First month and you will end up with December as the 10th month and the subsequent month is January and the remaining days was made to be called as February.

And hence any extra day (due to the leap year effect) is added to February and not to any other month.

What is the best planetary position and time for a child born in California in June 2020?

As astrologers we are supposed to leave it to nature to decide as to when a native is to be born. In these times of c-sections the parents are worried and are anxious to know as to whether the new born will be bringing in luck, will be of good health and some of them go too far and want the baby to have secured future.

So, now and then these queries regarding C-sections timings will be cropping up in my consultations.

It is as I have mentioned wrong on our part to decide, but, if fate has us destined to do it then yes, we do our little part.

In the month of June Jupiter, Venus and Saturn are all retrograde.

Keeping in mind this retrogression (particularly that of Jupiter and Saturn) we need to fix an ascendant which would give generally a good life to the new born.

When we fix the ascendant we need to keep in mind the time of birth since not all hospitals agree for odd timing deliveries.

For example on 1st of June 2020 the placement of ascendant in the sign of Taurus (where Sun and Venus are placed) looks good.

Since the planets keep moving it would be a task which takes a lot of time to fix an ascendant which will have less dosha and be generally good.

How do I astrologically rectify my birth time?

The best method for Birth time rectification is to correlate past events with the D1, D9, respective divisional charts, Planetary periods and transit.

There are other methods by using Tajaka Astrology (which originated in the Tajakisthan and has been documented by Neelakanta). Here for every year a chart is generated and the predictions are correlated. This is also known as the Varshaphala technique.

This is a more accurate method.

Once a chart is rectified by the first method should be tested by the second method to be sure of the results.

As per Vedic astrology, which planetary transits make one’s life stagnant, stuck, trapped and have no hope?

When Saturn and Ketu both transit the same sign and it being the 7th, 8th or the 12th from the Ascendant or Moon then the native will go through unwanted and unnecessary troubles. The native will feel stuck or trapped in problems.

Tough time it will be and the native needs support and counseling from his near ones.

The 12th Bhava in my horoscope is the strongest in Shadbala. Is it bad?

The 12th bhava represents foreign settlement, losses, hospitalization, learning foreign language, sensuality, pleasure, etc.

When the 12th bhava is strong, i.e with a strong bhava bala (not shadbala - which is for planets), then the native will enjoy all the necessary luxuries and will acquire materials of status and luxury.

If the 2nd lord is well placed then the native does well in a foreign country.

Do you use a specific school of astrology?

Yes, Every astrologer has his expertise in a particular method of Astrology.

Firstly there are two major divisions The Sayana system (Movable Zodiac system) which is followed by the Westerners and The Nirayana system (Fixed Zodiac system) which is followed by the Vedic Hindus in India.

I follow the Nirayana system of astrology in which the line of normal from the center of Earth to the tangent (at the equator) is aligned to Zero degree Aries using the Sidereal system. Here in this system we rectify the calculation by correcting the Ayanamsa error which is about 50 1/3 seconds every year due to the wobbling of Earth.

I use mainly the method elucidated in the classic astrological text of Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra (BPHS - by Parashara) and then to support it I use the techniques listed in the Tajaka by Neelakanta Jyotishi (A system which was used in the regions of Tajakisthan - Tejas Sthan).

Tejas means fast moving and hence is the name of horses which are one of the fastest in the world and hence the name of a nation Tajes-sthan or Tajakisthan.

This system of Tajaka will give us the details of timing and intensity of an event and complements the classic BPHS.

Sheer intuition is bestowed by which planet in vedic astrology?

Mercury signifies Intellect, Sun signifies Consciousness, Jupiter signifies Wisdom but Ketu signifies higher thinking and intuition.

Now, when Ketu is well placed with all the other three planets well placed from the ascendant, then the native will be bestowed with the power of Intuition.

A sudden thought or answer to a query comes to the mind when the person concerned is active and has a clear thought process. A meditative person will be continuously thinking and pondering into issues which concern the mind.

With an active and well placed Ketu will make a person seek answers. We call these minds as researchers or scientists.

Is there any yoga in astrology which shows separation from relatives? What is the effect of this yoga on family?

The 2nd house indicates family (Kutumb) and the 3rd from the 2nd that is the 4th house indicates activity with the family members.

Now when the 2nd is badly placed then the native will not have a good or big family.

But, if the 2nd is well placed or normally placed and the 4th house is malefically placed and weak then there will be differences with close family members.

The 3rd house is the 12th from the 4th and hence signifies separation or distance from close family members. If the 3rd lord is malefically strong and the 4th is weak then there is a possibility of distancing from ones family due to woes.

But, if the 3rd is beneficially placed and strong, the 4th is also well placed then there might be distance between the native and his/her family due to abroad settlement or job, but there will be good relationship and ties between the native and the family members.

What results does the Sun give if placed in Shatabhisha Nakshatra and present in the fourth house of the birth chart?

For Scorpio ascendant the sign Aquarius becomes the 4th house and contains the nakshatra (constellation) Shatabisha which is ruled by Rahu.

Sun being the lord Leo (which is the 7th house from the sign of Aquarius) is said to become weak when placed in the sign of Aquarius (which is ruled by Saturn).

In this case it is placed in the constellation ruled by Rahu. This position is not good and might give health problems and problems in job for the native (since Sun is also the 10th lord).

What effect was mercury combust retrograde and debilitated in the 8th house?

For a Leo ascendant Mercury is the 2nd and the 11th lord and is a partial benefic.

Mercury is placed in the 8th house (sign of Pisces) and is combust due to its closeness to Sun and is also retrograde (is in between Sun and Earth in the solar system).

The exact degree of Mercury is important factor to decide the intensity of combustion.

But, if we assume that Mercury is at least 2 degrees away from Sun, then due to being retrograde it will gain a lot of strength and will shine brightly.

Being a malefic in the 8th (since it is also the 11th lord) it may cause hurdles and confusion in completion of education and also in career.

It is difficult to suggest any remedy without the horoscope details.

What are the yogas that a person sleeps really well in astrology?

Shayanasthana (the place of rest/sleep) is seen from the 12th house from the ascendant. A well placed 12th lord and a vacant 12th house ensures good sleep.

The more the affliction of the 12th house, the more the trouble, activities and anxiety in the persons life.

No planets placed and no aspects is the best for that house.

What is the importance of "Margashirsa Masa" according to Jyotisha Shastra?

Margashira Masa happens when Moon gets Full moon in the constellation (Nakshatra) of Mrigashira.

Mrigashira nakshatra spilts into two halves and the first half is placed in the last piece of Taurus and the second half is the starting piece of Gemini.

If Moon has to be a full moon in Mrigashira, then Sun has to be opposite to it, i.e in the signs of Scorpio or in the sign of Sagittarius.

Full Moon happens when Moon is between 162 and 180 degrees from Sun.

People usually get confused with the periods of Dhanur Masa (the period of Sun transiting over the sign of Sagittarius - approximately between 26 december and 15 January) and the month of Margashira Masa (which is between the new moon and the Amavasya and when it gets full over the constellation of Mrigashira).

In this period Sun is in its weakest position due to the its position in the Ecliptic (the path of Sun around earth - a geocentric concept).

Sun is passing through the trough and will change path and turn and start climbing after it enters into the sign of Capricorn. This is called the Uttarayana patha (The path towards northern hemisphere).

The lowest point of the ecliptic will be deep down in the Southern hemisphere.

Since Sun represents the Soul and the confidence of a person, its weakness will cause insecurity in the society at large (since it is not person specific).

In this period generally it is advised that everyone keep a low profile and limit our transactions. There is a chance of arguments due to misunderstanding.

The best would be to Meditate and be at peace.

Does aspects of planets on mahadasha lord matter during the mahadasha?

Yes, the aspects of planets over the Maha dasha lord matters. If the aspecting planet is a benefic to the ascendant then the influence over the maha dasha lord will be beneficial.

We also have to study the relationship between the aspecting planet and the maha dasha lord. If both are well situated and are friends then the results will be very good.

Is astrology only about our habits?

No, astrology is not only about habits, but to an extent it can show us the way to excel in life by controlling our thought process and gaining absolute focus.

Mindfulness is the most important aspect of life.

What is the Vedic mantra to get job transfer to hometown?

Please understand that Veda Mantras are to be understood and then chanted. There is no mantra in the Vedas which will motivate a transfer to home town.

What is to be done regarding, if a 2nd house marak planet is also a fifth house lord, i.e for Taurus lagna and sits in 11th house?

When planets have dual lordship they sometimes become malefic due to one lordship and beneficial due to the other.

For example : For the Libra ascendant Jupiter is the 3rd and the 6th lord. Sagittarius is the Moola Trikona Position for Jupiter and hence will give more results of the 3rd house.

But, still Jupiter is a malefic for this ascendant.

In this query for Taurus ascendant Mercury is the 2nd lord (lord of Gemini) and hence also referred as a Maraka planet (the one who kills) and is also the 5th lord (lord of house of higher education and children - i.e Virgo).

For Taurus Mercury though owns the 2nd house does not kill (i.e to say - it is a great friend of Venus and hence will lose the status of a Maraka).

What does the Sun and Mercury as ascendant mean if the Sun is 10 or more degrees ahead of Mercury?

The orb of influence of Mercury is about 7 degrees and that of Sun is 15 degrees. When both these planets are in the same Rasi and House (bhava) in a chart and are separated by 10 or more degrees then there is very little mutual influence between each other and hence there is no Budhaaditya yoga (the yoga formed due to a conjunction between Sun and Mercury if Mercury is between 3 to 7 degrees from Sun).

The placement of Sun in ascendant and Mercury in ascendant have to be studied individually.

Is a planet having a degree between 20-30 has no effect?

Why should a planet lose its strength only because it is posited in the 3rd drekkana (20 degs to 30 degs)?

There is no reason for this.

Each sign is divided into 5 equal parts of 6 degrees each and each part starting from the 1st is named as Baalya (childhood), 2. Koumarya (Adolescent), 3. Youvana (Youth), 4. Vridhhapya (Old age) and 5. Mrityu (Death).

This is in the same order in odd signs (Aries, Gemini, Leo, etc.) and in the reverse order in Even signs (Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, etc.).

When a planet like Saturn (which represents old age) is posited in the Baalyavastha (over the status of childhood) it does not give good results and like wise when Moon (which represents childhood) when placed over the status of old age will give negative results (or will become weak and slow which may cause delays).

Other that this there should be no reason for a planet to simply lose strength after the 20th degree of any given sign (until it gets debilitated in that sign and at that degree).

Does a benefic planet become afflicted or weak if it goes in the Trik houses (6, 8, 12)?

It depends on the lordship of the benefic planet.

For example:

1. Jupiter is the 3rd and the 6th lord for Libra ascendant and when it is placed in the 8th or the 12th gives rise to a Vipareet Raj yoga.
2. Venus is considered as a natural benefic. In the case of Gemini ascendant Venus is the 12th and the 5th lord. When it is placed in the 8th house ( in the sign of Capricorn) it might give difficulties to the native with regard to marriage and married life, but since being the 5th lord and being placed in the 8th (i.e 4th from the 5th house) the native will benefit by doing good in education and higher studies.

Hence we are required to study this aspect of benefics or even malefics being placed in the Trik sthanas (the 6/8/12th houses from the ascendant) separately for each chart since they will mostly be unique.

What is the effect of lord of 7th house Mars is debilitated?

Mars is the 7th lord for two ascendants i.e Taurus and Libra.

Mars debilitated in the sign of Cancer and it is the 3rd house from Taurus and the 10th from Libra.

The effect of debilitation for Taurus is more negative since Mars is the signifier of the 3rd house and when it is placed in the 3rd house and is debilitated the native will suffer due to lack of confidence.

In the case of the ascendant being Libra the native will have difficulties in professional stability since the 10th house falls in the sign of Cancer and there the 7th and 2nd lord Mars is debilitated.

What happens for a Leo ascendant when the 4th lord occupies the 5th house?

4th lord for a Leo ascendant is Mars and when it occupies the 5th house it gains strength.

4th in 5th gives rise to a strong Raja yoga with regard to Education.

The native might get into technical education.

How will covid 19 affect education, career, and job opportunities for freshers? Also, will students be able to go abroad for higher education 2 years down the line?

The most important thing this Covid 19 has taught everyone in this world is that One’s family and its members are the most valuable people in this world.

The real meaning of Family life and affection has been rekindled.

This was the major problem with the present generation, due to their fast life.

Now, connecting with people and friends has given confidence to every one and especially for students.

The world will change the way it is for human beings after we win over Covid 19.

The perceptions and the way of life (life styles) will also change. With this changing scenario students will become more focused and attentive towards education and the world will witness a great growth in the coming two years. Students will become more self reliant and self conscious.

Going abroad for education will still be open and those who aspire will have the chance. It once again depends on each and every individual.

Is it true that an ascendant in Libra (1st house) is very powerful?

When the ascendant falls in Libra it makes the native Conscious of his/her surroundings, good in business, gives discretionary power (decision making), Practical, etc.

I think a person with these qualities is regarded powerful in this era, where acute judgmental qualities are rare to find.

Will a person destined to get married as promised in his horoscope surely marry in this life, or are there any exceptions that happened?

If a person is destined to marry in his life, then yes he will go through marriage.

But, again this destiny is to read through his chart and what we interpret will not always be conclusive. This is because there might be combinations which give marriage, but there might also be combinations which may cancel the yoga.

So, cancellation of yogas and the placement of bhadhakadhipathi (the planet which causes hurdles) is to be analysed before judging a horoscope.

Which planets indicate Gruha Yogam in our birth chart?

Its a combination of planets and bhavas (houses) which gives rise to Gruha Yoga (the combination for owning a house).

Its a dream for every individual to own a house. Some times house building becomes easy and the native with good planetary positions will not go through any pain in the process of building or in the process for shifting into the property. But, in many cases it is not easy at all. There is a local saying which says "Building a House is as difficult as getting your daughter married to the right person".

The parameters for owing a house are:

1. Mercury (Signifies land/plot)

2. Jupiter (Signifies Air)

3. Mars (Signifies Earth)

4. 4th house and its lord (signify the place of stay)

5. Venus (Signifies architecture/design/luxury)

When lagna (ascendant) signifies place of birth, the 4th from it signifies the place of stay. To buy a landed property it is required that in a horoscope, the placement of Mercury plays an important role. Its influence on the 4th house or the 4th lord will give the native a strong chance to own a landed property in its dasha period.

The transit of Saturn and Jupiter on the 4th / 10th makes the 4th strong (if they both are not retro). Only in some cases a retro Jupiter will help in buying property which is far away from the natives birth place. Like an NRI buying a land in India or vise-versa.

If there is a strong influence of natal Jupiter (Jupiter in the horoscope) on the 4th house or the 4th lord, then the native will buy a flat (elevated from ground) in an apartment. Jupiter signifies elevated lands and an elevated seat. It also signifies big and spacious buildings.

Venus's influence on the 4th will give artistic touch to the property. The native will hire architects to build the house and hence the house will be luxurious and beautiful.

If the 6th house is influenced by the 4th lord or vice-versa, then the native will build the house after borrowing loan from financial institutions.

Mars plays an important role as to buying a large landed property, wherein the native may plan to build a house and use the rest of the land for business. Mars is taken to be a natural malefic, but in the case of house building, Mars and Rahu are considered good, since they represent accumulation of material wealth.

If the native has a favorably posited Saturn in his chart, then there will not be any labor problem. But, in the case wherein Saturn is ill posited or debilitated, then there would be delay in the construction due to labor problems.

Which retrograde graha gives good results in which Bhav or house and also friends lord give good results?

Retrograde planets behave very differently.

This is not a easy topic to discuss and hence will be giving you one example in detail:

A comparative study of Normal Mars with that to Retro Mars

We need to first understand where Mars is posited, i.e. in which sign. Whether it is placed in its friends sign, enemies or in a neutral sign. As we know, Mars is friends with Sun, Moon and Jupiter and hence its placement in the signs owned by these three planets will be beneficial compared to its placement in other signs. Also the lordship of Mars (ex. Being the 4th lord or the 5th lord from the ascendant) is an important factor in horoscope analysis.

In this article in general the behavior of a person with a Retro Mars as to the person with a Normal Mars is discussed.

1. A normal Martian is an aggressive person (outwardly), i.e, he is basically an extrovert. Retro Mars makes him an introvert person. Retro Mars will not show his aggression outwardly but will keep it inside him and will use it for his self defense and development. He will be more goal oriented and uses his strength, courage and aggression in a proper planned manner. Being aggressive he will do many things in life, i.e, he will focus on achievements. For ex. Being a runner i.e, marathon runner, cyclist, a good determined sports person, boxer, athlete, fitness oriented, body building, policeman, soldier, etc.

A normal Martian’s aggression generally gets converted into anger and hence his development is less. In this case he would be commanding, ruling, showing off his strength, etc.

2. A Retro Mars in ascendant will be soft towards his family members and relationships. His mind-set will be different and would be ready to help people whenever it is required. A Retro Mars will have more friends compared to a normal Mars.

3. A normal Mars will compete and compare with others but a Retro Mars will compete with himself. Retro Mars is like a controlled fire. Normal Mars will act first and think later but a Retro Mars will think first and act later. This is one of the major differences between Direct Mars and Retro Mars.

4. In specific areas and sports wherein you need to think fast and act, Retro Mars will be in a more advantageous position. Ex. F1 driving – Retro Mars will win over normal Mars.

5. In some positions normal Mars is more important than a Retro Mars. When a Retro Mars has to choose between options then it becomes difficult for him. Ex. If he likes a girl, he would take lot of time to act since he will waste time in thinking and deciding.

6. Retro Mars is a good problem solver but at times fails to be a good leader. Since in every situation one cannot keep thinking and react later.

7. Retro Mars doesn’t have a strong vigour. A normal Mars is a good and strong leader. Ex. if in case while landing a flight wheels don’t come out of the hatch, a normal Mars can act fast because of his immense courage and vigour and risk taking ability, but a Retro Mars will not be able to do so.

We can say that a direct Mars can go ahead and plunge into danger and sacrifice his life for the good of others.

8. Retro Mars is good for his family and himself. He becomes aggressive inwardly i.e. an extrovert person becomes introvert. But a direct Mars if has strong positive influences can do wonders for the society.

9. Retrograde Mars is regarded as the strongest position of Mars. Mars becomes Retro only when Mars is closer to earth. In this case, Chestha bala of Mars is very high and it directly influences the native.

When Mars is farthest from earth that means Mars is behind sun i.e. all the three are in line Mars-Sun-Earth and in this case Mars loses its strength.

10. A Retro Mars in a lagna is a very good combination provided it is not influenced by any malefic planet. This combination helps in bringing out a change in the society.

Retro Mars is a better fighter because it gives the native logical interpretation, patience, perseverance and a plan to execute it. Regular Mars lacks planning but has the aggression.

With regard to Medical Terms

Regular Mars will give good strength, good hearing capacity, blood count, etc. Retro Mars will decrease all these aspects.

Wherever Mars is posited it affects that particular organ of the body. If a normal Mars is placed in 8th, it gives Madhyaayu (medium longevity). In case of Retro Mars, the case becomes more severe, like Retro Mars in 8th can make a person short lived (if there are no other supportive planetary yogas present in the chart). Can be anemic, it can also go to an extent of spoiling a particular organ on which it influences. This happens when there is a strong malefic influence of Ketu, Rahu, Saturn, etc.

What are the astrology myths that have been busted?

There are many myths which are not exactly mentioned in the classics, but have been spread from person to person from many years.

1.Mangal Dosha or Kuja Dosha (Manglik)

Traditional texts have mention that Mangal Dosha is formed if When Kuja (Mars) is placed in the 1st ,2nd ,4th ,7th ,8th and 12th houses from ascendant or Chandra. It is mentioned in some texts and commentaries given by earlier astrologers that when Mars is placed in the 5th from the ascendant or the Chandra also then Mangal Dosha is formed.

Now many have understood and come in terms with the concept of Mangal Dosha. The dosha in its entirety cannot be taken as a malefic placement, but, the intricacies have to be studied and understood.

Mars gives confidence and logical thinking. This, if found in a modern chart of a female, is now-a-days considered good. This is because most of the grooms wish to have a career oriented spouse as their life partner. This has changed the way we should analyse this dosha.

After analysis of the different positions of Mars, very less placements are to be taken seriously in these times of satellite family systems. The concept of joint family system has dried up and nuclear families have multiplied. In these nuclear families, the home maker the woman has to be strong willed and minded to support her husband both financially and emotionally. For this Mars is required to be placed in certain houses which was earlier considered Manglik. In the present scenario it becomes a bala (strength) and can be called Kuja Bala (Strength of Mars).

The dosha of Mars makes the person sharp tongued, frank in opinion and aggressive.

There are a few instances when the native does not fear to cross ethical boundaries due to the malefic strength of Mars (if it is malefically afflicted) which makes the native take illogical decisions.

Hence a profound study has to be done before arriving at conclusions.

This is a very important Myth which is busted, but many still believe in the Dosha.

2. Kalasarpa Yoga or Kalasarpa dosha

The name Kalasarpa in the astrological study means the clockwise arc between the rahu and ketu, inclusive of rahu and ketu degree points.

Most of it is a myth since the term Kalasarpa Dosha or Kalasarpa Yoga has not been discussed in Classics. Although, many ancient scholars have discussed about this subject in-depth.

There are many variations of Kalasarpa, I have deliberated a few below :-

1. If all planets are situated between Rahu and Ketu including the Ascendant

2. If all planets are situated between Rahu and Ketu excluding the Ascendant

3. If all the planets are situated between Rahu and Ketu but one or two planets are conjunct with Rahu or Ketu

4. If all the planets are posited between Ketu and Rahu and as above condition.

Horoscope with any of the above said conditions is said to have KSY.

After a lot of study and analysis, the natives with Kalasarpa Yoga do not have to fear dire consequences, since the negative effects of this yoga have been hyped.

KSY gives good effects depending on the position of planets. It can confer High Status, Financial Prosperity and Luxuries.

Dr. B.V Raman, in his book of "Three Hundred Important Combinations" has requested the general public to change their perspective towards this yoga and relax their mindsets and not to fall prey to faulty astrologers who inculcate fear into their clients and force them pay large sums of money towards performing poojas and homas.

To conclude, let us put it this way, "there is no such yoga, and still if there is one, it is not that negative".

As per vedic astrology, why do some create fear about the 5-Planet alignment happening at the end of Dec 2019, why cannot this be for good of everyone?

5 planetary placements happen in the sign of Saggitarius for a period between 26th Dec and 13th Jan. The planets involved are Saturn, Ketu, Jupiter, Mercury, Sun and on 26th and 27th Moon also will be involved (so for two days there would be 6 planets in one sign).

It would be a grave mistake by any astrologer to inflict fear into a person. There is nothing to fear as not all planets will be close by or be in conflict.

This combination of planets have different lordships and play a particular role when posited in the sign of Sagittarius. The results will certainly vary due to the houses they are from different ascendants.

If it is the 8th from Taurus, it would be the 12th from Capricorn and it would be the 6th from Cancer. People born in these ascendants have to be cautious for this small period of time. Do not take sudden decisions, key decisions, travel and be cautious when partying (this since it is New Year Eve).

Even for other signs such as Gemini, the ascendant lord Mercury is involved in the 7th and with so many planets in the 7th, it would be important that they do not get into argument with their spouse or an intimate friend.

The time would be good for the sign of Libra for the 3rd house is filled and the ascendant lord Venus would have moved to the 4th house (capricorn) and Mars is placed in its own house Scorpio.

Likewise, the results vary for each ascendant.

After all this, it would important to verify the promise which is projected in each chart individually and only then decide.

Why are astrologers so active in YouTube at present?

A free platform like Youtube can be used to deliver a message, impart knowledge and also spread your presence globally.

Everyone, from Hairstylists, Specialists in Recipes, Doctors, Engineers, Scientists, Educationists, Artists, etc. are all using free platforms to showcase their talent and skill.

Astrology is a science with immense base of knowledge and likewise needs to be spread, so that the general public will understand its importance and real applicability.

According to astrology, when will a person lose or not get the ancestral property?

The planets concerned with landed property are Mars, Mercury, Jupiter and Sun.

The 4th lord and the 4th house indicate the type of house the native will live in. It also represents the environment in which the house is located.

The 8th house represents Parental Property since it is the 5th from the 4th (Poorvapunya sthana from the 4th house) and also the 12th from the 9th (the property that was left by the natives father/ancestors).

If there is a strong malefic in the 8th house with a strong benefic in the 4th the native will benefit from ancestral property.

The 8th if is posited with a yogakaraka planet then the native will get a huge share or the whole lot of the property.

If the 8th is posited with the ascendant lord with a strong friendly planet also then the native will benefit

if there is a natural benefic (like Jupiter or Moon) and it is not a yoga karaka planet with Rahu/Ketu with it, then the native will face a lot of difficulties and would require to fight a case to get the property or may not get it at all (depends on other factors too).

There are too many combinations for this query and I have illustrated a few of them.

What is the position of the planets of a drunkard in astrology?

Moon signifies alcohol and if it is malefically associated or placed in trik sthanas (6th , 8th or the 12th ) then there is a chance that the native would have tendencies towards alcohol.

In the above situation if the ascendant lord is weak and the ascendant is aspected by a malefic then the person can become a drunkard.

Every chart has to be meticulously analysed to understand the formation and cancellation of yogas to determine whether the native has a strong character or not.

Many people have drinking habits, but not all of them are called drunkards. I am referring the word ‘drunkards’ to those people who lose their control after consuming alcohol (or they drink so much that they ultimately lose control).

Rahu is one of the main malefics which is involved in this combination with Moon. Other planets like the weak Mercury, afflicted Mars and so on also will influence the planetary combinations.

How will a person become mad according to astrology?

Buddhi Jada Yoga (The yoga in which a man loses his strength to use his intelligence) defines as to the positions of planets which will make a man a dunce.

If the Ascendant lord conjoins evil planets.

Saturn occupies the 5th (the house of creativity and imagination)

Ascendant lord is aspected by or conjoins Saturn.

Mathi Bramana yoga (The yoga in which a person will go blank or will be day dreaming)

Ascendant lord is weak and is aspected by evil planets like Rahu/Ketu etc.

Ascendant is associated or aspected by Saturn

Mercury is weak and is malefically disposed

Buddhi Manda Roga Yoga (The combination of retardedness or very low in intellect)

There are many combinations which lead to slowness or retardedness, a few are as follows: -

The Ascendant lord is placed in the 6th (the house of illness) or with the 6th lord and with Saturn placed in the Ascendant.

The combination of Mercury (Buddhi - Intellect), Manda (Saturn) and Roga (6th house or 6th lord)

Moon in the 6th house with Rahu and the ascendant is weak with Saturn posited in it.

It should be verified in the respective divisional charts too to confirm the above results.

When Mars is associated with the above combinations then the native will be aggressive in behaviour.

Which zodiac signs give the best advice?

Every Zodiac Sign has its own expertise. Being an expert in a particular subject makes a person eligible for advice.

Lets take each sign one by one and see what areas these natives can become / are expert in (naturally), keeping aside the influences of planets due to their placements.

Aries (lord of the sign is Mars) - Martial Arts expert, Officer in Army, Sports (Out door mainly), Surgeons, etc.

Taurus (lord of the sign Venus) - Businessmen, Traders, Agriculturists, Floriculturists, Artists, Actors, Models, Designers, Body Builders, etc.

Gemini (lord of the sign Mercury) - Businessmen, Engineers, Mathematicians, Indoor Games, Computer Science Engr, Law makers, News Anchors, Language Specialists, etc.

Cancer (lord of the sign Moon) - Swimmers, Painters, Chemical Engrs, Commercial Bankers, Teachers, Preachers, Dentists, etc.

Leo (lord of the sign Sun) - Physicians, Cardiac, Ortho and Gynaec Surgeons, Ayurvedic Doctors, Vedic Practitioners (Scriptures generally), Jewelers, Engrs in Core subjects, Officer in Govt. Service, etc.

Virgo (lord of the sign Mercury) - Chartered Accountants, Bankers, Dramatists, Writers, Professors, Journalists, Editors, etc.

Libra (lord of the sign Venus) - Share market and Online Traders, Investment Bankers, Film Producers, Entrepreneurs, Marketing Executives, etc.

Scorpio (lord of sign Mars) - Police Officers, Detectives, Spies, Electrical Engrs, Politicians, Automobile Engrs, Head of Research and Development of Products, etc.

Sagittarius (lord of sign Jupiter) - Professors, Human Resource Managers, Mentors, Neuro Surgeons, Magistrates and Judges, etc.

Capricorn (lord of sign Saturn) - Social Workers, Soldiers, Masons, Historians, Geologists, Book Keepers and Accountants, Industrialists, Hostel Wardens, Hoteliers, etc.

Aquarius (lord of sign Saturn) - Psychologists, Child care experts, Paediatricians, Quality Mangers, Operations Expert, Welfare managers, Legal Expert, Urologists, etc.

Pisces (lord of sign Jupiter) - Accountants, Builders, Realestate Businessmen, Bankers, Preachers, Teachers, Swimmers, Counselors, etc.

When should you see a transit from Lagna, when from the moon and when from Jupiter?

This is one of the most important queries in the subject of Planetary Transit.

Firstly, we all know that a thought provokes an action and an action makes history. How does a new thought arise in ones mind? When does a person think of doing something? Which planet activates his mind? It is the Moon.

To know the events that are thought provoked we need to see the transit from Moon.

Secondly, all those material manifestations, physical manifestations that happen in our life (where our thought process has nothing to do with) has to be judged by the position of the ascendant and the ascendant lord.

For example, If a person has to attend a function, it is his prerogative to attend it or not, but after he decides to attend it, he has very little to do with the seating provided, ambiance around him, the music, the people invited to the function, the food, etc. All these are physical manifestations which one has no part to decide prior but have to go through the experience.

Another example is that One decides to attend a function (a positive thought of the mind) but on the way his car meets with an accident (a physical hindrance) and he is not able to make it to the function. Now was it his thought was weak or the physical hurdle in the nature of an accident was a stronger force to stop him proceed?

Hence to understand the material acquisitions, physical surroundings and comfort, events like accidents, unforeseen events, operations, etc. , have to be analysed by analyzing the transit of planets from the ascendant and not from the Moon.

For Marriage and Conjugal happiness (to fix up a muhurtha - auspicious timing) we need to calculate the transit from Venus

For Higher studies and Business prospects we need to see it from Jupiter

For Mothers health we need to see it from Moon

For Fathers health and the natives confidence (since Sun represents psyche - Soul) we need to see it from the Sun.

Analysis of mutual positions of planets is very important in knowing how events will turnout.

Hope this article will have triggered a new way of looking into the chart for Students of Astrology.

Can an astrology chart reveal the religion of a person ?

If you analyse the D1 (Rasi Kundali), D9 (Navamsa Kundali) and the D24 (Siddhamsha or Chaturvimshamsa Kundali) one can understand the type of person the native is.

The planets which are guiding him in forming his character will suggest as to what his belief system would be like.

Belief systems are nothing but isms in a brief sense. Lets not go till the facts of finding out the religion a native is pertaining to. Since many people do not follow in practice the religion they are born into.

Then what is a religion if you do not follow it.

The real religion is the one the person is following in his way of life. This can be surely deduced from the horoscope of a person.

As to whether the person respects Honesty, respects rights of Women, Listens to others, Ethical, Compassionate, etc.

So, if you are an ardent follower of a religion, it should be reflecting in the way you think and your practices and hence in the chart too.