The nine planets

Description of nine grahas

The Indian Vedic System of astrology considers only nine planets Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu for horoscope chart construction and prediction.

For understanding the basics of Transit predictions one must understand these nine planets their rashi lordships etc.

The Sun

Sun is the most important planet in vedic astrology. The sun gives light and energy. It is vital for survival on earth. Thus the sun is Atma karaka or responsible for one's soul/atma. The sun rules Leo/Simha sign/rashi. The sun is exalted at 10 deg in the sign Aries / Mesha. It is debilitated at 10Deg in the sign Libra / Thula. It gain Mooltrikona position at 0-20 deg in the sign Leo / simha. The sun is friendly to Moon, Mars and Jupiter, Enemy to Venus and Saturn. Neutral to Mercury. The sun belongs to Kshatriya caste. Sun is the king in social status. It rules the direction east. In the human body it represents the bones. Sun is of Masculine Gender. The sun signifies Physical strength, soul, father, king and royal favors, kingdom, victory, administration and leadership, enlightenment,  courage, gold, copper, pears and ruby.

The Moon

The moon is responsible for human mind. It controls the mind. It's effect on earth are apparent. It produces tides on oceans. The moon rules the sign Cancer / kadaka. It is exalted at 3deg in Taurus / Rishaba. It is debilitated at 3degrees in scorpio / vrichika. It gains moolatrikona at 4-20 deg in Taurus / Rishaba. The Moon is friend of Sun and Mercury. It is neutral to Mars, Jupiter, Venus and saturn. The Moon belongs to Vaishya caste. It is king in social status. It rules the blood in human body. The moon represents watery places. It also rules North-west direction. It is of Feminine Gender. It is also a natural benefic planet. Moon is the significator of Mother, comforts to and from mother, beauty, mind, liquids, water, fish and aquatic animals, sugarcane, salt, brahmins, rainy season, pleasures, white color, silver, bronze, pearls, well, tank, lake, pilgrimage etc.

The Mars

Mars is the planet of courage. Mars is responsible for mensus in women. Mars rules the sign Aries and scorpio. It is exalted at 28deg in capricorn / makara. It is debilitated at 28deg in cancer. It gets mooltrikona at 0-12 degrees in Aries. Mars is friendly to Sun, Moon and Jupiter. Its enemy to mercury. It is neutral to Venus and Saturn. Mars is the commander-in-chief in social status. In belongs to kshatriya caste. It represents place of fire. It rules bone marrow in human body. It belongs to masculine gender. Mars represents the direction South. Mars is Tamasika planet.Mars signifies Courage, Valour, aggressiveness, anger, physical strength, arrogance, combat, administrative capability, commander of an army, burns, fire, red colour, blood.

The Mercury

This is the planet of wisdom and knowledge. Mercury rules the signs Gemini / Mithuna and Virgo / kanya. It is exalted at 15 deg. in Virgo. It is debilitated at 15 deg in pisces. It gains mooltrikona at 16-20 deg in Virgo. It is friendly to Sun and Venus. Mercury is enemy of Moon. It is neutral to Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. It represent speech in respect of Kaala-purusha. In social status mercury is Heir-apparent. Mercury rules skin in human body. In Gender it is Eunuchs. It rules the North direction. Mercury signifies Education, Knowledge, learning, scholarship, mathematics, astrology, writing, oratory, speech, good conversation, power of expression, intelligence, humility, editorship, autumn, maternal grandfather, maternal uncle, skills in mantras, yantras and tantric knowledge, shudra caste etc.

The Jupiter

The most benefic planet in astrology is Jupiter. Jupiter's aspect is considered most beneficial. Jupiter rules the signs Sagittarius / Danush and Pisces / Meena. It is exalted at 5 deg in cancer / kadaka. It is debilitated at 5 deg at capricorn / makara. It gets mooltrikona at 0-10 deg Sagittarius. Jupiter is friend to Sun, Moon and Mars. It is enemy to Mercury and Venus. It is neutral to Saturn. Jupiter belongs to Brahmin caste. It represents Wisdom and comforts. In direction it rules North - East. In human body Jupiter rules Fat. Jupiter is a significator of Sons and daughters, grandchildren, wealth, treasure, astrology, astronomy, place of pilgrimage, a man of law, a judge, self-respect, valour, yellow cloth, yellow topaz, yellow colour, elder brother, gold, honey, turmeric, salt, cows and fat in the body.


Venus

Venus rules the rashis Taurus / Rishaba and Libra / Tula. Venus is exalted at 27 deg in pisces / meena. It is debilitated at 27deg in Virgo / kanya rasi. It is said to be in mooltrikona at 0-15 deg  in Libra. Venus is a friend of Mercury and Saturn. Venus is enemy of Sun and Moon. Venus is neutral to Mars and Jupiter. Venus is a natural benefic. Venus rules seminal fluid in respect of Kaala-purusha tatwa. In social status Venus is Minister. Venus represents South - East direction. Venus is of Feminine Gender. It belongs to Brahmin caste. Venus signifies Wife, woman, marriage, conjugal bliss, sexual adventures, overindulgence in sex, sexual perversions, possessing many women, ornaments, fame, fine arts, music, dance, singing, poetry, drama, vehicles, elephants, horses, cattle, cotton, pearls, ghee, curd, gold, silver, land etc.

Saturn

This is the most malefic planet in astrology. Saturn's aspect is considered worst for  a house / bhava. It's sade sati or seven and half period is also feared at. Saturn rules Capricorn / Makara and Aquarius / Kumbha. Saturn is exalted at 20deg in Libra / Tula rasi. It is debilitated at 20 degrees in the sign Aries / Mesha. It is said to be in moolatrikona at 0-20 degrees in Aquarisus / kumbha. Saturn is a friend of Mercury and Venus. It is enemy of Sun, Moon and Mars. It is neutral to Jupiter. In social status Saturn is the servant. Saturn rules miseries in respect of the Kaala-purusha tatwa. Saturn is of Shudra caste. In belongs to Eunuchs Gender. In human body it rules Nerves. It represents dirty places, sites of refuse disposal. In direction it rules West. Saturn signifies Longevity, sufferings, misery, ill-health, sorrow, distress, death, humiliation, servility, stupidity, eunuch, sins, cruelty, old age, infamy, association with the wicked, horses, dogs, oil, wood, black metal, iron, lead, black grains, the servant class, multitudes, laborers.

Rahu-Ketu

Rahu and Ketu are not real planets. They are the nodes or axis of moon. They don't have any signs to rule.

The above nine planets form the foundation to astrology and horoscope predictions. One must be well versed with the above concepts to understand the fundamentals of astrology.