Summary: Planetary indicators (Karakas) of a range of physiological, psychological, and sociological phenomena related to an individual and which can be read from their birth-chart
In Vedic astrology planets are used as indicators (Karakas) of a range of physiological, psychological, and sociological phenomena that relate to the individual. Vedic astrology sees the whole cosmos and all the people in it as part of an inter-connected whole. So, in this system, the planetary positions at birth just represent coded information about a person’s returning karmas. It is the job of the astrologer to decode this information and translate it into actual predictions. Vedic astrologers do not consider planets to emit some sort of force, rather they represent information in a codified way.
If a planet is ‘well placed’ in a birth chart, then all its indicated associations are likely to be very positive for the individual concerned. If the planet is ‘poorly placed’, then its associations are likely to provide some degree of difficulty, obstacles or challenges.
By ‘well placed’ we mean a planet in a favourable sign, such as its own or exalted sign, or in a good house (e.g. the 5th or 9th) or well aspected by a planet that has positive associations (a ‘benefic’) for that ascendant. By ‘poorly placed’ we mean the planet is in an unfavourable sign (e.g. weakened or debilitated) or an unfavourable house (e.g. 6th, 8th, 12th), or aspected by a planet with negative associations (a ‘malefic’) for that particular ascendant.
So for example, if the sun in a person’s birth chart is exalted (i.e. in its sign of exaltation – Aries sidereal), or in the 9th house (even better if both exalted and in 9th!) we can expect that person to have excellent health and well-being (physiological indications): good self-esteem, power and influence (psychological indications): good relationships with his father (sociological indications): and be interested in self-realisation and personal evolution (other indicators).
If the sun was poorly placed in a birth chart (e.g. in its sign of debilitation [Libra sidereal] or in the 6th, 8th, 12th houses or aspected by a malefic influence) then we could expect possible health problems, lack of self-esteem, maybe problems with father, etc.
Of course, there are many other indicators and subtle layers of chart interpretation, but this principle is fundamental to assessing an individual’s chart. It is a cornerstone of the subject.
Sun
Physiological Indications: Health and general well-being
Psychological Indications: Power and influence
Sociological Indications: Father
Other Indications: Self-realisation
Moon
Physiological Indications: Fertility, heart, younger years
Psychological Indications: Mind, memory, emotions, happiness
Sociological Indications: Mother
Other Indications: Affluence
Mars
Physiological Indications: Energy, stamina
Psychological Indications: Drive, courage, ambition
Sociological Indications: Younger siblings
Other Indications: Military, enemies, property
Mercury
Physiological Indications: Nervous system, speech
Psychological Indications: Logic, intelligence, education
Sociological Indications: Friends
Other Indications: Business, communication, dance, drama
Jupiter
Physiological Indications: Fat
Psychological Indications: Wisdom
Sociological Indications: Children
Other Indications: Wealth, guru, philosophy, law, religion
Venus
Physiological Indications: Semen
Psychological Indications: Pleasures
Sociological Indications: Wife
Other Indications: Luxury, singing, poetry
Saturn
Physiological Indications: Longevity, bones.
Psychological Indications: Patience, grief, adversity, renunciation
Sociological Indications: Servants
Other Indications: Land, wood, metal
Rahu
Physiological Indications: Strange illnesses
Psychological Indications: Frustrations
Sociological Indications: None
Other Indications: Worldly benefits, gambling, thefts
Ketu
Physiological Indications: Strange illnesses
Psychological Indications: Psychic abilities
Sociological Indications: None
Other Indications: Enlightenment, strange events