Planets as Physiological, Psychological, and Sociological Indicators

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.

A key component of chart interpretation is to know what each of the planets indicates. The following list gives us a basic understanding:

Sun (Surya)

Physiological Indications: Health and general well-being

Psychological Indications: Power and influence

Sociological Indications: Father

Other Indications: Self-realisation

Moon (Chandra)

Physiological Indications: Fertility, heart, younger years

Psychological Indications: Mind, memory, emotions, happiness

Sociological Indications: Mother

Other Indications: Affluence

 Mars (Mangala)

Physiological Indications: Energy, stamina

Psychological Indications: Drive, courage, ambition

Sociological Indications: Younger siblings

Other Indications: Military, enemies, property

 Mercury (Buddha)

Physiological Indications: Nervous system, speech

Psychological Indications: Logic, intelligence, education

Sociological Indications: Friends

Other Indications: Business, communication, dance, drama

Jupiter (Guru)

Physiological Indications: Fat

Psychological Indications: Wisdom

Sociological Indications: Children

Other Indications: Wealth, guru, philosophy, law, religion

 Venus (Shukra)

Physiological Indications: Semen

Psychological Indications: Pleasures

Sociological Indications: Wife

Other Indications: Luxury, singing, poetry

 Saturn (Shani)

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

Planetary Placement Affects The Above Indicators – For Better or Worse

If a planet is ‘well placed’ in a birth chart, then all the above indicated associations are likely to be very positive for the individual concerned.

If the planet is ‘poorly placed’, then all 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 5^th or 9^th) 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. 6^th, 8^th, 12^th), 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 9^th 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 6^th, 8^th, 12^th 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!

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Additional Resources on Jyotish

• • Jyotish Resources for students – Overview
  • Jyotish and Karma
  • Jyotish – Forecasting Analogies
  • Jyotish – Planetary Forces
  • Jyotish – Origins of Vedic Astrology
  • Vedic Astrology – A Paradigm Shift
  • Jyotish – Sidereal Zodiac
  • Vedic and Western Astrology: Key Differences
  • Planetary Strengths or Powers
  • Planetary Antidotes or Remedial Measures
  • A drop down menu for  ‘Indications of Grahas’ (The 9 Planets)  on the Maharishi Jyotish website