Light On Life: An Introduction to the Astrology of India (Arkana)

One way in which deep knowledge is imparted to students of Jyotish is through observations and interpretations like these, which are stored in planetary stories and myths. Part of the sadhana (spiritual path) of Jyotish is to learn these myths and their cosmological import. When well heard and digested, these stories help to integrate Jyotish’s ten

Direction SUN rules the east JUPITER rules the northeast MOON rules the northwest VENUS rules the southeast MARS rules the south SATURN rules the west MERCURY rules the north RAHU and KETU rule the southwest

Karmas are divided into four categories: Sanchita (a collection of all karmas), Prarabdha (the ready-to-be-experienced karmas), Kriyamana (current karmas) and Agama (approaching karmas).

one famous combination states that if a Watery rashi rises in a lagna which is exclusively occupied and aspected by Watery planets (Jupiter, Venus and Moon), the person will be stout. This condition harmonizes well with Ayurveda’s basic principles, which ascribe stoutness mainly to Kapha.

A planet placed in its exaltation degree, or (practically speaking) in any other degree of its constellation of exaltation, attains its strongest placement in a horoscope and so will exhibit its energies, for good or evil, with great intensity. Exalted planets are not, however, always benevolent planets! Whether or not a graha will give good result

Jyotish places so much importance on the Moon because a strong, well-placed Moon tends to produce a stable, enjoyable life, while a disturbed Moon creates imbalances, leading perhaps to addictions or obsessions. Those beings who act from the soul at all times will not of course be much affected by the lowly manas – but then, what need do such saint

Adridha Karmas are said to give non-fixed results because they are easily altered.

MERCURY – Astrology, poetry, speaking, study and learning, writing, clerical work, teaching, sacred knowledge, repetition of mantras, use of numbers, resort to fraud, plagiary, counterfeiting or other trickery; officiating as a priest; artisans and others who require manual dexterity.

GEMINI, LEO, VIRGO, LIBRA, SCORPIO and AQUARIUS rise over the eastern horizon with their beginning portion first; these are called in Sanskrit the shirshodaya or ‘head-rising’ constellations.