The divine science of astrology is a wonderful asset to mankind. It unfolds the uncertainties in life, reduces tensions and enables one to move in the right direction. It deals with various aspects of human life such as health- physical and mental, business, social status, financial prosperity, name and fame, emotional stability, etc. The predictive astrology gives us firm indications in life pertaining to the future events, right at birth. The preventive astrological remedial measures at the same time help further by reducing the impact of malefic planetary influences and harness the significations ruled by benefic planets, in a nativity.
The world dreads AIDS, cancer, cardio-vascular diseases, psychiatric problems, etc. The modern systems of medicine whether allopathic and/or alternative medicines offer us stray guiding factors for preventing these dreaded diseases or early detection of these so that these can respond to symptomatic treatment. No other science/system has the twin capacity to forewarn and forearm. The divine science of astrology offers the preventive remedies for such diseases wherever possibility of such a disease is indicated.
We come across malfunctioning of functional health at the time of birth where the individual concerned has no role to play in abuse of his food habits, etc. Astrology relates it to the deeds of the past life based on the theory of Karma. We are not trying to create here any orthodoxy or blind faith or fatalism. We wish to share with you our experience in the application of the science of astrology in the administration of preventive and curative astrological remedies, timing of the diseases and recovery.
The timing is done with the help of the horoscope which is a record of the planetary position prevailing at the time of the birth of a particular person at a particular place. This is the most valuable gift of Vedas to mankind and is an Indian legacy. All sciences depend on the experience by way of observations and analysis of logical hypothesis developed and tested based on these observations. It is really painful when such a useful gift to mankind is just termed as a superstition without even giving a trial by the so-called rationalists.
Despite phenomenal growth in the modern healing sciences, permanent cure for the functional health problems, be it in the fields of psychological problems, cardiovascular problems, renal problems, asthmatic problems, liver problems, immunization power of the body, etc., has not been found. Astrology offers us preventive diagnostic power and astral remedies both for preventive as well as curative measures. Administering medicine is supported manifold when combined with the astral remedies. The operating planetary periods indicate the time frame for recovery. This in turn gives patience and results of the symptomatic treatment both to the doctor and the patient.
SALIENT FEATURES OF SYSTEMS’ APPROACH
ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES
Events/indications in life are ruled by the inter-play of the planets, houses, signs and planetary periods. The planets during their operating periods bless the native with the significations ruled by them depending upon their strength and placement in a particular horoscope. Identifying the weakness/affliction of planets is not at all a difficult job and can be learnt by beginners or non-astrologers with the help of the book “SELF LEARNING COURSE IN ASTROLOGY”.
Dual competence of the medical personnel will help humanity at large and will enhance satisfaction and personal eminence of the medical practitioners. Besides the above stated diseases, astral remedies tackle the problems of sterility, impotency, help in getting a healthy male child in addition to other areas of life governed by the same planet e.g. professional growth, harmonious married life, acquisition of wealth/property and status. For example, one with defects in the right eye suffers in his professional growth, suffers from loss of status, problems in married life and would be vulnerable to cardiovascular diseases, thyroid glands, etc. At the same time, one with phenomenal ambitions will have nervous breakdown, acidity and runs the risk of a paralytic attack. We hope this gives a clear understanding of the linkage between the planetary strengths and diseases, general problems in life, etc.
FUNCTIONAL NATURE OF PLANETS
Functional nature of the planets is the key analytical factor in the horoscopic analysis. Besides Rahu and Ketu, planets whose mooltrikona signs are in the malefic houses (sixth, eighth and twelfth) with reference to the ascendant, act as the functional malefic planets in a nativity. For this purpose, under the Systems’ Approach the sign Cancer is considered as the mooltrikona sign of the Moon.
Besides Rahu and Ketu, following are the functional malefic planets for various ascendants:
Ascendant Functional Malefics
1.Aries (Mesh) Mercury
2.Taurus (Vrishbha) Mars, Venus and Jupiter
3Gemini (Mithun) None
4.Cancer (Karkata) Jupiter and Saturn
5.Leo (Simha) The Moon
6.Virgo (Kanya) The Sun, Saturn and Mars
7.Libra (Tula) Mercury
8.Scorpio (Vrishchak) Venus and Mars
9.Sagittarius (Dhanu) The Moon
10.Capricorn (Makar) The Sun and Jupiter
11.Aquarius (Kumbh) The Moon and Mercury
12.Pisces (Mina) The Sun, Venus and Saturn
SPECIAL IMPACT OF RAHU & KETU
Though under the Systems’ Approach, Rahu and Ketu have been categorized as functional malefics, yet in exceptional cases, when Rahu is well placed in a mooltrikona sign, does not cause any conjunction or close aspect with other houses/planets and its dispositor is strong, Rahu too, gives good results during the course of its sub-periods for materialistic prosperity. Rahu and Ketu in exaltation state give materialistic benefits while debilitated Rahu and Ketu involve one in exposed scandals and acute physical sufferings, respectively. Generally, Rahu/Ketu give malignant growth of the aspects and signification of the planets under their close influence through aspect or conjunction.
MEASURING STRENGTH OF HOUSES
The strength of the houses and the signs is gauged through the strength of their lords and the conjunctions/aspects to the most effective point of the houses.
CLOSE CONJUNCTIONS
When two or more planets have the same longitudes, they are conjunct with each other. The conjunction can be exact or close. If the difference in longitudes happens to be less than one degree the resulting conjunction is known as exact conjunction. If the difference in longitudes happens to be within five degrees, the same is known as a close conjunction.
AFFLICTED PLANETS
The afflictions to the planets or houses are caused by the close conjunction or aspect of the functional malefics in a nativity. The significations of the houses having mooltrikona sign of an afflicted planet are harmed more when such planets are weak too. The planets in dusthanas are also treated as weak planets.
THE MOST MALEFIC INFLUENCE
Mostly, the people seeking advantage of astrology remember it in the time of distress. Therefore, the first thing is to gauge the strength of the planets so that the malefic influences on the weak planets can be analyzed. The most malefic influence in a nativity is that of the lord of the eighth house if it contains a mooltrikona sign. However, if it does not contain a mooltrikona sign, the title of the most malefic planet passes on to the lord of the twelfth house if there is a mooltrikona sign.
Further, if, both the eighth and the twelfth houses do not contain a mooltrikona sign, then the title of the most malefic planet passes on to Ketu.
The close impact of the planets is gauged through their closeness to the natal positions i.e. a longitudinal distance of less than 5 degrees. Besides the natal position of the planets, there is mid-point or the most effective point of each house known by the degree rising in the ascendant. Suppose an ascendant of 16 degrees rises.
It means the mid-point or the most effective point of each house would be 16 degrees. The most malefic planets in any house having a longitude between 11 to 21 degrees would malefically influence the most effective point of the house of its placement and the house(s)/ planet(s) aspected by it or the planet(s) in conjunction with it.
ASCENDANT MOST MALEFIC PLANET (MMP)
Aries Ketu
Taurus Jupiter
Gemini Ketu
Cancer Saturn
Leo The Moon
Virgo Mars
Libra Mercury
Scorpio Venus
Sagittarius The Moon
Capricorn The Sun
Aquarius Mercury
Pisces Venus
If the planet or the lord of the house, with which the most malefic planet is forming a close conjunction/aspect, is strong and well placed, this most malefic planet creates tension(s) with regard to the matters represented by the house/planet involved. When the afflicted planet is weak, the significations suffer seriously. When the afflicted planet is weak and badly placed, it results in tragic happenings. To understand the difference between tension, serious trouble and tragic happenings consider the situations of fever, jaundice and the loss of a limb ruled by the concerned planet, respectively. The transit impact of slow moving stationary malefic planets triggers the trouble. When the affliction is close to the mid-point of the house, significations of all the houses involved, that is the house occupied and the house(s) aspected, suffer. In the case of the afflicted planets, besides their general significations, the significations of the house (i) where the mooltrikona sign is placed, and (ii) significations of the house where the planet is placed, suffer.
Weak Planets
A weak planet is not capable of fully protecting/promoting its general significations and the significations of its mooltrikona sign house during the course of its sub-periods and the transit malefic influences. Any planet is considered weak if:
a) it is combust due to its nearness to the Sun.
b) it occupies malefic houses from the ascendant except when in its own moolatrikona sign.
c) it occupies its sign of debilitation.
d) it is in the state of infancy or old-age.
e) it occupies debilitated sign in navamsa.
f) it occupies the mooltrikona sign of a weak planet.
g) it is the Moon within 72 degrees either side of the Sun.
h) it is conjunct or aspected by any functional malefic planet within an orb of one degree.
i) the most effective point of its house of placement is afflicted by a functional malefic planet within an orb of one degree.
j) the most effective point of its moolatrikona sign is afflicted by a functional malefic planet within an orb of one degree.
DESCENDING ORDER OF WEAKNESS OF PLANETS IS: j), i), h), a), b), c), d), e), f) and g).
NOTE: when the exact affliction comes from:
1) a conjunction with/ aspect from the MMP,
2) an aspect from a FMP placed in a dusthana,
3) a conjunction with Rahu or Ketu (Rahu-Ketu axis)
4) an aspect of a FMP afflicted by other(s) FMP,
5) more than one FMP at the same time,
Then the otherwise “strong” planet should be considered afflicted (and weak) even when the orb of affliction is of two degrees.
The weakness of planets is effectively strengthened by use of a KAVACH to a large extent.
MOST EFFECTIVE POINT (MEP)
The rising degree in the ascendant is known as the most effective point of all the houses.
ANALYSING RESULTS OF SUB-PERIOD LORDS
Events fructify in the sub-periods of indicative planets. Therefore, it is very important that we understand the method of analyzing the dasa (main period) & bhukti (sub-period) results. The results of the general significations of the sub-period lord depend upon its strength, placement conjunction and aspects to the same. The significations of the house of placement are touched when transit planets create benefic or malefic influences on the sub-period lord. In the sub-period of a planet, the following significations are touched.-
(1) The general significations of the planet. For example the Sun rules father, social status, position with the government, male child, digestive system, heart, blood pressure, etc.
(2) The significations of the house where the mooltrikona sign of the said planet is placed. In case in the mooltrikona sign house some malefic planet is placed or some malefic planet is aspecting the most effective point of the said house, then during the sub-periods of the afflicting /afflicted planets the signification of the mooltrikona sign house shall not prosper and face problems indicated by the afflicting planet depending upon the lordship.
(3) The significations of the houses where the planet is placed.
(4) During the sub period of a planet all the impacts on the house, which contains the MT sign of the said planet, also come into force. Due to such influences on MEP by a strong functional benefic planet even the sub period of a weak planet would be blessing the native with good or very good results.Similarly, a close impact of a funcitonal malefic planet on the MEP of a MT sign house may not allow the planet ruling that MT sign house to show good results in its sub periods even if the said planet is strong in the natal chart.
Let us see the application of MMP and MEP while analyzing the results of sub-periods, with the help of an example.
(To understand following discussion Click here to see Chart)
The 23 degree rises in the Ascendant. Therefore, the most effective point of all the houses will be 23 degree. Any planet conjunct within 5 degrees on either side i.e. within 18 degrees to 28 degrees in any house would be influencing the significations of the house in question in a pronounced manner depending upon the functional nature of that planet. The planet Moon is placed at 24 degrees in the third house in the sign Aquarius ruled by Saturn. The Moon is most malefic planet (MMP) as it rules the eighth house. Since the Moon is conjunct with the most effective point of the third house, it not only mars the initiatives of the person but during the sub-periods of both the Moon and Saturn it will not allow any ventures/initiatives of the persons to succeed. The aspect of the Moon to the most effective point to the ninth house would also cause obstructions to the significations of the ninth house during the sub-periods of both the Sun and the Moon. The Sun is lord of the ninth house while the Moon is aspecting and malefically influencing the ninth house. In such cases if the planet Sun is placed and strong as in this case, the impact of the influence of the Moon would be a little bit milder than if the Sun is badly placed and weak. As the Saturn is badly placed in the sixth house and is weak due to its being in the state of infancy, the malefic impact on the third house and during the sub-periods of the Moon and Saturn would be quite grave.
COMPREHENSION TOOLS
The students keep on asking about the status of the house containing non-mooltrikona sign of the same planet. You will find in your experience that in the absence of benefic or malefic close influence on the most effective point (MEP) of a house, the significations of that house will not bother the person, at all.
The Systems’ Approach considers a planet weak if it is placed in the mooltrikona sign of another weak planet.
RELIABILITY OF TREATING A HOUSE AS ASCENDANT FOR SIGNIFIED RELATIONSHIP
We cannot treat a house as ascendant for the relation signified by that house. For example, ninth house for father and the seventh house for wife, etc. We can’t decipher educational prospects of father, his assets, etc. from the twelfth house which is the fourth house from the ninth house but sometimes just for an estimation of status in general of father, it can be seen from the Sun and the ninth house. However, we desist from doing and recommending the same. The detailed analysis can only be made from an individual’s horoscope for his/her own self only and general indications for spouse, children, parents, elder and younger siblings and friends. For example, we can see whether the person will derive happiness from his children or at a particular time whether the child is enjoying or in trouble but we cannot identify about the educational or professional or emotional matters of a child from one’s chart in details.
EFFECTS OF EXCHANGE OF HOUSES/ASTERISMS
Effects of Parivartana (exchange of signs/asterisms by planets)-
Under the Systems’ Approach we do not recognize this concept. Each planet is considered separately for its placement, strength and relationship with other planets.
MEASURING CAPACITY OF PLANETS
While studying the impact of a planet, depending upon its strength, during the course of its sub-period both the positions-natal and transit-of the planet under operation are to be studied.
The result of a particular house will be influenced by a transiting planet when it is near to its MEP depending upon its functional nature whether benefic or malefic.
BRIGHT RAYS
Bright rays means a non-combust planet. However, the Moon is with bright rays when it is 72 degrees away from the Sun on either side.
MEASURING STRENGTH OF PLANETS IN INFANCY/OLD AGE
The results of the planets in the state of infancy or old age vary in degree of strength as per their longitudes as detailed below..-
INFANCY
When 0 degree power is zero
When 1 degree power is 20%
When 2 degrees power is 40%
When 3 degrees power is 60%
When 4 degrees power is 80%
When 5 degrees power is 100%
OLD AGE
When 30 degrees power is zero
When 29 degrees power is 20%
When 28 degrees power is 40%
When 27 degrees power is 60%
When 26 degrees power is 80%
When 25 degrees power is 100%
Exaltation sign adds to the strength. The peak point of exaltation or debilitation has very little relevance.
Caution: Astrologers do not have a television set and cannot give running commentary. The best thing is in the shortest possible time, indicate the strong and weak areas in chart and prescribe appropriate remedies. One acquires credentials or good reputation as an astrologer with one’s competence over a period of time.
REGARDING TRANSIT
The impact of transit functional malefics is on both the functional malefics and the functional benefics. The things governed by the planets would be their general and particular significations. Similarly, when the impact is on the MEP of a house the significations of the house occupied and the house(s) aspected, both MT and Non-MT, would be influenced by the transit planet.
Transit of functional benefics over the natal position of functional malefics or close aspect of natal functional malefics on transit functional benefics also spoil the signification of the functional benefics.
By transit strength we mean the planet should be strong in the transit.
INTERACTION BETWEEN THE SUB-PERIODS AND TRANSIT
During the course of the sub-period of a planet the significations of the house ruled by the sub-period lord, the general significations of the planet and the significations of the house where the planet is placed would be touched.
The transit means when the planetary position on any given date subsequent to the date of the birth is studied with reference to the ascendant and the position of the planets in the natal chart.
For example, let us take a chart with the sign Sagittarius rising in the ascendant. In this chart the lord of the eleventh house, Venus, is placed in the twelfth house, ruling losses. During the sub-period of the Venus loss of elder brother, income and trouble to friends is indicated. Now, in the transit the functional malefics Rahu/Ketu may form close conjunction/aspect with any of the three:
- i) most effective point of the eleventh house.
ii) the natal position of Venus
iii) the transit position of the sub-period lord, Venus.
The example chart pertains to a lady born 22nd December 1964, at 0850 hrs at Copenhagen 55N41′ 12E’35 CE TIME (GMT + 1). In her case Venus main period (dasa) Venus sub-period (bhukti) started on 24th Oct 1981 and was to run up to 23rd February 1985. Now from the horoscope we would see that an incident like loss of an elder brother is seen in the sub-period of Venus as Venus ruling the elder brother is placed in the house of losses. The transit Venus was of 1 degree in the sign Capricorn on 2nd February 1982. It apparently retrograded and came into contact with transit Ketu at 29 degrees in the sign Sagittarius on the 7th February 1982. Up to the 21st February 1982, the transit Venus and transit Ketu were within 3 degrees range. The sub-period lord was not only weak due to its being in the state of infancy but it was in close conjunction with Ketu. Ketu is also placed in the house of losses in the natal chart and is having the inclinations of causing loss with whatever planet it forms close conjunction or aspect with, the native lost her elder brother.
(To understand previous discussion click here to see the chart)
The sub-period lord sets the trends as per the lordship and the placement of the planet, besides the other influences on the planet. The transit planets cause influence whenever they come into contact with the natal position or the transit position of the sub-period lord.
We hope this gives better understanding into the interaction between the transit results and the sub-period lord results with the help of the above example.
EFFECTIVE ORB FOR JUDGING THE INFLUENCE OF NATAL AND TRANSIT CONJUNCTIONS/ ASPECTS
In the case of influence of functional malefic planets on other strong transit/natal positions, the orb is one degree on either side while in the case of weak transit/natal positions, the orb is five degrees on either side.
In the case of influence of strong functional benefic planets over the strong natal/transit functional benefic planets, the orb is five degrees on either side. In the case of weak natal/transit positions it is one degree on either side. While coming into the mutual aspect/ conjunction with the natal/transit functional malefic planets, the functional benefic planets get malefically afflicted.
The maximum influence of the transit or natal conjunction/aspect is when it is within one degree on either side. As soon as the transit influence starts separating, the influence starts tapering down. It is very important to see the strength of the planet on which the transit influence is being studied. For example, if the Sun being the lord of the fourth house and being a functional benefic planet, is in the fourth house and its longitude is eleven degrees, the malefic influence of Jupiter, the most malefic planet for the Taurus ascendant, will be effective when Jupiter is between 10 degrees to 12 degrees in the signs Leo, Sagittarius, Aquarius or Aries because the Sun is strongly placed in the natal chart. Please do not forget to consider the transit strength of this Sun. If the Sun in a Taurus nativity is placed in the sign Libra at a longitude of five degrees then the transit influence of Jupiter within zero degree to 10 degree from the signs Libra, Aries, Aquarius or Gemini would be effective. However, once the longitude of the transit Jupiter is 5 degrees, the transit influence would start separating and tapering down but it will clear the affliction only when the longitude of Jupiter is over ten degrees. We hope the readers would be able to understand this dimension for better analysis.
During the sub period of a planet all the impacts on the house, which contains the MT sign of the said planet, also come into force. Due to such influences on MEP by a strong functional benefic planet even the sub period of a weak planet would be blessing the native with good or very good results.Similarly, a close impact of a funcitonal malefic planet on the MEP of a MT sign house may not allow the planet ruling that MT sign house to show good results in its sub periods even if the said planet is strong in the natal chart.
CHALIT CHAKRA
This is a redundant concept so far as the Systems’ Approach (SA) is concerned. The SA identifies the functional nature of theplanets on the basis of the ascendant. Each planet is treated in the house in which it is placed. A planet placed in the eighth house going to seventh or ninth house as per chalit chakra can never give good results. Its periods will bestow weak results because of the position of the planet being weak due to its bad placement and there will be obstructions and mishaps. The astrologers, who consider chalit chakra fail in their predictions.
IMPACT OF RAJYOGAS OR DHANA YOGAS
Impact of the so-called rajyogas and dhana yogas formed with the natal conjunctions, aspects and placements accrues only if the planet(s) placed in a good house, is unafflicted and strong. Whenever the planets ruling the benefic houses conjoin or aspect closely, they form good yoga (say rajyoga) connected with the indications of both the houses involved provided they are strong and unafflicted. If they involve a house ruling income and/or wealth they produce dhanayogas.
BAD PLACEMENT
The book, “Self Learning Course in Astrology” gives clear-cut guidance that any planet placed in the sixth, eighth or twelfth house from the ascendant would be treated as a bad placement. The planets are not called badly placed due to their position in a particular sign. In other words bad placement is referred to a malefic house and not to any particular sign.
IMPACT OF PLACEMENT IN FRIENDLY/ INIMICAL SIGNS
The friendship or inimical relationship of planets arising due to placement in the signs ruled by friendly planets or inimical planets only makes the planet comfortable or uncomfortable in doing its work, respectively. The planets work as per their functional nature.
THE EVOLUTION OF SOUL
The evolution of the soul depends on the strength of the Sun, Jupiter and the lords of the tenth and first houses.
MEASURING AFFLICTIONS
The afflictions to strong planets are effective only if they are within one-degree longitudinal range. The afflictions to weak planets are fully effective if they are within one-degree longitudinal range. Afflictions are 80%, 60%, 40%, 20% and 0% if the afflicting planet is having 1 degree, 2 degree, 3 degree, 4 degree and 5 degree of longitudinal difference, respectively, from the weak planet. It is most severe if the weak and afflicted planets are badly placed. The experience based on the feedback of the people indicates that these afflictions can be taken care up to 80 – 90% with the help of the astral remedies, i.e. wearing of a Kavach, and performance of charities, etc. If the lord is strong, the damage is minimum. For non-mooltrikona signs the impact of the affliction is 100% to 0% depending upon the longitudinal difference between the MEP and the afflicting planet as explained above for the planets. If a planet being lord of a house is weak, one should see the strength of the significator (karaka) and the supplementary houses.
IMPACT OF TRANSIT EXALTED RAHU AND KETU
The impact of exalted Rahu over the well-placed strong functional benefics is good for materialistic prosperity. The transit over the weak functional benefics gives small gains or creates false hopes. The transit over the functional malefics causes anxiety and delays with regard to the significations of the houses where the mooltrikona sign of the functional malefic planet under transit is placed. The impact of the transit of exalted Ketu will be bad only on weak and afflicted planets when Ketu in transit is stationary.
When in dusthana houses the results of exalted Rahu/Ketu are as under:
- a) When in the sixth house, it gives losses through theft and fire and expenses on treatment of illness. If the lord of the sixth house is strong, Rahu can give financial gains through manipulations.
(b)When in the eighth house, it gives easy gains, obstructions, manipulating tendencies and increased tendencies for sensual pleasures.
- c) When in the twelfth house, it gives bad health, loss of sleep, craving for excessive gratification of senses, visits to far-off places or foreign lands.
MEASURING CAPACITY OF WEAK PLANETS
A weak planet, too, has the capacity to protect its house if it is well-placed, is unafflicted, is under the beneficial influence of the functional benefics through close aspect or conjunction or it aspects its own house containing the mooltrikona sign.
IMPACT OF COMBUST PLANETS
When the Sun is a functional benefic planet its conjunction with other well-placed functional benefic planets is good and gives exponential growth for the significations of the planets in close conjunction with the Sun. The combust planets suffer under the transit malefic influences. This can, however, be guarded by application of the astral remedies, to a large extent.
When the Sun is a functional malefic planet or a functional malefic planet or planets are closely and mutually influencing the Sun, the significations of all the planets involved suffer in their sub-period as also during transit impacts.
HOW TO PROCEED FOR ANALYSIS FOR IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEM AREAS
For starting analysis, underline the functional malefic planets and identify the conjunctions/aspects within 5 degrees orb. Put a circle around the planets that are afflicted. Now you can start the analysis.
The problem is always with regard to the weak, badly placed and afflicted planets or the sub-periods of the functional malefics for trend results related to sub-periods. The short-term problem is indicated by the malefic transit over the natal planets. The good results should be indicated for the significations of the well-placed strong planets having good close conjunctions/aspects.
The position of functional benefic planet(s) in the dusthana houses make them weak but if it is in the eighth house near the MEP of the house then despite weakness it is good as it aspects the MEP of the second house. In the case of Jupiter posited in the eighth house it also aspects the twelfth, and fourth houses besides the second house. The detailed study of the functional malefic planets and the planets in the evil house has been taken up in ‘Lords & Planets in Evil Houses’. The case studies included here and in all the books from Prof. V. K. Choudhry bring out the techniques for quickly spotting the prominent events in life.