A number of incidents have prompted me to take up the subject issue for the deeply interested students of the divine science. Apart from the reference in the Preface, there had been a letter in one of the astrological journals, in October 1992, saying, “No astrologer under the Sun could have predicted this event.” The writer of the letter to the editor further stated that this event creates a baffling situation and should encourage a probe not only for self-satisfaction, but also for learning.

There had been following remarks in one of the astrological journals in July, 1992. The word ‘affliction” in the Astrology books lays a lot of burden on the astrologer. If he fails to make a proper use of the term, he will be a great loser. An astrological journal in May 1992, while reporting the case of Intestinal Surgery stated “where lies the clue to the disaster on the cards.” In my contributions through books or articles to various astrological journals, I have always been stressing the need for a systematic approach for interpreting the horoscopes.

There are two types of indications in life, namely general trend and significant events. The general trend is generated by the planetary periods while the significant events are triggered by the transit. The significant events can be in line with the general trend, or against the prevalent general trend. For example, during the currency of the period of a planet whose mooltrikona sign is in the eighth house the general trend may be inauspicious, indicating obstructions, death in relations, injuries, delays, disputes, etc., while the transit may generate a very happy and auspicious event. The general trend, too, is dependent upon the specific close conjunction/aspect of functional benefic planets or malefic planets with various natal positions. The lack of close connections of both benefic planets and/or malefic planets does not generate extremely good or bad results.

Based on the natal chart, only general trend predictions can be made while for identifying the significant events periodical contacts with learned astrologers are a must.

The close conjunction/aspect of the lord of the sixth house to other planets and/or most effective points of other houses generates ill health, disputes, theft, fire and debts pertaining to the significations of the planets/houses involved. This is true both for natal and transit influences.

The close conjunction/aspect of the lord of the eighth house to other planets and/or most effective points of other houses generates accidents, injuries, obstructions, delays, death of relations, trouble to father, etc., pertaining to the significations of the planets/houses involved. This is true both for natal and transit influences. The close conjunction/aspect of the lord of the twelfth house to other planets and/or most effective points of other houses generates losses, expenses, hospitalization, visits to far-off places, etc., pertaining to the significations of the planets/houses involved. This is true both for natal and transit influences.

The significant events are triggered by the interplay of the relationship between transit planets and natal planets. In other words:

(1) Whenever any weak natal planet or most effective point of a weak house is transited by functional malefic planet(s), it triggers a significant undesirable incident concerning the planet and the house involved. This is more so when the weak natal planet is weak in transit too.

(2) Whenever any strong natal planet or most effective point of a strong house is transited by functional malefic planet(s), it triggers a mild unfavorable incident concerning the planet and the house involved.

(3) Whenever any strong natal functional benefic planet or most effective point of a strong house is transited by functional benefic planet(s), it triggers significant happy incidents pertaining to the planet or the house, whichever is the case.

(4) Whenever any weak natal functional benefic planet or most effective point of a weak house is transited by functional benefic planet(s), it triggers hopes or non-significant happy incidents pertaining to the planet or the house, whichever is the case.

(5) Whenever planets in transit form close conjunctions amongst themselves, the happenings occur depending upon their functional nature in connection with the houses with reference to a particular ascendant.

(6) If the close conjunction or aspect(s) of planets in transit involve two or more functional benefic planets with reference to a particular ascendant, it triggers happy events pertaining to all the planets.

(7) If one of the planets involved in close conjunction or aspect in a transit planetary movement is a functional malefic planet, it harms the significations of the other functional benefic planet(s) involved with reference to a particular ascendant.

(8) If both or all the planets forming close conjunction in transit with reference to a particular ascendant are functional malefic planets, it harms the significations of all the planet(s) involved.

(9) When the transit planets whether functional benefic or malefic form close conjunctions with natal functional malefic planets or become closely aspected by them, it triggers unhappy events pertaining to all the planets involved.

(10) The transit effects are always seen with reference to the natal ascendant.

(11) In setting the trends the sub-period lord has maximum say. However, the transit impacts mentioned above supercede the trend results of the sub-period lord.

(12) The malefic transit impact of slow moving planets like Jupiter, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu are more pronounced when, during the course of their close conjunctions/aspects, they move more slowly as compared to their normal speed or become stationary. This is true both for natal and transit influences.

(13) During the sub-periods of the functional benefic planets, the benefic transit impacts are more, while malefic transit impacts are mild. If the sub-period lord is strong then the transit benefic influences cause significant happy events.

(14) During the sub-periods of functional malefic planets, the benefic transit effects are mild while the malefic transit effects are more severe. If the transit benefic influences are strong then the benefic results may be comparatively better but with some delay.

(15) The duration of the transit results ceases to exist as soon as the transit close conjunction or aspect separates. The orb of separation as explained earlier would depend upon the natal strength of the planets on which the transit influences have been created.

Further techniques can be comprehended through case studies contained in my book, How to Identify Significant Events.

The exaltation of functional benefic planets in transit at the time of forming close conjunction/aspect generates considerably good results. Similarly, the debilitation of functional malefic planets in transit at the time of forming close conjunctions/aspects is very painful and is for longer durations.

In the case of weak natal positions, the transit results of functional malefic planets start generating when their aspect/conjunction is applying and has a longitudinal difference of five degrees and remain effective up to the period when the aspect/conjunction is separating with the same longitudinal difference.

In the case of strong natal positions, the transit results of normal afflictions start generating when the aspect/conjunction of the functional malefic planet is applying and has a longitudinal difference of one degree and remain effective up to the period when the aspect/conjunction is separating with the same longitudinal difference, while the transit results of special/multiple afflictions start generating when the aspect/conjunction of the functional malefic planet(s) is applying and has a longitudinal difference of two degrees and remain effective up to the period when the aspect/conjunction is separating with the same longitudinal difference of two degrees.

The close conjunctions/aspects of Rahu stimulate excessive stress resulting in suffering in the end while Ketu in similar position generates miseries straightaway as soon as it comes into close conjunction/aspect.

For deriving benefit from the divine science of Astrology and identifying the significant events in advance one has to get his chart analyzed from this point of view at least once a year so that astrological remedial measures can be suggested and performed to ward off the evils or reduce the mal-effects of the inauspicious conjunctions/aspects. Identification of planets requiring astral remedial measures and methodology for initiation of strengthening measures for weak functional benefic planets has been fully explained in my book “Systems’ Approach for Interpreting Horoscopes”

The identification of the correct significator planets requiring remedial measures by way of strengthening or propitiation is the key for successful result of the remedial measures as well as the true benefit of the divine science of Astrology.