Planetary Aspects in Astrology

Astrology is the scientific discipline concerned with possible actions of cosmic bodies upon organic life and inorganic substances on our planet earth. Astrological science for this purpose has been divided into many branches, Natal Astrology is one of them and is directly concerned with the birth of a being as a physical body.

From the chart cast for the positions of heavenly bodies for the moment, date and place of birth can be delineated character, temperament, mental tendencies, physical peculiarities, ailments and events which will affect life to a marked extent. For this we require to study characteristics of planets blended with the characteristics of houses and signs they occupy in relation to quality of aspects they behold so that they reveal the truth.

The correct delineation of aspects is very essential requisite for interpreting a horoscope. In Vedic Astrology emphasis has been exclusively on the conjunction of two or more planets irrespective of their sign positions. Though some of the aspects have been delineated in Brihat Jataka, Saravali and Vriddha Yavana Jataka but they seem to be inadequate in modern context and changing circumstances when newly discovered planets Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are also showing their influence in our day to day affairs. We may not accept this truth today but we shall have to accept it tomorrow. Ancient masters of Vedic Astrology were not inflexible otherwise Tajaka system and Vriddha Yavana Jataka would not had found a place in Vedic Astrological literature. For this reason we have included the aspects of .newly discovered planets in this volume. Our this view has the support of great modem savant Dr. P. S. Sastri vide his "Text Book of Scientific Hindu Astrology". It is for the first time that this volume perhaps gives the exhaustive delineation of various planetary aspects.

In the introductory chapter elementary assessment of the aspects has been taken up. In the chapter-Aspects Defined - it is told that aspects should be delineated and understood in the light of one's level of evolution i.e. one's environment, mental, social and financial status. Then we have a chapter - Aspects Vedic v/s Western where we have tried to establish that there is no major difference in two systems of aspects and a balance is stressed upon. In this chapter it is told that adverse aspects are more vital than good aspects as previous ones provide more scope for improvement and advancement by overcoming hindrances caused by them. In the chapter on planetary conjunctions, various conjunctions from ancient classics along with modern view have been discussed. To us conjunctions mentioned in "Hora Sara" a classic are of important value particularly that occurring in the 9th house because 9th is the house of fortunes or luck denoting how the luck will function in one's life. In Vedic Astrology more impetus has been given on the conjunction of planets in Kendra houses representing environmental factors which are more instrumental in shaping one's destiny.

In framing this volume writings of ancient masters and suggestions of modern savants and practitioners of this holy science of Astrology have been given weightage. Only that matter have been included which have appealed to reason.

The author feels highly indebed to the Prop. of M/S Ranjan Publications for considering the author worthy to write on this most difficult subject, the Astrological Aspects. Healthy criticism and suggestions for improvement from our esteemed readers will be gracefully accepted. The author also appreciates M/S Ranjan Publications for bringing out the book nicely in print.

Astrology is the science which comprises the study of heavenly bodies in relation to elements and creatures on the earth, particularly the human beings. Statistical data reveal that human beings are influenced by the movement of stars and planets. There are various methods to assess and arrive at conclusions about certain areas of life.

The planetary aspects are modifying and determining influences in a birth horoscope. Unless aspects are properly computed and studied, the necessary modifications cannot be read and the delineations not being properly made. The influence of a planet in a house can be understood only under the perspective of its sign placement and aspects it receives, for its own influence undergoes great modification by these two factors. In other words the natural sympathies and antipathies of the aspected and aspecting planets are the keys in delineating the aspects.

In Vedic Astrology all aspects are counted from sign to sign. The benefic or malefic influence of an aspect greatly depends upon the relation of aspecting and aspected planet e.g. the aspect between the Sun and Saturn is bad one for both planets being natural enemies to each other. But in Dasa context i.e. in their mutual Dasa and Bhukti for a Taurus Lagna native this aspect is good one, for then the two planets work as functional benefices. For more elaboration see our " Laghu Parasari".

In Vedic Astrology all the planets have a quarter (1/4) glance or aspect on the 3rd and 10th houses and planets there in, from their own placement; a half (1/2) glance or aspect on the 5th and 9th houses and planets therein; a three-quarter (3/4) glance or aspect on the 4th and 8th houses and planets there in and a full glance or aspect on the 7th house and planets there in.

In other branches of Vedic Astrology viz. Tajaka and Jaimini different aspects are used. In Jaimini all movable signs aspect all fixed signs except the adjacent ones. All fixed signs aspect all movable signs except the adjacent ones. All common or mutable signs aspect each other. This theory applies also to the planets in such signs. In Tajaka system the scheme of aspects of Western Astrology is followed including orbs of influences of planets in aspect.

In exception to general quarter etc. glances Saturn, Mars and Jupiter have special aspects also. Saturn in addition to his 7th house full aspect also aspects the 3rd and 10th houses from himself with full aspect. This means that if Saturn is in Taurus, he aspects Cancer, Scorpio and Aquarius and planets there in respectively. Mars in addition to his full 7th house aspect also aspects the houses and planets 4th and 8th from himself. And Jupiter in addition to his full 7th house aspect also aspects the houses and planets 5th and 9th house from himself. The special and 7th house aspects of Saturn and Mars are considered bad, for these two planets being natural malefics. The special and 7th house aspects of Jupiter are considered good being the aspects of greatest fortune.

Generally the aspect of Jupiter over the Moon is considered good but for a Taurus Lagna native this aspect is not as good as for a Cancer Lagna native. In the former case both are functionally evil while in the latter functionally and naturally very auspicious. Similarly, the aspect between the Moon and Mars is generally evil. For a Virgo lagna native this is disastrous while for a Cancer lagna native very auspicious. The effects of such aspects are functional particularly in the Dasa and Bhukti of planets concerned.

The 3rd aspect of Saturn is referred to as sextile aspect in Western Astrology; the 4th and 10th aspects of Mars and Saturn as squares; the 8th aspect of Mars as quincunx or in conjunct, the 5th and 9th aspects of Jupiter as trines and the 7th aspect of all the planets as opposition aspect. These aspects of Western Astrology are reciprocating aspects i.e. both the planets mutually aspect each other. We shall discuss these in detail in a later chapter.

In Western Astrology mutual longitudinal distances between the planets determine the type of aspect and its nature. The following are major Western aspects -
Conjunction: When the planets are on the same longitude.
**Contents and Sample Pages**