aspects course 1 lesson 11

Light On Vedic Astrology Online Course Level 1 Lesson 11 Planetary Aspects (Drishtis) and Conjunctions

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Lesson 11:

Planetary Aspects (Drishtis) and Conjunctions

by Vaughn Paul Manley, M.A.

Topics Covered in this Lesson:

In the last lesson we learned to interpret the placements of the planets in the natal chart by blending the keywords of the planets with the houses and the signs. To demonstrate this, we used Einstein's chart and showed how each interpretation can be explained logically. Throughout the lesson we likened astrologers to chemists who are constantly weighing the effects of combinations. As we added the interpretation of the planets in the signs, we saw how this modified our interpretation of the planets in the houses. We also saw how this became further modified by our interpretations of the placements of the rulers of houses. In the homework assignments we gave you the opportunity to practice making your own interpretations of the placement of the planets using your own chart. In K.N. Rao's PAC-DARES method we start with the analysis of (P) Placement - the placement of planets in the houses and signs, including the placement of the rulers of the houses. When we're first looking at a chart, a planet's placement in the houses and signs is visually the most obvious combination to identify. We literally see the planets in the boxes in the chart. If we go outside on a clear night then we can also literally see the planets in the houses and signs in the night sky, which we've done in previous homework exercises. Interpreting the planets placement is a good place to begin, but it's only the beginning. In the following lessons of the course we'll be modifying and refining this basic interpretation. In this lesson we'll be adding the next two steps of the PAC-DARES method, the (A) Aspects and (C) Conjunctions which will modify our previous interpretations. The final steps, the acronym DARES, deal with the yogas or planetary combinations, and are a natural progression of refinement since the aspects and conjunctions will form yogas. We will study the yogas in lessons 13-16. For now we'll focus on gaining a thorough understanding of the aspects and conjunctions in chart interpretation.

1. Aspects in Western Astrology Vs. Vedic Astrology 2. Determining the Effects of Aspects 3. A Deeper Look At Aspects 4. Determining the Effects of Conjunctions 5. Exercises and Homework



Aspects in Western Astrology Vs. Vedic Astrology

The Influence of Aspects and Conjunctions in Astrology In all systems of astrology, aspects are key factors in chart interpretation that need to be understood and used properly in order to make accurate predictions. Unlike the placement of the planets, aspects in astrology are not obvious. They can't be seen in the boxes in the natal chart, nor can they be seen overhead in the night sky. This is because they are the projected influences of the planets from their given positions to other positions in the chart. Aspects are sometimes called "thrown influences" for this reason. Conjunctions, on the other hand, are simply the association that a planet has with other planets in the house and sign it's placed in. They can be seen associated with the planet both in the box in the chart, and next to the planet in the night sky.

Think of a planet's placement in a house and sign like a tenant renting a house. The ruler of the house is the landlord. The conjunctions are the planet's housemates, while the aspects are the planet's neighbors on the block who frequently interact with it. Just like in real life, these relationships are somewhere on the spectrum between tense and harmonious, for better or for worse. If we have a tense relationship with a house mate or neighbor it will effect our well being and happiness in the house even when we don't have to interact with them. Likewise, every influence by aspect or conjunction will further modify our interpretation of the planets in the houses and signs. The influence can be slight or dramatic depending on many factors, which we will discuss below.



First, let's look at the use of aspects in Western astrology and see how their use in Vedic astrology differs. Aspects in Western Astrology The purpose of aspects in Western astrology is to describe the relationships that planets have with one another in the horoscope. These relationships are measured by the degree of angle or arc that is formed by their distance from one another. For instance, in the circular diagram below, imagine a planet positioned at the point we're calling 0 degrees, at the 9 o'clock position. If another planet joins this position then it's a conjunction and there's no angle relationship. If a planet is exactly opposite, then it forms a 180 degree relationship, which is an opposition. If a planet is at a 90 degree relationship then it's a square. A sextile, trine and quincunx are 60, 120 and 150 degree relationships respectively. These are the major aspects in Western astrology and are shown in the diagram below along with their symbols: Conjunction - 0 degrees Sextile - 60 degrees Square - 90 degrees Trine - 120 degrees Quincunx - 150 degrees Opposition - 180 degrees



There are several other aspects that are considered minor aspects like the semi-square and semi-sextile that fall in between the major aspects. The quincunx is sometimes listed as a minor aspect. All planets will make all aspects, both major and minor aspects. All aspects are calculated both forward and backward in the zodiac, and the planet that receives an aspect will also reciprocate the same aspect back to the aspecting planet. In order for an aspect to be considered functional in the chart it needs to fall within a 5 degree range or orb of these angles. It's like the lines in the above diagram are laser beams that the planets send to these angled positions. If another planet happens to be within about a 5 degree orb (some say 10 degrees) of the beams influence then their aspect is in effect, and it will be factored into the interpretation of the chart. If a planet falls outside the range then the aspect is nullified. For this reason, Western astrologers closely examine the degree of orb of the aspects. In order to describe the effects of the aspects, they are generally classified as either hard (malefic) or soft (benefic). The hard aspects are the squares and oppositions, because they stimulate action and are considered difficult and tense in nature. The quincunx is generally considered a difficult aspect as well. The soft aspects are the sextiles and trines, which are considered easy and harmonious in nature. The conjunction is not classified as either hard or soft, because the planets involved determine how favorable the outcome is. Aspects become more sophisticated in application in Western astrology, but this serves as a basic introduction to this system's use of aspects. Western astrology's use of aspects is valid and applicable for use within its system, but it's not applicable to the Vedic system. It's understandable that the Western aspects could be used since subtracting the ayanamsha does not effect the relationship of the angles between planets. However, I can't emphasize enough that you should not try to mix methods between the two systems. It will confuse you and cloud your ability to give a clear interpretation. Both systems have developed their unique interpretation methods within their respective systems. The more you can keep them separate the better. If you're a Western astrologer who's accustomed to using Western aspects then it may be challenging for you to adopt the Vedic system's method in its entirety since it is quite different. I assure you that Vedic aspects do work and will give you reliable results. So let's learn them. Aspects in Vedic Astrology There are several systems of aspects that are employed in Vedic astrology depending on which of the five systems you're working with. As a review from Lesson 1, the five systems are:



Parashari Jaimini Nadi Tajak Tantric

The Parashari system, based on the principles of sage Parashara, is by far the most commonly used system and the "default" system that most people refer to when discussing Vedic astrology. Therefore, the Parashari system of aspects is what we'll be referring to exclusively in this course. However, for reference it's interesting to note that both the Jaimini and Tajak systems have unique systems of aspects that are different from the Parashari system. The Jaimini system uses a sign based system that makes aspects from sign to sign, and not from planet to planet. The Tajak system combines Western, Arabic, and Vedic astrology principles and its use of aspects is very similar to Western astrology. The Tajak system is used in Horary or Prashna astrology, as well as progressed annual horoscopes, whereas the Jaimini system is an advanced system that is often used along with the Parashari system in natal chart analysis. In fact, sage Parashara writes about the use of Jaimini methods in his classic text, the Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, which is why K.N. Rao encourages students to use both systems side by side in his Composite Approach.

The 7th house "mirror" aspect in Jyotish An aspect in Vedic astrology is called a drishti, which means a "sight" or "glance" in Sanskrit. In the Parashari system, a drishti means that the planets are gazing at certain positions in the chart relative to where they're positioned. This is similar to the angled positions, like the square or trine, that a planet will aspect in Western astrology, except that there are fewer aspects in Vedic astrology and all planets don't make the same aspects. All planets will, however, gaze or aspect to the opposite house, which is the 7th house from their given position. This is the main aspect in Vedic astrology, and is similar to the opposition or 180 degree aspect in Western astrology. Just as the main direction that all people look is straight ahead, so all planets gaze straight ahead to the opposite house. The



opposite house is the "mirror" house and all planets will project their influence, or gaze into the mirror house straight ahead. The image that is seen in a mirror is only the projected image, likewise, an aspect is the projected influence of the planet. In addition to the 7th house aspect, the outermost planets, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, have what are called special aspects. Mars also aspects the 4th and 8th houses; Jupiter also aspects the 5th and 9th houses; and Saturn also aspects the 3rd and the 10th houses. Some astrologers will also give the 5th and 9th house aspects that Jupiter has to Rahu and Ketu, but this is not widely accepted. The counting system is a zero-based system, which means that the counting begins with the house that the planet is placed in. The counting is also always forwards and not both forwards and backwards as in Western astrology aspects. Major and Minor Aspects The 7th house aspect given to all planets, plus the special aspects of Mars, Jupiter and Saturn, are the major aspects in Vedic astrology and are shown in the table below:

Major Aspects Planet House(s) Aspected %

Sun, Moon, Mer, Ven, Rahu, Ketu 7th 100% Mars 4th, 7th, 8th 100% Jupiter 5th, 7th, 9th 100% Saturn 3rd, 7th, 10th 100% The special aspects of Mars, Jupiter and Saturn share similarities to the aspects in Western astrology. The 4th house aspect of Mars is similar to the forward square of 90 degrees, and its 8th house aspect is similar to the quincunx counting backwards. A quincunx is 150 degrees but the 8th house aspect of Mars is 210 degrees, which is equivalent to the backward quincunx. The 5th and 9th house aspects of Jupiter are similar to a trine of 120 degrees counting forward and backward respectively. The 3rd house aspect of Saturn is similar to the forward sextile of 60 degrees, and its 10th house aspect is similar to the backward square of 270 degrees. This major aspects in the table above are considered 100% aspects, because they give their full strength. However, there are also minor aspects which give varying degrees of partial strength: 75%, 50%, and 25%. The list of minor aspects are shown in the table below:



Minor Aspects Planet House(s) Aspected %

All planets except Mars 4th, 8th 75% All planets except Jupiter 5th, 9th 50% All planets except Saturn 3rd, 10th 25% The classic text, Phala Deepika, discusses both the major and minor aspects:

Saturn aspects with full glance the 3rd and 10th houses; Jupiter the 5th and 9th; Mars, the 4th and 8th. All planets cast a quarter glance at the 3rd and 10th houses; half a glance at the 5th and 9th; three quarters of a glance at the 4th and 8th; and full glance at the 7th house.

While theoretically the minor aspects do exert some amount of influence in the chart, most Vedic astrologers ignore them entirely. Only the major aspects are practically used in natal chart analysis, which is why we won't use the minor aspects in this course. The main use of the minor aspects is in the system for determining planetary strength called Shad Bala, which will be discussed in the next lesson. Aspects to Houses You'll notice in the above tables that the reference is to the houses that a planet aspects instead of to the degree of angle that the planet makes as in Western astrology. This is because the aspect or gaze is to the entire house in Vedic astrology, whether or not a planet is placed there. This is a major departure from the use of aspects in Western astrology where the aspect is only to planets. In Vedic astrology an aspect is to a planet only when it happens to be placed in the house that the planet aspects. In other words, the emphasis of the aspect is on the house and not the planet. In Western astrology the planets throw a "laser-like" aspect to other planets within a 5 degree orb. In Vedic astrology the planets shine a "flashlight-like" aspect that lights up the entire house, regardless if a planet is placed there or not, just like how a flashlight shined into a room will light up the entire room. For example, if the Sun were at 2 degrees in Aries in the 1st house, its 7th house aspect would light up the entire 7th house of the sign of Libra. This is shown in the South and North Indian charts below. You'll notice that I've placed the glyph symbol of the Sun to show its thrown aspect into the 7th house. To review here are the glyphs for each planet, which we will use to show their thrown aspect in a particular house:



Sun Moon Mars Merc Jupiter Venus Saturn Rahu Ketu

Here are the major aspects of all the planets, including the special aspects of Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, using the glyphs in Albert Einstein's chart:

Notice in Einstein's chart that all planets have their glyphs in the 7th house from their position, and Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn have them also in the additional houses of their special aspects. This shows the sum total of the major aspects in Vedic astrology, which are the aspects that you will always need to be aware of when analyzing a horoscope. Notice in Einstein's chart that Jupiter doesn't aspect any planets, but it does aspect the 1st, 3rd, and 5th houses. The most important of these is the aspect to the 1st house, because aspects to the 1st house or ascendant will describe one's main personality traits. The ascendant is one of the four personality indicators, along with the ascendant lord, Sun and Moon, which we will discuss later in the



lesson. In Lesson 10, we talked about how Jupiter in the 9th house gives him an interest in philosophy and acquiring wisdom, and makes him an inspirational teacher. However, because Jupiter also aspects the ascendant these qualities become central character traits in his personality. Aspects to Planets If a planet happens to be located in the house that a planet aspects, then the aspect will count even if there is a wide orb between the two planets. Again, this is a major difference in the use of aspects between the two systems. For instance, if Saturn were at 29 degrees in Libra in the 7th house, then the Sun's aspect would count even though the Sun is at 2 degrees and the orb of difference is 27 degrees as shown in the chart below:

In Western astrology for an aspect to count the orb needs to be within 5 or 10 degrees. For an aspect to count in Vedic astrology the orb is disregarded entirely. When the orb happens to be close between planets, however, within about 5 degrees, then the aspect is considered to be proportionately stronger. The general rule is that the tighter the orb of the aspect, the stronger or more intense its influence will be. Because it's not necessary to know a planets degrees to identify its aspects, finding all the aspects in a chart becomes much easier than in Western astrology. Not only are there fewer aspects, but they can easily be determined. For this reason, Vedic chart printouts don't list of all the aspects alongside the chart, like Western chart printouts typically provide. In Einstein's chart the only aspects that are made between planets are on the 2nd and 8th house axis, with Rahu and Mars in in the 8th house, in mutual aspect with Ketu in the 2nd house. Sambandha: Mutual Aspects vs One-Sided Aspects



When a planet aspects to another planet, the aspect is either a mutual aspect or a one-sided aspect. Obviously when two planets mutually aspect one another they form a stronger connection, because of the reciprocal bond. This is given special significance in Vedic astrology and is called sambandha, which means "relationship" or "connection" in Sanskrit. All mutual aspects form sambandha. The most obvious mutual aspects are when planets are in conjunction or opposition to one another. For instance, the conjunction of Mars and Rahu in Einstein's chart forms sambandha. Likewise, the opposition of the Sun and Saturn in the example above forms sambandha. The only situations that one-sided aspects take place are with the special aspects of Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. However, there is one exception: Saturn and Mars will form a mutual aspect when Saturn is in the 4th house from Mars. This is shown in the chart below:

Another situation where a mutual aspect is formed is when planets exchange signs, or reside in each other's signs. This is called a mutual reception in Western astrology. For instance, if Jupiter is in Taurus (Venus's sign) while Venus is in Sagittarius (Jupiter's sign) then they exchange signs as shown in the chart below. This is also called a parivartana yoga, which we will discuss more in lesson 16. This is the least obvious way that a sambandha is formed because these planets don't appear to be aspecting one another.

As mentioned above, the strength or intensity of an aspect increases when the orb is tight, like within 5 degrees. This is especially true when planets are in mutual aspect. For instance, the example above of Saturn opposite the Sun is technically a mutual aspect, with the Sun at 2 degrees aspecting Saturn at 29 degrees. However, it's not a very strong sambandha because the orb is so wide. The strength of the aspect by orb needs to always be factored into our interpretation.



Sandhi Aspects There is one more important point about aspects. If a planet is in a previous sign, but close to the degree of the aspected planet, then the aspect needs to be considered as valid. For instance, if Saturn were in Virgo at 29 degrees, instead of in Libra, then it would technically be only 3 degrees away from the 7th house aspect of the Sun. This is shown in the chart below:

This is called a sandhi aspect. Sandhi means "joint" in Sanskrit and refers to when a planet is within 3 degrees of the joint or cusp between two signs. Sandhi aspects can easily be missed because they're not obvious, which is why I'm cautioning you to be aware of them. Astrology charts make clear, distinct boundaries between signs, however, in the actual sky no such boundaries exist. Because of this, the impact of sandhi aspects will be experienced. This is another instance where it's helpful to think in terms of observable astronomy, which is what Jyotish historically was based on.



Summary of the Vedic Use of Aspects All planets aspect the 7th house. Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn have special aspects: Mars also aspects the 4th, 8th houses; Jupiter also aspects the 5th and 9th houses; and Saturn also aspects the 3rd and 10th houses. The counting of the aspects is always forwards, starting with the house that the planet is placed in. Aspects are to the entire house, and not just to planets. An aspect to a planet is valid regardless of the orb of degrees. The tighter the orb of aspect to a planet, the stronger the aspect is. This is especially true when planets are in mutual aspect, which forms a strong connection called sambandha. Sandhi aspects are valid and need to be watched out for.

Quiz #63: Sambandha means which of the following? 1) One-sided aspect 2) Sandhi aspect 3) Mutual aspect 4) Tight aspect 5) It's a trick question. None of the above. The answer is at the end of the lesson.

Determining the Effects of Aspects

So far we've discussed how aspects work in Vedic astrology, and have compared them with their use in Western astrology. However, we haven't yet shown what effects they have in natal chart analysis. Aspects can significantly modify the effect of a planet's placement in a house and sign, which is why it's necessary to always factor in their influence into any interpretation. It's for this reason that K.N. Rao includes it as a step in the PAC-DARES method, which are all the necessary steps that we need to take in order to accurately interpret the natal chart. The Key to Understanding Aspects In Western astrology, the effect of an aspect is determined by the type of aspect itself. For instance, the hard aspects, like square and opposition, will generally be difficult and tense, while the soft aspects, like trine and sextile, will generally be easy and harmonious. Vedic astrology does not distinguish aspects as hard or soft, because the angle of relationships between planets does not define aspects as inherently difficult or easy. The effects of the aspects are entirely dependent



on the qualities of the planets involved - both the planet sending the aspect, as well as the planet that receives the aspect, and the interaction between the two. As we said earlier, an aspect is the transfer of a planets influence from its given position to another house, as well as to any planets that happen to be placed there. Therefore, the key to understanding aspects is to first understand the qualities of the aspecting planet. This makes sense since a planet can only transfer what it represents in the chart. There are two kinds of qualities that a planet has: natural and temporal, which we discussed in the last lesson. Here's a quick review: A planet's natural nature is unchanging and is based on three things: 1) its general qualities, 2) its status as a benefic or malefic planet, and 3) the houses it significates. These are the qualities that it always has, and transfers by aspect, regardless of the condition that it's in by house or sign position, house rulership etc. Its temporal nature, on the other hand, changes according to its condition in the chart. The temporal condition of a planet is determined by analyzing every step in the PAC-DARES method: a planet's (P) position, including house rulerships, (A) aspects, (C) conjunctions, and (DARES) yogas that it is involved in. Because a planet will aspect FROM its given position, everything that you can understand about its given position will be useful to understanding its aspects. Please see the following table:

The Planet's Nature Natural

(never changes) Temporal

(changes by its condition in the chart) General Qualities

Status as Malefic/Benefic

House(s) it Significates

PAC-DARES: Position - including house rulership, Aspects, Conjunctions, and Yogas.

How the general qualities and the benefic or malefic status effect a planets aspect is discussed in detail below. The houses that a planet significates was discussed in the last lesson. How these effect a planet's aspect is simply that it will transfer the qualities of those house(s) by aspect. For instance, Venus's aspect will transfer the qualities of the 4th house (vehicles) and the 7th house (relationships, spouse) to wherever it aspects. How the temporal nature of a planet effects its aspect will be discussed in detail, with examples, in a later section of this lesson. The Role of a Planets Key Qualities in Aspects The first kind of natural or unchanging quality that a planet has is simply its general qualities as mentioned above.



When a planet gives an aspect we need to keep in mind the planets key qualities and how they relate to the planet and house that it aspects. For instance, if Saturn is placed in the ascendant then it will aspect the 10th house. Saturn's hardworking, responsible, and persevering qualities can be beneficial for one's professional life. However, it will also aspect the 7th house and Saturn's serious, cold, and unfeeling qualities are not helpful for romance. Saturn's aspect may be good for establishing business partnerships, which the 7th house also represents, since Saturn is so work-oriented. Therefore, a planet's adds a mixture of both its positive and negative qualities to wherever it aspects, and we need to consider how it will logically effect that house or planet. Here's a list of the general qualities of each planet by aspect, both positive and negative, which follow the qualities that we've discussed in previous lessons. Of course, the most important planets to understand by aspect are Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, since they will give three times as many aspects as the other planets, due to their special aspects.

Planet General Qualities by Aspect

Sun

Positive: The Sun's aspect can give self-expression, vitality, illumination, dignity, leadership, power, and authority to any planet it combines with. Negative: The Sun's aspect can also give pride, dominance over others, self-centeredness, and need to be the center of attention.

Moon

Positive: The Moon's aspect can give support, care, protection, gentleness, emotional sensitivity, compassion. and introspection to any planet it combines with. Negative: The Moon's aspect can also give moodiness, instability, quick changes, vulnerability, passivity, dependence, and lack of power.

Mars

Positive: Mars's aspect motivates action, and increases energy and strength. It can give drive, determination, competition, will and ambition to any planet it combines with. Negative: Mars's aspect shows areas of potential conflict. It can give a self-centered, independent attitude, and be impatient, impulsive, pushy, aggressive, and critical. These qualities can create tension and conflict with others.

Mercury

Positive: Mercury's aspect can give intelligence, learning, communication, social interaction, business dealings, objectivity, analysis, and rational thinking to any planet it combines with. Negative: Mercury's aspect can also give nervousness, restlessness, scattered thinking, and ungrounded behavior.



Jupiter

Positive: Jupiter's aspect is primarily positive. It minimizes any negative influences in the chart, while giving beneficial qualities. It can give grace and blessing, wisdom, knowledge, faith, trust, expansion, growth, wealth, a positive outlook, optimism, a solution-oriented attitude, concern for ethics, and generosity to any planet it combines with. Negative: Jupiter's aspect doesn't give many negative qualities, but it can give self-righteousness, arrogance, unrealistic idealism, and an overly optimistic attitude.

Venus

Positive: Venus's aspect can give creativity, art, harmony, love of beauty, affection towards others, social interaction, relationship, intimacy, and charm to any planet it combines with. Negative: Venus's aspect can also give indulgence, extravagance, vanity, deception, lust, and narcissism.

Saturn

Positive: Saturn's aspect can give a hard work ethic, responsibility, discipline, focus, perseverance, and mature wisdom to any planet it combines with. Negative: Saturn's aspect is primarily negative. It increases the challenging influences in the chart, while minimizing what is beneficial. Its aspect indicates areas where there are struggles, hard lessons, delays, pressures, obstacles, limitations, and restrictions. Saturn can try to control situations and people out of fear and insecurity. It can give fear, doubt, insecurity, pessimism, constriction, inhibition, laziness, and rigidity.

Rahu

Positive: Rahu's aspect can give ambition, courage, will, a sense of adventure, a pioneering attitude, spontaneity, and originality to any planet it combines with. Negative: Rahu's aspect can also give strong desires, instability, restlessness, change, compulsive and addictive behavior, eccentricity, ungroundedness, illusions (maya), and hallucinations.

Ketu

Positive: Ketu's aspect can give intuition, mystical insight, introspection, spiritual longing, and quietude to any planet it combines with. Negative: Ketu's aspect can also give dissatisfaction, doubt, disillusionment, negativity, lack of motivation, instability, loss, and isolation.

The Predominance of a Planets Natural Status The second kind of natural or unchanging quality that a planet has is its status as



a benefic or malefic. A planets aspect either improves or detracts from the affairs of the house, as well as any planet, that it happens to aspect. The most basic way to determine if the aspect is favorable or unfavorable is to simply identify its natural status as either a benefic or malefic. This is because the natural status of a planet predominates over its temporal status in determining its effect. In other words, simply the fact that a planet is a benefic or malefic is the strongest reason there is to believe that its aspect will be either favorable or unfavorable. This may sound like a distinctly black and white principle, but there are hundreds of quotes from the classic texts to validate it. For instance, here are just a few of the many quotes from sage Parashara's classic text, Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra:

Key Quotes from Classics for Interpreting Aspects "There will not be bodily health if the ascendant or the Moon be drishtied (aspected) by or conjunct with a malefic, while being devoid of a benefics drishti (aspect)." ch.12, v.3 "These evils will not come to pass if there happens to be a conjunction with or an aspect from a benefic." ch.30, v.19 "One will gain through royal association if the 11th house is occupied by its own lord, and is devoid of an aspect from a malefic." ch.40, v.12 "There will be some favorable effects at times in the above situations if the Sun receives an aspect from benefic planets. The effects will always be unfavorable when malefic planets give an aspect to the Sun." ch.47, v.12 This principles makes interpretation quite simple. Just count the number of benefic or malefic aspects to determine if the effects will be favorable or unfavorable. Here's an example chart showing this principle. Just to review how to analyze a



house, from Lesson 10, we look at three areas of the chart: 1. The house 2. The house lord 3. The significator of the house In this example chart let's analyze the health by looking at the 1st house, 1st lord, and the Sun (significator of the 1st house and health). Notice how many malefic aspects or conjunctions are made to these areas of the chart. There are 5 malefic aspects to the 1st house, 4 to the 1st lord, and 3 to the Sun:

Number of Aspects by Benefics and Malefics

# of Malefics Planets # of

Benefics Planets

1st House 5 Sat, Rahu, Ketu, Mars, Sun 1 Mercury

1st Lord 4 Sat, Rahu, Ketu, Sun 0

Sun 3 Sat, Rahu, Ketu 1 Mercury This is the chart of a man who struggled with health problems all his life. There is a predominance of malefic aspects and conjunctions on all three areas for health. Notice especially that all five malefics aspect the 1st house: Saturn, Rahu, Ketu, Mars, and the Sun. At the same time, there is only one benefic aspect, by Mercury, which aspects both the 1st house, and is conjunct the Sun. However, in this chart Mercury is conjunct and aspected by malefics, which shifts its status to a natural malefic. In lesson 4, we talked about the general principle with Mercury - that it acts like a natural malefic when associated with or aspected by malefics. Therefore, in this chart there is not only a high number of aspects by malefics on the 1st house, 1st lord, and the Sun, but there is essentially no aspects by benefics.



The Influence of a Planets Temporal Status You might be thinking, "What about the aspects of the temporal benefics in this example chart?" Fair enough. Good question. Yes, there are aspects to the 1st house, 1st lord, and the Sun by temporal benefics. The 1st lord Mercury aspects the ascendant, which is his own sign of Gemini, while the 9th lord Saturn is placed in the ascendant. That should account for something positive right? Yes, certainly. First of all, the general rule is that when a planet aspects its own house, as in the case of Mercury aspecting the 1st house, it protects the indications of the house. Therefore, it will offer some degree of protection to this man's overall health. In addition, the most beneficial temporal benefic, the 9th lord, aspects all three, because it's placed in the 1st house and aspects both the 1st lord, Mercury, and the Sun. Again, this will certainly add some positive outcomes in his life, like finding a good doctor who can provide positive solutions which the 9th house can represent. The important point, however, is that aspects by natural benefics and malefics outweigh the aspects by the temporal benefics and malefics, as the above quotes suggest. This chart is overwhelmed by natural malefic influences that are not softened by natural benefic influences. This can represent a particularly difficult karma, also called a dridha or fixed karma, which we discussed in lesson 2.. If we want to try to make a case for the temporal benefic aspects, then we'd have to also be fair and recognize that Saturn is not only the 9th lord, but the 8th lord, a dusthana lord. Therefore, the 8th lord also aspects the 1st house, 1st lord, and the Sun. In addition, Saturn is the karaka of the dusthana houses, the 8th and 12th houses. In medical astrology, Saturn represents chronic illness and conditions that are difficult or slow to improve. Saturn in this man's chart further reinforces the dridha or fixed negative karma overall. This means that he would have to work extremely hard to improve his health. At it turned out, he became overwhelmed by his health challenges and died in his early forties. The Effects of Benefics and Malefics When we see a majority of natural malefic or benefic aspects, it's a strong indication of the outcome of a situation. For example, in the above chart, the majority of malefic aspects give us strong reason to believe that this man struggles with poor health throughout his life. The aspects by the temporal benefics, on the other hand, can describe the glimmers of hope and some degree of positive outcomes. The natural malefic planets generally represent the fruit of negative karma from the past, and result in unfavorable outcomes like challenges and obstacles. Therefore, wherever malefics aspect indicate where we need to learn important lessons in this lifetime. The opposite is true with benefics, which generally represent the fruit of positive karma.



As we mentioned in lesson 4, many Western astrologers have an aversion to the classical astrology concept of benefic planets that cause good and malefic planets that cause evil. It all sounds so fatalistic, which I can understand. We've all had experiences where the worst thing that could have happened, like a loss of some kind, turned out to be a blessing in disguise. At the same time, we often hear of how the best thing that could have happened, like winning the lottery, ended up ruining people's lives. So how do you draw the line between malefic/evil and benefic/good influences? In Vedic astrology making the distinction between benefic and malefic planets is vitally important for this simple reason: it allows us to get specific in our interpretations and predictions. The purpose of distinguishing between benefics and malefics is not so that we can make judgmental statements or fatalistic predictions. It's because our lives are complicated and any given planetary configuration can represent a wide range of potential interpretations. We need to have a way to narrow down the possibilities and determine where in the wide spectrum of positive and negative interpretations a planetary configuration lies. Learning to identify benefic and malefic influences is the primary means and cannot be compromised in order to practice Vedic astrology effectively. Please see the following table:

Aspects by Benefics and Malefics

Benefics Malefics 'Positive' karma, favorable results, fruition, blessings, stability, gains,

progress, ease, solutions, and success.

'Negative' karma, unfavorable results, challenges, lessons, instability, loss,

obstacles, tension, delays, and failure.

I personally like to look at the planets in the night sky for extended periods of time, like 15 minutes or more. When you look at Saturn or Mars for this length of time, it's a very different experience than Jupiter or Venus. If you're sensitive to their vibrations you can feel the malefic and benefic qualities of the planets. For instance, you'll feel very uplifted and expanded while looking at Jupiter, whereas you will feel the contracted and constricted qualities of Saturn. I highly recommend taking the time to do this yourself as we've discussed in previous lessons. It will help you understand this question of the difference between natural versus temporal benefics and malefics. You will not only know why, the natural status predominates but can feel it too. No matter how benefic a malefic like Saturn becomes due to its temporal status, it will always be a malefic and cause challenges. Likewise, no matter how malefic a benefic like Jupiter becomes by its temporal status, it will always give benefits. David Frawley, in his excellent book, Astrology of the Seers, says it this way:



An aspect from a great malefic like Saturn tends to be difficult whatever it is. An aspect from a great benefic like Jupiter tends to be helpful whatever it is.

Quiz #64: What is the difference between a planets natural status versus temporal status? 1) Temporal status never changes 2) Natural status always changes 3) Natural status depends on the planets condition in the chart. 4) Temporal status depends on the planets condition in the chart. 5) It's a trick question. None of the above. The answer is at the end of the lesson.

A Deeper Look At Aspects

We've taken time to discuss the natural, unchanging qualities of the planets by aspect, which are: 1) a planets general qualities, 2) its status as a benefic or malefic, and 3) its house significations, because they are not emphasized enough in my opinion. Too often I see students get stuck on the fact that a planet is in an afflicted condition in the chart and forget that it has general, unchanging qualities that it will manifest regardless of its condition. I want you to learn to think dualistically about the planets nature, which means to always consider both sides: unchanging and changing. If you do, then you'll make fewer mistakes and be much further ahead in natal chart interpretation. However, as important as the unchanging effects of planets are, they are still only general effects - and only half of the picture. In order to understand the specific effect that a planet's aspect will have, we need to look closely at its temporal or changing condition in the chart. As we said earlier, everything that you can understand about its given position will be useful in this regard. Therefore, its (P) position, (A) aspects from other planets, (C) conjunctions with other planets, and (DARES) yogas will all give vital information about its effect by aspect. Analyzing The Temporal Condition of a Planet To begin our discussion on the temporal condition of a planet, and the effect that it has on its aspect(s), let's take another look at the chart of Adolf Hitler, which we discussed in Lesson 6. Obviously, we'd expect to see dramatic effects of Mars in his chart, the planet of war, violence, and aggression. Here's his chart again, but this time with all the planetary aspects as glyphs included:



Notice that he has a Libra ascendant, with Mars (P) positioned in the 7th house, in the sign of Aries, a militant sign. Its position by rulership is that it rules the 2nd and 7th houses. It's also (A) aspected by both Jupiter and Saturn. Notice that Mars's aspect with Saturn is a very tight mutual aspect, or sambandha, within 3 degrees, with Saturn at 21 degrees Cancer, and Mars at 24 degrees Aries. The example we used in our discussion about sambandha was actually taken from Hitler's chart. Mars is also (C) conjunct quite a few planets: the Sun, Mercury and Venus. Since we haven't discussed yogas yet in the course, we'll save the DARES for later lessons. Just analyzing the PAC of Mars in Hitler's chart will be plenty of interpretive work to help us understand its temporal condition. For instance, in the last lesson we only analyzed the (P) position and this led to many paragraphs of information. Adding the next steps of the aspects and conjunctions makes interpretation much more complicated since each needs to be understood separately. Please see the following table listing the PAC of Mars:

PAC of Mars

P Position (In) 7, Aries



P Position (Rules) 2, 7 A Aspects (Receives) Saturn, Jupiter A Aspects (Gives to PL) Saturn A Aspects (Gives to H#) 1, 2, 10 C Conjunctions Sun, Mercury, Venus

Aspects Received Versus Aspects Given You'll notice that aspects are separated into the aspects that the planet receives, as well as the aspects that a planet gives to other houses, and planets. We want to first analyze the aspects that the planet receives. Why? Because our first task is to understand everything about the planets given position, since it will aspect FROM this position, and transfer those qualities by aspect. When a planet receives an aspect, for instance, Mars receives aspects from Saturn and Jupiter, we need to understand the natural and temporal qualities (PAC-DARES) of the sending planet. For instance, Saturn's natural, unchanging qualities are that it's a planet of contraction and hardship, it's a malefic, and it's the karaka of two dusthana houses, the 8th and 12th. It's temporal condition is that it's placed in the 10th house, in Cancer, it's in mutual aspect with Mars, and it aspects the 4th, 7th, and 12th houses. The Role of Planetary Friendships in Aspects When a planet receives an aspect from another planet we need to also consider the relationship between the two planets. Is it a natural (permanent) friend or enemy according to the two families of friendships? We discussed this concept previously in Lesson 4. For review here are the two basic families of planetary friendships:

Family of Friends #1 Family of Friends #2 Sun, Moon, Mars, Jupiter Mercury, Venus, Saturn

An aspect from a natural friend will be more harmonious in general, while an aspect from a natural friend will be more tense. For instance, notice in Hitler's chart that Mars and Saturn's mutual aspect is between natural enemies, which makes this a very tense aspect. This principle, however, doesn't override the planets malefic or benefic status. For instance, Saturn's aspect will always be a malefic aspect, but it will be softer, to some extent, when aspecting its natural friends Mercury and Venus. Planetary friendships becomes especially important to consider when the two planets are in sambandha, because the effects of a mutual aspect is intensified.



This is also true when an aspect is close by degrees, like within a 5 degree orb, which is also a more intensified aspect. For example, the aspect of Saturn and Mars in Hitler's chart fulfills both of these intensifications, by being in a mutual aspect and tight by degrees, at a 3 degree orb. Example Analysis of PAC Let's now go through the steps to analyze the PAC of Mars in Hitler's chart and find out its temporal condition. (P) Position Mars is placed in the 7th house, which indicates potential conflict and power struggles in his relationships in general, as well as with his spouse. Mars in the 7th house can give a critical attitude of others, and a pattern of being demanding and controlling in his relationships. Mars placed in Aries intensifies the fiery, aggressive and militant quality of Mars, being in its own sign, making relationships a battleground. Mars is a temporal malefic for Libra ascendant, ruling both of the maraka houses, 2 and 7. Maraka means "killer" and this further intensifies the malefic nature of Mars. As the 7th lord in the 7th house it shows a repeated pattern of conflict in relationships. Not only is Mars in the 7th house but it rules the 7th house. Having the 2nd lord Mars placed in the 7th house shows a link between earning and working with other people. (A) Aspects Mars receives aspects from both Saturn and Jupiter. Let's focus on Saturn first because it's more intense, being a mutual aspect, a tighter aspect, and an aspect between enemies. Saturn's aspect from the 10th house generally shows his work obligations, and responsibilities. It shows the pressures and guilt-ridden feelings that propel him to work hard. It also indicates a methodical, structured and organized approach to work. Being a planet of insecurity and fear, Saturn in the 10th likes to have control and can be insensitive and callous to other people's needs in pursuit of control. Saturn's aspect to Mars from this position makes for an extremely volatile and explosive combination. Mars is impatient, critical and controlling of people in the 7th house, and Saturn in the 10th house can also be controlling but through rigid and strict rules and regulations. You can't control other people unless you totally dominate them, which is became the outcome of this combination in his chart. Saturn and Mars in tight, mutual aspect can bring out the most aggressive and callous qualities in a person and is often seen in the charts of murderers and criminals. This is especially true because Mars is in the violent sign of Aries and the 7th house, revealing his treatment toward people. Jupiter's aspect from the 3rd house to Mars in the 7th house, shows Hitler's



ability to communicate his ideals to others. Jupiter represents one's philosophical ideals and the 3rd house is the house of communication. This becomes a reinforced pattern because Jupiter is in his own sign of Sagittarius, which is a philosophical and idealistic sign. Jupiter is with the Moon, the 10th lord, which indicates that he communicates his ideals not only to people, but on a large scale to the masses. Jupiter's conjunction with Ketu in the 3rd house shows his use of deception to promote propaganda in the media. Ketu represents ancient knowledge and mysticism, and Hitler misused the ancient mystical symbol of the swastika for his Nazi propaganda campaign, This is shown by Ketu in the 3rd house of the media, with the 3rd lord, Jupiter, and conjunct the 10th lord, Moon representing public influence. Hitler believed in his ideology of the superiority of the aryan race, which he used as justification for the holocaust. Jupiter's aspect to Mars added philosophical fuel to Mars's drive and ruthless ambition. (C) Conjunctions Aspects to Mars by Saturn and Jupiter describe important qualities that add to our understanding of Mars's temporal condition. The conjunctions that Mars has with the Sun, Mercury, and Venus further add to this. Let's focus first on Venus since it's the tightest aspect. Venus in the 7th house house conjunct Mars shows the seductive charm that allowed him to win people over to his ideas. Incidentally, Venus ruling and aspecting his ascendant shows his interest in art. It's a well-known fact that he tried to enter a prestigious art college but failed to pass the entrance exam. Mercury in the 7th house conjunct Mars shows his direct, and assertive communication style. The Sun in the 7th house conjunct Mars reinforces his hunger for power and authority over others, and gives him strength of leadership, both politically (Sun) and militarily (Mars). A Planets Temporal Effect by Aspect and Conjunction When we consider all the above factors that effect Mars's temporal condition in the chart, it becomes easier to predict how Mars will effect the houses and planets that it aspects or conjuncts. For instance, because Mars aspects to the 10th house from the 7th house, the quality of power and dominance over people is extended into his work place. Mars from Aries shows his use of military force to accomplish his career goals. Mars's aspect to Saturn in the 10th reinforces and increases the volatility that Saturn's aspect to Mars from the 10th house represents. It's important to also note that only the malefics, Mars and Saturn, aspect his 10th house. The 10th house is not only the house of career, but of karma or action, and these malefic aspects while in mutual aspect indicate his inhumane and ruthless actions. Mars's aspect to its own sign of Scorpio in the 2nd house represents his ability to earn money through his connections with people, and can represent someone in public service.



Mars's conjunction with the ascendant lord Venus, and the Sun, in addition to its aspect to the ascendant, adds Mars's qualities to his basic characteristic traits, since the ascendant, ascendant lord, and the Sun are all personality indicators in the chart along with the Moon. The Most Important Step in Chart Interpretation This last point about Hitler's chart is the most important one for describing why he became the person he was. This is because the most important step in chart interpretation is to analyze the influences on the personality indicators: the ascendant, the ascendant lord and the luminaries - the Sun, and the Moon.

The Personality Indicators 1 The Ascendant

2 The Ascendant Lord

3 The Sun

4 The Moon The ascendant is called the stamba, which means the pillar of the horoscope. It's the foundation of the chart because it determines the starting point for the houses and the house rulerships. The 1st house is the pivotal house, from which the entire chart is created. The ascendant represents the earth in the chart because it's the intersecting point on the horizon between the earth's surface and the sign constellation. It's the foundation and pillar of the chart because it represents something solid, the earth. The ascendant is also the fastest changing influence in the chart, because it will change signs about every 2 hrs. Whereas the next fastest is the Moon, which changes signs every 2 1/2 days, followed by the Sun, which changes signs once a month. This indicates why these influences in the chart are the personality indicators: they are the fastest changing, and therefore the most unique and specific for the individual. These four factors show a person's main character traits, what makes them 'tick', or how they're 'wired.' The ascendant is considered the "window" through which all of the other houses are seen. In other words, in order to understand any house in the chart you first need to understand the ascendant, which includes understanding the ascendant lord, and the Sun, the karaka of the ascendant. The Moon is added to this list because it represents the mind and one's outlook in life. It's also the second fastest moving influence qualifying it as a personality indicator. If the personality indicators are so important, then why haven't we discussed this earlier in the course? It's because we just started interpretation methods in the last lesson, Lesson 10, and to analyze the personality indicators we need to look



at the not only their (P) position, which we discussed then, but the (A) aspects and (C) conjunctions that influence them. Therefore, this becomes most relevant in this lesson. When we were to start from the beginning in interpreting a chart, we must start with analyzing the PAC of the personality indicators. For instance, in Hitler's chart, the most important points to recognize are that Mars from the sign militant sign of Aries, in the 7th house, aspects the ascendant, is conjunct the Sun, and is in a tight conjunction with Venus, the ascendant lord. All of the personality indicators, except the Moon, are influenced by Mars. This takes place while Mars is in a volatile and tight mutual aspect with its enemy, Saturn, from the 10th house. This shows his violent and controlling nature, which are his main character traits. The aspect from Jupiter, softens this to some extent, but Jupiter also adds an idealistic streak, which also fuels his nefarious ambitions. Analysis of the Personality Indicators Let's now look at the example chart of Mahatma Gandhi to show a contrast in personality, shown by the influences on the personality indicators: ascendant, ascendant lord, Sun, and Moon.

In the chart of Mahatma Gandhi we find the same ascendant as Hitler, Libra.



However, notice that Venus, the ascendant lord, is placed in Libra, in its own sign, not in Aries like Hitler. Aries is the most violent sign in the zodiac, whereas Libra is the most non-violent, being the opposite and balancing sign from Aries. It's the sign of harmony, diplomacy, and beauty, ruled by Venus, the planet of love. In Gandhi's case, Mars is also aspecting the ascendant and the ascendant lord, as in Hitler's chart. However, it's aspecting by conjunction FROM the sign of Libra, not Aries. This makes Mars's temporal condition very different than Hitler's. We see no tight aspects from Saturn, but only aspects by benefic planets Jupiter, Venus, and Mercury. Mars in Gandhi's chart does makes him a fighter, because it's in the ascendant, and conjunct the ascendant lord. However, Mars is not a violent fighter because it's colored by non-violent Libra. It's also aspected by three benefics, Jupiter, Venus, and Mercury. The latter two benefics are in conjunction with Mars in Libra, further reinforcing Libra's harmonious qualities. Jupiter's aspect to Mars, the ascendant, and ascendant lord, from the combative sign of Aries adds to his ability to fight to defend his beliefs and ideals. In fact, Gandhi and Hitler share this quality because of Jupiter's aspect to Mars as seen in both of their charts. Also, common to their charts is Jupiter's status as a temporal malefic, due to its rulership of the 3rd and 6th houses. This adds to their ability to fight (6th house) to defend one's beliefs (Jupiter), as well as to have influence through communication (3rd house) for this purpose. In Hitler's chart two of the personality indicators, the ascendant lord, Venus, and the Sun, are in Aries. Whereas, in Gandhi's chart two of the personality indicators, the ascendant and ascendant lord, are in Libra. The focus clearly shifts from Aries to Libra in Gandhi's chart. Looking further, in Hitler's chart, his ascendant is aspected by two benefics, Venus and Mercury, and two malefics, the Sun and Mars. However, they're all aspecting FROM Aries. In Gandhi's chart the ascendant is aspected by three benefics, Jupiter, Venus, and Mercury, and one malefic, Mars. Two of the benefics are conjunct in Libra itself. Aries is considered a malefic sign, ruled by Mars, a malefic, whereas Libra is considered a benefic sign, ruled by Venus, a benefic. This may sound like a minor point, but it shows an important difference in their main personality traits. In Gandhi's chart, all of his personality indicators are actually in benefic signs. Gandhi's Sun is in Mercury's sign, and the Moon is in the Moon's own sign of Cancer. The Sun is in Mercury's sign in the 12th house, a spiritual house showing that he aspires for moksha or liberation. The Moon is in the 10th house, in its own sign of Cancer, indicating that he focuses of his mind in the area of his work. The Moon's conjunction with Rahu shows his pioneering, innovative, and unconventional approach in his work, which he was able to use to his advantage to effect public influence. Rahu with the Moon makes him a rebel, but with so many benevolent influences on the personality indicators shows that he is a rebel for good causes.



We need to learn to hone in on analyzing the personality indicators when beginning to interpret a chart. This will give us very important clues for understanding how the person thinks and behaves, which will of course effect every other area of their life.

Quiz #65: What are the personality indicators in the chart? 1) The Sun and Moon 2) The Ascendant and Ascendant lord 3) The Ascendant, Sun and Moon 4) The Ascendant lord, Sun and Moon 5) It's a trick question. None of the above. The answer is at the end of the lesson.

Determining the Effects of Conjunctions

As mentioned earlier, conjunctions are simply the combining of planets within a sign. Because of their close proximity, planets that are conjunct are in intimate association. Even though they're often considered a type of aspect, conjunctions are not technically aspects. An aspect is a 'thrown' influence and this is only possible when planets are in a distant house relationship from one another. It's for this reason that they're given a separate step, (C), in the PAC-DARES method. Conjunctions are an observable phenomenon since they can be viewed in the night sky, as in the photograph above. They are also easy to identify within a box in the natal chart. Since Jyotish is based in an observable tradition, conjunctions have always held special importance in chart interpretation. They are arguably more powerful than aspects, especially when they're close by degrees. They're always a mutual aspect and therefore always constitute sambandha. Whereas the special aspects of Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn can sometimes be only one-sided aspects, as mentioned earlier. Conjunctions are powerful also because they represent a repeated influence of the qualities of the sign that they're placed in. We saw this in Hitler and Gandhi's charts, where the repeated influences of Aries and Libra respectively played a significant role in our interpretation of their personalities. Common Conjunctions The conjunctions that you'll see the most are the conjunctions between the Sun, Mercury, and Venus, which amount to three - Sun/Mercury, Sun/Venus, and



Mercury/Venus. Why? Because Mercury and Venus are the closest orbiting planets to the Sun. Mercury never gets farther than 28 degrees away from the Sun, while Venus never gets more than 48 degrees away. They are the only planets that you'll never see opposite the Sun in the natal chart. Mercury will always be conjunct the Sun, or in the adjacent sign, while Venus will either be conjunct the Sun or not more than two signs away. In the above photo, Mercury and Venus are conjunct, which is of course quite common, while being joined by Saturn, which is rare. You can be certain that the above photo was taken just after sunset or just before sunrise, since the Sun would have to be just below the horizon. In fact, the only times to view Mercury or Venus in the sky are at sunrise or sunset because of their proximity to the Sun, and you'll never see them directly overhead.

A three planet conjunction of Mercury, Venus, and Saturn taking place on the cusp between Gemini and Cancer on June 23, 2005. Key Quotes from Classics for Interpreting Conjunctions Some guidelines will be the same for analyzing conjunctions as with aspects. For instance, we need to consider both the natural and temporal qualities of the planets involved. We'll be showing examples of this in the Interpretations and



Logical Explanations section below using Einstein's chart. What makes conjunctions unique is that a conjunction will show a special emphasis and have a special effect on the particular house it is in. There are only nine planets and twelve houses in Jyotish, so there will always be some houses devoid of any planets. Therefore, whenever a single planet is placed in a house, it gives a special emphasis to that house. By extension, when there are two or more planets conjunct in a house it gives an even greater emphasis to the house, and will represent a significant area in the person's life. The house will invariably be effected by any planet that is placed there, for better or for worse. The classic text, Hora Sara, discusses the effects of conjunctions on a house:

The combination of two or more planets always effect the bhava (house) concerned. The effects of such combinations may also yield a poisonous mixture as honey and ghee together yield.

When two or more planets are conjunct in a house it complicates the interpretation of a single planet placed there. We have to tread carefully in our interpretation because, as the above quote suggests, two planets that yield positive results separately can become "poisonous" or harmful to the house when mixed together, just like when mixing ghee and honey together. For instance, when either the Sun or Saturn are placed in the 11th house they can produce favorable results. The 11th house is an upachaya house, along with the 3rd, 6th and 10th houses, and a malefic placed there is generally favorable for financial gains, status, etc. However, if they combine together it can be challenging because they are both malefics, (the Sun is only mildy malefic), and are natural enemies to one another. The general rule for understanding conjunctions is further explained in Hora Sara:

If benefics only join in a bhava (house), the effects produced will be very superior. Inauspicious results will follow if malefics join together. If benefics and malefics join, then the effects will be mixed.

This again demonstrates that how important the natural status of the planets are in interpretation. If there is a focus of benefics in a house it is generally good for the house. Likewise, only malefics in a house can concentrate a great deal of malefic energy and be damaging for the results of the house. For instance, two or more malefics placed in the 5th house can indicate someone who doesn't have children, can't have children, or has a difficult relationship with their children. In either case, the results of children seen by the 5th house are somehow challenged as indicated by the effects of two or more malefics placed there. The above quote is a good general guideline. To be able to be more precise in



our interpretation we need to analyze the condition (PAC-DARES) of not only the house, but the house lord, and the karaka of the house. When we look deeper we may find that the malefic planets conjunct in the house form favorable yogas. This typically means that the house gives good results, however, along with struggle. Likewise, when benefics are conjunct and form malefic yogas, then the results are usually unfavorable, but not extremely unfavorable. We will be discussing this concept more in our lessons on yogas. Multiple Planet Conjunctions The more planets that are conjunct in a house the more difficult it is to determine the effect. We have to look very carefully at the following three steps for interpreting conjunctions: 1) The natural status and qualities of the planets involved: Which are natural benefics and which are natural malefics? What are their general qualities, and how would these qualities affect one another? 2) Whether the planets are natural friends or enemies: Saturn, Venus, and Mercury are one set of friends, and Jupiter, Mars, Sun, and Moon are the other set of friends. 3) The temporal qualities or condition of the planets involved - house/sign placement and house(s) they rule (P), aspects (A) they receive and give, conjunctions (C) and how the interact with each other, and the yogas (DARES) that are involved. The Hora Sara gives a general guideline regarding conjunctions of four or more planets:

If four or more planets join in a house, only mixed effects will follow. The results will manifest in the major and sub periods (dashas), depending on the good or bad disposition of the planets.

This quote indicates that when many planets combine it becomes a complicated blend of planetary energies which obscures, or blurs the result. The result is typically mixed, not entirely positive or negative. Even when there are benefics and strongly placed it tends to be mostly challenging. The classic text, Saravali, also concurs with this interpretation when it says:

If 5 or 6 planets join at birth, normally such natives will be penniless, subjected to grief and be dull-witted.



There are of course exceptions to these general rules and the Hora Sara indicates one such exception:

| This last quote indicates that we can't be too rigid in our analysis and assume that the conjunction of multiple planets give bad results, especially when they're well placed by house position in the lagna, the 9th or 10th house. We can extend this to any of the angular and trinal houses which are the strongest house placements. I like what K.N. Rao says about taking principles from classic texts: "We should take them liberally, not literally." Of course, we don't want to just overlay our own ideas onto the authoritative texts, but we can use sound logic to come to our conclusions. When in doubt about the effects of conjunctions it is always safest to make a careful analysis by using the three steps outlined above. We'll see below how Einstein's four planet conjunction certainly gave him benefit in the 10th house of career. Interpretations and Logical Explanations Einstein's chart is particularly useful for studying conjunctions because of his four planet conjunction in the 10th house. We can't take the time and space to study all of the thirty six possible two planet conjunctions in a chart, but we will study the seven that are present in Einstein's chart. Fortunately, he has the three most common conjunctions of Sun/Mercury, Sun/Venus, and Mercury/Venus. It's not necessary for us to study all of the possible conjunctions, which number in the hundreds when you consider all of the possible two, three, four, five, six and even seven planet conjunctions. What's important is to learn how to be chemists, like we discussed in lesson 10. Everything that we know about the individual planets is useful for interpreting their blended influence in conjunctions - both their natural and temporal qualities as listed in the three steps for interpreting conjunctions above.

The native who has three or more planets either in the ascendant, or the 10th or the 9th, will engage himself in multifarious activities, will have numerous good qualities, will be extremely intelligent and will enjoy like a lord of wealth.



Let's now look at the sample interpretations of each of the seven conjunctions in Einstein's chart, as well as the logical explanations for each.

1. Sun conj. Mercury

Interpretation

Is intelligent, communicative, articulate, and socially interactive.

Logical Explanation This is the most common conjunction in astrology, because the Sun and Mercury are always so close to one another. As mentioned earlier, Mercury is never more than 28 degrees from the Sun, so it is always either in the same sign or the adjacent sign to it. Therefore, approximately 50% of the population has this conjunction. This conjunction alone doesn't make someone extremely intelligent, communicative, and articulate but it does help. The Sun conjunct any planet will increase those planets qualities in the individual's personality, because the Sun represents the personality and the main character traits as the karaka of the 1st house. It's also the karaka of the 10th house and represents how we express ourselves in the world, so it becomes a doubly important planet for understanding how an individual functions and expresses themselves in their lives. Therefore, when the Sun is conjunct Mercury it increases Mercury's traits like intelligence, communication, wit, humor, and sociability.



In Einstein's chart, Mercury's placement in the 10th house with the Sun means that Mercury's traits are expressed and utilized in his career. The 10th house is also the most visible house, being directly overhead, so this represents that other's visibly see this person's intelligence and Mercurial traits in his personality. Because Mercury is not only placed in the 10th house with Sun but rules the ascendant, it further emphasizes Mercury's traits in his personality and adds to his ability to be recognized for his intelligence, wit, and communicative abilities. At the same time, these traits take on an imaginative, intuitive and mystical quality because of being placed in the sign of Pisces. This gives him intuitive intelligence, which is a quality that Einstein is known for.

2. Sun conj. Venus

Interpretation

Is creative, expressive, kind, likeable, charming, and admires beauty.

Logical Explanation The Sun conjunct Venus is also a very common conjunction, but not as common as Sun conjunct Mercury, because Venus is farther than Mercury to the Sun. When the Sun is with Venus it means the person shines with Venus's qualities in his personality, such as creativity, affection, friendliness, charm, love of beauty and the arts. Because the Sun is an expressive outgoing planet, and Venus is the planet of creativity, this conjunction increases creativity and is typically seen in artist types of individuals. Einstein loved music, particularly Mozart, and started playing violin at age 4. He once said, "If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music." This combination shows that Einstein was not only a scientific genius, but an artist, and an imaginative artist because the Sun and Venus are conjunct in the imaginative sign of Pisces. Because Venus is a people-oriented planet, Venus with the Sun also represents his love of people and compassion for humanity. He said, "More and more I come to value charity and love of one's fellow being above everything else. Nothing truly valuable arises from ambition or from a mere sense of duty; it stems rather from love and devotion towards men." This combination of the Sun and Venus in Pisces heightens this quality compassion and love for humanity



because Pisces is a compassionate, open-hearted, and universal sign. Venus is particularly strong in the sign of Pisces, and considered exalted, which we'll be talking about in the next lesson on planetary strength. This further heightens these traits, and makes them seen by others in his public work due to its placement in the 10th house.

3. Mercury conj. Venus

Interpretation

Is sociable, creative, and communicates in a charming, pleasant, and articulate manner.

Logical Explanation Mercury conjunct Venus is also a fairly common conjunction since they are always so close in proximity to one another, and to the Sun. Mercury and Venus are both interpersonal planets due to this proximity to the Sun as previously discussed in Lesson 4. This means that they are people-oriented, interactive and sociable and this conjunction increases these traits in the individual. Einstein was not only a genius with fascinating ideas, but he was approachable and people oriented because of this combination. Mercury is also a planet of wit and Venus is a planet of charm, which means their conjunction makes the person's speech particularly pleasant and enjoyable. This is commonly seen in performing artists like actors, lecturers, and comedians because they have an ability to captivate an audience with their charming and creative use of words. It's commonly said that these individuals typically like to even hear themselves talk. This combination in Einstein's chart made him one of the most quotable people in history. A journalist said, "I report him as the kindest, gentlest, sweetest of men. He had a keen wit and a delightful sense of humor."

4. Sun conj. Saturn



Interpretation

Is serious, hard working, reliable, and organized.

Logical Explanation Saturn conjunct the Sun increases Saturn's qualities in the personality. Saturn is a planet of fear and insecurity, and to make up for this basic feeling of lack Saturn works extra hard, perseveres and is serious about achieving whatever it focuses on. To do this he is typically disciplined, reliable, and willing to sacrifice pleasure for the sake of getting the job done. Saturn is also a planet of organization and structure and when it's conjunct the Sun the person proceeds with projects in a systematic and organized manner. Einstein was know to be a hard worker, but only when the work interested him. Saturn and the Sun in the imaginative sign of Pisces in the 10th house means that he works best when his work captures his fascination and imagination. Otherwise, he can be unfocused, aloof and distracted, which are the negative qualities of Pisces. It's well known that he was bored at school, and hated to repeat information from memory, which is why he was never a very good student. However, he took getting his theories accepted seriously. Saturn's placement in the 10th house with the Sun shows his struggle with authorities, which is documented by his twenty-five year struggle for the acceptance of the theory of relativity. This conjunction represents the necessity for him to work extra hard to avoid criticism. The Sun represents authorities and Saturn shows where we have challenges, so this combination can show issues with authorities and one's own father. In one of Einstein's biographies the author says, "He had powerfully conflicted attitudes towards his father."

5. Mercury conj. Saturn



Interpretation

Thinks and communicates in an organized, logical, and systematic manner.

Logical Explanation The conjunction of Mercury and Saturn increases logical and rational thinking. Mercury represents our intellect, how we think and communicate. Saturn represents organization and structure. Their combined influence gives organized, structured, linear, and systematic thinking. This is a common combination in the charts of scientists, engineers, accountants, researchers, or anyone who relies on processing information in an organized manner. In Einstein's chart this combination in Pisces in the 10th house shows his ability to organize abstract ideas. As I mentioned in the last lesson Mercury in Pisces in the 10th house is the combination that makes him the archetypal absent-minded professor. His desk was always messy and cluttered. He lived in an imaginative and dreamy world of abstract ideas. However, this conjunction with Saturn helps him to organize his abstract ideas and explain them in a simple and logical way. It makes him a serious and deep thinker, but also a logical thinker. One of Einstein's famous quotes is, "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough." One way that he explained his abstract theory of relativity was, "Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute, and it seems like an hour. Sit with a pretty girl for an hour, and it seems like a minute. THAT's relativity."

6. Venus conj. Saturn



Interpretation Has challenges in relationships, but can also be a committed spouse.

Logical Explanation

The conjunction of Saturn and Venus is challenging for relationships because it can cool off Venus's romantic affection. Saturn can be cold, distant, detached and aloof, which doesn't contribute to a very spicey romance. Einstein said, "When it comes to close relationships I failed twice, disgracefully. Marriages are dangerous." This is one effect of this conjunction. Another is that it can make one committed to a spouse because Saturn represents commitment and longevity. Einstein's first marriage lasted 16 years, most of which were miserable. Saturn can represent persevering and sacrificing pleasure for the sake of one's commitment. Saturn conjunct Venus takes place in the 10th house so it also effects his area of work. In that regard, Saturn conjunct Venus is good for being disciplined and structured with art. In Einstein's case this can be seen in his musical discipline. It's well known that he played the violin eve

aspects course 1 lesson 11

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