Course1 Lesson 12 S

Light On Vedic Astrology
Lesson 12
Online Course Level 1

Determining the Strength of Planets and Houses
Lesson 12:
by Vaughn Paul Manley, M.A.
Topics Covered in this Lesson:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Determining Planetary Strength

Fine Tuning Planetary Strength By Sign Position
Planetary Strength By House Position and Rulership
Other Factors of Planetary Strength
The Shad Bala System of Planetary Strength
Determining the Strength of Houses
Exercises and Homework
In the last two lessons we've learned to combine planetary influences, like a
chemist. In Lesson 10 we combined planets in the houses and signs, and in
Lesson 11 we combined planets with other planets by analyzing their aspects
and conjunctions. This has been valuable because astrology is all about
interpreting blended influences. However, it's not enough. The next step in
refining our interpretation is to be able the determine the strength of a planet. To
do this we'll be examining the planets more closely according to sign position,
house position, aspects and conjunctions, as well as discussing various other
factors and systems for determining planetary strength.
Determining Planetary Strength
www.LightOnVedicAstrology.com
Copyright 2006
1
For Private Use - Not For Circulation

Lesson 12

Understanding Planetary Strength

Why is knowing a planet's strength important? It's because when a planet has
strength or graha bala it generally means that it's able to express its positive
qualities, and when it's weak the opposite it true. Therefore. by knowing a
planet's strength we're able to estimate where it is on the spectrum between its
positive and negative qualities:
Planetary Strength
Weak
Strong
<--<--<--<---------->-->-->-->
Negative Qualities Positive Qualities
In the lessons on the key indications of the planets, signs, and houses (Lessons
5, 7, and 9) you'll remember that I listed both the weak and strong traits of each.
Without knowing the strength of the planet we would have no way of knowing if
the person would manifest the weak or strong traits, which are often
contradictory. Knowing a planet's strength resolves this issue. It's for this reason
that the sage Parashara cautions astrologers to first determine the strength of the
planets before giving interpretations:
The yogas (combinations) mentioned above should be delineated
only after knowing the favorable or unfavorable dispositions of the
participant planets and their strength and weakness.
- Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra
Ch 41, v 17, (translation by R. Santhanam)
When Saturn is strong it can represent someone who is disciplined and hard
working. However, the opposite is true when it's weak, with someone being lazy
and unfocused. Wherever Saturn is placed in the chart, it will fall somewhere in
the spectrum of its negative and positive qualities.
Saturn's Strength
Weak
Strong
<--<--<--<------------------>-->-->-->
Lazy, unfocused
Disciplined, hard working
Take a look at this example chart where Saturn is placed in the 12th house, in
the sign of Aries, and conjunct Ketu.
Copyright 2006
2

Lesson 12

Saturn is weak by house position, by being placed in a dusthana house. Saturn is

also weak by sign position by being placed in Aries, its sign of debilitation (see
the Planetary Dignities Table below). Saturn is further weakened by its
conjunction with a malefic, Ketu. Overall Saturn is considerably weak, and
therefore we can expect the negative qualities of Saturn to manifest like being
lazy, and unfocused. Looking deeper, Ketu is a planet that can represent a lack
of motivation and laziness, and the 12th house can be considered a lazy house
as well. This combination may be good for spiritual pursuits, like introspection
and meditation, but it's not good for being disciplined, hard working and
productive in the material world, which is what Saturn represents when it's
strong.
Now take a look at another example chart where Saturn is placed in the 10th
house, in the sign of Aquarius, and aspected by Venus in Leo.
Saturn is strong by house position by being placed on an angle in the 10th

house, which is also an upachaya house. Saturn is also strong by being placed in
Aquarius, a sign it rules and its mulatrikona sign. Saturn is also strong by aspect
by being aspected by a benefic, Venus. In Lesson 15 on Raja Yogas we'll be
discussing how this also forms a raja yoga between the 9th and 10th lord, and
Copyright 2006
3

Lesson 12

the 1st lord. Overall Saturn is quite strong and therefore we can expect the
positive qualities of Saturn to manifest like being disciplined and hard working.
The Strength of Natural and Temporal Indications

The relative strength or weakness of a planet's general qualities is only half the
picture. In past lessons we learned how a planet's general qualities are also
called it's natural indications. These never change. By contrast, a planet temporal
indications always change from chart to chart based on the houses that a planet
rules and its condition in the chart - its position, aspects, conjunctions, yogas etc.
Therefore, when a planet is strong it also strengthens the houses it rules, with the
opposite being the case when its weak. For instance, in the second example
above both the indications of the 9th and 10th houses will improve due to
Saturn's placement in its own sign of Aquarius, in the 10th house, a powerful
angular house, aspected by a benefic, Venus, and forming a raja yoga. We could
expect that this person would have both a successful career(10th house), and is
religious or spiritually-minded (9th house).
This is taste of what we'll be discussing in this lesson, as we learn the different
factors of strength.
Karma, Past Lives and the Strength of Planets

Astrology presuppose the concept of reincarnation when it suggests that the
natal chart is map of an individual's karma. This is an assumed belief of many
Vedic astrologers, and you could say "comes with the turf." Therefore, when a
planet is strong it indicates that a person has developed the positive qualities of
the planet by their past actions in former lifetimes. They've earned the right for it
to be strong. For instance, if a person has been an artist in many lives and has
focused their energy on honing their skill, then Venus would be strong in their
birth chart. The natal chart tells the story of their karma, their past actions in
former lives. Therefore, learning to accurately determine strength becomes
necessary for reading karma.
However, this is not as easy as it may appear, because there are so many
factors effecting planetary strength. For instance, a planet could be strong by
sign position, weak by house position, aspected by both benefics and malefics,
vargottama, combust, and in a planetary war! All of these factors need to be
weighed separately and then combined in the interpretation. The basic principle
is that the planet has the power to express its positive qualities when it's strong.
However, there are many instances when a planet is strong, like Mar's in Hitler's
chart, and it doesn't equate with "positive" or "benefic," which we'll talk more
about later in this lesson.
A good way to understand planetary strength is to think of the planets as human
Copyright 2006
4

Lesson 12

beings who behave according to their relative state of happiness. K.N. Rao refers
to this in his writings as the happy and unhappy condition of planets:
"Just as the company of different human beings and different
surroundings create different moods in you, so it is with planets in
a horoscope. Planets are happy in some conditions and unhappy
in other conditions. They have varying emotional states."
A planet will tend to give favorable results when it's in a sign or house it's happy
in, and surrounded by friends, just like human beings. Imagine two scenarios:
going home to a house you love that's surrounded by friends, beauty, and
comfort, versus going home to housemates you hate, and ugly, uncomfortable
surroundings. Many of us have experienced both situations, and know how our
surroundings and company directly effect our moods and consequently our
behaviors. When we're unhappy we're more likely to be rude and combative, and
the opposite when we're happy. So it is with planets. Therefore, when you know
the signs, houses, and planets that make a planet happy or unhappy, you'll be far
along in understanding a planet's overall strength. We'll be discussing these in
this lesson, but let's start with determining a planet's strength by sign position.
The Nine Conditions of Sign Strength Planetary Dignities

Parashara identifies nine conditions of strength according to sign position, also
called planetary dignities. They are listed in descending order from the most
happy to the most unhappy as follows:
1) Exalted
2) Mulatrikona
3) Own Sign
4) Great Friend
5) Friend
6) Neutral
7) Enemy
8) Great Enemy
9) Debilitated
Now see how these nine fall into three distinct categories based on the results
they yield.
Happy
1) Exalted
2) Mulatrikona
3) Own Sign
4) Great Friend
5) Friend
Neither
Happy/Unhappy
6) Neutral
Copyright 2006
5
Unhappy
7) Enemy
8) Great Enemy
9) Debilitated

Lesson 12

A general interpretive guideline thus can be given for the nine conditions:
A planet will yield favorable results if it's in one of the "happy" conditions of the
1st column.
A planet will yield neither favorable or unfavorable results if it's in the neutral
condition of the 2nd column.
A planet will yield unfavorable results if it's in one of the "unhappy" conditions of
the 3rd column.
This is only a general guideline and most not be used rigidly, because sign
position is only one of many factors that need to be analyzed collectively for
determining strength.
One-Step Method for Determining Sign Strength

Four of the above nine conditions - exalted, mulatrikona, own sign, and
debilitated - are easy to determine by a one-step method. You just have to know
the planet's sign placement and degrees, and have the following Planetary
Dignities Table memorized or handy for quick reference:
Planet
Sun
Moon
Mars
Mer
Jup
Ven
Sat
Rahu
Ketu
Exalted
10oAri
3oTau
28oCap
15oVir
5oCan
27oPis
20oLib
Tau
Sco
Planetary Dignities Table

Mulatrikona
Own Sign(s)
o
o
0-20 Leo
20-30 Leo
--o
3-27 Tau
--Can
o
o
0-12 Ari
12-30 Ari
Sco
o
o
15-20 Vir
20-30 Vir
Gem
o
o
0-10 Sag
10-30 Sag
Pis
0-15o Lib
15-30o Lib
Tau
0-20oAqu
20-30oAqu
Cap
Gem
Aqu
--Sag
Sco
---
Debilitated
10oLib
3oSco
28oCan
15oPis
5oCap
27oVir
20oAri
Sco
Tau
Exalted and Debilitated

Notice that exaltation and debilitation, the extremely happy and extremely
unhappy conditions of a planet, are exactly opposite one another. Therefore, if
you can memorize one, you've memorized them both. Notice also that there is an
exact degree for each, referred to as 'deep exaltation' or 'deep debilitation', which
represent the two most extreme degrees of these conditions. When a planet is
within three degrees of the exact degree it could be said to be deeply exalted or
debilitated. However, once the degree of exaltation or debilitation is crossed then
the effect is weakened. Therefore, it's stronger to have an exalted planet
approaching its exalted degree then after it.
Copyright 2006
6

Lesson 12

The same is true for debilitated planets, but when it's approaching the debilitation
degree then the effect is stronger in a negative sense. From a technical
standpoint, a planet is only exalted or debilitated up until that degree, not after
that degree. Therefore, it's more accurate to say, for instance, if Jupiter is at 10o
Cancer, that it's in its sign of exaltation, not exalted. In actual practice, however,
Ive rarely seen this distinction made by other astrologers.
Notice that Mercury is the only planet that gets exalted in its own sign. All other
planets are exalted in other planet's signs. Mercury, in fact, is the only planet that
has its exaltation, mulatrikona, and own sign positions in its own sign. Therefore,
the degrees of Mercury in Virgo need to be considered closely to determine
which of the three conditions it's in.
When a planet is debilitated it's generally in its weakest and most unhappy
condition. It is therefore prone to give very unfavorable results. However, we
can't make this a rigid principle, because there are factors that can cancel the
debilitation. We'll be discussing this in detail later in the lesson.
Mulatrikona
Mulatrikona literally translates as "root trine," and represents the source of
tremendous strength for the planet, second only to its exalted position. The
mulatrikona sign of a planet is the masculine sign that it rules. The two
exceptions are Mercury and the Moon who have their mulatrikona sign in the
feminine signs of Virgo and Taurus respectively, which are also their exaltation
signs just at different degrees. Between the masculine and feminine signs, the
masculine signs are more powerful. This is because they're active and
expressive in nature, versus passive and receptive as in the case of the feminine
signs. We discussed this concept in Lesson 8. For instance, Libra is Venus's
mulatrikona sign because it's the masculine sign it rules, while Taurus is its
feminine sign.
Own Sign(s)
The third strongest condition is when a planet's in its 'own sign,' also called 'own
house,' which is why its abbreviation is OH. When a planet's in its own sign it
protects and strengthens the indications for that house. This is just like when a
landlord lives in his own house he is more likely to care for it better.
Rahu and Ketu
There is disagreement among many classical and contemporary authors about
Rahu and Ketu's exaltation, debilitation, mulatrikona, and own house signs.
Some say there are no exaltation or debilitation signs for Rahu and Ketu. Other's
assign different signs for these. What is used here is given in Parashara's text,
the Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra. It's recommended to use these. You'll notice
that it's listed that Rahu and Ketu own the signs, Aquarius and Scorpio
respectively. It's more accurate to say that they're secondary rulers of the these
Copyright 2006
7

Lesson 12

signs, because they don't override the primary rulerships of Saturn and Mars.
Scorpio is listed as both the exalted and own sign for Ketu. No degrees are given
for Rahu and Ketu's exaltation, mulatrikona and own house positions.
Three-Step Method for Determining Sign Strength

The five remaining conditions great friend, friend, neutral, enemy, and great
enemy are determined by a longer method that involves three steps. These
steps are more complicated but will become easier after you become familiar
with the principles and memorize the tables. Each step involves examining the
relationship between the planet and its ruler (also called its dispositor).
Step One: Determine the planets natural relationship with its ruler
(dispositor)
The first step means to determine what kind of natural (unchanging) relationship
a planet has to the planet that rules the sign it's placed in. For example, let's
again look at the following chart:
Let's say that we want to determine the strength of Venus by sign position in Leo.
We can see by looking at the Planetary Dignities Table above that Leo is not in
its exalted, mulatrikona, own sign, or debilitated sign for Venus so that means we
need to follow this longer three step method. The first step is to determine the
natural relationship that Venus has its ruler of Leo, the Sun. A good general table
to refer to in order to understand this relationship is the two families of planetary
friends, which we've discussed before in Lessons 4 and 11. Please memorize
this if you haven't already:
Family of Friends #1
Family of Friends #2
Sun, Moon, Mars, Jupiter
Mercury, Venus, Saturn
We can see that Venus is not in the same family of friends as the Sun. This most
likely means that the Sun is not a natural friend of Venus. To find out for sure, we
Copyright 2006
8

Lesson 12

need to refer to the following Natural Planetary Relationships Table, which is

generally based on the two families of friends:
Planet
Sun
Moon
Mars
Mer
Jup
Ven
Sat
Rahu
Ketu
Natural Planetary Relationships Table

Friend
Neutral
Enemy
Moon, Mars, Jup
Mer
Ven, Sat
Sun, Mer
Ven, Mars, Jup, Sat
None
Sun, Moon, Jup
Ven, Sat
Mer
Sun, Ven
Mars, Jup, Sat
Moon
Sun, Moon, Mars
Sat
Mer, Ven
Mer, Sat
Mars, Jup
Sun, Moon
Mer, Ven
Jup
Mars, Sun, Moon
Ven, Sat
Mer, Jup
Sun, Moon, Mars
Mars, Ven
Mer, Jup
Sun, Moon, Sat
Referring to this table we can see that the Sun is an enemy ruler of Venus. Start
with Venus in the left column, and find the Sun's placement in one of the
columns.
It's important to use this table correctly, because you can see that the Moon is an
enemy of Mercury, but Mercury is a friend of the Moon! Therefore, if Mercury was
in Cancer, it would be in a sign of a natural enemy. However, if the Moon were in
Gemini or Virgo it would be in the sign of a natural friend. Be sure to start with the
left column as the planet that you want to determine the sign strength for. The
other columns are for the ruler (dispositor) only.
Notice that Rahu and Ketu were not included in the table of Family of Friends,
but they're included in the above table. If they had to be listed in the Family of
Friends table then they could be assumed to be in the 2nd family. This is
because they're both enemies of the luminaries, Sun and Moon, and friends with
Venus in the Natural Planetary Relationships table.
It's interesting to note that the Moon has no enemies listed. This reveals that the
Moon doesn't believe in enmity. It's also interesting that if you like down the
enemies column you won't find Jupiter listed as an enemy of any planet. This is
one reason why it's said that Jupiter needs to be strong in the chart of an
astrologer or counselor - they need to be considered a friend to all people, just as
no planets consider Jupiter an enemy.
The calculations from which the above table is created is based on the following
principles:
From a planets Mulatrikona sign, those planets who rule houses 2, 4, 5, 8, 9,
and 12 are friends. The lord of a planets exaltation sign is also a friend.
Copyright 2006
9

Lesson 12

Conversely, those planets who rule houses 3, 6, 7, 10, and 11 from a planets
Mulatrikona sign are enemies.
In the case of planets ruling two houses (Mars, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, and
Saturn) when both houses that they rule from the Mulatrikona sign fall in the first
category, that makes them a friend.
If both houses they rule fall in the second category, this makes them an enemy.
If one planet becomes both a friend and an enemy through this scheme, the
relationship is that of a neutral.
I haven't found any logical explanations behind these principles, but you will find
that they work in practice. If you don't want to memorize the table then you could
memorize these principles. In any case, the Natural Planetary Relationships
Table needs to be memorized or at least available for quick reference when
analyzing the strength of a planet in a chart.
Step Two: Determine the planets temporal relationship with its ruler
What makes this a more complicated three-step process is that in addition to
natural relationships, Parashara outlines a temporary relationship between a
planet and its ruler (dispositor) based on their house placement from each other
in the chart. This is why it's called a temporal relationship, because it changes
from one chart to the next. The combination of the natural and temporal
relationships determines their ultimate relationship that is referred to as their
compound relationship, which is step three.
The basic principle of temporal relationships, is that if the ruler or dispositor is in
one of the three houses before or three houses after the planet then they're
temporal friends. If the ruler (dispositor) is in any other house, or in the same
house then they're temporal enemies. There are no temporal neutrals. Please
see the following Temporal Planetary Relationships Table:
For example, let's again look at the same chart, this time showing the temporal
friend and enemy houses from Venus. I've also added Venus's ruler, the Sun,
which is placed in Cancer:
:
Copyright 2006
10

Lesson 12

Because the Sun is placed in one of the three houses before or after Venus then
they're temporal friends. It's as simple as that. If the Sun were with Venus in Leo,
or in the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th or 9th house from Venus then they'd be temporal
enemies.
With temporal relationships at least some logic prevails. Planets that are close to
each other, like neighbors, are friendly. Whereas, those in houses further away
are strangers, and hence enemies. The exception is two planets conjunct in the
same house, which is apparently too close for comfort! Perhaps this is a case
where "familiarity breeds contempt"?!
Step Three: Determine the compound relationship with its ruler.
The last step is to add step two and three together. In other words, a planets
natural relationship plus it's temporal relationship equals five possible compound
relationships. These are the remaining five conditions of strength: Great Friend,
Friend, Neutral, Enemy, and Great Enemy. Please see the following table:
Natural
Relationship
Friend
Neutral
Enemy
Friend
Neutral
Enemy
+
+
+
+
+
+
Temporal
Relationship
Friend
Friend
Friend
Enemy
Enemy
Enemy
=
=
=
=
=
=
Compound
Relationship
Great Friend
Friend
Neutral
Enemy
Great Enemy
Let's take our example. In the first step we determined that Venus's natural
relationship with the Sun was that of an Enemy. In the second step we
determined that Venus's temporal relationship with the Sun was that of a Friend.
An Enemy + Friend = Neutral. The compound relationship, or final conclusion, is
that Venus is placed in the sign of a neutral.
Copyright 2006
11

Lesson 12

That may seem like a lot of work to come to that conclusion, but with practice it
becomes easy to do. You eventually be able to do it in your head, or you can
always use the quick reference sheet that is provided at the end of this lesson.
Congratulations. You now know how to determine all nine conditions of planetary
strength by sign position. To distinguish between 'happy' and 'unhappy'
conditions we can assign green and red colors respectively, and black for
neutral. Here is a table showing them with their abbreviations, # of steps, and
states:
Dignity
1) Exalted
2) Mulatrikona
3) Own Sign
4) Great Friend
5) Friend
6) Neutral
7) Enemy
8) Great Enemy
9) Debilitated
Abbrev.
EX
MT
OH
GF
F
N
E
GE
DB
# of Steps
One
One
One
Three
Three
Three
Three
Three
One
State
Happy
Happy
Happy
Happy
Happy
Neutral
Unhappy
Unhappy
Unhappy
The Value of Mental Calculations

Even though Vedic astrology software programs can easily give you these
calculations instantly, every serious student of Jyotish needs to be able to
calculate these mentally. This is really not difficult with practice. My teacher, K.N.
Rao, always encourages students to learn mental calculations at his school in
New Delhi, India:
"At Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, we insist that every student should
have hands-on experience doing astrological calculations. I am a
strong believer in the fact that manual/mental calculations help
you better visualize and develop instincts for practicing astrology. I
am generally wary of depending exclusively on Jyotish software
programs in the market. Unfortunately, astrology software
programs have helped mushroom a new breed of 'half-baked'
astrologers."
If you consider yourself a serious student then please don't allow yourself to rely
on a software program to calculate sign strength. From now on do it yourself. It
may feel cumbersome at first, but it will pay off. I suggest to begin by committing
the Planetary Dignities Table to memory, so that you can spot an exalted,
debilitated, mulatrikona, or own sign planet at a quick glance. To help you
memorize this table, as well as the Natural Planetary Relationships Table, I've
Copyright 2006
12

Lesson 12

included a Quick Reference Guide at the end of this lesson. Using this guide you
will easily be able to do both the one-step and three-step methods. I recommend
printing this out and keeping it handy every time you analyze a natal chart.
Eventually, you'll memorize it and be able to do these calculations mentally.
Example of Determining Sign Strength

Let's again look at the chart of Albert Einstein as an example applying the above
steps for determining sign strength.
We can see that we can use the one-step method for four of Einstein's planets the Moon, Mars, Mercury, and Venus. These are his exalted or debilitated
planets. Venus could be said to be "deeply exalted" being less than three
degrees away from its exalted degree. For the remaining five planets we need to
use the three-step method. Please see the following table:
Copyright 2006
13

Lesson 12
Planet
Sun
Moon
Mars
Mer
Jup
Ven
Sat
Rahu
Ketu

Einstein's Planetary Dignities

Natural
Temporal
Relationship
Relationship
Friend
+
Friend
=
-+
-=
-+
-=
-+
-=
Neutral
+
Friend
=
-+
-=
Neutral
+
Friend
=
Friend
+
Friend
=
Enemy
+
Enemy
=
Compound
Relationship
Great Friend (GF)
Debilitated (DB)
Exalted (EX)
Debilitated (DB)
Friend (F)
Exalted (EX)
Friend (F)
Great Friend (GF)
Great Enemy (GE)
Quiz #67:
In the Natural Planetary Relationships table, which planet has no enemies, and
which is the enemy of no planet?
1) Venus and Jupiter
2) Mercury and Venus
3) Venus and Mercury
4) Jupiter and Moon
5) It's a trick question. None of the above.
The answer is at the end of the lesson.
Copyright 2006
14

Lesson 12

Fine Tuning Planetary Strength By Sign Position

We now have nine gradations from which to measure and quantify planetary
strength by sign position. This gives us a general idea of where the planet falls
on the spectrum between its negative and positive traits. However, it's like a blunt
instrument that needs to be fine tuned. All the categories of factors we'll be
discussing in this lesson will help us calibrate a planet's overall strength: sign
position, house position, aspects, other factors like retrogression, systems like
shadbala etc. However, just within the category of sign position strength with its
nine gradations, we have some fine tuning to do. For instance, we can look at a
planet's dispositor, and the planet's placement in the divisional charts to gauge
its sign strength. Also, there are many factors that cancel and reverse a planet's
debilitation and give it strength. We'll be discussing these in this section.
Gauging Strength With The Dispositor (Ruler)

In the three-step process that we just learned, we saw the importance of the
relationship between a planet and its dispositor or ruler to calculate sign strength.
The dispositor is like the landlord of the house, and the planet is the tenant
residing there. We saw that if the planet has a good relationship with it's landlord,
both natural and temporal, it makes the planet itself stronger. The planet's
condition becomes happier and its results will be more favorable.
Besides using the dispositor for the three-step process to calculate sign strength,
we can also simply analyze its overall condition by sign strength, house strength,
aspects etc. It will either add or subtract to the planet's strength. If the landlord is
happier than its tenant(s) will be as well, just like in real landlord/tenant relations.
Of course, if a planet is in it's own sign or mulatrikona sign, it becomes its own
dispositor so this principle won't apply. The only exception is when the Moon is in
mulatrikona in Taurus, in which case the dispositor is Venus.
It's a good interpretive habit to always analyze the dispositor of a planet, and not
just the planet itself. This becomes especially important when fine tune exalted or
debilitated planets, the two extreme conditions. Let's look at the exalted Venus
and debilitated Moon in Albert Einstein's chart as examples:
Notice that his Venus is in the happiest condition possible, exalted in Pisces.
Venus's dispositor is Jupiter and Jupiter is well-placed in the 9th house in the
sign of Saturn. Applying the three-steps to determine Jupiter's sign strength we
see that it's in the sign of a natural Neutral, and a temporal Friend, which makes
Friend its compound relationship. The fact that Venus's dispositor is in the sign of
a Friend, placed in the benefic 9th house, and unaspected by malefics further
strengthens Venus. We can fine tune Venus to be even stronger than exalted.
Copyright 2006
15

Lesson 12

Let's now look at the dispositor of Einstein's debilitated Moon, Mars, as another
example. Mars is itself exalted in Capricorn, which is obviously strong by sign
position. However, it's in the 8th house, and aspected by malefics, Rahu and
Ketu. The overall strength of Mars is mixed, and quite malefic by its placement in
the most malefic house on the Rahu/Ketu axis. The overall effect of Mars as the
Moon's dispositor, is that it further harms the debilitated Moon, but will also give
some benefits due to its exaltation. These are a couple of examples
demonstrating how we can fine tune the strength of a planet by analyzing the
dispositor.
A planet is generally strengthened simply by being located in a sign ruled by a
benefic planet, which is referred to as a benefic rasi (sign): Taurus, Gemini,
Cancer, Virgo, Libra, Sagittarius, and Pisces. A planet is likewise weakened
simply by being located in a malefic rasi: Aries, Leo, Scorpio, Capricorn, and
Aquarius. Sometimes Leo is excluded from this list because of being a mild
malefic. This principle points to the power that the dispositor has in determining
the strength of a planet.
Cancellation of Debilitation - Neecha Bhanga Raja Yoga

The weakest condition, debilitation, is the most misunderstood and
misinterpreted of the nine conditions. This is because there are many factors that
cancel debility, and thereby cause the reverse results. Such a planet may still
exhibit some weakness, yet it becomes much more capable of giving good
results. Therefore, we need to proceed with caution when analyzing a debilitated
planet.
When factors of cancellation exist it forms a beneficial yoga or planetary
combination called neecha bhanga raja yoga, which increases success and
status. 'Neecha' means debilitation, 'bhanga' means cancellation, and "raja yoga"
means 'royal combination.' Therefore, first learn the factors of cancellation before
identifying any debilitated planet in your own chart, and getting depressed! Here's
a list of 12 factors of cancellation, with example charts for each. Notice that
Copyright 2006
16

Lesson 12

numbers 2 and 5 involve the dispositor, further showing the importance of the
sign lord for determining a planet's strength:
1) The debilitated planet is in an angular position (1st, 4th, 7th, or 10th house)
from either the ascendant or the Moon.
2) The dispositor (ruler) of the debilitated planet is in an angular position from
either the ascendant or the Moon.
3) The planet that rules the debilitated planet's exaltation sign is in an angular
position from either the ascendant or the Moon.
4) The planet that would be exalted in the sign occupied by the debilitated planet
is in an angular position from either the ascendant or the Moon.
5) The dispositor (ruler) of the debilitated planet either conjuncts or aspects the
debilitated planet.
6) The planet that rules the debilitated planet's exaltation sign either conjuncts or
aspects the debilitated planet.
either conjuncts or aspects the debilitated planet.
8) The debilitated planet and its dispositor (ruler) exchange signs (parivartana
yoga).
9) The debilitated planet is retrograde.
10) The debilitated planet is exalted in the navamsha chart (9th divisional chart).
11) The debilitated planet is located in or ruling a dusthana house
3, 6, 8, or 12, while the ascendant lord is strong in its own sign or exalted sign.
This is known by K.N. Rao as "The Great Parashara Exception" because
Parashara gives this unusual factor of cancellation in his classic text.
Example Charts:
1) The debilitated planet is in an angular position (1st, 4th, 7th, or 10th house)
from either the ascendant or the Moon.
Copyright 2006
17

Lesson 12

Sun debilitated in Libra on

an angle from the ascendant.
Sun debilitated in Libra on

an angle from the Moon.
2) The dispositor (ruler) of the debilitated planet is in an angular position from

either the ascendant or the Moon.
Mer debilitated in Pisces,

disposited by Jupiter on an
angle from the ascendant.
Mer debilitated in Pisces,

disposited by Jupiter on an
angle from the Moon.
3) The planet that rules the debilitated planet's exaltation sign is in an angular
position from either the ascendant or the Moon.
Mars debilitated in Cancer,

with exaltation lord Saturn on
an angle from the ascendant.
Mars debilitated in Cancer,

with exaltation lord Saturn
on an angle from the Moon.
is in an angular position from either the ascendant or the Moon.
Copyright 2006
18

Lesson 12

Jup debilitated in Capricorn,

with Mars, who's exalted in Capricorn,
on an angle from the ascendant.
Jup debilitated in Capricorn with

Mars, who's exalted in Capricorn,
on an angle from the Moon.
5) The dispositor (ruler) of the debilitated planet either conjuncts or aspects the
debilitated planet.
Moon debilitated in Scorpio

conjunct Mars, its dispositor.
Moon debilitated in Scorpio

aspected by Mars, its dispositor.
6) The planet that rules the debilitated planet's exaltation sign either conjuncts or
aspects the debilitated planet.
Saturn debilitated in Aries,

conjunct Venus,
its exaltation lord.
Saturn debilitated in Aries,

aspected by Venus,
its exaltation lord.
either conjuncts or aspects the debilitated planet.
Copyright 2006
19

Lesson 12

The Sun debilitated in Libra, conjunct

Saturn, who's exalted in Libra.
The Sun debilitated in Libra, aspected

by Saturn, who's exalted in Libra.
8) The debilitated planet and its dispositor exchange signs (parivartana yoga).
Venus debilitated in Virgo, in exchange Moon debilitated in Scorpio, in exchange

of signs, with Mercury in Libra.
of signs, with Mars in Cancer.
Retrograde Jupiter,
debilitated in Capricorn.
Retrograde Mercury,
debilitated in Pisces.
10) The debilitated planet is exalted in the navamsha chart (9th divisional chart).
Copyright 2006
20

Lesson 12

Venus debilitated in Virgo

in the natal chart.
Venus exalted in Pisces

in the navamsha.
11) The debilitated planet is located in or ruling houses 3, 6, 8, 12 while the

ascendant lord is strong in its own sign or exalted sign.
Saturn debilitated in the 8th house

while the ascendant lord Mercury is
strong in its own sign
The 12th lord Mars is debilitated

while the ascendant lord Venus is
strong exalted in Pisces
These examples certainly demonstrate that there are an abundance of ways that
a planet can get its debility cancelled. There's so many in fact, that in my
experience, perhaps less than 10% are truly debilitated planets! So if 90% are
cancelled, then do they always give raja yoga results like rise in success and
status? Does a debilitated Clark Kent planet always get turned into Superman
when even just one debilitation factor exists? Not always, but it can at least give
positive results to varying degrees. This is measured by the number of
cancellation factors and the strength of those factors. For instance, looking at
Einstein's debilitated Mercury we can see that it has many factors of cancellation:
Factor#
1.
2.
3.
4.
7.
Factors of Cancellation of Einstein's DB Mercury

Description
Mercury's on an angle from the ascendant
Mercury's dispositor Jupiter is on an angle from the Moon
Mercury rules its own exaltation sign, Virgo, so the ruler of Mercury's
exaltation sign is on an angle from the ascendant.
The planet thats exalted in Pisces, Venus, is on an angle from the
ascendant.
The planet that is exalted in Pisces, Venus, is conjunct Mercury.
Copyright 2006
21

Lesson 12

This gives Einstein's Mercury five of the eleven factors of cancellation, which is a
high number. The strongest factors are the one's that directly impact the planet
itself. For Einstein's Mercury, therefore, being associated with an exalted planet,
and being located in an angular house are very strong factors. Mercury also
resides with exalted Venus in the strongest of angular houses, the 10th house,
which is certainly elevating his career and status. We can gauge this as a very
strong neecha bhanga raja yoga overall rather than a wimpy one that has only a
couple factors that don't impact the planet itself.
The important thing to remember when interpreting a debilitated planet is that its
placement in that sign gives it some weakness, which can turn to the person's
benefit. It never improves to the point of being an exalted planet, because the
planet itself functions in some abnormal way in that sign. For this reason, I
encourage you to not label a planet weak because it's debilitated but consider
how the planet functions by blending its qualities with the qualities of the sign it's
in. For instance, Einstein's debilitated Mercury is in Pisces which is the most
intuitive and imaginative sign. This is a difficult sign placement for the normal
functioning of Mercury like rational, logical thinking processes. Einstein in fact
failed mathematics and had a hard time with structured, rigid formal education.
His mind didn't work that way. However, his debilitated Mercury gave him the
ability to intuit abstract non-linear mathematics which ultimately benefited him. It
initially caused him problems in school, but eventually made him famous.
A debilitated planet that's cancelled usually gives some kind of negative condition
that improves overtime, and results in being a blessing in disguise. It often
improves because it's a difficult area in their life that they can't avoid and must
learn to improve. For instance, a debilitated Venus can give difficulty with
intimacy issues with the opposite sex, but if cancelled it improves and can
represent the ability to build strong relationships. A debilitated Sun can give a
lack of confidence, but if cancelled it can give humility and sensitivity that builds
trust in others. This is the reversal effect of neecha bhanga raja yoga.
Use of the Navamsha Chart

Another method for fine tuning sign strength is to use the navamsha chart, the
9th divisional chart. There are sixteen divisional charts in Jyotish, and the
navamsha chart is considered the most important of them. 'Nava' means 'nine'
and 'amsha' means 'division.' A divisional chart, also called varga chart, is a
symbolic chart that is mathematically calculated based on how each sign in the
natal chart is divided. The navamsha divides each sign by nine, equaling 3
degrees 20 minutes each. It's not necessary to technically explain this here since
we will be discussing divisional charts in detail in Lesson 18. However, the
vargas need to be mentioned here, especially the navamsha chart, because it is
so pivotal to sign strength.
What's important to know about the navamsha is that it's considered the 'fruit' of
Copyright 2006
22

Lesson 12

the tree, with the 'tree' being the natal chart. It shows the direction that the
planets are headed, the destiny or future natal chart of the person. Therefore, if a
planet increases in sign strength in the navamsha chart, when compared to its
sign strength in the natal chart, then the planet's overall strength improves. It
becomes more capable of giving beneficial results overall. The opposite is the
case when a planet decreases in sign strength in the navamsha.
We saw in the example above in cancellation factor number 10, that when a
planet is debilitated in the natal chart, and exalted in the navamsha that it cancels
the debility. This is true for debilitated planets, but the principle of comparing a
planet applies to any planet in any of the nine conditions. For example, if we look
at Einstein's navamsha chart we can see that Saturn is exalted in Libra. Saturn's
sign strength increases from Friend in the natal chart.
Albert Einstein's navamsha chart

If we compare all of Einstein's planets in tabular form we can see that both of his
exalted planets, Venus and Mars, decrease in strength, whereas both of his
debilitated planets, the Moon and Mercury, increase in strength.
Comparing the Rasi and Navamsha Charts
Division
Sun Mon Mar Mer Jup Ven Sat Rah Ket
Rasi/Natal Chart (D1)
GF DB EX DB
F
EX
F
GF GE
Navamsha (D9)
N
F
E
N GF N
EX
N
N
Increase Decrease
It's a very good interpretive habit to make this comparison between the rasi and
navamsha charts and thereby fine tune a planet's sign strength. .
Vargottama - The Best Division

The navamsha can also be used for checking to see if a planet remains in the
same sign that it's in the natal chart, which is a condition called vargottama.
'Varga' means 'division' and 'uttama' means 'best' or 'highest,' so vargottama
Copyright 2006
23

Lesson 12

means 'the best division.' As we saw above, an important use of the navamsha
chart is to confirm the strength of the planet in the natal chart. When a planet is
vargottama its strength increases and is reinforced by carrying the same sign
qualities in the navamsha. Because of the strength of the repeated sign position,
it's considered the 'best division.' Even if a planet is weak by sign position, like
great enemy (GE), if it is vargottama than its strength increases.
A planet can be called vargottama relative to any divisional chart, not only the
navamsha. For instance, it could be said that a planet is vargottama in the
dashamsha chart (10th division) as well.
Varga Vimshopak - Strength in Divisional Charts

Another method for fine tuning sign strength is to determine a planet's overall
strength in all of the sixteen divisional charts or vargas. This is summarized by a
mathematical system, called Varga Vimshopak, that assigns a number to a
planets overall strength in the vargas. 'Vimshopak' literally means 'twenty points,'
so this system assigns a range between 0-20 points for each planet, with 20
representing the highest in possible strength.
The calculation of Varga Vimshopak starts with using the same one-step and
three-step methods for calculating sign strength in the natal chart, except now
applied to every divisional chart. Of the sixteen vargas, the navamsha is
considered the most important overall, which is why it's bolded it in the following
table. Here is Einstein's planetary dignities in the 16 vargas:
Planetary Dignities in Einstein's 16 Vargas
Division
Sun Mon Mar Mer Jup Ven
Rasi/Natal Chart (D1)
GF DB EX DB
F
EX
Hora (D2)
GF GF DB N GF N
Drekkana (D3)
GF OH EX GE E
F
Chaturthamsha (D4)
GF EX EX OH E
F
Saptamsha (D7)
F
E GF
F OH GF
Navamsha (D9)
N
F
E
N GF N
Dashamsha (D10)
GF
F
F
F OH GE
Dwadashamsha (D12)
GF OH E GE GF
E
Shodashamsha (D16)
GF OH N
N
N
N
Vimshamsha (D20)
OH F
DB DB OH F
Chaturvimsham (D24)
MT E
E
DB MT GF
Saptavimsham (D27)
N GF OH GF
F
E
Trimshamsha (D30)
GE F
E
EX
F
GF
Khavedamsha (D40)
N
E MT F
N GE
Akshavedamsha (D45)
GE EX OH E OH N
Shashtiamsha (D60)
N OH E
E OH E
Copyright 2006
24
Sat Rah Ket

F
GF GE
N
N
N
GE EX EX
N
N
N
N OH OH
EX
N
N
E
N
N
GE EX EX
GF OH
N
DB DB EX
DB N
OH
GE N
OH
F OH
N
MT N
MT
GF N
N
F
N
N

Lesson 12

Notice that the first row lists the planetary dignities that we previously calculated
for Einstein's natal chart or rasi. There are four kinds of summaries generated by
Varga Vimshopak, depending on which vargas are drawn from in the calculation:
Shad Varga. 'Shad' means 'six,' and draws from these six vargas: Rasi (D1),
Hora (D2), Drekkana (D3), Navamsha (D9), Dwadashamsha (D12),
Trimshamsha (D30)
Sapta Varga. 'Sapta' means 'seven,' and draws from the Shad Vargas plus the
Saptamsha (D7).
Dasa Varga. 'Dasa' means '10,' and draws from the Sapta Vargas plus the
Dashamsha (D10), Shodashamsha (D16), and the Shashtiamsha (D60).
Shodasa Varga. 'Shodasa' means '16,' and is the total of all sixteen vargas.
A planet is strong (green) between 15-20 points, moderate between 11-14 points
(black), and weak (red) with 10 or less points.
The Dasa Varga Vimshopak is generally considered the most important to focus
on. This is because it includes the dashamsha chart (D10), which is used for
analyzing career results and most people want to know about their career.
The following table shows Einstein's Varga Vimshopak:
Division
Shad Varga (6)
Sapta Varga (7)
Dasa Varga (10)
Shodasa Varga (16)
Einstein's Varga Vimshopak

Overall Strength in Divisions
Sun Mon Mar Mer Jup Ven Sat Rah Ket
15 14 15 10 16 13 11 14 12
15 14 15 10 17 13 11 15 13
14 15 15 12 17 11 12 16 13
13 14 15 13 17 11 12 14 15
Notice that Mercury is weak at 10 points in the Shad and Sapta Varga
calculations but improves in the Dasa and Shodasa Vargas. Also, notice that
Venus is overall only moderately strong in the vargas even while being exalted in
the rasi chart. The strongest planet overall is Jupiter with the highest points.
Most vedic software programs will calculate Varga Vimshopak for you. By
analyzing the Varga Vimshopak we can fine tune the gauging of the overall
strength of a planet. This is often recommended to use when analyzing the
effects of a dasha or planetary period of a planet, which we'll discuss in detail
later in the course. However, we can also use it for fine tuning overall sign
strength as well.
Copyright 2006
25

Lesson 12

Quiz #68:
Which of the following is not a factor of neecha bhanga raja yoga?
1) The dispositor of the debilitated planet aspects the debilitated planet.
3) The planet that rules the exaltation sign of the debilitated planet is on an angle
from the Moon.
4) The debilitated planet is vargottama.
We've now completed our study of planetary strength by sign position, and are
ready to discuss the next most important factors effecting a planet's strength: its
house position and house rulership. What we've learned thus far is a good place
to begin to quantify a planet's strength. The steps for determining sign strength
are systematic and yield a concrete result on a scale of nine gradations. We then
learned to fine tune this result five different ways with: the dispositor, neecha
bhanga, navamsha, vargottama, and varga vimshopak. However, this is not
enough, because all the factors of strength we'll be learning in this lesson will
either add or subtract from these initial findings.
What's convenient about sign strength is that we get to stick a concrete label on
the planet. For instance, it's exalted (EX) and there's no arguing that. Other
sources of strength like house position and aspects are less tangible because
they don't yield a concrete result. This makes the analysis of strength more
subjective and harder to gauge. A planet could be placed in a favorable house
and well aspected but this doesn't amount to a convenient label. Jyotish is too
complicated for that. It can't be reduced to mathematical science, because there
are too many potential combinations and variations.
Astrology is both an objective, quantifiable mathematical science, and a
subjective, qualifiable intuitive art. For this reason, an astrologer has to weigh
both the quantitative and qualitative factors, becoming both a scientist with a
sharp intellect, and an artist with an intuitive heart. Therefore, as we're analyzing
the various factors of strength using our intellects, we need to also try to "feel"
how strong a planet is, and how it will react in the chart. A good chemist is the
same way. He knows the properties of each chemical in a combination in detail,
and develops a feel for how they will react with one another. This intuitive sense
gets more refined with experience.
Now let's learn about the strength of planet's house position and house rulership.
Copyright 2006
26

Lesson 12

Planetary Strength By House Position and Rulership

Planetary Strength By House Position
The most obvious factor that modifies sign strength is a planet's placement in a
house. If a planet is not only strong by sign position but also happens to be
placed in a favorable house, than we can begin to say that it's truly strong and
able to give positive results. For instance, Einstein's Venus is obviously strong by
being exalted, and placed in the benefic 10th house. So let's review the favorable
and unfavorable house placements.
In Lesson 6 we discussed all the various house categories. The most important
of these for effecting planetary strength are: the angles (1, 4, 7, 10) and trines (1,
5, 9), which are the most benefic house placements, and the dusthanas (6, 8,
12), which are the most malefic house placements. Between these three
categories, 9 out of the 12 houses are covered. These two extremes give clear
distinctions, while the remaining three houses, 2, 3, and 11, have only a mild
influence on planetary strength. These fit into the remaining house categories
discussed here: the upachayas, and marakas. Please see the following table:
Houses
Angles
Trines
Dusthanas
Remaining
The Most Important Houses Effecting Strength

Most Malefic
Mild
Most Benefic
1, 4, 7, 10
1, 5, 9
6, 8, 12
2, 3, 11
Let's now discuss the effect of these house placements in detail.
Angular and Trinal Houses

Angular Houses: 1, 4, 7, 10
Trinal Houses: 1, 5, 9
All planets generally gain strength and beneficence when placed in either the
angular and trinal houses, which are also called kendras and trikonas
respectively. These are the most benefic houses in the chart. Therefore, any
planet and what it represents benefit by being placed in these houses. The 1st
house has the special role of being both an angular and trinal house, giving it
great importance as a benefic house.
Angular houses give power, strength, and protection as we explained in Lesson
6. The trinal houses, on the other hand, give blessing and fortune. The 5th and
9th houses are called Lakshmi sthanas or houses of Lakshmi, the Goddess of
Copyright 2006
27

Lesson 12

Fortune. In addition, the 5th house is called the house of purva punya or past life
merit. It gives the fruit or blessing of one's past good karma. This same quality
extends to the 9th house because it is the 5th house from the 5th house based
on the principle of bhavat bhavam, which we also discussed in Lesson 6.
Therefore, both natural benefics and malefics will be strengthened and benefited
by being in either an angular or trinal house.
However, when malefics are in angular or trinal houses they will harm the house
itself. Also, the aspects and conjunctions that the malefic makes from these
positions can also harm other planets and houses. We saw an example of this in
the chart of Hitler in Lesson 11. His Mars and Saturn, placed in the 7th and 10th
houses, harmed each other in mutual aspect as well as the other planets and
houses they aspected. They were both strengthened by their placement in
angular houses, which resulted in his attainment of a position of power and
authority. However, they obviously also caused a lot of harm too.
A good analogy to explain the effects of a malefic planet placed in benefic house
is to consider a glass of water and a glass of wine, the least expensive and the
most expensive drinks. A malefic planet is like a glass of water with low status,
while a benefic house is like a glass of wine with high status. Two things happen
when they're blended together. First, the malefic in the benefic house is like the
water being added to the wine - the wine's status decreases and the house is
harmed. Second, from the perspective of the malefic planet, its status increases,
because its placement in the benefic house is like the wine being added to the
water. This analogy also applies to the effects of a malefic planet aspecting or
conjunct a benefic planet. The benefic is harmed and its status and strength
decreases, while the malefic is helped and its status and strength increases.
It's important to note that Rahu and Ketu can act like benefics when placed in the
angular or trinal houses, and are aspected by or conjunct benefics. When this
happens they shed some of their malefic nature and cause less harm to the
house they're in, and the planets that they aspect or conjunct. This is because
they are the most impressionable of the malefic planets. This means that they
take on the qualities of the houses they're in, and the planets that they are
aspected by or conjunct, more than the other malefics.
Copyright 2006
28

Lesson 12

Directional Strength
Every planet will gain what is called directional strength or dig bala when placed
in a specific angular house, with the exception of Rahu and Ketu. For instance,
Jupiter gains directional strength when placed in the 1st house. A planet is
already strong placed in any angular house, however, directional strength further
adds to this strength. The following table shows these planetary positions which
need to be memorized:
Planet
Sun
Moon
Mars
Mercury
Jupiter
Venus
Saturn
Directional Strength
10th House
4th House
10th House
1st House
1st House
4th House
7th House
Direction
South
North
South
East
East
North
West
We can see in Einstein's chart that he has four planets strengthened by being
placed in the angular 10th house. Of these, the Sun is additionally strengthened
by gaining directional strength. These planets give a powerful focus in the area of
his career. Jupiter is also strengthened by being in the trinal 9th house.
The 9th and 10th houses are the most powerful of the trinal and angular houses
because they're the highest or most developed of each category. In other words,
the 9th house is the most developed trinal house, and the 10th house is the most
developed angular house. This adds power to Einstein's chart since 5 out of his 9
planets are in either the 9th or 10th houses.
Dusthana Houses
Dusthana Houses: 6, 8, 12
Copyright 2006
29

Lesson 12

All planets generally lose strength and beneficence when placed in a dusthana
house. Dusthana means 'place of suffering.' 'Du' is short for dukha which means
'suffering,' and sthana means 'place.' Therefore, the dusthana houses are
houses of suffering and misfortune. Planets placed in, ruling, or aspected by the
rulers of the dusthana houses often represent the most challenging karma in a
person's chart. The 3rd house is sometimes included in the list of dusthana
houses, but is only considered a 'mild' dusthana.
If a benefic planet is placed in a dusthana house then the planet and what it
represents is harmed, while the dusthana house itself is helped. However, if a
malefic is placed in a dusthana then both the house and the planet are harmed. If
the planet happens to be in its own sign (OH) then it will be only slightly harmed.
It must be noted that even dusthana houses have positive indications, so we
need to be especially careful when interpreting planets placed in dusthana
houses. For instance, one indication of the 12th house is 'residence in a foreign
country.' Therefore, if a benefic planet, like the Moon, is in the 12th house then a
person could move to a foreign country in a Moon dasha or planetary period. The
Moon being harmed in a dusthana could mean that the move to a foreign country
separated the person from his mother and native home, both of which the Moon
represents.
In Einstein's chart we can see that his exalted Mars and Rahu are placed in the
8th house. This is his radical and revolutionary side that caused conflict for him at
times. We've discussed this in lessons 10 and 11. His other planet in a dusthana
is his debilitated Moon in the 6th house. This makes his Moon doubly harmed it's debilitated and in a dusthana house. Both of these combinations in Einstein's
chart represent health challenges. Mars is the 6th and 11th lords in the dusthana
house 8th house, conjunct a malefic Rahu, and the Moon is in the 6th house.
Upachaya Houses
Upachaya Houses: 3, 6, 10, 11
The upachaya houses are called 'growing houses,' because they improve over
time. Therefore, any planet placed here will generally see some improvement as
the person gets older.
Malefic planets are considered well placed in an upachaya house, but they're
generally not as strong or beneficial as being placed in an angle or trine. The
upachayas are considered a 'safe' placement for malefics, because they cause
less harm to the house itself. Any house is harmed by a malefic, but the
difference with the upachayas is that they are houses that improve gradually over
time.
Copyright 2006
30

Lesson 12

The 6th house is also a dusthana so it's the most malefic of these houses,
followed by the 3rd, 11th and 10th. Therefore, benefics in the 6th house are
harmed as well as in the 3rd house to some extent because it's a mild dusthana.
Because these two houses are the most malefic of the upachayas, planets are
generally harmed at first and then later improve, whereas planets in the 10th and
11th houses are strong from the onset and then become even better.
Einstein has two malefics in upachayas: the Sun and Saturn in the 10th house,
and four planets overall reinforcing that his career improves with time.
Mild Malefic Houses

Mild malefic houses: 3, 11
All planets are mildly weakened by being placed in either the 3rd or 11 houses.
Since these are both upachaya houses, any weakness can be expected to
improve over time. The logic behind the mild malefic status of these houses is
again based on bhavat bhavam. The 3rd house is the 8th from the 8th house,
while the 11th house is both the 6th from the 6th house, and the 12th from the
12th house. Between the two houses, all three dusthana houses are covered
using the principle of bhavat bhavam. Since the 8th house is the most malefic
house, the 3rd house is considered more malefic than the 11th house, and is
included in the list of dusthana houses by some authors. However, neither the
3rd or 11th house is ever as potent as a dusthana house for causing difficulties.
It should be pointed out that both the 6th and 12th houses are known for causing
health challenges, which makes the 11th house a secondary house of health.
Therefore, either a malefic or benefic planet placed in the 11th can be
challenging for health.
Maraka Houses
Maraka houses: 2, 7
If other factors exist for health challenges, than planets placed in the maraka
houses can add to this. The maraka houses do not detrimentally effect a planets
strength by house position. The 2nd house is basically a neutral houses for any
planet to be placed. It doesn't fit into to any negative or positive house category.
The 7th house is, of course, an angular house so this is generally a strong
placement for any planet. However, keep in mind that malefics here can cause
problems for the house itself, which in this case would effect marriage and
relationships.
Maraka means 'killer' so planets placed in the maraka houses are known for
causing health problems, resulting in death, if other factors exist. This usually
only comes into effect toward the latter part of a person's life.
Copyright 2006
31

Lesson 12

The Spectrum of House Beneficence

Here is a spectrum of house beneficence from the most benefic house placement
(9th) to the most malefic (8th). Keep in mind that all houses will be good for
something, so this is a general spectrum only:
Most Benefic
Most Malefic
<--<--<--<---------->-->-->-->
9, 5, 1, 10, 4, 7, 2, 11, 3, 6, 12, 8
We can see that the 2nd house falls about in the middle as a neutral house. The
7th house is the mildest benefic house as an angle and a maraka house, while
the 11th house is the mildest malefic houses as both the 6th from the 6th house,
and the 12th from the 12th house.
Planetary Strength By House Rulership

In addition to house placement, a planet's strength is also effected simply by the
house(s) that it rules. When it rules beneficial houses it becomes a temporal
benefic, and when it rules detrimental houses it becomes a temporal malefic.
This is defined as a planet's temporal status versus its natural status as a benefic
or malefic, which we've talked about in Lessons 4, 10, and 11.
Since we just finished learning about benefic and malefic house placements you
might assume that when planets rule angles or trines they become temporal
benefics, and when they rule dusthanas they become temporal malefics. This
makes logical sense and is partially correct, but it's a little more complicated than
that. I'll try to make it easy.
The snapshot method for determining a planet's temporal status is to see which
planets rule the trinal houses, 1, 5, or 9. These automatically become the
temporal benefics for any ascendant, regardless of the other house it rules. For
instance, Mars becomes a temporal benefic for Aries ascendant because it rules
the 1st house, even though it also rules the 8th house. Parashara confirms this
by saying:
The lords of the trines (whether a natural benefic or malefic)
always give auspicious effects.
If a planet doesn't rule a trinal house than it becomes a temporal malefic, or at

best a temporal neutral. Please see the following House Rulership Table:
Copyright 2006
32

Lesson 12

House Rulership Table

Temporal Status of Planets By Ascendant
Ascendant
Sun
Moon
Mar
Mer
Jup
5
4
1, 8
3, 6
9,12
Aries
Benefic Neutral Benefic Malefic Benefic
4
3
7, 12#
2, 5
8, 11
Taurus
Neutral Malefic Malefic Benefic Malefic
3
2
6, 11#
1, 4
7, 10
Gemini
Malefic Malefic Malefic Benefic Malefic
2
1
5, 10*
3, 12
6, 9
Cancer
Malefic Benefic Benefic Malefic Benefic
1
12
4, 9*
2, 11
5, 8
Leo
Benefic Malefic Benefic Malefic Benefic
12
11
3, 8#
1, 10
4, 7
Virgo
11
10
2, 7
9, 12
3, 6
Libra
Malefic Neutral Malefic Benefic Malefic
10
9
1, 6
8, 11
2, 5
Scorpio
Neutral Benefic Benefic Malefic Benefic
9
8
5, 12
7, 10
1, 4
Sagittarius
Benefic Malefic Benefic Malefic Benefic
8
7
4, 11
6, 9
3, 12
Capricorn
7
6
3, 10
5, 8
2, 11
Aquarius
6
5
2, 9
4, 7
1, 10
Pisces
Malefic Benefic Benefic Malefic Benefic
* Yogakaraka - Most Benefic House Ruler
# Most Malefic House Ruler
Ven
2, 7
Malefic
2, 5
Benefic
5, 12
Benefic
4, 11
Malefic
3, 10
Malefic
2, 9
Benefic
1, 8
Benefic
7, 12
Malefic
6, 11
Malefic
5, 10*
Benefic
4, 9*
Benefic
3, 8
Malefic
Sat
10, 11
Malefic
9,10*
Benefic
8, 9
Benefic
7, 8#
Malefic
6, 7#
Malefic
5, 6
Benefic
4, 5*
Benefic
3, 4
Malefic
2, 3
Malefic
1, 2
Benefic
1, 12
Benefic
11, 12#
Malefic
You can see in the table that there are three temporal benefics per ascendant,
which are the trinal lords. Therefore, even though Saturn is always a natural
malefic, it becomes a temporal benefic for charts that have one of these six
ascendants: Taurus, Gemini, Virgo, Libra, Capricorn, and Aquarius. This makes
Saturn a temporal benefic 50% of the time! In fact, the table reveals that all
planets, other than the Sun and Moon, are temporal benefics half the time, and
temporal malefics half the time.
In most cases, all the remaining planets are temporal malefics. The exceptions
are that when either the Sun or Moon rule the 4th, or 10th house then they're
given a neutral status.
It must be noted that many authors choose not to include this table in their books
because astrologers often argue over it. This is because sage Parashara gives a
different table in his classic text, which is based on advanced principles that
Copyright 2006
33

Lesson 12

refine the above table. However, these principles are very confusing for
beginning students so I've chosen to save this material for later in the course. For
instance, Parashara at one point says:
The lord of the ascendant is especially auspicious, as the
ascendant house is both an angle and a trine.
However, he later lists Venus is a temporal malefic as the ascendant lord for
Taurus ascendant. This appears to be contradictory, however when you learn the
advanced principles you will see that there is a sound basis. In actual practice,
Venus generally gives great benefits as the lagna lord for Taurus, however, it can
sometimes represent health problems. This is because both the 1st and 6th
houses relate to health. Also, the stronger of the two signs Venus rules is Libra,
its mulatrikona sign, which corresponds to the 6th house, a dusthana house. The
other principle is that a benefic ruling an angular house loses some of its
beneficence, and the ascendant is an angular house. However, it's also a trinal
house. Therefore, identifying Venus as entirely a temporal malefic is confusing,
yet accurate under certain circumstances.
The House Rulership Table is useful as a beginning guideline for labeling the
temporal status for each planet. It's accurate and reliable. However, as we
advance as astrologers this needs to be refined, because we can't reduce a
planet's temporal effects to entirely benefic or malefic. In other words, even
though two planets may share the same temporal status label - benefic, malefic
or neutral - one will be more benefic or malefic than the other, and in different
ways, and under different circumstances.
Yogakarakas - Most Benefic House Rulers

A planet becomes the most powerful temporal benefic when it simultaneously
rules both an angular and trinal house, other than the 1st house. When this
occurs, the planet is called the yogakaraka, and gives great benefit to wherever
it's placed, forming a raja yoga or royal combination. If you look at the House
Rulership Table you'll notice that there's a green asterisk* next to the yogakaraka
planets for each ascendant. Please see the following table:
Yogakarakas
Planet
Saturn
Mars
Mars
Saturn
Venus
Venus
Ascendant
Taurus
Cancer
Leo
Libra
Capricorn
Aquarius
Houses Ruled
9, 10
5, 10
4, 9
4, 5
5, 10
4, 9
Copyright 2006
34

Lesson 12

You can see that only Saturn, Mars, and Venus become yogakarakas and for
only six ascendants: Taurus, Cancer, Leo, Libra, Capricorn, and Aquarius. The
natural malefics, Saturn and Mars, therefore cause the least amount of harm
when they are yogakarakas. Many astrologers consider that Taurus is the best
ascendant to have. This is because Saturn, the most malefic planet, becomes
the most beneficial as the yogakaraka ruling the 9th and 10th houses - the
highest trinal and angular houses. This only happens with Taurus ascendant.
Dusthana Lords - Most Malefic House Rulers

A very malefic house ruler is a planet that's a dusthana lord, without also ruling a
trinal house. This planet becomes especially malefic if it also happens to be a
natural malefic. If you look at the House Rulership Table you'll see that there's a
red pound sign # next to what I call the 'most malefic house ruler' for each
ascendant. For instance, Mars is the most malefic house ruler for Virgo
ascendant, because it's a natural malefic ruling the 8th house, and doesn't rule a
trinal house like it does for Aries ascendant. Identifying the most malefic house
ruler is useful for identifying a powerfully malefic influence in the chart. Please
see a list of them in the following table:
Planet
Mars
Mars
Saturn
Saturn
Mars
Saturn
Malefics Ruling Dusthanas The Most Malefic House Rulers

Ascendant
Taurus
Gemini
Cancer
Leo
Virgo
Pisces
Houses Ruled
7, 12
6, 11
7, 8
6, 7
3, 8
11, 12
The next most malefic house ruler is when a natural benefic rules a dusthana
house, without also ruling a trine. For instance, even though Jupiter is the most
benefic planet, it is capable of causing much harm for Taurus ascendants as the
ruler of the 8th and 11th houses. Please see a list of them in the following table:
Planet
Mercury
Jupiter
Mercury
Jupiter
Mercury
Venus
Benefics Ruling Dusthanas The Next Most Malefic House Rulers

Ascendant
Aries
Taurus
Cancer
Libra
Scorpio
Scorpio
Copyright 2006
35
Houses Ruled
3, 6
8, 11
3, 12
3, 6
8, 11
7, 12

Lesson 12
Venus
Jupiter
Venus

Sagittarius
Capricorn
Pisces
6, 11
3, 12
3, 8
The Sun and Moon are excluded from these last two tables because the Sun is a
mild malefic, and the Moon is mild benefic, therefore they're malefic influence as
house rulers is mild as well. Parashara also says, "The 8th lordship of the Sun
and the Moon is not evil," which gives an indication of their mild influence as
malefic house rulers. This is why the Sun and Moon have the distinction of being
the only planet's who become neutral house rulers of the 4th and 10th houses.
You can see by studying these last two tables that the only house lords that
combine with dusthana lords are the lords of the kama houses, 3, 7, 11. These
rulers never combine with a trinal lord, and therefore never become temporal
benefics for any ascendant.
What's important to remember is that a planet's placement is different than a
planet's rulership. For instance, Parashara deems that a planet placed in the 11th
house is generally well placed, however, a planet ruling the 11th house is always
a temporal malefic.
Kendradhipati Dosha
Another example of the difference between a planet's placement versus its
rulership is with the angular houses. A planet placed in an angular house is
always strong, however, if it rules an angular house it doesn't become a temporal
benefic unless it also rules a trinal house. Therefore, the rulership of the angular
houses does not follow what we might logically assume.
In fact, when a benefic planet rules an angular house it loses some of its benefic
status, while malefics ruling angles causes them to shed some of the malefic
nature. Here's a quote from K.N. Rao about this:
Benefics as lords of kendras lose their capacity to do good while
malefics lose their capacity to do evil. Which then is good?
Benefics not being able to give their benefic results or malefics not
being able to give malefic results? Obviously, if benefics lose their
capacity to give benefic results it is a major loss.
When a benefic rules two angular houses then this is particularly detrimental for
the benefic, and is called kendradhipati dosha. This translates as 'the affliction of
the ruler of kendras.' This only applies to Jupiter and Mercury, because this only
occurs for Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces ascendants. Please see the
following table:
Copyright 2006
36

Lesson 12

Kendradhipati Dosha
Ascendant
Gemini
Virgo
Sagittarius
Pisces
Planet
Jupiter
Jupiter
Mercury
Mercury
Houses Ruled
7, 10
4, 7
7, 10
4, 7
The Maraka Lords

As mentioned earlier, the maraka houses, 2 and 7, are sometimes malefic
houses, because they can cause death, especially later in life. Therefore, planets
placed in, or ruling the maraka houses can play this role. This becomes
especially true when a planet rules both maraka houses, which only occurs with
Venus and Mars, for Aries and Libra ascendants respectively. Please see the
following table:
Planet
Venus
Mars
Double Marakas
Ascendant
Aries
Libra
Houses Ruled
2, 7
2, 7
It must be noted that the Sun or Moon can become maraka lords, but their role
has not been emphasized in classic texts. This again supports the principle that
the Sun and Moon have only mild malefic influence.
Example of House Position and Rulership Effecting Strength

Referring to Einstein's chart, we can see that his temporal benefic planets for his
Gemini ascendant are Mercury, Venus, and Saturn, with all three being placed in
the angular 10th house! This certainly gives tremendous rise and benefit to his
career. Of these three, Venus becomes especially powerful as the 5th lord
exalted in the 10th house, which certainly shows his creative abilities and public
appeal.
Gemini
Einstein's Temporal Status of Planets

3
2
6, 11#
1, 4
7, 10
5, 12
Malefic Malefic Malefic Benefic Malefic Benefic
8, 9
Benefic
Gemini doesn't have a yogakaraka planet, but does have a most malefic ruler
with Mars ruling the 6th and 11th houses. Because it's also placed in the 8th
house makes it particularly damaging, except that it forms a special raja yoga,
which we'll talk about in Lesson 15, called vipareeta raja yoga. Einstein's Jupiter
has kendradhipati dosha as the ruler of the 7th and 10th houses. However, it's
placed in the most benefic house, the 9th house, which reduces the malefic
nature of this affliction. This also forms special raja yogas, which we'll talk about
Copyright 2006
37

Lesson 12

in Lesson 15. The Moon as a temporal malefic and lord of a maraka house,
debilitated and placed in the 6th house certainly doesn't help the Moon's
strength. It reinforces its potential to cause health problems. The Sun as a
temporal malefic, as lord of the 3rd house, doesn't cause much trouble to his
career where it's placed. The 3rd is only a mildly malefic house, and it gains
directional strength in the 10th house as previously mentioned. This is an
example of how we can integrate house placement and house rulership into our
interpretation of planetary strength.
Quiz #69:
Which is the correct list of ascendants that have yogakarakas?
1) Aries, Taurus, Cancer, Leo, Libra, Scorpio, Capricorn, Aquarius
2) Taurus, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces
3) Taurus, Cancer, Leo, Libra, Capricorn, Aquarius
4) Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Sagittarius, Pisces
Other Factors of Planetary Strength

We've now learned about the strength of planets by sign position, house position,
and house rulership. This has been a lot of detailed information. The remaining
factors are easier to discuss, but are nonetheless important: aspects and
conjunctions, hemming in of planets, combustion, planetary war, sandhi and
gandanta, and retrogression.
Planetary Strength By Aspects and Conjunctions

A planet is either weakened or strengthened, afflicted or improved by the planets
that aspect or conjunct it. It may be strong in every other way but if it's afflicted by
another planet then it's beneficence is diminished. Here are several interpretative
guidelines for aspects and conjunctions:
A planet is either weakened or strengthened, afflicted or improved by the planets
that aspect or conjunct it. It may be strong in every other way but if it's afflicted by
another planet then it's beneficence is diminished. Here are several interpretative
guidelines for aspects and conjunctions:
The natural status predominates over temporal status. We discussed this
principle in Lesson 11 using quotes from classics texts. A planet is more afflicted
by the aspects and conjunctions of a natural malefic, like Saturn, then by a
temporal malefic, like Jupiter for Taurus ascendant. The opposite is, of course,
Copyright 2006
38

Lesson 12

the case when a planet is aspected by a natural benefic, like Venus, versus a
temporal benefic, like Mars for Cancer ascendant. It's not that a temporal malefic
won't afflict, it will, but it's not as significant. If a planet is both a natural and
temporal malefic then it's aspects and conjunctions become doubly malefic, with
the opposite also being the case. In other words, natural malefics never become
full benefics even when they rule benefic houses, and natural benefics never
become full malefics even when they rule malefic houses. Therefore, Saturn's
aspects for Taurus ascendants, as the lord of the 9th and 10th houses, will still
cause affliction.
A planet aspects from its given position. A planet will send whatever it
represents in the chart by aspect. For instance, a malefic planet that is debilitated
(DB) in the 8th house, and conjunct or aspected only by malefics is more
afflicting than a malefic planet that's exalted in the 5th house and conjunct or
aspected only by benefics. Therefore, in order to understand the effect a planet
will have by aspect, then we need to analyze its condition closely.
The tighter the aspect the more powerful it is. When a planet receives a tight
aspect or conjunction by degrees, the more powerful and significant it is.
Therefore, when a planet is aspected or conjunct by several planets we need to
give the most weight to the one that's the tightest. That's the one to focus on.
For example, we saw In Lesson 11 how afflicted Venus was in Hitler's chart with
aspects by both Mars and Saturn within 4 degrees. This is powerfully malefic
because of the tightness of the aspect, but also because Mars and Saturn are
aspecting from angular houses, and Mars is strong in its own sign (OH).
The strongest planet predominates with multiple planet aspects. When a planet
is aspected or conjunct several planets we also need to give the most weight to
the one that's the strongest by sign position, house position, rulership etc.,
especially sign position. That's the one to focus on.
Copyright 2006
39

Lesson 12

For instance, in Hitler's chart Venus is conjunct or aspected by five planets Mars, Saturn, Sun, Mercury, and Jupiter. Of all these planets, how do we know
which one predominates in their effect on Venus? This is not always clear cut.
For instance, the Sun (EX) is strongest of all them by sign position, even though
Mars (OH) and Jupiter (OH) are also quite strong. The Sun, Mars, and Saturn are
aspecting from powerful angular houses. Mars is overall the most powerful
aspect on Venus, for all these reasons, and because it's the tightest in degrees.
A planet in its own house (OH) is less afflicted by conjunctions.
When a planet is in its own house (OH) it protects the house and the planet to
some degree. When it is conjunct malefics it becomes the dispositor for the
malefics. It's like when the landlord lives in the house he's renting rooms in, the
tenants have less power to cause trouble or dictate the rules.
For instance, in Gandhi's chart, Venus is the ruler of the ascendant in the
ascendant. Therefore, even though Venus is afflicted by conjunction with Mars
within 2 degrees, it is not dominated by Mars, because it rules over it.
Copyright 2006
40

Lesson 12

In Hitler's chart, we can see the exact opposite situation. Mars dominates over
Venus as its dispositor, which further adds to the reasons why Mars's malefic
aspect predominates over the other aspects to Venus by the Sun, Jupiter,
Mercury and Saturn.
Hemming in of Planets
When a planet is conjunct malefic planets on either side of it, it is considered
'hemmed in by malefics.' This increases the affliction to the planet. It's like sitting
on a bus with rude, obnoxious and foul smelling individuals on either side of you.
Even though you may have other friends sitting on the bus, it's a disturbing
situation.
The opposite is, of course, the case with a planet being 'hemmed in by benefics.'
For instance, in Einstein's chart Saturn is hemmed in by Venus and Mercury,
which increases the strength and benevolence of Saturn.
Copyright 2006
41

Lesson 12

Hemming in also takes place when a planet is surrounded by either malefics or

benefics in adjacent houses. For instance, in Einstein's chart Jupiter is hemmed
in by malefics, with Rahu on one side at 10 degrees and the Sun on the other
side at 1 degrees. This afflicts not only Jupiter but the 9th house itself. Even if
Jupiter was not present the 9th house would be afflicted, because the house was
hemmed in. This is not an extreme example because there are also benefic
planets in the 10th house in close proximity, and because the Sun is only a mild
malefic. However, even if the Sun weren't in the 10th house, Jupiter could still be
considered afflicted to some extent. This is because Saturn is on one side of
Jupiter, although not as close by degrees as Mercury, and Mars and Rahu are on
the other. It's a stronger hemming in if it's only malefics or only benefics, but if it's
a mixture then it still has some effect.
Another example of hemming in of adjacent houses, is in Gandhi's chart, with
Saturn and the Sun hemming in his ascendant and ascendant lord, Venus. When
malefics hem in the ascendant it's called a specific yoga, Papa Kartari Yoga.
Kartari means 'scissors' and papa means 'inauspicious', so this is being
scissored in by inauspicious planets. When benefics hem in the ascendant it's
called Shubha Kartari Yoga. Shubha means 'auspicious.' In Gandhi's case this
isn't an extreme papa kartari yoga because there are so many benefic influences
also on the ascendant, by Venus, Mercury and Jupiter, with Venus being strong
in its own house (OH). Extreme cases of papa kartari yoga can be seen
sometimes in the charts of criminals.
Three Special Factors

There are three factors of strength that are frequently misunderstood,
misinterpreted, and require special attention: combustion, planetary war, and
retrogression. Each of these factors only apply to the five planets, Mars, Mercury,
Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn, and need to be interpreted cautiously. This is
because it's not possible to assign a blanket strong or weak, benefic or malefic,
good or bad status to planets when they are combust, in a planetary war, or
Copyright 2006
42

Lesson 12

retrograde. They need to be analyzed closely on a case by case basis, because

they can give unusual and sometimes extreme results for good or ill, and usually
a mixture. We'll explain these in succession now.
Combustion
When a planet is in a tight conjunction with the Sun it is said to be combust, or
burned up by the Sun's rays. This does not apply to the Moon or the Nodes of the
Moon - Rahu and Ketu. The following table gives the degrees of combustion, on
either side of the Sun, for each planet:
Planet
Mercury
Venus
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Degrees of Combustion
Degrees
14o
10o
17o
11o
15o
Some texts say that when a planet is combust its indications are severely
harmed, even destroyed. However, this is rarely, if ever, the case. It's easy to
show that this is a misleading statement by the fact that Mercury is always within
28 degrees of the Sun, but it's degrees of combustion are 14. This means that in
about 50% of charts Mercury is technically combust! However, every other
person is not stupid and unable to speak! In actual practice combustion does
have some effect especially when it's tight within 5 degrees. There is usually
some unusual idiosyncratic effect regarding the combust planet.
Here are a few interpretative guidelines for combust planets:
Combustion primarily harms a planet's external or physical indications, not its
internal (mental, emotional, spiritual). For instance, a person with a combust
Mercury may have health challenges related to Mercury (skin, nerves, lungs,
etc.) or their education may be interrupted. However, they can be very
intellectually bright and articulate due to the close proximity with the Sun.
Likewise, a combust Venus can give challenges to one's reproductive organs, or
indicate marital problems. However, it can also make one creatively bright.
Combustion particularly harms the houses that the planet owns, and
signficates. For instance, a combust Mercury that rules two money houses for
Leo ascendant, 2 and 11, can indicate that the person has challenges earning
money. Again, the focus should be on the external or physical indications of the
house.
A planet that is approaching an exact conjunction with the Sun is more afflicted
by combustion than after the planet leaves the an exact conjunction with the Sun.
Copyright 2006
43

Lesson 12

For example, in Hitler's chart we can see that Mercury is combust within 5
degrees, and approaching the exact conjunction with the Sun. One indication of
Mercury is education. It's the significator of the 5th house of education, and
happens to also rule the 9th house for Libra ascendants, a house of higher
education. Hitler never finished high school, and was never accepted into any
college or university. This shows that Mercury's external indication of education,
and both the houses it significates and rules are harmed. However, his speech
and oratory skills were not harmed as he was a powerful speaker.
In Einstein's chart, Mercury is also combust but at only 10 degrees, and it has
already left the exact conjunction with the Sun. He also had challenges in his
education. especially pre-college education, which the 4th house represents, and
Mercury rules the 4th house in his chart. However, he did enter university and
obtain a PhD degree, a degree of higher education (9th house). This is
interesting because Saturn, the 9th lord, is also combust but at only 11 degrees,
and it's already left its exact conjunction with the Sun.
These examples show that the tightness of degrees has an important effect, and
whether the planet is approaching or leaving the Sun. We also need to look at
other factors to decide how much the house that a planet rules or significates is
harmed. In Einstein's case, Jupiter is in the 9th house, and is the dispositor of
Saturn, which could explain his success in higher education despite a mildly
combust 9th lord, Saturn.
Planetary War - Graha Yuddha

Planetary war or graha yuddha is also an often misunderstood and
misinterpreted factor of planetary strength. How this 'war' occurs is when two
planets, other than the Sun, Moon, Rahu and Ketu are within degree 1 degree
(60 minutes) of one another. Therefore, a planetary war is an extremely tight
conjunction.
Just like with any conjunction, if the two planets are natural friends, according to
the two family of friendships, then it's a less harmful association. Also, the natural
status of a planet is an important consideration. For instance, a planetary war
between Mars and Saturn is especially malefic and potentially explosive,
because they're both malefics and also enemies. Conversely, a planetary war
between Mercury and Venus is generally less harmful because they're both
benefics and in the same family of friends.
Just like in a physical war, there is a winner and loser. The problem is that there
is disagreement between authors about how the outcome is determined. Some
authors take the planet with the lowest longitude (degree) to be the winner, and
some take the planet with the highest latitude (declination) to be the winner. The
latitude of a planet is how far north or south a planet is relative to the ecliptic,
while the longitude is how far a planet is east or west along the ecliptic. We
Copyright 2006
44

Lesson 12

discussed these concepts in Lesson 3. The winner is said to be strengthened

and the loser weakened.
Personally, I have found that the planet with the lowest longitude is the most
reliable measure of who's the actually winner and strengthened. For example, in
Hitler's chart, Venus and Mars are in a planetary war in Aries. Venus is at 24o23
and Mars is at 24o04. Mars is obviously at lower longitude (degrees) and is the
winner from this perspective. However, Venus is at higher latitude (declination)
making it the winner from this perspective. Most computer software programs,
and some Vedic ephemeris's (panchangas) will give the latitude of the planet. For
example, below is a table from Parashara's Light software showing the degrees
and declination of each planet in Hitler's chart (Ketu is not included since it's
exacting opposite Rahu). The degrees are shown by a number 0-360 (30
degrees x 12 signs). The declination is either a positive or negative number,
indicating north or south of the ecliptic:
We can see in this table that Mars is at 16:53:57 declination, while Venus is at
22:54:50, making Venus the winner at higher latitude. However, it makes much
more sense to me that Hitler's Mars wins the war, because of events in his life.
He was never accepted into art school, yet became a militant ruler of a powerful
nation. I can't logically justify that Mars is somehow weak and Venus is strong.
Here's another example of a planetary war in the chart of Joseph Campbell, the
author of The Power of Myth, and eminent scholar. If you didn't know who he was
you may think that his Mercury is in very bad shape. It's debilitated, combust, in a
planetary war, and conjunct three malefics including the 8th lord, Mars. This is a
good example of how combustion of Mercury can brighten the intellect. Mercury
also attains neecha bhanga raja yoga by its conjunction with its dispositor,
Jupiter, who is in its own sign. However, it's also in a planetary war with Jupiter.
Who wins?
Copyright 2006
45

Lesson 12

Mercury is at lower degrees (longitude), but Jupiter has higher declination

(latitude). Again, it makes the most sense that Mercury wins because of his life
events. He became famous as an author, editor, lecturer, and scholar, which are
all Mercurial indications. However, it doesn't make sense that Jupiter loses and is
harmed either, because he taught comparative religion as a university professor,
which are Jupiterian indications.
If you consider the effects of an actual war, both sides are bloodied. This could
be the reason why there sometimes are not clear distinctions between strength
Copyright 2006
46

Lesson 12

or weakness, or positive or negative results of planets involved in a planetary

war. For this reason, it's often considered only a minor contributing factor to
planetary strength. I recommend being careful about making any bold
pronouncements about strength or weakness due to this factor. Like combustion,
expect that there could be some unusual, idiosyncratic results from the planets
involved.
Retrogression - Vakra
A factor of strength that is often difficult to interpret is when planets are
retrograde or vakra (literally 'crooked'). This occurs when one of the five planets,
Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, or Saturn, appear to move backward through the
zodiac. Software programs usually identify them by placing an 'R' next to the
planet. Of course, retrogression is an optical illusion, because the planetary
orbits are fixed in a forward direction. We've discussed the astronomical factors
of retrogression in Lesson 3.
What's important to remember is that retrograde planets are the closest to the
earth in their orbits, which means that they appear physically larger and brighter.
They are also the slowest in their orbits. Their effect can be compared to having
someone stop right in front you, and put their face close to your face. They
appear larger, even though they're not, and you are forced to notice them. If the
person is a saint then it can be a powerful blessing, however, if they're a violent
criminal then it can be terrifying. Likewise, a retrograde planet will be stronger
and more dramatic in its effects in the chart. The benefic or malefic nature of the
outcome is dependent on how favorably disposed the planet is. In other words, if
a planet is strong by sign position, house position, aspects etc. then it usually
becomes more dramatically benefic, with the opposite being the case for a
malefically disposed planet.
Here are several interpretative guidelines for retrograde planets:
A retrograde planet is stronger and more intense, for better or for worse,
relative to its natural benefic or malefic status and its temporal condition in the
chart. A retrograde benefic can be more benefic, and a retrograde malefic can be
more malefic. Mars retrograde in a dusthana house, like the 12th house, is more
malefic in its effects than Mars in direct motion in the 12th house. Likewise, Mars
retrograde in the 10th house can be more powerful for career ambition, and
overall success. This is especially true if it's favorably disposed by being in a
strong dignity (own sign or exalted) and/or conjunct or aspected by benefics.
Therefore, we have to look at its position, aspects and conjunctions (PAC)
closely.
Retrograde planets represent the past, going backward in time. For this reason,
they can indicate a particularly strong karmic influence from the past that must be
paid attention to in this life, like a person getting close to your face. In this regard,
Copyright 2006
47

Lesson 12

they are important karmic indicators in the chart, like Rahu and Ketu, who are
almost always retrograde. Of course, the whole chart represents our karma, but
these planets can represent a special karmic lesson that needs to be learned, or
special karmic reward that benefits the person. In either case, it often becomes a
significant focus in their life.
Because of the retrograde motion, a retrograde planet represents going against
socially accepted norms of society. It's like a salmon swimming upstream against
the mainstream. For instance, retrograde Mercury can represent an
unconventional thinker with unusual, innovative ideas. Retrograde Venus can
represent someone with unorthodox relationships, like homosexual. Because a
retrograde planet is also slower it also can be more withdrawn and inward by
nature.
A retrograde planet that's moving toward a malefic planet becomes more
malefic because it's approaching the conjunction with the malefic. The opposite is
the case when approaching benefics. For instance, in Hitler's chart Venus is
moving retrograde toward Mars, not away from it, which intensifies the negative
effect. It adds to the evidence that Mars dominates Venus in his chart.
A retrograde planet can be erratic and unpredictable in its effects. In other
words, retrograde benefics are usually more benefic, but not always. K.N. Rao
cautions about this, and emphasizes that they may not provide the benefic
influence and protection you'd expect. For this reason, we need to proceed with
caution when interpreting retrograde planets. There is usually some unusual
idiosyncratic effect that they have similar to planets in planetary war, or combust.
Sandhi and Gandanta

Another factor that needs to be addressed for planetary strength is when a planet
is within 3 degrees of the cusp or sandhi between two signs. Sandhi literally
means a 'joint.' A planet placed here is considered weakened due to being in a
transition place, 'betwixt and between' as they say, as if it can't decide what sign
it's in. It usually carries the qualities of both signs to some extent, especially
when it's within 1 degree of the sandhi. This is not a major factor of strength,
which is evidenced by the fact that when Mercury is in the last three degrees of
Virgo, it stays in Virgo in the navamsha chart. This makes it a vargottama
Mercury in Virgo, its sign of exaltation, which is obviously a strong Mercury.
When a planet is in the sandhi between water and fire signs - Cancer/Leo,
Scorpio/Sagittarius, or Pisces/Aries - it is in a special sandhi position called
gandanta. This is a double sandhi because it's not only the juncture between two
signs, but also of two nakshatras, or lunar constellations, which we'll be studying
in depth later in the course. Gandanta is a particularly weak and unstable
placement for a planet and can represent unusual difficulties that the person has
in their life regarding the planet. This is especially true when it's in the last 3
Copyright 2006
48

Lesson 12

degrees of Pisces, which is the most transitional place in the chart being the end
of the zodiac.
Determining the Effects of Planetary Strength

As we previously discussed in the beginning of the lesson, the general principle
for interpreting strength is that whenever a planet is strong, it becomes happier
and therefore able to express its positive qualities. The opposite is the case when
it's weak.
However, we can from the example charts that a planet is rarely, if ever, strong
with regards to every factor of strength. There's almost always a mixture - weak
by sign position, strong by house position, aspected by both benefics and
malefics etc. Therefore, we first need to accurately gauge how strong or weak a
planet is. We won't be able to come up with a concrete label like we can with sign
strength, but as we consider all the various factors we'll get a 'feel' or 'sense' for
how strong the planet actually is, and what kind of effects it will give. This will, of
course, become easier with more experience.
The main problem that I encounter with students trying to interpret strength is in
jumping to conclusions based on the planet's dignity alone. For instance, I had a
student once ask me, "My Venus is in the sign of an enemy, so I won't be able to
ever have a happy married life, right?" It's true that if Venus is weak by sign
position it may be harder to experience fulfillment in relationships. However, the
important question is, "What qualities do both Venus and the sign have that
weaken Venus and make it more challenging?" To be able to answer this
question, we need to put on our chemist hat, like we did in Lesson 10, and think
logically about how Venus's qualities blend with the qualities of the sign.
Let's look at Venus's placement in the student's chart, and first calculate its
strength by sign position. Venus is in Aries, which is ruled by Mars. Looking on
the Natural Planetary Relationships Table we can see that Venus is in the sign of
a neutral. However, Mars is in Leo, five houses away, making it a temporal
enemy. The compound relationship when adding them together is: neutral +
enemy = enemy. This is confirms that the student was right - Venus is in the sign
of an enemy.
So let's now consider why Venus may be weak in Aries. Aries is an impulsive,
aggressive and combative sign. This can be interpreted by saying that the
student tends to start relationships quickly and end them quickly, as a result of
some conflict. When I asked him if this was the case, he readily agreed. This is
the challenge when Venus is placed in a fire sign, especially the most impulsive
fire sign of Aries. Looking at the Natural Planetary Relationships Table you'll see
that Venus is not in the sign of a natural friend in any of the fire signs: Aries, Leo,
or Sagittarius. It's not a natural friend in any of the water signs either, except
being exalted in Pisces. Venus is strongest in air and earth signs, which are the
Copyright 2006
49

Lesson 12

signs ruled by Mercury, Saturn, and Venus - its family of friends. This makes
sense because Venus is a social (air) planet and a sensual (earth) planet as well.
It's not a useful interpretation to say to a client that because Venus is the sign of
an enemy you'll never have a happy married life. In fact, I don't recommend
mentioning the planetary dignities to clients. It's a tool for the astrologer, but it's
confusing to the client. To say that your Venus is weak doesn't help clients or
empower them to take positive action. But it is useful to say that you need to be
careful about jumping into relationships too quickly, and picking partners with
whom you have intense, passionate, and combative relationships. Astrology is a
tool for self-awareness, so that to help them learn to be more self-aware will help
free them from the effects of a weak planetary condition. That's the value of
astrological counseling - to help us learn, grow, and change negative karma.
Too often I see student's falling into the trap of thinking in a limited binary manner
- this planet is weak and this planet is strong; this will cause bad things to you,
this will cause good things to you. This is not very useful. It also may not be
accurate. For instance, K.N. Rao often says that exalted planets can cause
arrogance, and debilitated can give humility, so which is bad and which is good?
Every planet, even if it's extremely afflicted or extremely strong, will be good for
some things and bad for other things in the chart. We need to keep this in mind.
For instance, Venus exalted in Pisces in the 2nd house can be good for acquiring
wealth, but can also represent cravings for sweets and rich, gourmet foods that
can be bad for one's health. Therefore, identifying if a planet is weak or strong is
only a starting point in interpretation. We also need to consider the logic behind
why it's weak or strong in that sign or house, or when it has that aspect, or when
it has that condition like gandanta and come up with a useful interpretation. For
instance, Venus is exalted in Pisces because creativity can flourish in such an
expansive, imaginative sign. However, it's also a sign of indulgence and
addictions because, as the sign of unity, it doesn't have boundaries or limits.
This course is unique because it focuses on helping you develop interpretive
Copyright 2006
50

Lesson 12

logic. We learned to logically blend the planets, houses, and signs together like a
chemist in Lesson 10 before learning planetary strength, because it's the
foundation of interpretation. We always need to do this work of blending, and not
just tell someone that your planet is bad or good, weak or strong. Identifying the
strength of the planet is for the astrologer, not the client, and is meant to help us
fine tune our blending so that it's more accurate. To do this effectively is the skill
of an astrologer that improves with practice, and experience.
Quiz #70:
True or False. For a planet to be considered hemmed in, it needs to have only
benefics or only malefics on either side of it within the house its in.
The Shad Bala System of Planetary Strength

In this section we're going to discuss a mathematical system for calculating
planetary strength called Shad Bala, which translates as 'six strengths.' It uses
six criterion for determining a planet's overall strength by assigning points or
rupas that add together to give a final number between 0 and 2.50. A planet
above 1.00 is considered strong and below 1.00 is considered weak. This is a
traditional system that is described in several classic texts, including Parashara's
Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Shad Bala

As a mathematical system Shad Bala has both advantages and disadvantages.
The advantage is that the calculations result in concrete numbers, like with
vargavimshopak, which are objective and quantitative. This is attractive to those
of us who are mathematically minded because we can compare strength
between planets using a graph. Similar to the concrete label that the planetary
dignities provide, we can use this to gauge strength. Even though the shad bala
calculations are lengthy to perform by hand, a computer can spit it out in a split
second. These are all advantages.
The disadvantages to shad bala are numerous, which is why we're not
emphasizing this system in this lesson or this course. First of all, very few people
will take the time to try to calculate shad bala by hand because it's too confusing
and laborious. Without this effort the six criterion are not learned from the inside
out, which adds to the astrologer's ability to "better visualize and develop
instincts for practicing astrology" as K.N. Rao says. Therefore, astrologers rely on
computer calculations. Because it's a mathematical system you'd think that
software programs would come up with the same numerical result. Sadly, this is
Copyright 2006
51

Lesson 12

not the case, and the differences can be quite drastic. This alone makes it an
unreliable system to use for determining planetary strength. For instance, the two
most popular Jyotish software programs today are Parashara's Light and Sri Jyoti
Star. I use them both. Below is the shad bala graphs that they each provide for
the chart of Albert Einstein:
Parashara's Light Shad Bala Graph
Sri Jyoti Star Shad Bala Graph

When you compare the numbers in each graph you'll see that there is quite a
difference. For instance, Parashara's Light (PL) gives .96 for the Moon, while Sri
Jyoti Star (SJS) gives 1.23. This is a big problem when a planet is considered
weak when it's below 1.00! This discrepancy alters the interpretation. You'll
notice that Saturn is also below 1.00 in PL and above it in SJS. You might just
assume that this is a matter of scale, with SJS giving higher values. But this is
not the case. For instance, Mars is higher in PL than in SJS. Obviously, they're
not taking the same mathematical steps to arrive at the total shad bala points.
This is possible because the steps are not thoroughly explained in the classic
texts. When you read about the six criterions of strength below you'll see how
some of them leave room for questions in the calculations!
Below I've included the Shad Bala calculations in both PL and SJS for our four
example charts in this lesson - Einstein, Hitler, Gandhi and Campbell - so that
you can see the differences. I've also highlighted the discrepancies which are
drastically different or that could confuse an astrologer's interpretations.
Copyright 2006
52

Lesson 12
Sun
Moon
Mars
Mer
Jup
Ven
Sat
A. Einstein
PLight SJStar
1.31
1.40
0.96
1.23
1.37
1.29
0.83
0.90
1.08
1.13
1.54
1.73
0.83
1.03

Shad Bala Calculations

A. Hitler
M. Gandhi
PLight SJStar PLight SJStar
1.31
1.44
1.03
0.91
1.00
1.23
1.22
1.24
1.33
1.42
1.28
1.37
0.74
0.87
1.41
1.41
0.97
1.27
1.29
1.66
1.42
1.69
1.24
1.45
1.51
2.02
1.61
1.89
J. Campbell
PLight SJStar
0.97
1.03
1.28
1.56
1.17
1.38
0.58
0.28
1.01
1.50
1.18
1.19
1.52
1.60
The other huge disadvantage to shad bala is how misleading it can be for
interpretative use. For instance, look at Joseph Campbell's Mercury. It's about as
far below 1.00 as one can get at 0.58 in PL and 0.28 in SJS! How do you use this
number to describe a scholar who wrote and/or edited over thirty five books,
taught as a professor of literature for thirty eight years, and was famous as a
gifted public speaker and storyteller? Can you justify saying Mercury is weak?
Campbell did die of cancer of the esophagus, which is a region ruled by Mercury.
Therefore, shad bala is useful for identifying an extreme strength or weakness,
but to be able to determine which indications of the planet will be effected we
need to analyze the chart. In Campbell's chart, his Mercury is tightly combust,
which harms the physical indications of the planet. Mercury also rules the
ascendant, the indicator for the body. It's in the 7th house, a maraka house, and
in a planetary war with Jupiter, a maraka lord. It's also conjunct the 8th lord,
Mars, representing chronic illness.
This is a good example of why we can't rely on Shad Bala or any one system for
determining strength. Any mathematical system needs to be applied with
discretion, as it will have inherent limitations. It can only calculate quantitatively,
but it can't make qualitative judgments. For this we need to look at a planet
relative to all the factors of strength in the chart - sign position, house position,
house rulership, aspects, combustion, etc. as we've taught in this lesson. We can
give an accurate reading without referring to the shadbala point totals, but not
when we don't take the time to analyze all the factors of strength in the chart.
The Six Criterion of Strength

It is useful to learn what the six criterion of strength are, as well as their subcriterions, which we'll be doing in this section. Many of these we have already
discussed in this lesson, and many will be new and interesting. These can help
us to further refine and fine tune a planet's condition of strength. This material is
primarily for reference, since it's not expected of you to attempt the calculations
manually.
Copyright 2006
53

Lesson 12

1. Sthana Bala - Positional Strength

Sthana means 'place,' so sthana bala means strength based on the planet's
position in the chart.
1) Exaltation Strength (Ucha Bala)
A planet is strongest when at its degree of exaltation, and weakest when at its
degree of debilitation. Therefore, a planet begins to lose strength as soon as it
leaves its exaltation degree, and begins to gain strength as soon as it leaves its
debilitation degree. This sub-criterion measures the distance the planet is from
each point and whether it's approaching one or the other. Its limitations are that it
doesn't calculate a debilitated planets cancellation factors, and it doesn't consider
the sign that the planet is in, just how far away from exaltation or debilitation it is.
Therefore, if Jupiter is in Sagittarius, in its own sign, it would be weak according
to this calculation because it is only one sign away from its debilitation in
Capricorn.
2) Divisional Strength (Saptavargaja Bala)
This sub-criterion calculates a planet's sign position strength or dignity relative to
the sapta vargas or seven divisional charts: D1, D2, D3, D7, D9, D12, and D30.
This calculation also has its limitations. For instance, it doesn't include the
dashamsha chart (D10), which relates to the important area of life, career. It also
can give a high number of points to debilitated planets. For instance, when
Saturn is in Aries at 20o it's exalted in Libra in the navamsha, and when the Moon
is at 3o Scorpio it's in its own sign Cancer in the navamsha.
3) Odd-Even Sign Strength (Ojayugmarasyamsa Bala)
This sub-criterion calculates whether a planet is in either an odd or even sign
relative to the rasi chart (D1), and the navamsha (D9). The masculine and neutral
planets: Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Mercury, and Saturn gain strength in the masculine
or odd signs, while the feminine planets: Moon, Venus gain strength in the
feminine or even signs. This also has limitations because if Mercury is exalted in
Virgo, an even sign, it is considered weak according to this criterion. Another
example is Mars which gets exalted in the feminine sign of Capricorn.
4) Angular Strength (Kendra Bala)
This sub-criterion calculates strength relative to a planet's house position in the
rasi chart only. If it's in the angular or kendra houses (1, 4, 7, 10) it is considered
strongest; if it's in the succedent or panapara houses (2, 5, 8, 11) it gets medium
strength; and if it's in the cadent or apoklima houses (3, 6, 9, 12) it is considered
the weakest. This calculation makes sense because the kendra houses are the
positions of power. However, one limitation is that the 9th house, the most
benefic house, is an apoklima house and a planet would be considered weakest
placed here. Another limitation is that it doesn't consider that a malefic in an
angular houses may gain strength, but it also causes harm to the houses they're
in and aspect.
Copyright 2006
54

Lesson 12

5) Decanate Strength (Drekkana Bala)

Masculine planets gain strength when placed in the first decanate of a sign,
which is 0-10 degrees; neuter planets gain strength in the 2nd decanate of a
sign, which is 10-20 degrees; and feminine planets gain strength in the 3rd
decanate of a sign, which is 20-30 degrees. Planets are first divided into their
gender categories: masculine (Sun, Mars, Jupiter), neuter (Mercury, Saturn) and
feminine (Moon, Venus). This criterion also has limitations because Mars would
be weak when it's exalted at 28o Capricorn. However, when Jupiter is debilitated
at 5o Capricorn, it would be strong.
2. Dig Bala - Directional Strength

Dig means 'direction,' so dig bala means strength based on the direction of the
planet's house position in the chart. This criterion we've already discussed in the
section on directional strength: the Sun and Mars gain directional strength in the
10th house, Saturn in the 7th house, the Moon and Venus in the 4th house, and
Jupiter and Mercury in the 1st house. The only addition with this calculation is
that a planet's house of directional strength is considered like its sign of
exaltation. Therefore, the house opposite it is considered a house of weakness.
A planet gains strength when its approaching its house of directional strength
and loses strength as it approaching its house of directional weakness. This has
obvious limitations. For instance, Venus exalted in the 10th house in Einstein's
chart would be considered weak by house position by this criterion, because it's
in its house of directional weakness. Also, all planets gain strength simply by
being located in any angular house. It's unclear why this is considered a separate
criterion, and is not just included as a sub-criterion within Positional Strength.
3. Kala Bala - Temporal Strength

Kala means 'time,' so kala bala means strength based on the time of day in terms
of hours, days, months, etc.
1) Day-Night Strength (Nathonnatha Bala)
Planets gain strength at different times of day. The Moon, Mars, and Saturn are
strong at midnight; the Sun, Jupiter and Venus are strong at noon; and Mercury
is always strong.
2) Monthly Strength (Paksha Bala)
Planets gain strength at different times of the lunar month. The benefics are
strong in the bright fortnight or shukla paksha, while the malefics are strong in the
dark fortnight or krishna paksha. The Moon is considered benefic when it is
waxing or bright, and malefic when it's waning or dark. Mercury is considered a
benefic when it's unafflicted by malefics, and a malefic when it's afflicted by
malefics. A planet is calculated relative to its distance from the new or full Moon,
however when the Moon itself is considered a malefic then the calculations are
Copyright 2006
55

Lesson 12

reversed. This is a confusing calculation to do manually. First, you have to decide

if the Moon and Mercury are benefic or not, which can be a somewhat subjective
judgment. For instance, do you consider Mercury a malefic when it's conjunct the
Sun, which it usually is? This calculation is probably one of the reasons why the
various software programs arrive at a different shad bala total.
3) Four Hour Strength (Tribhanga Bala)
Planets gain strength at different portions of the time of day. A day is divided into
day and night with three portions of about fours hours each. This will vary
according to the Hindu calendar, which calculates the beginning of the day from
sunrise. Mercury is strong in the 1st 1/3 of the day; Sun in the 2nd 1/3 of the day;
Saturn in the 3rd 1/3 of the day; Moon in the 1st 1/3 of night; Venus in the 2nd
1/3 of night; Mars in the 3rd 1/3 of night; and Jupiter is strong all the time. This
has limitations because the strength can be contrary to the Day-Night Strength.
For instance, Saturn is strong at midnight according to Day-Night Strength but in
the 3rd 1/3 of the day according to Four Hour Strength.
4-7) Lord of the Year, Month, Day, Hour Strength (Abdadhipati, Masa, Vara, Hora
Bala)
The next four sub-criterions are very confusing to calculate, and is a very likely
contributor to the discrepancies between software programs. The principle is that
whichever planet rules the year, month, day and hour that you were born gains
strength in the natal chart. However, the process of finding out which planets
these are is based on a 360 day year instead of 365, as well as the theoretical
beginning of creation! Obviously, this leaves a lot of room for error.
8) Declinational Strength (Ayana Bala)
A planet gains strength relative to its north or south position from the zodiacal
equator or ecliptic. This is called a planet's declination which we discussed in the
section on planetary war. The Sun, Mars, Jupiter, or Venus gain strength when
furthest north during the summer solstice. Mercury gains strength when it's
neutral on the ecliptic during the spring and fall equinoxes. The Moon and Saturn
gain strength when furthest south during the winter solstice.
9) Planetary War Strength (Yuddha Bala)
This is only calculated for planets in a planetary war. This again is a confusing
calculation because of the disagreements between who wins a planetary war.
Some will take the planet with the lower degrees, and others will take the planet
with the higher declination. Strength is added to the winner or subtracted from
the loser.
4. Chesta Bala - Motional Strength

Planets gain strength when they are retrograde and slow, and lose strength when
they are fast. This is because when a planet moves slow it is able to focus its
energy more powerfully. This happens when the planets, other than the Sun and
Copyright 2006
56

Lesson 12

Moon, are retrograde. Motional strength is calculated for the Sun and Moon using
other methods of Ishta and Kashta Phala, or the good and bad results of planets.
5. Naisargika Bala - Natural Strength

A planet is strong according to its luminosity or apparent brightness. The values
are the same in every chart with the Sun being the strongest, followed by the
Moon, Venus, Jupiter, Mercury, Mars and Saturn. Saturn is the darkest, being the
farthest from the Sun.
6. Drik Bala - Aspectual Strength

A planet gains strength relative to the aspects that it receives using both the
major and minor aspects that we discussed in Lesson 11. The exact arc of
degree become important in this calculation, like it is in Western astrology.
Aspects by benefics give strength, and aspects by malefics give weakness. This
calculation has limitations because it only takes into account the natural and not
temporal status of the aspecting planet. It also does not consider if a planet is
aspecting from a benefic or malefic house. Another limitations is that the
hemming in by benefics or malefics is not considered in shad bala.
Use of Shad Bala

After all the above calculations are made, the points or rupas are added together
resulting in the total shad bala points or virupas. This is the number that is
referred to as a 'planet's shad bala.'
You can see by reading this section, that there are many limitations to Shad Bala
and difficulties in its calculations. I once asked K.N. Rao about its use, and he
suggested to not give it very much weight at all. The reasons were because of
the discrepancies in the computer generated calculations, and that it should be
calculated manually if you really want to use it.
The danger of Shad Bala is that it can be very tempting to let the computer do
the work for you. One click of the button and you're done! Beware of this lazy
astrologer's method for determining planetary strength.
It's much better for you to develop the skill of determining planetary strength
yourself. It's the most reliable and comprehensive method. The following is a
summary of the steps to take that we've discussed in this lesson:
Summary of Steps for Determining Planetary Strength

Analyze the following (not necessarily always in this order):
1) Sign Position Strength - planetary dignities (EX, MT, OH, etc.)
Copyright 2006
57

Lesson 12

Fine tune dignity by analyzing:

The Dispositor - the planet's ruler
Neecha Bhanga - factors of cancellation of debilitation
The Navamsha Chart - 9th division
Vargottama - repeated sign placement in the navamsha
Vargavimshopak - system of sign strength for divisional charts
2) House Position Strength - angles, trines, dusthanas, etc.
Directional Strength - a planet in a specific angular house
3) House Rulership Strength - temporal benefic or malefic status
4) Other Factors of Planetary Strength
Aspects and Conjunctions - a planet's associations and aspects
Hemming in of Planets - planets on either side of a planet
Combustion - planets close to the Sun
Planetary War - planets within 1 degree of one another
Retrogression - planets in reverse motion
Sandhi and Gandanta - proximity to the cusp of signs
Quiz #71:
True or false. A planet has a high score in Chesta Bala or motional strength
when it is slow?
Determining the Strength of Houses Bhava Bala

So far in this lesson we've been looking at strength with regards to the planets,
however, the chart is usually analyzed relative to the houses. This is because
clients will always have questions about a certain area of their life, such as
health, relationships, or career, which would relate to the houses 1, 7, and 10
respectively. The houses represent the areas or domains of life, therefore, we
also need to be able to determine house strength or bhava bala. This will allow
us to gauge where a house is on the spectrum of its positive and negative traits,
just like with the planets.
In Lesson 8 we likened the houses to a theatre stage set, with the planets being
the actors, and the signs being their costumes. There's no action on the stage
without the actors. Likewise, the houses are only static positions in the sky and
mean nothing without the planets. Therefore, we determine house strength by
analyzing planets. This is where the steps we've learned for determining
Copyright 2006
58

Lesson 12

planetary strength come in handy, because a house is only as strong as the

planets that influence it.
The Three Steps for Determining House Strength

If we analyze planets to determine house strength, then the obvious question is:
"Which planets do we analyze?" The answer is we focus on the planetary
influences on the:
1) The house
2) The house lord
3) The significator(s) of the house
We discussed this concept previously in Lesson 10. We first analyze the house
itself, by analyzing each planet that's either located in the house or aspecting it.
Then we analyze the planet that happens to be the lord of that house for that
ascendant. Lastly, we analyze the planet(s) that is the significator of the house,
which we listed in a table in Lesson 10. How we analyze the planets involved in
these three steps is by using the PAC-DARES method, including the steps in this
lesson for determining planetary strength. Remember the PAC-DARES method
includes analyzing planetary strength, and is the essential checklist to follow for
analyzing any planet in the natal chart.
Planetary Influences on the House

We already know a great deal about how to determine house strength, because
we just need to apply what we already know about determining planetary
strength within the context of the houses.
The essential point to learn:
Natural benefic planets and planets that are strong overall by any of the factors
of strength: sign position, house position, house rulership, aspects, vargottama,
etc. will benefit a house when located in or aspecting it. The opposite is the case
with natural malefics and planets that are weak overall.
Here are several specific guidelines:
Natural benefics placed in or aspecting a house will strengthen the house and
increase its positive indications. The opposite is the case with natural malefics,
which will weaken the house and increase the negative indications. This is the
general guideline. Malefics placed in or aspecting upachaya houses harm the
house less, and will improve over time.
Temporal benefics placed in or aspecting a house will strengthen the house and
increase its positive indications. The opposite is the case with temporal malefics.
Copyright 2006
59

Lesson 12

The temporal benefics, or the lords of trinal houses, 1, 5, and 9, will benefit any
house they influence. This especially true with a house that is influenced by the
most benefic house ruler, the yogakaraka. For instance, Hitler's yogakaraka
Saturn placed in the 10th house benefits his career. Temporal malefics harm any
house they influence to some extent. This especially true with a house that is
influenced by the most malefic house ruler, which are the dusthana lords who are
also natural malefics and who don't own a trinal house.
Strong planets placed in or aspecting a house will strengthen the house and
increase its positive indications. The opposite is the case with weak and afflicted
planets. Strong planets, especially when they're natural benefics, will benefit a
house. For instance, Einstein's exalted Venus in the 10th house, benefits his
career. Likewise, weak and afflicted planets, especially when they're natural
malefics, will harm a house. The strength or weakness can be from any of factor
of strength: sign position, house position, house rulership, aspects, vargottama,
combustion, planetary war etc. Therefore, a conjunction between two natural
benefic planets, like Jupiter and the Moon, will benefit the house that the
conjunction is in, or the house it aspects.
The significator of a house placed in the house it significates is said to harm the
house. For instance, the Moon in the 4th house is said to be harmful for the
mother and the person's relationship with her. Overall, this principle does not
always work, and you will find many exceptions to it. For instance, I have clients
who have the Moon in the 4th house who are very close with their mother.
Another example is that Jupiter placed in the 5th house is said to be detrimental
to childbirth. This may seem strange because Jupiter's the great benefic and an
expansive planet, so you'd think it could give many special children. In actuality, it
may only give one good child, but not necessarily many children like you'd
expect. Therefore, be cautious with this, because it will apply sometimes, but not
always. If the significator is strong like in its own house or aspected by benefics,
it harms the house it significates less. The opposite is true when it is weak and
afflicted.
Planetary Influences on the House Ruler or Significator

We also already know a great deal about how to determine the strength of a
house ruler or the significator of the house, because it's just a planet, so all the
factors of strength we've learned for determining the strength of a planet will
apply.
The essential point to learn is:
When a house ruler and significator of a house is strong overall by any of the
factors of strength: sign position, house position, house rulership, aspects,
vargottama, etc. then it will benefit the house that they rule or significates. The
opposite is the case with a house ruler or significator of a house that is weak
Copyright 2006
60

Lesson 12

overall.
Here are a few specific guidelines:
The ruler or significator of a house placed in an angular or trinal house, will
strengthen the house it rules or significates and increase its positive indications.
The ruler or significator of a house placed in a dusthana house, will weaken and
afflict the house it rules or significates and increase its negative indications.
The ruler or significator of a house when aspected or conjunct with natural
benefics will strengthen the house it rules or significates and increase its positive
indications. The opposite is the case when the ruler or significator of a house is
aspected by natural malefics.
The ruler or significator of a house when strong by sign position will strengthen
the house it rules or significates and increase its positive indications. The
opposite is the case when the ruler or significator of a house is weak by sign
position.
The ruler of the house placed in or aspecting its own house (OH) will strengthen
and protect the house and increase its positive indications. This is true even
when a natural malefic aspects its own house.
Quiz #72:
What are the three steps to determining house strength?
1) Analyze the benefic, malefic, and neutral influences on the house
2) Analyze the planets conjunct in the house, the planets aspecting the house,
and the significator of the house
3) Analyze the planets conjunct in the house, the planets aspecting the house,
and the ruler of the house
4) Analyze the influences on the house, the ruler of the house, and any
significant other planets.
Copyright 2006
61

Lesson 12

Exercises and Homework

This lesson introduces how to analyze the many factors of strength in natal chart
interpretation. To be able to determine strength accurately is a skill that every
Vedic astrologer needs for understanding how a planet will function in the chart.
It doesn't happen overnight and gets easier and more refined with the experience
of looking at many charts. The Natal Charts Skills exercises and homework in
this lesson give you the opportunity to practice these skills. Please take
advantage of them and do them thoroughly. You will gain what is the hardest to
acquire: experience. It's easy to learn the theory, but to put it to practice is the
real work of an astrologer.
Materials needed:
- Notebook
- Red, Green, and Black Pens
- Your South and North Indian Natal Chart Skills forms filled out from Lessons 4,
6, 8, 10, and 11
- Quick Reference Guide (1 page)
- The Condition of My Planets forms (10 pages)
- The Condition of Oprah Winfrey Planets form (1 page)
The Strength Exercises

1) Strength By Sign Placement:
Take out your own chart with the Planets, Houses, Signs, Positions and Aspects
exercises filled out from previous lessons (Lesson 4, Lesson 6, Lesson 8, Lesson
10, and Lesson 11).
In this exercise you'll be determining the strength of the planets in your chart
relative to their sign placement or dignity, which we discussed in the first section
of this lesson. First, refer to the 'Quick Reference Guide' including in this lesson,
and print it out. This will give you the tables you need for doing this exercise. Use
either the one-step or three-step methods explained below:
1) One-Step Method:
Refer to the Planetary Dignities Table to see if the planet is either exalted (EX),
mulatrikona (MT), own house (OH), or debilitated (DB). If it is, youre done.
2) Three-Step Method:
This method is used when the planet is not EX, MT, OH , or DB. By the end of
the three steps you will arrive at one of the five remaining dignities: GF, F, N, E,
or GE.
Step 1. Refer to the Natural Planetary Relationships Table to see if the ruler of a
planet is either a natural friend, neutral, or enemy. Start with the left column,
Copyright 2006
62

Lesson 12

which is the planet itself.

Step 2. Refer to the Temporal Planetary Relationships Table to see if the ruler of
a planet is a temporal friend or temporal enemy. If it's in one of the three houses
before or one of the three houses after a planet, excluding the house the planet's
in, then it's a temporal friend. If it's not, it's a temporal enemy.
Step 3. Add the Natural and Temporal results together to find the Compound
Relationship. Youre done.
Once you've determined the sign strength of the planet then it's just a matter of
entering the two letter abbreviation of the dignity next to the planet's 'X's' in the
Natal Chart Skills form. Use your green pen to write the strong dignities (EX, OH,
MT, GF, F), your red pen for the weak dignities (E, GE, DB) and your black pen
for neutral (N).
As an example, let's refer again to Einstein's chart, showing the dignities of the
planets next to the planet's two 'X's' representing the natural and temporal status
of the planet.
2) Strength by House Placement:

In this exercise you'll be determining the strength of the planets in your chart
relative to their house placement. First, place a green asterisk * or star next to
the planets that are in either the benefic angular houses (1, 4, 7, 10) or the trinal
houses (1, 5, 9). Next, place a red asterisk * or star next to the planets that are in
the malefic dusthana houses (6, 8, 12). For planets that are in the remaining
three houses 2, 3, or 11, leave them blank. (This exercise is a newly revised
Copyright 2006
63

Lesson 12

version of the Planets Exercise from Lesson 4, with the two X's representing a
planet's natural and temporal status).
As an example, again see Albert Einstein's natal chart with the both Strength
Exercises filled out:
The Natal Chart Skills form with both of these exercises filled out in Einstein's
chart is included with this lesson.
Exercise Summary
These two exercises train our minds to identify the strength of the planets by both
sign and house placement, the two most important factors of strength in the
chart. If we get into the habit of immediately finding these in the chart, then we'll
never miss factoring them into our interpretations.
I remember in one of my first Vedic astrology classes the teacher had pointed out
in an example chart that the person's Moon was exalted in Taurus, but it was
also in the 12th house. One factor showed its strength, the other its weakness,
and both needed to be factored into the interpretation. With these two exercises
these distinctions are made clear visually by the use of green and red pen
symbols. For instance, in Einstein's chart we can see at a glance that Mars and
Rahu are well placed by sign position with a green EX and GF, but weak by
house position with red asterisks *. Their strength by sign position gave him the
ability to perform gutsy and ambitious (Mars), as well as pioneering and
revolutionary (Rahu) research (8th house). When we consider Mars and Rahu's
Copyright 2006
64

Lesson 12

dispositor, Saturn, then we also see the strength they receive by Saturn's
position as the 9th lord in the 10th house, an angular house, and hemmed in by
benefics, Mercury and Venus.
This exercise also shows us at a glance how strong Venus is in Einstein's chart,
with only green benefic symbols. This means that it's not only a natural and
temporal benefic with two X's, but strong by sign and house placement. Also, we
can see how strong Mercury is except for being debilitated. But when we
consider its many factors of cancellation, like association with an exalted planet,
Venus, then we can see that it's actually a strong influence in the chart overall,
with some idiosyncrasies. It could actually be written with a green 'DB' to identify
that its debility is cancelled.
By analyzing the strength of the planets by sign and house position in your own
chart, what does this tell you about yourself? Are any character traits easier to
explain because of what you've discovered?
3) Repeat
Repeat the above Strength Exercises using the North Indian version of your chart
that you filled out in Lessons 4, 6, 8, 10, and 11. Save both the South Indian and
North Indian versions of your chart for future exercises.
4) Extra Credit
For extra credit fill out the Strength Exercises in the Natal Chart Skills form of the
person's chart you've been working on in Lessons 4, 6, 8, 10, and 11. Again,
save their chart for future exercises.
Natal Chart Skills Summary

We have now completed the first six sets of exercises of the Natal Charts Skills
method:
- The Planets Exercises (see Lesson 4)
- The Houses Exercises (see Lesson 6)
- The Signs Exercises (see Lesson 8)
- The Positions Exercises (see Lesson 10)
- The Aspects Exercises (see Lesson 11)
- The Strength Exercises:
1) Strength by Sign Placement:
Determine the strength of each planet by sign placement by using either the onestep or three-step methods. Place the two letter abbreviation next to the planet's
two X's. Use a green pen for strong dignities and red pen for weak dignities.
2) Strength by House Placement:
Determine the strength of each planet by house placement by placing a green *
Copyright 2006
65

Lesson 12

next to planets in angles or trines, and a red * next to the planets placed in
dusthana houses. Place the asterisk next to the two letter abbreviation of the
planet's sign strength.
Homework Assignments
1) The Condition of My Planets
In this homework assignment youll have the opportunity to analyze the various
factors of strength of the planets in your chart. This is probably the most
important homework assignment yet in the course, so I encourage you to be sure
to take the time to complete this.
First, refer to 'The Condition of My Planets' forms included in this lesson, and
print them out. As you go through the list of factors and analyze your own chart,
place a check mark next to the factors that apply to each planet in your chart.
Then, add up the total number of factors. Afterwards, give each planet a
subjective overall strength rating on a scale of 1 to 10.
Keep in mind that whenever several of these positive or negative factors apply to
one planet simultaneously, the favorable or unfavorable effect becomes
intensified.
2) Celebrity Strength
Print out new 'The Condition of My Planets' forms and do the assignment again
using the chart of talk show host, Oprah Winfrey. However, this time I will make it
easier and give you much of the information on a separate page which is
included in this lesson. Check off the factors that I've given you, and add the
remaining factors that I didn't list. Lastly, add up the total number of factors and
rate her planets on a scale of 1 to 10.
Copyright 2006
66

Lesson 12

Oprah Winfrey's Natal Chart
Oprah Winfrey's Navamsha Chart
Quiz Answers
67. Its a trick question. None of the above. The correct answer is the Moon and
Jupiter, not Jupiter and the Moon. The Moon has no enemies, and Jupiter is not
an enemy of any planet.
68. The debilitated planet is vargottama.
69. Taurus, Cancer, Leo, Libra, Capricorn, Aquarius
70. False. A planet can be considered hemmed in if only benefics or only
malefics are in the adjacent houses, or in the house that the planet is in.
71. True. A planet increases strength when it is slow, like when its retrograde.
72. It's a trick question. None of the above. The correct answer is to analyze the
influences on the house, the ruler of the house, and the significator of the house.
Copyright 2006
67
Natal Chart Skills
Navamsha
From:
To:
Count from the cardinal sign
of the element of the planet.
o
1 Navamsha = 3 20
Name:
Date:
Time:
Place:
Notes:
1st
Quadrants
4th
7th
Alternate Lagnas
10th
To:
From:
To:
Odd signs count from the

sign of the planet - even
th
signs from the 9 away.
o
1 Dashamsha = 3
Dharma Artha
1,5,9
2,6,10
Kama Moksha
Angle Succed. Cadent
3,7,11
1,4,7,10
4,8,12
2,5,8,11
3,6,9,12
Moon L
Sun L
Dasha L
Transits
Date:
Time:
Dashamsha
From:
Lagna
Masc.
Fem.
Fire
Odd
Even
Aries+
Earth
Air
Water
Taurus+ Gemini+ Cancer+
Card.
Aries+
Fixed
Mut.
Taurus+ Gemini+
ASC
Sun
Moon
Mer
Ven
Mar
Jup
Sat
Rahu
Ketu
Total
In
Sun
Rules
In
Moon
Rules
P
A
A
A
C
Position
Aspects (Gives to H#)
Aspects (Gives to PL)
Aspects (Receives)
Conjunctions
D
A
R
E
S
Dana Yogas: combos of 1, 2, 5, 9, 11; CM, LK, VS

Arishta Yogas: 1, 1L, Mo, Su + 6, 8, 12, Malefics
Raja Yogas: 1, 4, 7, 10 + 1, 5, 9; NB, VP, R/K
Exchanges or Parivartana Yogas: PV
Special: MP, GK, PK/SK, CB, GN, PW, KD, KM, etc
Mercury
In Rules
In
Venus
Rules
Asc
In
Mars
Rules
Jupiter
In Rules
In
Saturn
Rules
Rahu
In
Ketu
In
Moon
Abbreviations: CM=Chandra Mangala, LK=Lakshmi, VS=Vasumat, NB=Neecha Banga, VP=Vipareeta, R/K= Rahu/Ketu forming Raja Yogas, PV=Parivartana, MP=Mahapurusha Yoga:
BMP= Bhadra, MMP=Malavya, RMP=Ruchaka, HMP=Hamsa, SMP=Shasha, GK=Gajakesari, PK/SK=Papa/Shubha Kartari, CB=Combust, GN=Gandanta, PW=Planetary War,
KD=Kuja Dosha, KM=Kemadruma, AM=Amala, Dusthana Yogas: AV=Ava, NI=Nissva, MR=Mriti, KU=Kuhu, PA=Pamaru, DU=Dushkriti, NIR=Nirbhagya, DUR=Dur, DA=Daridra, etc.
Vaughn Paul Manley, M.A.
Natal Chart Skills

Name:
Time:
Date:
Place:
1st
Dashamsha
To:
From:
Dharma Artha
1,5,9
2,6,10
From:
3,7,11
1,4,7,10
2,5,8,11
Quadrants
4th
7th 10th
To:
Kama Moksha
4,8,12
Navamsha
To:
From:
3,6,9,12
Alternate Lagnas
Lagna
Fem.
Fire
Odd
Even
Aries+
Earth
Sun L
Dasha L
Transits
Time:
Date:
Masc.
Moon L
Air
Water
Card.
Aries+
Fixed
Mut.
Taurus+ Gemini+
ASC
Sun
Moon
Mer
Ven
Mar
Jup
Sat
Rahu
Ketu
Total
In
Sun
Rules
In
Moon
Rules
P
A
A
A
C
Position
Aspects (Gives to H#)
Aspects (Receives)
Conjunctions
D
A
R
E
S

Special: MP, GK, PK/SK, CB, GN, PW, KD, KM, etc.
Mercury
In Rules
In
Venus
Rules
Asc
In
Mars
Rules
Jupiter
In Rules
In
Saturn
Rules
Rahu
In
Ketu
In
Moon
BMP= Bhadra, MMP=Malavya, RMP=Ruchaka, HMP=Hamsa, SMP=Shasha, GK=Gajakesari, PK/SK=Papa/Shubha Kartari, CB=Combust, GN=Gandanta, PW=Planetary War,
Natal Chart Skills

Su 1 XX GF*
Me 11 XX DB*
Sa 12 XX F*
Ve 24 XX EX*
10
Ju 5 XX F*
Ma 4 XX EX*
Ra 10 X GF*
12 Lg 19
11
bg
Navamsha
Ke 10 X GE*
Name: Albert Einstein

Date: 3/14/1879
Time: 11:30 am
Place: Ulm, Germany
Notes:
From:
To:
Count from the cardinal sign
of the element of the planet.
o
1 Navamsha = 3 20
ch
3
ec
7 Mo 22 XX DB*
1st
g
fag
Quadrants
4th
7th
Alternate Lagnas
10th
From:
Kama Moksha
Masc.
Fem.
Fire
1,5,9
2,6,10
3,7,11
4,8,12
1,4,7,10
2,5,8,11
3,6,9,12
Odd
Even
Aries+
In
Dasha L
Date:
Time:
To:
Odd signs count from the

sign of the planet - even
th
signs from the 9 away.
o
1 Dashamsha = 3
ASC
Sun
Moon
Mer
Ven
Mar
Jup
Sat
Rahu
Ketu
Total
Sun L
Transits
To:
Dharma Artha
Moon L
Dashamsha
From:
Lagna
Sun
Rules
In
Moon
Rules
P
A
A
A
C
Position
10
3
6
Aspects (Gives to H#) 4
12
Aspects (Receives)
Conjunctions
Me, Ve, Sa
D
A
R
E
S

Special: MP, GK, PK/SK, CB, GN, PW, KD, KM, etc
Mercury
In Rules
In
10
4
10 5, 12
4
Air
Water
Card.
6
In
8 6, 11
2, 3, 11
Ke
Ke
Su, Ve, Sa Su, Me, Sa Ra
9 7, 10
1, 3, 5
10 8, 9
4, 7, 12
Asc
Saturn
Rules
Mut.
Taurus+ Gemini+
Jupiter
In Rules
In
Fixed
Aries+
Mars
Rules
1, 4
Venus
Rules
Earth
Rahu
In
Ketu
In
2
Ke
Ke
Su, Me, Ve Ma
8
Ra, Ma
Ra, Ma
Moon
j
BMP=
Bhadra, MMP=Malavya, RMP=Ruchaka, HMP=Hamsa, SMP=Shasha, GK=Gajakesari, PK/SK=Papa/Shubha Kartari, CB=Combust, GN=Gandanta, PW=Planetary War,

Lesson 12

Quick Reference Quide

Determining Sign Placement Strength
The Nine Dignities: EX, MT, OH, GF, F, N, E, GE, DB
1) One-Step Method:
Refer to the Planetary Dignities Table to see if the planet is either exalted (EX), mulatrikona (MT), own
house (OH), or debilitated (DB). If it is, youre done.
Planet
Sun
Moon
Mars
Mercury
Jupiter
Venus
Saturn
Rahu
Ketu
Planetary Dignities
Exalted (EX) Mulatrikona (MT)
Own House (OH)
Aries 10
Taurus 3
Capricorn 28
Virgo 15
Cancer 5
Pisces 27
Libra 20
Taurus
Scorpio
Leo 0-20
Taurus 3-27
Aries 0-12
Virgo 15-20
Sagitt. 0-10
Libra 0-15
Aquar. 0-20
Gemini
Sagittarius
Debilitated (DB)
Leo 20-30
--Cancer
Aries 12-30
Scorpio
Gemini
Virgo 20-30
Sagitt.10-30
Pisces
Libra 15-30
Taurus
Aquar. 20-30 Capricorn
Aquarius
--Scorpio
Libra 10
Scorpio 3
Cancer 28
Pisces 15
Capricorn 5
Virgo 27
Aries 20
Scorpio
Taurus
2) Three-Step Method (for planets not EX, MT, OH, or DB):

1. Refer to the Natural Planetary Relationships Table to see if the ruler of a planet is either a natural
friend, neutral, or enemy. Start with the left column, which is the planet itself.
2. Refer to the Temporal Planetary Relationship Table to see if the ruler is a temporal friend or enemy.
3. Add the Natural and Temporal results together to find the Compound Relationship. Youre done.
1. Natural Planetary Relationships
Friend
Neutral
Planet
Moon, Mars, Jupiter

Sun, Mercury
Sun, Moon, Jupiter
Sun, Venus
Sun, Moon, Mars
Mercury, Saturn
Mercury, Venus
Venus, Saturn
Venus, Mars
Sun
Moon
Mars
Mercury
Jupiter
Venus
Saturn
Rahu
Ketu
Mercury
Mars, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn
Venus, Saturn
Mars, Jupiter, Saturn
Saturn
Mars, Jupiter
Jupiter
Mercury, Jupiter
Mercury, Jupiter
3. Compound Relationship
2. Temporal Planetary Relationship

PLANET
Friend Enemy Friend Friend

Friend
Friend
Friend
Enemy
Enemy Enemy Enemy Enemy
Enemy
Saturn, Venus
-Mercury
Moon
Mercury, Venus
Moon, Sun
Sun, Moon, Mars
Sun, Moon, Mars
Sun, Moon, Saturn
Natural
Relationship
Friend
Neutral
Enemy
Friend
Neutral
Enemy
Temporal
Relationship
+
+
+
+
+
+
Friend
Friend
Friend
Enemy
Enemy
Enemy
Compound
Relationship
=
=
=
=
=
=
Great Friend
Friend
Neutral
Enemy
Great Enemy
General Planetary Friendships

Planetary Friends #1
Planetary Friends #2
Sun, Moon, Mars, Jupiter
Mercury, Venus, Saturn
Copyright 2009

Lesson 12 - Homework

The Condition of My Planets

In this homework assignment youll be analyzing the various factors of strength of each
of the planets in your chart. Place a next to the factors that apply, and then add up
the total number of factors. Afterwards, give your planet a subjective overall strength
rating on a scale of 1 to 10.
Summary of the Favorable Factors of a Planet
Exalted
Mulatrikona
Own sign
Great friend
Friend
Neecha bhanga raja yoga (cancelled debilitation)
Dispositor (ruler) is in a strong dignity (exalted, own sign, etc.)
Located in a strong dignity in the navamsha chart (exalted, own sign, etc.)
Vargottama (located in the same sign in the navamsha chart)
High vargavimshopak scores (15 or above, especially in the dasa varga)
Located in an angular house (1, 4, 7, 10)
Directional strength
Located in a trinal house (1, 5, 9)
Is a temporal benefic (lord of 1, 5, 9)
Conjunct or aspected by benefics
Conjunct or aspected by temporal benefics (lords of 1, 5, 9)
Hemmed-in by benefics
Retrograde and benefically disposed by position, aspects etc.
Summary of the Unfavorable Factors of a Planet
Debilitated without neecha bhanga raja yoga

Great enemy
Enemy
Dispositor (ruler) is located in a weak dignity (debilitated, great enemy, enemy)
Located in a weak dignity in the navamsha (debilitated, great enemy, enemy)
Low vargavimshopak scores (10 or below, especially in the dasa varga)
Located in a dusthana house (6, 8, 12)
Is a temporal malefic (not ruler of 1, 5, 9)
Conjunct or aspected by malefics
Conjunct or aspected by dusthana lords (ruler of 6, 8, 12)
Hemmed-in by malefics
Is in sandhi or gandanta (either at very early or late degrees of a sign)
Combust (too close to the Sun)
Loses a planetary war (within 1 degree of a planet of lower longitude/degrees)
Retrograde and malefically disposed by position, aspects etc.
Copyright 2009


The Condition of My Sun

Favorable Factors
__
Exalted (in Aries, particularly the first 10 degrees)
__
Mulatrikona (in the first 20 degrees of Leo)
__
Own sign (in 20-30 degrees of Leo)
__
Great friends sign
__
Friends sign
__
List how cancelled____________________________________________
__
__
Exalted or own sign in the navamsha chart
__
Vargottama (in the same sign in navamsha chart)
__
__
Located in an angular house (1, 4, 7, 10). List which one___________
__
Has directional strength by being located in the 10th house
__
Located in a trinal house (1, 5, 9). List which one___________
__
Is a temporal benefic (ruler of 1, 5, 9). List which house it rules_______________
__
Conjunct or aspected by a benefic. List which one(s)_______________________
__
Conjunct or aspected by a temporal benefic (ruler of 1, 5, 9)
List which one(s)________________________
__
Hemmed in exclusively by benefics. List which ones______________________
__
Total s
Note: As a malefic, the Sun can also give good results when placed in the upachaya
houses 3, 6, 10, and 11.
Unfavorable Factors
__
Debilitated (in Libra, particularly the first 10 degrees. Unless neecha bhanga)
__
Great enemys sign
__
Enemys sign
__
Dispositor is located in a weak dignity (debilitated, great enemy, enemy)
__
__
__
Located in a dusthana house (6, 8, 12). List which one___________
__
Is a temporal malefic (not ruler of 1, 5, 9). List which houses it rules___________
__
Conjunct or aspected by a malefic. List which one(s)_______________________
__
Conjunct or aspected by a dusthana lord (ruler of 6, 8, 12)
List which one(s)______________________________
__
Hemmed in exclusively by malefics. List which ones______________________
__
Is in the sandhi between two signs (0-3 degrees, or 27-30 degrees)
__
Is in gandanta (0-3 degrees of a fire sign, or 27-30 degrees of a water sign)
__
Conjunct Rahu or Ketu, particularly at the time of a New or Full Moon (Eclipse)
__
Total s
Rate Overall Strength (circle one): (low) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 (high)
Copyright 2009


The Condition of My Moon

Favorable Factors
__
Exalted (in Taurus, particularly the first 3 degrees)
__
Mulatrikona (in 3 -27 degrees of Taurus)
__
Own sign (Cancer)
__
Great friends sign
__
Friends sign
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
Is a temporal benefic (ruler of 1, 5, 9). List which house it rules_______________
__
__
List which one(s)________________________
__
__
Total s
Unfavorable Factors
__
Debilitated (in Scorpio, particularly the first 3 degrees. Unless neecha bhanga)
__
Great enemys sign
__
Enemys sign
__
__
__
__
__
Is a temporal malefic (not ruler of 1, 5, 9). List which house it rules__________
__
__
List which one(s)______________________________
__
__
__
__
Conjunct Rahu or Ketu, particularly at the time of a New or Full Moon (Eclipse)
__
Total s
Copyright 2009


The Condition of My Mars

Favorable Factors
__
Exalted (in Capricorn, particularly up to 28 degrees)
__
Mulatrikona (in first 12 degrees of Aries)
__
Own Sign (in 12 -30 degrees of Aries, or all of Scorpio)
__
Great friends sign
__
Friends sign
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
Is a temporal benefic (ruler of 1, 5, 9). List which houses it rules______________
__
__
List which one(s)________________________
__
__
__
Total s
Note: As a malefic, Mars can also give good results when placed in the upachaya
houses 3, 6, 10, and 11.
Unfavorable Factors
__
Debilitated (in Cancer, particularly the first 28 degrees. Unless neecha bhanga)
__
Great enemys sign
__
Enemys sign
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
List which one(s)______________________________
__
__
__
__
Combust (within 17 degrees of the Sun)
__
__
__
Total s
Copyright 2009


The Condition of My Mercury

Favorable Factors
__
Exalted (in Virgo, particularly the first 15 degrees)
__
Mulatrikona (in 15-20 degrees of Virgo)
__
Own sign (in 20-30 degrees of Virgo, or all of Gemini)
__
Great friends sign
__
Friends sign
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
Has directional strength by being located in the 1st house
__
__
__
__
List which one(s)________________________
__
__
__
Total s
Unfavorable Factors
__
Debilitated ((in Pisces, particularly the first 15 degrees. Unless neecha bhanga)
__
Great enemys sign
__
Enemys sign
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
List which one(s)______________________________
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
Total s
Copyright 2009


The Condition of My Jupiter

Favorable Factors
__
Exalted (in Cancer, particularly the first 5 degrees)
__
Mulatrikona (in the first 10 degrees of Sagittarius)
__
Own sign (in 10-30 degrees of Sagittarius, or all of Pisces)
__
Great friends sign
__
Friends sign
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
Has directional strength by being located in the 1st house
__
__
__
__
List which one(s)________________________
__
__
__
Total s
Unfavorable Factors
__
Debilitated (in Capricorn, particularly the first 5 degrees. Unless neecha bhanga)
__
Great enemys sign
__
Enemys sign
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
List which one(s)______________________________
__
__
__
__
Combust (within 11degrees of the Sun)
__
__
__
Total s
Copyright 2009


The Condition of My Venus

Favorable Factors
__
Exalted (in Pisces, particularly the first 27 degrees)
__
Mulatrikona (in the first 15 degrees of Libra)
__
Own sign (in 15-30 degrees of Libra, or all of Taurus)
__
Great friends sign
__
Friends sign
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
List which one(s)________________________
__
__
__
Total s
Unfavorable Factors
__
Debilitated (in Virgo, particularly the first 27 degrees. Unless neecha bhanga)
__
Great enemys sign
__
Enemys sign
__
__
__
__
__
Is a temporal malefic (not ruler of 1, 5, 9). List which houses it rules__________
__
__
List which one(s)______________________________
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
Total s
Copyright 2009


The Condition of My Saturn

Favorable Factors
__
Exalted (in Libra, particularly the first 20 degrees)
__
Mulatrikona (in the first 20 degrees of Aquarius)
__
Own sign (in 20-30 degrees of Aquarius, or all of Capricorn)
__
Great friends sign
__
Friends sign
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
List which one(s)________________________
__
__
__
Total s
Note: As a malefic, Saturn can also give good results when placed in the upachaya
houses 3, 6, 10, and 11.
Unfavorable Factors
__
Debilitated (in Libra, particularly the first 10 degrees. Unless neecha bhanga)
__
Great enemys sign
__
Enemys sign
__
__
__
__
__
Is a temporal malefic (not ruler of 1, 5, 9). List which houses it rules__________
__
__
List which one(s)______________________________
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
Total s
Copyright 2009


The Condition of My Rahu

Note: Being a chaya graha or shadowy planet, the Moons Nodes (Rahu and Ketu)
give their results largely based on the planets most associated with them (by
conjunction or aspect) and according to the dispositor (ruler) of the house they occupy.
Favorable Factors
__
Exalted (in Taurus)
__
Mulatrikona (in Gemini)
__
Own sign (in Aquarius)
__
Great friends sign
__
Friends sign
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
List which one(s)________________________
__
__
Total s
Note: As a malefic, Rahu can also give good results when placed in the upachaya
houses 3, 6, 10, and 11.
Unfavorable Factors
__
Debilitated (in Scorpio. Unless neecha bhanga)
__
Great enemys sign
__
Enemys sign
__
__
__
__
__
__
List which one(s)______________________________
__
__
__
__
Total s
Copyright 2009


The Condition of My Ketu

Note: Being a chaya graha or shadowy planet, the Moons Nodes (Rahu and Ketu)
give their results largely based on the planets most associated with them (by
conjunction or aspect) and according to the dispositor (ruler) of the house they occupy.
Favorable Factors
__
Exalted (in Scorpio)
__
Mulatrikona (in Sagittarius)
__
Own sign (in Scorpio)
__
Great friends sign
__
Friends sign
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
List which one(s)________________________
__
__
Total s
Note: Ketu can give good results for spiritually in the 12th house, particularly when
associated with Jupiter and/or the 5th and 9th lords. As a malefic it also can give good
results in upachaya houses 3, 6, 10, and 11.
Unfavorable Factors
__
Debilitated (in Taurus. Unless neecha bhanga)
__
Great enemys sign
__
Enemys sign
__
__
__
__
__
__
List which one(s)______________________________
__
__
__
__
Total s
Copyright 2009


Heres a partial list of the favorable and unfavorable conditions of the planets in Oprah
Winfreys chart. Please use this list to fill in her Condition of My Planets form for
homework assignment #2. Then add up the total number of factors and rate her planets.
Planet
Sun
Moon
Mars
Mercury
Jupiter
Venus
Saturn
Rahu
Ketu
The Condition of Oprah Winfreys Planets

Favorable
Unfavorable
y Conjunct two benefics, Venus and y In the dusthana 6th house
y Conjunct malefic Rahu
Mercury.
y Aspected by a benefic, Jupiter
y Dispositor is exalted
y In an angular house
y Debilitated in birth chart. Gets
cancellation?
y Conjunct 9th lord, Mars
y Conjunct malefic, Mars
th
y Aspect by 5 lord Jupiter
y Aspect by 8th lord, Jupiter
y Debilitated in navamsha. Gets
y In Own Sign in birth chart
cancellation?
y In a sandhi
th
y Aspected by 8th lord, Jupiter
y Aspect by the 5 lord, Jupiter
y Conjunct 12th lord, Moon
y Great Friends sign in birth chart
y In a dusthana house
y Exalted in navamsha
y Slightly combust
y Conjunct a benefic, Venus
y Conjunct two malefics, Rahu and Sun
y Conjunct 1st lord Sun
y In a Great Enemys sign in the birth
y Aspected by 9th lord, Mars
chart
y Aspected by malefic, Mars
y Aspected by 12th lord, Moon
y In Great Friends sign in birth chart y In the dusthana 6th house
y Deeply combust
y In own sign in navamsha
y Conjunct a benefic, Mercury
y Conjunct two malefics, Sun and Rahu
y Conjunct the 1st lord Sun
y Exalted in birth chart
y In the dusthana 6th house
y Mulatrikona in navamsha
y Vargottama
y Conjunct two benefics, Venus and y In a sandhi
Mercury
y Conjunct 1st lord Sun
y Vargottama
y Aspected by benefics, Venus and y In a sandhi
Mercury
y Aspected by malefics, Saturn & Sun
y Aspected by 1st lord Sun
y Dispositor is debilitated
Copyright 2009
compiled by Marc Boney, M.A., edited by Vaughn Paul Manley, M.A.

Course1 Lesson 12 S

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Course1 Lesson 12 S

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Course1 Lesson 12 S

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Light On Vedic Astrology

Online Course Level 1

Topics Covered in this Lesson:

Determining Planetary Strength

Determining Planetary Strength

For Private Use - Not For Circulation

Light On Vedic Astrology

Online Course Level 1

Understanding Planetary Strength

For Private Use - Not For Circulation

Light On Vedic Astrology

Online Course Level 1

Saturn is weak by house position, by being placed in a dusthana house. Saturn is

Saturn is strong by house position by being placed on an angle in the 10th

For Private Use - Not For Circulation

Light On Vedic Astrology

Online Course Level 1

The Strength of Natural and Temporal Indications

Karma, Past Lives and the Strength of Planets

For Private Use - Not For Circulation

Light On Vedic Astrology

Online Course Level 1

The Nine Conditions of Sign Strength Planetary Dignities

For Private Use - Not For Circulation

Light On Vedic Astrology

Online Course Level 1

One-Step Method for Determining Sign Strength

Planetary Dignities Table

Exalted and Debilitated

For Private Use - Not For Circulation

Light On Vedic Astrology

Online Course Level 1

For Private Use - Not For Circulation

Light On Vedic Astrology

Online Course Level 1

Three-Step Method for Determining Sign Strength

Sun, Moon, Mars, Jupiter

Mercury, Venus, Saturn

For Private Use - Not For Circulation

Light On Vedic Astrology

Online Course Level 1

need to refer to the following Natural Planetary Relationships Table, which is

Natural Planetary Relationships Table

For Private Use - Not For Circulation

Light On Vedic Astrology

Online Course Level 1

For Private Use - Not For Circulation

Light On Vedic Astrology

Online Course Level 1

For Private Use - Not For Circulation

Light On Vedic Astrology

Online Course Level 1

The Value of Mental Calculations

For Private Use - Not For Circulation

Light On Vedic Astrology

Online Course Level 1

Example of Determining Sign Strength

For Private Use - Not For Circulation

Light On Vedic Astrology