Vedic Astrology: The Planets and Their Significations

In Vedic astrology, the major planets up until Saturn are the ones which are considered, along with the star in our solar system, the Sun and the only natural satellite that we have, which is the Moon. Hence, we take into consideration, the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn.

However, in the Indian vedic astrology, there are two other entities which rather hold very strong significance. These are Rahu and Ketu, also known as the North Node and the South Node of the Moon and are often referred to as shadow planets.

In this article, we will try to shed some light on their significance and meaning from the perspective of predictive astrology.

Sun: This mighty red ball of fire, is the star whose solar system we reside in on Earth. Referred to as the Kind of the planets in Vedic astrology, is the prime indicator of the father or fatherly figure in a native's horoscope. It also signifies government, high government position. Besides this, our ego, self-esteem and our self image is predominantly determined by the Sun. Usually, the colour red is attached to the Sun.

Moon: This rather calm and relaxed looking beautiful circular entity we know of, is in fact, the cause of the Tsunami, high and low tides in the ocean, our mood swings, and controls the water in our body and all the water on the planet. It is often even thought that, one tends to retain water during the days of the full moon and vice versa. The Moon also is the prime significator of one's mother and the 4th house in astrology. It also signifies one's mental stability, emotional intelligence, and the effects thereafter occurring from/based on those. Moon is often attached with pale white colour.

Mercury: Referred to as the prince amongst the planets, Mercury is the rather playful planet, which is concerned with having fun, frolic, while also being the prime significator of speech and all kinds of communication. It also denotes general intelligence, numerical ability, business, decision making ability and often associated with the colour green.

Venus: The planet of love, sensuality, luxury and well, all the good things. Well, almost all. Venus for a man defines the woman and romance in someone's life, in combination with other factors related to the horoscope. Even for a woman, it depicts her romantic endeavours and marriage, along with Jupiter. it signifies the level of affluence that one may attain in their life. Luxury items, perfumes, luxury cars, hotels, fashion industry, film industry, love, sensuality, etc are all attached to the one and only, Venus. The colour attributed to it is bright white.

Mars: The fiery red Mars is the prime significator of someone's will power, fighting ability, fire energy in someone's horoscope and life. Mars depicts technical skills and skills with instruments and even weapons. This is why it is a significator of a surgeon as well as a soldier. A weak Mars can be a big negative influence on someone's life, as such a person can not easily put his/her efforts down to achieve success. They may be lazy. On the other hand, an overly powerful Mars may result in someone acting too soon and too fast, and also 'sometimes' landing into trouble because of that. In my personal opinion, a good balance of Jupiter's wisdom, Mercury's calculating ability, Moon's steady head and Mars's application would render a very steady and strong result. Of course, Sun, Saturn, Rahu or Ketu also shouldn't be in the way either. The colour associated with Mars is Red.

Jupiter: The biggest of all the planets in our solar system is also the most benefic of all, unless it becomes a functional malefic in someone's chart (for instance due to being the ruler of traditional malefic considered houses like 6,8, 12 or sometimes 3rd house). It is the significator of wealth, prosperity, big ventures, massive expansion. It is also a significator of a husband in a woman's horoscope, and also a significator of children for both men and women. It may denote a career in law, consulting, teaching/training, astrology, etc. The colour that is associated with Jupiter is yellow or light orange.

Saturn: The one with the rings. The famous, or sometimes infamous planet of massive gains and massive misfortune: Saturn. Saturn is associated with heavy metal works, black colour, repetitive jobs, struggle strife, lessons in life, slow and steady actions/behaviour (if beneficially placed) in the areas of life it affects in a native's horoscope. Saturn also signifies delays, but if well placed, does not deny. It is the slowest moving planet, considered in vedic astrology, and takes approximately 2.5 years to transit through a house/sign, which often turns out to be the reason that it is capable of causing much havoc or giving incredible gains and riches, since it properly rolls out the good and bad karma for the individual. The colour attached with Saturn is black/grey.

Rahu/North node: Rahu, referred to as the head of the serpent without a body, is the proper planet/shadow planet for today's day and age. It is smoke and illusion. Things which seem to be real, but are actually not. We can hence, easily relate it to all of the virtual world that we are addicted to today. Virtual games, virtual friends, virtual dating, virtual shopping, etc. It hence signifies computers and all of the things associated with it, like artificial intelligence and machine learning. It is insatiable and endless desire to achieve an endless

amount of progress, pleasure, wealth, etc. Whatever it may have an effect upon, in our horoscopes.

Ketu/South Node: Ketu, referred to as the head-'less' body of the serpent and is always the exact polar opposite of its other half - Rahu. Being polar opposite to Rahu, Ketu is usually considered polar opposite in many other regards as well, for instance in terms of being more towards salvation instead of worldly desires. Ketu signifies deep research, eccentric intelligence, and can have unpredictable results depending on various different kinds of combinations, that may exist in a horoscope. Ketu usually gives the result based on the nature of its house ruler and/or the planet it may be in conjunction with.