Information about 9 Planets

The Sun is the center of solar system. Its mean distance from earth is 14,96,00,000 kms. It is nearest to earth in January every year when it is 14,71,03,000 kms and farthest in July when its distance from earth is 15,21,06,000 kms. Its diameter is 13,92 000 kms (109.3 times of earth’s diameter), surface area is 6.087 x 1012 square kms. (1,20,000 times of earth’s surface area), Volume is 1.41 x 1018 cubic kms. (1,306,000 times the earth’s volume) and mass is 1.99 x 1030 kgs. The average rotation of Sun in zodiac is 10 per day and therefore it takes exactly one year to go around the zodiac.

Sun

Sun is a symbol of spirit. It is considered as soul of kalapursha. Sun is considered as king of all planets. Possibly Sunday is kept as a holiday every where so that people are able to worship Sun on Sundays. Sun represents lord Brahma with his four faces causing the four seasons and four elements (Fire, Air, Earth, Water). The Sun offers us power of resistance and vitality. It rules our consciousness. It gives us force and will power and makes one determined and decisive.

Sun is hot, dry, masculine and positive planet. He is god of Fire and fiery in nature. Sun is lord of direction East and governs ‘Grishma’ season (June-July). His color is orange. Sun represents father of the native, kings, the government and those in authority.

Sun gives the native honey colored eyes and large and round face. It makes color of body and hair lighter in shade and gives a bilious temperament. Parts of the body ruled by Sun are heart, head, brain, right eye in males and left eye in females, bones, mouth, spleen, throat, lungs, arteries, blood and its circulation.

When Sun is afflicted it makes the native arrogant, mean, boastful, irritable, jealous, wavering temperament, angry, proud, immoral.

When Sun is beneficial it gives boldness, commanding ability, fame, position, dignity, vitality, energy, happiness, royal appearance, optimism, power, success, good health, warmth, affection, good temperament, respect to elders, honour from government, wealth.

Health:

The diseases indicated by Sun are heart problems, epilepsy, cerebral disorders, meningitis, aphasia, polypus, eye disease, high fever, baldness, low blood pressure, and sunstroke.

Products:

The products represented by Sun are rice, groundnut, coconut, almonds, chillies, myrobalans, wheat, lavender, saffron, gur, pungent taste juice, orange, asafoetida, cardamoms, poison, laurel, vermin, cedar, marigold, pod grains etc.

Animals :

Sun represents all majestic animals like lion, boar, horse, and serpents. It also represents Lark, swan, nightingale and other singing birds.

Abode :

Sun represents places like mountains, forests, Shiva temples, fortress, government buildings, public offices like District Boards, panchayat etc.

Precious metals & Gems :

Gems represented by Sun are Gold, Copper and Ruby. Native whose lord of ascendant is Sun can wear the ring of Ruby in copper or gold in ring finger in the constellation of Sun.

MOON

The average distance between Earth and Moon is 3,84,400 kms. Because of elliptical shape of the orbits of Sun and Moon, minimum and maximum distance between Earth and Moon is 3,63,000 kms. and 4,06,000 kms respectively. The radius of moon is approx 1738 kms. (0.2725 times the radius of earth) and mass of moon is 1/81.3 of the earth’s mass. In fact moon is a satellite of earth but in astrology it is considered as a planet because of its size and proximity to earth. The moon can be observed to cross any particular celestial meridian, every 27.32166 days, which is the sidereal period of Moon. The period between the one full moon and next full moon is 29.5306 days which is also called lunar month.

Mythology:

Moon is negative, giving changeable and elastic nature and rules over personality and form. Moon is considered as mind of kalpurush. Moon is the queen of solar system. She is the Virgin Mary of the Roman Catholics and the mother of the Heavens. While the Sun pours spirit and life to all planetary bodies, the moon governs over the life of the beings on earth. She is the Luna (Diana), the Queen of the night. She is the Goddess and also a huntress. She governs chastity as well as fertility.

Nature:

Moon is a cold, moist, feminine, changeable, receptive and negative planet. She is lord of North – West direction and governs Varsha Ritu (August – September). Moon is watery in nature. Her color is silvery white or sea – green. Her chief domain is over the mind, the sleep, and all the fruits of the earth and flowers. She rules over the multitude, the masses, travelling, female relatives, commerce, business, and such professions which deal in liquids. She rules over the place of residence.

Physical Features:

Moon gives the native corpulent body, white complexion, lovely eyes, black and thin hair, tender speech and mild temper. Parts of the body ruled by moon are left eye of the male and the right eye of the female, breasts, esophagus, stomach, uterus, ovaries, lymphatic, bladder, synovial fluid. Waxing moon rules over the arteries, motor nerves and the muscles while the waning moon rules the veins, sensory nerves, sense organs and the glands.

Effects:

When Moon is afflicted she makes the native unfortunate, sick in infancy and old age, deformed, impulsive, over anxious, indecisive, rash, depressed, pessimistic.

When Moon is beneficial she gives high position in public life, good family life, courtesy, amiable nature, easy – going and pleasing personality, timidness, magnetism, desire for wealth and worldly things, interest for psychic subjects and taste for all delicious fruits.

Health:

The diseases indicated by moon are lunacy, eye-disease, paralysis, hysteria, epilepsy, colic, cough and cold, measles, intestinal problems, dyspepsia, hydrocele, diseases caused due to excess of drink, bronchitis, asthma, tumors, nervous debility, dysentery, cancer, typhoid.

Products:

The products represented by moon are oranges, melon, white poppy, cucumber, palm, mushroom, algae, wintergreen, pumpkin, mercury, sugarcane, cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, betel leaves, silver, salt, rice, cream, foreign liquor, fruit juice, pearl, curd, herbs.

Animals:

Moon represents animals like dog, cat, mouse, amphibious creatures, horse. She also represents goose, crab, duck, water- bird, tortoise, owl, and oyster.

Abode:

Moon represents places like mountains, fortresses, ocean, river, place of residence etc.

Metals & Gems :

Precious Gems represented by moon are pearl and all white stones. Metals represented are Silver, tin, and other white metals. Native whose lord of ascendant is moon can wear the ring of these stones in silver in ring finger in the constellation of moon.

MARS

Mars is a red planet. It moves around the Sun at a mean distance approximately 1.52 times that of earth from Sun. It completes its orbit in 686.9804 mean earth solar days and spins on axis in 24 hours 39 minutes and 22.6689 seconds. It moves in its orbit at a mean velocity of 24.1 kms/ second. Mars has a volume of 1.62 x 1011 cubic kms, surface area of 1.43 x 108 square kms, mass equal to 6.423 x 1023 kms and density equal to 3.96 gm/ cubic centimeter. Mars completes one orbit in roughly the time earth completes two orbits. When it is closest to earth, it is retrograde and is visible during mid night. This appears at an interval of 779.94 earth’s days. Mars has two satellites namely Phobos and Diamos.

Mars is said to be the deity of Buddhists and the god of Romans. He is also god of war. According to Hindus, Mars is Lord Muruga, Subramanya or Kumaraswami. He is commander- in- chief of the celestial army.

Mars is a dry, fiery and masculine planet. Mars is a malefic planet. Mars is the lord of south direction and governs Grishma Ritu (June – July) Mars rules Sam Veda. It is hot and barren and rules over fuming acids. It governs mainly over brothers, lands and enterprise. The power of logical reasoning, boldness, war like natures are endowed by Mars. Mars rules over contentions, wars, strife, epidemics, mental aberrations etc. Mars is significant for energy both constructive and destructive. Worst type of sexualities is governed by Mars. Such people adopt novel ways to satisfy their sexual desire. They may adopt malpractice and may enjoy in giving pain to sexual partners. Martians are said to be extremists.

He symbolizes the senses and thus rules over the animal instincts in man. He signifies the fighting power. Mars gives determination, the desire to succeed in the material field, favours, learning of sciences and governs all foreign voyages.

Mars gives the native white complexion with a shade of red. Native will be tall, muscular, having slender waist, curly and shining hair, fierce red eyes, cruel nature and fickle mind. Native will be having pimples on face, eyes will be round. Bones will be full of red bone marrow. Native will be well disciplined, passionate and aggressive. Parts of body ruled by Mars are forehead, left ear, nose, muscular system, external sex organs, blood vessels, uterus, kidneys, prostate gland, groins, rectum, colon, testicles and red bone marrow.

When Mars is afflicted it gives rash and aggressive spirit, combative & destructive nature. It also makes the native headstrong and unruly, impulsive and fickle, vain, jealous, severe and unfeeling, quarrelsome, drunkard and violent.

When Mars is beneficial it makes the native adventurous and independent, generous, ambitious, enthusiastic, exercising free will, upright, accommodative and diplomatic. Such people dislike small undertakings but enjoy execution of large projects. Many pioneers, leaders, heroes, warriors and explorers are having beneficial Mars.

The diseases indicated by Mars are all acute fevers and inflammatory complaints, smallpox, burns, measles, ruptures of blood vessels, fistulas, wound by iron or steel, hemorrhages, hernia, stones, abortions, appendicitis, sunstroke, muscular rheumatism, carbuncles, tetanus, deformity etc.

The products represented by Mars are walnut, cashewnut, betelnut, groundnut, ginger, mustard, garlic, brandy, whisky, arrack, toddy, metallic oxides, axe, knife, sword, gun, landed properties, thorny plants, old instruments, coriander etc.

Mars represents animals like tiger, wolf and other savage beasts, elephant, hunting dog. It also represents birds like hawk, kite, vultures and other birds of prey.

Mars represents places like battlefield, slaughter-houses, smith’s shops, police station, and industrial area.

Precious Metals/Gems represented by Mars are copper, coral, ruby and all red stones. Native whose lord of ascendant is Mars can wear the ring of these stones in copper or gold in ring or index finger in the constellation of Mars.

MERCURY

The mean distance of Mercury from Sun is 58 x 106 kms. Due to its closeness with Sun, it is difficult to be observed with naked eye. It travels at a speed of 48 km per second. Its mass is 0.054 times that of earth’s mass, diameter is 4868 kms and density 5.2 gms per cubic cms. Its sidereal time is 87.969 earth days. It has no satellite. It does not go beyond 280 from Sun.

Hindus regard Mercury as God Keshav, Narayan, Madhav etc. In other words it represents protective agency. It is a prince in planetary cabinet. So like a child it does not act independently and borrows the characteristics of the planet with which it is associated.

Its chief domain is over mind, memory, intellect, intelligence, perception, knowledge, reason, fertility of resources, commerce and education, powers of speech and writing, ability for editing, art of painting and sculpture. It gives the person ready wit, an easy acquisition and command over many languages, taste for and competence in philosophy, mathematics and accountancy. It rules over central nervous system. It is a planet of intelligence and is responsible for retentive power and reproductive ability. It makes one talkative, witty and learned.

Mercury is a variable, convertible, feminine, neutral and dualistic planet. Mercury is the lord of north direction and governs ‘Sarad’ Ritu (October- November). Its color is green. It rules our business, correspondence, bookselling, hygiene, deities, food, literary pursuits, paper money, bank balance. Mercury is the chief governor for education and uncle. It is a planet of oration and speech.

Mercury gives the native a green tint and native is full of veins. Native is pleasant in speech and fun loving. Native has long and red eyes and has well formed limbs. It makes the body tall and slender. Native is of average height with eyebrows curved with much hair. Parts of the body ruled by Mercury are nose, brain, hands, tongue, lungs and nervous system. It is also lord of skin.

When Mercury is afflicted the native will be clever, cunning and mischievous, anonymous petition writer. His tongue and pen will work against those whom he does not like. He will be gambler, liar, conceited and showy person. He will be talkative, eccentric, unprincipled, inconsistent and boastful. He will work according to his whims. Native will have stammering speech, lack of memory and fluency, having too many occupations, propensity for lying, spreading scandals.

When Mercury is beneficial it makes the native intelligent, having quick grasp and good retentive memory. It gives ability for oratory and for mastering many languages, increases mental ability and argumentative power. It gives power of enquiry into many subjects including literature, collecting every kind of information and enhances business ability. It gives intuitive ability and native works with speed and accuracy and is successful in all enterprises.

The diseases indicated by Mercury are insanity, mental aberration, loss of speech, impotency, defective tongue, deafness, leucoderma, headaches, neuralgia, insomnia, giddiness, convulsions, hysteria, spasms etc.

The products represented by Mercury are betel leaves, walnut, spinach, plants in general, nut tree, medlar, willow, quince, male fern, caraway, ghee, other oils, green color pulses, green colored clothes etc.

Mercury represents animals like dog, goat, ape, weasel, fox, parrot and reptiles.

Places represented by Mercury are universities, colleges, schools, all commercial centers, and fields for playing games and sports, hunting places.

Precious metals/gems represented by Mercury are bell’s metal, quick silver, emerald, limestone. Native whose lord of ascendant is Mercury can wear the ring of emerald in silver/gold in little finger in the constellation of Mercury.

JUPITER

The Jupiter is most massive of all the planets. It is larger than all other planets put together. Its distance from the Sun is 76, 97, 73, 940 kms, sidereal period 11.86 earth years. The max radius of Jupiter is 71350 kms (11.2 times that of earth) and min. radius is 66600 kms (10.4 times that of earth). It is 317.8 times heavier than earth. It rotates on its own axis in 9 hours 55 minutes. Jupiter has 12 satellites. The four main satellites are known as Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto. It is next to Sun in size and orb and in brightness next to the Venus.

Jupiter is a planet of expansion. It is also called Deva Guru. Jupiter is considered to be a teacher who removes the ignorance and darkness and offers wisdom by throwing light. It represents the “Sattvaguna” of the Hindus. It rules over man’s worldly possessions and fortunes and hence is called the Giver or Ruler of money. Jupiter represents social justice, religion and sincerity. In the olden days the physicians used to administer medicine in the hora of Jupiter. Nowadays doctors write Rx on prescription slip before prescribing any medicine. In fact it is a symbol of Jupiter and any doctor would like to take blessing of Jupiter before writing prescription.

Jupiter is fiery, noble, benevolent, fruitful, masculine, jovial, buoyant. Jupiter is the lord of North-East direction and governs Hemanta Ritu (December and January). Its color is golden, purple or violet and rules over the metals tin, gold, topaz and platinum. Sweet and fragrant are the flowers of Jupiter. It is the lord of finance and children. It governs education, happiness, health, love and respect towards elders and preceptors, good morals and conduct, wealth, respect, reputation and charity etc.

Jupiter gives the native golden complexion, brown eyes and hair. Jupiterians have good growth in youth, have muscular body due to outdoor games and become so stout that they must be respected for their growth. Jupiterians always get the seats vacated for them even in crowd. Native has corpulent and tall body and is wise and learned. He has loud and heavy voice. Parts of the body ruled by Jupiter are liver, tumors, circulation of blood in arteries, fat in the body, adipose tissue, morbid growths, pleura of lungs, kidney, thigh, feet, right ear.

When Jupiter is afflicted it makes native extremist, having extravagant ideas, careless, over optimistic, gambler, poor, unpopular, lavish. It gives false hopes, failure in speculation, worry through children, loss by relying on others, misjudgment, miscalculation etc.

When Jupiter is beneficial it gives good health and longevity. Native is jovial, hopeful, buoyant, humane, and of broad – minded nature. It bestows worldly wisdom, good fortune, and dignity, social and moral success, prudence, progress and much expansion in all efforts. Rapid recoveries even from severe disease are offered. Native thinks properly, does his work ably and judges properly. Native uses fair means to earn money and never gets benefitted by loss of others.

The diseases indicated by Jupiter are blood poisoning, liver complaints, flatulence, dyspepsia, hernia, skin disease, catarrh, dropsy, mucus in urine, abscesses, carbuncles, diabetes, eczema, vertigo etc.

The products represented by Jupiter are all fat containing food products like butter, ghee etc., sweet flavored eatables like oranges, banana etc., big trees like peepal tree, rubber, yellow colored flowers and vegetables, oak, elm, birch, figs, asparagus, beet, pinks, red roses, dog grass, apricots, gram, pulse etc.

Jupiter represents animals like horse, ox, elephant, stag, and domestic animals. It also represents eagle, peacock, pheasant, whale, dolphin etc.

Jupiter represents places like courts, pompous buildings, places where coronation and religious functions are conducted, temples, colleges, schools, legislative assembly etc.

Precious metals and gems represented by Jupiter are gold, platinum, topaz and yellow sapphire. Native whose lord of ascendant is Jupiter can wear the ring of yellow sapphire in gold in index finger in the constellation of Jupiter.

VENUS

Venus revolves around the Sun in nearly a circular orbit. It’s mean distance from the Sun is 10.75 x 107 kms. The mean orbital velocity of Venus is approx 35 km. per second; its mass is 0.81 times that of earth, its diameter is 12100 kms, and density 5.1gm/ cm3. Its sidereal period is 224.7 earth days and its synodic period is 583.921 earth days. Venus sets after Sunset and rises before Sun rises. Venus is the brightest planet, which is due to the reflecting power of its atmosphere. For the observers on earth, Venus can never be more than 480 away from Sun. When Venus is 480 away from Sun and is the evening star, it can be seen in the sky for about 3 hours 12 minutes after sunset.

While Jupiter is Deva Guru, Venus is considered as Asura Guru. Venus is considered a Goddess of love, marriage, beauty and comforts. It is called Mahalakshmi, wife of lord Vishnu. Venus is one – eyed. Since it rules all kinds of beauty, pleasure, passion etc, it is called by the Greeks Aphrodite. It is the chief governor of wife. It gives immense taste and fancy for all pleasure-giving and luxurious things. Intelligence coupled with an artistic taste and fineness is bestowed by Venus. It is also significator of vehicles and property in affluent area. Venus is called Kama, one’s passion.

Venus is a feminine, warm, temperate and fruitful planet. Venus is the lord of direction South- East and governs Vasanta Ritu (April and May). Venus rules Yajur Veda. Its color is white, dark blue, lemon yellow. It rules marriage, youthfulness, sexual pleasure, scents, flowers, ability to compose music and drama, inclination to take light and rich food. It also indicates the partner in business.

Venus gives the native average height, plumpy body, round face with pimples, wheatish complexion, pleasing eyes, pleasing voice, sweet smile and curly hair. It gives attractive personality and sexual vitality. Native is the preceptor of demons. Parts of the body ruled by Venus are eyes, reproductive system, throat, chin, cheeks, kidneys, hair etc.

When Venus is afflicted it gives deprived sexual tendencies, immoral character, excessive drinking, number of marriages, loss of children, separation from beloved, mental aberrations, injuries, loss of money, sex scandals, loss of prestige.

When Venus is beneficial it gives the native unperturbed and enjoyable career. It is sure to give continuous good luck even though person is not endowed with the intrinsic worth necessary for the attainment of it. Native is fond of company of opposite sex and is of artistic nature. Native may become successful musician or actor.

The diseases indicated by Venus are venereal disease including gonorrhea and syphilis, infection in eyes, skin diseases like eczema, leprosy, leucoderma, enlarged tonsils, Bright’s disease, renal glycosuria, cysts, swelling, goiter, irregularities in cataneria, uraemia, disease of ovaries, mucous disease, gout, anaemia and disease arising through the use of cosmetics or through over-indulgence in amusement, eating, drinking.

The products represented by Venus are finished textile goods, silk and rayon products, fancy goods, electronics items, perfumery, toilets, photography, film, hosiery for ladies, confectionery, sandalwood oil, fruits, flowers, sugar, cars, ships, airplanes, petrol, pig tree, pomegranate, apple tree, dandelion, elder flowers, white poppy, gooseberry, peppermint, cherry, chestnut, thyme, agaru, nutmeg, players.

Venus represents animals like goat, panther, bull. It also represents birds like dove, sparrow, and wren.

Venus represents places like bedroom, cinema theatre, garden, fountains, banquet hall, automobile industries, shipping yards, aerodromes, mines, glass manufacturing places, discotheque, red light areas.

Precious metals and gems represented by Venus are platinum, white metal and silver diamond, beryl coral, jade, and alabaster. Native whose lord of ascendant is Venus can wear ring of diamond in platinum or gold in middle finger in the constellation of Venus.

SATURN

Saturn’s mean distance from earth is 14.11 x 10 8. The nearest distance of Saturn from Sun is 13.29x108 kms and farthest distance from Sun is 14.93x108 kms. It completes a revolution around the Sun in 29.46 years. The mass of Saturn is 95.14 times that of earth, volume 743.7 times that of earth and its density is only 0.7 times that of water. Saturn has 10 satellites. The Titan and Lapetus are massive satellites of Saturn. Titan is about the same size as the planet Mercury. Its dia is 4777 kms. The dia of Lapetus is 1752 kms. Three concentric rings surround Saturn. These rings are separate and there is only black empty space in between any two rings, Saturn appears like a blue ball with 3 yellow rings.

Saturn is called Yama because it is the chief governor of longevity. Saturn is the father of Gulika and Mandi. It is also called Neelan and lord Shiva. Saturn is son of Sun. Some people say that Saturn represents ‘Brahma’. Saturn is the counterfeit of Jupiter as former destroys while the latter applies pressures and expands. Saturn is also called St. Peter holding the keys of both Heaven and Hell. It rules over hard and laborious work as well as over responsible positions in life. Saturn is a planet of delay.

Saturn is barren, binding, cold, constant, dry, defensive, hard, nervous and secretive planet. It is the lord of West direction and governs Shishir Ritu (February and march). Its color is blue, jet black and indigo. It is considered as an evil planet and it reigns over poverty, misfortune, death, unending problems, delays, hindrances, chronic and lingering diseases, old age etc.

Saturn gives the native dark color, thin built, prominent veins, thick nails, protruding teeth, coarse and thick hair, long hands and feet. From the face native appears older than his actual age. Native is dirty, angry, dreadful, foolish, full of wrinkles and a talebearer. Native is merciless and melancholic. Saturn makes one a little deaf.

Parts of the body represented by Saturn are the right ear, obstruction of bodily fluids, obstruction in urine and retention of waste materials, hardening of synovial membrane, teeth, bones, knees, spinal chord, hair and growth.

Where Saturn is afflicted it causes delays, disappointment, disharmony, dispute, despondency, dejection, differences, distrust etc. It gives persistent bad luck, up-hill struggles, sorrows and disappointments. It makes the native drunkard, gambler, lazy and lethargic.

When Saturn is beneficial it gives good qualities like endurance, economy, thrift, patience, perseverance, power of retaining secrets, permanence, stability, self control, sense of duty towards God and man, accuracy, precaution in all matters. It develops in an individual truth, charity, power of meditation and concentration, sincerity, prudence, asceticism etc.

The diseases indicated by Saturn are cancer, paralysis, sciatica, Bright’s disease, colds, deafness, tooth decay, diphtheria, insanity, rheumatism, asthma, consumption, defective speech, catarrh, gallstones, curvature of spine, hemorrhoids, asthma, gout, skin disease, fracture etc.

The products represented by Saturn are kerosene, petrol, coal, mine ores, leather, hides, skin, wood, potato, black pulses, barley, rye, mustard oil, wine, black articles, plantain, ivy, hemp, hellebore, aconite, thistle, leguminous seeds.

Saturn represents animals like cat, asses, hare, wolves, bear, crocodile, serpents and venomous creatures, buffaloes, camels. It also represents birds like eel, sea fish, bats and owls.

Saturn represents places like hills, forests, deserts, caves, dens and old and ruined buildings, churches, temples, trenches, wells, stinking places, slum areas, dirty places tanning factories, bone factory etc.

Precious gems/ metals represented by Saturn are blue sapphire, amethyst, iron, lead, steel and antimony. Native whose lord of ascendant is Saturn can wear the ring of blue sapphire in gold in middle finger in the constellation of Saturn.

RAHU AND KETU

There are different names given to Rahu and Ketu like Nodes, Shadows, Head and Tail, Caput, Cauda etc. The Moon is a satellite of the earth revolving around it in an orbit inclined to that of the earth round the Sun at an angle of approximately 50. The Moon completes its orbit round the earth in about a month crossing the orbit of earth twice in the same period, once when it goes from south to north and at another time while traveling from north to south. The ascending point is called ‘Rahu’ and descending point ‘Ketu’. These have retrograde motion in the zodiac at the rate of 19020’ per year.

There is a fundamental difference between Rahu and Ketu and the other planets. The other planets are bodies of physical mass having form, shape, color, gravity, atmosphere, motion etc. On the other hand Rahu and Ketu are two imaginary points in the heavens without mass, shape or form. They are the points of intersection of the apparent path of the Sun with the path of Moon. It has been established beyond doubt that Rahu and Ketu influence an individual’s life, at times more than other planets. Since they are in exact opposition to each other, their effect should be considered simultaneously.

Rahu and Ketu give the effects of the lords of the signs they are in and also of those planets which are situated with them, not having much individual characteristics of their own. Rahu is known as Dragon’s head and Ketu as Dragon’s tail. Head is forward looking while the tail represents the past. The Rahu represents the qualities to be developed and work to be done during the present incarnation and Ketu denotes the qualities during past lives and these indicate attitudes that come naturally to the native. They are classified as Karmic planets.

According to Hindu astrology both Rahu and Ketu are malefic. Rahu is considered as ‘giver’ and Ketu the ‘taker’ and since giving and taking are results of former action, they may be considered as planets of ‘gains’ and losses’. Ketu is considered as a spiritual force causing salvation to human souls and Rahu is more earthly indicating mundane prosperity. The effects of the Nodes is not always evil, they are also productive and causing Raj yogas. By and large Nodes play a constructive role because after making the native pass through various difficult phases, they also enable him to progress spiritually. However, if the Nodes conjoin Mars or Saturn without any benefic aspect, life is marked by misery, struggle and misunderstanding throughout. Rahu is also considered a diplomat and Ketu a seer. Rahu and Ketu eclipse the Sun and Moon representing the soul and mind respectively. Hence they have a great influence on the soul’s liberation or rebirth. Rahu or Ketu within 2 degrees of the ascendant give an unusual type of personality and a very distinctive appearance.

Rahu and Ketu signify one born in low caste, dissatisfied, fond of travelling, telling lie, harsh in speech, involved in unnatural sex. They also indicate change of residence, ill health, dual marriage, serpents, mosquitoes, insects, spices, southwest direction etc. Part of the body represented by them are buttocks, intestinal tract. The diseases indicated by them are hiccups, insanity, intestinal problems, ulcer, gastric problems etc. The products represented by them are meat, wine, eggs, radish, coconut, sacrifice of animal’s etc.

Rahu has the properties of Saturn whereas ketu has the influence of Mars. Rahu is feminine. Its gem is Agate or Lapis lazuli. Rahu is said to resemble Saturn. Rahu governs paternal grandfather and maternal grandmother. Ketu is eunuch. Its gem is turquoise. Ketu is said to be conducive to liberation. Ketu is said to be similar to Mars in giving effects. Ketu rules maternal grandfather and paternal grandmother. Rahu represents the tall while Ketu represents the short persons.

Uranus, Neptune and Pluto will not be discussed in this article as firstly these are very slow moving planets and secondly these are hardly considered by astrologers in India for making predictions.