Planets in Astrology and Their Meaning
On July 13, 2023Planets in Astrology play a major role in our lives. There are nine planets in Vedic astrology called the Navagrahas. They are the Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Rahu, and Ketu. The last 2 are the lunar nodes or shadow planets. Though these are not regarded as major planets, they do have some influence on human lives. The Sun and the Moon are the King and Queen of the planets.
Though the Moon is a satellite of the Earth, it is a planet in Vedic astrology. The Moon does have an effect on life on Earth as it is in close proximity to our planet. It rules the mind and emotions.
Apart from the 9 planets, there are 12 zodiac signs, 27 Nakshatras/stars, and 12 houses/Bhavas in astrology. Their permutations and combinations decide how our lives will turn out to be. Astrologers make predictions after examining the positions of the planets, signs in different houses at the time of one’s birth and comparing them with their current positions.
The Lunar Nodes
Rahu is the North lunar node and Ketu is the South lunar node. These are depicted as the head and tail of a snake or demon. They are also called the ‘snake planets’.
Impact of the Planets
Each planet signifies certain things. Accordingly, they impact our lives based on their positions at the time of our birth. If they are well-placed, the effects are positive. If they are in unfavorable positions, the effects will be negative. Now, let us see what each of the planets signifies.
Sun
The 9 planets form a celestial cabinet of which the Sun is the King. It is the hottest of the planets. The Sun signifies the Government or authoritative figures. It also represents the father, self, confidence, vitality, power, and creativity. It is the source of energy for all the planets. Its brightness illuminates the entire world. The Sun rules the Leo sign and is exalted in the Aries sign.
Moon
The Moon is the queen of the celestial cabinet. It is a very significant planet as it represents our "Mind". It represents the private sector or "Private Government". It also signifies the mother, emotions, nourishment, and creativity, sensitivity. When the Moon lies directly opposite to the Sun in a Kundli, it forms an auspicious Yoga as the Sun’s rays illuminate the Moon. Moon rules the "Cancer" sign and is exalted in the Taurus sign.
Mercury
Mercury is a Prince among the planets. It signifies our logical or calculative ability. Mercury has associations with Mathematics and the knowledge of Astrology. It is very near the Sun. It is the Messenger of God and rules our communication. It signifies intelligence, analytical skills, and communication. Mercury also represents siblings, daily activities, and expressions. It rules the zodiac signs, Gemini and Virgo signs. Virgo is its sign of exaltation.
Venus
Venus is the Princess in the Celestial Cabinet. The planet signifies love, affection, harmony, beauty, art, creativity, luxury, and relationships. In a man’s birth chart, it represents the opposite sex, like wife, lover, etc. It is also the Karaka for marriage. Moreover, it indicates the wealth or finances of a person. It is the ruler of Taurus and Libra signs, and Pisces is its sign of exaltation.
Mars
Mars, the planet of war and aggression, is Commander In Chief of the heavenly cabinet. It signifies energy, boldness, initiative, courage, and fighting ability. It is impatient and quick to fight. It indicates a person’s quick responses and vigor. It is the karaka planet of younger siblings, army, police, surgeons, etc. It rules "Aries" and "Scorpio" signs and is exalted in Capricorn.
Jupiter
Guru or Jupiter is the King’s Minister or advisor in the heavenly cabinet. It signifies Wisdom, as well as Gurus or Teachers. In a woman’s horoscope, it represents the Husband. It is a benefic planet that represents optimism, expansion, maturity, luck, and knowledge. It also represents family and children. It rules Sagittarius and Pisces signs. Cancer is its sign of exaltation.
Saturn
It is the servant of the celestial cabinet. It signifies the public. It is the planet of karma and justice. It judges you according to your actions or Karma that you performed during this birth and punishes or rewards you accordingly. It denotes responsibility, hard work, limitation, stability, and commitment. As it moves very slowly, it takes time in bringing results. It indicates your patience. Saturn can cause many delays and obstacles in life. It is exalted in the Libra sign and debilitated in Aries. It rules Capricorn and Aquarius signs.
Rahu
It is the North node of the Moon. It is also called a shadow planet in Vedic Astrology. Its symbol is the Head of a snake or demon. Rahu seeks fame and materialistic things. It is also called "Shanivrat Rahu", as it behaves like Saturn. It is very greedy and is never satisfied with anything. It indicates It signifies explosiveness, obsession, freedom, and illusion. It is exalted in Taurus/Gemini signs and debilitated in Scorpio/Sagittarius signs. It is not associated with any sign and behaves like the sign or planet which it occupies.
Ketu
It is the South lunar Node, and its symbol is the tail of a snake or demon. It is also a shadow planet. It has no interest in fame and worldly desires, so its nature is the opposite of Rahu. It’s very spiritual and seeks enlightenment. It is more about detachment from materialistic things. It also signifies intuition, imagination, and transformation. Ketu is associated with Moksha and reflects a person’s past life karmas, Sanchita Karma, etc. Ketu behaves like Mars. It is exalted in Scorpio/Sagittarius signs and debilitated in Taurus/Gemini.
Planets in Astrology influence our lives and actions. Their energies can cause both harmful or beneficial effects on our lives and destinies, depending on their placement in our horoscopes.
Signs in Astrology
There are 12 signs in astrology. Signs and planets have a close relationship, with each zodiac sign having its own planetary ruler. Thus, the planet brings its traits to the sign.
For instance, Venus rules the Taurus sign, and as Venus’ traits are linked to love and relationships, Taurus natives will be sensual and romantic. Signs in astrology are important when reading a kundli.
The 12 Zodiac Signs and The Planets that Rule Them
Aries -Mars
Taurus - Venus
Gemini - Mercury
Cancer- Moon
Leo- Sun
Virgo- Mercury
Libra- Venus
Scorpio- Mars
Sagittarius- Jupiter
Capricorn-Saturn
Aquarius-Saturn
Pisces- Jupiter
Houses in Astrology
The birth chart of a person has 12 houses/Bhavas. Each of them has its own meaning. For example, the 2nd house represents wealth, the 5th house signifies children, the 7th house represents marriage and spouse, etc.
Each house is governed by a zodiac sign. The planets also transit from one house to another throughout one’s life, thereby modifying the aspect (love, education, wealth, career, etc.) of that house during their transit period.
What the Houses Mean:
The Lunar Nodes
Rahu is the North lunar node and Ketu is the South lunar node. These are depicted as the head and tail of a snake or demon. They are also called the ‘snake planets’.
Impact of the Planets
Each planet signifies certain things. Accordingly, they impact our lives based on their positions at the time of our birth. If they are well-placed, the effects are positive. If they are in unfavorable positions, the effects will be negative. Now, let us see what each of the planets signifies.
Sun
The 9 planets form a celestial cabinet of which the Sun is the King. It is the hottest of the planets. The Sun signifies the Government or authoritative figures. It also represents the father, self, confidence, vitality, power, and creativity. It is the source of energy for all the planets. Its brightness illuminates the entire world. The Sun rules the Leo sign and is exalted in the Aries sign.
Moon
The Moon is the queen of the celestial cabinet. It is a very significant planet as it represents our "Mind". It represents the private sector or "Private Government". It also signifies the mother, emotions, nourishment, and creativity, sensitivity. When the Moon lies directly opposite to the Sun in a Kundli, it forms an auspicious Yoga as the Sun’s rays illuminate the Moon. Moon rules the "Cancer" sign and is exalted in the Taurus sign.
Mercury
Mercury is a Prince among the planets. It signifies our logical or calculative ability. Mercury has associations with Mathematics and the knowledge of Astrology. It is very near the Sun. It is the Messenger of God and rules our communication. It signifies intelligence, analytical skills, and communication. Mercury also represents siblings, daily activities, and expressions. It rules the zodiac signs, Gemini and Virgo signs. Virgo is its sign of exaltation.
Venus
Venus is the Princess in the Celestial Cabinet. The planet signifies love, affection, harmony, beauty, art, creativity, luxury, and relationships. In a man’s birth chart, it represents the opposite sex, like wife, lover, etc. It is also the Karaka for marriage. Moreover, it indicates the wealth or finances of a person. It is the ruler of Taurus and Libra signs, and Pisces is its sign of exaltation.
Mars
Mars, the planet of war and aggression, is Commander In Chief of the heavenly cabinet. It signifies energy, boldness, initiative, courage, and fighting ability. It is impatient and quick to fight. It indicates a person’s quick responses and vigor. It is the karaka planet of younger siblings, army, police, surgeons, etc. It rules "Aries" and "Scorpio" signs and is exalted in Capricorn.
Jupiter
Guru or Jupiter is the King’s Minister or advisor in the heavenly cabinet. It signifies Wisdom, as well as Gurus or Teachers. In a woman’s horoscope, it represents the Husband. It is a benefic planet that represents optimism, expansion, maturity, luck, and knowledge. It also represents family and children. It rules Sagittarius and Pisces signs. Cancer is its sign of exaltation.
Saturn
It is the servant of the celestial cabinet. It signifies the public. It is the planet of karma and justice. It judges you according to your actions or Karma that you performed during this birth and punishes or rewards you accordingly. It denotes responsibility, hard work, limitation, stability, and commitment. As it moves very slowly, it takes time in bringing results. It indicates your patience. Saturn can cause many delays and obstacles in life. It is exalted in the Libra sign and debilitated in Aries. It rules Capricorn and Aquarius signs.
Rahu
It is the North node of the Moon. It is also called a shadow planet in Vedic Astrology. Its symbol is the Head of a snake or demon. Rahu seeks fame and materialistic things. It is also called "Shanivrat Rahu", as it behaves like Saturn. It is very greedy and is never satisfied with anything. It indicates It signifies explosiveness, obsession, freedom, and illusion. It is exalted in Taurus/Gemini signs and debilitated in Scorpio/Sagittarius signs. It is not associated with any sign and behaves like the sign or planet which it occupies.
Ketu
It is the South lunar Node, and its symbol is the tail of a snake or demon. It is also a shadow planet. It has no interest in fame and worldly desires, so its nature is the opposite of Rahu. It’s very spiritual and seeks enlightenment. It is more about detachment from materialistic things. It also signifies intuition, imagination, and transformation. Ketu is associated with Moksha and reflects a person’s past life karmas, Sanchita Karma, etc. Ketu behaves like Mars. It is exalted in Scorpio/Sagittarius signs and debilitated in Taurus/Gemini.
Planets in Astrology influence our lives and actions. Their energies can cause both harmful or beneficial effects on our lives and destinies, depending on their placement in our horoscopes.
Signs in Astrology
There are 12 signs in astrology. Signs and planets have a close relationship, with each zodiac sign having its own planetary ruler. Thus, the planet brings its traits to the sign.
For instance, Venus rules the Taurus sign, and as Venus’ traits are linked to love and relationships, Taurus natives will be sensual and romantic. Signs in astrology are important when reading a kundli.
The 12 Zodiac Signs and The Planets that Rule Them
Aries -Mars
Taurus - Venus
Gemini - Mercury
Cancer- Moon
Leo- Sun
Virgo- Mercury
Libra- Venus
Scorpio- Mars
Sagittarius- Jupiter
Capricorn-Saturn
Aquarius-Saturn
Pisces- Jupiter
Houses in Astrology
The birth chart of a person has 12 houses/Bhavas. Each of them has its own meaning. For example, the 2nd house represents wealth, the 5th house signifies children, the 7th house represents marriage and spouse, etc.
Each house is governed by a zodiac sign. The planets also transit from one house to another throughout one’s life, thereby modifying the aspect (love, education, wealth, career, etc.) of that house during their transit period.
What the Houses Mean:
- First House: House of Self.
- Second House: House of Wealth and Family.
- Third house: House of Siblings and Courage.
- Fourth House: House of Mother and Happiness.
- Fifth House: House of Children and Knowledge.
- Sixth House: House of Enemies, Debts, and Diseases.
- Seventh House: House of Marriage and Partnership.
- Eighth House: House of Longevity.
- Ninth House: House of Luck, Father, and Religion.
- Tenth House: House of Career or Profession.
- Eleventh House: House of Income & Gains.
- Twelfth House: House of Expenses and Losses.
