Forming Aspects in Eastern Charts
Aspects in Eastern charts are different than the aspects generally used in Western astrology. For one thing in Vedic astrology both signs and planets make aspects. Planetary aspects are called graha drishti and sign aspects are called rasi drishti.
Let's deal first with planetary aspects or Graha drishti. Graha means ‘the power to grab' hence, the planets have the power to grab us and influence our lives. Throughout this article the western names of the planets will be used, however the Sanskrit transliteration for each planet will be in brackets. Although it is not initially necessary for a student to learn the Sanskrit names of the planets or anything else, doing so is wise.
Planetary Aspects (Graha drishti)
Planetary aspects (graha drishti) show the existence of a desire. The rules around these aspects are: every planet aspects the house it is in and the house directly opposite it. (These are the general aspects)
Three planets have special aspects and these planets are Mars (Kuja), Jupiter (Guru), Saturn (Sani), North Node (Rahu) and South Node (Ketu). As the special aspects are described remember that the house the planet is sitting in is always counted as the 1st house.
Mars (Kuja) has the general aspects plus it aspects the 4th house from it and the 8th house from it. So it can be said that Mars (Kuja) aspects 4 places: the house it is in, the 4th from it, the 7th and 8th from it also.
Jupiter (Guru) has the general aspects plus it aspects the 5th and 9th houses from it. Therefore Jupiter (Guru) too aspects 4 places, the house it is in, the 5th from it, the 7th and 9th from it also.
Saturn (Sani) has the general aspects plus it aspects the 3rd and 10th from it as well.
North Node (Rahu) makes the same aspects as Saturn (Sani) and the South Node (Ketu) makes the same aspects as Mars (Kuja).
Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words - the special and general aspects of Jupiter are shown with the purple lines. The Green lines leaving from Saturn show Saturn's special and general aspects. The red lines show the special and general Aspects of Mars.
Now it is easier to note that Mars is in the same house as the Ascendant and makes an aspect to the 1st house, to Jupiter and its house, Jupiter also makes an aspect to ASC and Mars. All three aspect the ASC. Mars and Saturn aspect the 4th house where we find the Moon.
So get out your crayons and play with this chart type.
Sign Aspects (Rasi Drishti)
This unique type of aspecting has been well represented with the authoritative writings on which Jyotish is based. The sign aspects (rasi drishti) show knowledge. The rules for sign aspects (rasi drishti) are as follows:
Cardinal signs aspect fixed signs, except the fixed sign next to it.
Aries aspects Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius
Cancer aspects Scorpio, Aquarius and Taurus
Libra aspects Aquarius, Taurus and Leo
Capricorn aspects Taurus, Leo and Scorpio.
Fixed signs aspect the cardinal signs except the cardinal sign next to it.
Taurus aspects Capricorn, Libra, and Cancer
Leo aspects Aries, Capricorn and Libra
Scorpio aspects Cancer, Aries and Capricorn
Aquarius aspects Libra, Cancer and Aries
Mutable signs aspect the other mutable signs.
Gemini aspects Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces
Virgo aspects Gemini, Pisces and Sagittarius
Sagittarius aspects Pisces, Gemini and Virgo
Pisces aspect Sagittarius, Virgo and Gemini
When looking at sign aspects (rasi drishti) any planets in the signs naturally are included in the aspects.
© Phyllis Chubb, M.A., C.A.P. 2001-2002
Phyllis teaches on the web through Dirah Academy, and you can e-mail Phyllis by clicking on her name.
