Planets and Houses | Rahu and Ketu | Zodiac Signs and Houses

About Planets and Houses:

About Planets:

In Hindu astrology there are 9 planets or Grahas. These include Rahu and Ketu, which are astronomical points formed where the orbit of the moons intersects the apparent path of the Sun around the Earth. Each planet is considered to have masculine, feminine or neutral characteristics.

Planets and their equivalents in English:

Rahu and Ketu:

The apparent trajectory of the moons crosses the ecliptic obliquely at two points called nodes. The point where the Moon crosses the ecliptic from south to north is called the ascending node or Rahu, where it crosses the ecliptic from north to south is called the descending node or Ketu. These two points are 180 degrees apart and their movement is constantly retrograde, that is to say against the normal direction of movement of the planets. Rahu and Ketu have a special status and are considered to be planets in astrology. It takes approximately 18 years and 10 days for Rahu and Ketu to complete a zodiac tour.

Zodiac:

The zodiac is an band 18 degree wide and is positioned obliquely to the equator. This band can be imagined running around the earth in an east-west direction. Star clusters can be located along this imaginary belt. This belt is divided into twelve equal parts called Rasi. It is also divided into 27 parts and each part is named after a star or group of stars located in the division.

Houses:

When a zodiac is divided into twelve equal parts, each of those parts has a 30 degree arc extension. Such a division is called a sign or Rasi.

12 Houses of Rasi’s:

Lords of Houses:

Each Rasi has a planet asigned as Lord of the House.

Exalted Houses of the Planets:

Each planet has a point in the zodiac where it reaches its maximum strength. The houses where they have the most strength are called the houses of exaltation.

Planets and their exalted houses (Uchacha):

Debilitated Houses of Planets:

Each planet has a point of the zodiac where it has the least force. The houses where the planets have the least strength are called weakening houses.

Planetary Relationship:

Each planet considers another planet as friend, enemy or equal. Some relationships are not mutual, for example, while one planet regards another as a friend, the second planet in turn may not see the first as a friend. Mercury and the Moon are best examples.

Planets and Gem Stones:

Each planet has an associated gemstone. The nine stones corresponding to the nine planets are called the Navaratna group of stones.

Planets Their Colours:

Periods of Stay of Each Planet in each Sign:

Planets and its Elements:

House Type:

Natural Benefics: Jupiter, Mercury, Venus and Waxing Moon.
Natural Malefics: Saturni, Mars, Rahu, Ketu and Sun.

Characteristics Associated with Planets:

Planets are associated with color, metal, elements, grains, seasons etc. Also they are believed to belong to certain caste and sex. These characteristics and associations are given in a table below.