The Sun

Surya - Sun

Indian astrology (jyotisha) is entirely dependent on understanding the nine planets (yes, we consider nine and not seven). Which nine? Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, and the two shadow planets or nodes - Rahu and Ketu.

The best way to understand these planets is by understanding their properties.

We will putting up separate blogs for each planet, starting with the Sun.

• English Name: Sun
• Sanskrit Name: Surya
• Significance: Ruler, King, Authorities
• Represents: Father, Essence and Soul
• Nature: Malefic
• Colour: Red
• Metal: Copper
• Stone: Ruby
• Rulership: Leo
• Exaltation: Aries
• Debilitation: Libra
• Dasha: 6 years

Each of the above properties have relevance when interpreting the horscope.

The significance of the Sun is with respect to ruler, King and authorities. This indicates that if the Sun is well placed in the horoscope, the rulers of the land or the King as well as the authorities will be favourable to the native (person whose horoscope is being read). Opposite is true in case the Sun is not well placed.

Sun represents the father, essence and soul. This indicates how the native's father or any fatherly figure wiil behave towards the native. It also indicates the superficiality or otherwise as well as the spiritual development of the native.

Sun is considered to be a malefic planet. It is supposed to be cruel in nature. A malefic planet, when well-placed, is likely to do good things to the native while a malefic planet which is badly placed is likely to have severe bad effects on the native.

The colour profile of a planet helps in appeasing the planet. If the planet is not favourable to the native, it is suggested that the native should donate clothes of that colour or give foodgrain (in this case, wheat) as donation. This is likely to reduce the malefic effects of the planet.

Similarly, the metal and stone specific to a planet is helpful for reducing the malefic effects of a planet. However, it is important to note that the weight of the metal and carats of the stone as well the type of article (earrings, ring, bangle etc.) to be worn vary as per each person's requirements and horoscope. The horoscope must be studied in depth before the stone or metal is used. If the wrong weight or carat of stone is used, it can have a detrimental effect.

Sun is the ruler of the sign - Leo. How does this aspect of the Sun make a difference? It depends on the placement of the Sun in the horoscope. If the Sun is itself in Leo, being its own sign, it has a very good effect on the native. If the Sun is watching its own sign, Leo, it gives some benefits. Depending on who is occupying the sign and who is aspecting it, the predictions with respect to the sun may change.

The other two major points to be kept in mind are: Exaltation and Debilitation.

The sign in which Sun is exalted is Aries and it is debilitated in Libra. The degree at which the Sun is placed in the horoscope in Aries or Libra, indicates whether it is deeply exalted or deeply debilitated. Based on this, the degree of the effect of such placement can be predicted.

There are different dasha systems in Indian asstrology. We are using the Vimshottari system. In the Vimshottari Dasha system, the Sun has a dasha period of 6 years. If it is the Sun's Dasha for the native, depending on the placement of the Sun, aspects, and all the properties stated above, the native's prospects can be predicted with a fair degree of accuracy.

The interpretation of a horoscope and the remedies suggested varies widely depending on the placement of the planet in the native's horsocope. The properties of each planet needs to be kept in mind and the horoscope must be studied keeping all planets and their properties in mind.