Ketu in association with Moon can make a person very psychic which can be used to heal others, but

it can also prompt the person to practice dark forces of nature like black magic and other unholy occult practices. It can make a person an extreme paranoid and can even make him a mass murderer (like Hitler) Ketu in association with Mars, will intensify the Martian energy either in positive or in negative ways. This is the most fiery and combustible combination between two planets. In the mundane level it had led to world war in the past. This combination shows that the person had been working with the Martian energy in previous lives. In the positive aspect the person has Martian talent and potential which he must apply in his present life for constructive purposes. It gives piercing instinct and power of intense concentration. The Key characteristic of Mars is logic and that of Ketu is intensity. But usually this is a difficult and challenging combination in the chart. The person experiences an extreme swing between high energy and complete lack of energy. It creates extreme characteristics like intolerance, aggression, vengeance. The person can be both victim of atrocity, torture and other abnormal behaviors or aggressor and torturer himself. The key word of Ketu is unusual and the key word of Mercury is intellect. At the positive level the person can have unusual intellect that of a genius. But at the negative level, the person can suffer from extreme confusion and he can be scattered brain. The combination of Jupiter and Ketu is the most fortunate combination in the chart. It shows good Karma from past lives, the fruits of which will be experienced in this life. Jupiter is the only planet which can control and neutralize the negative aspects of Ketu. The keyword of Jupiter is expansion and that of Ketu is constriction. This can cause a rare balance and harmony in an individuals life. But usually this causes some ups and downs and struggle in a persons life. But if the person has perseverance and patience, this combination will usually ensure success at the end. However some ancient seers consider this combination as an extreme negative combination. According to them instead of Jupiter harmonizing the negative energy of Ketu, It is Ketu which completely negates all Jupiters energy. They belong to the school, which believes Rahu and Ketu are always out and out negative and evil. However it is also possible that Ketu while magnifying the energy of Jupiter , it can cause a persons downfall through over expansion and illusion of grandeur. The combination of Ketu with Venus will certainly create out of ordinary behavior in matters of love, passion, and in relationship. Ketu can refine Venus energy or it can pervert Venusians energy which can lead to abnormal sexual behavior, like homo sexuality and lesbianism. Usually with this combination person can experience great and intense love and passion as well as great disappointments in love and marriage. The combination of Saturn and Ketu is also the most challenging combination between planets. It suggests that the person is bringing deeply ingrained Saturnine detachment and pessimism from past lives which in combination with Ketu in this life gets further intensified and such a person can be innately pessimistic from the very beginning. But if both these planets are working in their highest level of positive qualities, then this

combination can create Saints and prophets as well as great revolutionaries. Prophet Mohammad had this combination in his 10th house Scorpio. Cheguevara had this combination in the Ascendant. I have now come to the end of this article. Today is the mothers day. As we talk about Rahu/Ketu and their lunar nature and their connection with Shakti or cosmic yin forces. I should end this article with prayer for the Divine Mother and pray for her blessings for the entire universe. The world today is suffering from extremes of all forces, it is only the blessings of divine mother can save us from the ultimate catastrophe.

Ketu-shani: Anarchy. Devaluation of bureaucracy and bureaucrats. Disregard for convention. Irrelevancy of the social order. Detachment and disrespect toward the law. Psychically absorptive and sensitive to oppressive and drying forces: delicate bones, skin, nails, hair. Dissatisfied and doubting the importance of one's work. Ambivalence regarding the vocation or profession. Distrust of social hierarchies. Longing to know the rule-driven structure of the universe, to achieve realistic and socially respected goals. Unable to fully connect with a respected social position. Also unable to fully disconnect from a respected social position. Even after death or a public declaration of separation from a leader or a public duty, one longs for fulfillment of a respected place in the world. A longing for the imagined satisfaction of completed union with a fixed and eternal code of human law. Resignation to a separative, psychologically distanced relationship with the boss, and with one's superiors and those in social leadership roles. A deep and ineffable, sense of loss for the "good leader", who seems to have been taken away by circumstances beyond one's control. Cannot sincerely confirm the value of the one's work. Unclear about one's social position. Not tightly identified with the social class of one's birth; does not know one's place. Without intending to, acts in a low-class or

common way. Feels distancing from the people, from the masses, and yet may have a detached capability to interact with the masses. Profound and incurable sense of harsh separation from the Source. Crushing workload, never-ending and undeserved. Social distancing behaviors as a form of survival. Social marginalization due to not adhering to, or never having been educated in, the basic social rules for politeness, obligations, status ranking. Inability to establish personal certainty regarding the portfolio of Shani: Duty and responsibility, adherence to a code of law, structure and rules, time and space, survival and persistence. one may engage in a socially lawful and conformist life indefinitely, driven by a need for security and public approval, without ever achieving a clear public status or a clear personal sense of having satisfied the requirements of the law. There is no natural boundary that says "enough" and therefore this combination may lead to excessive concern with public opinion ; with the letter of the law (not the spirit); and with insistently pushing to establish one's position in a hierarchical social organization ( Tom Cruise). aciturn despite great sensitivity to the plight of mankind. Resents the whole fact of incarnation, despite having chosen the privilege. Anxiety over social injustice. May exhaust oneself in futile attempts to spiritualize "the system" or personally correct social class inequities. Missing basic information about conformity, boundaries, rules. Fabulously good yoga for true mystics who are finished with the cycle of lifetimes of infatuation with material reality. For the less evolved, will signify frustration with their own social marginalization, impotence in fixing the problems to which they are so sensitive, and a lifetime Sisyphus complex caused by wanting to spiritualize a materialistic society. Typically a karaka for "outsider" status, but can be skillfully successful in "fringe" roles if other Graha give ego support.

The Various Navamsa Lagnas

Below is the list for the signs for various Navamsa Lagnas and their corresponding interpretations. You will see many web sites where Lagna of divisional charts was discussed. Yet, most of the informatiom offered is quite useless and confusing. The reason lies in terrible lack of understanding the basics nature of the signs or rashis. My focus here will be on specific signs which will serve the rule of general principle. Navamsa chart- The best lagnas are Karka, Dhanu and Meena for relationships where high level of tolerance, sacrifice and mutual goals with people and associations are achived. However, for marriage, only Karka Lagna in Navamsa chart is favourable. Dhanu Lagna is very unfavourable to marriage particularly if Budha is there, while Atmakaraka in Dhanu navamsa (Particularly if atmakaraka is Budha) can even cause the curse of Dharma and Ishta Devata. The only solution will come from a strong and unafflicted Guru placed in trines to lagna or Karakamsa Lagna. Meena Lagna navamsa or karakamsa have a major failing for marriage. They want to marry Krishna, as it was nicely illustrated in the story of the princess Mina. If Meena is Navamsa Lagna or Karakamsa in a male chart, there can be a lack of progeny, unless there is a nulifying factor. Vrishaba Navamsa Lagna is SUPERB for marriage. There is a high level consciousness about relationships, and if Chandra is well placed a person will handle partners with a great care and conscious efforts. Of course other karakas should not be afflicted Thula Navamsa has a major problem since there will be too much fighting in relationships, particularly if mangal aspects. A person will trully suffer the curse of Subramanya Vrischika navamsa is the worst lagna to rise in Navamsa Chart as far as marriage and dharma is concerned. A person is fully unaware of their destiny and needs of a spouse. Their intelligence has gone in this area. If chandra is there or Budha is there one of them being Atmakaraka, the soul cannot see their destiny and a high level of immorality and corupt character will be there. Mithuna Navamsa is also bad particularly if Shukra is in Lagna in mithuna. A person may remain childless and due to insatiable lust and conflicts, and huge ambition in this area will be cursed by Laksmi Devi. There will be all kinds of financial problems too. Simha NAvamsa is excellent for knowledge and spirituality and Atmakarak there will surely confirm it (in simha rashi). However, for marriage, early widowhood is a threat. Kanya Navamsa is horrible, since even LORD BRAHMA cannot create a partner a person desires. If Shani is there or in trines, a person may remain childless /unmarried. In any case Strong Shani is undesirable or Atmakarak in kanya navamsa (Shani in particular) will have a negative say on persons progeny. Kumba Navamsa is bad for relationship too. A person will terribly lack emotions and will be too punishing. Chandra in Navamsa lagna or in Kumba will specifically mark the same, and

wrong thinking will be there. There own mother will suffer or a person will marry a spouse without a mother or with suffering mother.

Vakri Grahas - Retrograde Planets

Komilla Sutton Planets from the point of view of the earth will slow down and become stationary. Then they appear to move backward in the sky this motion is known as retrograde motion of the planets. This apparent retrograde movement is due to the motion of the earths orbit. The Sun and the Moon never retrograde. Rahu Ketu always move in retrograde motion. Retrograde planets in the natal chart or ephemeris are marked by R or Rx. Mars R or Jupiter Rx both indicates that these planets were retrograde at the time of the chart.

Saturn retrogrades for 140 days and remains stationary 5 day before and after. Jupiter retrogrades 120 days is stationary 5 days before and after. Mars retrogrades for 80 days and is stationary 3 to 4 days before and after. Venus is retrograde for 42 days and is stationary approximately two days before and after. Mercury retrogrades for 24 days and is stationary one day before and after.

Each planet has its own percentage of time when it must retrograde. They are Saturn 36.39%, Jupiter 30.24%, Mercury 19.76%, Mars 9.33% and Venus 7.22%. The Sanskrit name for retrograde planets is known as Vakri. Vakri means twisted, crooked, winding, roundabout, indirect, evasive and ambiguous. Vakra Asana in Yoga twists the body from back to front. Usually this asana are done to strengthen the spine and make them flexible. The potential of the retrograde planets is to be flexible, to twist thing around, to make them unclear, to teach its message in an indirect way, to view life in a different way to others. By doing it correctly they can strengthen themselves and become adaptable, original, innovative and different. On the negative side they can be twisted thinkers, crooked and dishonest. The individual can deal with the quality of their retrograde planets in a positive manner or can use their potential in a totally negative way. The essence is there to do good or bad in the planet but it is up to the individual to use this in the right way. Rahu Ketu are forever moving backwards and this has lead to them being described negatively in the classics. But they also have the potential to view everything in a complete different manner and therefore can be quite innovative and make individual reach heights that they never thought they would conquer, by going against the grain. Rahu Ketu are usually comfortable with their nature as they only travel the retrograde way. Sun and Moon always go direct so it is only the five other planets, which are used to going direct usually that can turn retrograde.

The five planets Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn express the practical reality of our life. They are the planets that form the Pancha Mahapurusha Yoga that bestows greatness on earth. The rule the Pancha Mahabhutas, the five primary elements that influence our physical body but also sheath the eternal consciousness. These elements control our organs of desires, emotions and senses. They can keep us grounded in gross reality but if we start to use their energy spiritually they become infused with a different power.

The lunar days (tithis) of both the bright and dark half of the month are below:

Bhuta Aakash Vayu Tejas Apas Prithvi

Element Ether Air Fire Water Earth

Planet Jupiter Saturn, Rahu Mars, Sun, Ketu Venus, Moon Mercury

The Bhuta also rule the Chakras, the subtle body. Chakras influence our senses. The fulfillment of the sensuous nature keeps the individual tied to the cycle of happiness and unhappiness. The more we allow the sense to rule us, the more the doors to our astral self remain shut. Understanding and controlling the senses will give indication of whether we are able to open the gates to the higher self.

Chakra

Tattva Element

Graha Planet Jupiter Saturn, Rahu Mars, Sun, Ketu Venus, Moon

Indriyan Sense Hearing Touch Sight Taste

Jnanendryan Sense Organ Ear Skin Eyes Tongue

Karmendriyan Work Organ Mouth (speech) Hands Feet & Legs Genitals

Vishuddhi Anahata Manipura Swadhisthana

Aakash Vayu Tejas Apas

Muladhara

Prithvi

Mercury

Smell

Nose

Anus

Retrograde planets influence the primary structure of the human consciousness and its relationship with its human life. By blocking the chakras and the complicating the Pancha Mahabhutas, they create disconnection and imbalances, inability to control the senses. An individual has to understand their retrograde planets and nurture them to bring back the harmony. Vedic Astrology classics say that retrograde planets are strong. The quality of the planet changes when it turns retrograde. Retrograde planets are closest to earth; therefore their impact on the individual is the strongest. Strong to do what? Two influences of retrograde planets need to be taken into account their affect in the natal chart and by transit. The individual with retrograde planets does not always know how to control its energy. Therefore they struggle to express the planets qualities - over-emphasizing them or being in denial of their positive qualities or misusing their power. Knowing how to deal with the retrograde in the natal chart is the key. Retrogrades by transit can influence everyone whether we have them in our chart or not. A straight thinking person can suddenly change their ways under the influence of retrograde Mercury. So we all have to learn to cope with the retrograde transit and be aware of them annually. A planet in debilitation if retrograde acts like an exalted one and an exalted planet like a debilitated one. The reason: debilitated planets have the potential to be unethical and negative, when they twist around, they start behaving in the opposite manner. Whereas an exalted planet is a good guy, when he gets twisted he inherits the potential do bad. The benefics who are usually the positive influences can become ambiguous, non-spiritual, disobedient by being retrograde whereas the malefic can definitely become more negative due to their retrogression. Controlling the malefics in Vakri is a lot more difficult. The main aspect I have noticed about retrogrades is that they do not follow tradition and in the ancient times when astrology was written, those who did not follow tradition were considered bad and unethical. Whereas now, we honour those who go outside the box, who are nontraditionalists. So the influence of retrogrades has to be thought from the point of view of the society we live in. Also we must celebrate their potential to be original, different (according to their karakas) and at the same time try to control their negative aspects. Also dont forget the houses the retrograde planets rule. Retrograde planet dasha can bring about health issues; they also can bring diminishing returns. The start of the dasha may appear very good, but the quality of the dasha can reduce as it progresses. Natal planets in Retrograde Mars retrogrades once in two years. Retrograde Mars in natal chart can bring out power issues, how to deal with conflict and aggression and anger. As Mars has male energy, its

retrogression can create problems with how you deal with maleness within. It is often seen in charts of females who have problems with their sexuality- they can be overtly aggressive or completely suppress their masculine side whereby creating imbalance in personality. Men have to watch they do not become too aggressive and angry. As Mars is about power, its retrogressions give a lot of power yet the individual does not understand their own power and how to use it properly. This can lead to its misuse. Mars rules Agni (fire) element so its retrogression can create too much fire or complete exhaustion. They have to watch their metabolism. It can get speeded up or be totally dull. The chakra is Manipura, which deal with balance, vision and energy. Retrograde Mars will block the way this chakra works and create problems on a subtle level. Mars deals with logic and here the logic can get skewered or twisted. It can also make a person whose logic is unconventional but at the same time very powerful and they can reach places where others cannot as they have the ability to see things from backward to forward. Mercury retrograde promotes either a person talking too much or not at all. Mercury is the karaka of speech and intellect. Their thinking can also be different. They may be very bright thinkers, but not know how to express that or drive other crazy with their ideas, thinking they are the only ones who are the intelligent ones. Mercurys combustion can create more problems. Mercury travels close to the Sun and it is most likely to be combust. Combust and retrograde can make a person very prone to burn out and also unsure of how to deal with their Mercury. Not an easy situation to be in. Mercury rules the prithvi (earth) bhuta. Prithvi deals with practical and stable. Prithvi also controls the Muladhara chakra. Mercury retrograde can make someone impractical and they are more likely to make their position unstable than those whose Mercury is direct. Retrograde Mercury would show some blocks to the Muladhara chakra. Jupiter is the guru or the teacher. Jupiter retrograde usually never knows when to stop giving advice. They can be very knowledgeable yet they do not know how to use this knowledge in the right way. They can also mistrust their own wisdom. On a positive level they can give look at issues with a very different viewpoint. They will also give advice that is unconventional and different. As Jupiter is the karaka of children, it can show children who are different. The classics say that if Jupiter is retrograde, it will definitely give children despite what else is promised otherwise in the chart. This aspect does not always pan out but we can research it further. Jupiter as a karaka of husbands in a female chart will give a husband who is different. On an extreme negative level, they can bring twisted thinking into the relationship. Jupiter rules the Aakash element. Aakash deals with the knowledge, wisdom, our ability to purify, to repel the negative forces. Jupiter being retrograde weakens the ability to use this tattva. Vishuddhi chakra will become blocked and this make us feel unprotected and make some wrong choices. Vishuddhi also purifies the poisons; here the poisons of the mind do not always get the right filter. So we do not know how to stop them from polluting our life. Venus is the karaka for marriage. It being retrograde does make us choose unusual alliances. We may have an unconventional view of them or when in marriage or relationship do not

know how to express our love well. Venus also deals with femininity and women with Venus retrograde do not always understand how to be truly feminine. They can become overtly masculine or forget to dress feminine and be feminine. We see this often in male homosexual charts as they want something different from their relationships and their concept of the women in their life is different. Venus rules Apas, the water element. The human body is composed of over 85% water. Water deals with emotions, taste, happiness and peace. Retrograde Venus can create problems with all these. The Swadhisthana chakra is also blocked. Saturn retrograde usually do not know when to stop working. Or they may not like work at all. As Saturn is the karaka of misery, it is important that one must not give into a negative attitude to life and embrace depression as a habit. Saturn is usually depicted as the poor man. The poor are usually hungry - for food, for material goods, for good things in life. Saturn retrogression can make individuals hungry with desire, wanting more and more even when the hunger has been appeased and they may be materially very well off. They need to watch for greed. Saturn rules Vayu ement. Vayu is air and Vayu needs to be used constructively otherwise it can become unnecessarily destructive. Retrogrades do not know how to use their energy so if they do not take care, Saturn can become destructive force for them. Anahata chakra teaches dispassion and detachment. When this chakra is blocked by retrogression then they can find it difficult to detach. Rahu Ketu are forever retrograde and you can read about them in the Rahu Ketu article on the website or my book Lunar Nodes- Crisis and Redemption. click for rahu ketu article Retrogrades and Stationary Motions Even if you do not have natal planets in retrograde, you can experience them during their retrograde transit. They can temporarily block the elements and create problems in the subconscious if we are not aware of them. The two most difficult retrogrades are Mercury and Saturn. Mercury as it happens so often and Saturn as it can transit over one point of the chart again and again; and create lots of problems. It is important to know retrogression of planets in a given year. The retrograde motion of your dasha ruler can change the direction of events. Retrogrades indicate a concentration of energy in the part of the zodiac where they are active. If you have planets in that area then they will have major impact. Retrogrades make life appear to be stuck in limbo, neither moving forward or backward. Saturn and Jupiter retrograde once a year and Mars and Venus one every two years. Mercury retrogrades at least three times a year. Retrograde Planets in Transit While analysing the transit effect of the retrograde planets remember the following: 1. Always be aware of Mercury retrograde. They are stress points in the year. Mercury retrograde creates communication problems and makes life uncomfortable. Stress, arguments, delayed journeys - all can make life troublesome during the Mercury

retrograde. So do problems with computers, Internet, and other technologies. Double check all appointments, travel programme and journeys- remember not to stop your life. Decisions made during Mercury retrograde can be changed after it goes direct. Stress levels can climb sky high. Arguments can result from crossed wires. Mercury retrogrades at least 3 times a year so its awareness has a huge say in the quality of your life. Gemini and Virgo need to be doubly conscious, it will make their life a lot easier. 2006 retrogrades for Mercury are from 4 to 27 July 2006 and 28 October to 18th November 2006. 2. When planets retrograde over the gandanta points. Saturn will transit the gandanta point between Cancer and Capricorn from 22 October 2006 to 17 November 2006, and then it will station near the gandanta point at 107 Leo on 7 December 2006. It will again retrograde back on the Gandanta degrees from 25 December 2006 to 22 January 2007 and the last time for 9 July to 22 July 2007. This shows Saturn in a very unstable situation. From October 2006 to January 2007 it will bring instability in the world. We need to watch this time for an unstable property market, political upheaval and major changes in the world order. If natal planets are placed in those degrees, there can be added pressures on them. 3. The stationary points of Saturn- before and after retrogression. Does it effect any of your planets? If a natal planet is on the same degree as Saturn stations, then you can expect that to be a major issue to contend with. This becomes even more important during difficult Saturn transits like Sade Sati, which is itself a troublesome transit. Saturn stationing over the exact degree of the Moon will bring untold mental stress. The house rulership and placement of the Moon will show where the problem is about. Also Saturn can transit over the same point three times, which concentrates the energy of its difficult influence. 4. The stationary points of Jupiter. This can positively enhance good qualities. It can make people think in wrong ways. Or encourage the possibility of getting wrong advice. Traditionally in India, marriage, auspicious events and new ventures are not planned when Jupiter is retrograde. 5. The stationary points of Mars. This can lead to war or aggressive tendencies. Mars retrograde can increase stubbornness and can herald a time for war. The Kosovo War March 1999 began with the station and retrogression of Mars and ended when Mars went forward. 6. 7. The impact on dasha, antar and prayantara dasha rulers. Past issues can become dominant. There can be a change in the direction of life. When your Lagna ruler retrogrades, it will have a major impact on your inner self. Venus retrograde indicates a focus on past relationships. Venus brings problems with relationships. It is not a good time to marry. 8. If there are other difficult aspects accompany the stations. In November 2004, Saturn retrograded at the time it was in an exact 4 - 10 aspect with Mars and a major train accident took place in UK. In October 2005, Mars retrogrades (1st October) around the

time of a solar eclipse (3rd October); there was the Pakistan earthquake. Two aspects creating a powerful synergy. Komila Sutton