t's a great advantage, while studying Vedic astrology, to look at a wide variety of charts, particularly the charts of celebrities

whose character traits and life details are well known. In the process, however, you'll often find charts that have perplexing combinations that make you scratch your head and wonder how that could be possible. The following Vedic astrology chart of Kobe Bryant is a chart like this. You'll notice that Saturn is conjunct the Sun within 4 degrees. This combination is often seen in people with low self-confidence, or who have health problems and low vitality. But Kobe Bryant, the Los Angeles Lakers NBA all-star, doesn't fit these qualities. In fact, you'd expect to see the opposite - someone with an extremely strong Sun without malefic aspects like from Saturn. After all, Saturn and the Sun are bitter enemies, and constricts the natural radiance and vitality of the Sun.

Kobe Bryant's Natal Chart However, there's a catch. Notice what sign the Sun is in. It's in Leo, the sign that it rules. Leo is a royal and dominate sign and one of the best signs for competitive athletes. The Sun is therefore very strong by sign position, and is also within itsmulatrikona degrees, 0-20 degrees, further strengthening it. Since, we don't have an accurate birth time for Bryant, and are just arbitrarily using 12:00 noon, the next best ascendant to read the chart from is from the Moon or chandra lagna. Notice how from the Moon, the Sun also becomes the benefic 5th lord. From chandra lagna its conjunction with Saturn becomes a raja yoga

between the 5th and 10th lords, giving rise and prominence in his career. When a planet is strong by sign position, as in the case with Bryant's Sun, it generally manifests the positive qualities of the planet. Saturn's conjunction, therefore, represents something different. Kobe Bryant's high school coach, Gregg Downer, said, "Kobe's blessed with a lot of natural ability and great genes, but the work ethic is his and it's very strong. Kobe has the skills and the maturity and everything you could want." Saturn conjunct the Sun gives a strong work ethic, discipline, perseverance, and maturity. In my opinion, it's because of Saturn's qualities that he was able to became the first player to enter the pro league right out of high school. He not only survived, but he thrived. He became the youngest player to start in the NBA All-Star Game (19 years, 175 days). Bryant's philosophy for success (in basketball and life) is impressive: "You have to work hard. You have to continue to stay aggressive, regardless of what people say and do. You have to continue to be yourself." This quote shows the power to persevere that Saturn gives, even when the going's hard. Other qualities that Saturn conjunct the Sun often represent are shyness and reserve. According to Newsweek, "Bryant says he doesn't have a single close friend on the team or in the city."Bryant is often described as a loner. Some people refer to his loner status both on and off the court as a singularity of focus and note his ability to concentrate. He's also been derided as a selfish player who hogs the ball. Selfishness, isolation, as well as concentration and focus are also qualities that often manifest with Saturn Sun conjunctions. However your view of Kobe Bryant, no one can deny that every year he seems to improve and the old definitions of him as a selfish player etc. seem to fall away. Former Philadelphia 76ers coach, Larry Brown, said about Bryant, "Kobe's a model of what a young player should aspire to be. Year by year he has learned and made his game more solid, and now he's not just a highlight-film guy but an accomplished NBA player." Kobe Bryant's chart shows the many positive qualities that Saturn conjunct the Sun will likely give, especially when the Sun is strong by sign position.