Basics Astrology

Grahas (planets)
The words planet and star are used in a slightly different sense in astrology than in astronomy. For example, Sun (a star) and Moon (a satellite of earth) are called planets in astrology, along with Mars etc. Basically, a graha or a planet is a body that has considerable influence on the living beings on earth. Distant stars have negligible influence on us, but Sun, Moon and planets in the solar system have a great influence on our activities. So the word graha (or planet) is used to describe them. Seven planets are considered in Indian astrology. They are Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn. In addition, two chaayaa grahas (shadow planets) are considered in Indian astrology Rahu and Ketu. These are also called the north node and the south node respectively (or the head and tail of dragon). Rahu and Ketu are not real planets; they are just some mathematical points. Apart from these 9 planets, there are 11 moving mathematical points known as Upagrahas (sub-planets or satellites). We also have lagna (ascendant), which is the point that rises on the eastern horizon as the earth rotates around itself. In addition, we have some mathematical points known as special ascendants"

Nakshatras (constellations)
In Vedic astrology, the zodiac is divided into 27 nakshatras. Each nakshatra has a length of 360/27 = 13 20'. The first nakshatra, for example, stretches from the beginning of Aries to 13 20' in Aries. The second nakshatra stretches from there to 26 40' in Aries. The third nakshatra stretches from there to 10 in Taurus. The list of nakshatras with the respective starting and ending points is given in Table 2. The table also gives the Vimsottari lords of all nakshatras. This will be used later. Each nakshatra is again divided into 4 quarters. They are called padas (legs/feet). The length of a nakshatra pada is 3 20'.

Nakshatras Name of Nakshatra Starts at Ends at Vimsottari Lord Ruling Deity

Aswini 00 Ar 00 13 Ar 20 Ketu Aswini Kumara Bharani 13 Ar 20 26 Ar 40 Venus Yama Krittika 26 Ar 40 10 Ta 00 Sun Agni Rohini 10 Ta 00 23 Ta 20 Moon Bramha Mrigasira 23 Ta 20 6 Ge 40 Mars Moon Aardra 6 Ge 40 20 Ge 00 Rahu Shiva Punarvasu 20 Ge 00 03 Cn 20 Jupiter Aditi Pushyami 03 Cn 20 16 Cn 40 Saturn Jupiter Aasresha 16 Cn 40 30 Cn 00 Mercury Rahu

Makha 00 Le 00 13 Le 20 Ketu Sun Poorva Phalguni 13 Le 20 26 Le 40 Venus Aryaman Uttara Phalguni 26 Le 40 10 Vi 00 Sun Sun Hasta 10 Vi 00 23 Vi 20 Moon Viswakarma Chitra 23 Vi 20 6 Li 40 Mars Vaayu Swaati 6 Li 40 20 Li 00 Rahu Indra Visaakha 20 Li 00 03 Sc 20 Jupiter Mitra Anooraadha 03 Sc 20 16 Sc 40 Saturn Indra Jyeshtha 16 Sc 40 30 Sc 00 Mercury Nirriti Moola 00 Sg 00 13 Sg 20 Ketu Varuna Poorvaashaadha 13 Sg 20 26 Sg 40 Venus Viswadeva Uttaraashaadha 26 Sg 40 10 Cp 00 Sun Brahma Sravanam 10 Cp 00 23 Cp 20 Moon Vishnu Dhanishtha 23 Cp 20 6 Aq 40 Mars Vasu Satabhishak 6 Aq 40 20 Aq 00 Rahu Varuna Poorvaabhaadra 20 Aq 00 03 Pi 20 Jupiter Ajacharana Uttaraabhaadra 03 Pi 20 16 Pi 40 Saturn Ahirbudhanya Revati 16 Pi 40 30 Pi 00 Mercury Pooshan. For the purpose of some special charts like Kota Chakra and Sarvatobhadra Chakra, we consider 28 nakshatras. The last quarter of Uttarashadha is known as Abhijit. However, we consider 27 nakshatras for all other purposes.

Rasis and Directions

(1) (2) (3) (4) Ar, Le and Sg show east. Ta, Vi and Cp show south. Ge, Li and Aq show west. Cn, Sc and Pi show north.

Rasis and Colors

Ar shows blood-red color. Ta shows white. Ge shows grass green. Cn shows pale red. Le shows white. Virgo is variegated. Libra shows black. Scorpio shows reddish brown. Sagittarius shows the color of the husk of grass. Capricorn is variegated. Aquarius shows brown color (that of a mongoose). Pisces shows cream color or the the color of fish.

Planetary Cabinet
Sun and Moon are kings. Mars is the leader (army chief). Mercury is the prince. Jupiter and Venus are the ministers. Saturn is the servant. Rahu and Ketu form the army.