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In short: In Parashari astrology a planet's aspect (dṛṣṭi, "sight") is counted by sign. Every planet fully aspects the 7th sign from itself. Three have extra full aspects: Mars the 4th and 8th, Jupiter the 5th and 9th, and Saturn the 3rd and 10th. BPHS also describes partial aspects — a quarter, half or three-quarters strength — that most modern astrologers ignore. Whether Rahu and Ketu aspect, and how, is disputed.
What an aspect is in Jyotish
A planet influences the house it occupies and the houses it "looks at". Unlike Western aspects, which are measured as exact angles with an orb, the classical Parashari aspect is counted in whole signs: a planet in Aries aspects Libra (the 7th sign), whatever the degrees. Some astrologers also weigh how close the degrees are, but the sign count defines the aspect.
Aspects are one of the main ways planets relate in Parashari astrology, alongside conjunction (same sign) and exchange of signs. A yoga often requires two planets to be "related" in one of these ways.
The full aspects
| Planet | Full aspects (counting its own sign as 1) |
|---|---|
| Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus | 7th |
| Mars | 4th, 7th, 8th |
| Jupiter | 5th, 7th, 9th |
| Saturn | 3rd, 7th, 10th |
| Rahu, Ketu | disputed (see below) |
Example. Saturn in Cancer aspects Virgo (3rd), Capricorn (7th) and Aries (10th). Jupiter in Leo aspects Sagittarius (5th), Aquarius (7th) and Aries (9th). So Aries in that chart receives the aspects of both Saturn and Jupiter.
Each special aspect has its own page: Mars, Jupiter and Saturn.
Partial aspects in BPHS
BPHS (ch. 26 in Santhanam's numbering) gives every planet graded aspects on other houses:
| Houses from the planet | Strength |
|---|---|
| 3rd and 10th | one quarter |
| 5th and 9th | one half |
| 4th and 8th | three quarters |
| 7th | full |
The special aspects are then explained as the cases in which Mars, Jupiter and Saturn see a particular pair fully: Saturn the 3rd and 10th, Jupiter the 5th and 9th, Mars the 4th and 8th. In practice almost all modern astrologers use only the full aspects; the graded scheme survives in the calculation of shadbala (planetary strength), where aspects add or subtract strength by degree.
Do Rahu and Ketu aspect?
The classical texts are not unanimous:
- Many modern Parashari astrologers give Rahu the 5th, 7th and 9th aspects (like Jupiter), and some give Ketu the same.
- Others give the nodes only the 7th, or no aspects at all, since they are shadow points rather than bodies.
- Some verses in BPHS editions mention Rahu's aspects; their authenticity is debated.
Sunyra's kundli reading does not use node aspects in its house analysis, and says so. When an astrologer uses them, it is fair to ask which convention.
How aspects are read
- Benefic aspects (Jupiter, Venus, a strong Mercury, a waxing Moon) are read as protecting and supporting the house and planets aspected. Jupiter's aspect is the most valued in the tradition.
- Malefic aspects (Saturn, Mars, the Sun, Rahu) are read as adding pressure, effort or intensity — not necessarily harm. Malefics aspecting the 3rd, 6th, 10th and 11th (the upachaya houses) are often read positively.
- Functional nature matters as much as natural nature. Saturn is the best planet (yogakaraka) for Taurus and Libra ascendants, so its aspect there is read very differently from its aspect for, say, a Cancer ascendant.
- Mutual aspect — two planets aspecting each other — creates a relationship as strong as a conjunction for many yogas.
Aspects and the Western tradition
Western astrology measures aspects by exact angle with orbs (see Western aspects explained). The Hellenistic astrologers whose work underlies Western practice also counted aspects by whole sign — the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 9th, 10th and 11th signs "witness" each other — which is closer to the Jyotish method than modern Western practice is. The special aspects of Mars, Jupiter and Saturn, however, are distinctively Indian.
FAQ
Do aspects work backwards? No. Aspects are counted forward through the zodiac from the aspecting planet. Saturn's 3rd aspect falls on the sign two places ahead, not behind.
Is an aspect as strong as a conjunction? For most purposes a full aspect counts as a relationship, and mutual aspect is often treated like conjunction in yoga rules.
Do aspects depend on degrees? In the Parashari scheme they are counted by sign. Many astrologers add that an aspect is felt most strongly when the degrees are close.
Does the Moon's aspect matter? Yes. Every planet, including the Moon, aspects the 7th sign from itself.
Sources
- Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, ch. 26 (aspects of the planets) (Santhanam)
- Brihat Jataka of Varahamihira, ch. 2 (planetary aspects)
- Phaladeepika of Mantreswara, ch. 2
Written by Sunyra Editorial. Astrology is a tradition of interpretation; read this as guidance, not a forecast. Disclaimer.
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