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In short: Jaimini astrology uses sign aspects (rāśi dṛṣṭi) instead of, or alongside, planetary aspects. The rule is simple: each movable sign aspects the three fixed signs except the one next to it; each fixed sign aspects the three movable signs except the one next to it; and each dual sign aspects the other three dual signs. A planet in a sign aspects whatever that sign aspects, and the aspect is mutual. It is the aspect system used with arudhas, the Upapada, chara karakas and chara dasha.
The rule
The opening sutras of Jaimini's Upadesha Sutras state the sign aspects in a few words. Unpacked:
- Movable signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn) aspect the fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius) — except the fixed sign adjacent to them.
- Fixed signs aspect the movable signs, except the adjacent one.
- Dual signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces) aspect each other.
Because every aspect is mutual, if Aries aspects Leo, Leo aspects Aries.
The full table
| Sign | Aspects |
|---|---|
| Aries | Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius |
| Taurus | Cancer, Libra, Capricorn |
| Gemini | Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces |
| Cancer | Taurus, Scorpio, Aquarius |
| Leo | Aries, Libra, Capricorn |
| Virgo | Gemini, Sagittarius, Pisces |
| Libra | Taurus, Leo, Aquarius |
| Scorpio | Aries, Cancer, Capricorn |
| Sagittarius | Gemini, Virgo, Pisces |
| Capricorn | Taurus, Leo, Scorpio |
| Aquarius | Aries, Cancer, Libra |
| Pisces | Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius |
Example. Aries is movable; the fixed signs are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius; Taurus is next to Aries, so Aries aspects Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. A planet in Aries therefore aspects any planet in those three signs, and is aspected by them.
How it differs from planetary aspects
| Graha drishti (Parashari) | Rashi drishti (Jaimini) | |
|---|---|---|
| Who aspects | planets | signs (and all planets in them) |
| Depends on the planet? | yes (special aspects of Mars, Jupiter, Saturn) | no |
| Mutual? | not always | always |
| Typical use | house and planet analysis, yogas | arudhas, Upapada, karakas, chara dasha |
Each system is internally consistent; mixing them without saying so causes confusion. When an astrologer says "Jupiter aspects your Upapada", ask which aspect system they mean.
Where it is used
- Arudha padas and the Upapada lagna. Planets aspecting the UL or the 2nd from it are judged by sign aspect.
- The chara karakas. The relationship between the Atmakaraka, the Amatyakaraka and the Darakaraka is often judged by sign aspect.
- Chara dasha. The sign-based dasha of Jaimini reads periods through signs aspecting one another.
- Raja yogas in Jaimini. Combinations of the Atmakaraka and Amatyakaraka by conjunction or sign aspect.
Is it used by Parashari astrologers?
BPHS (ch. 26) mentions sign aspects alongside planetary aspects, and some Parashari astrologers use both. Most, however, use graha drishti for house analysis and keep rashi drishti for Jaimini techniques.
FAQ
Why don't adjacent signs aspect each other? The sutras state the exception without explanation. One common reading is that neighbouring signs are too close to "see" each other, as in the Hellenistic idea that adjacent signs are "averse".
Does rashi drishti have degrees of strength? Generally no; it is a full, mutual aspect.
Can I use rashi drishti with Western charts? It is a sidereal, sign-based technique. Applying it to tropical signs would give different results; it is best kept within Jyotish.
Sources
- Jaimini Upadesha Sutras, adhyaya 1, pada 1 (rashi drishti)
- Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, ch. 26 (aspects of signs alongside planetary aspects) (Santhanam)
Written by Sunyra Editorial. Astrology is a tradition of interpretation; read this as guidance, not a forecast. Disclaimer.
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