The nine planets in Vedic astrology (Navagraha)
Vedic astrology uses nine grahas: the Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn, plus the lunar nodes Rahu and Ketu. Each graha has traditional themes, signs it rules, a sign where it is exalted and a sign where it is debilitated.
The nine at a glance
| Graha | Traditional theme | Rules | Exalted in | Debilitated in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun (Surya) | Self, vitality, authority | Leo | Aries | Libra |
| Moon (Chandra) | Mind, emotions, comfort | Cancer | Taurus | Scorpio |
| Mars (Mangala) | Energy, drive, courage | Aries, Scorpio | Capricorn | Cancer |
| Mercury (Budha) | Speech, learning, trade | Gemini, Virgo | Virgo | Pisces |
| Jupiter (Guru) | Wisdom, growth, teachers | Sagittarius, Pisces | Cancer | Capricorn |
| Venus (Shukra) | Relationships, art, pleasure | Taurus, Libra | Pisces | Virgo |
| Saturn (Shani) | Discipline, time, duty | Capricorn, Aquarius | Libra | Aries |
| Rahu | Ambition, restlessness, the unusual | No sign (shadow node) | Taurus by some schools | Scorpio by some schools |
| Ketu | Detachment, insight, letting go | No sign (shadow node) | Scorpio by some schools | Taurus by some schools |
Rahu and Ketu
Rahu and Ketu are not bodies. They are the two points where the Moon's orbit crosses the Sun's path, always exactly opposite each other, and they always move backwards through the zodiac. Eclipses happen near them. Vedic Astrolab uses the mean node, which is smoother than the true node some software uses.
Retrograde planets
A planet is called retrograde (vakri) when it appears to move backwards against the stars as seen from Earth. This is an optical effect of the planets' orbits. Tradition reads a retrograde planet as turning its themes inward, as a tendency to reflect on, not a good or bad omen.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Vedic astrology have nine planets and not ten?
It uses the seven visible bodies plus the two lunar nodes. Uranus, Neptune and Pluto were not known when the system developed and are not used in the classical method.
What does exalted mean?
It is the sign where a planet is traditionally considered strongest and most comfortable. The opposite sign is its debilitation.
Are Rahu and Ketu real planets?
No. They are calculated points on the Moon's orbit, but they play a major role in Vedic interpretation and in the timing of the dasha cycle.
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