VEDIC ASTROLOGY

LESSON – 3
THE ANTICLOCKWISE SOLAR SYSTEM

If we could stand outside the solar system and look down upon it from above the north pole of the Sun (or
the Earth), we would see that nearly all the bodies in the solar system have motions that are anticlockwise.
The Sun rotates on its axis in an anticlockwise direction. The Earth also rotates on its axis in an anticlockwise
direction. And the Earth revolves around the Sun in an anticlockwise direction. All the other major planets,
and most of the minor planets (asteroids) also orbit the Sun in an anticlockwise direction. (A few comets
orbit in the opposite, or clockwise, direction).

Most of the planets rotate about their own axes in an anticlockwise direction. This is called prograde
rotation. Venus has a very slow clockwise rotation (termed retrograde), is an exception.

COMBUST OR ASTHAMANA PLANETS:

Let us imagine a highway with many lanes. Vehicles travel at different speeds on each lane. When we are in
a vehicle and a bigger vehicle passes us at a faster speed, we feel that our vehicle sways a bit. Similarly,
when planets come very close to the Sun, they tend to lose their powers. This is called combustion or
Asthamana. This why during the Asthamana period of Guru or Sukra, auspicious functions are not held,
because these planets cannot bestow their full powers during this time.
(i) Sun or Surya can never be combust because it is the center of our planetary system.

(ii) Rahu & Ketu are always considered to be combust, not because they are always close to Sun but
because they don't have any physical existence.

Distance (in degrees) from Sun for a planet to become combust

PLANET MOON MARS MERCURY JUPITER VENUS SATURN
Degree (Directional) 0 - 12 0 -17 0-14 0-11 0-10 0-16
Degree (Retrograde) = 0 -8 0-12 0-11 0-8 0-16
PLANETS IN RETROGRADE MOTION
Normally all planets travel around the sun in anti-clock wise motion. Sometimes a few of the planets appear
to travel clock wise. This is called retrograde motion or Vakra Gathi. Retrogradation is a phenomenon
caused by the fact that we live on a planet which is not at the center of the solar system. If one were to view
the solar system from the surface of the Sun, which is at the center, one would never see planets
retrograde. However, since that isn’t where we’re viewing things from, we do see planets appear to stop
their motion in the sky relative to the fixed stars (or the Zodiac), reverse their direction for a little while,
then stop again and appear to resume their normal course through the heavens.

There are two planets which are exceptions and never seem to retrograde.
• The Sun never retrogrades because it is truly the center of our solar system. Since our orbital
direction around the Sun never changes, it always appears to be moving in Direct or forward
motion.
• The Moon also never retrogrades, since we are the center of its orbit. Since it always moves around
Earth in one direction, we never see it appear to move backwards.

All the other planets will periodically appear to retrograde. In the case of the planets inside our orbit
(Mercury and Venus), this is because we see them reach the longitudinal maximum extent of their orbits,
which is a point in the orbit perpendicular to our line-of-sight to the Sun, then swing inside of and begin to
cross in front of the Sun. Rahu and Kethu are always in retrograde motion.

While these two planets are inside of this 3-9 Line (so called because it’s a line through the 3 o’clock and 9
o’clock positions), they will appear to retrograde, or move backwards. The planets outside of our orbit also
appear to retrograde, although they do so for a different reason. Since they’re further away from the Sun
than we are, they move slower than we do. As we catch them and pass them, they appear to move
backwards just as a slower-moving vehicle appears to move backwards when we pass them on the freeway.

A retrograde planet is a special situation in astrology. The planet is not behaving normally, therefore its
astrological effects are not per its usual manifestation. Yet, when retrograde, a planet is at its closest to the
Earth, bright in the Heavens, therefore stronger than usual and accordingly, is powerful for effects.
Mercury goes retrograde three times in an average year, for approximately three weeks each time.
Venus goes retrograde for approximately 6 weeks every year and half.
Mars’ retrograde phase lasts 11 weeks and happens every other year.
Jupiter is retrograde for about 4 months each year.
Saturn goes through a retrograde phase for approximately 4-1/2 months every year.

“Surya Sidhdhantha” refers to eight varieties of motion of which Vakra, Ativakra and Kutila refer to
Vakragati i.e. retrograde motion, when they are believed to be moving away from light, and the remaining
five verities viz; manda, manda tara, sama, sighra and atisighra refer to Rujugati i.e. direct motion, when
planets are freed from vakragati and are known as Margi grahas that are believed to be moving towards
light. A planet hemmed between two Vakri grahas behaves as a Vakri graha, this applies to the Moon.[5]
Whereas Mars, Jupiter and Saturn appear to retrograde in the signs opposite to the one occupied by the
Sun, Mercury and Venus appear to retrograde when they are farthest away from the Sun. Mercury and
Venus can never be in the 5th to the 8th house from the Sun.

Zodiac Signs or Rashis in Indian Vedic Astrology or Jyotish and their rulers
1. Aries or Mesha

2. Taurus or Rishaba

3. Gemini or Mithuna

4. Cancer or Kataka MOON MERCURY VENUS MARS

5. Leo or Simha SUN

6. Virgo or Kanya

7. Libra or Tula

8. Scorpio or Vrishchika

9. Sagittarius or Dhanur

10. Capricorn or Makara SATURN JUPITER

11. Aquarius or Kumbha

12. Pisces or Meena

Approx. time a planet takes in transiting through a zodiac

Planet Sun Moon Mars Mercury Jupiter Venus Saturn Rahu/Kethu

1 2.25 1.5 13 1 2.5

Duration 1 month 1.5 years
month days month months month years

To be continued in Lesson 4