#nine planets

Jordanna Kalman, from the series Nine planets

The planets are not just physical entities roaming around in the sky. They have vibrations affecting the Earth.

On the basis of your past life karmas, your current life is ordained. The exact position of the planets in your horoscope, the rāśīs (or zodiacal signs) in which they are posited, and the mansions they occupy will certainly affect your psyche and physicality in some way or the other.

The Moon represents your mother or mother figures in your life. It rules over the emotional domain, imagination, and sentiments, provides you mental clarity, and gives you a sense of purpose.

The Sun, representative of your father or father figures, confers fame and recognition. It gives success in jobs and ensures support from the government. It is considered the ruler (or king) of all the planets in astrology.

Mercury rules over intellect and all its myriad usages. Study material, stationery, paperwork, professions related to writing, journaling, music, literature, poetry, and travelling, all come under Mercury’s rulership. One must not disrespect any material for writing lest they should provoke Mercury’s wrath. It is said to curse people with skin diseases such as eczema.

Mars rules over charisma and sexual drive/libido.

Venus bestows attractiveness and enhances desirability. It supports you in finding a perfect life partner.

Saturn is the ultimate Judge. When deified, he is popularly worshipped as Śani (शनि) in Hindu belief. It bestows upon you the fruits of the karma you have generated in your past lives; hence, teaches you how to respect the law of karma; follow discipline and order; and respect the ones who are lower in social status. It causes delays, fear, anxiety, and restriction; represents the labour class, servants, and the poor. Its energy resides in the colour black, footwear, ironware, oil extracted from the seeds of yellow mustard as well as the cold pressed seeds of black sesame, kohl, antimony, and the precious stone of blue sapphire (नीलम). It presides over Saturdays amongst weekdays; rules the earthy sign of Capricorn and the aerial sign of Aquarius; and governs the direction of West in the ancient architectural science of Vāstu Śāstra. It acts as a significator of employment, financial security, money, and fulfilment of desires. The house of your natal chart that Saturn occupies indicates the karma you have been born to balance out in your current lifetime. It is exalted in the Venusian sign of Libra and gets debilitated in the Martian sign of Aries. Its negative effect is supposed to soften in the sixth, eighth, and the twelfth houses of the horoscope. It aspects the third, seventh, and the tenth house from its placement in your natal chart.

In Pauranic mythology, Jupiter is known as the Guru of the Devas (gods and demi-gods). It opens up doors for higher education and spiritual knowledge, ignites interest in learning of occult sciences and esotericism. Jovian energy gets activated while listening to or chanting of Vaidic hymns and mantras. It bestows a happy conjugal life in case of women as it is the significator of one’s husband in the horoscope. It also signifies philosophy, knowledge, education, the profession of teaching, your teachers or Guru, wealth, capability of active listening and understanding, expansion, fat, and lethargy in a person. It presides over Thursdays amongst weekdays, rules the fiery sign of Sagittarius and the aqueous sign of Pisces; and governs the direction of North-East (Īsānakona) in the ancient architectural science of Vāstu Śāstra. Its energy resides in yellow colour, turmeric, marigold flowers, gold, and the precious stone of yellow sapphire (पुखराज).

Navagraha Stelae

Panel dedicated to the ninbe planetary deities though unusual, is found in the religious art of medieval India as well as in the Khmer kingdoms of Cambodia in addition to this sadly damaged specimen from the Kingdom of Champa

Sandstone, circa 10th Century CE

Ubi tuam aetatem habui novem planetas habuimus.

Back in my day we had nine planets.

Jordanna Kalman, from the series Nine planets

Jordanna Kalman, from the series Nine planets

Nava Grahas – the nine planetary deities

Granite, East India, probably Pāla Provenance