Solar System

Astrobix |

You must have read about the division of planets and Nakshatra in the previous chapters. You will come to know about some facts of the Solar System in this chapter. Here, you will understand the commonly used terms like retrograde, direct, Atichari, slow moving, combust etc in detail.

(1) Retrograde Planets

A planet is in retrograde state when it transits from fifth house to ninth house from Sun. The retrograde state means to move backward. Planets appear to move backward in the retrograde state. But, it is not true. Planets move in forward direction but on reaching at a particular distance from Sun, it appears that they are moving in opposite direction. This phenomena is similar to the case when you are travelling in a train and at the same time another train is running on the other track at the faster speed, then the train travelling at the slow speed will appear to move in opposite direction to the train moving at faster speed. But, both the trains are moving in forward direction. Among the new planets, Rahu and Ketu always move in retrograde state.

(2) Direct Planets

The planets are in direct state when they move in forward direction on their path. Sun and Moon are always in direct state.

(3) Atichari Planets

A planet is known to be an Atichari planet when it moves at a speed more than its normal speed. Outer planets become Atichari when they come along with Sun.

(4) Slow Moving Planets

A planet is considered to be in a slow moving state when it moves at a speed less than its normal speed.

(5) Stambhit State

The planets appear to be fixed for some time when they change their state from direct to retrograde. It means that their position seems to be fixed. This position is known as Stambhit state. Many scholars also term it as ‘Bheet’ state. The literal meaning of the word ‘Bheet’ is afraid or scared of something.

(6) Combust Planets

When planets are very near to Sun, they attain the combust state. Outer planets are considered to be in considered to be combust state even at 17 degrees. When a planet is extremely close to Sun, it is considered to be completely combust.

Degree of Planets for being Combust

  1. Moon when is 12 degrees away from Sun attains the combust state.
  2. Mars when is 17 degrees away from Sun attains the combust state.
  3. Mercury is considered to be in combust state when it is 13 degrees away from Sun. Some astrologers consider Mercury in combust state when it is 14 degrees away from Sun. In retrograde state, it is considered to be in combust at 12 degrees.
  4. Jupiter is combust when it is 11 degrees away from Sun.
  5. Venus is considered combust when it is 9 degrees away from Sun. Some astrologers consider it combust at 10 degrees.
  6. Saturn is combust when it is 15 degrees away from Sun.

Hypothetical Position of Sun in Various Signs

The study of 12 signs is done in astrology. These 12 signs appear on Zodiac one after the other in 24 hours. Sun stays in one sign for one month. In this way, Sun covers the whole Zodiac in 12 months. The sign which appears at the time of rise of Sun on zodiac is the one in which Sun is present.

  • Sun stays in Aries sign from 14 April to 14 May.
  • Sun stays in Taurus sign from 14 May to 15 June.
  • Sun stays in Gemini sign from 15 June to 15 July.
  • Sun stays in Cancer sign from 15 July to 16 August.
  • Sun stays in Leo sign from 16 August to 16 September.
  • Sun stays in Virgo sign from 16 September to 17 October.
  • Sun stays in Libra sign from 17 October to 15 November.
  • Sun stays in Scorpio sign from 15 November to 14 December.
  • Sun stays in Sagittarius sign from 14 December to 14 January.
  • Sun stays in Capricorn sign from 14 January to 13 February.
  • Sun stays in Aquarius sign from 13 February to 15 March.
  • Sun stays in Pisces sign from 15 March to 14 April.

Solar Month

Hindu months are based on solar calender. The names of the 12 months are based on the position of Sun in the 12 signs. The names of the months are as follows:

  • When Sun is in Aries sign, the month is known as Vaishakha.
  • The period of placement of Sun in Taurus sign is known as the month of Jyeshtha.
  • The period of placement of Sun in Gemini sign is known as the month of Ashada.
  • When Sun is in Cancer sign, the month is known as Shravavna.
  • The period of placement of Sun in Leo sign is known as the month of Bhadrapada.
  • The period of placement of Sun in Virgo sign is known as the month of Ashwin.
  • The period of placement of Sun in Libra sign is known as the month of Kartik.
  • The period of placement of Sun in Scorpio sign is known as the month of Margshisha.
  • The period of placement of Sun in Sagittarius sign is known as the month of Paush.
  • The period of placement of Sun in Capricorn sign is known as the month of Magha.
  • The period of placement of Sun in Aquarius sign is known as the month of Phalgun.
  • The period of placement of Sun in Pisces sign is known as the month of Chaitra.