Graha Drishti: Which Planet Aspects Which House

A planet does not act only where it sits — it also «looks at» certain fixed houses. That look is called drishti, the aspect, and half of chart reading rests on it: even an empty house comes alive when it is aspected.

Here, in order: the general rule of the 7th aspect, the special aspects of Mars, Jupiter and Saturn, the difference of opinion over Rahu and Ketu, partial aspects, and Jaimini's sign aspects.

The basic rule — the 7th aspect

Every planet fully aspects the 7th house from its own position — the house directly opposite. In the count, the planet's own house is «the first». For example, a planet in the Lagna aspects the 7th; one in the 4th aspects the 10th.

So two planets sitting opposite each other aspect one another — this «mutual aspect» is counted among the strongest relationships between planets.

The special aspects of three planets

Besides the 7th, three planets have additional full aspects:

• Mars — the 4th and 8th aspects (along with the 7th)
• Jupiter — the 5th and 9th aspects (along with the 7th)
• Saturn — the 3rd and 10th aspects (along with the 7th)
• The Sun, Moon, Mercury and Venus — only the full 7th aspect

An example

Suppose Saturn is in the Lagna. It will aspect the 3rd (effort), the 7th (marriage and partnership) and the 10th (work) — a single planet with a hand in the results of four houses.

If Jupiter is in the 5th, its aspect falls on the 9th, the 11th and the Lagna. Tradition calls Jupiter's aspect nectar-like — it protects and enlarges whichever house it falls on.

Aspects of Rahu and Ketu — a difference of opinion

Rahu and Ketu are shadow planets, so the authorities do not agree on their aspects. Some traditions give them the 5th, 7th and 9th aspects like Jupiter; others recognise their influence only through conjunction and through their sign lord.

The safe practice is to treat the aspects of Rahu and Ketu as a supporting indication, not as a deciding one.

Partial aspects

According to Parashara every planet also aspects some other houses partially: the 3rd and 10th with a quarter, the 5th and 9th with half, the 4th and 8th with three-quarters, and the 7th with a full aspect. What is special about Mars, Jupiter and Saturn is that these partial aspects of theirs become full.

In ordinary prediction only full aspects are counted; partial aspects are used in calculating the «Drik Bala» of Shadbala.

How to read the result of an aspect

The effect of an aspect is decided by these things:

• Whether the aspecting planet is benefic or malefic — the aspect of Jupiter, Venus, a strong Moon and a well-associated Mercury improves; the aspect of Saturn, Mars, the Sun, Rahu and Ketu brings pressure or delay
• A planet aspecting its own sign strengthens that house — even if the planet is a malefic
• Which houses the aspecting planet rules in the chart — it carries the matters of those houses to the house it aspects
• The stronger the planet, the more effective the aspect; the aspect of a weak or combust planet stays light

Jaimini's sign aspects

In the Jaimini system it is the signs, not the planets, that aspect one another: movable signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn) aspect the three fixed signs other than the one right next to them; fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius) aspect the three movable signs other than the adjacent one; and dual signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces) aspect each other.

A planet placed in a sign is taken to aspect those same signs. This is the aspect used in reading Chara Dasha and the Karakamsha — it should not be mixed with the Parashari aspects.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Which aspects does Saturn have?
Saturn fully aspects the 3rd, 7th and 10th houses from its position. The house it falls on usually sees delay, discipline and a demand for long effort.

Why is Jupiter's aspect considered auspicious?
Jupiter is a natural benefic and aspects the 5th, 7th and 9th houses. Tradition treats its aspect as protective — it reduces the flaws of the house it aspects and enlarges its good results, provided Jupiter itself is strong.

Do Rahu and Ketu have aspects too?
Opinion is divided. Some authorities give Rahu and Ketu the 5th, 7th and 9th aspects and some do not. So it is right to read them as a supporting indication, not as a deciding one.

⚠️ An aspect does not give results on its own — the planet's strength, its house lordship and the running dasha together make the conclusion.

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