While the planets are considered gods or devata in popular Hinduism, various tantrik texts, including, for example, Tantrarajatantra, take a different view. See, for example, Graha, on this site. Enveloped in Maya, which is one with Shakti herself, an individual can become identified with these time-related attendants of the goddess, and believe the part to be the whole. Therefore, one's janmarashi or birth chart, can be used as a map to free onself from partial identification.

Further, breath is time, meaning that Shakti is prana or bioenergy, and, so the texts assure us, these planets have their effects on how we breathe, and therefore on our physiology, again one with the goddess. Liberating the bioenergy tied up in these partial identifications, will therefore bring an individual closer to the realisation that he or she is one with both the light (prakasha) and its reflection vimarsha).

Each of the planetary descriptions below is divided into sub-headings. The rulership signifies what type of things comes under the planetary heading. The quality attempts to relate a planet's nature to the other planets and to its position in the solar system.

Next comes a description of the stage in childhood development the planet represents. The effect of the planet on people is noted and the bioenergetic type it corresponds to is given.

Planets may be classified as solar and lunar. The former category embraces Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Mars and the latter Pluto, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. The solar planets all share in the Sun's creativity and express it in different ways, they are all self-centred, extravert and narcissistic. Lunar planets are reflective, introverted and masochistic.

The planets may also be grouped into four bodily realms - cerebral (Pluto/Mercury), oral (Jupiter/Saturn), anal (Venus/Uranus) and genital (Neptune/Mars), with the pairs broadly corresponding to the four elements. Each pair within these groups is opposite in nature. Each planet within the pair cannot exist without its opposite and is partly defined by it.

The Martian needs a goal to attain and this is provided by the object being hard to grasp (Neptune). What is wholesome and good (Jupiter) can only be defined in relation to what is unwholesome and bad (Saturn). Logic (Mercury) seeks to define and understand the illogical (Pluto). Love (Venus) seeks to dissolve differences (Uranus).

An important key to understanding the influence of the planets is to consider them as being in movement in the development of the human being. Called "Wanderers" by the Greeks, the planets move all the time. The world for a child is the father, the mother and itself. Sun and Moon produce the fertilised ovum and bring an incarnation to an end. In Hindu astrology, the planets are called "grahas", seizers.

Sun - Surya

The being at the centre of any system, the individual, lions, fire, heat, vicious creatures, kings, forests, the "I am", the heart, father, sculptor, day, gems, wheat, fragrance, virility, wool, raw flesh, charred sticks.

The Sun is the source of all light and heat on earth. It is taken for granted, yet without its dynamic energy nothing whatsoever would happen.

The Sun represents the necessary individuality required for separate existence.

Handsome, squarish body, eyes level, body lustrous, firm of temperament, impatient, fierce, a leader, hard, resolved, determined, short tempered, bright. If Sol is strong but afflicted, the person tries to impose her or his ideas on others.

None.

Devakeralam: The king, square, cause of the day, the fiery- rayed one, terrific, the significator of world bliss, pitta temperament, golden colour, quadruped, lord of the east.

Brihad Jataka: Yellow in colour, square appearance, pitta temperament, scant hair.

Yavanajataka: Handsome, square-limbed, sparse and fine hair, wide eyes, golden colour, inscrutable, firm, fierce, steadfast, a leader, decisive.

Moon - Chandra

What the person seems to be, the image, moods, taste, that which reflects, the "I am not", the mind, friends, silversmiths, women, sleep, sexual intercourse, food and drink, coolness, wetness, flowers.

The Moon is without life, a dead satellite, yet its continually changing appearance is very alluring. It rules personality and image and these things wax and wane, according to the light source. Those with it powerful crave the light others emit and may often transmit this light in a new and fascinating way. The real source of light remains the Sun but the Moon rules the masses, because of their susceptibility to the influence of the few (the leaders or Suns). The Moon also rules the associations of thought, which are the reflections of the senses.

An individual's ability to share, participate, reflect and be a member of society is signified by the Moon.

Gentle, sensitive, soft, handsome, hair fine, body symmetrical and rounded, wide-eyed, sweet. Fagan says that those with the Moon powerful in their charts only live for the sensation of the moment. Like the Moon, they live by reflected light. Because the Moon is eternally in a state of desire, the appetites - sexual and otherwise - are conditioned by the constellation it occupies at birth.

Amiable, many friends, simple, good company, good hearted, accommodating, disorderly, absent minded, imaginative, easily influenced, fashionable, worldly, nonchalant, poetic, dreaming, obliging, superficial, tolerant. The research studies showed the Moon to be positively significant for writers and, to a lesser extent, politicians. Negative significance was found for the professions of soldiers and champions.

Devakeralam: Cause of night, fair, youthful, lord of the south east, salty, fortunate, kapha (phlegmatic) temperament, watery, body waning and waxing, intelligent, sweet of speech, lovely eyed.

Brihad Jataka: Round and slender, kapha vata (phlegmatic/windy) temperament, highly intelligent, voice soft and gently, lovely eyes.

Yavanajataka: Handsome, wise, patient, courteous, pleasing eyes, speaking kindly, clothed in white.

Pluto

Top of head, isolation, the unexpected, hermits, detachment, the bizarre, darkness, the alien, masks, vampires, death, womb, shock, schizophrenia.

While Mercury rules logic and expression, the effects of Pluto are diametrically opposite. The planet of shock, Pluto rules the unexpected, the unpredictable, the illogical and the strange. Pluto deviates greatly from the plane of the ecliptic, giving it a new angle on the affairs of the world (solar system). Mercury communicates but Pluto is the lone wolf.

This planet symbolises the stage when a child is still in the womb. Though in the world, he or she is not of it. There is close identification with the mother, who, for the foetus, is the world. No separate identity has yet emerged. The faculty that Pluto represents is detachment.

Plutonian people tend to be dark, detached and aloof. Rarely are they noticed and sometimes they seem invisible. Free from all bonds of society, they nevertheless have insight into the world of spirit. They are unorthodox, yet at the same time they can conceal anything. They may be recluses. If Pluto is afflicted or in a bad place, the person does not feel at ease in society and may possibly suffer from dissociation and hallucinations. This implies a loss of contact with their own body.

"The emotions of these persons generally appear to be inadequate...They behave 'as if' they had feeling relationships with people." (Fenichel). Body and mind held together by tenuous threads. Face masklike. Disconnected look.

None. The Gauquelins were unable to find any statistical significance for those with Pluto rising and culminating at the time of birth.

Mercury - Budha

The brow, logic, division, speech, union and separation, cleverness, crafts, ambiguity, adaptability, expression, merchandise, speed, communication, nerves, lungs, thieves, paranoia.

This planet rules all communication, whether by speech, writing or lecturing. It is the ruler of thought, the ability to compare two things and therefore, by extension, many things. It is, at its core, a dualistic planet. This should develop into the power of thought.

Mercury rules the period when a child has just been born. While aware of separate existence, he or she is still closely connected to the mother. The arising of a sense of difference between child and mother is the basis for the concept of division and the source of logical thought.

Mercurial people are clever, good communicators, skilled in crafts and language, enjoying ambiguity and tricks. If Mercury is afflicted, the person may be unsure as to whether the world is real and she or he is real. Given this mechanism, feelings may be projected onto the world. This type of narcissism, together with the overemphasis on calculation may lead to paranoia.

Doesn't connect with own feelings, views others as elements to be manipulated. Apparent lack of feeling. "Far away" look in eyes. Many oral tendencies (see below). Very paranoid.

None. As with Pluto, no results were found for the rise and culmination of Mercury at birth.

Devakeralam: Villages, auspicious, always clever, temperament a mixture of the three dhatus, intelligent, dusky, lord of the north, fond of all flavours, son of the Moon, fond of ambiguities and puns.

Brihad Jataka: Tremulous voice, humorous and joking, of vata, kapha and pitta temperament.

Yavanajataka: Full and pure intellect, handsome eyes, good at composing poetry, at craftsmanship and at arts, unstable nature taking on others' characteristics and allowing own character to disappear.

Jupiter - Guru

The tongue, gullibility, assimilation, expansion, wealth, optimism, fortune, largeness, generosity, narcissism, greediness, gluttony, exhibitionism.

Jupiter is the gas giant of the solar system. It represents the good in every sense and its fundamental nature is expansion, but this bubble can burst. It is essentially wholesome and inclines towards the status quo, the establishment, the law and whatever is held to be "the best" in any society. It is orthodoxy, thence ruling caste, class and privilege. When Jupiter develops properly in a person, then it represents the faculties of happiness, assimilation and good humour. While Jupiter is "God", Saturn is the "Devil".

In child development, Jupiter rules the stage when the world (the mother) seems to regard the child in high esteem. The child takes the centre of the stage, everything seems to exist for its comfort and well-being.

When Jupiter is strong in the birth chart of a person, he or she may need the acclaim of others. Expansive and exhibitionistic, the person may seem vain, self-absorbed, leeching off others. Periods of high elation are inevitably punctured and depression may ensue. Such individuals may be either compulsive eaters or anorexics.

Desire to talk, generally about self, usually in favourable light. Exhibitionistic, takes the centre of the stage. High level of verbal intelligence. Exaggerated picture of own abilities. Fond of indulgence in food.

At ease, ambitious, opportunist, authoritarian, talkative, likes to assert himself, sense of the comical, communicative, debonair, spendthrift, gay, gesticulating, good humoured, independent, happy, worldly, prodigal, bantering, likeable, vain. The studies undertaken by the Gauquelins showed Jupiter to be significant for actors, journalists, politicians and soldiers.

Devakeralam: A Brahmin, controlled of senses, happy, attached to the doing of sacrifices to gods, chiefly of kapha temperament, fond of sweet-tasting things, true to his dharma, lord of gold, moderately fat, student of Veda, lord of the north east.

Brihad Jataka: Large of body, golden of appearance, with high intellect, kapha temperament.

Yavanajataka: Yellow like ivory, short and fleshy body, deep voice, pre-eminent in memory, firmness, resolution and intelligence.

Saturn - Shani

Throat, scepticism, rejection, corpses, limitation, death, prisoners, old men, the devil, caution, responsibility, duty, beggars, eunuchs, care, servitude, ascetics, sorrow, masochism, horse-grooms, cowards, oil, pain, misery.

Saturn represents the unwholesome in life, the decaying, the poor, the unorthodox and the low. It is the opposite in nature to Jupiter. The geocentric nature of astrology should remind us that appearances can deceive. While Saturn teaches hard lessons, some learn the easy way and some the hard way. Saturn's lessons are strict and tough, the type of thing most people shrink from. Such things may teach us more than most. Saturn in a natural human being represents caution and scepticism.

In child development, Saturn represents the bubble of self-esteem pricked by the realities of life. The growth of teeth see the self-centred Jupiterian stage punctured. The child sees that her or his self-importance was exaggerated and inflated. While the mother-world was the only source of food, now other food sources exist. Depression follows from this realisation. Movement is necessary so that this depression may be cleared and something may be offered to the world.

Saturn represents the faculty of scepticism. If Saturn is strong in the chart, this scepticism, applied to the self, may lead to masochism. Saturnian people may have a sullen, morose or depressed appearance. Often shoddy in appearance, they may seem absent minded and often can be malicious and spiteful.

While their self- deprecation convinces others of their uselessness, the Saturnian usually understands a great deal. Serious, sceptical, philosophical and cautious, they may outlast more flamboyant folk. If Saturn is afflicted, the person may underrate her or his abilities, be masochistic and run down their own qualities.

Chronic sensation of suffering, tendency to complain, to self-damage and to self-deprecate, awkward and static, specifically when talking to others when they may seem backward.

Formal, reserved, conscientious, cold, methodical, meticulous, modest, observant, not talkative, timid, precise, reflective, retiring, reserved, wise, melancholy, timid, industrious, silent, sad. When compiling their statistical evaluations the Gauquelins found Saturn to be positively significant for scientists and doctors.

Devakeralam: Attached to sudra women, lord of the west, cruel in authority, lame, old, tall in body.

Brihad Jataka: Lazy, look resembles death, slim and tall, gross teeth, vata temperament, hair on body and head coarse.

Yavanajataka: Strong but stooped, thick black rough hair, nails and teeth broken, mean and irritable, does bad acts, malicious, used to hatred, dressed in black, has discarded joy.

Venus - Shukra

Harmony, mirrors, synthesis, fragrance, placidity, girls, marriage, perfume, joy, cosmetics, softness, peacocks, prostitutes, pavilions, jewellery, clothes, artists, pearl, woman, love-song, affection, debauch.

Venus is the morning star, bright and beautiful in the sky. Exploration has shown it incapable of supporting life. Externally beautiful, it governs affection, softness, grace, beauty, charm and love. This is a soft planet, its opposite is Uranus which is hardness itself.

Venus represents a stage when the child realises he or she has something to give and gives freely. Movement is necessary so that the child does not give too much. When development takes its natural course, Venus represents the faculty of synthesis.

Graceful, pleasant eyes, lovely hair, good form, often beautiful, liking music, singing, the arts, beauty and love. Generous to a fault and hence popular with others. If Venus is powerful but afflicted, the person gives too much, never says "no", spends money extravagantly, concentrates too much on outer appearances.

Female: Psychological prostitute, softness of manner and expression, lips sensuous, seductive. "Daddy's girl".

Male: Playboy, soft of voice, facial expression soft, rounded in outline with narrow shoulders, manner of movement never self assertive. Urinary fixation. "Mummy's boy".

Affable, amiable, attractive, benevolent, charmer, pleasant, gentle, gracious, elegant. While the Gauquelin research did not reveal a strong link between professions and Venus in a zone of high intensity, it appears that artists, poets and writers are more likely to have Venus rising or culminating at birth.

Devakeralam: Lucky, watery, rajas temperament, fond of juicy things, feminine medium body, Brahmin, dusky of hue, lord of the north west, liking music, well nourished body, living on islands, beautiful eyes.

Brihad Jataka: Ease loving and happy, beautiful body and eyes, vata kapha temperament, black curly hair.

Yavanajataka: Graceful, pleasing eyes, body beautified by brightly coloured garlands and clothes, likes music, dancing, singing, play and sexual intercourse.

Uranus

Tools, analysis, control, metal, domination, machinery, screws, electronics, counting, computers, hardness, regimentation, hierarchy, compulsions, excitement and thrill, novelty, deviancy.

The ruler of hierarchy and the bits and bytes of computers, Uranus revels in control, dominance, territory, productivity, systems, classification and differences. This is the sphere of the robot, mechanisation, industrialisation and big business, in which softness and feelings have no part as they are unproductive.

Uranus represents a constraint on giving. The child hangs on to everything. Everything is "mine". Loss of any thing is perceived as a loss of self. The child resents attempts to take anything away from it - particularly its productions. Movement is necessary for the experience of sexuality to shatter the illusion of territory. Uranus, in a centred adult, represents the power of analysis.

Solid body, giving the impression of an immovable object. Actions are often unexpectedly clumsy. Eyes may be tense, cool and appraising and mean. However, such individuals will probably excel in management, production and systems. The danger is that the general principle may extend into every area of life. If Uranus is strong but afflicted, the person may be mean, fussy, counting everything, never saying "yes", too territorial, hard, afraid of losing anything.

Male: Seeks power, petty dictator, hard-working, industrious, productivity and accumulation of money dominate. Orderly, rigid, conscientious, parsimonious, anal fixation. "Father- figure".

Female: Physically awkward, superficially submissive, resentful, list-maker. "Mother-martyr".

None. No links were found between profession and Uranus rising or culminating at birth.

Neptune

Base of genitals, nets or traps, romance, dreams, smoke and smoke-screens, passivity, hallucinogenic drugs, indecision, diffusion, confusion, mist, serpents, being chased, princesses, seduction, hysteria, elusiveness.

Where Mars is direct and goal oriented, Neptune is elusive, confused, misleading and will not be pinned down. For this reason, Neptune rules all that may be hard to grasp, including smoke, fish and mists. To catch a Neptunian, bait must be offered. The direct approach will not work. Neptune is hard to define as its strength is in being everywhere at once. It is the power of imagination.

For a growing child, Neptune represents a stage where the territorial nature of the previous stage is destroyed in a growing sense of others. Fantasy, in a sexual way, is the theme. The loved one (father or mother) is assumed to completely reciprocate this fantastic love. Movement is necessary for the achievement of independence.

A female with Neptune strong is shapely, often with large gazelle-like eyes, perhaps long hair. The male has an appearance of athleticism and may be taller than average, with good muscle tone. Skilled in manoeuvre, Neptunians are adept at dodging and weaving. It is often hard for others to understand their ideas as they seem so confused and vague. Sensitive and passive by nature, they develop panicky or hysterical feelings if forced into the open. They generally manage to escape and evade difficult situations.

If Neptune is strong but afflicted, the person will be too much of a dreamer or a romantic, an idealist, becoming easily flurried.

Male: Understanding and sympathetic nature. Broad shoulders and narrow hips. "Brother"

Female: "Its most outstanding characteristic is an obvious sexual behaviour, in combination with a specific kind of bodily agility with a definitely sexual nuance." (Reich, Character Analysis)

"Physically, the 'hysterical female' has an attractive body that is well shaped and properly proportioned, clear eyes, and an alive manner." (Lowen, Love and Orgasm). "Princess".

None.