Astronomy & its influence on our lives has fascinated many. Dr. (Mrs.) Sharad R. Arora delves into this science and presents a simple view.

I explored within and found that Astrology, my passion and conviction, is really worth writing upon, and am thus very happy to pen this paper.

People are always curious to know about their physical, social, financial and professional well being in the times to come. Out of anxiety perhaps, even if they may not believe in Astrology, we do find them reading daily forecast in the newspapers or in magazines or watch the programme on TV. When the forecast appears correct their faith in Astrology seems to become stronger, but when it is not correct, they get disillusioned, and tend to condemn the science of Astrology.

Through this short paper, the intention is not to make a case for Astrology, nor am I to discourage the daily forecast readers. It presents some basic facts, based on science.

The basic purpose in writing this is to let you know how the daily / fortnightly/ monthly predictions are made in the newspapers, magazines etc., without having to take into account the various parameters of individual horoscope for analysis. These predictions are based on the transit position of the planets during the concerned period for which the forecast is made. In astrological terms we call it "Gochar Phala". Here, I will try to explain how the Gochar Phalas are predicated. First, ‘Gochar’ consists of two words, ‘Go’ and ‘Char’. ‘Go’ in Sanskrit literally means ‘Grahas’ or ‘Planets ‘ and ‘Chara’ means movements. Thus, due to the constant movement of planets on different zodiac signs, an individual experiences certain favourable or infavourable results at a particular time.

We know that there are seven planets i.e. Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn. It is known that Sun and Moon are luminaries but in Astrology we count them as planets. Besides these, Hindu Astrology also includes Rahu and Ketu as shadowy planets for predictions. Also, other planets like Harshal, Neptune and Pluto being farthest from the Earth, are not taken into account for individual prediction, as their influence is on the society at large.

There are twelve zodiac signs as we all know. For those not immediately familiar, their English and corresponding Hindi names are given below:

According to Surya Sidhanta, Saturn is the most distant planet from the Earth. Jupiter, Mars, Sun, Venus, Mercury and Moon come next in that sequence. These planets keep on transiting through the twelve zodiac signs according to their speed. The time taken by different planets in transiting one sign is as follows:

Jupiter, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu are slow moving planets but their influences on us are very strong.

For those who wish to understand how predictions for various signs are made, based on the transit position of various planets, the following exercise may be tried in given sequence.

1. Find out your own Moon sign from your natal horoscope (birth sign)

2. Find out position of various planets from the Ephemeries (Panchang) for the day you wish to know the planetary influence on you.

3. Make the following chart on a paper

You may note that the birth Moon sign, known as Moon lagna, is of prime importance for determining the effect of transit. Therefore, to calculate and predict the effect of various transiting planets, you have to count from the Moon’s place in relation to transit of all other planets through the various signs.

If, for example, your Moon sign is Libra, start with Libra as the first house and move in an anticlockwise direction through various houses, as shown in the above chart. While doing so, write position of various planets in different signs, as given in the Ephemery for the particular date.

During transit the various planets give the following results counted from the natal Moon’s position (birth sign).

It is seen from the above that all planets are good in 11th position.

Astrology suggests that each planet has a span of 300 counted for all twelve signs across 3600 circle. But it also suggests that Mars and Sun give effect during transit in a sign when they are only in the initial 100 of the sign. Similarly, Jupiter and Venus produce results in the middle portion viz. 200 of the sign. Saturn and Moon produce results in the last portion , i.e. 300 of the sign, while Rahu and Mercury produce effect throughout their passage in the sign.

In summary, the influence of various planets on different houses of the horoscope are given as a ready reckoner for you on the opposite page.

Results realised by the transiting planets in different houses of the horoscope

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