Planets of a horoscope do not and cannot act in isolation. In fact they influence one another in a variety of ways viz. conjuction , aspects , argala , ashtakavarga etc. A planet can give his result only in as much measure as the other planets would co-operate with it. In other words the native , at all times , experiences the resultant effect of all planets. The extent to which planets influence one another is a matter of qualitative judgement except in case of ashtakavarga which puts the planetary interplay into a well defined system. The books on astrology contain information about the effects of planets in different houses or signs. It is quite common to see astrologers engaged in lengthy discussions on this issue , each one trying to justify his(her) viewpoint on the basis of own study/experience. However, the fact remains that planets of a horoscope do not and cannot act in isolation. In fact they influence one another in a variety of ways viz. conjuction , aspects , argala , ashtakavarga etc. A planet can give his result only in as much measure as the other planets would co-operate with it. In other words the native , at all times , experiences the resultant effect of all planets. The extent to which planets influence one another is a matter of qualitative judgement except in case of ashtakavarga which puts the planetary interplay into a well defined system. The Classics have specified the houses of Bhinnashtakavarga(BAV) of each planet which are influenced by all planets by way of contribution of “bindus” ( benefic influence) and “rekhas “ -malefic influence. For example,in Sun’s BAV, he contributes one bindu (point) each in the first ,second , fourth , seventh. eighth , ninth , tenth and eleventh house from his own position while Moon contributes points in third ,sixth , tenth and eleventh house from her own position and so on. The Ascendant also contributes points in the specified houses of each BAV . By summing up the scores in all BAVs one gets Sarvashtakavarga (SAV) which shows the overall strengths of houses and planets. Such a “democratic approach “ is not seen in any other branch of astrology. In the classical system mentioned above each planet , irrespective of own strength , is treated as capable of exerting uniform influence by contributing one point each in the specified houses. The author feels this simplistic approach is not accurate. A stronger planet is capable of exerting greater influence, commensurate with own strength, and this should reflect in his contribution to the specified houses of ashtakavarga.
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