Planet a benefic or a malefic?
First you have to get a better understanding of what a so called "functional" benefic or malefic is. And you need a good understanding of what "benefic" and "malefic" means. Benefic means generous and gentle (saumya). Malefic means strict and strong (krura). Venus, Jupiter, Mercury and the bright Moon are ALWAYS benefic - listed in descending order of intensity. Mars, Saturn, Sun, and the dark Moon are ALWAYS malefic - in descending order. Now I can speak about "functional malefics" The idea is that a naturally benefic planet might temporarily be in a less generous mood, or visa versa, a naturally malefic planet might temporarily be in a less strict mood. This depends on the natural relationship of a given planet to the planet who rules the rising sign. The rule is that the planets owning houses 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, and 12 from the root sign (trikona) of the planet owning the rising sign are more favorable, the others naturally more unfavorable. The modification to the rule pertains to the distance of the planets from one another in an individual chart. If a planet is 2, 3 or 4 signs on either side of another planet, the relationship improves. I have not tried to teach you this in detail, only give you the idea. To learn it in detail takes at least an hour of explanation. In any case, a natural benefic, for example, is ALWAYS benefic - but the "functional" or temporary conditions in that chart modify the natural status of the planet to make it more or less benefic than it normally is. - Vic DiCara
Why are there more malefic planets than benefic ones?
OK, time for us to get realistic.This silly notion of malefic planets in a hold over from an early time period when people were more desirous of structure and hierarchical thinking. (“This thing is good and this thing is bad, etc.”)In my 30 plus years of working with Humanistic astrology, I never feel the need to embrace the unfounded belief in malefic planets. I knew it was associated with 19th Century thinking, and that it was not conducive to personal growth.In the past, Saturn was looked upon as a “malefic”. I find this very strange. As the Ruler of Capricorn, it is concerned with hard work, limitations, striving for perfection or high achievement, overcoming obstacles, enduring hardships, etc.You really have to wonder why would the Saturn principle be associated with negativity. Perhaps the doom and gloom of defeat and failure, or falling short of reaching a lofty goal has something to do with it.Here is at tip for you: if you are interested in learning about the astrology of personal growth and self actualization, you might want to drop such outdated notions.
What are natural benefics, natural malefics, functional benefics, and functional malefics?
The planet is called natural benefic or natural malefic according to its inherit nature. Before going to benefic and Malefic we should understand about Moon which will behave according to its phase. From the 8th days of bright half of the Lunar month Moon becomes full and strong. Now Jupiter, Venus, full moon and well associated Mercury are natural benefic. New Moon, badly associated Mercury, Saturn, Sun, Mars, Rahu and Ketu are natural malefic.Functional benefic or Malefic is decided based on Lagna, even a planet that is natural malefic can be become functional benefic according to lordship. For example Saturn is natural malefic but for Taurus ascendant Saturn being both Kendra and Trine lord it becomes functional benefic.General rule of thumb for accessing functiona benefic,The lord of Lagna should always be considered benefic even it has dual lordship. For example for Aries Lagna Mars is considered benefic even it has 8th lordship.If a planet owns both Kendra and Trine then it becomes best functional benefic and it is called Yogakaraka. For example for Libra ascendant Saturn being 4th and 5th lord becomes Yogakaraka. For Cancer ascendant Mars being 5th and 10th lord becomes Yogakaraka.The lord 5th should also be considered benefic even it has dual lordship. For example for Aquarius Lagna Mercury becomes lord of 5th and 8th house should be considered benefic.The lord of 9th house should also be considered benefic even it has dual lordship. Because of 9th house is called bhagya sthana.
What is functional or temporal benefic or malefic in a horoscope? Is it the same or different?
From the mooltrikona sign of a planet the rulers of the 2nd, 4th, 5th, 8th, 9th and 12th become the planet’s natural friends. The ruler of all other houses, becomes its natural enemy. If a planet owns an house as friend, and another as enemy; it becomes neutral.The extension of this argument is what we call temporal benefics or malefics. The lords of 2nd, 4th, 5th, 8th, 9th and 12th are the temporary benefics. All other house lords are malefics. if a planet owns two signs simultaneously, it remains neutral.And it is for this reason, that Sun and Moon are not considered malefics when they become the ruler of 8th house. Because then, they are temporary benefics for the lagna.
Does benefic planet in the malefic house show its good or bad traits?
It could be expressed either way depending on the person and the whole chart. For instance jupiter (which is traditionally in its home in the 12th) in 12th has the potential to repress optimism or not express it to others. but it also has the potential for a very spiritual lifestyle and powerful, helpful, loving presence. You have to look at the whole chart and integrate it to determine which manifestation has likely taken shape, but in most instances, people have a little bit of both, and simply need the guidance on how to improve certain areas. Also, harsh aspects will actually be best for getting jupiter out of 12th house because it creates drive and energy. Harsh aspects from benefics are best in this instance, though a mix of harmonious aspects is good too. Arthur C, in traditional astrology, jupiter rules pisces, and thus jupiter is the ruler of 12th in traditional.
What planets are yogkarakas, marakas, benefic, and malefic for a Virgo ascendant?
Due to the unique lordships of the planet, its natural malefic or benefic tendency can change. These are some basic rules that tells us about the nature of planets;When ruling a Kendra (4th, 7th or 10th house) natural benefics loose their benefic quality, and natural malefic loose their malefic quality. A malefic who rules a Kendra as well as a trine becomes benefic. When ruling a Kendra, stronger benefic become stronger malefic.The rulers of Trines (1st, 5th, 9th houses) are benefic.The lord of the Ascendant is a great benefic.The lords of 3rd 6th, 8th, 11th houses are malefic.The lord of 2nd and 12th houses are neutral. They act according to their other sign and the planet associated with them. Except Sun and Moon every planet have two signs. Therefore, if their signs falls in 2nd or 12th houses, they will act according to the planet associated with them, if not any, they will be considered as malefic.Note: In the general case of lordships, there is a principle that out of the two signs a Graha rules, the Mooltrikona rulership is more predominant.Virgo Ascendant;Mercury - Mercury is a great benefic as it rules the 1st and 10th houses at same time.Saturn- Saturn is benefic as it rules 5th and 6th houses respectively. 6th house lord becomes benefic when it also rules a trine, and Saturn’s affinity with the 5th house reinforces the 5th lordship, so Saturn is benefic.Venus- Venus rules 2nd and 9th houses. As I said earlier, 2nd house has no nature. They act according to their other sign and the planet associated with them. Therefore, Venus’s affinity with the 9th house reinforces the 9th lordship. Hence, Venus is benefic.Jupiter- Jupiter rules two Kendra houses (4th and 7th houses). The 4th and the 7th lordship is not good for Jupiter. Therefore, Jupiter is malefic and as well as Maraka.Sun- Sun rules 12th house and the lordship of 12th house is malefic. Hence, Sun is Malefic.Moon- Moon rules 11th house and its benefic or malefic tendency may change as per its distance from the Sun. However, it is malefic.Mars- Mars rules 3rd and 8th houses. Both, 3rd and 8th are evil houses. Hence, Mars is Malefic.Rahu-Ketu- Rahu and Ketu will act according to their associations.Sun, Moon, Mars and Jupiter are malefic whereas Mercury, Venus and Saturn are benefic. planets for Virgo Ascendant. Hence, the conjunction, exchange or aspect between Mercury, Saturn and Venus will be quite noticeable.Thanks! Hope this will be helpful.
What planets are yogakarakas, marakas, benefics and malefics for libra ascendent?
Due to the unique lordships of the planet, its natural malefic or benefic tendency can change. These are some basic rules that tells us about the nature of planets;When ruling a Kendra (4th, 7th or 10th house) natural benefics loose their benefic quality, and natural malefic loose their malefic quality. A malefic who rules a Kendra as well as a trine becomes benefic. When ruling a Kendra, stronger benefic become stronger malefic.The rulers of Trines (1st, 5th, 9th houses) are benefic.The lord of the Ascendant is a great benefic.The lords of 3rd 6th,8th, 11th houses are malefic.The lord of 2nd and 12th houses are neutral. They act according to their other sign and the planet associated with them. Except Sun and Moon every planet have two signs. Therefore, if their signs falls in 2nd or 12th houses, they will act according to the planet associated with them, if not any, they will be considered as malefic.Note: In the general case of lordships, there is a principle that out of the two signs a Graha rules, the Mooltrikona rulership is more predominant.Libra Ascendant;Venus - Venus is a great benefic as it rules the 1st house.Saturn- Saturn is Yogkarka as it rules 4th and 5th houses respectively.Mercury- Mercury rules the 9th and 12th houses. 12th lord becomes benefic when it also rules a trine, and Mercury’s affinity with the 9th house reinforces the 9th lordship, so Mercury is benefic.Jupiter- Jupiter rules the 3rd and 6th houses. The 3rd and 6th houses lordship is malefic, so Jupiter is malefic.Sun- Sun rules 11th and the lordship of 11th house is Badhaka for movable ascendants, so Sun is Badhaka.Moon- Moon rules 10th house and its benefic or malefic tendency may change as per its distance from the Sun.Mars- Mars rules two Maraka houses (2nd and 7th) at same time. Unless other afflictions are present, the Maraka does not show visible results.Rahu-Ketu- Rahu and Ketu will act according to their associations.The conjunction, exchange or aspect between Venus, Saturn and Mercury will be quite noticeable.Thanks! Hope this will be helpful.| शं करोतु शंकरः |
In astrology, which planets bring more hurdle; functional malefic or natural malefic?
It's by far one of the most logical questions on astrology I've seen on Quora. Assuming that we're not taking the planet’s placement into consideration, the order in which it causes hurdle goes like this. Number 1 is the least troublesome (in fact it does good) while number 3 causes maximum problems.Functional benefic, (be it a natural benefic or a natural malefic).2. Functional malefic, natural benefic.3. Functional malefic, natural malefic.Many people (and some astrologers too) think that natural benefics like Jupiter, Mercury always give good results and blame natural malefics - Saturn, Mars, Rahu - for all the miseries. But this approach of generalising a planet’s effect just on the basis of its “natural” temperament isn't a wise one.Jupiter, if a functional malefic for you, can cause quite some distress. On the other hand- if a widely feared planet like Saturn is a functional benefic for you, then you should consider yourself lucky as it'll give you good results.Here's an article too that may interest you.Why Astrologers Love Saturn - Astro Gemology
Is Jupiter’s aspect benefic even for those ascendants for whom its functional malefic like Libra and Taurus?
Very Nice Question..!!In Astrology, there are certain notions that may create a sense of self-contradiction and this is one such condition : Natural Benefic but Functional Malefic.Natural Benefic turning into Functional Malefic means its benign power may get reduced to certain extent. What way? Well let us take the example you have quoted.Logically, in this case, we need to find out what is the ground upon which the planet becomes functional malefic?In case one, Libra ascendant Jupiter becomes lord of 3rd and 6th house. 3rd is a Upachaya(expansion) house and naturally go well with Jupiter. 6th house is a house of Diseases, Enemies, Maternal Uncle and Debts. Here it is largely linked with animate subjects.In case two, Taurus ascendant, Jupiter becomes lord of 8th and 11th house. Again, 11th house being Upachaya we don’t need to bother much, 8th house is bad about physical stuff and particularly for Jupiter, its 12th from its natural house. This is worrisome for animate subjects.We can decipher that Jupiter may create impediments to animate subjects if it aspects the related houses.Every planet has positive and negative attributes. When they turn functionally opposite, their traits will get modified but not altered.Hope, this clarifies.
What factors help us understand whether a planet is benefic or malefic in the birth chart?
There are many factors which helps us to know whether planet is benefic or malefic.Planet is considered benefic if;The planet is in its exaltation sign.The planet is placed in a sign which is owned by the planet itself.The planet has high Vimsopaka bala.The planet is Vargottama.The planet is in a good Shastiamsha.The planet is conjuct, aspected by or hemmed in by natural benefics.The planet rules 1st, 5th, 9th house.The planet is conjuct the rules of 1st, 5th or 9th house.The planet is aspected by its depositor.The dispositor of the planet is in its own or exalted sign.Planet is considered malefic if,The planet is in its debilitation sign.The planet is in a great enemy sign.The planet has low Vimsopaka bala.The planet is in a bad Shastiamsha.The planet in Mrityubhaga.The planet is conjunct, aspected by or hemmed in by natural malefic.The is is combust.The planet is in the 6th or 8th or 12th house.The planet owns 6th or 8th or 12th house.The planet’s dispositor is debilitated or weak.To determine the balance of how good or bad a planet is positioned, simply count how many enhancing conditions are there, and how many depleting conditions are there.If there are only or mostly factors that make planet auspicious, it will give it’s most desired effect in the chart. If the planet is only or mostly subject to afflictions, it will give it’s most challenging contribution, and cause a lots of problems in life.If there are neither affliction nor supporting factors, the the planet will act mostly according to it’’s natural tendency. The lordship and the position of the planet, as well as any yogas formed will become important.Thanks! Hope this will be helpful.| शं करोतु शंकरः |