Important Terminologies pertaining to Tamil Astrology

There are certain terminologies used in Tamil Astrology which are bit peculiar and considered to be of slight variation when compared with the traditional usage. A few of these do find favor in general horoscopic analysis but in the Tamil equivalent, they are used a bit more widely than usual. Let us look at some of the concepts that add an extra flavour while interpreting a horoscope.

⇒ Badhaka Sthana - The Obstacle Houses
These are the houses that can cause hurdles and be a barrier in a horoscope. It differs for each sign based on whether it is a Movable, Fixed or Dual rasi. This concept has found much footing in recent times and used a lot when interpreting horoscopes. Based on the Kala Purusha, the 11th house is the default Badhaka sign but it differs for each sign based on the type. The planets situated in Badhak can create impediments and the lord of the sign also needs to be analyzed. Contrary to popular opinion that Badhak Lord placed in a negative bhava like 6,8,12 yields good result, the actuality is that as stated in Pulipani Jothidam, Badhak Lord being placed in a Trikona especially 5,9 houses only ends up being favorable. To explain this theory, the Sage specifically explains that for a Fixed Sign Ascendant, the 9th house Badhak lord being seated in own 9th house itself ends up actually being favorable to negate the ill effects of Badhak Bhava.

The Badhaka Sthana for different signs are as follows:
Movable Sign - 11th House
Fixed Sign - 9th House
Dual Sign - 7th House

⇒ Maraka Sthana - The Killer Houses
Maragathipathi or Maraka refers to those houses that can cause a killing effect to the native. In general parlance and as advocated by most texts, the 2nd and 7th houses always end up being the Maraka houses. This is based on the Bhavat Bhavam principle of 8th house being the house of longevity. The 3rd being the 8th from the 8th extends this logic. The 12th house from any house is said to be a negater and hence the 12th from the 3rd and 8th house yields the 2nd and 7th house thus forming the concept of Maraka houses. However in Tamil Astrology, similar to Badhak the concept operates differently based on the type of sign depending on whether it is movable, fixed or dual.

The Maraka Sthana for different signs are as follows:
Movable Sign - 2nd & 7th House
Fixed Sign - 3rd & 8th House
Dual Sign - 7th & 11th House

⇒ Maraivu Sthana - The Hidden Houses
Maraivu Sthana are known as the hidden houses where planets are said to generally lose their power and become ineffective. The 3rd, 6th, 8th and 12th houses form the crux of the Maraivu houses. In this it's said that the 3rd is only about 1/4th hidden and the 12th about 1/2 hidden and only 6th and 8th being the combative hidden houses with 8th being the most malicious. However though the general hidden houses happen to be 3rd, 6th, 8th and 12th it happens to differ for the planets in question. Since the natural malefics are said to be effective in Upachaya Sthana which are the 3rd, 6th, 10th and 11th houses and two of these houses namely the 3rd and 6th also come under list of Maraivu Bhava these places get eliminated. For Venus the 6th and 12th houses are eliminated on account of it forming Lakshmi Yoga.

Hence the Maraivu Sthana for different planets are as follows:
Sun - 8th House, 12th House
Moon - 3rd House, 6th House, 8th House, 12th House
Mars - 8th House, 12th House
Mercury - 3rd House, 6th House, 8th House, 12th House
Jupiter - 3rd House, 6th House, 8th House, 12th House
Venus - 3rd House, 8th House
Saturn - 8th House, 12th House
Rahu - 8th House, 12th House
Ketu - 8th House, 12th House

⇒ Poojya Pada - Zero Point
There are selective Nakshatra Padas in each of the 12 rasis where planets are said to lose their potency and become ineffective when seated in that designated spot of 3°20'. This is said to be called as zero point and hence if any of the planets falls in this area, it can attract negative vibrations. Out of the 12 rasis, 4 of them happen to be on the 1st pada, another 4 happen on the 5th pada and other 4 happen on the last 9th pada of the rasi.

The Poojya Pada for each rasi is as follows:
Mesha - Ashwini 1 - 0°0' - 3°20' - 1st Pada of 9 Padas
Rishaba - Krithika 2 - 0°0' - 3°20' - 1st Pada of 9 Padas
Mithuna - Arudra 3 - 13°20' - 16°40' - 5th Pada of 9 Padas 
Karka - Ashlesha 4 - 26°40' - 30°0' - 9th Pada of 9 Padas
Simha - Poorva Phalguni 1 - 13°20' - 16°40' - 5th Pada of 9 Padas
Kanya - Uttara Phalguni 2 - 0°0' - 3°20' - 1st Pada of 9 Padas
Thula - Swati 3 - 13°20' - 16°40' - 5th Pada of 9 Padas
Vrischika - Jyeshta 4 - 26°40' - 30°0' - 9th Pada of 9 Padas
Dhanu - Moola 1 -  0°0' - 3°20' - 1st Pada of 9 Padas
Makara - Dhanishta 2 - 26°40' - 30°0' - 9th Pada of 9 Padas
Kumbha - Satabisha 3 - 13°20' - 16°40' - 5th Pada of 9 Padas
Meena - 26°40' - 30°0' - 9th Pada of 9 Padas

⇒ Graha Natpu, Pagai and Samam - Planetary Friendship, Enmity and Neutrality
This concept works largely on the traditional Parashara methodology of finding out if a planet is friendly or not to another taking the Moola Trikona sign into question and evaluating the same. However additionally in most of the Panchangas, Rahu and Ketu are also assigned friendship levels with other planets. In Tamil astrological parlance, Rahu & Ketu do not own any sign of their own but they have their own treatment with respect to other planets,

The planetary relationship for the 9 planets work in the following manner:

Sun:
Friends - Moon, Mars, Jupiter
Enemies - Venus, Saturn, Rahu, Ketu
Neutral - Mercury

Moon:
Friends - Sun, Mercury
Enemies - Rahu, Ketu
Neutral - Mars, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn

Mars:
Friends - Sun, Moon, Jupiter
Enemies - Mercury, Rahu, Ketu,
Neutral - Venus, Saturn

Mercury:
Friends - Sun, Venus
Enemies - Moon
Neutral -  Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Rahu, Ketu

Jupiter:
Friends - Sun, Moon, Mars
Enemies - Mercury, Venus
Neutral - Saturn, Rahu, Ketu 

Venus:
Friends - Mercury, Saturn, Rahu, Ketu
Enemies - Sun, Moon,
Neutral - Mars, Jupiter

Saturn:
Friends - Mercury, Venus, Rahu, Ketu
Enemies - Sun, Moon, Mars
Neutral - Jupiter 

Rahu:
Friends - Venus, Saturn, Ketu
Enemies - Sun, Moon, Mars
Neutral - Mercury, Jupiter 

Ketu:
Friends - Venus, Saturn, Rahu
Enemies - Sun, Moon, Mars
Neutral - Mercury, Jupiter 

⇒ Graha Rasi Thanmai - Planetary Relationship in Different Rasis
This is with respect to according the different relationship assigned to planets when they are placed in different signs. With respect to Rahu & Ketu, here again there are plenty of confusions at play. There is no clear cut basis as to which of the signs they happen to be exalted. One of the most popular views is that Rahu gets exalted in Taurus and Ketu in Scorpio. However there are certain Tamil Panchangams which advocate that both Rahu & Ketu being one and the same get exalted in the sign in which Moon gets debilitated which is Scorpio and get debilitated in the exalted sign of Moon which happens to be Taurus. This has a validity as in effect the nodes are derived based on the Moons orbital path and is also said to maintain an inimical relationship with it. Rahu & Ketu are said to be friends with Venus & Saturn whereas maintain a neutral relationship with Mercury & Jupiter but strangely they are said to be friendly in both the signs of Mercury & Jupiter respectively. There is also a generic contrarian view which says that Rahu is favorable when placed in the signs of Aries, Taurus, Cancer, Virgo and Capricorn whereas Ketu is beneficial in the signs of Virgo, Scorpio and Aquarius. There is no real consensus at all whenever it comes to the nodes but however listed below is the most well known relationships that planets exhibit when placed in various rasis. 

The relationship exhibited by the 9 planets when placed in different rasis work in the following way:
                         

⇒ Pasagan, Bodhakan, Karakan, Vedhagan - Digestor, Informer, Doer, Obstructor
This concept is largely used when analyzing Dasha result. It is believed that the Antar Dasa Lord gives its result to the Dasha Lord based on any of the 4 portfolio that it obtains. The results of these are given in the Tamil texts "Jathaka Alankaram" and "Chandra Kaviyam". Explained below briefly is about the meaning of the 4 different terms.

Pasagan - The Pasagan is the one that instructs to give results in abundance and in a complete manner

Bodhakan - The Bodhakan is the one that intends to give results in a quick fashion and in proper way 

Karakan - The Karakan is the one that acts as helper and providing assistance in completing a task

Vedhagan - The Vedhagan is the one that acts as a hurdle and obstructs the path in giving the fulfilled results

Listed below are the Pasagan, Bodhakan, Karakan and Vedhagan for all the 9 planets
Sun : Pasagan - Saturn, Bodhakan - Mars, Karakan - Jupiter, Vedhagan - Venus
Moon : Pasagan - Venus, Bodhakan - Mars, Karakan - Saturn, Vedhagan - Sun
Mars : Pasagan - Sun, Bodhakan - Moon, Karakan - Saturn, Vedhagan - Mercury
Mercury : Pasagan - Moon, Bodhakan - Jupiter, Karakan - Venus, Vedhagan - Mars
Jupiter : Pasagan - Saturn, Bodhakan - Mars, Karakan - Moon, Vedhagan - Sun
Venus : Pasagan - Mercury, Bodhakan - Jupiter, Karakan - Sun, Vedhagan - Saturn
Saturn : Pasagan - Venus, Bodhakan - Moon, Karakan - Jupiter, Vedhagan - Mars
Rahu : Pasagan - Mercury, Bodhakan - Jupiter, Karakan - Mars, Vedhagan - Sun
Ketu : Pasagan - Venus, Bodhakan - Mercury, Karakan - Saturn, Vedhagan - Moon
                  
Notes: The classics largely advocate the results only for the 7 planets and not the nodes Rahu / Ketu. However in a few rare places they have been mentioned indirectly and hence been added in the list. Apart from Dasa results, these are sometimes also used as general placement results within a horoscope. For instance taking Sun, it's Pasagan is said to be Saturn which is said to be it's enemy but Sun sitting in the rasi of Saturn which could be Capricorn or Aquarius can enable Sun to get results in abundance on account of Saturn being it's Pasagan. Likewise Moon sitting in a rasi of Mars that could be Aries or Scorpio can help Moon to get it's desired results in quick time due to Mars being it's Bodhakan. Similar way Jupiter acts as the Karaka for Saturn. Hence Saturn being placed in a rasi of Jupiter which is either of Sagittarius or Pisces will help Saturn get the required assistance in completing it's work. Vedhagan on the other hand obstructs proceedings and as an illustration Jupiter sitting in the rasi of Sun which is Leo can act as a hurdle and prevent Jupiter from getting it's results fulfilled.

⇒ Kala Pagai Dasa - Planetary Time Periods based on Life
There are certain planetary Dasa's which are said to create problems when they come within a certain age. There are also some sub periods which are said to be troublesome portions when a Dasa is operating. Lets look at the Dasa's which create problems when they occur during a particular lifespan

0 years to 2 years - Saturn Dasa
2 years to 11 years - Rahu Dasa
11 years to 18 years - Sun Dasa
18 years to 34 years - Moon Dasa
34 years to 52 years - Venus Dasa
52 years to 68 years - Ketu Dasa
68 years to 100 years - Mercury Dasa

We will now see the Antar Dasa's which magnify the issues when a particular Dasa is operating. In general it is said that the first sub period is not expected to produce favorable results but there are also specific other periods within a Dasa causing unfavorable time span on account of Kala Pagai which is planetary enmity.

Sun Dasa - Venus Antar Dasa
Moon Dasa - Jupiter Antar Dasa
Mars Dasa - Saturn Antar Dasa
Mercury Dasa - Rahu Antar Dasa
Jupiter Dasa - Mercury Antar Dasa
Venus Dasa - Sun Antar Dasa
Saturn Dasa - Mars Antar Dasa
Rahu Dasa - Mercury Antar Dasa
Ketu Dasa - Saturn Antar Dasa

There is also a concept of Maraka Dasa which can cause a killing impact on the native based on the sequence of Dasa. Listed briefly are the Dasa planets causing this effect based on the sequence.
4th Dasa - Saturn
5th Dasa - Mars
6th Dasa - Jupiter
7th Dasa - Rahu

All these are supposed to create problematic effects to the native based on the operation and sequence. It's not specifically mentioned to which Dasa this applies but this should be taken into account only with respect to the Vimshottari Dasa scheme of things.

⇒ Graha Bala - Planetary Strength
As per this concept, Ketu is said to be the strongest planet of all followed by its opposite nodal point Rahu. Then follows the luminaries Sun, Moon followed by the 5 planets Venus, Jupiter, Mercury, Mars and Saturn

The planetary strength for the 9 planets work in the following order:
Ketu -> Rahu -> Sun -> Moon -> Venus -> Jupiter -> Mercury -> Mars -> Saturn

⇒ Graha Paarvai - Planetary Aspect
In common parlance, the outer planets Mars, Jupiter and Saturn are said to possess extra aspects apart from the default 7th aspect whereas the inner planets namely Venus, Mercury, Moon and Sun are said to obtain only the 7th aspect. With regard to Rahu & Ketu however there is a major consensual debate with Tamil Astrology alone adopting 3rd & 11th aspect whereas significant mention of aspects for the nodes have been said that they either possess no aspect or hold aspect similar to Jupiter in the sense of owning the 5th and 9th view. There is also a mention in an old Tamil classic called "Jothida Arichuvadai" translated as System of Jyotish that exhibits a sloka interpreting Grahas to have special (Vichitra) aspects for certain planets apart from the default 7th aspect. Here even Mandi the son of Saturn is said to be possessing a forward and backward sight viz 2nd and 12th aspect.

The planetary aspects for the 9 planets work in the following way:

Sun - 3rd, 7th and 10th Aspect
Moon - 7th Aspect
Mars - 4th, 7th and 8th Aspect
Mercury - 7th Aspect
Jupiter - 5th, 7th and 9th Aspect
Venus - 6th, 7th and 8th Aspect
Saturn - 3rd, 7th and 10th Aspect
Rahu - 3rd, 7th and 11th Aspect
Ketu - 3rd, 7th and 11th Aspect

Problems Aplenty with respect to Uniformity in Astrology!

Astrology is a divine science. However one major drawback that it suffers is a lack of common standard and there is no uniformity when it comes to a number of factors. Listed below are some perennial problems or ever prevailing confusions with regard to astrology which don't perhaps look like getting resolved in the near future.

1) Lack of correct Ayanamsa:
Ayanamsa is defined as the angular distance between vedic first point and vernal equinox. The sidereal ecliptic of a celestial body is less than the tropical ecliptic longitude. But there was a point in time when the sidereal zodiac and tropical zodiac coincided which is taken as the starting point. Different years are taken in contention viz Lahiri (285 AD), Krishnamurthy (291 AD), Raman (397 AD), Yuktheshwar (499 AD), Vakya Siddhantha (522 AD) etc. The different Ayanamsa used results in different degrees of placements of planets causing trouble in reading horoscopes. For eg say Mercury is in 29 degrees 30 mins as per Lahiri Ayanamsa in Aries, but applying Raman Ayanamsa Mercury will end up being at 0 degrees 56 mins in Taurus.
Different Ayanamsas:
- Lahiri Chitra Paksha Ayanamsa
- Krishnamurthy Ayanamsa
- BV Raman Ayanamsa
- Yuktheshwar Ayanamsa
- Pushya Paksha Ayanamsa
- Fagan Ayanamsa
- Others (totally about 50 odd present)

2) No consensus on accurate birth time:
Sometimes natives don't have a birth time at all but even those who have it there are multiple reasons as to why it may not be correct. There are still views going on about whether birth time should be recorded as time of first breath, time of first cry, time of touching the earth, cutting of umbilical cord, time of break of placenta etc. Incorrect birth time can cause predictions to go awry.
Different Time of Births:
- Time of first breath
- Time of first cry
- Time of touching earth
- Time of cutting umbilical cord
- Time of break of placenta
- Others - time of forehead appearing, body part visible etc

3) Dasa Year Computation:
The Vimshottari Dasa system calculated based on Moon's longitude is a specific feature available in Vedic Astrology and most of the timing of events of life are matched with the running Dasa and sub periods. But there isn't a standard solution as to whether a Dasa year should be a solar year (365 point days) or a Savana Year (360 days) or based on a Lunar year (354 point days).
Different Dasa Years Used (Without decimals):
- Solar Year 365 days
- Savana Year 360 days
- Lunar Year 354 days

4) House Counting System:
Houses are of prominent importance when deciphering a chart. Which house planets are placed can give a very good insight about your course of life. But here too there are diverse views whether ascendant should start from where rasi starts which is whole sign, whether ascendant degree should be mid of first house or ascendant degree should indicate start of first house. Whole sign ascendant illustration: Ascendant Aries 29 degrees, Venus 2 degrees in Taurus and Mercury 27 degree in Aries. Venus will be counted as second house and Mercury as 1st house. Ascendant is middle of first house Illustration: Ascendant Aries 27 degrees, Venus 4 degrees Taurus and Mercury 10 degrees Aries. Here Venus will be counted as first house and Mercury as twelfth house. First house spans from 12 degree Aries to 12 degree Taurus and 27 degrees is mid point. Ascendant is start of first house Illustration: Ascendant Taurus 6 degrees, Venus 3 degrees Taurus and Mercury 1 degree Taurus. Both Venus and Mercury will be counted as 12th house. First house will roughly span from 6 degrees Taurus to 6 degrees Gemini.
Different House Systems:
- Whole sign Ascendant
- Ascendant should be middle of first house
- Ascendant should be start of first house

5) Aspects and Significator Usage:
There are some lingering confusions as to how much of aspect is really valid. Certain planets are said to have full and partial aspects. Also whether they influence a whole sign or just an extent of the house is also a point to ponder. And coming to the mysterious planets Rahu and Ketu, there are still doubts plaguing as to whether they aspect or not and even if they do tend to aspect, opinions are divided on which kind of aspects they possess. The significator or the karaka's role is also perceived differently as per various branches of astrology. For eg Mars is husband for females in one system whereas its Jupiter in another system. In some cases it is both Venus or both Jupiter.

Hence, with these kind of lurking issues prevalent in astrology it's safe to say predictions can never be cent percent accurate. There will always be a sense of vulnerability and the astrologer needs to consider a number of these factors before giving predictions. Being in the age of Kali Yuga, I doubt there will be a sure shot solution to any of the points and there are always going to be multiple views with or without logical reasoning as to which is correct. Perhaps these limitations are one reason as to why the field of occult is the way it actually is - extremely mysterious and always providing a scope for research and unraveling hidden treasures :).

Rare Planetary Aspects in Vedic Astrology!

Aspects form an important area of play when analyzing horoscopes under the realm of Vedic Astrology. It is believed the planets cast their vision on the 7th sign from where they are placed apart from certain planets which are said to have special aspects. Listing below the usually accustomed aspects which are associated with the planets

Sun - 7th Aspect

Moon - 7th Aspect

Mars - 4th, 7th and 8th Aspect

Mercury - 7th Aspect

Jupiter - 5th, 7th and 9th Aspect

Venus - 7th Aspect

Saturn - 3rd, 7th and 10th Aspect

Rahu - No Aspect (Note: Some schools consider 5th, 7th and 9th aspect similar to Jupiter and sometimes even 12th as Rahu always moves in reverse direction)

Ketu - No Aspect (Note: Some schools consider aspects only for Rahu and not for Ketu but there are also other views that it holds the same like Rahu ie 5th, 7th and 9th aspect similar to Jupiter and sometimes even 12th as Ketu always moves in reverse direction)

Let's look at it from the planets in the solar system. The sequence goes about as Mercury -> Venus -> Earth -> Mars -> Jupiter -> Saturn -> Uranus -> Neptune -> Pluto

If you consider the order above, it is clear that the inner planets to Earth viz Mercury and Venus only possess 7th aspect. Moon who is always orbiting around the earth is also relegated to just the 7th aspect and replacing the Earth with the Sun from the parlance of Geo-centric system, it also possesses only the default 7th aspect. Rahu & Ketu which are in essence derived from the Moon's orbital path around the Earth do not possess any aspect. It may also be considered as possessing the same 7th aspect but since Rahu & Ketu are in essence only one object with Rahu representing the head and Ketu depicting the tail, the aspects aren't factored into account.

However the outer planets from the Earth viz Mars, Jupiter and Saturn have extra special aspects on top of the usual 7th aspect which the inner planets from Earth possess. We are not taking into account Uranus, Neptune and Pluto as they are beyond the scope of Vedic Astrology.

The sages have also advocated a partial aspects theory which is not used much in practice. As per this methodology, each planet influences a certain visionary scope apart from it's usual full aspect. The designated planet however is given full aspect responsibility in that territory as seen below:
4th & 8th Aspect - Each planet has 75% aspect (Mars alone has 100%)
5th & 9th Aspect - Each planet has 50% aspect (Jupiter alone has 100%)
3rd & 10th Aspect - Each planet has 25% aspect (Saturn alone has 100%)

Few other branches of astrology such as Nadi Astrology, Lal Kitab Astrology, Jaimini Astrology again have their own say in defining aspects. In Nadi, each planet is said to influence heavily on planets placed in trine to them. The 2nd & 12th aspect is also considered extensively with the 2nd being considered highly powerful for a planet in forward motion as it's believed to go and touch the planet in the next sign and likewise for planets in retro motion, the 12th forms high weightage. The 3rd, 7th, 11th trine are also given a smaller slice of aspect percentage and in effect only the 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th to a planet doesn't really have much of a say with respect to aspects. Lal Kitab also has it's own unique measure of aspects. As per it, the planet in 1st house aspects planets in 7th house but the vice versa doesn't hold true. Also there are percentages given to the extent a planet placed in a particular house has on other houses. Jaimini is more to do with the signs and it's believed each movable sign aspects every other fixed sign except the one next to it and likewise each of the fixed signs aspect all the movable signs except the one next to it. The Dual signs aspect each of the other dual signs.

On exploring the subject further on planetary aspects associated with Vedic Astrology, I got to figure there are some extra hidden aspects given to some of the inner planets Sun, Venus and also Rahu & Ketu apart from the usual 7th aspect. This is also backed up by one old Tamil text called "Jothida Arichuvadi" which delineates the aspects of planets by means of a sloka. Listing below the aspects of all planets including the unknown rare ones:

Sun - 3rd, 7th and 10th Aspect

Moon - 7th Aspect

Mars - 4th, 7th and 8th Aspect

Mercury - 7th Aspect

Jupiter - 5th, 7th and 9th Aspect

Venus - 6th, 7th and 8th Aspect

Saturn - 3rd, 7th and 10th Aspect

Rahu - 3rd, 7th and 11th Aspect

Ketu - 3rd, 7th and 11th Aspect

This may not match the solar system logic of all outer planets being given special aspects and inner planets being given just the default 7th aspect but we must also adhere and realize the fact that Vedic Astrology works largely on planetary energies. The reasons figured out for these extra aspects pertaining to Sun, Venus, Rahu&Ketu are as follows:

Sun (Extra 3rd and 10th aspect):
As per mythology, Sun happens to be the father of Saturn and we are well aware of Saturn possessing 3rd and 10th aspect. The dad is expected to have the same aspectual tendency as per his son and hence the proverb ''Like Father Like Son'' holds good here with Sun also possessing the special 3rd and 10th aspect.

Venus (Extra 6th and 8th aspect):
Venus represents 'Yoni' which translates to sexual organ. This portion is always protected by the left side and right side thigh. Even if any serious calamity takes place, it's the two sides to the left and right that always enable to protect the womb. These are the 6th (left) and 8th (right) aspect holding and protecting the 7th (yoni).

Rahu & Ketu (Extra 3rd and 11th aspect):
Both Rahu & Ketu are nodal points derived from Moon. Moon is said to rule the zodiac sign of Cancer whereas it's Mool Trikon (office of responsibility) sign is Taurus. When you count forward or backward from Cancer to Taurus you get 3,11 and hence Rahu/Ketu are believed to possess 3rd and 11th aspect.

It is interesting to note that as per this logic all the planets except Moon & Mercury have special aspects designed for them. Also if we look at the signs being aspected, all houses are being touched upon except 2/12 axis. Incidentally coming to the 2nd and 12th aspect, it is largely believed that the son of Saturn namely Mandi which is predominantly used in Southern part of India is said to have an aspect of one house before and after it's placement along with default 7th which effectively and indirectly means all houses aspects are considered if Mandi is also included in the mix. 

1st - Placement of the planets
7th - Default aspect for all planets
3rd - Sun, Saturn, Rahu & Ketu
11th - Rahu & Ketu
4th - Mars
10th - Sun & Saturn
5th - Jupiter
9th - Jupiter
6th - Venus
8th - Mars & Venus

2nd - Mandi

12th - Mandi

Rahu/Ketu and Illusions!

There are way too many illusions with regard to Rahu/Ketu and respected authorities tend to disagree with regard to Rahu Ketu aspects, own house, Mool Trikona (office of responsibility) and exaltation/debilitation sign. Attached below is a compendium of the different view points which exist with the respect to Rahu and Ketu.

Rahu/Ketu Aspects:
A) No aspect (Shadow planet and hence said not to have aspect)
B) 5,7,9 (Most commonly held view)
C) 5,7,9,12 (Some believe it has 12th also)
D) 3,7,11 (Tamil scriptures especially)
E) 3,7,10 (Similar to Saturn's aspect)
Note : There are also some beliefs that Rahu alone aspects and Ketu does not aspect. Also since Rahu and Ketu are generally believed to be one and the same and always 180 degrees apart, 7th aspect is not considered.

Rahu/Ketu Own House:
A) Rahu Aquarius, Ketu Scorpio (Most popular view)
B) Rahu Virgo, Ketu Pisces (Supported by few texts)
C) Rahu Aquarius, Ketu Aries (Based on Saturn and Mars Mooltrikona placement)
D) Rahu Capricorn, Ketu Cancer (Apparently in few Tamil texts)
E) Rahu and Ketu both don't own any houses (Believed to be just nodal points and hence considered not to have any ownership)

Rahu/Ketu Mool Trikona Sign:
A) Rahu Virgo Ketu Pisces (Most popular view)
B) Rahu Gemini Ketu Sagittarius (Supported by a Parashara Hora version)
C) Rahu Aquarius Ketu Aries (Shanivat Rahu Kujavat Ketu hence follows similar to Saturn & Mars)
D) Rahu and Ketu both don't a Mool Trikona sign (This is based on the inference that they don't rule any of the signs in the zodiac)

Rahu/Ketu Exaltation and Debilitation:
A) Rahu Exalted in Taurus and Debilitated in Scorpio, Ketu Exalted in Scorpio and Debilitated in Taurus (Most popular view)
B) Rahu Exalted in Gemini and Debilitated in Sagittarius, Ketu Exalted in Sagittarius and Debilitated in Gemini (Another popular view supported especially in Jaimini)
C) Rahu Exalted in Virgo and Debilitated in Pisces, Ketu Exalted in Pisces and Debilitated in Virgo (Not very popular but believed as another view)
D) Rahu Exalted in Scorpio and Debilitated in Taurus, Ketu Exalted in Taurus and Debilitated in Scorpio (Not popular but this view is based on the headless theory as they are believed to exert full influence on the opposite house from which they are placed)
E) Rahu and Ketu both are Exalted in Scorpio (opposite of Moon exaltation sign Taurus) and both are Debilitated in Taurus (Moon exaltation sign)
F) Rahu and Ketu both don't have exaltation and debilitation signs. Result depends on their despositors.