Understanding the Celestial Archetypes
In Vedic astrology, planets are known as Grahas — from the Sanskrit root Grah, meaning "that which seizes or colors consciousness." The Grahas are not merely physical balls of rock and gas; they are cosmic conduits through which our karmic impressions (Samskaras) are projected into human experience.
Sun (Surya)
Significations: Soul (Atma), Father, Leadership, Vitality, Authority, Government, Bones, Heart.
Exaltation: Aries (10°).
Moon (Chandra)
Significations: Mind (Manas), Emotions, Mother, Intuition, Memory, Nourishment, Fluids.
Exaltation: Taurus (3°).
Mars (Mangal)
Significations: Courage, Willpower, Physical Strength, Land/Property, Technical Acumen, Blood.
Exaltation: Capricorn (28°).
Mercury (Budh)
Significations: Discrimination (Buddhi), Speech, Commerce, Analytical Mind, Learning, Wit.
Exaltation: Virgo (15°).
Jupiter (Guru / Brihaspati)
Significations: Wisdom (Jnana), Dharma, Children, Wealth, Higher Learning, Expansion, Grace.
Exaltation: Cancer (5°).
Venus (Shukra)
Significations: Love, Beauty, Marriage, Artistic Talents, Vehicles, Luxury, Refinement.
Exaltation: Pisces (27°).
Saturn (Shani)
Significations: Discipline, Endurance, Longevity (Ayush), Humility, Delay, Spiritual Maturity.
Exaltation: Libra (20°).
Rahu (North Lunar Node)
Significations: Innovation, Foreign Lands, Ambition, Technology, Out-of-the-Box Thinking, Desires.
Exaltation: Taurus / Gemini.
Ketu (South Lunar Node)
Significations: Spirituality, Liberation (Moksha), Detachment, Occult Insight, Intuition, Mastery.
Exaltation: Scorpio / Sagittarius.