INTRODUCTION
In Vedic astrology, the degree of a planet in a birth chart is one of the most important factors that determine how that planet expresses its energy, and it plays a pivotal role in shaping an individual’s life and experiences. Understanding the planets degrees in a birth chart requires an in-depth analysis of how a planet behaves in relation to its exact degree within a zodiac sign, its placement in the Nakshatras, and its connections with other planetary aspects.
DEGREES IN ALL ZODIAC SIGNS / RASHI
The zodiac circle is composed of 12 signs, each covering 30 degrees, making the total of 360 degrees. In Vedic astrology, each planet is placed at a specific degree in one of the signs. The degree is a precise point in the zodiac that defines the planet’s position in a birth chart.
ROLE OF DEGREES
Zodiac Signs (Rashis): Each of the 12 signs spans 30 degrees, and the position of the planet within those degrees will influence how the planet operates.
Exact Degree: This is the precise location of a planet within a sign, and it helps to pinpoint the unique characteristics and expression of the planet.
Degrees and Nakshatras: Each zodiac sign in Vedic astrology is divided into 27 Nakshatras, which are further subdivided into smaller degrees, known as Pada (each is 3° 20’). The Nakshatra and the exact degree within it add depth and subtlety to the interpretation of the planet.
GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE OF PLANETS DEGREE
Critical Degrees (Anaretic Degree)
29°: This is known as the Critical Degree. When a planet is placed at 29° of a sign, its energy is considered to be heightened and intense. It may signify a crisis point, culmination, or the “final stage” of something, such as a project, relationship, or life lesson.
29° can point to significant challenges or transformative experiences related to the house or sign it is placed in. The native may face intense experiences related to that planetary energy, or the planet may bring a sense of urgency or finality in its area of influence.
0° (Beginning of a Sign): The first degree of a sign (0°) is associated with new beginnings, initiation, and the raw energy of that sign. A planet placed here is seen as starting a new cycle in its expression and may indicate fresh energy or a new area of life.
A planet at 0° of a sign may show a native who is more impulsive, pioneering, or in the early stages of development in the life area represented by that planet and house.
NAKSHATRAS AND DEGREES
Each zodiac sign is divided into 27 Nakshatras, which represent a group of stars or constellations. These Nakshatras influence the way the planetary energy is expressed.
Degrees and Nakshatras: Each Nakshatra spans 13°20′, and the degree of a planet within a Nakshatra further refines how the planet expresses itself. The degree of the planet determines which Pada (quarter) of the Nakshatra it occupies, and each Pada carries a distinct energetic quality.
Nakshatra Degrees Impact: The degree within a Nakshatra gives more nuance to the planet’s expression. The first Pada is often about initiating qualities of the Nakshatra, the second represents deepening those qualities, the third involves a refined or balanced approach, and the fourth reflects culmination or mastery.
4. Planetary Strength Based on Degree
The degree of a planet within a sign can affect its strength or weakness. Planets may be stronger when they occupy certain degrees that align well with the nature of the sign they are in, while they may be weaker when they occupy unfavourable degrees or when the degree contradicts the planet’s qualities.
Exalted and Debilitated Degrees:
A planet in exaltation (the sign where a planet is most powerful) is usually considered to be strong in its expression, but its degree matters:
For example, Venus in Pisces (degree 27°-30°) is exalted. The higher degrees of Pisces (especially 27°-29°) bring out the most refined, artistic, and spiritual qualities of Venus.
Similarly, Mars in Cancer (degrees 0°-12°) is debilitated, and its energy here is weakened. The degree at which Mars is placed in Cancer further refines how this debilitation manifests—at lower degrees, it may indicate more emotional challenges or difficulty in expressing assertiveness.
Planetary Aspects and Degrees:
When planets aspect each other, the exact degree is crucial in determining the strength of the aspect. The closer the degrees of the planets involved, the stronger the influence of the aspect.
Conjunctions: When two planets are at the same degree, their energies merge and intensify. A conjunction of the Sun and Mercury at 15° Virgo, for example, can indicate sharp intellect and communication skills.
Oppositions: Planets in opposition are generally considered to be at odds with each other, and the degree at which the opposition occurs helps to determine how the tension between the planets will manifest.
Trikona and Kendra: Planets forming harmonious or challenging aspects operates more powerfully when they are closer in degree.
5. Retrograde Planets and Degree Impact
Retrograde Planets: When a planet is retrograde, it appears to move backward in the sky. Retrograde planets are associated with introspection, reevaluation, and often past-life karma. The degree of the retrograde planet plays a role in how this backward motion manifests in the native’s life.
For instance, Mercury retrograde at 15° of Libra would suggest issues related to communication, contracts, and relationships, particularly with balance, fairness, or indecision, as Libra is about harmony and justice.
6. Degree-Specific Interpretations and Effects
0° to 5° Degrees: Planets in the very early degrees of a sign can often express themselves in an unrefined or nascent way. These planets might show raw energy, impulsiveness, or immaturity, with potential for growth over time.
6° to 24° Degrees: These middle degrees represent a planet’s full potential and mature expression. A planet placed in these degrees tends to function optimally, displaying its qualities without too much fluctuation.
25° to 29° Degrees: Planets in these later degrees are completing their cycle in the sign and may bring experiences of culmination, intensity, or finality. Such planets may also indicate a degree of fatigue or having exhausted their potential in that sign.
LAL KITAB REMEDIES FOR LOW DEGREE PLANETS IN BIRTH CHART
1. Sun (Surya) in Low Degrees (0°-5°)
The Sun in the early degrees may indicate weak self-esteem, ego issues, and challenges with authority or father figures. If the Sun is in low degrees, it can affect a person’s vitality, health, and career.
REMEDIES
Donation of Copper: Donate copper or copper utensils on Sundays to strengthen the Sun. Copper is considered to be the metal that boosts the energy of the Sun.
Worship Lord Shiva: Offer water or milk to the Shivlinga on Sundays to improve the Sun’s power. Recite Aditya Hridayam or Gayatri Mantra regularly to enhance vitality and confidence.
Sunflower Seeds: Keep a packet of sunflower seeds in your house or office, as they are associated with the Sun.
Avoid Wearing Red: For a low-degree Sun, it is recommended to avoid wearing red clothing as it can aggravate the Sun’s negative impact.
2. Moon (Chandra) in Low Degrees (0°-5°)
The Moon in low degrees often causes emotional instability, mood swings, and difficulties in mental peace. It may indicate problems with the mother or maternal influences in life.
REMEDIES
Water for the Moon: Offering water to the moon on Monday night can help calm the mind and enhance emotional balance.
Pearls: Wearing pearl or donating white-coloured items (like milk or rice) on Mondays can strengthen the Moon.
Keep Silver Objects: Place a silver object in the home, as silver is the metal for the Moon, to improve mental stability and peace.
Recite Mantras: Chant the Chandra Beej Mantra or Moon-related prayers to reduce mental stress.
3. Mars (Mangal) in Low Degrees (0°-5°)
Mars in low degrees can create challenges related to aggression, impulsiveness, and conflict, especially in terms of career, brothers, or professional matters. It may also manifest in issues related to physical vitality or accidents.
REMEDIES
Red Lentils (Masoor Dal): Offer red lentils to a Hanuman idol on Tuesdays. Mars is associated with Hanuman, and this remedy helps reduce malefic effects.
Fasting on Tuesdays: Fasting on Tuesdays and chanting the Mangal Beej Mantra can help pacify Mars and improve vitality.
Iron Objects: Keeping iron or iron objects in the home, such as an iron nail under the pillow, can strengthen Mars.
Donating Red Items: Donating red items like clothes or red vegetables to the poor on Tuesdays is a helpful remedy.
4. Mercury (Budh) in Low Degrees (0°-5°)
A low-degree Mercury may cause issues related to communication, intellect, and learning. It can affect a person’s ability to express themselves clearly and may lead to misunderstandings.
REMEDIES
Fasting on Wednesdays: Fasting or limiting food intake on Wednesdays helps strengthen Mercury’s influence. Chant the Budh Beej Mantra to improve intellect.
Green Clothes: Wearing green clothing on Wednesdays is a remedy to strengthen Mercury’s position.
Donating Green Vegetables: Donate green vegetables or green items to the needy on Wednesdays.
Use of Emerald: Wearing an emerald gemstone or keeping it in the home may help improve Mercury’s energy.
5. Jupiter (Guru) in Low Degrees (0°-5°)
Jupiter in low degrees can indicate issues with wisdom, wealth, children, and spiritual growth. It may cause problems in acquiring knowledge or facing challenges with gurus or teachers.
REMEDIES
Offer Yellow Items: Donate yellow clothes or yellow food items like turmeric or gram flour to the needy, especially on Thursdays.
Worship Lord Vishnu or Guru: Offer yellow flowers to Lord Vishnu or any deity associated with wisdom, especially on Thursdays. Chant the Guru Beej Mantra for wisdom and prosperity.
Fast on Thursdays: Fasting on Thursdays and offering prayers to Lord Vishnu can strengthen Jupiter and enhance learning.
Use of Yellow Sapphire: Wearing yellow sapphire or keeping it near the body may strengthen Jupiter’s influence.
6. Venus (Shukra) in Low Degrees (0°-5°)
Venus in low degrees can affect aspects related to love, relationships, beauty, and finances. It may lead to delays or obstacles in finding happiness in relationships or attracting wealth.
REMEDIES
Donation of White Items: Donate white items (such as white clothes or white grains) to the poor on Fridays.
Fasting on Fridays: Fasting on Fridays and offering prayers to Lakshmi can help strengthen Venus.
Use of Diamond: Wearing a diamond (or a white stone) may help improve Venus’s energy.
Recite the Venus Mantra: Chant the Shukra Beej Mantra for enhancing love and wealth.
7. Saturn (Shani) in Low Degrees (0°-5°)
Saturn in the early degrees can cause struggles related to hard work, discipline, and delays. It may bring challenges in career, family life, and personal growth.
REMEDIES
Donation of Black Items: Donate black items (such as black sesame seeds or black clothes) on Saturdays to reduce the negative effects of Saturn.
Fasting on Saturdays: Fasting on Saturdays can help alleviate Saturn’s malefic influence. Chant the Shani Beej Mantra to improve career prospects.
Offer Mustard Oil: Offering mustard oil or black sesame seeds to a Shani idol can help improve Saturn’s influence.
Serving the Poor: Serving the elderly or helping those in need on Saturdays can help reduce Saturn’s negative effects.
CONCLUSION
The degree of a planet in a Vedic astrology birth chart is critical to understanding the planet’s strength, potential, and the precise manner in which it influences the individual’s life. Degrees determine how the planet expresses itself, its connection to the Nakshatras, its strength through exaltation or debilitation, and its relationship to other planets. In-depth analysis of planetary degrees, especially when combined with Nakshatra and divisional charts, allows a comprehensive understanding of a native’s life path, challenges, and opportunities.
Degree analysis in the divisional charts (Vargas) is also crucial for gaining deeper insights into an individual’s life and experiences. This degree-based analysis allows for a more nuanced and holistic approach to understanding the birth chart in Vedic astrology.
The remedies mentioned above for low-degree planets in the birth chart according to Lal Kitab can help address the weaknesses and challenges posed by early-degree planetary placements.