INTRODUCTION
A planet is considered combust when it is too close to the Sun in the birth chart, typically within a certain degree distance. When a planet is combust, it is said to lose its power, visibility, and the ability to function well, since it is overwhelmed by the intense, overwhelming energy of the Sun.
The Sun’s Role: In Vedic astrology, the Sun is considered the Atmakaraka or “soul indicator,” symbolizing the self, the mind, and vitality. It represents clarity, leadership, authority, and the ego. Its energy is very intense, and when a planet is too close to the Sun, it can lose its ability to function independently or be “eclipsed” by the Sun’s rays.
Combustion Distance: A planet is typically considered combust if it is within about 8-10 degrees of the Sun, but this can vary depending on the specific planet. The closer the planet is to the Sun, the stronger the combustion effect. The combustion becomes more intense if the planet is within 3-5 degrees of the Sun.
IMPACT OF COMBUSTION
Loss of Planetary Strength: A combust planet loses its natural strength. The qualities associated with the planet become either suppressed, distorted, or ineffective in the individual’s life. For example:
A combust Mercury may indicate confusion, communication problems, or a lack of mental clarity.
A combust Venus may affect relationships, causing issues with love, beauty, creativity, or financial matters.
A combust Mars may lead to suppressed energy, lack of initiative, or even an overly aggressive or impulsive nature.
Challenges in Self-Expression: The planet’s energy is overshadowed by the Sun’s power, and the individual may find it difficult to express the positive traits of the combust planet. The planet may act in a more hidden or subconscious manner, and its natural significations may not be as apparent in the person’s life.
Personality and Psychological Impact: Combust planets can often indicate inner struggles or tensions in the areas of life that the planet governs. The individual may feel as if they are not able to fully access or express the qualities of that planet. For example:
Combust Moon can cause emotional instability or inner turmoil.
Potential for Transformation: Though combustion is generally seen as negative influence, there are cases where it can lead to transformation. A combust planet might eventually “burn off” the negative qualities it represents, leading to growth or the emergence of more refined and potent quality once the individual understands the deeper purpose of the planet in their chart.
HOW COMBUSTION AFFECTS PLANETS
When a planet is combust, it is not able to express its full energy or characteristics. The planet becomes weak, its powers are subdued, and its natural significations (such as emotions, communication, relationships, health, etc.) may be repressed, obscured, or distorted.
Combustion can sometimes make the qualities of the planet more intense or hidden, and the native might experience these characteristics in a suppressed or internalized manner.
EFFECTS OF COMBUSTION
Weakening: The planet loses its vitality, causing challenges in the areas governed by that planet.
Conflict: There is a hidden tension between the Sun (the self, ego, and vitality) and the combust planet. The native may experience inner conflict or self-doubt in the areas related to the combust planet.
Hidden Potential: Sometimes, combustion leads to latent potential or untapped energy that could eventually manifest after significant personal growth or understanding.
Eclipsed Qualities: The planet’s qualities may not be visible in the person’s life. For example, a combust Venus could indicate that the person has a hidden or repressed need for love and affection.
DEGREE OF COMBUSTION
Combust Moon
The Moon will combust when the Moon and Sun are within 12 degrees. The Moon indicates mother and home.
Combust Mercury
Mercury indicates intelligence, communication and logical thinking. According to study, Mercury never combusts as it is always closer to the Sun. However, it combusts when Mercury comes within 12 degrees of the Sun.
Combust Mars
Mars is given the tag of soldier and a friend to the Sun in astrology. Mars indicates power, physical health, and courage. Mars combusts when it comes within 17 degrees of the Sun.
Combust Venus
Venus indicates love, money and comfort. When Venus is within 8 degrees of the Sun, it combusts.
Combust Saturn
Saturn combusts when Sun and Saturn are within 15 degrees. Saturn and Sun are father and son in astrology. Hence, their combustion affects relationships with father or son also.
Combust Jupiter
Jupiter indicates divine intelligence, money and children. Jupiter combusts at 11 degrees.
The Sun and Moon Yog
The combustion of the Moon can give a yoga named “Amavasya” yoga. This has positive and negative side related to planet moon
COMBUSTION OF EACH PLANET
1. Combust Moon (Chandra)
The Moon governs emotions, mind, and instincts. When the Moon is combust, it indicates emotional turbulence, mental confusion, and a weakened connection to one’s own feelings and intuition.
Key Effects:
Emotional Instability: The individual may struggle with emotional expression or have a numbness towards feelings. There could be mood swings or emotional repression.
Issues with Mother: The Moon represents the mother and maternal nurturing. A combust Moon could indicate a strained relationship with the mother or a lack of emotional support during childhood.
Lack of Intuition: Combustion dulls the native’s intuitive or instinctual responses. They may find it difficult to trust their instincts or connect deeply with others.
2. Combust Mars (Mangal)
Mars represents action, courage, energy, aggression, and conflict. A combust Mars might cause internalized anger or issues related to assertiveness.
Key Effects:
Suppressed Anger or Frustration: The individual may struggle with pent-up anger, which may not be easily expressed or may lead to passive-aggressive behaviour.
Lack of Initiative: Combust Mars might indicate a lack of initiative in taking action, or the person may hesitate to assert themselves in competitive or conflict situations.
Physical Energy Loss: There could be a lack of stamina or physical vitality, leading to exhaustion or a lack of drive to pursue personal goals.
3. Combust Mercury (Budh)
Mercury is associated with intellect, communication, learning, and logic. A combust Mercury can create mental confusion, communication issues, or challenges in expressing thoughts clearly.
Key Effects:
Mental Confusion: A combust Mercury often causes scattered thoughts, difficulty in making decisions, or an inability to focus on intellectual pursuits.
Communication Problems: The native may struggle with expressing themselves verbally, leading to misunderstandings in relationships, professional settings, or with peers.
Learning Challenges: There may be delays in education or learning difficulties, especially related to logical or technical subjects.
4. Combust Venus (Shukra)
Venus governs love, relationships, beauty, creativity, and luxuries. A combust Venus can lead to emotional suppression, issues in relationships, or a lack of self-expression in creativity.
Key Effects:
Relationship Issues: The native may face challenges in forming deep, loving relationships, or there may be a tendency to attract partners who are not supportive. The person might also have difficulty expressing love or affection.
Creativity Block: Creativity or artistic expression may be blocked or inhibited. The person might feel that their creative talents are not recognized or suppressed in some way.
Materialism or Self-Indulgence: There could be a tendency towards excessive indulgence in luxuries or pleasures, or an internal conflict between material desires and emotional fulfillment.
5. Combust Jupiter (Guru)
Jupiter represents wisdom, knowledge, spirituality, and expansion. A combust Jupiter can cause confusion in philosophical beliefs, moral dilemmas, or issues related to higher education.
Key Effects:
Loss of Moral Clarity: The native might struggle with understanding what is right or wrong in life or may have a lack of ethical clarity.
Educational Challenges: There may be delays in higher education or an inability to grasp philosophical or spiritual subjects. The individual may feel disconnected from their spiritual path.
Lack of Expansion: Combust Jupiter can cause the person to feel stagnant or restricted in their ability to grow, whether intellectually, spiritually, or financially.
6. Combust Saturn (Shani)
Saturn governs discipline, responsibility, hard work, and limitations. A combust Saturn can indicate frustration, a lack of discipline, or difficulties in dealing with authority or limitations.
Key Effects:
Delayed Success: Saturn’s energy is linked to long-term rewards through hard work, but when combust, this can result in delayed achievements or struggles to meet responsibilities.
Lack of Discipline: The native may have difficulty maintaining structure in their life, which could affect their ability to complete tasks or projects.
Self-Doubt: The person might struggle with feelings of inadequacy or have a fear of failure that stems from an inner conflict between their responsibilities and their desires.
7. Combust Rahu & Ketu (North and South Node of the Moon)
Rahu represents material desires, illusion, and foreign elements while Ketu is associated with detachment, spirituality and Karma.
The shadow planets Rahu and Ketu never combust. As their position is close to sun as compare to other planets.
REMEDIES OF COMBUST PLANET
Vedic astrology provides various remedies to mitigate the negative effects of combustion. Some of these include:
Mantras: Reciting specific mantras for the combust planet can help to alleviate the negative effects. For example, the Chandra mantra for the Moon.
Gemstones: Wearing a gemstone related to the combust planet, such as Ruby for the Sun, Pearl for the Moon, or Emerald for Mercury, can help to balance and strengthen the planet’s energy.
Pujas and Yajnas: Performing specific religious ceremonies, such as a Navagraha Puja (prayer to the nine planets), can be a powerful way to mitigate the malefic effects of a combust planet.
Charity: Donating to causes related to the planet’s significations can also help to alleviate negative effects. For example, donating to the poor or helping animals could benefit a combust Venus.
CONCLUSION
The nature of the combustion depends on the specific planet involved, its position relative to the Sun, and the house it occupies. Combustion generally weakens the planet’s ability to function effectively, and may struggle to manifest its traits effectively, therefore the native may experience internal conflicts or challenges in the areas related to the combust planet, but with awareness and remedial measures, individuals can often mitigate these effects and navigate these life obstacles.