Guru and Astrology

Jupiter is the benefice planet, generally considered to be the most auspicious of the planets. If we term Sun as Atman, or the soul, Guru is known as Jeeva, the consciousness of the soul representing the individuality of the self.

Guru is Energy. Guru's action is to expand, preserve and increase on all levels. Guru represents knowledge, wisdom and the offspring of the individual. Guru is a planet of expansion, growth, good fortune, higher mind, wisdom, enthusiasm, optimism, benevolence and generosity.

In an astrological birth chart, Guru is best placed in Kataka Rasi (Moon Sign Cancer) where it has the exalted meaning, the outcome being glorious. Opposite to it in Makara Rasi (Moon Sign Capricorn) Guru is least auspicious and called debilitated or incapacitated.

Guru is the lord of the signs Dhanus (Sagittarius) and Meenam (Pisces) and also of the house where these signs are located. Guru aspects 3 signs -- the 5th, 7th and 9th signs -- from its own position. Punarpoosam, Vishakam and Pooratathi are ruled by Guru.

The position of Guru in one’s birth chart can indicate where the native’s fortunate opportunities are to be found. This benevolent planet shows where the native has the most room to expand and the areas in which he or she will get the best out of life. Guru has always been identified with the idea of expansiveness and abundance.

When Guru is prominent in one’s horoscope, the native tends to be well liked and popular, friendly, broadminded, and cheerful, successful in career and business. Guru can also be too much of a good thing, for its influence can make a person extravagant, lazy and luxury loving, profligate with money, and blindly optimistic. If things fall into the native’s lap too easily, the person never develops strength of character or spiritual wisdom. Guru is the planet of blessings -- blessings that we must learn to use wisely.

Houses are segments of the birth chart which represent different areas of interest and activity in life. Whatever house a planet falls in, it is in this context that the energies represented by the planet will be seen operating most obviously and importantly. First we have to determine the point where the first house begins. This is the Ascendant or Lagnam, the degree of the sign which was rising above the horizon at the exact moment of our birth. We calculate this point using the exact time and location of birth and a book of 'Tables of Houses'.

How to read a birth chart? Given below the birth chart depicts a case of a person born with Makara Lagna and Guru residing in Dhanus Rasi.

Rahu			Kuja
Sukran			Sun
Lagnam			Chandra
Guru	Sani	Budhan	Ketu

Position of planets in houses and Rasi for the above birth chart

House #	Rasi	Residing Planet
1	Makaram (Lagnam)
2	Kumbham	Sukran
3	Meenam	Rahu
4	Mesham
5	Rishabham
6	Mithunam	Kuja
7	Katakam	Surya
8	Simmam	Chandra
9	Kanya	Ketu
10	Thulam	Budhan
11	Vrichikam	Sani
12	Dhanus	Guru