Your birth chart is a snapshot of the heavens when you were born, a map of the terrain you must follow. But while you bring the blueprints with you, the outer and inner terrain is constantly changing as you go. Your internal dialogue changes as you cover new ground; your needs and desires change as you move through life. Transits are the changing astrological weather, assisting or hindering your progress, reflected in the unfolding of your birth chart, as seen in daśās.
Daśā is a Sanskrit work which translates as ‘circumstance’ and ‘condition’. Your changing life circumstances were seeded in the heavens when you were born, a snapshot of which is progressed through timeframes as you age.
There are many daśās or cycles used in Indian astrology. There are some that are calculated from the placement of the Moon at your birth, and other, sign-based daśās that are calculated from your ascendant: the sign that was rising at your birth.
Your ascendant shows your body and environment; how you apply your intelligence to what is unfolding. Your body’s intelligence reacts appropriately to your environment in every moment, although you may have another story based on how you feel, reflected in the Moon.
The Moon shows your likes and dislikes; thus, the daśās calculated from the Moon’s placement show what you desire. All planets have desires, so each planet’s placement show their particular desire, expressed through your desires in their daśās.
Planetary daśās show your script, which may or may not line up with what is happening in your environment.
When sign-based daśās are combined with planetary daśās and transits, it gives a fuller picture of what is happening.
Yet planetary daśās may show desires that are hidden from your conscious mind, which makes the job of an astrologer easier, in a way, and your ability to manifest what you consciously want more of a challenge.
Planetary daśās show what you are ready for on some level; indeed, what you are making happen - to some extent. But it's not the full picture, as your environment shows what is objectively happening, despite what you may want.
Once you enter a particular planetary daśā, the planets’ desires are activated, whether this is experienced as a conscious choice on your part or not.
Daśā is a Sanskrit work which translates as ‘circumstance’ and ‘condition’. Your changing life circumstances were seeded in the heavens when you were born, a snapshot of which is progressed through timeframes as you age.
There are many daśās or cycles used in Indian astrology. There are some that are calculated from the placement of the Moon at your birth, and other, sign-based daśās that are calculated from your ascendant: the sign that was rising at your birth.
Your ascendant shows your body and environment; how you apply your intelligence to what is unfolding. Your body’s intelligence reacts appropriately to your environment in every moment, although you may have another story based on how you feel, reflected in the Moon.
The Moon shows your likes and dislikes; thus, the daśās calculated from the Moon’s placement show what you desire. All planets have desires, so each planet’s placement show their particular desire, expressed through your desires in their daśās.
Planetary daśās show your script, which may or may not line up with what is happening in your environment.
When sign-based daśās are combined with planetary daśās and transits, it gives a fuller picture of what is happening.
Yet planetary daśās may show desires that are hidden from your conscious mind, which makes the job of an astrologer easier, in a way, and your ability to manifest what you consciously want more of a challenge.
Planetary daśās show what you are ready for on some level; indeed, what you are making happen - to some extent. But it's not the full picture, as your environment shows what is objectively happening, despite what you may want.
Once you enter a particular planetary daśā, the planets’ desires are activated, whether this is experienced as a conscious choice on your part or not.
Subtle Imprints
According to Vedic thought, all our thoughts, words, and actions from the past (even past lives) are stored in our ‘subtle bodies’, known as kośas, or ‘sheaths’. The configuration of planets, and their continual movement, ensures that we are directed to fulfil the results of these thoughts, words, and actions over time.
Once the results of these actions have ripened, planetary daśās direct us to think a certain way, while sign daśās ripen certain experiences in our external environment.
Planetary daśās show a planet's influence on our body (3rd level of the daśā), mind (2nd level), and soul (1st level).
The 2nd level of the mind influences our thoughts and feelings, giving or denying us the energy to do something, as reflected in the 3rd level of the daśā. The 3rd level of each daśā shows the results of the actions we take based on how we feel (2nd level).
Planetary daśās reflect what is coming alive from within, what we would like to make happen on some level. Yet the planets' influence is so subtle that we are unlikely to be aware of it. And because of its subtlety, it has a stronger hold. This is one reason planets in Indian astrology are called grahas, a Sanskrit word to mean 'grasp’ and ‘grab’.
Because there are so many daśās, and so many layers to each of them, you have many overlapping desires, each of which is either working with or against others. Your mind may desire something your soul does not, and vice versa.
Because of the many levels of daśās, there are a lot of desires that wish to grab our attention, although the longer daśās (1st level) have a stronger imprint as they are active for a longer period, just as a long transit leaves a lasting impression.
Longer daśās are more likely to bear fruit - as soon as our mind and body are on board with the bigger picture and circumstance we find yourself in.
The Script
While you may make some things happen through your desire alone, this is not always guaranteed. You may not consciously be on board with what you are unconsciously manifesting. Yet still, desire is what motivates. If something you would not consciously choose is happening, it triggers a desire for something else.
Jupiter’s and Venus’s desires are more often welcome; Saturn’s, not so much. Yet all planets motivate us, whether we run to, or away from, what is happening. This is reflected in the Moon, and why the most commonly used planetary daśās is one calculated from the Moon’s position.
How you feel about what is happening in your life is more important than what is actually happening.
Ask anyone about their life and pretty quickly you realise it’s their desires that motivate them, whatever is happening around them. And while most of us are likely to respond well to Venus and Jupiter, not many of us are likely to cosy up to Saturn.
Saturn represents a desire to pay back a debt. Most of us would not choose to pay it prior to when we need to. We usually wait until we have no choice left. This is why most people enjoy a Venus period, give thanks in a Jupiter period, and complain about a Saturn period.
There are many planetary daśās, all of which have some say in what is happening. The most common is called viṁśottarī, literally meaning ‘120’, which divides an ideal 120-year life into 9 planetary periods, reflected in the 9 grahas (graspers) of Indian astrology: Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu (North Node), Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury, and Ketu (South Node) – in that order.
You began your life somewhere in the sequence based on the position of the Moon in your birth chart and have kept moving through them in that order ever since – on many different levels.
You don’t have to live 120 years to experience each planet in a minor period, as you experience them for brief periods all the time, right down to the minute.
While you may make some things happen through your desire alone, this is not always guaranteed. You may not consciously be on board with what you are unconsciously manifesting. Yet still, desire is what motivates. If something you would not consciously choose is happening, it triggers a desire for something else.
Jupiter’s and Venus’s desires are more often welcome; Saturn’s, not so much. Yet all planets motivate us, whether we run to, or away from, what is happening. This is reflected in the Moon, and why the most commonly used planetary daśās is one calculated from the Moon’s position.
How you feel about what is happening in your life is more important than what is actually happening.
Ask anyone about their life and pretty quickly you realise it’s their desires that motivate them, whatever is happening around them. And while most of us are likely to respond well to Venus and Jupiter, not many of us are likely to cosy up to Saturn.
Saturn represents a desire to pay back a debt. Most of us would not choose to pay it prior to when we need to. We usually wait until we have no choice left. This is why most people enjoy a Venus period, give thanks in a Jupiter period, and complain about a Saturn period.
There are many planetary daśās, all of which have some say in what is happening. The most common is called viṁśottarī, literally meaning ‘120’, which divides an ideal 120-year life into 9 planetary periods, reflected in the 9 grahas (graspers) of Indian astrology: Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu (North Node), Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury, and Ketu (South Node) – in that order.
You began your life somewhere in the sequence based on the position of the Moon in your birth chart and have kept moving through them in that order ever since – on many different levels.
You don’t have to live 120 years to experience each planet in a minor period, as you experience them for brief periods all the time, right down to the minute.
Different Scripts
When the Moon is in a house other than the angular or trinal houses, i.e., houses, 1, 4, 5, 7, 9, and 10, there may be another script going on that may push the regular daśā into your subconscious. If you have the Moon in these angles or trines, you may be more conscious of what they are asking for, but it is not a guarantee; at least, until you know about daśās!
If the Moon were in any other house, there may be another script taking up your attention that obscures the main script.
If you have the Moon in the 2nd or 6th whole sign house, the sequence of the daśās is read from the 4th lunar mansion from the Moon, within the 27 lunar mansions that span the entire zodiac. This changes where you begin in the sequence: Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu (North Node), Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury, and Ketu (South Node).
If you have the Moon in the 3rd or 11th, the count begins from the 5th lunar mansion. Moon in the 8th or 12th house? The count begins from the 8th lunar mansion.
This way of reading daśās is veiled by much confusion, even amongst astrologers, but it offers a more accurate assessment of what the person desires versus what they are making happen on another, albeit unconscious level.
This is an important distinction, because if you have a subconscious script going on, one that doesn’t line up with what you consciously desire, you may not be aware of what you are asking for on a deeper level. Your conscious and unconscious desires may be at odds.
Further, one or both of these scripts may be at odds with what is available in your environment, as seen in sign daśās.
When I give someone with the Moon in an angle or trine their daśās, it’s usually not a big surprise when they see daśās they’re about to enter or leave. They’re usually fully aware of the script, having learnt their lines well in the previous years. And they're usually eager for what comes next.
I cannot say the same for those with the Moon in houses, 2, 3, 6, 8, 11, or 12. But even these people can make the daśās – and their subconscious desires - more conscious. They can always learn the original script.
Planetary Aspects: Your Desires in Action
Planets give their results in different portions of their daśās, depending on whether the planet is classified as ‘cruel’ or ‘kind’, according to Vedic sage Parāśara. This technique of reading different portions of the daśās is laid out in Jātaka Pārijāta.
Saturn is a krūra or ‘cruel’ planet, so Jātaka Pārijāta divides a Saturn period into three different phases, three sets of 3 sub-periods that bring out different influences. All planet's aspects are seen to be more prominent during the last 3 sub-periods of the major period.
The strength of 'cruel' Saturn is more prominent in the first 3 sub-periods of Saturn, i.e., Saturn-Saturn, Saturn-Mercury, and Saturn-Ketu. This will show Saturn’s strength across all charts or divisions.
The next portion of 3 sub-periods, Saturn-Venus, Saturn-Sun, and Saturn-Moon, show the areas of the birth chart impacted more so, through the houses Saturn rules and is placed in.
The last 3 sub-periods, Saturn-Mars, Saturn-Rahu, and Saturn-Jupiter, show the desires of Saturn – through its aspects. It’s at this juncture that Saturn’s desires - its aspects - kick in more so.
If Saturn aspects another planet in your birth chart, the last 3 sub-periods is when it impacts this planet more so. If Saturn aspects the planet by sign aspect, it shows a constant influence throughout life. If Saturn aspects the planet by both a planetary and sign aspect, there is an ongoing influence with periods of more intense aspect in the last 3 sub-cycles of a Saturn daśā.
Jupiter as a kind planet is divided thus: The first 3 sub-cycles of Jupiter-Jupiter, Jupiter-Saturn, and Jupiter-Mercury show the house rulership and placement of Jupiter. The next 3 sub-periods of Jupiter-Ketu, Jupiter-Venus, and Jupiter-Sun show the strengths of Jupiter across all divisions. The last 3 sub-periods of Jupiter-Moon, Jupiter-Mars, and Jupiter-Rahu show the desires of Jupiter manifest more so, through its aspects.
Planets give their results in different portions of their daśās, depending on whether the planet is classified as ‘cruel’ or ‘kind’, according to Vedic sage Parāśara. This technique of reading different portions of the daśās is laid out in Jātaka Pārijāta.
Saturn is a krūra or ‘cruel’ planet, so Jātaka Pārijāta divides a Saturn period into three different phases, three sets of 3 sub-periods that bring out different influences. All planet's aspects are seen to be more prominent during the last 3 sub-periods of the major period.
The strength of 'cruel' Saturn is more prominent in the first 3 sub-periods of Saturn, i.e., Saturn-Saturn, Saturn-Mercury, and Saturn-Ketu. This will show Saturn’s strength across all charts or divisions.
The next portion of 3 sub-periods, Saturn-Venus, Saturn-Sun, and Saturn-Moon, show the areas of the birth chart impacted more so, through the houses Saturn rules and is placed in.
The last 3 sub-periods, Saturn-Mars, Saturn-Rahu, and Saturn-Jupiter, show the desires of Saturn – through its aspects. It’s at this juncture that Saturn’s desires - its aspects - kick in more so.
If Saturn aspects another planet in your birth chart, the last 3 sub-periods is when it impacts this planet more so. If Saturn aspects the planet by sign aspect, it shows a constant influence throughout life. If Saturn aspects the planet by both a planetary and sign aspect, there is an ongoing influence with periods of more intense aspect in the last 3 sub-cycles of a Saturn daśā.
Jupiter as a kind planet is divided thus: The first 3 sub-cycles of Jupiter-Jupiter, Jupiter-Saturn, and Jupiter-Mercury show the house rulership and placement of Jupiter. The next 3 sub-periods of Jupiter-Ketu, Jupiter-Venus, and Jupiter-Sun show the strengths of Jupiter across all divisions. The last 3 sub-periods of Jupiter-Moon, Jupiter-Mars, and Jupiter-Rahu show the desires of Jupiter manifest more so, through its aspects.
Exalted Ideals or Debilitated Dreams?
When planets are exalted or debilitated, they express a more extreme strength or weakness, which may or may not be tempered by other factors.
If you do have a debilitated planet in your birth chart without any mitigating factors, and you enter its period, you're obviously going to desire a better situation. A planet in debilitation may not be as effectual, leaving the desire for a better situation as just that: a desire that never gets fulfilled. The debilitated planets’ aspect to its opposite exalted sign shows the desire for a better situation. Yet no matter how much you may desire a better situation, it is not guaranteed.
If you have an exalted planet, the desire for the opposite, its sign of debilitation, shows the need to bring the high ideals of the exalted position down to earth. Oftentimes, this may mean coming down to earth with a thud.
Although the exalted planet is usually more effectual and benefits the opposite sign in some way, I've read enough charts of those with exalted planets who are unsatisfied with their lives to know their ideals are not always reflected in practical terms.
Aspects show desire and are no guarantee of a desired outcome.
Whatever the planet, whatever its strength or position, aspects show desires. Daśās, and thus aspects, are NOT a guarantee of anything happening. They simply show the desire.
Ultimately, sign daśās show whether your desires are fulfilled, what is available in your environment.
When everything lines up; sign and planetary daśās; each layer and level of the daśās; each transit, you can be more assured of the desired outcome. Otherwise, it may only manifest as a desire that is not fulfilled.
These advanced reading techniques are often overlooked by astrologers who look at the entire daśā and expect results throughout. They may get confused as to why the results don’t always show up in a person’s experience.
We mustn't raise hopes prematurely. Likewise, we mustn't dash hopes prematurely. The outcomes you desire can show up, at least in certain portions of the daśā.
At other times, all that may show up is the desire.
Om Tat Sat
