The principles of Astrology are based on the positioning of nine planets and their transitory states. The positioning and placements of planets in the birth chart of an individual affects various aspects of life of that person be it career, love life , relationships, spiritual inclination, health etc. The placement when favorable creates an aura around person which helps him to do well and brings in lot of positivity. So these 9 planets are very important in understanding the correlation between the various events happening in one's life and the placement of planets at that point of time. Here is the list of nine planets:
SUN (Surya)
Sun is the king of the planets in astrology. He is also called the ‘Father of Stars’. Sun is also regarded as one of the important deities of Hindus. Surya, Bhaskar, Arun, and Ravi are some prestigious names of lord Sun. Sun is benefic planet in astrology but can become malefic if occupy any unfavorable position in horoscope. Favorable placement of Sun in a horoscope brings fame and power to a person in all areas including the field of occupation. It has power to grant great political power. Adverse placement can make a person arrogant.
MOON (Chandra)
Since the Moon is closest to Earth it influences us more deeply than any other Planet. The effect is very personal, very intimate.Whereas the Sun gives us our spirit, it's the Moon which gives us our soul. The Moon is goddess-like in that it symbolizes mother and the relationship between woman and child. The moon (also known as a luminary) speaks to the women in one's life and their role as nurturer. This planet rules zodiacal sign Cancer one among the watery signs.
MARS (Mangala)
Mars is the action Planet of the Zodiac. Your Mars Sign defines what you desire and how you express that desire. This Planet commands you to stand up, be noticed and get things done etc. Ambition and competition are also within Mars's realm. Mars also rule the power and confident expression of the individual. Mars is the ruling planet of zodiacal signs Scorpio and Aries.
MERCURY (Budha)
Intellectual, Ingenious, Convertible, Dualistic, Mutable,and feminine ‘Planet Mercury’ is very near to Sun and one of the four terrestrial & inner planets in the Solar system. It is both benefic and malefic planet by its nature depending upon its occupied house in one’s horoscope or zodiac sign and linkage with other planets. Mercury is dual nature planet and governs two zodiac signs namely Gemini and Virgo. Body parts that are ruled by Mercury are the arms, ear, lungs and nervous system. “Atharvanan Veda (Hindu Scripture)”, “Sharat Rithu or October and November”, and the “color green” are governed by this planet.
JUPITER (Brihaspathi)
Jupiter influence thinking capacity of a person. In astrology it rules good luck and good cheer, health, wealth, optimism,happiness, success and joy. It is a symbol of opportunity and always opens way for new opportunities in life. Jupiter is the minimization of limitation and the emphasis on spirituality and potential. While our success, accomplishments and prosperity are all within Jupiter's realm, its negative influence can deteriorate into laziness and sloth. It rules the zodiacal signs Sagittarius and Pisces belonging to fire and watery elements respectively.
VENUS (Sukra)
Venus is the brightest planet in astrology. Venus is a feminine planet considered to be the Goddess of all worldly comforts and chief governor of marriage in men’s chart. Men and women ruled by Venus are noticeably kind and social. When afflicted, Venus produces unsatisfactory domestic conditions,anxiety in love, and difficulty with friends of through finances. Venus rules the vehicles. Venus is soft and polite planet, it is friend with Saturn,Mercury, Rahu, and enemy with Moon, Sun, and Mars. Its vimshottari dasha is 20 years and constellations are Bharani, PurvaPhalguni, and Purvashadha. It is exalted in Pisces and debilitated in Virgo. Its gemstone is Diamond.
SATURN (Sani)
Shani is the servant in astrology. He represents hard work, sorrow, old men, servants and the lower level workers, people in the iron and steel industry, municipality and drainage work. A well placed Saturn can bestow excellent power, prestige,name and fame and a badly placed Saturn can devastate you. Its metal is iron,and a color is blue, a gem is blue sapphire and direction is west.
Saturn is the slowest moving of the nine planets and takes approximately 2-1/2 years to transit a sign and completes the round of the zodiac in 30 years. He is the Udyoga karaka or planet connected with a profession.
NORTH NODE (Rahu)
This God resembles Mercury mostly but still differs in characteristics.
This planet is quite influential and powerful. Its positioning determines the growth or downfall of a person. It is also called asa dragon’s head. This planet rules the Zodiac sign Gemini.
SOUTH NODE (Ketu)
Ketu means Comet. In Hindu mythology it is described as having a tail of a serpent and an ovular body.
Ketu is the planet of power. Its positioning determines the growth or downfall of a person. It rules the Zodiac sign Sagittarius.