Parivarthana Yoga
«Parivarthana» means «to revolve», «to exchange», «an overturning» or «to return». Parivarthana yoga is formed when two planets change places, that is, it arises when a planet stands in a sign whose ruler occupies the sign belonging to that planet. In other words, an exchange of placements (or of signs) takes place.
An example: the Sun is in Aries, while its ruler Mars is in the sign of Leo. Such a placement of the planets forms a Parivarthana — an exchange between the Sun and Mars. This combination is what is called Parivarthana yoga.
When a Parivarthana is formed in a horoscope, the planets that create it act as one. The character of their action depends on the nature of the Parivarthana.
Parivarthana yoga can be formed as a result of: (1) an exchange of signs, (2) an exchange of Nakshatras, (3) an exchange of the karakas of houses. The three kinds of Parivarthana are named as follows:
- Rashi and Amsha Parivarthana. They are formed when there is a Parivarthana between signs in the Rashi or the Navamsha chart respectively.
- Jiva Parivarthana, or Nakshatra Parivarthana. It is formed by an exchange of Nakshatras or by an exchange of their rulers.
- Karaka Parivarthana. It is formed by an exchange between the karakas of houses. For example, if the Sun (the karaka of the 1st house) is in the 5th, while Jupiter (the karaka of the 5th house) is in the 1st.
When the rulers of two signs change places, a Rashi Parivarthana is formed. Such a Parivarthana can take place on different levels.
- Guna. Reflects the essence of the exchange.
- Tattva. The character of the change.
- Bhava. The sphere of life affected as a result of the exchange.
Taking the Gunas of the planets into account, one can determine what such an exchange will lead to — to the better or to the worse. For example: if the Parivarthana has arisen from an exchange between Jupiter (Sattva Guna) and Saturn (the Guna of Tamas), then one should expect either an ascent from the level of Tamas to the level of Sattva, or a fall from Sattva into Tamas. In the latter case very unfavourable results will manifest
If the Tattvas of the two planets act together, this favours a harmonious and swifter attainment of a particular goal. If, however, their Tattvas are not friendly towards one another, one of them will suffer because of the incompatibility of the planetary energies.
The Bhavas involved in the Parivarthana indicate the spheres of life affected as a consequence of the exchange. For example, if the 7th house is engaged in the combination, then the exchange of planets will bring changes in relationships. If the Lagna is engaged, a change will occur in the character of the native.
Source: the basic course in Vedic astrology at Vasily Tushkin’s «Surya-Siddhanta» school