The Sun (Surya)
The Sun is the royal planet and is the natural atma-karaka, or indicator of the soul.
An analysis of the placement of the Sun in a person’s horoscope makes it possible to obtain information about his appearance, his energy and the main features of his behaviour; about his father, his health, his capacity for leadership and the depth of his understanding of his inner, spiritual «I».
The Sun represents people occupied in state administration, those working in churches and temples, those connected with trade in gold and those employed in branches related to health care, and also those who are famous and popular. The Sun is the king of all the planets; it is the centre of the solar system and the source of energy; it gives all living beings warmth and light, and gives strength, confidence, the ability to take decisions independently and to be responsible.
Vrajendra Kumar — The Sun: key characteristics
The characteristics of the Sun
- Avatara (Divine incarnation): Lord Rama
- Mantra: Om Namo Bhagavate Ramachandraya
- The spiritual qualities of the planets (according to K.N. Rao): the development of the true «I»
- Ruler of the graha: Agni
- Deity: Surya, other names — Martanda («born of a dead egg»), Vivasvan («the radiant one»)
- Personification: rules the spirit (is the soul of the Kala-Purusha, or Universal Form)
- Number: 1
- Day of the week: Sunday
- Direction: east
- Mean daily angular speed: 00°59’08.2”
- Symbolises the age: a person of about 50
- The age of the planet’s maturity: 22 years
- The age period under the planet’s influence: from 23 to 41 years
- Chakra: the 7th — the sahasrara chakra
- Season: the season «grishma» (from 20 May to 19 July); summer in general
- Best placement (or dik-bala — directional strength): the 10th house
- Distance for assessing the range of journeys: eight yojanas (relatively average)
- Metal: copper; also gold
- Precious stone: ruby (among the semi-precious ones — garnet)
- Geometrical form: a quadrangle
- In the personality: the ego (or false ego)
- Subtle energy: joy
- Guna: sattva
- Influence: malefic (of all the malefic planets — the least malefic)
- Energy: hard, but noble
- Element: fire
- Varna/caste: kshatriya
- Gender: male
- Colour: dark red or orange
- Positive qualities of character: leadership, magnanimity, a striking personality, greatness of nature, dignity, a high creative potential
- Negative qualities of character: pride, conceit, egocentrism, pomposity, ostentatious luxury, despotism (a striving for unlimited power)
- Temperament (on the basis of overall strength): stable and steady
- Method of persuasion: danda (punishment)
- Ayurvedic constitution: pitta
- Body tissues: bone tissue
- Parts of the body: the stomach, the bones, the right eye, the general constitution of the body
- Taste: bitter
- Illnesses: the heart, fever, headaches, the circulation, problems with the right eye, bone problems, baldness, grey hair, sudden attacks of palpitations and fever, heightened excitability, diseases of the stomach, a fall from a height; it may denote raised temperature, fever, diseases of the eyes or teeth, and also neuralgia
- Height: people of medium height
- Appearance, body shape: square; not very tall
- Peculiarities of birth: feet first
- Direction of gaze: upwards
- Clothing: coarse, dense or thick
- Relatives: the father
- Position in the government: the king
- Marriage union: with partners from a privileged class
- Sphere of predominant influence (dhatu/mula/jiva): the plant world (mula)
- Places of abode: rules temples; also denotes open spaces, deserts, palaces, luxurious buildings, government houses, towers, large halls
- Spheres with which the profession is connected: politics, mathematics, physics, high posts, the director of a large company; fruit trees, the repetition of mantras, fraud, games of chance, dishonest acts, work with metals, wool or medicinal preparations, and also work in the service of a supreme ruler or other important person
- Animals: four-legged beings
- Trees: strong massive trees, huge trees, rare or costly woods, pine, timber, orange trees, cedar, almond.
- Flowers: the red lotus, camomile, lavender, rosemary, saffron, medicinal and aromatic herbs, large and conspicuous flowers of yellow colour
- Foods: wheat, almonds, rosemary, saffron, medicinal and aromatic herbs, all kinds of pepper, nutmeg, cardamom, fine wines and exquisite liqueurs
«The Sun has yellow eyes exuding honey; his body is dense and stocky, he is pure, he has a bilious (pitta) constitution, he is intelligent, manly and inclined to baldness.» Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, 3.23
«I bow before the Sun, in his radiance like a red hibiscus flower, before the one who possesses the gift of perception and shines resplendently, before the driver-away of darkness, the destroyer of all vices, before the creator of the day». (A hymn to the planet composed by Vyasa)
In Sanskrit the Sun is denoted by a countless multitude of names. Most often he is called Surya — «the father», «the progenitor», «the enlivener». Surya is the source of energy, motivation and inspiration, like the Greek sun god Apollo. Another Sanskrit name of the Sun — Savitar — carries the same meanings, but in addition denotes the divine will manifested in creation.
A strong and favourably placed Sun endows a person with intelligence and receptivity, with will-power and strength of character. It grants responsibility, steadfastness, self-possession, vitality, firmness of spirit and of convictions, purposefulness, courage, self-confidence, the ability to lead other people, independence and straightforwardness. Without these qualities everything a person accomplishes in life slips out of his hands, brings him no satisfaction and does not serve to strengthen his inner powers. The Sun in an unfavourable placement indicates a low level of intellect, a blunted perception, weakness of will and of character. It reduces steadfastness and vitality, causes timidity and an inclination to melancholy, makes a person excessively dependent on others, insincere and dishonest, and forms a slavish psychology.
The negative effects of the Sun are neutralised quite easily if it is under an aspect from a beneficent planet; consequently, when under an aspect from Venus, Jupiter or the Moon, the Sun gives fairly beneficent results.
The Sun’s relations with the planets:
- friends with the Moon, Mars and Jupiter
- enemies with Venus and Saturn (and also with Rahu and Ketu)
- neutral with Mercury
The Sun in the houses of the horoscope
The Sun in the 1st house; the Sun in the 2nd house; the Sun in the 3rd house; the Sun in the 4th house; the Sun in the 5th house; the Sun in the 6th house; the Sun in the 7th house; the Sun in the 8th house; the Sun in the 9th house; the Sun in the 10th house; the Sun in the 11th house; the Sun in the 12th house.
The Sun in the signs of the zodiac
The Sun in Aries; the Sun in Taurus; the Sun in Gemini; the Sun in Cancer; the Sun in Leo; the Sun in Virgo; the Sun in Libra; the Sun in Scorpio; the Sun in Sagittarius; the Sun in Capricorn; the Sun in Aquarius; the Sun in Pisces.
The Sun in the nakshatras
The Sun in Ashwini; the Sun in Bharani; the Sun in Krittika; the Sun in Rohini; the Sun in Mrigashira; the Sun in Ardra; the Sun in Punarvasu; the Sun in Pushya; the Sun in Ashlesha; the Sun in Magha; the Sun in Purva Phalguni; the Sun in Uttara Phalguni; the Sun in Hasta; the Sun in Chitra; the Sun in Swati; the Sun in Vishakha; the Sun in Anuradha; the Sun in Jyeshtha; the Sun in Mula; the Sun in Purva Ashadha; the Sun in Uttara Ashadha; the Sun in Shravana; the Sun in Dhanishta; the Sun in Shatabhisha; the Sun in Purva Bhadrapada; the Sun in Uttara Bhadrapada; the Sun in Revati.
Since every planet has a particular house with which its energies are most compatible, the Sun produces excellent results in the upachaya houses, or «houses of growth» (the 3rd, 6th, 10th and 11th), where the malefic nature of the planets is in a certain sense welcome. The best placement for the Sun is in the 10th house, where it receives dik-bala, or directional strength.
Vrajendra Kumar — The Sun: the karaka of the 1st, 9th and 10th houses
The Sun is the karaka of the 1st house, since it symbolises such of its indications as the body, health and the false ego (ahankara).
The Sun is the karaka of the 9th house, since it symbolises such of its indications as the father and spirituality.
The Sun is the karaka of the 10th house, since it symbolises such of its indications as self-confidence, an understanding of what I wish to achieve, the strength to hold influence, authority…
The Sun rules the sign of Leo, is exalted in the sign of Aries and suffers its fall in the sign of Libra
Vrajendra Kumar — The Sun: exaltation in Aries and fall in Libra
The Sun is exalted in Aries — the sign of Mars — and in the navel centre, or solar plexus, which is the abode of solar and fiery energy. The Sun is weakened in its sign of fall (Libra), in the signs of planets hostile to it (especially Saturn), in the problematic houses (above all the eighth and twelfth), and also under the influence of aspects from malefic planets (Saturn, Mars, Rahu or Ketu).
With the ascendant in Aries, Leo, Scorpio or Sagittarius, the Sun is a beneficent planet. In these cases (provided that the Sun is not weakened) astrological remedies can be used to strengthen the positive solar qualities — the abilities of a leader, independence, strength of intellect and foresight.
The influence of the Sun on the other planets in a horoscope
If the Sun is joined with the Moon [in one house of the horoscope], the person will be skilled in work with machinery and in construction; if with Mars — he will love sinful acts; if with Mercury — he will be skilful, quick-witted, well known and happy; if with Jupiter — he will be cruel and always doing other people’s work; if with Venus — he will make money on the stage and by means of weapons; and if with Saturn — he will be skilled in work with ore or clay… In the same way one should obtain the results of a combination of more than two planets. (Varahamihira — «Brihat Jataka», 14.1, 14.5)
Commentary: The last sentence implies that accumulations of planets should be interpreted by combining the interpretations of the pairs of planets. For example, in interpreting a conjunction of the Sun, Venus and Jupiter one should use the interpretations of the Sun and Venus, of the Sun and Jupiter, and of Venus and Jupiter. Attention should also be paid to the relative strength of each particular planet.
The Sun can interact with the other planets by means of aspects. That is, the planet with which the Sun is joined in one sign, or the planet that is aspected by the Sun, changes its characteristics in a certain way.
The influence of one planet on another shows a person’s psychological connections and patterns of behaviour. Knowing the influences of a planet, you can easily find the cause of particular events, thoughts and words.
Accordingly, wherever the Sun exerts its influence, there will be a build-up of confidence and security.
Sun => Moon
The Moon personifies sensitivity and self-reflection. The influence of the Sun upon it manifests as the protection of one’s emotions and feelings. The person becomes firmly convinced that his emotions are a truthful and integral source of experience. In expressing his feelings he is quite prim and uncompromising. Such behaviour is not always ethical, but on the other hand the person suppresses practically nothing in himself. Such people seek as their life companions partners who are emotionally «bulletproof», people able to withstand any flows of emotions and feelings.
Sun => Mars
Mars is the energy of life and of actions. Under the influence of the Sun, Mars gives people complete confidence in their acts and deeds. The person becomes as it were certain that wherever he spends his strength and energy, this is the most effective choice of all possible ones. Such people take the experience of mistakes and disappointments hard, since such events break their inner sense of confidence. But in time everything returns to normal. Bearers of such an influence always and everywhere defend their affairs, which at times makes them insufferable partners.
Sun => Mercury
Mercury is the energy of connection and logic. When the Sun influences Mercury, the person gains confidence in his conclusions and in forming connections. Such people as a rule protect their contacts, acquaintances and thoughts about material development, and are by no means always able to share them with others. These are reliable business partners, but do not try to worm the secrets of their success out of them — you will not manage it anyway.
Sun => Jupiter
Jupiter is responsible for the energy of growth and development. The influence of the Sun on Jupiter produces self-assured teachers, lawyers, economists and other professions connected with knowledge and personal development. Bearers of this influence are able to protect and care for the traditions of transmitting knowledge, and also to defend the correctness of one or another conception of the world.
Sun => Venus
Venus is the energy of relationships and creativity. The influence of the Sun on Venus gives fidelity and honour in relationships. The person greatly values and protects his close relations with people. Creativity also acquires a colouring of clarity and confidence. With such an influence people often act as critics of works of art.
Sun => Saturn
Saturn represents the energy of suffering and of the wisdom of life. The influence of the Sun on Saturn gives a person closedness and defensiveness in his sufferings and in his life experience. It seems to these people that few can understand them. They prefer to solve their problems on their own. They regard help as a humiliation. They experience their failures vividly.
Sun => Ketu
Ketu is the vector of attention directed into the inner world. Therefore, when the Sun influences Ketu, a person’s inner world becomes unusually closed to everyone around him. Great difficulties arise in bringing states, emotions and feelings out into the open. People of this type desperately need strong empathy and non-verbal communication. There is a risk of schizophrenia.
Sun => Rahu
Rahu is attention directed at external reality. The influence of the Sun on Rahu makes a person defend himself and guard against the outside world. Not infrequently such people see a lurking danger and threat in the circumstances around them. In rare cases such an influence gives paranoia and pathological fears of living a free life.
In the case of a weak or damaged Sun, all the interpretations described above should be extrapolated and understood in the opposite key. These interpretations also do not include the combustion of planets, which is described in other articles.
(Roman Gavrilov — the Vidyalaya site)
Upayas, or methods of strengthening the beneficent influence of the Sun
(they have particular force when performed on a Sunday):
- Rise before sunrise and worship the Sun with the mantra «Om Namo Surya-Narayanaya namaha»
- Perform the Surya Namaskar sequence
- Proper nutrition, especially grain and pulse crops
- Strengthen the metabolism and the immune system
- Strengthen the bones and joints
- Watch your posture, train the spine
- Spend more time in the sun (short of sunstroke)
- Go into the mountains
- Care for children, women, the elderly and so on
- Look after your father or help him
- Association with men, especially with superiors and with people in government service
- Association with doctors
- Be more responsible in your affairs, take responsibility for your own life
- Defend and lobby for people’s interests, strive to live not only for yourself but for others (to give life to others is the principle of the Sun)
- Seek respect and recognition in society
- Find something to respect in people
- Feed deer
- Tend fruit trees
- Wear orange or red clothing
- Wear a ruby set in gold on the ring finger
- Travel or walk in an easterly direction
- Visit a temple
- Read the Ramayana and the Rama mantra (Rama is the foremost in the Surya-vamsha, the dynasty of the Sun)
- Worship of God the Father (in the Christian tradition)
The mantra to the Sun: OM HRAM HRIM HRAUM SAHA SURYAYA NAMAHA
The yantra of the Sun (hung on the eastern side of the house or room):
