2020 is the year for Leo! Vedic astrology uses dasas and transits to determine good and bad periods in a person’s life. In the dasa system we look at grahas at three levels – maha dasa, antar dasa, and pratyantar dasa. Among these, the graha running the maha dasa is the most important. Dasa analysis is done from the individual’s lagna or ascendant. In transits we mainly look at the transits of Saturn, Rahu/Ketu, and Jupiter. Transit analysis is done from the Moon sign.

Mathematical model to combine Dashas and Transits

To create a mathematical model, we can give the following weights to each of these factors. The model indicates that transits’ influence can be 30 – 40%.

• 30% – Maha Dasa Graha
• 20% – Antar Dasa Graha
• 10% – Pratyantar Dasa Graha
• Saturn transit – 10%
• Jupiter transit – 10%
• Rahu/Ketu transit – 10%
• Transit of other Grahas or Transit of the Maha Dasa Graha – 10%

In 2018, people with Kumbha rasi benefited the most from the transits getting the full 30% benefit from Saturn, Jupiter, and Rahu/Ketu transits. In 2019, people with Libra and Cancer rasis benefited the most. If their maha dasa lord and antar dasa lord where also strong, they would have had a spectacular year. 2020 is shaping out to be the year for Leo.

Jupiter transits on Nov 5th 2019 from Scorpio to Sagittarius. Saturn transits on Jan 24th 2020 from Sagittarius to Capricorn. Rahu/Ketu will transit on Sep 23rd 2020. Let us look at the rasis that benefit the most from these transits during the period – Jan 24th 2020 to Sep 23rd 2020.

Good houses for graha transits

Graha	Good Houses	Neutral Houses	Bad Houses
Jupiter	2,5,7,9,11	1,4,10	3,6,8,12
Saturn	3,6,11	5,7,9,10	1,2,4,8,12
Rahu/Ketu	3,6,10,11	1,4,7	2,5,8,9,12

2020 evaluation by sign

Rasi	Jupiter Transit	Saturn Transit	Rahu Transit	Ketu Transit	Overall Score
Aries	Good	Neutral	Good	Bad	+10%
Taurus	Bad	Neutral	Bad	Bad	-20%
Gemini	Good	Bad	Neutral	Neutral	0%
Cancer	Bad	Neutral	Bad	Good	-10%
Leo	Good	Good	Good	Bad	+20%
Virgo	Neutral	Neutral	Good	Neutral	+5%
Libra	Bad	Bad	Bad	Good	-20%
Scorpio	Good	Good	Bad	Bad	+10%
Sagittarius	Neutral	Bad	Neutral	Neutral	-10%
Capricorn	Bad	Bad	Good	Bad	-20%
Aquarius	Good	Bad	Bad	Good	0%
Pisces	Neutral	Good	Neutral	Good	+15%

Overall score: +10% for Jupiter and Saturn if they are “Good”. -10% for Jupiter and Saturn if they are “Bad”. +5% for Rahu and Ketu if they are “Good”. -5% for Rahu and Ketu if they are “Bad”. 0% for “Neutral”.

2020 Benefits Leo (Simha) Moon sign the most. Second best is Pisces (Meena) Moon sign. 2020 is the year for Leo!

Vasumati yoga forms when the natural benefics are in upachaya houses. Position of the natural benefics is very important in vedic astrology. Jupiter and Venus are always benefics. Mercury is benefic when it associates with other benefics. Moon is benefic when it is waxing. You can follow this link to learn more about natural benefics and natural malefics.

If all benefics are in upachaya house, i.e. 3,6,10, and 11 houses, the chart has Vasumati Yoga. You can use the ascendant or the Moon to look for this yoga. A native with this yoga will be very wealthy.

Upachaya houses indicate improvement with time. The 3rd and 6th houses are negative houses. In their case, these houses improved to become better over time. The 10th and 11th houses are positive houses. In their case, these houses become even better over time. In general, upachaya houses do well after 35 years.

Rafael Nadal’s chart is a good example of this yoga from the Moon. Mercury and Venus are in the 3rd house and Jupiter is in the 11th house. Moon is not a natural benefic in his chart.

Nadal’s chart has a number of other yogas as well making it a powerful chart.

Dhainya Parivartana Yoga is one of the three types of Parivartana Yogas. You can follow the link to read more about Parivartana Yoga.

Parivartana yoga is formed when two lords of different houses mutually interchange places. That is they occupy the house of each other.

If one of the lords is the lord of the 6th, 8th, or 12th houses, it forms a Dhainya Parivartana Yoga. Therefore, 30 out of the 66 combinations fall under this category. For example, a Cancer ascendant with Jupiter in Capricorn and Saturn in Sagittarius. This example involves the lords of the 6th and 7th houses.

This is the most negative of the Parivartana Yogas. According to Phaladeepika, the person is foolish and indulges in sinful acts. The person encounters obstacles in their ventures and trouble from their enemies. The person speaks harshly and does not have a stable mind.

For example, Marie Antoinette and John Travolta have this yoga.

Marie Antoinette

Dhainya Parivartana Yoga between Mercury and Mars – lord of 1st and 6th house. She died under the Guillotine affecting her longevity. Debt, enemies, and sickness were themes in her life.

John Travolta

Dhainya Yoga between Venus and Saturn – lord of 4th and 8th houses. He has a lot of hidden secrets that affect his home and happiness.

Maha Parivartana Yoga is one of the three types of Parivartana Yogas. You can follow the link to read more about Parivartana Yoga.

Parivartana yoga forms when two lords of different houses mutually interchange places. That is they occupy the house of each other.

If both the lords are lords of positive houses, it forms a Maha yoga. 28 out of the 66 combinations fall under this category. For example, a Cancer ascendant with Moon in Leo and Sun in Cancer. This would be an exchange between the lords of the 1st and 2nd houses, both positive.

Maha Parivartana Yoga is the most beneficial. According to Phaladeepika, the person enjoys the blessing of Goddess Lakshmi. Goddess Lakshmi bestows the person with expensive and beautiful clothes and ornaments. The person holds a high position and enjoys respect. The person has good children and enjoys wealth and conveyances.

Here are some examples of charts that have this yoga.

Indira Gandhi

Indira Gandhi’s chart has three Parivartana Yogas. Therefore, her chart is a classic example of Parviratana Yoga. The first two are of the Maha category and the last one if of the Dhainya Category. The first Maha Parivartana Yoga is between Moon and Saturn (lords of 1st and 7th houses). The second Maha Parivartana Yoga is between Sun and Mars (lords of 2nd and 5th houses). As a result, Indira Gandhi was famous, was from a famous family, and partnered with other leaders to become the first female Prime Minister of India. The last Parivartana Yoga is between Jupiter and Venus. This is a Dhainya Parivartana Yoga between lords of 6th and 11th houses. While she was famous, she also had enemies and was assassinated by her own bodyguards.

Napolean

Maha Parivartana Yoga between Saturn and Mars – 4th and 10th house. This gives Napolean success in his career and he amassed a lot of property.

Kahala Parivartana Yoga is one of the three types of Parivartana Yogas. You can follow the link to read more about Parivartana Yoga.

Parivartana yoga is formed when two lords of different houses mutually interchange places. That is they occupy the house of each other.

If one of the lords is the 3rd lord and the other is a positive house lord, it forms a Kahala Parivartana Yoga. 8 out of the 66 combinations fall under this category. For example, a Cancer ascendant with Mercury in Leo and Sun in Virgo. This example involves the lords of the 2nd and 3rd houses.

This yoga gives mixed results. According to Phaladeepika, the person is occasionally haughty and sometimes sweet in speech. The person has ups and downs in life.

Here are some examples of charts that have this yoga.

Prince Charles

Kahala Parivartana Yoga between Mercury and Venus – lords of the 3rd and 4th houses. Prince Charles’ life has a number of ups and downs related to his home and happiness. He was born the heir to the throne, but may never become King.

Hugh Hefner

Has this yoga between Mars and Saturn – lords of the 3rd and 5th houses. Hugh Hefner’s life has a number of ups and downs in the field of entertainment.

Parivartana yoga is formed when two lords of different houses mutually interchange places. That is they occupy the house of each other.

There are twelve houses in a vedic chart. So, the possible combinations are 66 in number. The first house can exchange with 11 other houses, second can exchange with 10 other houses…, the eleventh house can exchange with one other house. 11 + 10 + 9 + … + 1 = 11*12/2 = 66.

The 66 combinations are grouped into three types. These are based on the numbers of the houses involved in the exchange. For the purpose of this yoga, houses are divided into three groups

1. Positive houses – Kendras (1,4,7,10) and Trikonas (1,5,9) + 2 and 11
2. Negative houses – Trik houses (6,8,12)
3. Oddball house – 3rd house

Note: the houses that the lords are sitting in are used and not the other houses the lords may own. For example, for an Aries lagna, if Jupiter is in Aries and Mars is in Pisces, the exchange is that of the 1st and 12th houses. Jupiter also owns the 9th house and Mars also owns the 8th house. This will not be treated as an exchange of the 8th and 9th, or 1st and 9th, or 8th and 12th houses.

Maha Parivatana Yoga

If both the lords are lords of positive houses, it forms a Maha Parivartana yoga. 28 out of the 66 combinations fall under this category. For example, a Cancer ascendant with Moon in Leo and Sun in Cancer. This would be an exchange between the lords of the 1st and 2nd houses, both positive.

Maha Parivartana Yoga is the most beneficial. According to Phaladeepika, the person enjoys the blessing of Goddess Lakshmi. Goddess Lakshmi bestows the person with expensive and beautiful clothes and ornaments. The person holds a high position and enjoys respect. The person has good children and enjoys wealth and conveyances.

Link to example charts of famous people with this yoga.

Dhainya Parivartana Yoga

If one of the lords is the lord of the 6th, 8th, or 12th houses, it forms a Dhainya Parivartana Yoga. 30 out of the 66 combinations fall under this category. For example, a Cancer ascendant with Jupiter in Capricorn and Saturn in Sagittarius. This example involves the lords of the 6th and 7th houses.

Dhainya Parivartana Yoga is the most negative. According to Phaladeepika, the person is foolish and indulges in sinful acts. The person encounters obstacles in their ventures and trouble from their enemies. The person speaks harshly and does not have a stable mind.

Link to example charts of famous people with this yoga.

Kahala Parivartana Yoga

If one of the lords is the 3rd lord and the other is a positive house lord, it forms a Kahala Parivartana Yoga. 8 out of the 66 combinations fall under this category. For example, a Cancer ascendant with Mercury in Leo and Sun in Virgo. This example involves the lords of the 2nd and 3rd houses.

Kahala Parivartana Yoga gives mixed results. According to Phaladeepika, the person is occasionally haughty and sometimes sweet in speech. The person has ups and downs in life.

Link to example charts of famous people with this yoga.

The key components for vedic astrology are rasis, nakshatras, houses, and grahas. In the vedic astrology landscape, firstly, the rasis and nakshatras represent the background. Secondly, the houses represent the themes and finally, the grahas represent the actors. Each of these dimensions has multiple options. There are 12 rasis., 27 nakshatras, 12 houses, and 9 grahas. Every astrologer must know the characteristics of the options in each of these dimensions. In this blog we look at Rasi characteristics.

The work of the astrologer is to look for recurring patterns while evaluating a chart using each of these dimensions. For example, Sun in Leo in Magha nakshatra in the first house indicates the confluence of leadership themes. Sun is the King among grahas. Leo is the fiery rasi representing leadership. Magha nakshatra is represented by a throne. The first house indicates the self. Another example is Mars in Aries in Krittika nakshatra in the 3rd house indicates aggression using the hands. Mars is the commander-in-chief. Aries is a fiery rasi. Krittika nakshatra’s symbol is a sharp blade. The 3rd house represents courage and hands.

Rasis form the backdrop in which the grahas and houses act. It is critical to understand the rasi characteristics to understand how the rasis can shape the impact of the grahas in the respective houses.

There are 12 rasis. Here are their characteristics.

Rasi	Symbol	Lord	Characteristics tied to symbol or lord	Other characteristics
Aries	Ram	Mars	Extroverted, angry, impulsive, violent, accident prone, motivated, ambitious, pioneer, roamer	Lives away from home, disagreement with mother, head injuries
Taurus	Bull	Venus	Physically and mentally strong, materialistic	Sharp intellect, good writers, strong interest in food, good for career, submissive to spouse
Gemini	Twins - Male holding a club Female holding instrument	Mercury	Twins, dual nature - personality, mind, and career, materialistic, reliance on intelligence	Expenditures through children, sexual enjoyment, unstable health
Cancer	Crab	Moon	Highly emotional, confused, formidable intellect, likes home life	Friendship is important, disappointment with children, chronic diseases, unnatural death
Leo	Lion	Sun	Regal, striking appearance, important father, interest in spirituality, self-interest	More bluster than courage, lucky with property, neglects younger siblings, dominates spouse
Virgo	Young woman - holding wheat and fire	Mercury	Maiden, shy, lack of worldly skills, trades that are detail oriented, analysis and calculations	Unusual thoughts, difficulty with children, higher chance of accidents and surgery, interest in hygiene
Libra	Scales	Venus	Mercantile, public professions, excessive spending, fashion conscious	Ignores wise advice, influenced by bad company, friends and clubs important, enduring marriage
Scorpio	Scorpion	Mars	Rigid, maverick, penetrates secrets, poison, chemistry, drugs	Death, occult, ambitious, brave, dominates partner, tough relationship with gurus, travels
Sagittarius	Centaur holding a bow ready to shoot arrow	Jupiter	Aims high, competitive, can win over enemies, intellectual	Lucky, blunt speakers, charitable, dual careers, spiritual inclination
Capricorn	Crocodile with upper body of deer	Saturn	Ambitious, forceful, slow progress in career, conservative	Gain through property, money minded, miserly, dissatisfied with roots and family, doting parents, religious hypocrite
Aquarius	Man with tilted pitcher	Saturn	Enjoys gathering knowledge, timid, idiosyncratic, keeps secrets, slow career progress	Alternate gains and losses, likes friends and societies, not excited by money
Pisces	Two fishes swimming in opposite directions	Jupiter	Contradictory ambitions and ideals, loves to teach, two marriages,	Can be taken advantage of, good for children, hospital involvement

The key components for vedic astrology are rasis, nakshatras, houses, and grahas. In the vedic astrology landscape, firstly, the rasis and nakshatras represent the background. Secondly, the houses represent the themes and finally, the grahas represent the actors. Each of these dimensions has multiple options. There are 12 rasis., 27 nakshatras, 12 houses, and 9 grahas. Every astrologer must know the characteristics of the options in each of these dimensions. In this blog we look at Nakshatra characteristics.

The work of the astrologer is to look for recurring patterns while evaluating a chart using each of these dimensions. For example, Sun in Leo in Magha nakshatra in the first house indicates the confluence of leadership themes. Sun is the King among grahas. Leo is the fiery rasi representing leadership. Magha nakshatra is represented by a throne. The first house indicates the self. Another example is Mars in Aries in Krittika nakshatra in the 3rd house indicates aggression using the hands. Mars is the commander-in-chief. Aries is a fiery rasi. Krittika nakshatra’s symbol is a sharp blade. The 3rd house represents courage and hands.

Nakshatras form the backdrop in which the grahas and houses act. It is critical to understand the nakshatra characteristics. This helps us understand how the nakshatras can shape the impact of the grahas in the respective houses.

There are 27 nakshatras. Here are their characteristics.

Nakshatra	Symbol	Diety	Characteristics tied to symbol or diety	Other characteristics
Ashwini	Head of a Horse	Ashwini Kumaras	Twins, equestrian - fine appearance, swift, amiable manners, medicine, healing	Happy-go-lucky disposition, stuttering, fond of ornaments, intelligent
Bharani	Vulva	Yama	Personal breakthroughs preceded by struggles	Social transformation, nurturing, creative
Krittika	Razor	Agni	Sharp and cutting nature, appetite, cooking, digestion	Heroic deeds, adoption, inventors
Rohini	Cart	Brahma	Growth oriented, conveyances	Sensual, beautiful, good at arts
Mrigashirsha	Deer	Moon	Timid, shy and nervous, fidgety, tender,, changing	Enchanting, fickle
Ardra	Teardrop	Rudra	Loss or disappointment, malicious	Diplomacy, self-centered, deal with dead things, primal energies like atomic research
Punarvasu	Quiver of arrows	Aditi	Freedom, unbounded, adaptive, resourceful, focused	Noble, philosophical, teachers
Pushya	Udder of cow	Brihaspati	Nourishing, abundance, growth	Aristocrats, ministers, gurus
Ashlesha	Coiled serpent	Nagas	Deceit, secretive, poisonous	Wisdom, insight, blunt, disliked by others
Magha	Royal throne	Pitris	Regal, tactful, diplomatic, traditional, support from ancestors	Opportunities, corporate heads
Purvaphalguni	Front legs of bed	Bhaga	Rest, relaxation, carefree nature	Creation, marriage, entertainment
Uttaraphalguni	Back legs of bed	Aryaman	Helpful, patrons	Amorous, adventurous
Hasta	Hand	Sun	Controlling, repetitive	Followers, witty, not reliable
Chitra	Jewel	Vishvakarma	Indefatigable, unconquerable, architect, artists	Fond of books, analytical, balanced thinkers
Swati	Young sapling	Vayu	Delicate, influenced, Learner	Thoughtful, spiritual, religious
Vishakha	Triumphal arch	Indragni	Successful, focused on goals, dictators, aggressive	Courageous, egocentric
Anuradha	Triumphal arch	Mitra	Goal oriented, devoted to friends, lead and manage organizations	Live abroad, good with numbers
Jyeshta	Protective talisman	Indra	Fame, glory, occult, hidden things, elder, protection	Inventive, imaginative,
Moola	Roots tied in a knot	Nirriti	Calamity, material destruction, contrarian, restraint, bondage	Research oriented - getting to the bottom of things, medicine
Pruvaashadha	Winnowing basket	Apah (water)	Strong desire to improve situation, aggressive	Good debators, pervasive, universal
Uttaraashadha	Elephant tusk	Vishvadevas	Honest, sincere, remover of obstacles, sharp and penetrate	New beginnings that become successful
Shravana	Three footprints	Vishnu	Hearing, oral traditions, knowledge, scholars	Kind, charitable, humanistic
Dhanishta	Drum	Vasus	Optimistic, ambitious, prosperous, related to sound	Marital discord
Shatabhisha	Empty circle	Varuna	Separation, confinement, cloaks	Scientific, mystical, prefer solitude, rare diseases
Purvabhadrapadha	Front legs of funeral cot	Ajaikapada	Destruction, respectfulness, passionate, fearful	Anger, fanatics, terrorists
Uttarabhadrapadha	Back legs of funeral cot	Ahirbudhya	Planned evil, more restraint than purva	Practitioners of tantra
Revati	Drum	Pushan	Rich, nurturing, safe travels, related to time	Protection, shelter, hospitality, foster care

The key components for vedic astrology are rasis, nakshatras, houses, and grahas. In the vedic astrology landscape, firstly, the rasis and nakshatras represent the background. Secondly, the houses represent the themes and finally, the grahas represent the actors. Each of these dimensions has multiple options. There are 12 rasis., 27 nakshatras, 12 houses, and 9 grahas. Every astrologer must know the characteristics of the options in each of these dimensions. In this blog we look at Graha significance.

The work of the astrologer is to look for recurring patterns while evaluating a chart using each of these dimensions. For example, Sun in Leo in Magha nakshatra in the first house indicates the confluence of leadership themes. Sun is the King among grahas. Leo is the fiery rasi representing leadership. Magha nakshatra is represented by a throne. The first house indicates the self. Another example is Mars in Aries in Krittika nakshatra in the 3rd house indicates aggression using the hands. Mars is the commander-in-chief. Aries is a fiery rasi. Krittika nakshatra’s symbol is a sharp blade. The 3rd house represents courage and hands.

Grahas are the actors in the vedic chart. It is critical to understand the graha significance to understand how the actors shape the destiny of the chart.

There are nine grahas. I use the term grahas instead of planets to avoid scientific confusion. Here are their main significances.

Graha	Relations/People	Body Part	Primary Significance	Secondary Significance
Sun	Father	Soul, heart, head	Fame, government, authority	Pitta
Moon	Mother	Face, blood	Emotions, beauty	Public, liquids
Mercury		Skin, nervous system	Commerce, speech, writing, communication	Education, rational mind, volatile, versatile
Venus	Spouse, wife	Sex organs, kidney	Marriage, desires, vehicles	Fine arts, harmony, sensuality
Mars	Husband, siblings	Liver	Courage, pride, property	Anger, arrogance, pride
Jupiter	Teacher, children	Fat	Wealth, knowledge, growth, optimism	Spirituality, advisers, councilors
Saturn	Servants, workers	Legs	Longevity, death, suffering, chronic disease	Renunciation, separation, isolation
Rahu / Ketu	Foreigners		Ambition, disguises, deception	Suddenness, revenge, poisons