Astrology and Means of Livelihood

Astrology and Means of Livelihood

Let us study and analyse the principles of deduction of the means of livelihood of a native from his horoscope as enunciated by great Acharyas of yore. In the matter of astrologically judging and determining different mundane houses are allotted to the different needs of Kalapurusha or the individual.

There is one house for wealth, another for patrimony, the other for income, etc. There is one house, Karma viz. the 10th (midheaven). Karma is very broad term. Karma means the sum total of the good and bad deeds at our credit when we are born on this planet. Livelihood or avocation is only one facet of the term karma. Karma is not merely avocation but is a comprehensive term.

The twelve houses indicate different activities in the world. A professional means of earning a livelihood may be determined by the houses and planets which are prominent in a horoscope.

If the 1st is strong, the native will earn by his personal efforts.

If the 2nd is strong articles of food or speech would play a prominent part.

The 3rd determines courage, brothers, heroic valour, communication, writing, short travel, etc. If the 3rd is strong and has connection with the 10th, the person may earn through writings and short travel. He may run a big business, may serve in army.

If the 10th lord is connected with the 4th house and indications are strong, the person may get income from house or motor vehicle.

The 5th has reference to learning, counsel, speculation, and games of chance. The harmonious dispositions of the 10th and the 5th indicate earnings through above means.

The 6th represents sickness or diseases, if the 6th houses is connected to the 10th and the horoscope indicates medical studies the person may be a doctor by profession.

The 7th indicates partner, husband or wife, travel etc. If the 7th and the 10th are harmoniously disposed blending their effects together the person may be benefited from a partnership.

The 8th indicates legacy, imports, exports etc. When the 8th and the 10th lords are connected the person may earn through foreign business or from property got through legacy.

The 9th indications would be connected with the foreigners’ foreign lands, law, religion etc. The connection between the 9th and the 10th may bring earnings through practice of law or the person may become religious head or may earn through teaching or preaching.

The 10th house is the house of profession and the nature of profession is indicated by the 10th lord and by the nature of planets or planets occupying or aspecting it.

The 11th is the house of gain or income and planets occupying or aspecting the house would bring money according to the planets occupying or aspecting it.

The 12th is connected with places of confinement and distant lands. If Saturnine qualities predominate the 10th and of the 12th is connected thereto, the person may be a jailor. When the planets connected with giving income to person i.e. deciding his livelihood occupy the houses (from the 1st to the 12th Bhava) the results got modified according to the actual house occupied.

The callings of men are as various, as interesting and as diversified as the individual peculiarities they exhibit. Take the Lagna or the Moon at the birth and see who occupies the 10th house from it.

If the Sun is in the 10th house the person inherits paternal property from the father; if the Moon is there, he inherits money from the mother; if Mars occupies it, he procures wealth through his enemy: if Mercury joins the 10th he gets money through friends; if Jupiter is found there, the person has wealth through brothers; if Venus is in the 10th, the money come through wife or women; and if Saturn occupies it, he gets wealth from inferiors such as servants, etc.

Planets in midheaven or aspiring to be midheaven are to be treated accordingly.

Secondly, when there is no planet in the 10th house from the Moon or the birth sign, then find out the rulers of the 10th house counted from the Lagna, the Sun and the Moon. Take the strongest of them. Find out in what Navamsa he is. The ruler of that Navamsa will influence the profession.

According to Bhattotpala, it is not correct to predict the profession by considering the strongest alone of planets

(1) posited in the 10th house reckoned from the Lagna and the Moon or

(2) owning the 10th house counted from the Lagna, the Sun and the Moon.

Every one of these, should be taken into consideration while determining the source of income of the native, as a man get money from various ways both at one time as well as at different periods in his life. The view taken by Bhattotpala and his quotations from Gargi seem to be the best.

For instance, a man may be lawyer and may have lands yielding crops, may carry on ready money transactions, may be a paid trustee or manager in some charitable institution or temple and may hold shares in banks and be at the same time a Government pleader paid so much per month. His father and mother may give him money his wife may bring dowry and his brothers and friends may also help him.

The profession or occupation of a native is generally judged from the planet or planets occupying the 10th house and if there should be none there, from those in the 1st and also from those aspecting the Sun and the Moon.

Further, the planet which is posited very near the sun or the 10th Bhava whether before or after in the radix of a native and its condition-whether strong or weak: due to its position and aspect exert much influence in this respect.

Brihat Jataka. Adh. X. XL. 4, states the gain of money from livelihood should be ascertained from the strong benefic planets occupying the Ascendant, the 2nd and the 10th.

The Ascendant is to be studied as the earnings accrue through powers and efforts of the native. The 2nd being the seat of the wealth and the 11th being the 2nd to the 10th too are to be scrutinized. The 10th indicates the nature of profession and the 2nd shows the kind of earnings which the 11th confers.

Means of livelihood means gain of money. Therefore study of the 2nd, the 4th, the 9th and the 11th become highly necessary. The Ascendant, the 5th and the 7th too are to be examined in addition to the 10th.

These Bhavas also point out ways through which the native comes by the wealth. It will be helpful to remember that in fixing the means of livelihood ancient. Acharyas have not made the 10th Bhava the sole source of information.

Parasara says that, “Success in endeavours and gain of money (wealth) depends entirely on luck”. A careful study of the 9th from the Ascendant and the Moon and of their lords in respect of gain of money will throw a flood of light on the profession.

Looking from another angle, the 10th house is the 9th from the 2nd the 6th from the 5th and so on. Such relationships deserve careful consideration. The 2nd is the house of inborn potential energy-speech and sight are symbolic expressions of the same.

Inherited wealth indicates the result of past deeds which have to be enjoyed in a particular birth. This house is the 5th from the 10th signifying that Paravdha of a man is the result of one’s Karma’s activity in this phenomenal world.

But as the 10th is the 9th from the 2nd it is suggestive of the fact that the man’s status in life depends both on one’s past deeds as well as on the potential energy bestowed in a certain incarnation.

Similarly, it has to be remembered that the 10th being the house of creation, action and the 5th that of creativity, the potential for action, the 6th-8th relationship between the two is meaningful. One cannot smoothly act unless the conditions necessary for the same are present.

The 10th is an impediment for the 5th because it is located 6th from it; obviously the urge cannot have an easy go if the 10th house is not strong enough to meet the challenge of the 5th.

Uttarakalamrita, khanda V. SI. 1 attributes livelihood as on of the factors governed by the 1st house. This is understandable as the 1st house denotes the natural and personal traits. The nature of profession, a person follows is determined by the nature of the planets influencing the lagna-factor i.e. the lagna and chandralagna and their lords.

Saravali Adh. 22. Sl. 12, says When the Sun is located in any sign of Venus (Taurus and Libra) and is aspected by the Moon the man is fond of prostitutes, he supports, many women and lives by watery-vocation.

Note – it would be observed that there is not the remotest reference to the 10th house in the Sloka and yet it is very clearly stated the profession is one of by watery vocation ‘Saliajeevi’).

Jataka Parijata. Adh. II. SI. 56 says The house in which the lords of the Lagna and the 2nd house are located indicates the source of one’s livelihood.

Brihat Parasara Hora-Purbakhanda-Karkamas Graha – Phaldhyaya-Adh. I. Sls 22-30 deals with the livelihood-result of various planets in Karkamsa. Since Karkamsa is in the nature of Lagna, it is clear that Lagna is relevant to the question of determining profession.

Kendras are the pillars of the horoscope. Kendras reveal what are within and they get expression and manifestation through konas. The 10th Kendra has two konas viz. the 2nd and the 6th. Hence what is within the 10th gets manifested through the 2nd and 6th. Planets occupying the 2nd and the 6th will express the 10th. So the planets in the 2nd and 6th give the clue what will be the a vocation of the native.

If there is no planet in the 2nd and the 6th then the lords of the two houses will mould the avocation. Thus we see all the twelve houses of the zodiac have some contribution in moulding the avocation.

Mid heaven (i.e. the 10th house) manifests, not the characteristics of one sign alone but also the modifying characteristics of the other eleven signs all tending to make the 10th what it is. There is no separation in the unity of the zodiac. It is an endless circle which cannot be broken.

To decide the nature of profession and livelihood, the key-qualities of the planet or planets influencing the 10th will help us to arrive at a facile judgement.

Beside other significations the Sun is a creator, promoter, owner, manager and physician. He also rules government, brokerage or commission. When the planet that proves to be the deciding factor as regards a person’s livelihood, happens to be the Sun the person may get rulership of a country, land, province, district, etc., royal positions and dignities, service under the Government, administrator, a maintainer or law and order enforcement of commands.

He may be engaged in medicine, doing mediatory work or highly authoritative jobs in Forest Department, Municipal Corporation etc.

The moon is planet of fecundity and rules liquids, mind, mental work, unsteadiness, movements changes, salt, seas, etc. If the Moon is deciding the profession then the person’s job will have something to do with the following factors: Shell, pearls, Salt, agriculture, ships, fish, hospitals, service to women (women welfare), holy shrines, maternal property, etc. He may be a sailor, mariner, navigator, fisherman, boatman, dealer-in-pearls, or one working in pearl-fisher, mid-wife, nurse etc.

Mars is a planet of action and rules profession involving rudeness or cruelty, engineering works, fire, lands and daring operations. Callings involving instruments, armaments & tools & department like police, military and medical. The person’s will be connected with military preparations, doctor (Surgeon), chemist, butchery, metallurgy-generally all works in iron, steel or fire.

Mercury is a planet of reasoning or education. Governs merchandise, and profession like clerks, accountants, auditors, copyists, teachers, authors, translators, postmen, messengers, astronomers, mathematician, publishers, printers, etc. are due to the influence of Mercury.

Jupiter is a planet of expansion. All professions which are dignified and which require a good judgement, can be attributed to him. He governs principally banks, treasuries, income tax or revenue department, charitable or educational institutions, lawyers, editors, teachers, councillors, judges, priests, senators, bishops, ministers.

Venus is a planet of pleasure. Venus governs Dramatists, artists, wealth and perfumers, weavers, car-dealers, jewelers etc. are governed by him. Venus governs wealth and hence income tax, wealth tax and other venues are all governed by him provided there is a connection with Saturn, Rahu or Ketu to indicate dealers in gold, precious stones, elephant or horses, cows, hotel-keepers, confectioners, linen drapers, scent-dealers, players, maid servants. etc.

Saturn is a planet of obstruction. He also governs service, misery, oil etc. The person will be engaged in a job connected with engravings on wood, stone work execution, porterage, scavengers, shoe making. garden work, brick masons, digging pits, oil etc. It has been observed that he influences service under government especially or under foreign influence. He also governs jobs connected with punishment. Saturn gives one leadership in labour organizations, trade-unions, service under various capacities, expert in work and extracting work from others.

Rahu is a planet of eccentricity. The erratic or cruel deeds are attributed to him. But he is well disposed occupying the houses of benefics, especially Mercury, he produces good researchers, scholars, lawyers, speculators, etc. Ketu governs secret service, cunning or tricky jobs etc.

A more accurate picture of the particular avocation can be obtained by an examination of the nature of the sign, in which the 10th falls. That will show the line of greatest success and natural aptitude.

The fiery signs – Aries, Leo and Sagittarius – indicate employment connected with fire, iron and metals, metallurgy, extraction of ores, utilizing electric energy, industrial concerns, surgeons, military equipment etc.

The earthly signs – Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn-shows manual labour, digging and excavation, agricultural pursuit, food and corn dealers, dealers in the produce of the soil in the various forms and kinds.

The airy signs – Gemini, Libra and Aquarius show intellectual pursuits, head-work literary and artistic occupations.

The watery sign – Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces show occupations in which water is the motive power or chief element, dealers in soft drinks, textile goods, and fabrics, sailors, chemists etc.

We have four significators (Karakas) for Karmabhava – Jupiter, the Sun, Mercury and Saturn as prescribed by our ancient Acharyas.

The intellectual class represented by Jupiter, the ruling class represented by the Sun, the mercantile class represented by Mercury and the serving class represented by Saturn. Unless the particular indicator (Karka) is strong and not rendered weak, he will not be able to do so.

For example, if the 10th house has no connection with Jupiter and as also lord or if Jupiter is not strong and well placed, religious nature etc. will be totally absent.

If the Sun is weak or debilitated (without neecha bhanga) one cannot have high dignity and royal position.

When Mercury is weak or he has got no connection with the 10th one cannot have business acumen and diplomatic reasoning.

When Saturn is weak and unconnected with the 10th one cannot be expert in work.

A methodical scrutiny of the 10th Bhava, Bhava lord and Karaka planets will reveal the realistic result of Karma Bhava.

When the 10th lord is well placed in Kendra, kona, the 2nd or the 11th from the Lagna as well as from Karma Bhava and Karaka planets are similarly placed and well dignified, the native will be well established in professional career.

The sign in which the 10th lord is posited is Jeeva sign and its lord is Jeeva for Karma Bhava. The sign in which the 7th lord is posited is Sareera sign and its lord is Sareera for karma Bhava.

If Jeeva and Sareera are found strong and both are benefics and friends and Jeeva and Sareera sign also happen to be Kendra, kona, the 2nd or the 11th from Lagna, Karma Bhava will flourish.

Parasara Hora stipulates that Dasamsa chart is to be examined for judging about a person’s livelihood.

The nature of a native’s profession may be indicated with some accuracy by Ashtakavarga of Saturn, the dots of different planets falling in the 10th counted from Saturn’s signs are to be noted.

Dots contributed by combust: debilitated and weak planets are to be ignored. Dots contributed by other planets in the 10th from Saturn give a clue by the native’s job. If there are two or more dots contributed by two or more planets, the nature of job (or jobs) may partake the characteristics of the significators.

For an astrologer, the most difficult and at the same time most important job is the determination of one’s exact means of livelihood. In this modern complex world, the number of avocations is so vast that

it seems practically impossible to determine with reasonable precision the nature of one’s livelihood. But a real and devoted astrologer can develop a formula by following certain norms and assumptions which will hand down certain near accurate results.

Mantreshwara, in Phaladeepika, states that one can predict the source, mode and period of acquisition of money from a correct interpretation of the ascendant or the signs occupied by the Sun or the Moon whichever is stronger. Then find out the planet located in the 10th house from these and the Navamsa sign occupied by the Lord of the respective Bhavas. The Sun refers to the father, the Moon to the mother, Mars to the co-borns and the foe, Mercury to friends, Jupiter to elders and mentors, Venus to the wife and, Saturn to the low class friends for the servants.

Jataka Parijata is equally helpful in the determination of the source of one’s income. There we find: “From the 10th house you can ascertain a person’s authority, rank, ornaments, dress, activities, agriculture, renunciation, religious activities, means of livelihood and fame.”

Naturally the profession depends on one’s education, his mental make-up, ability, capacity, capability, resources, potentials and such other factors. Jataka Parijata declares that one must find out whether the ascendant is strong or the moon; i.e. it gives lesser importance to the Sun. Then note the Navamsa occupied by the lord of the 10th reckoned from the stronger one.

If that sign belongs to the Sun, one deals in medicine, wool, grass, water, grain, gold and pearls and he may become a mediator (Judge) or an Ambassador. If it is the Moon, one lives through thing derived from water, by agriculture, clay, clothes, marriages, sailors, navigators, fisherman, boatman, nurses and others. If it is Mars, then we refer to metallurgy, war, fire-control, stealing, adventure and quarrels with others. Military jobs, doctors, chemists, butchers, executioners, engine drivers and all those working with iron, steel or fire, are perhaps covered here.

If it is Mercury, one pursues arts, poetry, traditional profession, priesthood, writing, astronomy, astrology and scriptures. Literary authors, translators, scientists, writers, accountants, teachers, mathematicians, law-years, book-sellers, printers and postman also come under the planet.

If Navamsa sign belongs to Jupiter, one earns by becoming an instructor, religious authority, priest, moralist, philosopher and the like. Here comes judges, scholars, senators, clergyman and bankers.

If it belongs to Venus, the earnings are related to gold, fancy goods, women, hotel, restaurants, jewelers, musicians, painters and the like. If the sign belongs to Saturn, one earns by hard labour or manual working, like grave diggers, undertakers, brick layers, miners, coolies, porters, helpers etc.

Astrologically the 10th house is the most important point as it indicates ones means of livelihood. It is perhaps the culminating point. It has been noticed in practice that the most powerful planet in the horoscope will also command considerable influence in moulding one’s profession.

Before judging the livelihood it is very essential to ascertain the mental, intellectual and physical abilities of the person by a careful examination of the strength or weaknesses of the Sun the Moon, Mars, the ascendant and its lord, respectively.

An airy sign indicates mental powers, planning and oratory ability. A fiery sign suggests force of character, ability, self aggressiveness, dangerous pursuits, surgery etc. An earthly sign gives patience, practical ability. business interests, prudence and planning for material welfare.

In a horoscope, there may be blends of different planetary influences. A doctor may be an inventor or a carpenter may be a good singer. These primary but important factors require careful attention while attempting to decide one’s profession.

Jaimini Sutras state that the planet posited in the Navamsa sign of the Atmakaraka points out the profession of the native. The author of Uttarakallamrita advises us that the professional incline and job opportunities are to be judged also from the Dwadasamsa of Atmakaraka.

According to Maharshi Parashar the success and gain of money depend entirely on one’s Poorvakarma or good luck. A careful study of the 9th house from the ascendant and the Moon and of their lords in respect of gain of money will throw a flood of light on the means of one’s livelihood.

Astrology is not the science of wealth. But it is capable of predicting the extent of a person’s wealth (judged from the 2nd house of his birth chart), source of his earning (from the 10th house), and the fluctuations or flow of his income (from the 11th house).

A native’s means of livelihood can, therefore, be determined from the 10th house in his birth chart. The 10th house marks the Mid-heaven, and it is also indicative of professional prospects. The basic factor that plays an important part in judging a native’s means of livelihood is an integral probe into his 10th house (from the Lagna or the Moon or the Sun, whichever is most powerful).

This integral probe takes into account the 10th house, its lord, the sign occupying the 10th house, the planet or planets placed in the 10th house, the Navamsa position of the lord of the 10th, and the relation of planets causing Raja Yogas to the 10th house or its lord.

नमस्कार । मेरा नाम अजय शर्मा है। मैं इस ब्लाग का लेखक और ज्योतिष विशेषज्ञ हूँ । अगर आप अपनी जन्मपत्री मुझे दिखाना चाहते हैं या कोई परामर्श चाहते है तो मुझे मेरे मोबाईल नम्बर (+91) 7234 92 3855 पर सम्पर्क कर सकते हैं । परामर्श शुल्क 251 रु है। पेमेंट आप नीचे दिये QR CODE को स्कैन कर के कर सकते हैं। कुंडली दिखाने के लिये पेमेंट के स्क्रीन शॉट के साथ जन्म समय और स्थान का विवरण 7234 92 3855 पर वाट्सप करें । धन्यवाद ।

The placement of a specific planet in the 10th house and a study of its ruler and the planet aspecting it helps in determining a native’s means of livelihood. Broadly speaking, different planets, considered in this way, give different clues to the source of earning:

The Moon refers to arts, crafts textiles, horse-racing, contracts, mercantile activities, navy, nursing orchards, liquids, hotel-keeping, petrol oil companies.

The Sun suggests earning through merchandise, dealing in food- stuffs, administrative post, good inheritance, auditing, accountancy, drugs and chemicals, woollen mills.

Mars indicates engineering, soldiering, liquor, hunting animal-training in circus, armed services, ambassador, collector, electrical engineering. atomic energy, postal services, match factory, kerosene oil, ammunition depots.

Mercury denotes salesmanship, writing arts, teaching, preaching. public-speaking, weaving, selling of cloth, buying and selling, journalism, printing book-trade.

Jupiter points to commerce, trade, priest-crafts astrology, religious organisations, spirituality, executive posts, research guidance.

Venus refers to artistic and musical pursuits, dance and acting, writing of poetry, dealing in gold, silver and gems, bars, fineries.

Saturn indicates farming, medical service, insurance agency, co- operative business, Panchayats, community development works, pharmaceutical works, cattle-breeding, black-mailing, hardware and labour.

Rahu indicates radio, circus, space-travel and spiritual healing.

Kethu refers to foreign trade, secret sciences, clairvoyance, mesmerism, palmistry.

It requires subtle skill on the part of an astrologer to determine one’s source of livelihood from a study of the 10th house. Mere study of planets posited therein is not enough. Its relation to the planet aspecting it or to the Dasa-lord is also essential.

I have noticed after studying several birth charts that the following combinations by aspect or by conjunction related to the 10th house give rise to specific means of livelihood.

Mercury and the Sun: Executive post, mercantile activities, export and import business.

Mercury and Saturn: Brokerage, postal service.

Mercury and Venus: Writing of poetry, screen-play dramas.

Mercury and the Moon: Cinema, exhibition.

Mercury and Satum: Buffoonery, cartoon-drawing, automobile driving.

Mercury and Mars: Service in telephone exchange, printing, drugs, surgery.

Mercury and Jupiter: Research, religious and philosophical writings.

Jupiter and the Sun: Religions organisations.

Jupiter and Saturn: Occultism, hypnotism, clairvoyance.

Jupiter and Mercury: Technology, ministership.

Jupiter and the Moon: Authorship, journalism.

Venus and the Moon: Shipping agency, hotel-keeping, sale of wine, scents, cosmetics and fancy goods.

Venus and Mercury: Music teaching.

Venus and Saturn: Sale of betel leaves, soap, musical instruments.

Venus and Mars: Prostitution.

Saturn and Mars: Robbery, dacoity, automobile driving.

The Moon and Rahu: Air-hostessing.

Mars and Rahu: Space-travel and space science.

Mercury and Rahu: Radio-station.

Venus and Rahu: Radio-artist.

Saturn and Rahu: Circus.

These combinations get modified according to the benefic aspects they receive.

Again, the position of the lord of the 10th is worth considering, especially in its relation for Lagna or to another benefic aspecting it. I have observed in course of my study of horoscopes that if the lord of the 10th is placed with the 9th lord, the native earns through writing.

If the lord of the 10th is in the 11th with Mars, the native earns through scientific pursuits. If the lord of the 10th is with Saturn, the native earns through hard toil and even asceticism. If the lord of the 10th is in the 9th house or with Mercury, the native earns through writing. If the lord of the 10th is with the lord of the 9th and Mercury, the native earns through writings on astrology.

If the lords of the 4th and the 9th are in the 10th, and the lord of the 10th is in the 11th, the native earns through big business and manufacturing of goods. (The nature of the commodity differs in keeping with the characteristics of the planets aspecting the 10th house).

I have also observed the importance of Lagna and its lord, and their relative position to the 10th house stabilise a native’s source of income. Lord of the 10th in Lagna or aspecting Lagna definitely brings luster and distinction to one’s means of livelihood.

Again, if the lord of the 10th is exalted, and aspects Lagna or is posited in the 10th house, it is an important factor in ensuring smooth means of livelihood, involving few struggles.

Let me illustrate a few commercial and professional means of livelihood with the help of charts.

Teaching:

(1) Leo rising, Mercury in the 10th house with the lord of Lagna. The native is a brilliant university teacher-cum-administrator.

(2) Pisces rising, Mercury posited in the 4th house aspecting the 10th house. Mars in Lagna aspecting Mercury. The native is a teacher in a Sainik school.

Medical Practice:

(1) Virgo rising, lord of the 10th Mercury, is with Jupiter in the 3rd house; the 10th house is aspected by Venus posited in the 4th house (indicating a fine private clinic). The native has a roaring practice and has a private clinic of his own.

(2) Scorpio rising, lord of the 10th, the Sun, is in the 7th house with Mars and Mercury (lord of the 8th). The native has an ordinary medical practice.

Land-lordism:

(1) Libra rising, lord of Lagna Venus in the 10th house, and lord of the 10th, the Moon, is in the 2nd house with Mars. The native is a big landlord.

(2) Cancer rising, the 10th house is aspected by Mars posited in the 4th house, and the Moon and Jupiter are posited in Lagna. The native owns much landed property.

(3) Leo rising, Jupiter is placed in the 10th along with lord of Lagna, the Sun, and lord of the 11th, Mercury, and the 10th house is aspected by Mars. The native is a very big religious landlord.

Speculation: Taurus rising, lord of the 10th, Saturn, is in the 11th house with lord of Lagna, Venus, and lord of the 11th, Jupiter, is in the 5th. The native is a well-known speculator and has earned a lot through speculation.

Cinema-business: Capricom rising, lord of the 10th, Venus, combines with lord of the 9th, Mercury, and lord of the 7th, the Moon in the 7th house, which itself is aspected by benefic Jupiter. The native is a cinema magnate, and runs a number of cinema theatres in North India.

Occultism: Kumbha (Aquarius) rising, Jupiter is in the 10th house, aspected by Saturn, lord of Lagna. The native earns through occult Siddhis.

Again, the role of man’s ability, his mental drive and physical dash also play significant roles in securing better means of livelihood. Astrology helps in throwing light on man’s innate abilities and this can guide a man in utilising his hidden energies for constructive purposes. Three years back a gentleman approached me for consulting the birth chart of his son who had failed in Matriculation Examination, and showed no mood for studies. He wanted to know the means by which his son could earn his livelihood.

With Scorpio rising, the chart showed the hidden potentiality of the boy’s mind in mechanical line since Saturn occupied the 10th house. The 10th house was aspected by Mercury and Venus posited in the 4th house. Jupiter, lord of learning, was indicating lack of higher education. But he aspected the 9th house where the Moon in his own sign was posited.

I suggested that he should be given training in radio- mechanism. Accordingly, he was put under the care of a radio-mechanic, and today he is an efficient radio-mechanic.

I have observed that Mercury controls mental growth and when Mercury is associated with a Yogakaraka, it makes a person immensely intellectual. A strong Moon indicates a strong heart and strong Mars indicates physical stamina that is also needed in earning through tougher means of livelihood.

The powerful Sun helps the native in mastering his environments, while strong Venus and Jupiter provide golden opportunities for the improvement of professional prospects. Strong Mars and Saturn ensure gains after grim struggle and in the teeth of opposition.

Saturn is, of course, the initial retarder of one’s growth and puts handicaps and disappointments in the way of the seekers of livelihood, but Saturn has a wonderful capacity of endowing a person with a sense of infinite patience, an industrious and hard-working attitude that eventually is rewarding.

As to the problem of exploring extra means of income, it can be solved by closely studying the characteristics of planets related to the 10th and the 11th.

Of course, the position of Lagna and its lord in relation to the planets should also be properly assessed for determining the degree of success in such ventures. Let me illustrate this with the help of a few charts with relevent planetary positions:

1. Sagittarius rising, the Moon is in the 10th house. Lord of the 10th Mercury is in the 8th. The native is a teacher of ordinary means. But he supplements his income by entering business partnership with his brother. This is due to the Sun (lord of the 9th), and Venus, lord of the 11th (brother) being placed in the 7th (house of partnership in business). As the Sun and Venus aspect Lagna, they assure success in business.

2. Pisces rising, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn are in the 7th house. The native is a physician with meager income. He supplements his income by performing of Shanti paths (religious ceremonies) for others. Mark the position of lord of the 10th, Jupiter, lord of the 11th, Saturn, in the 7th house along with Mars, lord of the 9th.

3. Cancer rising, the 10th house is occupied by Mercury. The native is a university teacher. Lord of the 9th (publication), Jupiter, is in the 7th house aspecting Lagna. He supplements his income by writing books. Venus, lord of the 11th, is in the 11th. This assures steady flow of income.

4. Kumbha rising, the 10th house is occupied with Jupiter, lord of the 11th. It is aspected by Saturn from the 4th house. The native is a confectioner. He supplements his income through speculation. Lord of the 10th, Mars, is in the 5th house,

Predicting Means of Livelihood

In this age the machine is written large in the horoscope of man. Mechanical progress, scientific ingenuity and advanced technology have liberated much of the energies of man leading to colossal achievements. Ruthless competition, commercialism, advertising and salesmanship, excessive materialistic activity of mechanised industry and a hundred and odd economic, social and political superstructures of life have exposed myriad openings for employment.

The seers of astrology who composed treatises on the science thousands of years ago when life was free from the fashionable fever of hectic nights and haggard days have not evidently thought of the medley of jobs in the modern civilised world.

Complexity of professions assuming a more and more bewildering nature of late makes the lot of an astrologer of ordinary attainments and skill rather hard in pinpointing the exact means of livelihood. The problem gets further complicated when one sees a first-class M.A. in mathematics working as a store-keeper, a Chemistry M.Sc., as a police officer, an M.L. as a telephone inspector and a B.A., B.T. as a cashier,

A comparative study of the horoscopes of 75 stenographers, 200 teachers (including primary school teachers and college lecturers), clerks and accountants has led me to the firm conviction that it is not possible to fix by the application of principles enunciated in the texts. One thing can definitely be stated that it is not the 10th Bhava alone (nor the Navamsa Lord of the owner of the 10th nor the planets posited therein) that influences this aspect.

Natives having a malefic 10th nor the planets posited therein) that influences this aspect. Natives having a malefic 10th and those having malefics like Saturn and Mars in the 10th are commonly found in the teaching profession. Anyone who has studied astrology knows what part these planets play in education and teaching.

Saturn, Mars and Rahu in the 10th or these planets owning the Navamsas of the 10th lords, are very often found in the horoscopes of college lecturers, ministers, priests, doctors, I.A.S. others, clerks, drivers and servants.

Though it may be possible to frame rules (planetary combinations) for finding out a native’s profession from his chart by studying a number of horoscopes under each category, such rules may not always be found satisfactory when applied to other charts.

Though the problem bristles with difficulties, a learned astrologer, by his well directed logic and keen intelligence, can arrive at the sight of truth, of course with a tolerable margin for error, if only he minutely examines the characteristics of the signs and their various divisions and of the planets and their flexible Karakathwas.

Like any other science, astrology too has its own limitations; it is the duty of those deeply interested in the science to increase its utility to society by earnest research and selfless efforts.

The principles for deducing the means of livelihood of a native from his horoscope as enunciated by a few great Acharyas are given below with guidelines in the light of my experience and study.

Horoscopic illustrations, through ready and available, are omitted as in my earlier humble contributions to this worthy paper; because I am convinced by the study and practice of this science for more than three and a half decades, that comparisons in astrology are really odious.

Even a smattering of the Vedas of which astrology forms a part, will enable one to understand that each man is distinctly separate from the other, an entity in himself. Thoughts from actions begetting experiences good or bad. No two heads think alike.

As a corollary, their experiences have to be different though astrologically the two may be having identical horoscopes. The same directional influences under the same transitory positions of planets have been found producing different kinds of effects in two horoscopes identical in all respects.

Therefore, each horoscope is to be handed quite independently of all others. The fact that a planet in a particular position in a chart has produced a certain pattern of effects does not bear out that the effects produced by the same planet identically placed in another chart would be the same.

The 10th from the Ascendant, the Moon and the Sun, their lords, lords of Navamsas of the owners of these Bhavas and planets occupying and aspecting them form the focus of consideration. This aspect of profession should be commenced only after duty assessing the strength, position and states of the concerned planets. A few authors are of the opinion that the 10th from the Ascendant and the Moon only need be studied.

Brihat Jataka states that gain of money for livelihood should be ascertained from the strong benefic planets falling in the Ascendant, the 2nd and the 11th. The Ascendant is to be studied as the earnings accrue through the prowess and efforts of the native. The 2nd being the seat of wealth and the 11th being the 2nd to the 10th too are to be scrutinised. The 10th indicates the nature of profession and the 2nd shows the kind of earnings which the 11th confers.

Means of livelihood means gain of money. Therefore, a careful study of the 2nd, the 4th, the 9th and the 11th becomes highly necessary. These Bhavas also point out the ways through which the native comes by wealth. Various Raja Yogas, Dhana Labha Yogas and other connected Yogas have to be thought of in this context.

It will be helpful to remember that in fixing the means of livelihood, ancient Acharyas have not made the 10th Bhava the sole source of information. From experience, it can be stated that the Ascendant, the 2nd, the 5, the 7th and the 9th too are to be examined in addition to the 10th.

A detailed examination of Karakathwas of planets is most essential in this respect. Though some texts have given fairly long lists of Karakathwas for each planet, they are by no means exhaustive. They require further expansion based on the characteristics of planets to keep abreast of modern development.

The nature of a native’s profession may be indicated with some accuracy by Ashtaka Varga method.

In the Ashtaka Varga of Saturn, the points of different planets falling in the 10th counted from Saturn are to be noted. Points belonging to combust, debilitated and weak planets are to be ignored. The other points (planets) in the 10th give a clue to the native’s job. If two or three planets are there, the nature of job (jobs) may partake the characteristics of their Karakathwas. There are may who have had different types of jobs in their career.

The strongest of the three lords of Navamsas of the owners of the 3rd and the 10 reckoned from the Ascendant, the Sun and the Moon is said to indicate the native’s means of livelihood.

Jaimini Sutras state that the planet posited in he Navamsa sign of Atmakaraka points out the profession of the native. The author of Uttarakalamrita advises us that the effects are to be judged also from the Dwadasamsa of Atmakaraka. In his opinion, the profession is indicated by the planet that is immediately next to Adhikagraha. This is equivalent to Amathyakaraka of Jaimini.

In the opinion of some authors, the nature of the profession is to be judged from all the points mentioned in the opening paragraph and not from the strongest of the planets alone.

Parasara says that, “Success in endeavours and gain of money depend entirely on luck”. A careful study of the 9th from the Ascendant and the Moon and of their lords in respect of gain of money will throw a flood of light on the profession.