Why is a Cancer Ascendant Special

[Khoo Hock Leong]

Hi

Amongst all the ascendants a person can have I would count a Cancer ASC as a special one. Why? Because the Moon has no enemies.

What this translates to is that the person is an all rounder in life. There is no aspect of any of his life (ie. any particular Bhava) which is a complete mess (barring placement of planets, the significators, the lords etc.). All work in tandem to support the ASC ie. the Grahas supporting the Moon ruler of the ASC.

But hang on a minute. The Moon only has two friends - Sun and Mercury. So it does especially well in 12th, 2nd and 3rd house matters. No one dares bully the Cancer Asc person especially the third house is ruled by the friend of the Moon, Mercury. On the other hand, the person is an enemy to the 3rd house ruler meaning he has no gratitude to persons who are actually protecting him via various means. That is gratitude for you! Seldom (or I think none) is there an ASC who has a friend in the ruler of the 3rd house - make special note of this!

Notice the Dharma houses are ruled by Mars and Jupiter. They are only netural to the Moon. The Moon waxes and wanes so right actions and principles are not one of the main ingredients factor into its decision making. On the other hand Moon is friend to Mars and Jupiter. It tries to stick to the right path but unfortunately, its versatility and changeability takes the better control of it.

But Jupiter is exalted in Cancer and Mars is fall in Cancer. When these planets are placed in the 1st house of a Cancer ASC, this takes precedence over the friendship of planets. So with Jupiter there, the person becomes extraordinarily ethical and with Mars there, the person's whims and fancies add to his changeability and therefore sidetracks his objectives in life.

What if the person's Moon for a Cancer ASC becomes the Atmakaraka? Then none of its enemies can penetrate or pierces its soul - its innermost character. The person remains true to himself!

Thanks.

Hock Leong

[Khoo Hock Leong]

Hi

Current Vedic Astrologers always consider enemity and friendship of Rahu and Ketu with the other planets. So we should do likewise.

Is the Moon a friend or enemy or Rahu and Ketu?

Well based on what I read, Moon gets on well with Ketu but Rahu is Moon's enemy. Moon with Rahu always denote emotional excesses and in some Yoga combination, it may lead to spiritual malevolence attacking the native.

So technically speaking, the only enemy the Moon has to deal with will be Rahu. But Rahu is powerful! Rahu is twice as powerful as the Sun and the Sun is twice as powerful as the Moon. All the other planets fall in the lower levels of the echelon in terms of strength with Saturn being the least powerful and Venus the most powerful after the Moon.

Also Moon being such an impressionable planet, any conjunction with Rahu will practically warped the personality of the Cancer ASC person.

Thanks.

Hock Leong

[astro_abc]

Thanks for this thread. I am a beginner so have a few questions about the cancer ascendant.

1) how does mercury and venus together in the 8th and mars in the 12th affect a cancer ascendant?

2) how does sat - lord of the 8th - in the first affect the native?

[Khoo Hock Leong]

Hi astro_abc

I will tackle your 2nd question first :

Well Saturn is ruler of 7th and 8th. Evertime Capricorn is overlaid in one of the Kendra Houses it means automatically the next fixed house is Aquarius. This means Saturn is very powerful for that angular house as it also rules the 2nd to that house, ie all its resources can be marshalled to fulfill its ruler as a lord of that angular house. So for Cancer Ascendant, Saturn rules things like the general public, the corporation (being 10th of the 10th), your dealings with people etc. and you understand people's motives and hidden agenda very easily and people may not like it!

So when this Saturn is placed on the 1st, the person would have all the above characteristics and yet the principle of give and take is watered down (as the 1st is opposite the 7th), so the person can be selfish in some ways. Saturn in Cancer, a sign generally associated with self-protection, does not help matters. But irregardless, Saturn's forward 3rd house aspect when in the ascendant cast a full aspect on the 3rd house and this strengthens the mind. (Generally the 3rd and 9th house benefits from Saturn's forward aspect. It strengthens the mind). Also Saturn casts a full aspect on the 10th when in the 1st, so the person is quite obsessed in reaching its goals, in this case making full use of the resources he have at hand. The person is a strategist.

Still when the lord of a house (in this case 7th) is getting full sight of its own house when placed in the opposite house, the person understands the principle of its lordship house, yet his actions may not follow fully that principle. It is just like a see-saw, you try to balance but it always swings up and down. I would say the person is not that fully autocratic in his ways unlike for other kinds of Saturn placements for the other Ascendants.

Now for your 1st question :

Mars, a yogakaraka, ruler of 5th and 10th when placed in the 12th, the person can accomplish a lot working alone. He is a behind the scenes kind of worker. Also any planet placed in 12th has full sight of the 6th, and Mars associated with the 6th in any way always indicate a hard worker. Great works can be accomplished. It in turn is disposited by Mercury which when placed in the 8th together with Venus means the person is good with research and spiritual matters (both 8th and 12th are occult houses, although sages usually credit the 4th house as the best for occult studies). But generally it is not good for a trinal lord to be disposited by a non-trinal lord in this case Mercury. 8th house also usually denotes hard work but Venus is a lazy planet sometimes, so some kind of respite can be given. 8th house denotes large gains (usually of the financial kind). The person may come up with a lot of 'expenses' in the 12th house (whether energy or resources) to accomplish the big gain that he is aiming for - which is what the 8th house is all about.

But one additonal point to note. Mars ruler of 10th, Mercury ruler of 3rd for communication and Venus ruler of 11th for groups - all three planets in Moksha houses usually denote a person who is highly scretive or at the very least does not like to divulge his plans to others (or the public if he is an important personage) much.

(I am assuming your 1st and 2nd questions are totally separate).

Thanks.

Hock Leong

[astro_abc]

Thanks a lot for the detailed answer.

I have a couple of followup questions:

1) your explanation of saturn in the asc is very thorough with regards the personality of the native.

my question is - how will the saturn dasha (sade-sati) affect this native? will it be beneficial or one with obstacles?

2) You quoted "8th house denotes large gains (usually of the financial kind). The person may come up with a lot of 'expenses' in the 12th house (whether energy or resources) to accomplish the big gain that he is aiming for - which is what the 8th house is all about."

So does this mean that the large gains in the 8th house will occur (due to conjunction of mercury and venus in the 8th) and that Mars in 12th will cause a lot of 'expenses' along the way?

Basically, It is not clear to me in your answer if the conjunction of mercury and venus is good for the 8th in terms of large gains.

i have read contradictory viewpoints about mercury in the 8th (some say it's not good while others say it brings fame). i have read that venus in the 8th is very good for financial gains.

But how does this conjunction work in the 8th house in terms of gains? also as you mentioned - trinal lord being disposited by a non-trinal lord is not good. in such contradictory circumstances, what factor takes precedence to make a prediction?

many thanks again!

[astro_abc]

Another question - you mentioned that you assumed that Ques 1 and 2 are independent. What if they were not independent i.e. Cancer Asc; Sat in House 1; Mer and Ven in House 8; Mars in House 12.

ALSO:

arent the following bad yogas formed?

Mars (lord of 12th) is in the 10th - causing Duryoga
Venus (lord of 11th) is the 8th - causing Daridra Yoga

how significant would both these yogas be in the native's horoscope?
as in my previous post,
venus by itself in 8th is supposed to be good.
however, venus as the lord of 11th in 8th cause daridra yoga.

which one of these two contradictory results is more significant?

thanks!

[Maharani]

Dear Koo Hock,

Interesting thread.

Re yours "Moon with Rahu always denote emotional excesses and in some Yoga combination, it may lead to spiritual malevolence attacking the native. So technically speaking, the only enemy the Moon has to deal with will be Rahu. But Rahu is powerful!"

As a cancer ascendant myself (February 17, 1955, 6pm, Mumbai, India), Id be interested in your interpretation of my chart as I have Moon conjunct Rahu and Venus in 6, opposed by Jupiter/ketu. I would say I get anxious occasionally and sometimes lose my self-confidence, but have never felt prey to spiritual malevolence or emotional excess. Which yogas are you referring to?

The previous discussion of Saturn was interesting in this context. How would you interpret my Saturn exalted in 4, while ruling 2 adjacent houses, 7 and 8? It constitutes Sasa yoga, opposed by Mars, my yogakaraka, in 10 (Ruchaka yoga). In my chalit chart, Jupiter is exalted as well, but I have no idea whether this is considered in a reading or not.

[astro_abc]

As a Cancer Ascendant myself with Moon and Rahu conjunct in the 4th, I have to agree that there were some emotional excesses - primarily between 2001 to 2004. That time period was EXTREMELY intense and led to many drastic changes in my life in all aspects of my life. Since 2004, atleast in terms of emotional changes, it has been a very strong and stable period. Any astrological insights for this?

Also, is it possible that the Moon Rahu conjunction in 4th might signify emotional excesses for mother (since 4th house is the house that signifies mother)?


Please note - I am a beginner at astrology so pardon any obvious mistakes.

[Khoo Hock Leong]

Hi

I would like to reply to Rajitha's query first.

The classic which mentioned this is Horasara of Prithuyasas under Chapter 3 entitled "Evaluation of Strengths of Grahas". The following is the quote from this classic text :

[Quote]

The strength of Mangal is double of Śani’s. Budh is four times stronger than Mangal. Guru is eight times stronger than Budh. Śukr has eight times more strength than that of Guru. Candr is sixteen times stronger than Śukr, Sūrya has twice the strength of Candr and Rahu’s strength is twice of Sūrya’s and hence Rahu is the strongest of the Grahas.
Should SÅ«rya and Candr be exceedingly strong, all other Grahas, though weak, will yield good effects in their periods.

Notes: The strength of Sūrya is the most important factor to lend strength to the entire natus. Sūrya singly in deep fall, even though other Grahas may be strong, can reduce the vitality of Kundali. Similarly Candr’s potentiality is all essential, as it has a notable bearing on the mind of the person. Should Candr be in deep fall, all other Yogas become ineffective (see Jataka Tatwa, Ch. III, Section N). And of course, Lagn’s strength forms foundational support. Thus, these are tripod of the horoscope.

[Unquote]

Of course the above is before taking into account the planets' Shadbala strength or Vimsopaka Bala or other kinds of detailed assessements of strengths based on a particular chart.

Thanks.

Hock Leong

[Khoo Hock Leong]

Hi

I will now reply to astro_abc.

If your 1st and 2nd points combine ie. Mars in 12th in Gemini, Mercury and Venus in Aquarius in 8th and Saturn in Cancer in the 1st, if you look at another thread on dispositorship by Ashok, the link between the 1st and 8th is strongter than that between 8th and 12th because the latter is a 75% aspect and the former is a 50% aspect. Success of the objective for the 8th house is stronger for the simple reason the ruler is in a Kendra and it is in Lagna. 10th house is much emphasised as the thread from Mars to Saturn both the end points of the thread involve the 10th, one thru rulership and the other thru aspect.

So the hard work and expenses which I mentioned earlier is calculated to effect a strategy of accomplishment (Saturn in the 1st).

The Duryoga is not so strong as for a Cancer Ascendant Mars ia a Yogakaraka. (It rules the 5th and 10th at the same time - even any kind of suffering can be graded).

Yes, Venus is in Darida Yoga but like you said Venus in the 8th is supposed to be good. Also it is with its friend Mercury (and Budha does well in 8th also), and it is in Aquarius - a friendly sign for Venus. Venus also rules the 4th House (which is 9th to the 8th). Any 9th house to a house ruler when placed in the latter house usually gives beneficial effects to a certain extent. Also the 11th is the 4th to the 8th. The 4th to a House usually denotes a place providing strong foundational support for the latter house. Because of these two house rulerships, Venus in the eighth can be beneficial. As for Mercury it is ruling two secondary Argala Houses to the eighth (the 12th - which is 5th to the 8th and the 3rd - which is 8th to the 8th). Again the effects can be beneficial.

Thus the Yogas only provide a general interpretation. Its effects whether to what degree (whether beneficial or detrimental) has to be assessed on a chart by chart basis.

Thanks.

Hock Leong

[Khoo Hock Leong]

Hi

Now my reply to Maharani.

Well the Moon with Rahu conjunction I am referring to (th Yoga) describes the two as placed in the 1st (not like yours when placed in the 4th) and with malefics like Mars in the 9th and a host of other malefics' placements involving 9th and 5th. So it does not apply to you. You can refer to a book of Yogas which will detail this one. Generally unless Moon is a trinal lord and aspects Rahu in a Kendra or Moon is a kendra lord aspecting Rahu in a trinal house, their conjunction is usually bad.

I am not conversed with Chalit chart. Mabye you can explain to me.

As for your Saturn in Libra being in the 4th, your understanding of people's motivations is almost clairvoyant. The 4th House after all is the house of intuition (Bill Gates has this and his Venus is also in Libra in the 4th). Your Mars in Aires in the 10th shows you are very action and present oriented but other people's motives and actions do not fool you and you would always take that into account in any decisions you make. So I can say, you make a good businessman.

Thanks.

Hock Leong

[Khoo Hock Leong]

Hi

About your periods that you experienced strong emotional excesses from 2001 to 2004 and then some stabilization since 2004, that would depend on the dasa and bukhti periods operating during those said periods. Planetary positions only give propensities for certain events to occur. When it will be activated would depend on the dasa and bukhti periods operating and secondarily by the trainsits of the planets at that time as well. Of course for transits, the Ashtakvarga for the houses for which the planet is transiting also has to be taken into account.

For example, if let's say, your 4th House Ashtakvarga points overall is high, then emotional excesses may lead to improvement in your overall life later after the said dasa and bukhti relevant periods of the planet is over and on top of that further activated by the relevant planetary transits into that house. If the Ashtakvarga points are low, then the emotional excesses will lead to a worse condition of life after the dasa and bukhti periods and the relevant transits.

As for your 2nd question, yes it is possible that Moon conjunct Rahu in the 4th can signify emotional excesses of the mother. But you have to consider Venuse the dispositor of the 4th. If it is related to your question about Venus in 8th conjuncting Mercury, I would say the emotions are controlled as the 8th is a house dealing with inner control. Conjuncting Mercury (a thinking planet) would further lessen the emotional excesses.

Thanks.

Hock Leong

[astro_abc]

Thanks for your answers!

A question regarding the same scenario with one change. Want to understand as to how much of a difference this would make.

Can Asc - with RETROGRADE saturn
8th house - mer and venus
12th house - mars

the only difference is that Saturn is retrograde.

you quoted
"So the hard work and expenses which I mentioned earlier is calculated to effect a strategy of accomplishment (Saturn in the 1st). "

Would the retrograde result in obstacles to accomplishments?

[Khoo Hock Leong]

Hi

If you refer to Ashok's thread again about sign dispositorship, the article he quoted mentioned that planets when in retrogade are stronger and more inward looking and in the case of malefics usually give worse results unless the planet is placed in its own or exalted sign.

Moon is Saturn's enemy, so Saturn retrogade in Cancer would give less desirable results if you are to follow the principle in the 1st para. But the article also mentioned for a planet to be placed opposite to the sign it rules it has full sight of the opposite Bhava and 75% signt of the 8th house from its placement (in this case which Saturn also rules) and the fuller the sight (ie. the closer to 100%) the better it is. So I would not place too much emphasis on this in this case unlike say, Venus in Leo which has only 25% sight of Taurus and Libra, the signs which it rules.

Thanks.

Hock Leong

[Maharani]

RE:"I am not conversed with Chalit chart. Mabye you can explain to me. "

It appears to be the same as the tropical chart and is usually provided by vedic astrology programs as an additional item to factor in. Obviously some of the chart positions can change-in mine, Asc is Leo, not cancer, moon/rahu goes to 5, mars to 9, sun to 7, mercury to 7, venus to 6, everything else stays the same, and I believe these changes modify the way we interpret yogas, but as I am not a professional so I am not sure how many actually use it or how to use it.

A further question re Moon/Rahu. In my chart rahu is in 6, which I interpret as good (malefics in dusthana are good). Ruler of 6, jupiter, is in 12-a vipreet raja yoga, which I have read is also good, and aspects moon/rahu. Does this mitigate the bad effects of moon conjunct rahu?

[Khoo Hock Leong]

Hi Maharani

Rahu is good in the sixth house and it is the natural abode for Virgo and Rahu in my opinion is Moolatrikona in Virgo. Rahu in sixth gives a hard AND ingenious worker. Nehru has this (although Jupiter with Rahu in Sagittarius and Jupiter ruling 9th blighted Jupiter's idealism).

Moon opposes Jupiter is good - they are in mutual aspect giving rise to Gaja-Kesari Yoga (there are four patterns of Gaja-Kesari Yoga). It protects the native and the native had kingly fortunes. In addition, any benefics in the 6th, 7th or 8th house from the Moon is considered beneficial as the Moon casts full rays on that benefic (it is another Yoga).

But this Yoga is common and it is occuring in Dusthanas - 12th and the 6th. The Vipreet Raja Yoga you mention exist, but amongst the Dusthanas, the 12th is the one least likely to confer material gains (other than Venus) to the native although spiritual enlightenment (like Jupiter) is another matter. But nevertheless, Vipreet Raja Yoga always points to a better circumstance, if not materially, then in other areas of life.

Jupiter opposing Rahu in this case means it is conjuncting Ketu. Ketu is for spiritual enlightenment so what I said in the previous paragraph has even more relevance in your chart.

Moon in sixth indicates poor health and it governs the living tissue of the body generally and the lymphatic system. Rahu gives growth. Two planets there can point to malignant diseases later in life. Jupiter (another expansionary planet) adding an aspect to the Moon (which is also the Ascendant ruler) and Rahu does not help matters. Jupiter being Rahu and Moon's dispositor may further exacerbate diseases that involve maglignant growth. However, further areas of the chart have to be considered like your strength of Saturn etc. which will constrict growth.

I would not place too much emphasis on Gaja-Kesari Yoga unless it is in angular houses or if the Jupiter or Moon is in their own/exalted signs and they also happened to be well placed in Navamsa. That is, there should be other additional factors involved to boost the Gaja-Kesari Yoga. Vipreet Raja Yoga is good but like I said in the previous paragraphs, in the case of your chart, it depends on how you look at it.

For example, it is generally better to have all benefics situated in the 4 pillars of the chart (the kendras) which is another Yoga. (Here I am referring to one of the divisional charts rather than Rasi as there are only 4 benefics in the pantheon of planets and Mercury and Venus are usually close to each other). The latter is not common and showers the native with blessings in all the four critical points of the chart. If one has this configuration, it will stand out.

Thanks.

Hock Leong

[Maharani]

Thanks for the analysis.

RE health, I am always puzzled by the prognostications of bad health from so many planets in 6. I understand health is governed by 6, but my health has always been excellent! Not only that, but my family has always been health conscious, particularly my mother (her health is a bit iffy), we all look much younger than our ages, and I am extremely careful of my health. Could this be the effect of exalted saturn in 4 aspecting 6? Further, at annual exam time, my biochemical indicators are not only better than average but a lot better than average for most Indians. Of course-this does not mean I wont get sick later, but it does give pause for thought. Any ideas? My immunity is strong, I hardly ever take sick time and about the only thing Ive ever had is the occasional migraine which I impute to Mars. In fact my tendency would be to ascribe my GOOD health to my 6th house.

THe one thing that might be affected is my weight-I am not obese but I am not skinny either-a size 12. Could the aspects you describe suggest a tendency to gain weight, kept in check by saturn?

[Khoo Hock Leong]

Hi Maharani

Yes, I was about to post you a reply. It is Saturn in Libra exalted in the 4th which helps to keep you in check. If you look at a separate thread involving health, Nina mentioned that the 4th House deals with medicine. Why? Because the 4th is the 11th to the 6th so it represents gains in health. Saturn also makes a full aspect to the 6th from the position of the 4th House.

Medicine here refers not only to something ingested orally but also some immune system in your body (the 4th House deals with genetics) that helps to counteract the medical dysfunctionality in your body system (6th House).

Thanks.

Hock Leong

[Khoo Hock Leong]

Hi Maharani

Actually there is another answer and that is, Jupiter is a trinal lord for Cancer Ascendant and it happens to be the 9th house. So no serious harm would come to you for health issues but obesity can be a problem as the 9th House also has expansionary effects. But Saturn keeps a lid on that! So you are not thin nor fat.

So Jupiter boosts up your biochemical indicators and during exam time because in your chart it rules higher studies (but 9th house also rules the strive for studies in general - the motivational aspect). And my guess you do well in your exams because Jupiter is in the 12th which is the 4th to the 9th. The 4th House to any House is the seat of the throne for the latter house.

Thanks.

Hock Leong

[Maharani]

You guessed right-I have a graduate degree.

[Maharani]

Dear Koo Hock,

How would you interpret the role of Mars as yogakaraka for a Cancer ascendant? It would seem to me to be almost as important as the moon and Saturn. What if the yogakaraka is also the atmakaraka?

[astro_abc]

Hello,


Isnt the 9th house the house of religion and also the spiritual master or priest or guru in a way. then the 12th house would be the house of moksa.

just throwing out some ideas.

[Khoo Hock Leong]

Hi

Reply to Maharani :

Mars as Yogakaraka for Cancer Ascendant rules 5th and 10th. 10th is work leading to a career - some accomplishments (unlike 6th which is how you organize your work and your opportunities for employment).

Mars is not a significator for 10th House matters like Jupiter for prosperity, Saturn for karma, Moon/Jupiter for fame, Sun for fighting for one's rights in the society and political acumen, Mercury for the professions etc. But there is a theory in Astrology that the ruler of a house automatically assumes the characteristics of the planetary signficators when placed in other houses (including the house under consideration itself in this case Mars in 10th). So if Mars happens to be in the 1st, it would increase one's vitality (because of association with the Sun and Sun is significator of vitality in the 1st), if Mars is placed in the 11th it would indicate gains (because of association with Jupiter and Jupiter is significator of gains in the 11th) etc. If Mars is in the 3rd, it would enhance the person's communicative abilities (because of association with Mercury and Mercury is significator of communication in the 3rd). If Mars is in 10th itself, all the signficators of the 10th aforesaid mentioned, would kick in.

On another note, a Yogakaraka because it is ruling Kendra (where practical manifestations take place - results more easily obtained) and a Trinal House (where prosperity and luck resides), wherever it is placed in the chart it would give very good results even in Dusthana Houses although the latter point would of course also have to be taken into account ie. results would be slightly watered down.

An Atmakaraka is the signature of a person. It stands in importance with the Ascendant Lord (for physical well-being and reflex character), Moon (for the mind and your innate and emotional desires and habits formed when young) and the Sun (for the overall character of the person and his destiny and fate). The Atmakaraka stands for the soul of the person. It is as if it holds the key to the overall characterstics of the person. The person would strive for the perfection of the chracteristics of the planet representing the Atmakaraka and hence during its period there may be some suffering involved (like a penance). Hence before the Asc Lord, Sun and Moon can fulfill their roles, the person has to go through the 'gate' of the Atmakaraka.

So if Mars becomes the Atmakaraka for the Cancer Ascendant, based on the ideas in the three previous paragraphs, the good obtained is enourmous (especially a Mars is a signficator of so many planets based on its rulership of the 10th House) and it is ruling the 5th as well (significator is Jupiter), but being the Atmakaraka there is some obsession in attaining perfection. Actually Mars being a worker, it is better that it serves as a Atmayakaraka rather than Atmakarak but this is my personal opinion. It is in my chart (I have a Cancer Ascendant) and it conjuncts my Arudha Lagna (the image others have of you) and it is placed in the 10th itself.

Thanks.

Hock Leong

[Khoo Hock Leong]

Hi

Reply to bd21121980 :

Dusthana houses are bad but in the case of the 12th House it is 4th to the 9th. So it is not considered a Dusthana with respect to the 9th House (although it being a Dusthana with respect to the ASC has to be factored in). But in the case of Maharani's chart, the planet involved in the relationship is Jupiter which is a benefic, comfortable in the 12th (although not like Venus in 12th where material gains can be conferred) and it is conjoining Ketu, a planet in which it has close affinity with. Moon is also opposing Jupiter causing Gaja-Kesari Yoga and Jupiter is also involved in Vipreet Raja Yoga. All these are good indicators. Also the 9th and 12th House both have Jupiter as its natural ruler and both deal with spiritual matters (there is a close link) although for spiritual enlightenment one look to the 12th and for spiritual blessings one look to the 9th.

So one factor alone like the 12th to the Lagna is a Dusthana cannot override the other good factors found in the chart. All factors have to be considred and weighed accordingly.

Thanks.

Hock Leong