[quote="basab"]Rohiniranjanji,

It's not been long since I have started learning astrology and I find astrology very very confusing so all these questions about how the yogas are formed. I haven't started applying them on charts yet, it's going to happen much later. I just want to understand the theory first because I believe that's what one should do first before jumping into chart analysis. I am just struggling with the basics and don't want to go ahead until I have got a clear understanding of it all.

Thank you so much for a detailed reply. I have one more question on the benefic qualities of Mercury and Moon. It's said that Mercury is benefic when it is not in conjunction with a malefic and Moon is a benefic only when it is a waxing Moon. What I would like to know is can we consider Mercury as a benefic even when it is with malefics and Moon a benefic even when it is waning for the various yogas in astrology. For example can we consider a waning Moon in the 10th house from the lagna an Amala yoga?[/quote]

Basab,

If Amla is the only benefic yoga in the chart and there are no other redeeming features in the chart, I would be hesitant to consider well-associated mercury or a very dark moon as enough to produce adequate desirable effects through amala. I am using qualifiers because I have seen people argue along two lines:

a) They will use a chart as an example but without considering that there were other benefic combinations which may have confounded the apparent benefic influences.

b) The converse of this is also seen. People see on malefic yoga or like to blame things on an influence such as combustion and forget to note that there were other negative influences in the chart whose blame was being passed on to combustion leading to "scape-goating".

In practical terms it is rare or at least difficult to find charts where there was just one negative or positive factor which could definitively point at an effect pos or neg!

But unless that is done or at least kept in mind, the shiny mirror of divination begins to fog and cloud ...

Thanks so much for such a wonderful explanation, I absolutely agree with what you said. I asked you about waning Moon and malefic associated Mercury being considered benefics because I have read a few articles where they have been used as benefics. Thanks once again for answering my query. I appreciate it very much.

Thanks for replying to my post, Rohini Ji.

The real nature of the planet obviously depends upon quite some factors like you mentioned. Nothing is as black as black, while nothing is as white as white! This is what makes Astrology something above the norm, as you really don't have any "rule of the thumb."

[quote="Kissnaa"][quote="rohiniranjan"][quote="Kissnaa"]See, if you really want to talk about supreme benefics, then consider Jupiter and Venus only. In Jyotish, the two Brahmin Gurus are the only real natural benefics. Mercury's beneficence depends upon its association, while the phase system defines Moon.

For example, a natural benefic like Jupiter and Venus, when posited in the 10th house from either Lagna or Moon (the stronger one), Amala Yog is formed. Furthermore, if Jupiter aspects Venus or vice-versa, then the Yog is strengthened – consider this a blessing of the highest order!

Mercury, if alone and/or unassociated with malefic planets forms Amala Yog. Similarly, the Moon from Shukla Panchami - Poornima forms Amala Yog of the highest strength, especially considering the Moon. Some people might say that the Moon from Shuka Dwitiya - Krishna Dwitiya forms the Yog. It all depends.

Most importantly, this signifies the boon of having a benefic planet in the 10th house of career, fame, fortune, name, standing, and social stature. Benefics work phenomenally well here ensuring a shining professional life, of course, the rest of the chart also defines that.[/quote]

Kissnaa,

If that were the case, then functional beneficience/maleficience would have been of academic significance only. natural beneficience is only one factor that defines a planet's intrinsic nature. One must combine, at the very least the two kinds of gunas (natural and functional) and the awastha of a planet and then the sources of strength.

It is tempting to take it piecemeal and just focus on selected factors. That is why some people become enthralled when they spot an exalted planet in a rashi chart or one in own sign and develop a bit of a bias thereafter. Some even go on to decry and reject the significance of other vargas and the list goes on and on.

Fact of the matter is that no one knows of a definitive set or minimum set of parameters that they have tested in thousands of charts and have the data or documentation to support that in an objective demonstrable way. Most of us do astrology part-time (at least those of us who have not managed to acquire the siddhi of being able to live on air, and have a few needs other than food and shelter, as well! Many of the claims are made in an anecdotal manner and are exactly that! Impressions and recollections. The cautious ones therefore do not make too strong sounding claims that may sound too definitive but crumble when examined closly![/quote]

Thanks for replying to my post, Rohini Ji.

The real nature of the planet obviously depends upon quite some factors like you mentioned. Nothing is as black as black, while nothing is as white as white! This is what makes Astrology something above the norm, as you really don't have any "rule of the thumb."[/quote]

Now now Kissnaa, it is not that bad! There are rules of the thumb! The first one is:

Respect your thumb because this is what makes us different from animals
Second rule is:
Don't try to put the full weight of the body (of evidence) on the thumb!

I am sure you are bright and understand what I am saying!