node), 18 years; Jupiter, 16 years; Saturn, 19 years; and Mercury, 17 years. The
sequence repeats 3 times through the 12 signs of the zodiac.The total planetary periods is 120 years, which according to the Vedas (the
earliest Hindu sacred writings) would be the potential life cycle for a balanced,
healthy person. The beginning planetary period of an individual’s life is determined by
the nakshatra ruler of the natal Moon. For example, a person born with the Moon at
15° Taurus is in the nakshatra Rohini, which is ruled by the Moon itself (located from
10° Taurus to 23° 20’ Taurus).
The task is to calculate how far along the ten-year period is at the time of the
person’s birth. If the natal moon is exactly 15° Taurus, then it would be 5° into the
13°20’ nakshatra of Rohini. Therefore, the planetary period needs to be reduced in
proportion. First divide 5° by 13.33°, which equals approximately .375. Then multiply
.375 by the total number of years in the planetary period: .375 x 10 + 3.75 years.
Finally, subtract .375 from 10 years, which equals 6.25 years, the number of remaining
years the person has left in the Moon dasa at the time of birth. This person would
have been in the moon dasa for the first 6.25 years of life, followed by 7 years of Mars,
18 years of Rahu (north node) and so forth.
The native’s experience of each planetary period is primarily based on the
stature of the planet in the natal chart (bhava and navamsa charts should also be uti-
lized). As an example, consider again the chart of Madonna. At the time of the blos-
soming of Madonna’s career, she was under the influence of the planetary period of the
Moon dasha. As previously stated, Madonna has both Mercury and the Moon in the
sign of her Leo Ascendant. Mercury (representing intellect), placed with the Moon in
the first house, gives strong leadership ability, connections in the world of business and
commerce, and a high position in society during the Moon planetary period. It was dur-
ing her Moon dasha and the Mercury bhukti (ruler of the second and eleventh house)
that Madonna released her first album and the singles “Lucky Star” and “Borderline.”
The entire ten-year period of her Moon dasha reflected Madonna’s ascent to power,
fame, and career success. Also, the Mercury bhukti ruling the second and eleventh
houses and placed in the powerful first house brought her increased income and success
through friends, social groups, and organizations (eleventh house during this period).
The ruler of his tenth house (Venus) is located in the twelfth house (bed pleasures) and
indicated the sexual themes of her music and theatrical success.
The seven-year planetary period of Mars began in March 1987 and lasted until
March 1994. Mars is Madonna’s yogakaraka,or planet of power. Placed in the auspi-
cious ninth house in its own sign of Aries conjoined with mystical Ketu, it indicates a
spiritual warrior quality with the ability to defeat her competition as well as potential
conflict with others. It also aspects her twelfth house Venus reflecting her challenging
love affairs and romance. The Mars bhukti started in March 1987, just before the start
of her first successful world tour (ninth house) in July. It also revealed the beginning of
her bittersweet breakup with her first husband, actor Sean Penn. Their separation
occurred during her challenging Mars/Rahu cycle in 1988. Her “Blond Ambition”
tour in 1990 reflected the pinnacle of power of her Mars Dasha. Her Mars/Venus peri-
od produced the infamous Sexbook and Eroticavideo.Vedic Astrology (Hindu Astrology)
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