The celestial objects, which belong to the solar family, and go round the Sun, are known as planets or grahas.
Astronomically, the Sun is a star and Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are the planets.
For purposes of astrological interpretations, the following are considered as Planets:
| English |
Sanskrit |
| Sun |
Surya |
| Moon |
Chandra |
| Mars |
Mangal, Kuja |
| Mercury |
Budh |
| Jupiter |
Guru, Brahaspati |
| Venus |
Shukra |
| Saturn |
Shani |
| Asc. Node |
Rahu |
| Desc. Node |
Ketu |
The last two are really not planets; they are actually the two imaginary points of intersection of the Moon’s orbit with the Sun’s orbit (ecliptic). They are also known as shadow planets; these two traverse the Zodiac in a reverse motion while the other planets traverse in the forward motion.
The Moon is actually a satellite of the Earth and not a planet. In Astrology, however, the Moon is considered instead of the Earth as a planet.
In Western Astrology the planets Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are also considered. |
