The Significators or Indicators of Various Aspects of Your Life – Karakas
In Vedic astrology, “Karakas” refers to significators or indicators of various aspects of life. These are planets that have a natural affinity for representing certain areas, themes, or relationships within an individual’s life. The concept of Karakas is fundamental in Vedic astrology as it helps astrologers understand the potential effects of planets on various facets of existence, ranging from personality traits and life events to relationships and career paths.
There are two main types of Karakas in Vedic astrology:
Naisargika Karakas (Natural Significators): These are fixed significations assigned to the planets, which represent specific areas of life universally. For example:
Sun: Soul, father, authority figures, and vitality.
Moon: Mind, emotions, mother, and public.
Mars: Siblings, courage, and land.
Mercury: Communication, intellect, and commerce.
Jupiter: Wisdom, children, and husband in a female’s chart.
Venus: Love, relationships, wife in a male’s chart, and luxury.
Saturn: Hardship, discipline, old age, and servants.
Rahu: Foreign things, chaos, and breaking norms.
Ketu: Moksha (spiritual liberation), isolation, and detachment.
Chara Karakas (Movable Significators): Unlike Naisargika Karakas, Chara Karakas change based on the specific chart and are determined by the degrees of planets in the horoscope. The concept of Chara Karakas is central to the Jaimini system of Vedic astrology. Each planet (excluding Rahu and Ketu in most systems) can become a significator for different roles depending on its degree in the natal chart. For example, the planet with the highest degree in a sign becomes the Atmakaraka, signifying the soul and the self, while the planet with the second highest degree becomes the Amatyakaraka, signifying career and the intellect, and so on.