The Ornament of Natal Astrology with Commentary

Ornament of Birth Astrology, Page 4

The term "The First" original: ādyam in this science refers to what the wise call the first, fourth, seventh, and tenth houses, known as the Center Kendra: the 'pivots' or 'angles' of a chart, representing the four pillars of a person's life: self, home, partner, and career. These are also known as the Spikes original: kaṇṭaka or the Four-sided Group original: catuṣṭaya. The fifth and ninth houses are called the Trines Trikona: the 'trine' houses, considered the most auspicious locations in a horoscope, representing fortune and past merit. The houses associated with death, gains, children, and wealth—namely the eighth, eleventh, fifth, and second—are called the Succeedent houses Panaphara: houses that 'follow' the angles; they relate to the accumulation of resources. The ninth, twelfth, sixth, and third are known as the Cadent houses Apoklima: houses that 'fall away' from the angles, often indicating mental effort or service. Finally, the houses of the enemy, the loss, and the end—the sixth, twelfth, and eighth—are called the Threefold Trouble Trika: a grouping of the three most challenging houses in Vedic astrology, representing obstacles, debt, and chronic suffering. || 9 ||

Now, he describes the friends and enemies of the planets in a single verse in the Sardulavikridita a complex Sanskrit poetic meter rhythm.

Commentary

The first, fourth, seventh, and tenth are called the Center by the wise. The houses of the son and of duty are the Trines. The Succeedent houses are said to be those of death, gains, children, and wealth. The houses of duty, loss, and brothers are called the Cadent houses. The four houses of the Center are also called the Spikes. The houses of the enemy, loss, and death are called the Threefold Trouble. || 9 ||

The Moon, Jupiter, and Mars are the Sun’s friends. Mercury and Saturn are the friends of Jupiter, the Moon, and the Sun respectively. Venus and the Sun are the friends of Mercury. The Sun, Moon, and Mars are the friends of Jupiter. Mercury and Saturn are the friends of Venus. Venus and Mercury are the friends of Saturn. These are the friends of the Sun and the rest, followed by the neutrals. Mercury is neutral to all, while Venus and the Sun, and Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn are enemies to others accordingly. || 10 ||

|| 4 ||

Regarding the Sun: the Moon, Jupiter, and Mars are his friends. Mercury is neutral. Venus and Saturn are his enemies.
Regarding the Moon: the Sun and Mercury are her friends. All others are neutral The Moon is unique in Vedic astrology for having no natural enemies.
Regarding Mars: Jupiter, the Moon, and the Sun are his friends. Venus and Saturn are neutral. Mercury is his enemy.
Regarding Mercury: the Sun and Venus are his friends. Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn are neutral. The Moon is his enemy.
Regarding Jupiter: the Sun, the Moon, and Mars are his friends. Saturn is neutral. Mercury and Venus are his enemies.
Regarding Venus: Mercury and Saturn are her friends. Mars and Jupiter are neutral. The Sun and the Moon are her enemies.
Regarding Saturn: Venus and Mercury are his friends. Jupiter is neutral. The Sun, the Moon, and Mars are his enemies. || 10 ||