Functional Malefic and Benefic Planets in Astrology

In astrology, planets are categorized into two main groups to provide accurate predictions. Initially, they are classified as natural benefics or malefics. Following this, they are further defined as functional malefics or benefics based on the individual's Lagna (ascendant). For each ascendant, specific planets are predetermined to bring either favorable or unfavorable outcomes, depending on the houses they govern in the birth chart.

The traditional malefic planets in astrology are Mars, Saturn, and sometimes Uranus and Pluto. These planets are associated with hardship, difficulty, obstacles, and even aggression. On the other hand, the traditional benefic planets in astrology are Jupiter and Venus. These planets are associated with abundance, happiness, prosperity, and growth.

It's important to note that in modern astrology, there is a more nuanced understanding of the nature of planets and their influences. For example, a planet's influence may be considered beneficial or malefic depending on its placement in a person's chart, as well as the other planets it interacts with.

Overall, it's important to approach astrology with an open mind and not to view any planet as inherently good or bad, but rather as a unique influence that can be interpreted and utilized in various ways..

Aries (Mesha Lagna) Ascendant

Jupiter, the Sun and Mars are benefics. Jupiter is the best benefic. The next benefic is Mars. Saturn, Mercury and Venus are malefics. Mercury being the greatest malefic as lord of the 3rd and 6th houses.

Taurus (Vrishabha Lagna) Ascendant

The best benefic is Saturn as he owns the 9th and 10th. Mercury, Mars and the Sun are also benefics. Jupiter, Venus and the Moon are evil planets but Venus may be declared a neutral as he is lord of Lagna or ascendant.

Gemini (Mithuna Lagna) Ascendant

Venus alone is the most beneficial planet for this Lagna. The most malefic is Mars as he is lord of the 6th and the 11th. Jupiter and the Sun are also evil. The Moon and Mercury may be classified as neutrals.

Cancer (Karka Lagna) Ascendant

Jupiter and Mars are benefics, the better being Mars as he is lord of the 5th and 10th. Venus and Mercury are evil and Saturn, the Moon and the Sun are neutrals.

Leo (Simha Lagna) Ascendant

Mars and the Sun are benefics, the former being the most auspicious. Mercury and Venus are malefics. Jupiter, the Moon and Saturn are neutrals.

Virgo (Kanya Lagna) Ascendant

Venus is alone the best benefic. Moon, Mars and Jupiter are evil or malefics. Saturn, the Sun and Mercury are neutrals.

Libra (Tula Lagna) Ascendant

Saturn, Mercury and Venus are benefics, Saturn being the best. The Sun, Jupiter and the Moon are malefics. Mars may be taken as a feeble benefic.

Scorpio (Vrischika Lagna) Ascendant

The Moon is the best benefic and Jupiter and the Sun are also benefics. Mercury and Venus are evil. Mars and Saturn are neutrals.

Sagittarius (Dhanu Lagna) Ascendant

Mars and the Sun are benefics. Venus, Saturn and Mercury are evil and Jupiter and the Moon are neutrals.

Capricorn (Makara Lagna) Ascendant

Venus is the most powerful benefic. Mercury and Saturn are also benefics. Mars, Jupiter and the Moon are evil, the worst being Mars. Though the Sun is the 8th lord, he becomes a neutral.

Aquarius(Kumbha Lagna) Ascendant

Venus is the benefic. The Sun and Mars are also benefics. Jupiter and the Moon are malefics and Mercury is a neutral.

Pisces (Meena Lagna) Ascendant

The Moon and Mars are benefics. Saturn, the Sun, Venus and Mercury are malefics. Jupiter is of course a neutral.

To facilitate easy understanding I shall make these principles more clear.

In each horoscope there are benefic lords, malefic lords and neutral lords. These of course have nothing to do with the natural classification of planets as benefics and malefics.

In any horoscope the benefics or benefic lords are :

• First house lord, other than the Moon;
• The 5th and 9th lords (Thrikonadhipathis);
• Lords of the 4th, 7th and 10th when they do not happen to be natural benefics.
• The lord of the 9th is decidedly more benefic than the lord of the 5th. Similarly lord of the 10th is more benefic than that of the 7th while the lord of the 4th is the least benefic.

The malefics or malefic lords in a horoscope are :

• Lords of the 3rd, 6th and 11th houses;
• Lords of the 4th, 7th and 10th houses (Kendradhipathis) if they happen to be natural benefics. Again among the malefics the 11th lord is the worst malefic, the 6th less malefic while the 3rd the least malefic.

The neutrals in a horoscope are:

• The Moon; when he is lord of Lagna.
• The Sun or the Moon as the 8th lord.
• The Sun or the Moon as the lords of the 2nd and 12th.

Considerations in Judging a House

Thus the student has to be very careful in correctly affirming the strengths, weakness and other peculiarities of the horoscope.

From the above it will be seen that a natural benefic, such as for instance Jupiter, can also become a malefic when he is lord of an angle. Natural malefics such as Mars, Saturn, etc., become temproral benefics if they become lords of angles (Kendras). Similarly, natural benefics become malefics if they own quadrangular houses.

It is also to be noted that a natural benefic, who becomes a malefic by virtue of quadrangle ownership, will cease to act as a malefic, when he occupies the angular house (Kendra) of which he is lord. Thus in case of Cancer, if Venus occupies Libra, he will cease to be a malefic just because Libra happens to be his own. Similarly, a natural malefic, viz., Mars who becomes a benefic by virtue of quadrangular ownership will cease to be a benefic, when he occupies the angular house of which he is the lord.