A person recently asked the following questions: What is the difference between planets, houses and signs in astrology, “I feel confused in understanding the difference?”
What a fantastic question! Books have been written on these points!
Planets are physical bodies that are seen. These are considered to have greater energy than usual physical matter. This is why they are called the graha, a word meaning something having the power to grab. The planets in their movement can ‘grab’ us.
Houses are also specific areas of space and in the space has certain influences all of which are identifiable. For example, the 4th house is the house of mother but it also speaks to our happiness, our early learning, attitudes, vehicles, property and so forth. This explains why the Sanskrit name for houses is Bhava. Bhava means a bunch, a bunch of different things.
The signs of the zodiac are also markers of time which is ever turning because of the earth’ movement relative to the Sun and its own movement relative to a specific starting point. Movement of the zodiac from the starting point is called the ayanamsha. It is this apparent movement of the signs that determines the sign rising at the time of birth, otherwise known as the ascendant or the lagna.
Signs are specific and fixed divisions of space however they are also measures of time. The signs carry the influence of the 9 nakshatra padas held within them. These influences explain why all planets in the same sign aren’t the same.
