Donation: a Powerful Remedy in Vedic Astrology

A simple way to alleviate suffering in your life

In Jyotish, each planet represents specific aspects of life, both figuratively and literally. Your moon represent your mind and emotions, but it also stands for your mother or maternal figures. Jupiter stands for wisdom, spirituality and expansion as well as literal teachers and advisors. Understanding the significance of each planet and how it’s placed in your chart can help you gain insight into your personality, experiences, and challenges.

It’s important to always keep in mind, however, that your natal chart is a nuanced, detailed, multi-faced map of who you are. This includes your strength and gifts as well as your weakness and sources of suffering.

One way to identify which is which by the analysing the state of the planets in your natal chart.

A planet that is well-placed by sign, house and aspects will express itself with ease and bring blessings into your life.

When a planet is in a challenging position – that is, placed in a difficult sign for that particular planet, placed in a difficult house or receiving challenging aspects from malefic planets – this reflects areas of your life where you struggle and endure hardship.

In a deeper, philosophical sense, this is where we owe some karmic debt.

But this does not mean we simply have to come to terms and grin and bear it.

Luckily, Vedic astrology offers remedies to mitigate the negative influences of planets and enhance their positive attributes, and in the process, make good on those debts. Among these remedies, donation or charity plays a pivotal role in alleviating malefic planetary effects.

To better understand this, let’s first look at what the planets stand for – and what kind of issues they can bring up if they are in a compromised position in a person’s chart.

Planet significations and struggles

1. Sun (Surya): The Symbol of Self and Authority

In a natal chart, the Sun represents the soul and self. It governs a person’s vitality, vision and leadership qualities. Figuratively, the Sun symbolizes the essence of a person's identity, while literally, it represents the father, as well as fatherly/authoritative figures in one's life.

If the Sun is suffering in a person’s chart, this can indicate a lack of vision/seeing clearly, issues with self-esteem and feelings of shame. Since the sun is our sense of self, an afflicted sun can make it difficult for a person to see themselves and others clearly, and can sometimes results in personality disorders such as narcissism. Physically, this can manifest as poor eyesight, heart problems and issues with inflammation, headaches and the circulatory system. It can also indicate a problematic relationship with fathers or figures of authority.

2. Moon (Chandra): The Signifier of Mind and Emotions

The Moon represents the mind, emotions, and subconscious in a person's chart. It is connected to mental states, feelings, and nurturing qualities. Figuratively, the Moon is akin to the sea's tides, symbolizing the ebb and flow of emotions. Literally, the Moon signifies the mother and motherly figures.

If the Moon is suffering in a person’s chart, they may have emotional issues, such as depression and anxiety, negative thinking patterns, issues with mood swings and controlling emotions. They may struggle with feeling safe and find it difficult to relax. Physically, this can manifest as problems with fertility, the female reproductive system, the stomach and lungs. I can also indicate a problematic relationship with mothers, nurturing self and others or maternal figures.

3. Mercury (Budha): The Planet of Communication and Intellect

Mercury governs communication, intellect, learning, and analytical abilities. It influences one's capacity for speech, expression, adaptability, and business skills. Figuratively, Mercury is the messenger, facilitating the flow of information and ideas. Literally, it represents siblings, relatives, children and students.

If Mercury is suffering in a person’s chart, this can indicate struggles in communicating, learning disabilities, problems with memory, speech impediments or nervous disorders, and the tendency towards being bullied or teased. Physically, it can indicate skin problems, ticks, issues with ear/nose/throat and vertigo. An afflicted Mercury may also show problematic relationships with siblings, children or students.

4. Venus (Shukra): The Embodiment of Love and Relationships

Venus is associated with love, relationships, creativity, joy and material comforts. It influences one's aesthetic sense, romantic inclinations, and artistic talents. Figuratively, Venus represents sexuality and harmony, while literally, it signifies the spouse or partner in a person's life, as well as women in general.

If Venus is afflicted in a person’s chart, this means they might have relationship difficulties, issues concerning sexuality and self-love. They may suffer from jealousy and struggle to experience and express joy. Physically, this can manifest as sexually transmitted diseases, sexual disfunction, sexual trauma, kidney and bladder issues and diabetes. Issues with Venus can show problems with partners and/or women.

5. Mars (Mangala): The Planet of Energy and Action

Mars governs energy, courage, passion, and assertiveness, as well as aggression, frustration and anger. It influences one's ability to take action, face challenges, and pursue ambitions. Figuratively, Mars embodies raw power and determination, while literally, it signifies brothers, and “fighters,” such as soldiers and police officers.

Issues with Mars in a chart can indicate a lack of will power and courage on the one hand, and issues with aggression, irritability, anger, resentment and violence on the other. This can range from having a “temper,” a tendency to lash out or passive aggressive behavior. It can also indicate control issues. Physically, it can indicate problems with the nervous system, muscular control, strength, inflammation and blood disorders, as well as difficulties with brothers and the law.

6. Jupiter (Guru): The Guru of Wisdom and Spirituality

Jupiter is the planet of wisdom, blessing, spirituality, benevolence, and expansion. It influences one's ethical values, knowledge, and spiritual growth. Figuratively, Jupiter is akin to a spiritual teacher, guiding individuals towards righteousness. Literally, it represents teachers and religious institutions.

If Jupiter is afflicted, a person might have difficulties with both mental and physical resiliency. They may struggle with expansive thinking, bad luck, poor instincts or have difficulty connecting with their sense of spirituality. Physically, it can indicate issues with allergies, hearing problems, obesity, chronic illness, diabetes and general low vitality. It can also show problems with teachers, including “false” profits, or the struggle to accept teaching from others.

7. Saturn (Shani): The Taskmaster of Karma and Discipline

Saturn is associated with discipline, karma, perseverance, suffering and sorrow. It influences one's sense of responsibility, aloneness, meditation and the consequences of actions. Figuratively, Saturn is the strict teacher, imparting valuable life lessons. Literally, it signifies old age, the working class and servants.

If Saturn is afflicted a person may be overly pessimistic, prone to depression, phobias and alcoholism or emotionally cold. Physically, it can manifest as arthritis, chronic disease, poor hygiene, constipation, osteoporosis and problems with your teeth or legs. It can show problems with the elderly or ageing as well as workers and farmers.

8. Rahu: The Shadowy Planet of Desires and Ambitions

Rahu (the North node) is a shadowy planet that represents desires, ambitions, and unconventional thinking. It influences one's hunger for material aspirations and thirst for worldly experiences. Figuratively, Rahu symbolizes illusion and worldly attachments, as well as shock, addiction and criminality. Literally speaking, it can represent all that which is foreign (including people from “foreign” places) and those who live outside of normal conventions.

An afflicted Rahu can bring anxiety, issues with impulse control, trauma, poor body awareness, drug addiction, PTSD, and obsessive compulsive disorder or bipolar disorder. As the ruler of poisons and toxins, it can bring a multitude of diseases, including cancer. Rahu can represent “bad guys,” such as criminals, thugs, sociopaths and those who lie and cheat for a living (yes, sadly many Rahu-driven people are drawn to politics…).

9. Ketu: The Mysterious Planet of Liberation and Spirituality

Of all the planets, Ketu (the South node) is the most mysterious. While Rahu stands for rampant, insatiable desires and materialism, Ketu stand for liberation, spiritual pursuits, mysticism and detachment from material desires. Although positive for spiritual pursuits and marriage, Ketu is truly malefic towards anything on the material plane (try making money when you have an afflicted Ketu in your 11th house of gains like I do – not fun!) Literally speaking, it can represent mystics and spiritual leaders, foreign places, spies and thieves.

Like I mentioned above, an afflicted Ketu is the enemy of any sort of gains in the material world – and since we are living a material existence, this can definitely be a problem. It also befuddles the mind and rules confusion and mistakes. Mental confusion, psychic disturbance, psychosis, hauntings and mental illnesses like schizophrenia are all examples of Ketu-gone-wrong. An example of a negative Ketu person is someone suffering from psychosis, religious fundamentalists/extremists, hackers and thieves.

Donation as a Powerful Remedy in Vedic Astrology

Photo by Joel Muniz on Unsplash

One of the most powerful aspects of Vedic astrology compared to Western astrology is the complex remediation techniques the system has to “make good” on the negative karma that is causing suffering. This in turn creates harmony and balance in your life, which ultimately leads to greater happiness, success, healing and contentment.

One of the easiest – and safest – forms of remediation is donation.

Here’s a breakdown of what you should know.

1. The Concept of "Daana" (Charity) in Vedic Astrology

In the ancient Vedic texts, the concept of "Daana" or charity holds immense spiritual significance. It is viewed as a selfless act of giving, not only for the benefit of the recipient but also as a means of balancing the negative energies and karmic imbalances indicated by malefic planets in a person's chart.

2. The Principle of "Parihara" (Remedy) through Donations

The notion of "Parihara" suggests that by performing specific remedial actions, individuals can avert or lessen the impact of malefic planetary influences. Among these remedies, donations are considered highly effective in appeasing planetary deities and seeking their blessings.

Donations vary from monetary (e.g., donating to a charity), material (e.g., clothes, books, etc.) to volunteering or assisting those who are signified by the planet in question (e.g., helping mothers for the moon, veterans or your brother for Mars, etc.).

The Planetary Affinities for Different Types of Donations

For a donation to be effective in addressing a specific planetary affliction, it’s very important that you choose one that helps settle the particular karmic debt your chart indicates.

If aligned with a particular planet, donations and charitable acts can enhance its positive effects and alleviate its negative impact.

a) Sun (Surya) Donation: Helping fathers or your own father, donating time or money to a government project, helping pay someone’s medical bills (especially for anything related to eyes), donating to a temple or church, supporting bird charities

b) Moon (Chandra) Donation: Helping mothers or your own mother, volunteering or donating to community events, helping or donating to support mental health of others, supporting clean water initiatives and charities.

c) Mercury (Budha) Donation: Fostering better relationships with siblings, students and relatives, donating to or volunteering at schools or educational institutions, providing books or helping poor students pay school tuition, donating or volunteering to help dogs.

d) Venus (Shukra) Donation: Volunteering at or donating to women’s organizations, helping women in need, volunteering or donating to support the fine arts or artistic/musical performance, matchmaking, donating to horse charities

e) Mars (Mangala) Donation: Volunteering or donating to help veterans, those wounded in war or burn victims, helping brothers, helping victims of abuse and violence, volunteering to protect others (e.g., a neighborhood watch), donating to national parks or public lands

f) Jupiter (Guru) Donation: Helping teachers, priests, husbands or religious leaders/institutions, financially or legally adopting a child, donating to charities that help whales or elephants, volunteering or donating to humanitarian charities

g) Saturn (Shani) Donation: Helping the elderly, sick, weak and poor, donating or volunteer at organizations that empower the disabled or fight homelessness, supporting reptile protection

h) Rahu Donation: Volunteering at or supporting environmental protection agencies and charities, supporting drug counselling and organizations that fight crime, fraud or pollution.

i) Ketu Donation: Supporting spiritual organizations, monks and ashrams, as well as those that fight viruses (either medical or computer-based) and conspiracy theories, donating spiritual books, supporting fish and amphibian protection

A few more points

With Jyotish, it’s always possible to fine-tune and become more precise in, well, just about everything. The same is true for individual donation strategies for chart remediation.

For example, although Venus donations can be for empowering and supporting women in general, if someone was suffering from the results of a Venus/Mars combination, donating to a battered women’s shelter would be ideal, while a more suitable donation for Venus/Rahu may be something like supports victims of sexual abuse or charities who help women escape sex trafficking. Venus in a Saturn sign, on the other hand, could suggest that helping poor women would be the most effective remedy.

All three types of donation help women (and therefore, are Venus remedies), but the focus changes slightly based on what planets or aspects are causing the issue.

Other placements help make it clear whether it would be most ideal to make donations locally, nationally or to an international organization, what day you should start donating/volunteering or how long the donating should go on for.

To get this kind of detail, you need to carefully analyze each individual chart.

That said, taking the broader approach is always beneficial…

…with one small caveat:

If you decide to donate money to a charity, it’s crucial that you make sure it’s a reputable one.

The act of donating itself is not enough; your money needs to actually be used to help whomever or whatever the charity claims to support.

Website like Charity Navigator will help you in this search. My teacher also offers this list of suggested organizations for each planet for reference.

Stayed tuned for more on remediation and the crossroads between Jyotish and Western Astrology. In the meantime, please like, share and subscribe!