This theory states that if a planet is exalted in a horoscope, it is always benefic for the native. Hence the gemstone for such planet should be worn by the native, in order to receive more benefits from such exalted planet.
Taking an example, if Jupiter is exalted in a horoscope, it means Yellow Sapphire is suitable for the native. Jupiter is exalted in the sign of Cancer. On average, Jupiter stays in a sign for about 1 year. It means Jupiter remains benefic for all people born during such year. Like all other planets among navagraha, Jupiter may change its functional nature, thousands of times in a year.
Accordingly, it may be benefic, malefic or highly malefic for one such native. Hence wearing gemstones based on this theory may prove harmful or very harmful. Let’s take an example to understand this concept in a better way.
Suppose exalted Jupiter is placed in the third house of a horoscope in Cancer. Taurus rises in the ascendant and Jupiter is malefic in this horoscope. Hence wearing Yellow Sapphire may create a number of serious problems for the native; especially those related to profession and siblings.
Even when an exalted planet is benefic in a horoscope, its gemstone may not be suitable for the native. As already discussed, a horoscope is all about balance. Hence it is not a one-planet-show and it is teamwork. An exalted planet is already as strong as it can be. Hence it may not need extra strength, unless it is afflicted due to conjunction with one or more than one malefic planet.
If more strength is provided to an exalted planet; it may create imbalance in the horoscope. Such imbalance may create a number of problems for the native; depending on his overall horoscope. Let’s take an example to understand this concept in a better manner.
Suppose benefic exalted Mercury forms Bhadra Yoga in the first house of a horoscope in Virgo. Mercury rules the first as well as tenth house in this horoscope; and it is highly benefic in the horoscope. However, due to its placement in the first house in its own sign; it may influence the entire horoscope as well as the entire personality of the native; more than it should. As a result; the native may have an imbalanced personality, if the rest of his horoscope is not supportive in a specific way. Let’s try to understand how this imbalance may be created.
Mercury represents cleverness, intellect, logic, reasoning, analytical abilities, speech, communication, mathematical skills and a number of other characteristics. Since Mercury is exalted and it is placed in the first house; the overall personality of this native may be influenced much more by these characteristics, than by those rendered by any other planet.
For every characteristic, there is an opposite characteristic. However in reality, it may only seem opposite and it may actually be a complementary characteristic. It means both such characteristics may try to counteract each other, so that an overall balance may be achieved.
Taking an example from real life; day and night seem opposite but they are complementary in reality. If there is no night and Sun keeps shining all the time; the temperature may gradually become so high that almost no life form may be able to sustain. Likewise, if there is no Sun and there is night only; the temperature may gradually become so low that we may enter into ice age. Hence the heat provided by Sun and the coolness provided by Moon (or the night) may seem opposite; they are complementary.
Taking another example, work and rest may seem opposite but they are complementary. If you keep working all the time with no rest and sleep at all; you may start facing a number of health problems. Likewise, if you choose to sleep or rest all the time; you may again end up creating a number of health issues as well as other problems for you. Hence work and rest may seem opposite, they are complementary in reality. Work gives you the ability to engage in as well as enjoy rest and relaxation. Rest and relaxation give you the ability to work again.
Intellect and logic are ruled by Mercury. They are balanced by emotions and faith. Emotions are ruled by Moon and faith is ruled by Jupiter. Intellect can help us achieve so much in many spheres; especially those related to technical and mechanical advancement. Hence it may prove beneficial for mathematicians, engineers, scientists, architects and a number of other professionals who need intellect to achieve more and more.
Intellect works by breaking things into smaller units so that it may understand them well. Hence it keeps dividing or breaking, until it reaches the smallest possible unit. When you engage in a practice like analysis or investigation; you keep breaking things into smaller units; in order to dig deeper and deeper. The deeper you are capable of reaching by breaking things into smaller units; the more you may succeed.
Since the act of breaking anything needs aggression; intellect means mental aggression. Hence more intellectual you are, more mentally aggressive you are likely to be. Intellect loves engaging in one mental challenge or another; and all such acts are aggressive. This is because you can’t face a challenge and complete it without aggression. Physical type of challenges require physical aggression which is provided by Mars whereas mental or intellectual challenges require mental aggression which is provided by Mercury. Therefore, both Mars and Mercury are aggressive though in different ways.
Hence intellect may prove as a blessing as long as you’re dealing in spheres which require its application, like the ones mentioned earlier. However, there are spheres where intellect may create more problems than the benefits it may produce. The spheres like relationships and spiritual growth are the ones where intellect may cause serious damage.
Relationships do best when handled with emotions and faith. They may perform poorly or miserably when handled with mental aggression or physical aggression. For this reason; Mars and Mercury are not fit for spheres like relationships. When it comes to spoil relationships, the methods adopted by Mars are often physically aggressive and too obvious. Hence it is easy to understand why a planet like Mars may form Manglik Dosh, among all planets.
Since Mercury uses mental aggression; it may take longer to damage relationships and it is often not as obvious as Mars. This is logically (Mercury) justified since Mercury is skilled at the art of protecting itself by using intellect and logic. The roots of the words like distrust, insecurity, anxiety and many other such words lie in intellect. The fact that Mercury is the only planet among navagraha, which gets exalted in its own sign; shows how insecure intellect can be. Mercury simply doesn’t trust any planet as much is it trusts itself; which is a typical trait of intellect.
Since it feels insecure and it has mental aggression; Mercury has strong tendencies to control things and people through mental aggression. It does so in order to feel secure and in order to keep things as well as people; as predictable as possible. It means intellect doesn’t like surprises; since it may often not be prepared in advance, to deal with them.
When it comes to relationships; intellect tries to understand, change and predict people so that it may be in control. Hence it may try to learn more and more about the ones in close relationships. For example, a native under strong influence of Mercury like in the present case; may keep analysing every action, statement, gesture and characteristic of his wife and children, so that he may understand them in better manner. After that, he may try to change such actions and characteristics of theirs; which he is not comfortable with.
Since Mercury rules intellect; the methods adopted are often less obvious than those adopted by Mars. Drawing a comparison; a native under strong influence of Mars may directly tell his wife that he doesn’t like a particular habit of hers and that she should change it. The wife may not be willing to change such habit and this may create problems between the couple.
In the same situation; a native under strong influence of Mercury may try to convince his wife that such habit is bad for her and she should get rid of it. If the wife ignores his advice; he may try to prove how bad such habit of hers is. Hence every time she may face problems which may be partly due to such habit; the native may highlight the issue. He may try to teach his wife that despite his advice, she chose not to change this habit and she is suffering because of that. This may continue, not only with one particular habit; but with all the habits, actions or interests of the wife; this native may not like.
On the surface, it may seem that all this native is trying to do is make her wife a better person. Hence he may seem to help. However, the mere thought of changing another person when they don’t want to; is violence. Every habit or characteristic may give good as well as bad results. It is up to the native who possesses such habit, whether he or she wishes to keep it or get rid of it. Physically or mentally forcing someone to change themselves are acts of violence and no one may feel comfortable with them.
As a result; native’s wife may start counteracting the native and she may highlight some of his habits or interests which may not be good. This practice may lead to frequent arguments and they may spoil the relationship. Depending on her overall personality; native’s wife may not choose to confront him and she may rather choose not to listen to him. In this case; silence may develop between the couple and it may spoil the relationship; as the wife may not be interested in interacting with the native, unless absolutely necessary.
The native may do the same to his children also. He may keep telling them what is good for them and what is bad. He may try to convince them to be the kind of people he wants them to be. If he fails to convince them, he may use mental aggression to make them understand; just like in case of his wife. The result may be the same in this case also. It means that with time; his children may start confronting him or they may choose not to listen to him and maintain their distances. Hence the native may keep trying to change them but no one may listen to him. This way, he may end up spoiling his family life.
What this native needs are emotions and faith, in order to balance the intellectual part of his personality. In the present case, suppose benefic exalted Moon is placed in the ninth house in Taurus and benefic Jupiter is placed in the fourth house in Sagittarius. When that happens; the native may have fair share of emotions and faith; along with intellect. Hence he may be capable of using intellect where it is needed; like in professional spheres. At the same time; he may choose to use more of emotions and faith when it comes to the sphere of relationships.
As a result, the native may be able to accept (faith) and love (emotion) his wife as she is and he may not try to change her. He may do the same to his children also. He may love them for what they are and he may give them freedom to choose (faith) what they wish to do; though he may guide them as and when needed. As a result; the native may be blessed with a loving wife and family; despite being highly intellectual. When you don’t try to change people and you’re capable of loving them for what they are; they may almost always end up loving and respecting you.
Looking at the opposite side of this equation; too much faith or too many emotions with little intellect may also prove troublesome, though in a different way. The native in this case may fail to provide logical guidance to his children; as and when they need it. He may also be poor at financial management since this sphere is generally taken care of; by intellect. The native may also face problems in professional sphere since he may rely too much on unrealistic hopes instead of using logic and reasoning. Hence he may face losses and problems due to lack of reasoning and excess of optimism.
Therefore, a balanced mixture of intellect, emotions and faith is required so that they may complement one another. Likewise, for all characteristics represented by various planets among navagraha, there are seemingly opposite but complementary characteristics. A balanced mixture of them helps in creating and maintaining harmony in a horoscope as well as in native’s life.
Coming back to the main topic; when benefic exalted Mercury is placed in the first house of a horoscope in Virgo; the native may already have more than required amount of intellect and all other characteristics rendered by Mercury. Hence it may not be a good idea to recommend an Emerald to the native; unless Mercury is afflicted in the horoscope. Let’s elaborate this horoscope and see what may happen.
Suppose benefic Venus is placed in the eleventh house of this horoscope in Cancer, malefic Sun is placed in the twelfth house in Leo, benefic Moon is placed in the second house in Libra, Saturn is placed in the fifth house in Capricorn, malefic Mars forms Manglik Dosh in the fourth house in Sagittarius, exalted Rahu is placed in the ninth house in Taurus and a combination of benefic Jupiter and malefic exalted Ketu is placed in the third house in Scorpio.
Let’s assess some important aspects of this horoscope. Mercury is exalted, it is placed in the first house and it is not afflicted by any malefic planet. Jupiter is afflicted by exalted Ketu and hence it is weak. Jupiter represents the fourth and seventh house in this horoscope. Mars is strong and it forms Manglik Dosh in the fourth house. Venus is not strong in Cancer though it may do well; depending on its navamsha placement within the sign of Cancer. Venus gets afflicted by partly malefic Saturn through direct aspect. Moon is not strong in Libra though it may do well here. Saturn, Sun, Rahu and Ketu are strong in the horoscope.
The strongest planet in this horoscope is Mercury and the weakest one is Jupiter. Moon and Venus are also not strong. Venus loses some strength due to affliction from Saturn though such affliction may not be strong since Saturn is partly benefic and partly malefic. The fourth ruled by Jupiter is afflicted by malefic Mars.
Looking at the sphere of profession, it is likely to be the best sphere of native’s life. The first, tenth and eleventh house are all strong and two of them are empowered by benefic planets. Hence the native should do well or very well in profession; depending on the finer factors. The term ‘finer factors’ in this context means the placements of various planets in various nakshatras and navamshas within their respective signs.
Looking at the sphere of health; it should also be fine since exalted Mercury is placed in the first house and the sixth as well as the eighth house is not troubled. Coming to the sphere of marriage; this is where problems may appear. Jupiter being the lord of the seventh house is afflicted, Mars forms Manglik Dosh in the fourth house and Venus is also somewhat troubled. Hence the sphere of marriage may suffer.
Let’s try to find out what types of problems may appear in the marriage of this native. Jupiter is weak; which means the elements like hope, faith, generosity and acceptance may go down significantly. Venus is also weak though not as much as Jupiter. Hence the elements like fairness, sharing, mutual respect, affection and sense of shared responsibilities may also go down. Moon is not strong though it is not weak either. Hence the elements like emotional attachment, care, concern and love may also not be strong.
Looking at the other set of planets; strong Mercury gives strong intellect and other likewise qualities. Strong Mars adds aggression. Strong Saturn adds discipline and hard work. Strong Rahu adds materialistic ambitions and strong Sun adds heightened self-centredness among other things.
Combining these facts; it may be seen that the native may handle his marriage with logic, aggression, discipline and self-centredness; much more than faith, emotions, love, care, concern and respect. It means that the native may try to control his wife instead of understanding her and liberating her. This may create problems in marriage and exalted Mercury may play its due part in creating as well as aggravating such problems.
The sphere of children may be troubled even more. Strong Saturn is placed in the fifth house and it represents the sixth house along with the fifth house. The sixth house deals with disputes, disagreements and enemies among other things. Saturn is all about rules, discipline and duty; and it doesn’t care for emotions, love, affection and other likewise qualities.
As a result, the native may try to impose too much discipline and hardship on his children. This may create problems in the marriage as his wife may be opposed to such measures practiced by the native. More than that; the children may feel oppressed by the native. Hence they may become distanced from the native. They may bear with the native as long as they can or they have to; since they may be dependent on him. However, they may retaliate or move away from the native; whenever they get their chances.
Saturn in the fifth house in this case may create serious disputes and disagreements between the native and his children; through too much discipline and hardship imposed on children. Over time, these disputes may turn into enmity between the native and his children. Though Mercury doesn’t seem to have direct connection with this problem; it is more than connected.
Rules and discipline are imposed with the help of intellect as well as physical aggression; in most cases. Planets like Jupiter and Moon are strictly against rules since they operate on the basis of love and faith. It means that a native under the strong influence of these planets may treat his children with love and he may have faith in them. Though he may spoil them at times due to these qualities; his children may develop strong and healthy bonds of love and respect with the native.
When it comes to Venus, it may believe in some rules but it is almost always fair; unless afflicted or corrupted by a malefic planet. It means that a native under strong influence of Venus may ask his wife or children to follow rules when necessary. However, he may not force such rules and he may rather get this job done with care, affection and diplomacy. Apart from that; he may shower them with many good things from time to time; depending on his resources.
Hence the wife as well as the children may respect the boundaries drawn by the native. If one of them is able to convince the native that a particular rule or expectation is not fair; the native may relieve them of it. Venus is all about fairness and equality; though on mutual basis. It means that Venus plays fair as long as the other party also plays fair. When it comes to Jupiter and Moon; they may keep playing fair with their loved ones; even when the loved ones don’t play fair.
If the native wears an Emerald; his tendency to control his wife as well as children may increase more. As a result; his marriage and family life may suffer more. Hence Mercury may be benefic and exalted in this horoscope; its gemstone is not a suitable choice in this case.
Looking at the suitable choices; the first gemstone that the native should wear is Yellow Sapphire. Doing so may provide strength to Jupiter as well as to the fourth and seventh house. The elements of hope, faith, freedom and acceptance may become stronger. Hence the native may witness better results related to marriage and family life.
Then next gemstone to wear is White Sapphire. As Venus gains strength; the native may develop affection and concern for his wife as well as for his children. This may add more value to the marriage as well as to the family. Since benefic Venus is placed in the eleventh house; White Sapphire may also help with profession and financial gains.
After that, Pearl may be added, if needed. Wearing these gemstones may restore balance in the horoscope of the native. As a result, he may witness good results related to profession, marriage and family among other spheres.
Let’s consider a different type of horoscope to understand this concept from another angle. Suppose a malefic combination of benefic exalted Mercury, malefic Saturn and malefic Ketu is placed in the second house of a horoscope in Virgo, Venus is placed in the third house in Libra and benefic Sun is placed in the first house in Leo. Suppose benefic Mars is placed in the fifth house in Sagittarius, Moon is placed in the eighth house in Pisces along with Rahu; and exalted Jupiter is placed in the twelfth house in Cancer.
The equation is quite different in this case. Sun, Venus, Mars and Jupiter are strong in the horoscope. However, Mercury is weak due to affliction from Saturn and Ketu. Apart from that; the overall theme of the horoscope doesn’t support Mercury much. Saturn is also afflicted by malefic Ketu.
Though Mercury is exalted; the native may face problems related to speech, communication, intellectual abilities, finances and a number of other problems. Mercury rules the second and eleventh house in this horoscope and both of them are important for overall financial equation.
Since Sun, Venus and Mars are strong in this horoscope; their gemstones may not be required. Hence an Emerald is the first gemstone that should be recommended in this case. As the native wears an Emerald; Mercury may gain strength and it may fight afflictions from Saturn and Ketu. Hence the native may witness better results related to speech, communication, intellectual abilities and finances; among other things.
On the contrary, if the native wears Ruby and Red Coral; which may come highly recommended in horoscopes with Leo ascendant; he may end up facing more problems than benefits. This is because both these planets are aggressive, confident and impulsive as well as risk taking. Planets like Mercury and Saturn keep check on these tendencies through intellect and discipline. Mercury and Saturn are afflicted in this horoscope. Hence providing more strength to Sun and Mars can make the native too aggressive, too impulsive and over-confident.
As a result; he may suffer because of rash decisions or because of taking unneeded risks. Hence the gemstones for Sun and Mars may disturb the balance of this horoscope. As already mentioned; a horoscope is not about the strength or performance of one or two planets and it is teamwork. Hence the benefic planets in a horoscope should be strengthened in a way that the overall horoscope becomes more stable and more balanced.
So far, we have discussed two probabilities for exalted Mercury and in both these cases; Mercury is benefic. However, Mercury or any other planet may be exalted but malefic in a horoscope. In such case, the gemstone for such planet should not be worn. When a planet is malefic and exalted in a horoscope; it may already be doing so much damage in it. The last thing you want is to give it more strength so that it may cause even more damage. Let’s take an example to understand this concept in a better manner.
Suppose, exalted Mars is placed in the fifth house of a horoscope in Capricorn. Virgo rises in the ascendant and Mars is malefic as well as very strong in the horoscope. Since it is placed in the fifth house, it may primarily cause serious problems related to love life, children, creativity and spiritual growth. As a result, the native may witness more than one failed love affair; depending on his overall horoscope. Apart from that, he may face problems related to other spheres represented by the fifth house.
Such placement of malefic exalted Mars may prove much more troublesome in the horoscope of a female native; compared to a male native. The fifth house deals with children and female natives may face problems related to children; which may be higher in number as well as quantum; compared to those faced by male natives. Hence such female native may witness serious issues with her monthly periods and she may feel excessive pain or bleeding.
The native may not be able to conceive and deliver properly. She may suffer from more than one abortion, merely because of such malefic placement of Mars; unless there are compensating factors in her horoscope. In an extreme case of this type; the native may face serious medical complications during delivery and she may even die; if the rest of her horoscope is also malefic in a specific way. The native may also face problems related to love life. She may get pregnant through a love affair and her lover may refuse to marry her as well as assume responsibility of the child.
If Mars casts aspects on some planets in this horoscope, the problem may aggravate. For example, if Venus is placed in the eleventh house of this horoscope in Cancer; Mars may cause serious affliction to Venus. Mars is very strong in Capricorn and Venus is not strong in Cancer. Due to such affliction; the native may face serious problems related to his marriage if he is male. If the native is female; she may face even more serious problems related to children since Venus represents the ability to produce children in case of females.
Since the fifth house as well as Venus is troubled in the horoscope; the female native may not be able to produce even one alive child throughout her life; unless the rest of her horoscope is strongly supportive for child birth. The native may witness multiple abortions and/or miscarriages and she may suffer from a number of medical complications also.
The last thing this native should do is wear Red Coral, since doing so may provide even more strength to Mars which is already very strong. Hence the quantum of problems caused by it may increase and the native may suffer even more. Therefore, gemstones should not be worn for exalted planets when they are malefic in horoscope.
In most cases; there is no need to wear gemstones for exalted planets; even if they are highly benefic. As already explained, an exalted planet is already very strong and it may not need extra strength. On the other hand, it may need certain specific planets to be strong so that the overall balance in horoscope may be achieved.
Taking an example, suppose benefic exalted Mars forms Ruchaka Yoga in the first house of a horoscope in Capricorn. Mars is very strong and it is placed in the first house, which gives it more dominance over other planets in the horoscope. Hence Red Coral may not be a good choice in this case; unless Mars is seriously afflicted by a malefic planet. The horoscope may rather do well; if planets like Saturn, Moon and Venus are strong, so that they may maintain balance.
If one of these planets is benefic but weak; the native should wear its gemstone so that the horoscope may work in a better manner. For example, if benefic exalted Venus is placed in the third house of this horoscope in Pisces along with malefic exalted Ketu; the native should wear White Sapphire. Though both these planets are exalted in Pisces; Ketu may be stronger than Venus in this sign; depending on navamsha placements of both planets within the sign of Pisces.
Hence the native may need to strengthen such exalted but seriously afflicted Venus so that the horoscope may work in a better manner. As Venus gains strength; it may add more care, concern, fairness and sense of equality to the personality of the native. Since Mars is all about dominance and it may not care about these characteristics; they may prove useful for the native. The native in this case may have reduced tendency to misuse strength and aggression rendered by Mars. Likewise, the gemstone for Saturn may also be worn if needed as well as suited; based on the overall horoscope.
A horoscope may feature billions of probable placements and combinations of planets. The sum total of all these placements as well as their mutual interactions forms the overall theme of horoscope. Such theme should be assessed first. Whichever part is lacking, the same should be strengthened through appropriate gemstone; if there is one.
We don’t need to work on our strengths since they are already there. We need to work on our weaknesses as they make us fail and suffer. Hence un-afflicted exalted planets may not need more strength through gemstones even when they are benefic; in most cases. It is the weaker or afflicted but benefic planets; which may need more strength through gemstones.
Himanshu Shangari