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The detailed version of this article is featured in the book ‘Gemstones – Magic or Science? (Revised Edition).
Gemstones for Opposing Planets
This theory states that gemstones for two opposing planets should not be worn simultaneously; even if both of them are benefic in a horoscope. The term ‘opposing planets’ refers to the planets which are generally considered to dislike each other. Looking at some of them; Sun-Saturn, Sun-Venus, Jupiter-Mercury and Jupiter-Venus form such pairs. Hence it is believed that the gemstones belonging to both the planets in a pair should not be worn at the same time; even if both planets are benefic.
It is believed that since the two planets in each one of these pairs don’t go well with each other; wearing gemstones for both of them may create a number of problems for the native. This is because the each planet in each one of these pairs exhibit some characteristics which seem opposite to those exhibited by the other planet.
Due to these opposing characteristics; it is believed that the gemstones for two such planets should not be worn together; since they may create conflict within the native. It may seem so and it may even be so in some cases; but it may be quite the opposite in some other cases.
All these seemingly opposing planets are already present in each horoscope and most people are using their energies well. The characteristics represented by each pair of such planets are not opposite in the deepest sense and they are complementary to each other. The key to recommending such gemstones lies with the overall horoscope as well as the objective of the native. Let’s take an example to understand this concept in a better manner.
Suppose a benefic combination of exalted Mercury and Jupiter is placed in the first house of a horoscope in Virgo. Both these planets are benefic though Mercury is more benefic than Jupiter. Mercury is exalted, it is much stronger than Jupiter and Mercury forms Bhadra Yoga in this horoscope. Jupiter represents the fourth and seventh house in this horoscope whereas Mercury represents the first and tenth house.
Since Jupiter represents the fourth and seventh house and it is strongly influenced by Mercury; Jupiter may not render much spiritual growth in this case. On the contrary, it may favour materialistic results more than the spiritual ones. Since this combination is placed in the first house; the overall personality of this native is more likely to be dominated by intellect and materialism; than by faith and spiritual growth.
Looking at gemstone recommendation in this case, the gemstones for Jupiter and Mercury should not be worn together, unless they are both afflicted. When Jupiter gains strength through Yellow Sapphire, it may try to dominate Mercury which may not be possible, even with the help of a Yellow Sapphire since Mercury is much stronger than it. However, in its attempt to dominate Mercury, it may end up creating conflict in the personality of this native. This is because Yellow Sapphire may promote faith along with materialistic tendencies and Mercury is opposed to faith.
Since both these planets are placed in the same house and events happening in the first house reflect throughout the personality of the native; the overall personality of the native may witness strong conflict between faith and intellect. Though the native may be better equipped to achieve growth through intellect, stronger Jupiter may influence him to take the path of faith. This may create problems as the native may mix intellect with faith and he may not know which one is to be used in which situation.
As a result, the native may face problems. The sphere of profession may face maximum number of problems. This is because Mercury rules the tenth house and the native may at times end up trusting wrong people as well as making decisions which may be based on unrealistic hopes and optimism; rather than logic, analysis and relevance.
Since both these planets are benefic in the horoscope; the net results may still be benefic. However, the quantum of the results may be diluted. To have an idea, if the native is capable of earning 10 million a year due to his overall horoscope; he may end up earning 5 or 7 million. The remaining amount may be missed out or lost through decisions made without reasoning and logic. Hence wearing Yellow Sapphire should be avoided in this case.
Looking at Emerald, the native may not need this gemstone unless Mercury or the tenth house is seriously afflicted. This is because Mercury is already very strong and it is influencing Jupiter. Since Jupiter rules the seventh house which deals with marriage; more strength to Mercury means that the native may use more intellect in the sphere of marriage. As already mentioned; relationships like marriage and family are better dealt with through faith and emotions than through intellect and logic.
Hence wearing Emerald may create problems in marriage though it may not necessarily provide better result related to profession; since Mercury is already very strong. Hence Emerald may also be avoided in this case.
Let’s look at a different example. Suppose benefic Jupiter and benefic Mercury are placed in the tenth house of a horoscope in Sagittarius in Poorvashada nakshatra. Pisces rises in the ascendant and Jupiter forms Hamsa Yoga in the tenth house. Hence the overall horoscope is more likely to be driven by faith than by intellect. Mercury rules the fourth and the seventh house whereas Jupiter rules the first and tenth house. Jupiter is much stronger than Mercury in Sagittarius.
Poorvashada is ruled by Venus and it is an indulgent, romantic and life loving nakshatra. If the overall horoscope is supportive, the native may get blessed with a post of authority in government as an officer; with this combination. Hence the native may do well or very well in the sphere of profession.
Since Jupiter strongly influences Mercury and the latter rules the seventh house, the sphere of marriage may also benefit. The native may handle his marriage, more through faith and freedom and less through intellect and logic. This may improve the quality of marriage since the spouse may respond very well to the faith exhibited by the native as well as the freedom given by him and the couple may enjoy a good marriage based on faith, freedom and respect.
It can be seen that though the same combination of Jupiter and Mercury is there in both the cases; the results may be very different. The answer lies in the overall theme of the horoscope. In the first case, Virgo rises in the ascendant and exalted Mercury is placed in it. Hence the overall theme of the horoscope may strongly favour growth through intellect. Therefore, if we try to add faith to this horoscope at the cost of disturbing intellect; the overall benefic results may get diluted.
In the second case, Pisces rises in the ascendant and Jupiter is placed in Sagittarius. Hence the overall theme of the horoscope supports growth through qualities like faith, intelligence and spiritual growth.
Looking at gemstone recommendations in the second case, the native may not need to wear Yellow Sapphire or Emerald, unless one or both the planets are afflicted. However if the native wishes to wear gemstones for these two planets; Yellow Sapphire as well as Emerald may be worn. Caution should be practised that the weight of Yellow Sapphire should be more than that of Emerald, in order to maintain the overall theme of horoscope. If Mercury gains more strength than Jupiter; it may disturb the overall theme of the horoscope.
Likewise, there may be a number of other combinations in various horoscopes where gemstones for seemingly opposite planets may or may not be worn; depending on the overall theme of horoscope. In many cases, the gemstones for such planets may not cause problems as long as both such planets are benefic and they are not placed in the same house or in seventh houses with respect to each other. In both these cases, such planets have direct interactions. Hence caution should be practiced.
In cases where two such planets are benefic and they don’t have mutual connection through placement or aspect; gemstones for both these planets may be worn; if required; provided none of them violates the overall theme of horoscope. Let’s take an example to understand this concept in a better way.
Suppose benefic Venus is placed in the eleventh house of a horoscope in Sagittarius in Poorvashada, benefic debilitated Sun is placed in the ninth house in Libra in Swati, Mercury is placed in the tenth house in Scorpio, Saturn is placed in the second house in Pisces, Rahu is placed in the first house in Aquarius, a malefic combination of Ketu and Moon is placed in the seventh house in Leo, benefic Jupiter is placed in the fifth house in Gemini and Mars is placed in the fourth house in Taurus.
The overall theme of this horoscope is creative. Hence the native may achieve success as a creative professional of various types. The seventh house is seriously troubled in this case due to a malefic combination of Ketu and Moon. Sun being the lord of the seventh house is benefic but debilitated. It means the sphere of marriage may witness serious problems; including one or two broken marriages.
In this case, we need as much support as possible; without causing much problem for the overall theme of the horoscope. Between Sun and Venus; creativity is one of the common points, since both these planets are creative. Poorvashada and Swati are creative nakshatras and the overall theme of the horoscope is also creative. Hence gemstones for both Sun and Venus may be worn in this case, as they may go with the overall theme of the horoscope and at the same time; they may improve the sphere of marriage.
Life and horoscope are all about balance. Looking at life; even enemies join hands when bigger threat is witnessed. For example, USA and Russia seemed to have significant differences between them before the Second World War. However, they formed an alliance in order to face a bigger and eminent threat in the form of Adolf Hitler and associates. It was only because these two seemingly opposite countries joined together along with Great Britain; that they were able to win that war effectively. Survival is the most primary instinct and when it is threatened; even enemies become friends.
Gemstones for seemingly opposing planets may be worn if they don’t clash with each other in a horoscope and they don’t disturb the bigger theme of the horoscope. On the contrary, they may complement each other and provide more support to the horoscope, in some cases.
Let’s look at a different variation to understand the difference. Suppose a malefic combination of Moon and Ketu is placed in the seventh house of a horoscope in Leo, a combination of benefic exalted Sun and benefic Venus is placed in the third house in Aries in Ashwini nakshatra, Mercury is placed in the fourth house in Taurus, a benefic combination of Mars and Jupiter is placed in the tenth house in Scorpio and Saturn is placed in the fifth house in Gemini.
In this case, the overall theme supports success through business. Hence the native may engage in a business related to tour and travel, logistics, information and technology, marketing, advertising, software industry, scientific equipment, security equipment or some other business, depending on the finer factors in his horoscope.
Here again, the seventh house is troubled. Hence the native may face problems related to marriage and such problems may be more serious in case of male native. Venus is combust due to its closeness to Sun and it loses strength. Since Sun is very strong in Aries; Venus may lose significant amount of strength. As a result, the sphere of marriage may suffer in case of male native. Though Sun is the lord of the seventh house which rules marriage; Sun itself may create problems related to marriage; by rendering weakness to Venus.
Hence Ruby should not be worn in this case, though the seventh house is seriously troubled and Sun rules this house. White Sapphire should be worn by the native so that Venus may gain strength and it may perform better in the horoscope. As that happens; the native may witness significant relief related to marriage. Since the third house deals with profession, such benefic combination may produce very good results related to profession, in co-ordination with the benefic combination of Jupiter and Mars in the tenth house.
The application of gemstones changes from horoscope to horoscope. Accordingly, their use should be decided based on the horoscope under consideration and not based on fixed rules. Whether you deal with the analysis part or the remedial part; you should follow broader guidelines and based on those guidelines, you should see what rules a horoscope is dictating. The broader guidelines may remain the same in most cases but the finer rules may change from horoscope to horoscope. Based on such changed rules, gemstone recommendation should also be changed; keeping broader guidelines in mind.
Himanshu Shangari