The term ‘benefic’ is derived from the Greek term agathopoios which literally means “good-doer”. According to Ancient Greek culture, planets were believed to have influences and provide guidance to humans, as they lived their lives. The planet's nature determines if it is Benefic or not, based on whether it helps the affected areas, with money problems for example. A planet with negative attributes would be classified as Malefic, from the Greek term kakopoios which literally means “bad-doer”. Planets are naturally Malefic or Benefic, however, a planet can change because of the astrological signs they house. Changes are dependent upon, and specific to each individual person. Horoscopes and their Zodiac sign indicate the goal of the planet for each person, as to which will be Malefic and which will be Benefic. This system is also used in Vedic astrology.
Examples
Some examples of Benefic planets are:
Jupiter is considered to provide abundance and good fortune. It demonstrates these tendencies when a person is forgiving, kind, ethical, and overall a good person.
Venus provides comfort and social graces. This is especially shown when dealing with others and interacting with others in a diplomatic way, being kind and taking into account other people's feelings.
The Moon has benefic tendencies, which are determined by the amount of light she gives. It becomes Benefic during the New Moon to Full Moon phase. This is because there is a greater amount of light given, which is considered good and healthy.
Mercury is evenhanded and fair. It encourages people to behave equitably. However, the planet can adapt into a Malefic Planet. It can do this through its ability to take on attributes of other planets it associates itself with.
A planet is deemed Malefic because it can interfere with the positive effects of a Benefic planet. A Malefic planet often cause delay, destruction and uncertainty. Some examples of Malefic planets include:
Saturn represents the misery and burdens that we as humans have to carry.
The Sun is Malefic due to its strong influence over those things we need to decrease in order to increase our personal spiritual growth.
Mars causes mischief, relationship tension, accidents and other negative affects.
Vedic Astrology can be defined as the science explains in details the planetary movements and positions in respect to day and time. In existence for thousands of years, Vedic astrology is the same as Indian Vedic astrology. It has many things in common with Western astrology. There are twelve Zodiac signs present, which have the ability to influence your decisions, thus helping to determine your future. It also follows the movement of the planets as to whether you receive positive influence or negative influences through them, much like in Ancient Greek mythology. Vedic astrology was documented by the Maharishi and appears throughout Hindu scripture.
Rahu and Ketu
A big difference between Western and Vedic astrology is the existence of Rahu and Ketu. Western astrology is just the nine planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Saturn, Jupiter, Neptune, Uranus and Pluto along with The Moon and The Sun. Appearing in Vedic astrology, along with the same celestial objects in Western astrology, is Rahu and Ketu. Their existence, according to Hindu mythology, is a result of a demon being decapitated. Rahu became immortal while Ketu was left as a mortal. They became enemies of the sun and the moon, and it is said that Rahu and Ketu swallowed up The Sun and The Moon, thus causing an eclipse. Rahu and Ketu are considered to be invisible planets but really represent the North lunar node and the South lunar node.
In Relationships with Astrological Signs
There are twelve signs in the Zodiac, each one belonging to certain Malefic and Benefic planet. Not only that, but some planets are neutral in the signs. The planets hold different meanings depending on your personal astrological signs. For example, someone could have Mars as a Benefic planet due to their Zodiac sign but someone else could have Mars as a Malefic planet due to their Zodiac sign. Here is a list of astrological signs and their types of planets :
