Explanation for the selection of the signs Virgo & Pisces as the respective signs of exaltation and debilation for Mercury

Virgo, the dual earthy and Sattwik in nature is the sixth sign of the Zodiac from which are judged complexes, sensual feelings, the nerve system, working ability, enemies, diseases etc. Mercury is described as the prince in the planetary kingdom which carries the messages and instructions of the king Sun to different organs of the body for performing their respective work. The 10^th sign in the Zodiac is Capricorn signifying the job of any native. The 9^th sign counted from Capricorn is Virgo which means that the latter is the origin of all activities of the human being. This has been uttered by the Lord Shree Krishna in The Shreemadbhagabadgeeta “no body can remain idle even for a single moment since the natural instincts in a human being compel him to do work according to his inherent inclination” (Shreemadbhagabadgeeta, Chapter 3, Karmayoga, Shloka 5).

The ancient Hindu Sages and Rhishish realized the underlying mystery of this creation. The sole purpose of every living being is to attain godhood. Therefore, activities should be free from any desire of results. This is possible when its inspiration comes from materialistic outlook guided by Sattwik senses. Since, Mercury is the significator of intelligence and thoughts; therefore it may be the origin of such karmayoga. Since, the sign Virgo signifies all these characteristics; therefore, it is very natural to consider this sign as the house of exaltation for Mercury. Again, Mercury being the ruler of nerve system and prince in the planetary kingdom, which conveys the instructions coming from brain signified by the Sun, the king, therefore consideration of Virgo as the sign of exaltation for Mercury from this angle is also quite justified.

The seventh sign counted from Virgo is Pisces, the dual watery sign of Sattwik nature ruled by Jupiter of which it is the passive field. In this sign, the wisdom of Jupiter over rules the rationality and material sense of Mercury for unison with the Supreme lord. This means the characteristics of Mercury are quite in discordance with the meditating mature of a saint characterized by Jupiter. As such, the description of the sign Pisces as the field of debilation for Mercury is quite justified.                  

Explanation for the selection of Saturn as the lord of the signs Capricorn and Aquarius

In a natal chart, the 10^th house signifies job, employment etc. The 10^th sign in the Zodiac is Capricorn, cardinal earthy sign of Tamas nature ruled by Saturn which is described as hermit or Yogi on the one hand and servant on the other. In the terrestrial world, work is done by the living beings on the material plane. As such, the 10^th sign being described to be earthy is quite justified. Ordinary people do work for self interest under the complexes which give rise to many faults and errors because of many opposing ideas which are the characteristics of Tamas nature. Again, Saturn is by nature servant and hermit and since according to Hindu Philosophy for being freed from all complexes forming chains of deeds encircling a native, it is necessary is to perform one’s jobs without any expectations for results; therefore, the lordship of the 10^th sign Capricorn is very rightly ascribed to Saturn. Moreover, in Astrology, Saturn is said to be the significator of “Time”. Again, to perform a successful work what are required are punctuality, sincerity, law-abiding tendency and materialistic matured sense, the last one being usually acquired through experience. Since Saturn is designated as the very old planet in Astrology, therefore the selection of Saturn as the lord of the 10^th sign Capricorn is quite justified.

The 11^th sign of the Zodiac is Aquarius, fixed airy sign of Rajas nature. From the 11^th house in a natal chart are judged income, success, friend (being enemy of enemy signified by the 6^th house). The 2^nd house counted from the 10^th house is the 11^th house i.e. the accumulated wealth of work is signified by the 11^th house. Since the 10^th sign Capricorn being ruled by Saturn signifies work of servicing nature without any expectation of results, therefore in the material world it leads to accumulation of money i.e. income and in the level of consciousness the airy sign Aquarius signifies highest expression of intelligence and spiritual thoughts which on the one hand results in the development of materialistic philosophy and on the other hand signifies the concentrated mind of a hermit to attain gradually the higher levels of spiritualism.

In the planetary kingdom Saturn is the significator of both these characteristics. The 3^rd house counted from the 9^th sign Saggitarius is Aquarius which means valour of wisdom of Saggitarius is the spiritual consciousness of Aquarius which is also the 6^th house signifying the enmity of the 6^th sign Virgo signifying complexes. The 8^th sign from Cancer is Aquarius which means the unbound emotion of the cardinal Tamasik watery sign Cancer finds its annihilation in Aquarius. Further, the seed of creation in Leo remains latent here. As such, the selection of Saturn as the lord of the 11^th sign Aquarius is also totally justified.