Mars is the lagna lord, strongly placed in Aries, the 6th house, aspecting the lagna in tight orb.
Mars and Sun are the strongest planets in shad bala, dominating the whole chart.

Benefic and malefic planets
Health and disease are caused by the effect of benefic or malefic planets.
Some planets are naturally benefic in their inherent nature of expansion, vitality and blessings but they can become malefic and give negative effects for health and other areas of life when the rule difficult houses or even when they are conjunct by malefic planets.
Therefore, it is important to determine which planets behave as benefic or malefic for each ascendant and actually for each individual chart.
There are general rules set by Parashara and other classical authors, but those rules need to be applied carefully and without dogmatism, as there are always exceptions and multiple factors working at the same time.

Natural malefic planets:

• The natural malefic planets are:
  Saturn, Mars, Sun, Rahu, Ketu, the waning Moon and Mercury when associated with another malefic.

According to some authors and researchers, and in my own experience in observation of charts, the mere presence of any of those natural malefic planets on a house can be enough to harm somehow the body part related to that house or sign. If the planet is strong or exalted it helps the house it rules but it actually damages more the house it is located. This is not always truth in some other significations of the houses, where an exalted malefic planet can still bring success in certain areas of life, but it shows malefic effects from the medical point of view, always afflicting somehow the body organs involved.
If that malefic planet is a functional benefic by ruling a benefic house like trikonas, its malefic influence will be diminish very much, and there may not be a disease related, but it will still cause at least some minor discomfort or injuries, especially during its Mahadasha or bhuktis.

Functional malefic planets
Besides their inherent benefic or malefic nature, the planets can behave as benefic or malefic according to which houses they rule.

• As a general rule, the lords of the 3rd, 6th and 11th houses act as malefics, harming the organs indicated by the houses they are located, unless their moolatrikona house is a “good” house, like the trines
• The lords of the 2nd 8th and 12th houses are considered neutral by Parashara, but still they are great malefics from the medical astrology point of view, they always tend to harm the organs related to the houses they are located
• The ruler of the ascendant is consider as always benefic, even if it rules another malefic house, but experience has shown that in case of Taurus ascendant, Venus being the moolatrikona lord of the 8th house, has shown malefic health effect on the houses it is placed. The same situation has been observed in Scorpio lagna, where Mars rules also the 6th house being that the moolatrikona house. That view is supported and documented by Prof. V.K Choudury and his “system’s approach”
• Rahu and Ketu are always malefic from the health point of view and will tend to harm the organs of the houses they are placed or they aspect. That may not be always truth from the more material life point of view, where they can bring certain amount of success, but they are definitely harmful for the health. Their Dashas and transit usually weakens or afflicts the part of the body related to the house they are placed or transiting.

Natural benefics:

• Jupiter, Venus, waxing Moon, and un-afflicted Mercury
  This planets tend to bless and protect the houses they are located or they aspect, unless they become functional malefics by ruling difficult houses.

Functional benefics

• As a general rule, the rulers of the trikona houses (1,5,and 9) are benefic and bring protection from disease, but if they rule another malefic house like 3rd, 6th, 8th, 11th or 12th and if those are their moolatrikona houses, they tend to give malefic results.
• The lord of the lagna is always a benefic (with some exceptions mentioned before, like for Taurus and Scorpio lagnas)
• Jupiter or Venus strongly placed on an angle to the lagna tend to protect the native in general.

Planets ruling angles

• As a general rule set by Parashara, the natural benefics when they rule the angles, they loose some of the benefic effect, and the malefics ruling angles loose part of their malefic effect.

The yoga Karaka planets

• When a planet is the ruler of a Kendra (angle) house and a trikona (trine) house at the same time it is call a “yoga Karaka” planet and is capable of producing very good Yogas and auspicious results.
  This is the case of Saturn for Libra and Taurus lagnas and Mars for Cancer and Leo lagnas and Venus for Capricorn and Aquarius lagnas.
• That can apply to many areas of life but when talking about health, Saturn and Mars, even as Yoga Karakas, they can still harm the body organs related to the house they occupy or aspect, but their affliction tends to be milder than if they were ruling bad houses.

The Jaimini Chara Karakas

• The planet which has the highest degree on the chart is called the Atma Karaka, significator of the self, and is also an important significator for the 1st house and 1st house lord and very important for health. If it is afflicted it can weaken the overall health and the house it is located.
• The Gnati Karaka is the planet second from the lowest in degree and it is a significator for diseases and 6th house matters. It is capable of harming the houses and planets it is located or aspects. The Dashas of the Gnati Karaka can be bad for health.

The importance of the dushtana houses

Houses 6th , 8th and 12th are called the "dushtana: houses and they are very important for determine the health situation or propensities of a person.

The 6 th house
The 6 th is the house of diseases in general, and it is also related with accidents, violence, cuts, wounds or surgery. It is mostly related with acute diseases (whereas the 8 th house relates mostly with chronic kind of diseases)
If this house and its lord are strong, it indicates a good resistance to disease, a good strength to "fight back" diseases, enemies and obstacles in general. This is so when the 6 th lord is in it's own house or exaltation sign, or when the 6 th house or 6 th lord are conjunct or aspected by benefic planets.
But a strong 6 th house lord can be good for resisting diseases in general, it can still affect and damage the body parts represented by the house it is located.
In my observation and according to some modern authors and researchers, the 6 th lord always produce affliction or, in the best case, at least some weakness and discomfort in the house it is located and the houses it aspects.
The ruler of the 6 th house placed in the ascendant or conjunct the lagna lord, is usually an indicator of health problems, accidents or wounds.
The dashas of the 6 th lord or planets occupying the 6 th house can be difficult in term of health and manifest injuries wound or accidents, as well as fights and aggression.

The 8 th house
The 8 th is the house of death (or longevity), obstructions, chronic diseases, pain and suffering, and it is the most malefic house in terms of disease.
Planets occupying the 8 th house or conjoined or aspected by the 8 th house lord will tend to suffer and create disease.
Even though the 8 th house can be good for some spiritual, esoterical and other areas of life, it is definitely an adverse house for health.
The 8 th house is also the house of longevity and its situation can tell about the life span of a person, even thou, there are other factors to be considered as well
The Maha Dasha and Bhukti Dashas of the planet ruling the 8 th house or planets occupying the 8 th house, or conjunct or aspected by it can be difficult times for health, even causing death, and afflicting other areas of life as well.

Factors which benefit longevity:

• The 8 th lord on its own house
• Saturn in the 8 th house (Saturn is a karaka for longevity)
• Saturn aspecting the 8 th house or the 8 th lord
• Benefic aspects on the 8 th house or 8 th lord.
• 8 th lord on the 11 th house strong and well aspected
• Saturn in its own house
• Benefic planets in the lagna (better if they rule good houses)
• Strong and well aspected lagna and lagna lord
• Un-afflicted moon and Sun
• Angle houses occupied by benefics
• Benefics in Kendra (angular) houses or trikona (trines) houses
• Malefics in 3 rd , 6 th or 11 th houses

Factors which reduce the life span

• The 8 th house and 8 th house lord afflicted or debilitated
• Malefics in the lagna or aspecting the lagna or lagna lord
• Lagna lord afflicted or debilitated
• Afflicted Saturn
• Afflicted Moon and Sun
• Empty Kendra houses
• Malefics occupying the angles or trines and benefics occupying the dushtanas

The12th house
The 12 th is the house of loss, separation and detachment.
Even though this house can be positive for spiritual realization and search for Moksha, it is an adverse house for health, signifying the "loss of health".
The parts of the body related to the houses where the 12 th lord is placed or the houses whose lord is placed on the 12 th house tend to suffer affliction.
The Maha Dasha and Bhukti Dashas of the 12 th lord or planets placed on the 12 th house can cause disease, hospitalization, and even death.

Vipareet Yogas
When the ruler of a dushtana house is placed on another dushtana house, this is called Vipareet Yoga and it is consider a good placement with destroys evils, diseases and troubles in general.
Anyways this is not absolutely truth all the times, and it can show some problems (see charts 5 and 6)

• The ruler of the 8 th on the 6 th ar the ruler of the 6 th on the 8 th is seen again and again to cause problems related with the genital organs or anus (hemorrhoids, piles) or bring chronic type of diseases. It can also cause accidents.
• The ruler of the 6 th house in the 12 th house or the ruler of the 12 th on the 6 th is seen to cause insomnia or other sleep disorders, addictions or sexual difficulties.

The "Maraka" planets
The ruler of the 2 nd and 7 th houses as well as planets located on those houses or conjunct their lord are call "Maraka" or "killer" planets and can cause death or disease during their Dashas and Bhuktis.
The 7 th house is the 12 th house from the 8 th house, showing the "loss of longevity" therefore acquiring killing capabilities.
The 8 th and 12 th house lords and planets associated with them ca become Maraka or Killers during their periods and transits.

The divisional charts or Vargas:
In order to have a better view of the situation of a chart is important to analyze de divisional charts or "Vargas" to get further information that can confirm whatever is indicated on the rashi chart
The use of the Navamsha is always very important to see the benefic or malefic placement and influence of a planet, and it can be read as a normal chart to see the general indicators.
Sometimes a planet seems strong and benefic on the Rashi chart but if it is afflicted on the Navamsha or other several Vargas it can bring adverse results.
The beginning of the 8 th house from the Moon in the Rashi chart is called the 64 th navamsha and has a malefic significance. Whan the Navamsha chart is cast, the 64 th navamsha corresponds to the 4 th house from the Moon in the navamsha. The ruler of the 64 th navamsha or the planets located on the 64 th navamsha or tha planets aspected by those are specially adverse for health. The 8 th house from the navamsha lagna is also a very adverse place.

The Drekkana Chart
The Drekkana, 1/3 rd division or decanate division is also considered very important for medical astrology.
The Drekkana is basically related with the strong desires of a person, and desire is the cause of all sufferings according to the yogis and ayurveda.
Weak or ill disposed planets in the Drekkana chart can also show potentials for diseases.
The 8 th house from the ascendant of the Drekkana chart is called the 22 nd Drekkana and, like the 64 th navamsha, has special malefic signification. We should watch carefully its ruler planet, planets placed there of planets aspected by those, who can cause disease during their Dashas and bhuktis.

The shashtamsa chart
Even though the shashtamsa chart is not mention by Parashara and is not part of the shodasavarga, (it comes from the tajika astrology), many modern authors and researchers are using it and I have seen in my experience and research that it is a very important chart for health issues.
Planets that may be strong and well placed in the rashi, Navamsha and others, if afflicted, debilitated on badly placed in the shashtamsa can bring adverse results for health in general or on their dashas and transits.

The trimsamsa chart
This is the divisional chart related with affliction misfortune and disease.
Focus is on the planets related to the dushtana houses and their connection to the rashi chart.
Planets badly placed on the Rashi and on the trimsamsa can cause problems and difficult dashas.

How to analyze the divisional charts:

• Analyze de Navamsha and shashtamsa chart like a normal chart, looking in particularly to the lagna, lagna lord, the 6 th house and its ruler.
• Analyze the rashi lagna lord and see how it is placed on the Navamsa , shashtamsa or other vargas.
• Analyze the karakas, significators of the body organs and see their situation on the Vargas.
• Analyze the dasha and bhukti lord and its placement in the Vargas
• Analyze the Moon and its placement or affliction in the Vargas

Timing of the diseases or difficult periods
One of the important uses of astrology in medicine is to be able to predict difficult periods for health, which can be somehow improved or at least reduce the difficulties by taking preventive healthy habits, appropriate diet, proper medicine and astrological remedies.
Vedic astrology offers a tremendously effective and reliable system of prediction which is the Dasha systems.
The most praised, widely used and recognized Dasha system is the Vimshottari Dasha.
Besides the Vimshottari Dasha, it is very helpful to use a second or more Dasha systems to double check the indications and have better predictions.
Personally I have been researching with the Yogini Dasha and getting very good results with it.
That is also very much recommended by Dr Charak in his medical astrology books.

Dasha analysis
The Maha dashas of the afflicting or afflicted planets in the sub-dasha of another afflicting or afflicted planet tend to trigger the onset of the disease indicated on the chart. The transits are used to fine tune the time and prediction.

Difficult Dashas or sub Dashas

• Dashas or sub-dashas of debilitated planets are usually bad for health manifesting a disease related to the organ the planet signifies, or the houses the planet rules or is located.
• Dasha of an afflicted lagna lord can trigger diseases
• Dashas of malefic planets aspecting the lagna or lagna lord can create disease.
• Dasha of the ruler of the 6 th house tends to create diseases, accidents, wounds or surgery.
• This is specially truth if Mars or Ketu are involved, either by conjunction, aspect or being themselves the dasha- bhukti lords.
• Dasha of the Gnati Karaka can behave as the 6 th house lord.
• Dasha of the 8 th house lord or planet located on the 8 th house or aspected by the 8 th lord tend to trigger the onset of chronic and painful diseases, which can last for long time, unless there are alleviating factors like favorable aspects.
• Dasha of the 12 th house lord can create disease, hospitalization, loss and expenses.
• Dashas of planets which are combusted or defeated in planetary war.
• Dashas of planets placed in the dushtana houses or conjunct or aspected by their lords.
• Dashas of any planet conjunct or aspected by malefic planets can create disease.

The effect of transits (Gochara)
The manifestation of a disease is usually a combination of an adverse Dasha and an adverse transit happening at the same time.
It is important to watch the transits of the lagna ruler over bad houses, low ashtakavarga houses, or when it is aspected by malefic planets
The transit of Saturn, Mars, Rahu, Ketu, the 8 th lord, the 6 th lord or the Dasha lord over or aspecting sensitive places of the chart can be the triggering factor that manifests the affliction.

Those sensitive points can be:

• The lagna
• The lagna lord
• The Moon
• The Sun
• A debilitated or afflicted planet
• The Dasha lord
• The sub-dasha lord
• A debilitated or afflicted planet.
• An afflicted or weak house or a house with low ashtakavarga points

The adverse transits of Mars or Ketu can bring sudden or acute diseases, accidents, wounds, injuries by fire, Pitta aggravation or surgery.
The adverse transits of Saturn or Rahu can bring pain, start a long lasting or chronic disease, stagnation, cold, joint pain, Vata aggravation, worries, fall from grace.

The Sudharshana chakra, the Moon lagna and Sun lagna
This system, recommended by Parashara Maharishi, is very reliable and difficult to fail.
One way to make an unmistakable prediction is to look at the chart from the lagna and then look at the same indications from the Moon and from the Sun.
If we find that a particular planet or house is afflicted in the 3 of them, then the result will be very clear and difficult to change and a prediction can be made with certainty.

Application of astrological remedies
Jyotish astrology can not only help to understand the cause of the problems on the chart and predict their manifestation, but it also offers some ways to help to diminish, neutralize or overcome the obstacles or diseases.
This is truth only to a certain extent, since some karmas are not possible to change. Whenever we see on the chart many significations showing the same affliction, with all sorts of negative aspects and without benefic aspects, the situation may be too difficult to prevent, avoid or change.
But many times, usually when we see some benefic aspect over the problem, it can be a sign that the situation can be alleviated or prevented by several means.
The different diseases and problems in life are seen in the chart in the form of weak benefic planets and the influence of malefic planets.

Use of Gemstones:
One way to apply astrological remedies is through the use of appropriate gemstones.
Gemstones can be wore in the body to strength the important benefic planets like the ruler of the ascendant, the ruler of the trines houses or benefics throwing good aspects on the afflicted planets.
The planetary energies affect us in our astral bodies. Certain gemstones have a particular energy wavelength, which correspond to the planetary energies and when they are worn, they create an influence on our astral body, strengthening, amplifying and harmonizing the weak or distorted energy of those corresponding planets.
That power of the Gemstones has been acknowledged and used since immemorial times by different spiritual traditions, healers, shamans, and astrologers, for their spiritual, psychic and healing properties.

There are different categories of gemstones used in Jyotish
The Maha Ratnas , they are mentioned in the classical scriptures and are consider as the best and more powerful stones, that even with a relatively small size and weight can have notorious effects.
Some of those gems are very precious and rare, therefore they can be very expensive.
The Upa-Ratnas are also powerful stones, but not as much as the first type, therefore they usually require a bigger size to be as effective, but they are more abundant and therefore their prize is more affordable by most people.

The gems for each planet are as follows:

It is very important to say that the gemstones used for astrological and healing purposes should be flawless, and of the best possible and affordable quality.

• Gemstones with defects should not be used, as they distort the energy and can cause the opposite, adverse effect.

They must have the following requisites:

• They must be natural stones, not synthetic ones.
• They should not be irradiated neither chemically treated or stained
• (most gemstones used in modern jewelry go through some of this processes to improve their color, unfortunately)
• They must not have any fissures, ridges, cavities, holes, cracks, bubbles, spots or dirt.
• They must not have impurities, rests of foreign materials or other minerals
• They must be of a bright and homogeneous color and have a good luster. Avoid dull, foggy or smoky kind of gems.

Even though all the gems have a healing potential, they may not all be good for everyone.
Using the wrong gemstones can amplify the adverse or afflicting energies on the chart, causing more harm than good, and the whole individual chart has to be analyzed carefully.
There are several criteria to choose astrological healing gems, the subject has not been exposed in enough detail in the classical scriptures, but some points are important.
Gemstones corresponding to the planets which rule the inauspicious houses, 6 th , 8 th and 12 th should be avoided as a general rule, as they tend to bring adverse effects.
Gems corresponding to the planets ruling the trine houses, like 1 st , 5 th and 9 th and planets forming auspicious Yogas are usually the best to be used. (Unless their moolatrikona sign belongs to a malefic house)
The ascendant Lord's gem will strength the health and expression of the person as well as the Moon's ruling planet gem will strength the mind and emotions.
It is also important to choose an astrologically auspicious date and time (Muhurtha) to start wearing the gem, when the energy of the planet is strong and favorable.

Use of Kavach and Yantras:
Another way to help to strength the auspicious planetary energies, originated from the Tantric tradition, is by wearing of an amulet (kavach) which contains either a geometrical Yantra, mystical diagram, specific for each planet, or the numerological Yantra, of the corresponding planet or planets.

Use of Mantras, Pujas, offerings and rituals:
Besides strengthening the benefic planets by means of gems or yantras, vedic astrology applies the propitiation of the malefic planets by spiritual practices and offerings.
The malefic or disease causing planets should not be strengthened trough gems, but we can attune to their more positive aspects trough the use of Mantras and pujas.
The whole universe is manifested through sound vibrations. Mantra Sastra is an exact science by which one can tune to a particular mental or psychic wavelength.
The regular practice of Mantra creates a very powerful protective energy on the astral body and mind, which can protect from the influence of negative astral energies.
There are specific mantras for each Planet, but the most recommended and effective way is to repeat the Moksha Mantras of the presiding deity.
Since the planets are manifestations of God for the purpose of providing with the effects of previous Karmas, each planet has a presiding Deity which can be invoked by mantra to protect the astral body from negative influences. It also works as an invocation and surrender of the ego to God aspiring to the Divine Grace to help us to overcome our difficulties.
There are different references on the scriptures about the presiding deities of the planets. Some of them are:

Sun: Agni, Siva, Rama
Moon: Varuna, the Divine Mother, Parvati, Siva, Krishna
Mars: lord Kartikeya, (Subramanya, Skanda), Durga, Narashimha
Mercury: Vishnu, Krishna, Budha
Jupiter: Brihaspati, Indra, Ganesha
Venus: Sachi, Lakshmi, Saraswati
Saturn: Brahma, Siva, Yama, Kali
Rahu: Adishesha (sneak), Durga, Siva
Ketu: Ganesha, Advaita Brahman

Whenever a planet is causing suffering by its malefic effect it can be propitiated by a ritual ceremony or Puja, a fire ceremony or Homa or a sacrificial worship or Yagnas done in honor of the presiding deities.

Yoga and spiritual practices:
Since all diseases and sufferings are caused by previous Papas or negative karmas, the only real way of changing its result is by changing the mental patterns that caused the karma and learning the corresponding spiritual or evolutionary lesson needed at our level.
Jyotish is a tool used to comprehend personal karma and the "samskaras", which are the tendencies of thought and behavior deep- rooted in the subconscious mind. Samskaras create conditioning thought patterns, acting as some sort of mental program. This mental program tends to continually repeat the same attitudes. The total of these attitudes and samskaras form what we call personality, and that is what creates our karma, destiny and diseases.
Understanding and recognition of the samskaras is the key to understand past, present, predict the future and apply the appropriate changes in life.
Samskaras can be changed. This is the essence of Yoga. Yoga is considered by the Rishis themselves as the method for transcending and liberating one from the effects of karma.
"Prarabda" is that part of the karma that we cannot change. It is like an arrow that has been released and it is too late to change its direction. It is the karma which is flourishing in this life, even if part of it has not yet shown itself. Therefore, we need to understand, accept, and work out that situation in the best possible way.
There are different Yogic Disciplines like Raja Yoga, hatha yoga, bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, Gnana yoga, but they are all based on the developing of self-discipline of the mind and emotions to bring them from a gross level into a tune with the Divine mind and Dharma or cosmic order.
Each afflicted or afflicting Planet is showing a need to learn certain lesson or to strength certain aspect of the mind and personality.
Understanding that is the key to the use of astrology as a healing path.
Of course each chart has to be analyzed as a whole, but the main relationship between the planets and the needed lessons to learn are:

Sun:
Working out some Ego issues. Understanding who we really are. Meditate on the Atman, finding the peace and light within the Self. Learning how to use and relate with power position and authority in a Dharmic way.
Learning to respect the Father and elders.

Moon:
Learning to control and purify the mind and emotions. Develop mental peace. Respect mother, motherhood and woman. Uplift and channel the emotions trough Bhakti, pure love and devotion to God.

Mars:
Develop courage and initiative without a selfish purpose; learn and practice non violence, and use of energy, physical and mental strength for defense of dharmic principles alone. Protect righteousness and justice. Destroy and detach from unnecessary possessions or negative patterns. Separate from the wicked and ignorant. Develop a one-pointed mind.

Mercury:
Learn discrimination and proper use of intellect. Apply intelligence for spiritual and selfless purposes.

Sublimate the intellect into intuition. Learn to deal honestly on business. Speak the truth alone. Aspire for knowledge and impart knowledge to others selflessly.

Jupiter:
Develop a mature faith, philosophy and believe system, being practical at the same time. Learn proper relationship with teachers. Respect and support religious people and values. Follow dharma, righteousness and justice in daily life. Accept a honest, mature and wise person as Guru and learn about spiritual knowledge.

Venus:
Learn to enjoy life in a healthy and sattvic way.
Sublimate the sexual energy, avoiding attachment to sensual pleasures.
Transform the need of love from a physical level into a spiritual and divine compassion.
Recognize the beauty of the creation as a manifestation of the divine presence and grace.
Recognize the beauty of woman and the female qualities as a manifestation of the divine mother or cosmic Shakti.

Saturn:
Saturn indicates areas that we have to focus and develop responsibility. Develop inner strength and capacity to bear the hardships of life.
Develop strict inner discipline but without repression of the human love and compassion.
Practice of concentration, austerities, fasting and seclusion for spiritual practice.
Work hard for the benefit of others without expectations, as an offering to God. Serve the Sick, afflicted and poor people.

Rahu:
Rahu's afflictions can be related with negative astral entities and subconscious turmoil coming from unresolved situations from previous lives.
It indicated a need to understand the unconscious and subconscious mind and bring the unresolved issues into a conscious state. Beware of wrong type of spiritual practices which can damage or open too much the astral body. Avoid negative places and people and any kind of intoxication. Be aware and sublimate the strong inner desires.
Channel and express your personal ambitions and desires toward a higher and spiritual goal, without becoming obsessed and without expecting powers or astral experiences.
Overcome fear by developing spiritual strength, faith devotion and detachment.

Ketu:
Ketu shows a need to detach and renounce from the lower Ego and materialistic attachments.
Ketu shows something we may have done too much on the past and now there is a need to compensate that. Ketu feels guilty about the personal ego and mistakes done in the past.
The best way to manage the Ketu energy is by spiritual practices like seclusion, meditation, study of ancient spiritual disciplines and Vedanta philosophy, following the intuition understand death and the ephemeral nature of the material and sensual world.
Both Rahu and Ketu show the play of Raga and Dwesha, the desires and repulsions that swing the mind and steal the inner peace.
Understanding their patterns is most important for solving and working out the karmas.

Finally, only Devotion and total surrender to God, removal of the ignorance of Ego and realization of the Self as Atman can be the real remedy for disease and any karmic suffering.

>> To read the second part "Practical examples and illustrations" click here.