Dzogchen Rinpoche Pema Rigdzin

Planets (gza')

• The so-called "eight planets" (gza' brgyad) are known throughout the Indian and Chinese traditions and give their names to the days of the week. They comprise the Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn after whom the days Sunday through to Saturday are respectively named, along with Rāhu, the eclipser, who infiltrates the other seven. Unlike the Indian tradition, which emphasises the celestial position of the planets, the calculations employed in elemental divination are based on the relationships formed by the elements to which the eight planets correspond. Accordingly, the Sun and Mars represent fire, and have power over the south. The Moon and Mercury represent water, and have power over the north. Jupiter represents wood and has power over the east. Venus represents iron and has power over the west. Saturn represents earth, and has power over the intermediate directions.
• These planets are said to form outer, intermediate, and inner aspects when they respectively govern the sexagenary cycle, the twelve year cycle, and the eight trigrams. In the first case, Saturn rules the twenty-eight earth and iron years, Jupiter the twelve wood years, Mars the twelve fire years, and Mercury the twelve water years. In the second case, Mars rules the mouse, dragon, and monkey years, Jupiter the bird, ox, and snake years, Saturn the tiger, horse and dog years, and Mercury the pig, sheep, and hare years. Then, in the third case, Saturn is the planet corresponding to Li and Kham in the case of male subjects, and Mars in the case of female subjects. Mars is the planet corresponding to Dva and Zin in the case of male subjects, and Saturn in the case of female subjects. Jupiter is the planet corresponding to Khen and Zon in the case of male subjects, and Mercury in the case of female subjects. Mercury is the planet corresponding to Gin and Khon in the case of male subjects, and Jupiter in the case of females.
• The calendar days of the lunar month may also be named sequentially after the planets to determine prognoses of growth and decline ([[see Part II, pp. 000-000), while in natal horoscope there are calculations concerning the impact on childbirth of greater and lesser planetary conjunctions (gza' chung ba dang che ba), a triple planetary conjunction (gza' gsum 'dom), a triple planetary alliance (gza' spun gsum), an extraneous planetary aspect (gza' gzhan skyes), and the mother's planetary luck aspects. In marriage divination, there are further calculations which consider the opportune nuptial planets or weekdays for a wedding ceremony (gza'i lam rtsis). GD (from the Glossary to Tibetan Elemental Divination Paintings)