Just like people, the planets in astrology have friends, enemies and neutrals — and these relationships shape how they behave in a chart. Understanding planetary friendships is a key to reading any horoscope accurately. In this Astrokapoor guide, discover the relations between planets in Vedic astrology.
Why Planetary Relationships Matter
A planet gives good results when placed in a friend’s sign and struggles in an enemy’s sign, so knowing these relationships is essential for judging a chart. Vedic astrology recognises both permanent (natural) relationships and temporary ones based on position, and together they reveal how strongly and harmoniously a planet can express itself, building on the wider role of the nine planets.
Permanent Friendships and Enmities
Each planet has fixed friends and enemies. The Sun’s friends are the Moon, Mars and Jupiter, with Saturn and Venus as enemies. The Moon is friendly with the Sun and Mercury and has no natural enemies. Mars befriends Jupiter, the Moon and the Sun, with Saturn and Venus as enemies. Mercury is friendly with the Sun and Venus, and treats Saturn, Mars and Jupiter as enemies. Jupiter befriends the Sun, Moon and Mars, with Saturn as its enemy. Venus is friendly with Mercury and Saturn but at odds with Mars and Jupiter. And Saturn befriends Venus and Mercury while treating Jupiter as its enemy — a pattern reflected in Saturn’s reputation as the King Maker.
Temporary Friendships
Beyond these permanent bonds, planets also form temporary friendships based on their position from each other. A planet placed in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th or 12th house from another planet becomes its temporary friend, while planets in the remaining houses are treated as temporary enemies. Combining the permanent and temporary relationships gives the “five-fold” relationship an astrologer uses for precise judgement.
Exaltation: A Planet’s Peak Strength
Finally, each planet reaches its maximum strength in its exaltation sign, where it gives even greater beneficial results than in its own sign. Reading a planet’s dignity — whether it sits in a friend’s, enemy’s, own or exaltation sign — alongside these relationships is the foundation of accurate chart analysis, and it underpins the whole system of the nine gemstones and their planets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the relations between planets in astrology?
Planets have permanent friends, enemies and neutrals, plus temporary friendships based on their position, which shape how well they perform in a chart.
Who are the friends of the Sun?
The Sun’s natural friends are the Moon, Mars and Jupiter, while Saturn and Venus are its enemies.
What is a temporary friendship between planets?
A planet placed in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th or 12th house from another becomes its temporary friend; others are temporary enemies.
Why does planetary friendship matter?
Because a planet gives good results in a friend’s sign and struggles in an enemy’s sign, so these relations are key to reading a horoscope.
