Planets
The Hindu calendar and Vedic astrology depend on the sky: where the planets are, when they change sign, and when the sun and moon are eclipsed. This page lists the planetary positions and transits, combustion and retrograde dates, eclipses, and the Indian seasons with the solstices.
Positions are sidereal, the system used in Vedic astronomy, so they differ from tropical positions by the ayanamsa.
- Planetary PositionsThe sidereal position of each planet now.
- Planet TransitWhen each planet enters a new sign.
- Planet CombustionWhen planets are combust near the sun.
- Planet RetrogradeThe dates of each planet's retrograde motion.
- Eclipse DatesAll solar and lunar eclipses with timings.
- Solar EclipseSolar eclipses and where they are visible.
- Lunar EclipseLunar eclipses and where they are visible.
- Indian SeasonsThe six Indian ritus and their timings.
- Winter SolsticeThe shortest day of the year.
- Summer SolsticeThe longest day of the year.
Questions about Planets
- What does retrograde mean?
- A planet is retrograde when it appears to move backwards against the stars as seen from the earth. It is an apparent motion.
- What is planetary combustion?
- A planet is combust when it is so close to the sun that its rays are overwhelmed, which astrology treats as weakening it.
- What is the difference between sidereal and tropical?
- Sidereal positions are measured against the fixed stars, tropical ones against the equinox. The gap between them is the ayanamsa.