Solar Combustion and the Sun's Aspect

### The Sun's Aspect

Like all planets in Vedic astrology, the Sun aspects the **7th house from its position** (full aspect). If the Sun is in the 1st house it aspects the 7th; in the 4th it aspects the 10th, and so on.

The Sun does not have the special additional aspects that Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn have. Its influence on other houses comes primarily through lordship, conjunction, and its powerful 7th-house aspect.

### Combustion (Asta)

When a planet comes **within close orb of the Sun**, it is said to be **combust** (asta - meaning set, like the sun setting). The planet loses strength because the solar rays overpower it.

| Planet | Combustion Orb | |--------|---------------| | Moon | 12 degrees | | Mars | 17 degrees | | Mercury | 14 degrees (often combust since it stays close to the Sun) | | Jupiter | 11 degrees | | Venus | 10 degrees | | Saturn | 15 degrees |

**Important nuance**: Mercury is frequently combust and astrologers must interpret its condition carefully. When Mercury is combust but in its own sign or exaltation, the strength of sign placement partially compensates.

### Effects of Combustion

A combust planet: - Loses significations related to its house rulership - May become more internalized - the person feels the planet's energy but cannot express it outwardly - The areas of life governed by that planet can feel blocked or frustrated

### The Sun Conjunct a Planet

When the Sun closely conjoins another planet, the result depends on friendship: - **Sun + Mars**: Rajayoga in some contexts; fiery, driven, can be aggressive - **Sun + Jupiter**: Highly auspicious; wisdom with authority (Brahma Yoga in some texts) - **Sun + Saturn**: Difficult; father-authority tension; Saturn is the Sun's enemy - **Sun + Moon**: New Moon; the emotional self is merged with the rational self; chart needs other emotional indicators