Adding the plus and minus points to determine which planets are most favorable to the native enables us to proceed further...

1. First look to the lagna or rising sign and then check the lord of the rising sign to see if it is in an anukul-graha for the charts. If this is the case then we wholeheartedly prescribe the gemstone ruled by the lagna's lord. Example: If one has Leo rising we look to the position of the Sun (Lord of Leo) in the chart. If the Sun is posited in an auspicious sign, e.g., sign of exaltation, own sign, trine, or at least a friendly sign, it will act in a beneficial way. If any of these are the case then we may recommended ruby or another "Sun jewel" as one's first gem choice. NOTE: If the birth time is unknown or unsure then skip this method...

A list of the primary rising sign gems is given as follows:

2. We next check the position of the planet ruling one's mahadasha or major planetary period. If this planet is well-placed in both the rasi as well as the navamsa charts then we prescribe that planet's gemstone(s) for use during the duration of the mahadasha period. Example: If one is in or entering a Jupiter mahadasha and if Jupiter is posited in an auspicious sign and/or house position, then we recommend yellow sapphire or another natural yellow gemstone. At the time of ones birth a certain planetary period will be in motion. If a person is born in the middle of their Venus major period then they still have 10 more years of major Venus influence before they change into their Sun period at the age of 10 years. Each major planetary period follows a certain order and is of a fixed period of time - this information is given as follows:

SUN PERIOD:   6 years
MOON PERIOD: 10 years
MARS PERIOD: 7 years
RAHU PERIOD: 18 years
JUPITER PERIOD: 16 years
SATURN PERIOD: 19 years
MERCURY PERIOD: 17 years
KETU PERIOD: 7 years
VENUS PERIOD: 20 years

Depending on the period in operation when one is born, the soul will pick up the periods and pass through them in succession in the order given above.

3. Next we look to one's birth sign or Moon rasi , i.e., the sign in which the Moon is posited at the time of one's birth. In sidereal astrology the Moon's sign position is considered very important. Example: If one's Moon sign is Leo, a sign ruled by the Sun, then we must look to the sign and house position of the Sun in the horoscope. If the Sun is anukul to the chart then we can recommend a ruby or other red Sun jewel as one's "birth stone."

The list of these Vedic "birthstones" as shown in Chapter II is repeated again here for easy reference:

4. We then check the janma-naksatra or the constellation in which the Moon is posited at birth. Each of these 27 birth stars is ruled by one of the nine planets recognized in sidereal astrology. Example: If one's birth constellation is "punarvasu" (the 7th constellation), which is ruled by Jupiter, then we look to the position of Jupiter in the horoscope. If Jupiter is an anukul-graha in the chart, then we can recommend yellow sapphire or another yellow "Jupiter" jewel.

Following is a list of the 27 constellations, their ruling planet and corresponding gemstone:

NOTE: It is our practiced and well-considered opinion that fine, natural gemstones do indeed "strengthen" or magnify the influence of their associated planets. Therefore, lucky planets = lucky gems. If a person intends to wear their lucky gemstone then they should only use gems which are related to planets that are considered to be "lucky" or posited in an auspicious rasi (zodiac sign) and/or bhava (house) in their sidereal birth chart. Gemstones do not alter or change the angle, position or condition in which planets are placed in one's horoscope. Methods for propitiating or reducing the harmful effects of evil or malevolently placed planets in one's birth chart include the chanting of planetary mantras, prescribed sacrifices and charity. These may be performed along with the use of associated planetary gemstones to help "magnify" the prayer. A person who is unwilling to perform these meritorious acts should not use gems for unlucky planets.

IMPORTANT: Which ever planetary gemstone(s) you choose must be free of visible flaws in order to properly transmit beneficial astral energy. Even though there is precious little direct information on the use of planetary gemstones in the Vedic texts, we do have the following quote from the ancient Agni-puranam, (Chapter 246, Verses 7 & 8):

"A gem free from all impurities
and radiating its characteristic internal luster
should be looked upon as an "escort" of good luck.
A gem which is cracked, fissured, devoid of luster,
or appearing rough or sandy,
should not be used at all."

With all these methods it is necessary to first cast a person's sidereal horoscope or janma-patrika (birth chart). This requires very expert calculations based on one's birth date, time and place. If one doesn't know their birth "time" it is still possible to cast the horoscope accurately enough to see the planetary "sign" positions (although this is much less precise in other areas). After casting the horoscope, look to see if any of the planets are in "auspicious" rasi positions. All of these "auspicious" sign positions give good results. According to B.V. Raman, India's leading astrologer, "A planet in it's own sign is rendered powerful to do good. A planet in it's sign of exaltation is rendered even more powerful to do good than in it's own sign. A planet in it's sign of mulatrikona is rendered powerful to do good similar to when in exaltation." Planets which are in enemy signs or which are debilitated usually have harmful or inauspicious influences. Professor Raman also states that planets which are debilitated give results opposite of when in strong sign positions. In other words, "bad results." (NOTE: There are certain astrological considerations which may "cancel" harmful planetary positions; but it is the opinion of most sidereal astrologers that "once a bad planet, always a bad planet.")

*Since Rahu and Ketu are Aprakasha or "shadow planets," they reflect the qualities of the lord of the sign they occupy. Example: If Rahu is located in Virgo, a sign ruled by Mercury, you should look to the position of Mercury in the chart and predict similar results for Rahu.

We welcome any input from readers about their own experiences with JYOTISH QUALITY gems and their astral powers. Only stories involving the use of JYOTISH quality gems are deemed useful, as flawed gems always give bad results.