AQUARIUS ASCENDANT/ KHUMBA
This sign is the moolatrikona sign for Saturn which rules the ascendant, significator of the body. It rules the physical health of the Aquarius native. If Saturn has malefic influences then the people born under this sign suffer with health problems.

Aquarius is an air sign, indicating a talkative person and signifying characteristics such as honesty and sensitivity. They can be idealistic, and may be active industrious leaders of society. They are writers, thinkers, servants and industrialists. They are deliberate in their nature and can plod along slowly but surely. Aquarian's are basically traditional in their approach to things but can resort to undesirable means to achieve their goals. When Saturn is weak in the chart this makes Aquarians lethargic and suspicious in nature. If Saturn is favorable placed there will be longevity in life.

Since it is the Moon and Mercury who are the functional malefic planets for Aquarius ascendants, difficulties and obstructions for them are short-lived, but recurring. Since these functional malefic planets signify the functional mind and the emotional mind, this makes the Aquarius person prone to some emotional instability. These malefics may also bring health factors and opposition from others when it transits over the benefic planets and houses. This is due to the Moon ruling Cancer in the Aquarius ascendants sixth house, the house of health and disputes, and Mercury ruling the eighth house of obstacles.

Since the mooltrikona sign for Saturn is Aquarius which is the ascendant, then when Saturn is strong and unafflicted, long life can be expected. Health will be protected from serious disease and the person's status will also be protected and augmented. If Saturn is weak and afflicted, then there will be loss of status and breakdown in health. There could be joint pains, arthritis, leg fractures and accidents. Restrictions in promotion and a shorter life span could be expected.

Mars has its moolatrikona sign Aries in the third house making them people of great initiatives if Mars is strong and well placed for the Aquarius ascendant, as the third house represents younger siblings and house of work and initiatives. There would usually be good relations with younger brothers and sisters and they would have good direct communication with associates bringing success in the work environment. If Mars is weak or afflicted, then there will be unsuccessful ventures and difficulties with the younger brothers or sisters. They can be selfish and argumentative with associates as they will lack patience.

The mooltrikona sign for the Moon is Cancer placed in malefic sixth house. A well placed and unafflicted Moon giving little impact or aspect on any other planets will protect the person from conflicts and health breakdowns. Being owner of a malefic house, it is desired not to have the Moon aspecting any planets. Mental turbulence will be less and the Aquarius ascendant will have fewer chances of debts. If Moon is weak, then there will be loss of mental peace and they will be involved in disagreements and opposition and often will be defeated in their stance whether they are right or wrong. The immune system can also suffer.

The mooltrikona sign for the Sun is Leo placed in the seventh house. A strong and well placed Sun can bring about good marital life as the spouse could be from a well-connected family. Business partners can be very beneficial as well as success with living in a foreign land. There will be good fortune, vitality, magnetism and enthusiasm for the individual. If the Sun is weak and afflicted, then there will be marital problems as well as business difficulties with partners. There will be loss of vitality and enthusiasm and the person could suffer with problems with the heart or blood pressure.

The mooltrikona sign for Mercury is Virgo which is placed in the malefic eighth house. A strong Mercury that is not aspecting any planets or houses being that it is the most malefic planet for the Aquarius ascendant, will enhance the life span of the individual. It will ground or balance the nervous system and therefore the mind. It will ward off accidents which are one of the significations of the eighth house as well. If Mercury is weak, then the long life span is threatened as well as the nervous system. There can be weak health, accidents or operations. If Mercury aspects any planets, then it will damage the significations of those planets bringing about disruptions and obstacles.

The mooltrikona sign for Venus is Libra placed in ninth house. A well placed Venus promises good fortune. The person's father could have affluence and there will be favourable long distance journeys as well as positive spiritual inclination. If Venus is weak or afflicted, then there will be difficulties to one's father and in a male chart also to one's wife. Good fortune will be damaged and spiritual inclination will be less or marred. Long distance journeys will not be as favourable.

The mooltrikona sign for Jupiter is Sagittarius placed in the eleventh house. A strong and well-placed Jupiter will enhance the Aquarius ascendant in financial gains. There will be successful friendships as well as success for one's older brothers and sisters. In a female chart, there will be positive achievements from the husband, both financial and interpersonal as well as happiness from children. If Jupiter is weak and afflicted, then there will be financial losses and lack of happiness from friends and elder siblings. There could lack of children and possible health difficulties pertaining to the hips or liver. The husband for a female chart could suffer from too much ego and pride and there will be lack of success.

The main hindrance for Aquarius ascendants is that the malefic planets, Moon and Mercury, while not afflicting other planets in the chart for a long period of time, constantly reappear and become a constant irritant in the person's life. As they are fast moving, never staying on the exact point of the planet they are aspecting for more than a day, problems are short lived but constant as the planet's transit reoccurs often. Since the malefics Moon and Mercury signify the emotional and functional mind, and represent houses that signify health, opposition, obstructions and accidents then the general peace of mind for the individual is constantly threatened. Finding inner stability and emotional balance is a definite battle for the Aquarius ascendant.

Functional Malefics:	Saturn, Mars, Sun, Rahu and Ketu
Ruler:	Mercury
Exaltation:	Mercury is exalted in Virgo
Debilitation:	Venus suffers debilitation in Virgo
Body Parts:	Abdominal umbilical region, bowel and intestines and the nervous system
To the Beginning	This article was written by John R. Fyfe