We may say a man would be an engineer, but whether a civil, mechanical, electrical, mining or textile engineer, will depend upon the planet that has the greatest influence in livelihood. Another question that poses itself is whether a person would have the same source of livelihood throughout his life.
Many persons start their career in service and later do well in their own business. Further, in finding means of livelihood, can we make a distinction between salary and pension? Many retired servants enter business but most of them either enter private service or live on pension and savings or rent on buildings they own or have built. It is very difficult to analyses all factors carefully and predicts the tendencies governing one’s livelihood. Like any other sciences, astrology too has its own limitations. We have to realize it and it is the duty of those deeply interested in the science to increase its utility to society by earnest research and selfless efforts.
In the matter of astrologically judging and determining different mundane houses are allotted to the different needs of Kalapurusha or the individual. There is one house for wealth, another for patrimony, the other for income, etc. There is one house; Karma viz. the 10th (midheaven) Karma is very broad term. Karma means the sum total of the good and bad deeds at our credit when we are born on this planet. Livelihood or avocation is only one facet of the term karma. Karma is not merely avocation but is a comprehensive term.
The twelve houses indicate different activities in the world. A professional means of earning a livelihood may be determined by the houses and planets which are prominent in a horoscope. If the 1st is strong, the native will earn by his personal efforts. If the 2nd is strong articles of food or speech would play a prominent part. The 3rd determines courage, brothers, heroic valour, communication, writing, short travel, etc. If the 3rd is strong and has connected with the 10th, the person may earn through writings and short travel. He may run a big business, may serve in army. If the 10th lord is connected with the 4th house and indications are strong, the person may get income from house or motor vehicle. The 5th has reference to learning, counsel, speculation, and games of chance. The harmonious dispositions of the 10th and the 5th indicate earnings through above means. The 6th represents sickness or diseases, if the 6th houses is connected to the 10th and the horoscope indicates medical studies the person may be a doctor by profession.
When the 8th and the 10th lords are connected the person may earn through foreign business or from property got through legacy. The 9th indications would be connected with the foreigners’ foreign lands, law, religion etc. The connected between the 9th and the 10th may bring earnings through practice of law or the person may become religious head or may earn through teaching or preaching.
The profession or occupation of a native is generally judged from the planet or planets occupying the 10th house and if there should be none there, from those in the 1st and also from those aspecting the Sun and the Moon.
Brihat Jataka. Adh. X. XL. 4, states the gain of money from livelihood should be ascertained from the strong benefic planets occupying the Ascendant.
