Sun is the prime luminary in the Solar system and gives light and heat to other planets and heavenly bodies. It is the nearest star in this solar system. It is considered as the king of planets as all the planets including Earth will be revolving around the Sun. Even though the Sun is a star, it is considered as a planet for the simplification of astrology. Sun is called the universal Atma or soul as everything in this world depends on the Sun. It is the ‘boss’ within us who is reflected in the form of personality.

Sun is representative of time. He is responsible for seasons. Therefore, Lord Shiva is known as one of the deities for the Sun. Other names for the Sun are Surya, Aditya, Ravi, Bhaskara, Savitru, Arka, Bhuvaneshwara, etc.

Significations of the Sun in Astrology

Sun is responsible for the life on this earth. He is the giver of life. When we talk about life, it is not only about life itself, it is also about hope, aspirations, ambition, energy, ego, etc. He represents identity and our face to the external world. Sun brightens the house it is placed in. The main significations of the Sun are given below:

1. Personality and Core Identity

   Sun is the significator of the soul and called atmakaraka. It is the core identity of who we are. It represents the personality and true nature of an individual. It is believed that a soul is pure and eternal. However, it gets all the impurities attached over many births. The attached qualities (good or bad) determine the personality traits of an individual. Based on the position of the Sun, we can know what kind of personality traits and impressions one has inherited from the past lives. This is also the reason why the Sun is allotted the 5th house of the natural zodiac as the 5th house stands for what we inherit from our past lives(sanskaras).

2. Purpose

   The position of the Sun in the horoscope will give a picture as to what is the purpose of the present life of the native and the house position of the Sun shows in which areas one will put his energy. However, the fulfillment of the purpose is determined by the strength and its association with other planets.

3. Leadership Traits

   Sun is regarded as the king in the hierarchy of planets as it is placed in the center of the solar system and it controls all the other planets due to its gravitational force. It provides light and heat to other planets and heavenly bodies. Likewise, Sun in the horoscope represents the leadership attributes of the individual. The characteristics which are required to lead like confidence, will power, courage, motivation, fearless attitude, etc are all can be seen from the position of the Sun. If one has to reach any high position, to become a leader, to achieve name & fame, Sun has to be strong in the horoscope. When he is strong, all these qualities come very naturally.

4. Father

   Sun signifies father in astrology. The genes from the father's side are represented by the Sun. The negative effect of other planets especially Rahu causes pitru dosha for the native.

   Also, the position of the Sun will give a clue about the father of the native. When we talk about father, it is not only about the biological father, but can also be about the fatherly figure in life like a boss, a mentor, teacher, etc. Malefic Sun will indicate problems from the boss or supervisor.

5. Health

   Sun is the main significator of health and immune system. Sun controls the functioning of digestion, heart, eyesight.

6. Authority

   Sun represents authority, dominance, and supremacy. When we say authority and dominance, it is not necessarily over others. The authority could be over any subject matter also. Wherever Sun is posited, the native will have authority over the significations of that house. It shows the areas in which the native may try to dominate. This is the reason, the Sun signifies Government, business or high ranking positions. Generally, it is the place where one can exercise maximum authority. It need not be only about Government but rather about the position of influence. Also, a positive Sun will influence the native to have a closer relationship with influential people. Similarly, malefic Sun indicates problems from the authorities. If the Sun is associated with the house of profession, they may work directly in a government office or will be connected with the government in any way.

7. Other Significations of Sun in Astrology

   Other significations mentioned in the Uttara Kalamrita, a well-known scripture written by Kalidasa are as follows.

   Soul, power/strength, male, fortress, heat, influence, fire, worship of Shiva, courage, trees having thorns, favour from the king or ruler, bitter taste, old age, cattle, wickedness, father, taste, enlightenment or awakening with knowledge, ambition, world of mortals, bones, valour, grass, stomach, enthusiasm, forest, eye, wandering over hills, quadruped, travelling, bile, inflammatory complaints, circular forms, diseases of the eye, timber, mental purity, copper, east direction, blood-red clothes, kshatriya

Also Read: Effect of Sun in different houses

Nature of the Sun

The Sun is fiery in nature. The fire of the Sun is in the form of light, which is essential to sustain life. It will fuel creativity, warmth, and optimism in life. Sun’s fire is in alignment with the Leo sign, which is more to do with sustenance and nourishment.

Sun is considered as a cruel planet as well because it is capable of destroying the significations of other planets (through combustion). Sometimes it will also create hurdles in the house it is posited.

Strong and Weak Position for the Sun in Astrology

Leo (Simha) is its own house for the Sun. Sun gets exalted in Aries (Mesha) while gets debilitated in Libra (Tula). Sun is more comfortable in fiery signs.

Sun is said to be strong in its own house, exalted house, moolatrikona house, friendly house, or when it is aspected by friendly planets. He does well in Kendra (1,4,7,10) houses, Kona (1,5,9) houses, Upachaya (3,6,10,11) houses and also in his own nakshatras (Kritika, Uttara Phalguni and Uttarashada). Sun is said to be weak or malefic when it is debilitated, in the enemy house, dustana houses or aspected by enemy planets.

Also Read: Friendship and Enmity of Planets in Vedic Astrology

Result of Strong Sun

• People with strong Sun will be in the position of power, in a position of managing people.
• They will be possessed with will power, confidence, courage, strength, optimism
• They are endowed with risk taking abilities and very firm in the decision-making process
• Sun gives will power, courage, brilliance, ambition, prosperity, resistance power, and strong immunity.

Result of Malefic Sun

• When the Sun is posited in malefic positions, the native will be insecure and uncertain in life. They will try to dominate others and at the same time do not get along well with superiors.
• Relationship with father might get spoiled
• This position makes them overconfident, arrogant, proud, self-opinionated, over authoritative and always try to praise themselves.
• There can be problems related to bones
• There can be problems related to heart especially in old age
• They may face many obstacles in dealing with Government work & projects and even politicians

Result of Weak Sun

• The individual will be low in confidence and may face problems in dealing with society
• They may have a weak constitution and low in metabolism
• There could be problems related to eyes, heart. Eyesight could become dull
• Others may dominate them and cannot take independent decisions

Sun in Ayurveda

According to Ayurveda, the malefic nature of the Sun causes bilious or pitta dosha in the body. Pitta regulates enzymes and hormones in the body. Also, it is responsible for digestion and maintains body temperature. The imbalance of pitta can cause excessive hunger & thirst, burning sensation, Fatigue, lack of strength, anger, dizziness, greying of hair & baldness, excessive sweating, very strong digestive power.

Ayurvedic Remedies

• Perform Surya Namaskar
• Consume ghee, milk, butter regularly
• Prefer sweet fruits more than sour ones
• Don’t skip meals and maintain proper timings for the food.

Diseases Caused by the Sun

General body weakness, Eye problems, heart problems, diseases of the head and brain, sunstroke, sunburns, bilious complications, baldness, weak constitution, indigestion, epilepsy, inflammatory diseases of the bones, typhoid, problems during 5th month and in the month of delivery for pregnant women.

Sun in Numerology

The number assigned for the Sun in numerology is ‘1’, which again represents creation, a doer, leading others, powerful, bold, courage, etc. Number 1 is the creative force from which all the other numbers takes birth. Numerologically, anyone born on 1st, 10th, 19th, 28th are governed by the Sun.

Sun in Astronomy

Sun takes one year to complete the cycle of twelve zodiacal signs and thus moves at the speed of 1° per day and completes one sign in thirty days. Our Solar system is centered around the Sun. Planets and heavenly bodies move in an elliptical orbit around the Sun. It controls the motion of all the planets and it provides light to them. The Sun is located at the edge of the Galaxy called the Milky Way which is in the form of the spiral arm. The distance between the Sun and the galactic center is about 30,000 light years. The diameter of the Sun is 865,000 miles, its volume is 1,3000.000 times the mass of the Earth. It is producing energy by a nuclear reaction, converting hydrogen into helium and losing its mass at the rate of 4 million tons per second.

Mundane Astrology

In mundane astrology, the sun represents the head of the state like prime minister/chief minister, king, government, government officials, politician, people with authority, boss, etc

Places ruled by Sun

Open places, mountains, and hills, capital towns, places of worship, Shiva temple, social gatherings, fort region.

Remedies for Sun

The planet is like a mirror, which shows our present condition. When  Sun becomes weak in the chart, the native has to go through many disturbances. Sun is the life force within us and a significator for the soul. Sun gets disturbed means there will be some problems at a soul level. Performance of certain remedies can alter the doshas to some extent. Read more on Remedies for Sun in Astrology

Important factors about Sun in Vedic astrology