An important concept in Vedic Astrology chart analysis is the principle of the Dispositor. This term “dispositor” refers to the planet that rules the sign containing the element in the chart that is being analyzed. For instance, if we are looking at Jupiter in the 2nd house in the sign Aries, then Mars, the ruler of Aries, becomes Jupiter’s dispositor. In Vedic Astrology analysis we are always trying to determine what is the likelihood for a particular planet to manifest its potential. A planet’s ability to manifest is directly connected to its strength in the chart. That strength is evaluated by looking at a number of factors. One of the key factors for strength analysis is the power of the dispositor.

An astrologer must use several techniques of analysis to get a complete picture of how a particular planet fares in the chart. A planet can gain strength by its house position, by being in a favorable sign, by receiving the aspect of a benefic planet, by being associated with a favorable planet, by attaining a favorable navamsa, etc. But in spite of gaining strength in these categories, if the planet’s dispositor is weak, it can be all for naught. This idea of “dispositorship” is somewhat unique to Vedic Astrology: that a planet’s power to produce results is dependent on the strength of the planetary ruler of the sign that the planet is in.

Using the example previously stated, if Mars as dispositor of Jupiter is in Cancer, which is Mars’ sign of debilitation, then Jupiter loses its strength to produce beneficial results in the 2nd house, resulting in less prosperity for the person than might otherwise be the case. On the other hand, if Mars is in Capricorn, its sign of exaltation, the power of Mars will extend to Jupiter, and the potentials of the 2nd house will be much enhanced. A special case arises if two planets are in each other’s signs. In that situation they become each other’s dispositor, creating what is called Parivartana Yoga. Western Astrology also recognizes this pattern, calling it “Mutual Reception.” The two planets are in a special relationship, where they strongly affect each other, as well as the houses that they occupy. Note that this may be for good or for ill: if the two planets are both under malefic influence or otherwise weakened, the result will be to reinforce the negative potentials.

The concept of the dispositor works in other ways too. A planet occupying a sign “donates” its energy to its dispositor. This makes the dispositor stronger, but simultaneously can alter the behavior of the dispositor. For instance, if Mars is in one of Venus’ signs, then Venus starts acting more like Mars, i.e. Venus becomes harsher, more selfish and more demanding than normal. Yet at the same time, Venus will get an energy boost from Mars, making it stronger for achieving results. If a planet becomes the dispositor of a number of other planets in the chart, it achieves special status, and its strength or weakness will be a major factor in determining whether the chart’s potentials will manifest or not. One way to determine the importance of a planet relative to other planets in the chart is to see how many planets it is the dispositor of. The opposite is also true: if a planet is not a dispositor of other planets in a chart, it loses some of its importance and potential to manifest.

Vedic Astrology can be amazingly accurate, but that accuracy is dependent on the astrologer making full use of the core concepts of analysis. The principle of “sign rulership,” and how it extends to “dispositorship” is one of those core concepts; to ignore it will lead to an incomplete understanding, erroneous interpretations and faulty predictions.