Malefic meaning in astrology comes from the word itself. It points to something that is not good or that is bad.
In Vedic astrology, planets and houses are divided into groups, and some are generally considered malefic while others are benefic.
In this blog we focus on the malefic side: which planets and houses are called malefic, what malefic effects really mean, and why a malefic planet in a general sense can behave very differently in your own chart.
What is the Meaning of Malefic in Astrology?
In astrology, malefic means a planet or house with a tendency to create hurdles, challenges, issues and struggles more than peace. That is why it is called malefic.
This is a general meaning. How a malefic planet or house actually behaves depends on your chart.
Malefic Planets in Astrology
The general natural malefic planets are:
In some books, the Moon is also considered a malefic. These planets have the tendency to create hurdles and challenges, so they are the ones we call malefic.
Malefic Houses in Astrology
Houses are also divided into groups. The 6th, 8th and 12th houses are considered malefic houses because they create challenges, health issues, transformation and similar things in your life.
Natural Malefic and Benefic Planets and Houses
| Category | Natural Malefic | Natural Benefic |
|---|---|---|
| Planets | Rahu, Ketu, Saturn, Sun, Mars (and the Moon in some books) | Jupiter, Venus, Mercury and the Moon (in general) |
| Houses | 6th, 8th and 12th houses | 1st, 4th, 5th, 7th, 9th and 10th houses |
| Nature of results | Hurdles, challenges, delays, health issues and transformation | Support, growth, comfort and good fortune |
The 2nd, 3rd and 11th houses are mixed, and their results depend on the planets placed in them.
Why a Malefic Planet Can Be Benefic in Your Chart?
These are the general malefic and benefic planets and houses. In a real chart, Saturn can be a benefic planet for you, and Jupiter can be a malefic.
How is that possible? Astrology has a few concepts that decide this for your chart. One is the functional benefic and malefic, which depends on your ascendant, so the same planet can be a benefic for one ascendant and a malefic for another.
Another is Tatkalik Maitri (temporary friendship), which looks at the friendship between planets based on where they sit in your chart.
These are whole new topics that we will cover in other blogs, but in short, together they help us find which planets are benefic, malefic or neutral specifically for your chart.
Does a Malefic Planet Always Give Bad Results?
No. Every planet gives mixed results. No planet is super benefic and no planet is super malefic. It depends on how you see things.
Malefic effects mean:
- You need to work harder
- Results will be delayed
- Challenges and obstacles will come
- Health issues can appear
Which exact issues will show up can only be known by reading the whole chart.
Real Consultation | Moon in the 8th House
A person came for a consultation with the Moon in the 8th house in Scorpio. In general, the Moon here is debilitated, which suggests that it is a malefic.
But there was a twist. When we look at the benefic and malefic concepts specific to his chart, the Moon became a benefic.
And it showed in his life: he runs a dairy farm business and earns huge money from it, which is ruled by the Moon. He came for consultation because he wanted to start one more business.
Real Consultation | Saturn in Libra in the 7th House
A girl came for a marriage consultation with Saturn in Libra in the 7th house. From the general point of view, Saturn is exalted here and sits in a kendra, so people think it is a good placement.
But for this particular chart, Saturn was a malefic. As a result, she was over 35 and still not married. As a remedy, she was given mantra chanting with the Neelkanth Shani Stotra, along with donations related to Saturn.
This is how the concept of malefic and benefic changes from chart to chart.
Conclusion on the Malefic Meaning in Astrology
Malefic meaning in astrology refers to planets and houses that create hurdles, delays and challenges. Rahu, Ketu, Saturn, Sun and Mars are the general malefic planets, and the 6th, 8th and 12th houses are the malefic houses.
But these are only general rules. A malefic planet can be a benefic for you, and a benefic planet can be a malefic, as the two consultation examples show. Always read the full chart before deciding what a planet means for you.
Want to know which planets are malefic and which are benefic in your own chart? Book a full chart reading with GenZ Astrology.
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Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Meaning of Malefic in Astrology
Below are the answers to the most asked queries on the internet regarding Malefic effects meaning in astrology.
What are malefic planets in Vedic astrology?
The general malefic planets in Vedic astrology are Rahu, Ketu, Saturn, Sun and Mars. In some books, the Moon is also considered malefic. These planets tend to create hurdles, challenges, delays and struggles more than peace.
How to know if a planet is malefic?
In general, Rahu, Ketu, Saturn, Sun and Mars are natural malefics. But a planet can become benefic or malefic specifically for your chart. Concepts like the functional benefic and malefic by ascendant and Tatkalik Maitri (temporary friendship) help decide which planets are benefic, malefic or neutral in your own kundali, so a full chart reading gives the real answer.
Can a malefic planet give good results?
Yes. Every planet gives mixed results, and no planet is purely malefic. A malefic planet can give very good results when it is benefic for your chart. For example, a debilitated Moon in the 8th house can be a benefic in a chart and bring huge money through a business ruled by the Moon.