Aspect (Drishti)
An aspect (drishti, “sight”) is a planet’s influence on a house or planet it is not sitting in. Every planet aspects the seventh house from itself, and Mars, Jupiter and Saturn have extra special aspects.
Also known as: graha drishti, planetary aspect
Aspects are counted from the house the planet occupies, which counts as the first. All planets cast a full aspect on the 7th house from themselves. Mars also aspects the 4th and 8th, Jupiter the 5th and 9th, and Saturn the 3rd and 10th. Many astrologers give Rahu and Ketu the 5th and 9th aspects too; others give them none.
An aspect carries the nature of the planet casting it. Jupiter’s gaze protects and expands, Saturn’s brings responsibility and delay, and Mars adds energy and friction. The aspecting planet’s condition matters too: a strong, well-placed planet’s aspect helps far more than a weak or afflicted one’s.
Parashara also describes partial aspects, of a quarter, half or three-quarters strength, on other houses, and the Jaimini system uses its own sign-to-sign aspects (rashi drishti). Most everyday readings rely on the whole-house aspects above.