Ruling Planet of the 12 Zodiac Signs (Based on Vedic Astrology)

Ruling Planets and Zodiac Signs

According to Vedic astrology, the zodiac sign is always the habitat of its ruling planet. The ruling planet of a zodiac sign determines its decisive role, changes its characteristics, and brings a change in its fate.

Planets orbit around the Earth and alternately appear in different Zodiac signs (as if through windows). These windows come in different colors (palette, shades) – different in quality and energy, peculiar to the nature of the elements.

Ruling Planets and Zodiac Signs

Ruling Planets and Zodiac Signs

Out of nine planets or Navagrahas, only seven planets (traditional rulers) including the sun and moon rule the twelve zodiac signs. However, modern astrologers do regard outer planets (Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto) as modern rulers of astrological houses and zodiacs.

A person’s moral and spiritual qualities largely depend on the position and aspects of their ruling planet. Here are the primary ruler planets in astrology for 12 zodiac signs.

Zodiac SignPlanetary Rulers
AriesMars
TaurusVenus
GeminiMercury
CancerMoon
LeoSun
VirgoMercury
LibraVenus
ScorpioMars (traditional astrology)Pluto (modern astrology)
SagittariusJupiter
CapricornSaturn (traditional astrology)Uranus (modern astrology)
AquariusSaturn
PiscesJupiter (traditional astrology)Neptune (modern astrology)

1. Sun – Ruling planet of Leo Zodiac Sign

Head of the planet Sun (Surya) rules Fiery Leo (Simha Rashi)

As the planetary ruler of the zodiac sign Leo, the sun gives typical representatives royalty, generosity, pride, a condescending attitude towards others, and a desire to show oneself, to shine in society.

These people are endowed with inexhaustible energy and good health; they are bright, creative, and with a good sense of humor. However, Leos are often distinguished by selfishness, a tendency to authoritarianism, arrogance, a desire to assert themselves at the expense of others, arrogance, and excessiveness. A typical boast showed by signs of rulership!

This sign can succeed in many ways if it maintains boundless energy from solar energy. Sunday is the day of the sun. It is better to devote it to new purchases or meeting with friends.

2. Moon – Ruling planet of Cancer Zodiac Sign

The Cool Moon (Chandra) rules Soft Cancer (Kark Rashi)

Under the control of the Moon is the sphere of feelings and emotions. The Moon has the greatest influence on Cancer people. These are people with “thin skin,” compassionate and instantly reacting to what is happening around them.

They are characterized by mood swings, daydreaming, and sentimentality. Under the powerful influence of the moon, the main value for Cancers is family and children. Cancers only seem indecisive and weak-willed; they can survive and start from scratch, despite the most challenging life crises.

They are distinguished by a changeable disposition, sensitivity, vulnerability, impressionability, endurance, patience, attention to people, a memory for goodness, and the ability to get used to new conditions. The best day for Cancer is Monday. On this day, they can move mountains.

3. Mercury – Ruling planet of Gemini and Virgo

Intelligent Mercury (Budha) rules Gemini (Mithun) and Virgo (Kanya)

Mercury, the planet of communication, rules two signs, Virgo and Gemini. It would seem that two signs ruled by the same planet are similar, but those who are at least a little familiar with Vedic astrology realize how different people they are.

And yet, with all these seeming differences, they have similar qualities – this is love and craving for information. Gemini and Virgos live with information; they bathe in it. Information is the air they drink; it is what they live and breathe. They react differently to it. Mercury endows its wards with speed and tirelessness.

They are distinguished by quick thinking, resourcefulness, observation, agility, curiosity, and persistent memory. However, these signs often leave unfinished business and are indecisive, insincere, talkative, unreliable, and unscrupulous. They can spread gossip and rumors. Wednesday is the day for these signs to make important decisions.

4. Venus – Ruling planet of Taurus and Libra

Harmonious and Luxurious Venus (Shukra) rules Taurus (Brikha) and Libra (Tula)

Taurus and Libra are under the influence of the planet Venus. Venus is the planet of love, beauty, and harmony, and it patronizes the arts. In Taurus and Libra, it is at its strongest. Therefore, these two signs are most inclined toward the arts and music.

Surprisingly, the character combines sensitivity with elegance and delicate taste, the desire to look attractive with sexuality, charm, and romance. Venus gives her children a friendly and peaceful disposition, a desire to live in comfort, and the ability to cope with depression quickly.

Representatives of Venus have to fight laziness, self-pity, inertia, and slovenliness. Sometimes these people cease to feel the measure, manipulate others, and become energy “vampires,” jealous, ruthless, and stubborn. Friday is the best day for these two signs.

5. Mars – Ruling planet of Aries and Scorpio

Brave and Bold Mars (Mangal) rules Aries (Mesh) and Scorpio (Brischik)

Activity, vigor, fearlessness, irascibility – such qualities a person receives from the red planet, the planet of action. Aries and Scorpio – these are the bright representatives of Mars – their life is replete with passions and various events. Mars, a fiery planet, is associated with struggle and the desire to win.

They are distinguished by activity, courage, strong disposition, perseverance, impulsiveness, enthusiasm, passion, and self-confidence. These people are not afraid to take risks, have leadership qualities, and are enterprising and straightforward.

Under the influence of emotions, they can commit rash acts. Aries and scorpions are recommended to love red, live actively on Tuesday, get up early, and not luxuriate in bed for hours.

6. Jupiter – Ruling planet of Sagittarius and Pisces

Authoritative Jupiter (Brihaspati) rules Sagittarius (Dhanu) and Pisces (Min)

Jupiter, the planet of wisdom, in Jyotish is the planet of luck, prosperity, and generosity. It is responsible for how a person learns and cognizes the world. It gives wisdom, breadth of outlook, and an optimistic outlook on life. Jupiter, the largest planet in the solar system, is fair and helps us to be impartial.

Jupiter rules the signs of Sagittarius and Pisces; thus, both signs are associated with spiritual development, generosity, benevolence, truthfulness, politeness, and purposefulness.

Representatives of the planet are distinguished by a holistic picture vision, do not attach much importance to details, and can be excellent teachers. During Sagittarius or Pisces Season (Feb 19-March 20), these individuals have spiritual feelings.

However, ignorance of the measure of pleasures, extravagance, hypocrisy, promiscuity in relationships, greed, pride, the manifestation of authoritarianism, hypocrisy, and predatory instinct can also dominate these signs. Thursday is the day of Jupiter, so important things are best done on this day of the week.

7. Saturn – Ruling planet of Capricorn and Aquarius

Disciplinarian Saturn (Shani) rules Capricorn (Makar) and Aquarius (Kumbha)

In mythology, the ruler of Capricorn and co-ruler of Aquarius, Saturn, was a titan and considered the lord of time. It is associated with the fulfillment of duties, the status quo, and a sense of responsibility. It is the experience gained with effort and work.

Saturn that shines with steady, yellowish light endows a person with perseverance, prudence, purposefulness, a philosophical attitude to life, self-sufficiency, constancy, pedantry, caution, accuracy, diligence, discipline, vitality, and commitment.

People of this type are closed, distrustful, stingy, overly conservative, pessimistic, and even vengeful. They are prone to suspicion, fatalism, grief, and the manifestation of tyranny. Saturday is beneficial for both zodiac signs.

Extra: Are outer planets not the rulers?

Here we missed out outer planets Neptune, Uranus and Pluto. Remember they are not the planets considered as rulers or any significance in terms of Vedic astrology. But its interesting to know what modern astrology has to say about them.

Modern astrology is a form of astrology that evolved from traditional astrology and incorporates newer discoveries in astronomy and psychology. It places great emphasis on the psychological, spiritual, and transformational aspects of astrology, and often utilizes the outer planets Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto in its interpretations.

In modern astrology, Neptune is associated with spirituality, creativity, and intuition. It rules the zodiac sign of Pisces, which is known for its dreamy and imaginative qualities. Neptune’s influence is often seen in artistic and creative fields, as well as in spiritual practices and experiences.

Uranus, on the other hand, is associated with innovation, rebellion, and individuality. It rules the zodiac sign of Aquarius, which is known for its eccentric and unconventional qualities. Uranus’s influence is often seen in technological advancements, social justice movements, and personal breakthroughs.

Pluto, the farthest and smallest of the three outer planets, is associated with transformation, power, and regeneration. It rules the zodiac sign of Scorpio, which is known for its intense and transformative qualities. Pluto’s influence is often seen in situations that involve deep psychological or emotional transformation, such as death, rebirth, or profound life changes.


The planetary rulership influences the astrological signs of the Zodiac. Each planet has its own energy – one enhances leadership qualities, the other is blessed with beauty, one is endowed with intellect, and the other is spiritual. Therefore, in Vedic astrology, the position of the ruling planet is essential to know its influence on the character and life of people.

Note: This article talks about the planetary influence of each zodiac sign. To understand more in detail about your own birth chart or Kundli, you can ask an astrologer online to get your horoscope readings.