There are 12 signs, 12 houses, 9 planets and 27 nakshatras in vedic astrology. I am going to write down characteristics of each planet.
1) Sun – The undisputed king of this universe – it is the source around which all the planets of our galaxy revolve. Sun is the greatest of all planets, without which life on earth is impossible. Every being depends on sun for sustenance. A powerful and unblemished sun can bless the native with regal and charismatic personality. Natives born with strong sun are courageous and honest in their dealings.
The sun is the significator of soul, Father, Ego, Courage, Power, Government, Vitality, Brilliance, Self esteem, Selflessness, Royalty, Nobility, Charisma, Mountains and Forests, Bones, Heart, Right eye.
2) Moon – Moon/Chandra is the most important planet in vedic astrology as it signifies mind and emotional state of a native. The whole world of maya is a playground of moon. Everything depends on the mind, the mind feeds on happiness and misery. A strong moon blesses the native with fortitude to face the challenges of life.
Moon is the significator of Mother, Women, Gentleness, Childhood, Travelling, Emotions, Imagination, Sleep, Bodily fluids, Lungs, Breasts, Water, Rivers, Oceans, Left eye.
3) Mars – If Sun/Surya is the king of this universe then Mars/kuja is his commander. A king never dirties his hands in a fight, he gets his commander to get the job done. According to hindu mythology, mars is karthikeya, the child of lord shiva who is called the commander in chief of devas. since he has to protect people through war he belongs to warrior class, Nobody dares to attack him. Natives with influence of mars have a tendency to fly into a rage suddenly, however their anger would quickly cool down.
Mars is the significator of strength, Goal directed energy, passion, courage, Action, Competitive and fighting spirit, Anger, Irritability, Haste, Impatience, All or nothing attitude, Adventure, Sportsmen, Police Officers, Army/navy personnel, Surgeons, Accidents, Wounds, Real estate, Muscles, Bone Marrow.
4) Jupiter – Jupiter/Guru is the royal priest in king’s court. He is the giver of the divine knowledge of scriptures. The basic nature of jupiter is to expand the properties it comes in contact with. Jupiter represents abundant intellect and wisdom. Natives with strong jupiter will often find their success from intellectual work.
Jupiter is the significator of priests, Preachers, Guru, Learned people, Consultants, Professors, Morality, Righteousness, Optimism, children, Fortune, Wealth, Higher education, Abundance, Liver, Pancreas, Fat in the body.
5) Mercury – Mercury is considered to be prince among all planets, who always revolves close to the sun. Mercury is budha which represents buddhi (our intellect), logic, analysis, writing and communications. If jupiter is knowledge (wisdom) then mercury is the ability to grasp that knowledge.
Mercury is the significator of Rationality, Cleverness, Intelligence, Skill, Wit, Verbal and mental ability, Aloofness, Dexterity, Writing, Mathematics, Computers, Skin, Hands, Nerves and nervous system, Intestines.
6) Venus – Venus is considered to be the guru of Asuras (Demons). He is the karaka of Love, Beauty and material comforts. So as planet jupiter is the Guru of gods, Venus is called guru of Demons.
Venus is the significator of Arts, Women, relationship/marriage, Creativity, Music, Painting, Luxuries, Wealth, Vehicles, Banking, cinema, Jewelry, Fashion, Kidneys, semen.
7) Saturn – According to vedic mythology saturn is the son of the sun. Lord saturn is the slowest planet in astrology which takes 30 years to complete one round of the zodiac. He loves to create delays and put restrictions/boundaries on the native to teach the value of hard work and patience.
Saturn is the significator of Patience, Detachment, Discipline, Responsibility, Consistency, Darkness, Isolation, Depression, Anxiety, Fear, Conservatism, Practicality, Misery, Loneliness, Suspicion, Legs, Feet.
8) Rahu/ketu – Rahu and Ketu are the shadow planets, who are known to reflect their shadow for 18 months in a zodiac. According to vedic mythology rahu is the demon head without a body which means whatever he consumes his stomach never gets filled, he is never satisfied, his thirst never get quenched. Just like rahu is the severed head, ketu is the body without head. They are of opposite nature, rahu gives and ketu takes back.
Rahu is the significator of Illusion, Delusion, Addiction, Escapism, Confusion, Cheating, Psychosis, Individuality, Materialism, Transformative, Sudden, Greed, Lust, Obsessions, Poisions, Magic, Foreign travel, Imprisonment.
Ketu is the significator of Intuition, Spirituality, Compassion, Self-sacrifice, Liberation, Detachment, Isolation, Enlightenment, Hidden, Unconventionality, Explosiveness, Emotional tensions.