Traditional astrology · 7 min read
Cazimi and combust: reading planets close to the Sun
What traditional astrologers mean by cazimi, combustion and under the beams, including why degree limits and interpretations vary.
Published 28 August 2026
Three conditions near the Sun
Traditional astrology gives special names to planets hidden in the Sun's light. A planet extremely close to the Sun is cazimi, from a phrase meaning in the heart of the Sun, and is often treated as strengthened. Farther out but still close is combust, traditionally considered weakened or overwhelmed; under the beams describes a wider zone of obscurity.
These conditions reflect real visibility: a planet near the Sun is difficult or impossible to see. Their meanings, however, belong to astrological tradition rather than astronomy.
Degree limits are not universal
A common cazimi limit is about seventeen arc minutes from the Sun, while combustion is often set near eight degrees and under the beams near fifteen or seventeen degrees. Hellenistic, medieval and modern practitioners may use different boundaries, and some distinguish whether a planet shares the Sun's sign.
State the threshold before labelling a placement. A chart app's badge can hide a methodological choice that another astrologer would make differently.
Interpret condition with the whole planet
Cazimi can suggest unusual focus or visibility for the planet's function; combustion may describe a function closely bound to identity or harder to access independently. Neither label should override sign, house, rulership, aspects or lived experience.
Do not translate a traditional condition into claims of genius, failure or inevitable events. It is one way of assessing planetary condition, most useful when its historical rules and limits remain visible.