Tips to the Astrologers

Astrology is a complex subject, probably the most difficult and challenging subject given to the mankind. On top of that, thousands of texts are there to confuse the student. Most of these texts doesn’t talk about the methodology of analyzing a chart. I am starting a series where I will try to share some important points that all students of astrology must know. None of these is either researched or invented by me. This is just a collection of few of the important points that I want to share and that I have tested, verified and found proven.

1. Divisions – the Secret of Astrology
In order to predict correctly, you need to use divisions. Various divisions are available. Sage Parashara has proposed Shodashvarga or 16 divisions of Rashi. Brilliant astrologer Shri K S Krishnamurthy has proposed 249 divisions of zodiac based on Vimshottari Dasha system. The research is also going on Nadi Amsa or 150 divisions of the sign. It is said that Nadi astrology extensively uses Nadi Amsa, but the predictive use of the Amsa needs to be discovered.
If you are using Parashahri astrology also called classical astrology or traditional astrology, missing Shodashvarga means missing something very vital and important. There are not many classical astrology books that tell you how to use different Varga charts. “New Techniques of Perditions” by Shri Sheshadri Iyer is one very good book to learn application of Shodashvarga. One of the most respected astrologers of present time, Shri K N Rao also vouches for this book. I believe that he uses the principles given in this book for his Shodashvarga interpretations.

2. Nakshatra Dasha or Rashi Dasha
Sage Parashara has propounded various dasha systems in the most celebrated text of Vedic astrology named Brihat Prarashar Hora Shastra. Some of those dashas are Nakshatra (constellation) based dashas and some others are Rashi (sign) based. For example Vimshottari Dasha, also called Udu Dasa, is a Nakshatra based dasha system whereas Chara dasha is a rashi based dasa. If you are using Nakshatra based dasha, you will be able to correctly time the even only if you will also be using Nakshatra Position of the planets. Merely position of the planets in Rashi will not give you the correct result. It is one of the reasons behind the accuracy of Krishnamurthy Paddhati (KP System). In order to judge the effect of a planet, one need not only judge the position of the planet in the sign but also needs to check the constellation lord of that planet. Shari Sheshadri Iyer used to call Nakshatra lord as Sukshma Lord and Rashi Lord as the Sthoola Lord. According to Krishnamurthy Paddhati, the planet not only gives the results of house occupied and owned but itself but also gives the result of the house owned and occupied by its Nakshatra Lord.

3. How to determine Signification of Planets
All the fundamental 16 charts (Shodashvarga) that we cast in classical astrology including Lagna Chart and Navamnsa Chart cannot be used for checking the house position. These are only for judging the nature and power of the planet. For determining the effects that it will give during its Dasaha period, you need to find out the house position of the planet. Rashi Chart, also called Lagna Chakra, or any other Shodashvarga chart cannot be used for this purpose as these charts just suggest the rashi divisions. You need to use the Bhava Madhya Chakra as proposed by Sripati in order to determine the correct house position of the planet, and hence the house signified by the planet. However KP System proposes Placidus house system for house calculation.