The search for answers: reading the chart/kundli

This post is the first in the series of posts to come on the various steps to reading a chart. The birth chart of each individual can be said to be both the end and beginning to the search for answers about life.

There are many schools of thought and many techniques on how to read a chart. Often while learning astrology one develops a unique approach and style to reading a chart. Much also depends on what is the purpose of the reading. Is it for research or for a prediction? When people go to an astrologer they often ask specific questions. That can also determine the manner in which the chart will be read.

e.g. Two basic questions; how is my current time period? What should I focus on in my life?

e.g. Two specific questions; will I get a new job? Should I get married?

Each of the above can be approached in different ways.

If we were to begin from scratch, the following steps can be considered (if you are curious about your chart, look up any free software and get your birth details by typing your time of birth, date of birth and place of birth);

Learning Steps

1. Know the houses (see chart in photo, 12 houses and each house represents an important area of life)

2. Know the planets ( see chart in photo, Me stands for Mercury, Ve for Venus, Sa for Saturn....each planet has its own unique status and nature in astrology)

3. Know the zodiac signs. (see chart in photo, each house is in a particular sign. Each of the signs from Aries to Pisces is unique. In the chart, look at no.2 write at the top of the first house. That is zodiac number 2...Taurus. Followed by Gemini in the next house and so on....) A lot can be said about personality type by looking at the ascendant sign.

4. Know the constellations/nakshatras (each planet is placed in a constellation. The planet behaves or is shaped by the constellation)

5. Know the relationship between all of the above (e.g. planets are friends or enemies)

6. Know the gunas through the chart- sattvik, rajasic, tamasic

Experiment : get a copy of your chart. Find out the first house/ ascendant nakshatra (will be provided with the chart). Do a little research on the nakshatra (or wait for my posts on nakshatras) including nature, ruling deity and gunas. The results will reflect on your unique personality type.

Practical steps

7. Find out the current time period running. Referred to as the dasha in Vedic astrology . Look up everything about ruling dasha planet for clues.

8. Find out if any major transits are happening. Or major periods like sad sati (Saturn's cycle). If question is about job, look at 10th house or 10th lord or aspects to 10th house etc.

Example: get a copy of your chart. See which is the time period running (e.g. mahadasha). Study the planet who is controlling the current time period. Lets say it is Rahu mahadasha and Rahu is placed in third house in Rohini nakshatra/Taurus. What you will be doing is Rahu + 3rd House + Taurus+ Rohini = possibilities/ prediction. The accuracy of prediction will depend on level of mastery over the basic steps and other techniques of astrology.

While that being said, several other sub-steps and techniques need to be employed to be precise about what, when and how? Astrology being a very complex and mystical subject, it often will involve a combination of hidden energies/intuition as well as acquired techniques. Not to ignore the fact that not all predictions come true.

In the next few posts will explore few of the above steps.

* Are you curious to know your chart?

* Are you curious to know which guna is dominant in you?

* Are you curious to know your current time period?

Photo/Cosmic Insights/placement of planets in sky while writing this post.