How to technically Evaluate a Horoscope and transits

How to technically Evaluate a Horoscope and transits

I am writing this article at the behest of many of my readers who would like to know how I calculate the strengths of planets and houses and evaluate them to produce a Mark sheet of Life. Needless to say, to understand this article one has to have a basic knowledge and should be familiar with the terms and axioms used in Astrology. Familiarity with the Natal Charts and divisional charts and the Dasa system is imperative. To top it all you must have all the canons required for becoming an Astrologer which are detailed below as extracted from Brihat Samhita.

Varahamihira gives the following qualifications of an astrologer in his Brihat Samhita. “The astrologer must be pure, skillful, bold, eloquent, possessed of a ready wit, a knower of time and place, filled with equanimity, not timid in assembly, victorious in debate with other astrologers, expert, free from vices, well-versed in the art of performing rituals of both curative and preventive types, ever engaged in worshipping deities, performing observances and austerities, possessed of scientific knowledge and capable of answering questions and prescribing remedies.”

In his Brihat Samhita, “Canons of the Astrologer”, Varahamihira gives more lengthy rules or qualifications of an astrologer. Students should read these statements by Varahamihira and be aware of these ancient principles in their daily life if they want to be Astrologers. That person, who has mastery of this science of Vedic astrology, who has a good knowledge of Mathematics, who leads a religious life, who is truthful, who is free from conceit and who is well versed in the Vedas, mantras, and tantras, he alone can be called a Daivajna or a seer. In the Hindu Vedic tradition, “religious” refers more to a secular way of respecting the Divine presence in all people and in the environment also. It also refers to one who has a genuine spiritual path and practice. In so doing, one should have an inherent respect for all religions, bearing in mind that though spiritual paths may vary, they all have the same goal. The study of the Vedas and the Upanishads, which underlie all of Vedic astrology, speak of many deities. But all are aspects of the One Supreme Deity, also called the One Underlying Reality.

If a person is unable to understand the real purport of the Science (by separating the essentials from the non essentials by means of his intellectual acumen), or unable to answer any question put to him, or cannot explain the science to pupils, how could he be known as an Astrologer, one well versed in the Science?

If an Astrologer has mastered the astronomical Science, and has brought about perfect agreement between the mathematical results and observations made by means of the shadow of gnomon and the water appliance, and is well established in the science of predictive astrology, his pronouncements will never go wrong or fruitless.

Vishnugupta, also known as Chanakya declared that perchance a man might be able to reach the other shore of the ocean by swimming, being driven by the force of wind. On the other hand, never could one, who is not a Sage, even dream of crossing the great ocean that is known as Kalapurusha or the God of time, i.e. the Science of Astrology.

A true astrologer therefore must lead a life of contentment, detachment and contemplation.

The predictions made by an astrologer who has mastered both the theory and practice of the science of Astrology and Astronomy, as if it were spread before his eyes in this world, inscribed in his intellect and firmly implanted in his heart, will never go wrong.

The basic input that is required to prepare a horoscope or a Natal Chart is the date, time and place of birth which must be totally accurate. Special instructions should be given to the delivery room attendants to note down the time of the first cry of the baby as that is what is required to prepare a horoscope.

Once the Birth details are obtained, the astrologer should work out the longitudes of all planets and the Ascendant(Lagan) either manually or using a computer software as shown below.

For a sample let us take the natal chart of a baby born on 16 July 2014 at 4:00 p.m. in Calicut, India.

Body                    Longitude
Lagan                   20 Sc 02′ 14.75
 
Sun                        29 Ge 47′ 15.81
Moon                    25 Aq 27′ 32.75
Mars                     1 Li 06′ 38.88
Mercury               9 Ge 28′ 53.91
Jupiter                  5 Cn 57′ 41.05
Venus                    3 Ge 22′ 25.06
Saturn                  22 Li 36′ 46.28
Rahu                     29 Vi 41′ 00.68
Ketu                       29 Pi 41′ 00.68
Uranus                  22 Pi 26′ 58.01
Neptune (R)         13 Aq 12′ 10.74
Pluto (R)               17 Sg 56′ 22.75
Maandi                  19 Vi 40′ 42.54
Gulika                      7 Vi 49′ 49.24
Bhava Lagna             25 Sc 37′ 45.64
Hora Lagna              21 Ar 51′ 30.03
Ghati Lagna             10 Cn 32′ 43.23
Vighati Lagna           13 Le 58′ 49.19
Varnada Lagna           20 Sg 02′ 14.75
Sree Lagna              17 Ar 25′ 59.02
Pranapada Lagna         14 Sg 22′ 03.76
Indu Lagna              25 Ta 27′ 32.75
Bhrigu Bindu            12 Sg 34′ 16.71
Dhooma                  13 Sc 07′ 15.81
Vyatipata               16 Le 52′ 44.19
Parivesha               16 Aq 52′ 44.19
Indra Chapa             13 Ta 07′ 15.81
Upaketu                 29 Ta 47′ 15.81
Kaala                    5 Sc 05′ 50.53
Mrityu                  18 Sg 29′ 38.92
Artha Prahara           10 Cn 15′ 33.39
Yama Ghantaka            2 Le 37′ 54.00
Prana Sphuta            18 Sc 01′ 02.99
Deha Sphuta              1 Sg 30′ 11.24
Mrityu Sphuta           24 Cn 36′ 00.46
Sookshma TriSphuta      14 Sc 07′ 14.69
Tithi Sphuta            25 Sc 40′ 16.94
Yoga Sphuta (Sun-Moon)  25 Ta 14′ 48.56
Rahu Tithi Sphuta       29 Ge 53′ 44.87
Kshetra Sphuta           2 Sg 31′ 52.68
Beeja Sphuta             9 Sg 07′ 21.92
TriSphuta               23 Pi 19′ 36.74
ChatusSphuta            23 Ge 06′ 52.55
PanchaSphuta            22 Sg 47′ 53.22
 

Now we can prepare the Natal Chart as is given below. I have given the planetary positions only in this chart. If necessary other details also could be incorporated in it which will make the chart very cumbersome.

horoscope analysis

The next thing you should do is using the longitudes of planets in the chart, the strengths of planets should be computed as shown below. You can either use a software or work it out manually which will take approximately 80 man hours to complete.

Planet

Shadbala

Sthana Bala

 Kala Bala

DigBala

Cheshta

DrigBala

Naisargika Bala

Sun

6.76

132.78

176.4

43.25

52.4

-6.79

60

Moon

7.21

179.99

135.44

58.19

41.44

7.69

51.43

Mars

5.69

159.79

53.45

46.31

38.98

25.83

17.14

Mercury

8.03

211.91

221.26

6.48

22.79

-6.1

25.7

Jupiter

7.79

194.68

230.7

15.31

1.43

-8.78

34.28

Venus

5.64

116.63

144.43

25.55

15.98

-6.86

42.85

Saturn

7.23

152.88

206.38

9.14

37.29

19.7

8.57

The method of calculation is well illustrated in the book of “Graha and Bhava Balas” by Dr.B.V.Raman. Or is available on the net if you search for “Shadbalas and Bhavabalas”.

Using these strength of planets we should now calculate the strength of all the 12 houses of the horoscope which is also illustrated in the above book. Let us now have a look at it.

House Bhava Bala In rupas Lord’s bala DigBala DrigBala

1st   402.40     6.71     341.49      0.00    60.92

2nd   549.40     9.16     467.61      20.00   61.78

3rd   551.50     9.19     433.96      50.00   67.54

4th   526.83     8.78     433.96      30.00   62.87

5th   552.81     9.21     467.61      50.00   35.20

 6th   342.59     5.71     341.49      20.00   -18.90

 7th   356.64     5.94     338.58      30.00   -11.95

8th   487.27     8.12     482.05      10.00   -4.78

9th   435.71     7.26     432.73      10.00   -7.02

10th  514.61     8.58     405.63      60.00   48.98

11th  603.13     10.05    482.05      40.00   81.08

12th  462.86     7.71     338.58      50.00   74.28

These are the main figures we require to evaluate a horoscope. Using these figures we have to now moderate these for the relevant residential strength of planets and its benefic/malefic aspects for which we can use a Spread Sheet like Microsoft Excel.

The planetary dispositions calculated thus is given below.

Planet

Residential Strength

Good %

Bad%

Nature

Sun

35.00

69.73

17.52

Benefic

Moon

63.86

65.70

28.34

Benefic

Mars

26.18

47.72

41.90

Benefic

Mercury

29.63

42.22

49.98

Malefic

Jupiter

6.16

15.38

6.02

Benefic

Venus

11.09

41.02

50.70

Malefic

Saturn

82.83

78.27

5.13

Benefic

Rahu

35.69

42.22

49.98

Malefic

Kethu

35.69

15.38

6.02

Benefic

Net

36.23

From the above you will note the residential strengths of all the planets and their respective nature whether it is a benefic or malefic. Malefic planets if they have a good residential strength will not be that bad in fact, its maleficence will be considerably reduced. You must bear this in mind.

We will have to now moderate the strength of houses calculated above with these planetary dispositions by interpolation techniques. Have a look at the final figures duly moderated.

House

Description

Self Analysis %

Aaroodha Analysis

1

Personality, Individuality, Head

47.54

32.42

2

Wealth, assets, family, speech, Face

64.89

44.25

3

Co-borns, confidants, courage, Hands and Shoulders

65.11

44.40

4

Happiness, comforts, pleasures, Heart & Lungs

62.20

42.42

5

Children, intelligence, mind, Upper Abdomen

65.25

44.50

6

Debts, Diseases, Enemies, Lower Abdomen

40.45

27.59

7

Marital Happiness, Small Intestine, Liver

42.08

28.70

8

Longevity, Distresses, Colon, Kidneys, Genitals

57.53

39.23

9

Luck ,Fortune, Thighs

51.43

35.08

10

Career, Profession, Job Satisfaction, Knees

60.78

41.45

11

Gains, Returns from Career, Calf  and ankles

71.20

48.55

12

Wasteful Expenditure, Losses, Feet

54.62

37.25

Net strength

57.70

39.35

Higher strength for positive significations makes it more potent
Higher strength for negative significations negate the negatives (Debts, Diseases, Enemies, Losses etc.)
No. Of Horoscopes Analysed : 36125+

Freq.Distbn %

Less than 30%        – Not Satisfactory enough

46

> 30 to 40                   –  Passed

14

> 40 to 45                   –  Above average

12

> 45 to 50                   –  Third Class

11

> 50 to 60                   –  Second Class

8

> 60 to 70                   –  First Class

5

> 70 to 80                   –  Distinction

3

> 80 to 90                   –  Excellent

1

Greater than 90     –  Outstanding

198 Nos.

In this particular example the native has a net strength of 57.70% which is graded as a Second Class horoscope. From the frequency distribution you will note that he has a 71 percentile strength which means that 71% of the population are below him in happiness and success factor. Aaroodha strength is how the native will be viewed by others, further details of which you can get from the internet.   

In a similar way we can also find out the transitory influence of planets while in transit using a similar exercise when ever there is a planet which transits a zodiacal sign. We recalculate the strengths of houses after the transit using the same Ascendant of the natal chart. An example of such a chart is given below. This chart shows the influence of Jupiter’s transit in July 2014 to Cancer in respect of my own horoscope. In fact you could do this at any point of time to find the strength of your horoscope as at that point of time as compared to the Natal Chart since there is always a transit of planets since they are all constantly in motion.

House Description

Birth Self Analysis %

Now Transitory %

Difference %

1

Personality, Individuality, Head

65.28

91.03

25.75

2

Wealth, assets, family, speech, Face

76.42

67.44

-8.98

3

Co-borns, confidants, courage, Hands and Shoulders

63.22

54.83

-8.39

4

Happiness, comforts, pleasures, Heart & Lungs

71.05

78.42

7.37

5

Children, intelligence, mind, Upper Abdomen

78.08

58.00

-20.08

6

Debts, Diseases, Enemies, Lower Abdomen

67.41

52.55

-14.86

7

Marital Happiness, Small Intestine, Liver

73.97

77.28

3.31

8

Longevity, Distresses, Colon, Kidneys, Genitals

64.72

46.29

-18.44

9

Luck ,Fortune, Thighs

83.06

56.70

-26.36

10

Career, Profession, Job Satisfaction, Knees

64.25

75.33

11.08

11

Gains, Returns from Career, Calf  and ankles

48.29

47.51

-0.78

12

Wasteful Expenditure, Losses, Feet

66.22

92.90

26.67

Net strength

69.04

68.32

-0.72

Higher strength for positive significations makes it more potent
Higher strength for negative significations negate the negatives (Debts, Diseases, Enemies, Losses etc.)

From the above you will note that the Jupiter transit to Cancer has benefited me in respect of some houses  like 1st, 4th,7th,10th and 12th houses while in respect of the other houses, I have been a loser. However the net strength is lower by .72% which is negligible.

Now you might have got an idea how well we can evaluate a horoscope using figures rather than groping in the dark and trying to interpret them using axioms which cannot be empirically computed.

Those interested in having your horoscopes computed using the above algorithms can contact me   giving your birth details. Obviously this will be a Paid service.

Ramachandran Nambissan T.M

16 July 2014.

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      You can download my Book ASTROLOGY RENOVATED in PDF from the link below.

PDF Astrology Book

7 thoughts on “How to technically Evaluate a Horoscope and transits

  1. Very interesting article….and certainly a good understanding of many aspects of astrology is required to comprehend.

    Would I understand correctly from your analysis that …at a superficial level Saturn (yuti Mars) in the 12th would have an afflicting 10th aspect to exalted Jupiter.

    However your analysis shows that Saturn is a benefic and therefore his dristi would not afflict Jupiter for this native? ….or have I not understood this correctly?

    It has left me somewhat confused.

    1. Basically all planets are good. Saturn though is a natural malefic, in a particular horoscope he could be a benefic due to placement, aspects from other benefic planets and its own strength both residential and Shadbala based. If Saturn is a benefic in a horoscope its aspect on Jupiter will always be benefic. Many of our axioms written in the Horas are being misinterpreted without doing the mathematical computation on how good/bad they are. If you try to do it manually it will take 80 hours, so you have to necessarily seek the help of a computer.

      The best way to understand my logic is evaluate your own horoscope and find out the strength of planets and houses and you will understand how they behave. Using the native horoscope as the base, you could also find the strength of transitory influence of planets even on a daily basis.

      My intentions on doing this research is to make this science available to the common man without being misguided by wayside astrologers.

  2. Sir,

    I forgot to say thank you for sharing…so thank you….I will try on my daughter’s horoscope , my own needs rectification as I only have an approximate time.

    Your answer is very revealing …it turns my simplistic understanding of Astrology on it’s head…which is why I think your article is so powerful.

    In your example…after you have calculated the strength of the houses ..I thought it would be interesting to put the houses in order of strength. In your example am I right in assuming that the 11th house is the strongest which has Lord Rahu…but that the graha that has the strongest residential strength is Saturn in the 12th ….with around 82%. …(ps I don’t know how you worked that out)…and I found that somewhat confusing.

    My further question was that around Argala. Sanjay Rath the eminent astrologer swears by it …do your calculations take account of Argala …or would that be an overlay on top of your already excellent analysis?

    Raminder

  3. No, the order of the houses should remain as it is and the strengths could be used to know the potency of that house. Yes the 11th house is the strongest. Saturn has the the highest residential strength. These strengths of houses are calculated based on where the lord of the house is posted, the strength of the lord of the house, strength of planets aspecting the house, the strength of the significator of the house and whatever is there as per axioms of astrology, it is all reckoned in these calculations. You can get the full details if you read BV Raman’s book on “Graha and Bhava Balas”.

    When it was difficult to compute these strengths manually astrologers had to necessarily use approximations and that is why they have gone wrong at times and in such situations they used to corroborate their findings by various means like Argala, Yogas, AshtaVarga, Divisional charts etc.

    Today we have computers and all the calculations required can be done in a jiffy. Only you need the appropriate software which I am using. Of course there are certain things which are missed out which will have to be moderated using and Electronic Spread Sheet like calculation of residential strengths and interpolating benefic/malefic natures into the strength of the houses for which there are alogorithms enumerated in the texts on Astrology.

    The strengths which I have calculated has most of the overlays of already known texts in this regard. I have evaluated more than 36150 horoscopes so far and I have also provided a frequency distribution of the net strengths.

    Anyway thanks for commenting. At least one person has understood what I have written. I am fully satisfied for all my efforts taken in writing this article. Do read my blog too http://navagrahastro.blogspot.in/ which will be quite interesting to you.

  4. Respected Shri TMR Sir,

    I just happened to read through your article accidentally and am honestly impressed. In fact I was trying to know something about panchasphuta, trisphuta, chathushphuta, yoga sphuta, etc., while I was dabbling with Jhora Software. I would be thankful to you if you can throw some light on these aspects. As I am a learner of this great science of vedic astrology at Chennai, I wonder how nice it could be if I continue to receive your posts.

    Thanks and regards, with respects
    K Vasudevan.

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