Chapter: 1

Then he can cast the horoscope after getting the exact longitude and latitude for the place of birth. It is not necessary that one should cast in front of querent only. It is advisable the astrologer sits for judgment at a time when he gets urge for it. Now days one need not cast a horoscope manually, there are many soft wares to do the job. However, astrologer must know the basic and should have an fair idea on calculations of planets and houses. ASTRO 3.3 software provides accurate charting leaving the astrologer to focus on predictions part.

The chart F.1 is a model horoscope we will discuss.
The blocks no 1-12 are called 1st  house –12th  house or Rasi./Sign 1st house is termed as Ascendant or Lagna. It is the most important house through which one can determine many aspects of a person who’s chart is under consideration. One explanation given for plotting 12 portion is due to the fact that earth circular route of 360  degrees  is covered by sun in one year app.. And sun/moon conjoin twelve times before the sun completes one revolution.
Hence, each division or Sign or Rasi  of apportioned 30 degree  is named in the following order. as shown in the fig1 ie, Aries Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces. First sign always commences from Aries  at 0 degree and  it ends in Pisces  sign at 360 degrees .. Where as Each house   begin from that point of the zodiac that just rises in the East at the required time. Each house is different in longitude, but 12 houses total to 360 deg only. First house is called Lagna or Ascendant, next house is 2nd and the next 3de so on. Houses change depending up on lagna position in each chart.. For example lagna here is in Aries but it may be in any sign for other birth charts. Say if lagna is in Cancer  2nd  house will be Leo 3rd Virgo   Names assigned to Sign will be constant irrespective of lagna position in the chart.

Each Rasi/Sign ie., Aries to Pisces  carry with them certain assigned characters, nature etc. like movable, fiery ,masculine odd etc., which are detailed in reference text books-[kp books on astrology. This will be required when analyzing the chart. At appropriate place it will be discussed in later chapters.

Next to Rasi we are to note Planets. Astrologically 7 planets are recognized as Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn and shadow planets Rahu and Ketu. Neptune and Pluto are not taken into account for judgment as of now.

The houses referred to above Aries   ….Pisces   governed by different Planets.

Rahu and ketu are not lords   of any house   This allocation of lordship’ s are permanent.

Next to planets it is be noted that there are 27 stars.

These  stars are accommodated  in the 12 signs as shown  below. In F.3 Each star range is 13d and 20 min so in each rasi of 30deg    has  2 and quarter stars only.  Each quarter is 3d.20m.

In the arc of 1-120 D  ie, from Aries to Cancer. First set of 9 stars  [Aswini to aslesha] are deposited in 4 signs, with different Star Lords and in some cases same Rasi lord. This is repeated in the 2nd arc from 120-240 D from Leo to Scorpio  and 3dr arc from 240-360D
From Sagittarius to Pisces..

In order to understand it more clearly let us take Venus. 

Bharani star is deposited in Aries rasi with Mars as Rasi Lord in the range of 13.20-26.40. its next star Pubba is in the 2nd arc in leo  with 113.20 to 146.40 range Rasi lord is SUN, the third star of Venus  P.shadha is in the 3rd arc of Sagittarius in the range of 253.20 – 266.40 with Jupiter as Star Lord  . Thus it will be seen that venus has its 3stars in different rasis. Other point is that the difference in range between one venus star and another’s is 120d.

The planets arranged in the chart are as per the sequential order of DASA.