Learn How to Interpret Divisional Charts in Astrology: Although ancient astrological texts mention how to work out the divisional charts and importance of their study, nowhere is there an integrated approach for the study of divisional charts available. Solitary principles (sutras) indicating that if a particular planet is in a particular sign in a particular divisional chart then the results would be so and so, find place in the text and commentaries of ancient astrological writers. These texts and commentaries are suffering from both omissions and interpolations because of the absence of recording facilities in ancient times. Therefore, we have to be careful to adopt only such classical principles which have stood the test of time. These classical principles have to be read in conjunction with one another and not in isolation.

1. First of all, the birth-data should be correct for study of any divisional chart. In D-charts we take into account the analysis of position changing with a difference of even one minute in the time of birth.
2. As there is every possibility of some amount of error in recording the time of birth even in cases where utmost care has been taken to record the correct time of birth, it is imperative that divisional chart analysis is taken up only up to (D-XII). Horoscope analysis is done through the natal chart and the strength of the planets is ascertained in the divisional charts. If the ascendant of the divisional chart contains a mooltrikona sign, the same becomes an additional factor for consideration in horoscope analysis. For divisional analysis beyond (D-XII) only the position of lord of the corresponding houses and the natural significator planets should be considered in the concerned D charts. The ascendant as well as its lord in the divisional charts beyond D-XII could prove to be unreliable.
3. The longitudes of ascendant and planets should be correctly worked out along with divisional charts.

4. The study of the divisional charts should be taken up along with the main chart. The divisional charts are used for ascertaining the strength of the prime determinant of a particular aspect of life. In the divisional charts the strength of the following is studied:

(i) the prime determinants of the house of a particular signification in the D-I (birth chart) if they are strong in the natal chart. Those planets which are already weak in the birth chart, they do not gain any strength in the Divisional Charts. The strength in the D-1 prevails;
(ii) the significator of the particular aspect of life;
(iii) the lord of the ascendant of the concerned divisional chart if it contains a MT sign; and
(iv) the position of the sub period lord at any given point of time in the D Chart.

In divisional charts besides the affliction of Rahu and Ketu, the afflictions by the functional malefic planets of the divisional charts should also be considered. However, in a divisional chart the afflictions by the functional malefic planets of the natal chart are not considered. Bad placements are also considered in the divisional charts.

The weightage for consideration of a rasi/natal chart is 80% while for divisional charts it is 20%. In some cases the planets are so weak and afflicted in the natal chart that consideration of the divisional chart becomes irrelevant.

5. A planet that is weak on account of debilitation or for that matter on any other account in D-I until and unless strengthened, during the course of its sub-periods, would hardly be of any help to the significations of its concerned divisional charts. In this connection the readers may please refer to website learning lessons 33 (I) and 33 (II) on 'Analyzing Debilitated Planets' for a detailed study.

6. A natal planet that is weak due to combustion lacks the power to protect or promote the houses and significations ruled by it. In this connection, the readers may please refer to website learning lesson No. 34 on 'Analyzing Combust Planets' for a detailed study.

7. In D-I, whenever slow moving malefic planets in transit afflict by close conjunction/aspect the natal planets or the most effective point of any house, they cause prolonged stress related to the houses and planets involved.

8. In D-I, whenever planets in transit form close conjunctions/aspects amongst themselves, the happenings occur depending upon their functional nature in connection with the houses with reference to a particular ascendant.

9. In D-I, whenever the slow moving transit planets form close conjunction with or become closely aspected by natal functional malefic planet(s), it triggers significant undesirable incidents concerning the planets involved.

10. Occupation of the ascendant of a divisional chart by the nodes or the eighth lord of the D-chart in cases where a mooltrikona sign is rising in the D-chart ascendant creates stress for the significations of the D-chart. The good placement in the D-chart of the prime determinant of the relevant aspect of life for D-I and the significator helps in promoting the significations of the D-chart. The bad placement of the prime determinant(s) of the relevant aspect of life for D-I and the significator of a particular aspect of life in the D-chart causes stress regarding the significations of the D-chart.

11. The strength of planets in the rasi chart should be given due consideration.

12. The planets influencing the ascendant, angles and trines of D-charts and the significator by conjunction/aspect touch the significations of the concerned divisional charts in their sub-periods.

13. Occupation of angles/trines by nodes in D-charts do not bless the native with good results in the relevant fields.

14. Any planet which is exalted in the rasi chart and debilitated in the D-chart will give ordinary results.

15. For timing specific events, the strength of the lord of the sub-period is examined in the birth chart, D-chart, and transit. The relationship of the sub-period lord with the main period lord and its strength in the D-chart is of paramount importance.

16. When both the lords of the main period and sub-period are functional malefics, they denote damage and loss in contrast with the functional benefics, which do no harm and promote their significations.

17. If a functional malefic planet is closely related with another functional malefic and is badly placed, it produces tension in its own sub-period as well as in the sub-periods of other functional malefics in its own main-period.

18. The transit influences are considered only in D-I.

19. The planetary aspects are considered in the D-charts.

20. The planets placed in the malefic houses of a D-chart become also weak for that reason, but this weakness is milder than the weakness of planets placed in the malefic houses of D-I. This weakness is considered for the significations of the relevant D-chart only.

21. If a planet is a functional benefic in D-I but turns out to be a functional malefic for the D-Chart, the intensity of maleficence is less than the maleficence of the main rasi chart and is only applicable for the concerned D-chart i.e. its malefic impact would be limited to the respective D-Chart only and the influence would be applicable only in a milder way in cases where it is influencing the ascendant or the fourth house of the D-Chart.

CONTROVERSY

There has been a controversy regarding whether the varga charts should be read independently or as a supplement to the main chart. Some opine that the divisional charts can only supplement what is shown in the basic chart and that the intensity of benefic and malefic results pertaining to any particular D-chart depends upon the strength or weakness of the planets in D-I. However, others advocate that the divisional charts should be read independently.

The study of various charts together with their divisional charts shows that divisional charts have to be read only as a supplement to the birth charts. The rasi charts and the divisional charts are inter-related and have to be read in conjunction with each other. The apparent strength acquired by the planets by being in their own mooltrikona signs or by being in exaltation in the birth chart may produce ordinary or negative results if these planets occupy the debilitated sign in divisional charts or are afflicted in the divisional charts or are badly placed in the divisional charts. The weakness of planets due to debilitation, combustion, etc., in the zodiac at any given time cannot be made good even if they occupy exalted amsa in any particular divisional chart. This is as per the views of the propounder of Astrology, Maharishi Parashara. We can safely infer that the natal weakness of planets cannot be made up even by joining benefic houses in divisional charts, or by not being debilitated there, or by obtaining maximum benefic points in Ashtakavarga. Ashtakavarga is another way of trying to strengthen the planets in classical astrology. In SA we do not use Ashtakvarga, as no utility has been found while sometimes it misleads. For example a planet at 0 degree longitude may be shown as having highest Ashtakvarga points. We do not use it, but we do not argue on this.

Our point is to make the study of astrology scientific, so we have to test each and every dictum provided to us by the classical works in our laboratory; by that we mean a sufficient number of charts need to be analysed for empirical studies. The weakness of planets arising due to the sources of weakness (mentioned in previous website lessons), until and unless strengthened, is permanent. If the combust planet in D-1 becomes the lord of the ascendant of the divisional chart, the significations of the division concerned suffer further.

For timing the events, the sub-period of a strong planet or a strengthened planet, which is auspiciously placed in the divisional chart, with reference to the ascendant of the divisional chart, should be selected. The weakness or affliction should be guarded by using astrological remedial measures. In D-charts, the conjunction/aspect of the D-chart functional benefics with the ascendant, relevant significators and trines regarding the ascendant boost the significations of the divisional charts. The D-chart functional malefics in such a state damage the significations, in their sub-periods.

Needless to emphasize, the importance and necessity of studying the divisional charts is important as it helps us in accurately analysing the horoscope to meet the requirements of complexities in modern life. For progress, each and every step in life has to be planned ahead from the very beginning. The questions astrologers have to face are specific in nature for the specified time, which can only be answered after due consideration of the divisional charts. Quite often we come across horoscopes where rasi charts promise a good future in some particular sector, yet the results may be totally different. The study of the rasi chart and divisional charts is inter-dependent. Sometimes, natives suffer because of weak combinations in the birth chart, itself, due to planetary strengths and afflictions emerging in the D-charts. However, as indicated earlier, the divisional charts have to be read always as a supplement to the birth charts.

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