Approaching a Vedic Chart

I have just finished my Level 2 Intensive training in Vedic astrology with

my teacher Hart de Fouw. (Which is, incidentally, why there was no
October 2000 article in this series. I had too much homework!)
He taught us the following sequence to follow in analyzing a Vedic chart:
1. Yoga analysis:
Yogas set the context for the life, how far above or below the norm a
person's life is, and in what areas. Yogas are more important and more
influential than the simpler analysis of the effect of planets in or ruling
houses.
Examine which yogas are in each chart. Ascertain how strong the planets
in each yoga is, and therefore how potent the expression of that yoga is.
Remember that the positive yogas vary tremendously in strength, and are
not really manifest unless they:
A. involve very well conditioned planets (e.g. retrograde, own sign, or
exalted, or full moon)
and/or
B. Repeat from the Chandra (Moon) and Surya (Sun) lagna
(ascendant).
C. and the planets involved are not seriously afflicted (by the nodes,
Saturn, Mars, or combust w/in 6 degrees).
For bad yogas:
A. None of the planets can have strength (see point A above).
B. If one or more of the planets is debilitated, combust, and rules or
occupies a bad house (6, 8, 12) the bad yoga is amplified.
C. And none of the planets involved should be aspected by or conjunct a
benefic, especially a strong one (Jupiter, Venus, full Moon) for the bad

yoga to be truly potent.

2. Lagna analysis:
The status of the Ascendant, its occupants, aspects, and lord determine
how well the person weathers their lives, and how well they can utilize the
gifts that they are given.
Examine these factors from the Ascendant, the Moon (as the first house)
and the Sun (as the first house).
3. House analysis:
The strengths and problems within specific houses can be examined in the
same way as the inspection of the Ascendant in #2 above.
In order for an area or theme of life (i.e. a house) to really be noteworthy,
all of the factors should be congruent. That means that there should be
only good influences on the house, its occupant and its lord for very good
results, or the opposite for very bad results. Use the methods outlined in
what makes a yoga purely good or bad to ascertain house patterns, too.
Note: I do not believe that "bad" manifestations are necessarily taken as
bad by the person. Fame, for example, is not good for everyone, and for
some people, not having a child, spouse, or brother is actually an
important part of their learning process. Our lives are well-designed to
teach us what we need to learn. The kind of analysis I'm describing here
can give indications of outer manifestations, but how we respond to and
relate to each facet of our lives is the most important thing.
4. Special features
Each chart has unique features. Make note of them.
5. Dasha/Bhukti analysis
Particularly notice the sequence of dashas in childhood, and how they
color the person's formative years. Also notice which dasa and bhukti pairs
actually have a relationship in the birth chart, as these periods represent
the fruition of and/or potential resolution of important life themes.

6. Transit analysis
The outer planets, Saturn and Jupiter, have a more potent effect than the
inner ones.
7. Sub-chart analysis
The methods of S. Iyer are excellent for examining the predictive value of
the varga (a.k.a. amsha or divisional) charts. Notice again the Dasa
sequence from birth, which conditions the person's life in each of the areas
represented by each subchart.
In particular, if a person runs the dasha of the lord of the ascendant of a
particular subchart, the position of that planet in the subchart sets the tone
for the remainder of the life.
8. Rectification
Use the subcharts to analyze the accuracy of the birthtime.
9. Ancillary methods
Use whatever methods you are facile in (e.g. palmistry, Tarot, Western
Astrology, psychic intuition) to confirm what you get from the chart.