Divisional charts, also known as Varga charts, are sub-charts that are derived from the main birth chart, or the Rashi chart, in Vedic/Hindu astrology. They are used to gain a more detailed understanding of specific areas of a person’s life, such as children, career, relationships, and spiritual growth. They are created by dividing each sign of the zodiac into a certain number of equal parts, known as “Varga,” and analyzing the placement of the planets in each of these parts.
The Divisional charts originated in ancient South India, and have been used in Vedic astrology for centuries. They are considered an advanced technique in astrology and are used to gain a deeper understanding of a person’s life and potential. The use of Divisional charts allows for a more detailed analysis of the different areas of life and can provide valuable insight into one’s strengths, weaknesses, and challenges one may face.
There is a branch of astrology called Nadi Astrology in India, very popular in Southern states of India where it is said astrologers have been able to describe accurate count of number of siblings, marriages, children and death of these and own. It is said they use Nadiamsas (150 divisions of each sign) to make these predictions.
In Western Astrology, Harmonic charts are a system of analyzing a person’s natal chart by dividing the chart into smaller sections, also known as “divisional charts” or “harmonic charts.” These charts are derived from the main natal chart by dividing each sign and house by a specific number, such as 2, 3, 4, 5, etc. This creates a new chart that provides additional information and insight into specific areas of a person’s life, such as relationships, career, and spiritual growth.
The origins of harmonic charts can be traced back to ancient Greece and the work of astrologers such as Ptolemy, who wrote about the use of divisional charts in his book “Tetrabiblos.” The use of harmonic charts has been refined over the centuries by various astrologers and is now a popular method of chart analysis in modern western astrology.
Therefore, several techniques to micro analyse a birth chart exists and may be equally valid if applied properly. A learner of astrology must practise each type of chart in depth before moving into various other charts and in the end will only get confused reaching no where at all.
Importance of Divisional Charts
- Divisional charts can provide further insight into specific areas of an individual’s life, such as career, relationships, and health. This can be particularly useful for understanding the different destinies of twins who may have nearly identical birth charts. For example, one twin may have a strong chart for career success, while the other may have a strong chart for financial stability. By analyzing the divisional charts, an astrologer can gain a deeper understanding of the specific strengths and weaknesses of each twin.
- Divisional charts can also be used to better understand why certain aspects and yogas (astrological combinations) may not be giving the expected results in a person’s life. For example, an individual may have a strong yoga for success in their birth chart, but still not be experiencing the desired level of success. By looking at the divisional charts, an astrologer can gain insight into which areas of the individual’s life may be blocking the expression of that yoga and make specific recommendations for how to overcome those obstacles. In this way, divisional charts can provide a more nuanced and personalized understanding of an individual’s astrological chart, which can be especially useful for making accurate predictions and giving actionable advice.
In the rest of the article, we shall briefly discuss types of divisional charts in the Vedic Astrology.
Types of Divisional Charts
The Bṛhat Parāśara Horāśāstra or ‘the great book on horoscopy by Parashara’, an ancient indian treatise on Vedic astrology, defines sixteen divisional schemes starting from the birth chart itself.
| Varga | Divisor | Chart | Area of Influence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rasi | 1 | D-1 | Body, Physical Matters and all General Matters |
| Hora | 2 | D-2 | Wealth, Family |
| Drekkana | 3 | D-3 | Siblings, Nature |
| Chaturthamsa | 4 | D-4 | Fortune and Property |
| Saptamsa | 7 | D-7 | Children/Progeny |
| Navamsa (astrology) | 9 | D-9 | Spouse, Dharma and Relationships |
| Dasamsa | 10 | D-10 | Actions in Society, Profession |
| Dvadasamsa | 12 | D-12 | Parents (Paternal and Maternal Legacies) |
| Shodasamsa | 16 | D-16 | Vehicles, Travelling and Comforts |
| Vimsamsa | 20 | D-20 | Spiritual Pursuits |
| ChaturVimsamsa | 24 | D-24 | Education, Learning and Knowledge (Academic Achievements) |
| SaptaVimsamsa | 27 | D-27 | Strengths and Weakness |
| Trimsamsa | 30 | D-30 | Evils |
| KhaVedamsa | 40 | D-40 | For auspicious and inauspicious effects in horoscope |
| AkshaVedamsa | 45 | D-45 | For all general indications (character and conduct of the native) |
| Shastiamsa | 60 | D-60 | For all general indications (Past birth or Karma of the native) |
There are several methods popular to construct each of the divisional chart such as the ancient Indian method, the Varahmihir method, the Iyer method and so on and therefore utmost care should be taken to not mix rules of interpretation of one author’s chart method with the other.
Many modern popular astrology birth chart software have the option to generate various divisional charts easily and effortlessly. One can also quickly find them using divisional chart tables.
How to read and interpret divisional charts
Since many methods of construction of individual divisional charts are prevalent, it is advisable to interpret them using the methodology or guidance provided by their respective authority. The popular method of D9 Navamsa chart is pretty much standardized now in both the ancient books and the modern books and can be confidently used.
For example: Consider someone who has Jupiter, Moon and Venus in the Cancer zodiac sign in the D1 chart. In the D9 chart, Jupiter goes into the Pisces sign and Moon in the Cancer sign (also called Vargottama Moon). We analyze it as, in the D1 Jupiter is in exaltation, Moon is in it’s own sign and Venus is the third benefic planet further enhancing the positive effects to each. In the D9 chart, both Jupiter and Moon are in their own signs and therefore we should expect these planets to be contributing maximum positive effects. This person will likely have a very pleasing appearance and high emotional intelligence.
Then there are several snapshot methods too such as use of Transits of the planets and Khara point. The 64th division of the D9 (8th house of the D9 chart), as well as the 22nd division of the D3 (8th house of the D3 chart) are called Khara, and are very malefic points in the horoscope. Transits of malefic planets to this point in the D1 chart generally brings a person negative news.
Method of Using Divisional Charts for Deeper Clarity in Interpretation of Transits Conjunctions
It is generally accepted in Vedic astrology to consider conjunctions of two planets when they are in the same sign in that particular divisional chart and interpret their results according to that divisional chart.
Step 1 : Take the planet and note it’s position, sign and lord of this sign in the D1 Birth Chart
Step 2: Note the sign where this planet has gone into the D9 Navamsa chart
Step 3: Take the slow transiting planet for which we want to interpret and time the results. Note the transiting planet’s relationship to the lord of the sign. Here general rule is if the lord is in enemic relationship to the transiting planet, the results will be unfavorable. If they are friends, it will be favorable regardless of the malefic or benefic nature of the transiting planet.
Step 4: Super impose the D9 sign of the planet on the D1 chart and see in which house it goes.
A favourable transit will give us positive results related to both the D1 sign and it’s house as well as D9 sign and it’s house in the D1 chart. Favorable transits of malefic planets can be interpreted to give rise to the person by harm to others or through questionable methods.
Take for example birth chart of Late Indira Gandhi, ex-prime minister of India who was assassinated by her own body guards on October 31, 1984. We see the transits on that date.
Step 1: Transiting South Node is conjunct Sun in the zodiac sign of Scorpio in the D1 chart in the 5th house. As per Vedic astrology, same sign planets are generally accepted to be in conjunction for that divisional chart.
Step 2: Sun is in its own sign Leo in D9 chart. We see Mars too is in the same sign. This sign goes to 2nd house of D1 chart.
Step 3: Mars the lord of Scorpio is in enemic relationship with Transiting South Node. Sun too is in a planetary enemic relation to South Node. We can expect this transit to bring “double” unfavourable results.
Step 4: Now we can interpret the results of transits to bring out the worse results of Scorpio, Leo, 5th house, 2nd house and Sun who sits with Mars in the D9. 2nd house is both the house of family and killer house. Sun is the lord of 2nd house. Scorpio is a sign of accidents and mishaps. Mars is armed person. South node is a planet of detachment or cut-off.
Above information is easily enough to conclude that Late Mrs. Indira Gandhi would go through an accident or a mishap in that period. Interestingly on 31st October 1984, South Node was exactly conjunct Sun in the D9 chart as well pin pointing us the time of the event.
Methods of construction of each divisional chart and their rules of interpretation are discussed in their own pages. Thus in this chapter we learned importance of divisional charts in astrology.