Skip to main content

How to Calculate and Read Your Chart with Tropical Vedic Astrology

Discover Astrology in Less Than 5 Minutes.

Shall We Start Right Away?​

Let’s begin by creating a new astrological chart.

Access the Site Directly​

To do this, use the site recommended by my Vedic astrology teacher. You can interact directly with the site below to generate a complete chart:

What Do You Need?​

Here’s the information required to create an accurate astrological chart:

  • Date of Birth: Make sure it’s exact.
  • Place of Birth: Enter the city or region where the person was born.
  • Time of Birth:
    • Double-check its accuracy on the medical record or official birth certificate.
    • Important Tip: Don’t trust your mother blindly, even if she’s certain. To confirm, ask her specific questions:
      • Was it day or night?
      • What events happened right before or after the birth?
        These details can help jog her memory and reduce the risk of error.

Creating a New Chart

To generate an astrological chart, simply enter all the required data (date, place, and time of birth). Once done, the chart will display.

A Specific Display​

The main astrological chart, called D1, displays in a specific way in Vedic astrology. This layout can look different to those used to Greek or Western astrology.

However:

  • The zodiac used remains the same. You can learn more about this correspondence in the video below:

Subtleties of the Astrological Houses​

In Vedic astrology, the astrological houses are calculated differently, but the method is simpler:

  • 1 sign = 1 house.
    For example:
    • The Ascendant is the first house.
    • The second sign after the Ascendant becomes the second house.
    • And so on: the third sign corresponds to the third house, etc.

To learn more about the houses and their nuances, see the dedicated page here, where the topic is explained in detail.

Same Foundation, Different Techniques​

Although the techniques in Indian astrology differ, the foundation of the astrological chart remains the same. That means:

  • If you generate a chart on Astrothème, there will be no difference in terms of Zodiac Sign for the Tropical Vedic Astrology that I use. However, the techniques and interpretations are very different, leading to a distinct reading of your birth chart.
  • To ease your start, if the Vedic layout seems complex at first, you can use a Greek or Western display in parallel to get familiar.

Practical Tip: Take time to study the interpretive differences between the two systems. With practice, the Vedic display will become intuitive and enrich your understanding.

Why Use Indian Astrology?​

Indian astrology is often prized for its antiquity, symbolic richness, and its ability to harmoniously integrate philosophy, astrological poetry, and computational science.

It enjoys a unique advantage: India is one of the rare places in the world where the sacred texts related to astrology have been carefully preserved through the centuries. This exceptional preservation has allowed deep knowledge to be passed down and millennia-old practices to remain intact, offering direct access to ancient and universal teachings.

Astrology: A Universal Science​

However, it’s important to emphasize that astrology is universal. Each astrological tradition (Indian, Greek, Chinese, etc.) has its own strengths and specificities. The idea of the “best astrology” is a human construct, not a spiritual truth.

In reality, astrology—regardless of system—aims to reflect a universal cosmic truth. Each tradition provides unique tools and perspectives for exploring our connection with the universe, but none can claim to be intrinsically “superior.” It’s more a matter of personal preference and what resonates best with each individual or culture.

Conclusion: Indian astrology stands out for its exceptionally well-preserved heritage, but it is part of a broader set of universal traditions that share the same goal: helping humanity understand itself better and harmonize with the cosmos.

Simplicity and Complexity in Astrology​

One can simplify astrology, but one cannot simplify human behavior.

  • Therefore, there are always losses of information in interpretation.
  • Each individual is unique, and even similar placements can manifest very differently depending on context.

Summary: Indian astrology excels at explaining the subtleties of human behavior while respecting the reality of events. However, this also depends on the astrologer’s interpretation.

An astrologer is not perfect or all-knowing. They can make mistakes and are themselves “subject to planetary influence”.

The Planets and Their Influence​

In Indian astrology, the Graha (planets) are said to hypnotize our consciousness or represent the result of our past karma.

  • This means that our behaviors, often embedded within us, can be unconscious.
  • These unconscious patterns are the result of the various planetary combinations at our moment of birth.

To Learn More​

For more information on this topic, I’ve written a full section explaining it in detail using a popular psychology framework. This system renders these concepts accessible and is called PAE (Parent, Adult, Child).

Visit this section to discover how these concepts integrate into astrology and psychology.

The Simplicity of Vedic Astrology: Some Basic Techniques​

Vedic astrology is distinguished by simple yet powerful fundamental concepts. Here is a detailed introduction to some of the most important basics.

1. The Moon: Personality and Subconscious​

In Vedic astrology, the Moon represents:

  • Personality: How a person presents themselves to the world.
  • Emotions: The capacity to express feelings authentically.
  • Subconscious: A hidden but influential part of the mind.
  • Adaptability: How one adjusts to new environments.
  • Emotional Security: Feeling comfort and protection.
  • Sociability: The ability to form social connections.

Tip: A well-placed Moon gives emotional balance and adaptability. A weakened Moon can lead to insecurity or difficulty adapting.

2. The Sun: Leadership and Confidence​

The Sun symbolizes:

  • Leadership: The ability to guide and inspire.
  • Stability: Having solid, coherent goals.
  • Self-confidence: Belief in one’s skills and abilities.
  • Courage: Overcoming fears and facing challenges, especially if the Sun is in Aries (Mars’s sign, which enhances courage).
  • Responsibility: Making decisions aligned with one’s capabilities.
  • Honor and Respect: Earning long-term respect and honoring commitments.

Influence of Other Planets on the Sun:​

  • Saturn or Rahu near the Sun: May cause anxiety, fear, or exaggerated behaviors.
  • Jupiter near the Sun or the Moon:
    • With the Sun: Strengthens self-confidence.
    • With the Moon: Brings strong optimism and spiritual openness. However, if Jupiter is in Capricorn, it loses strength unless supported by a “friendly” planet like Mars.

3. Exaltation and Debilitation of the Planets​

Planets can be exalted or in debilitation, influencing their power and impact:

  • Exalted: The person excels in qualities related to that planet, showing great maturity in that area.
  • Debilitated: The planet is weakened, bringing challenges or gaps.

Planetary Exaltations:​

  • Sun: Aries
  • Moon: Taurus
  • Mars: Capricorn
  • Mercury: Virgo
  • Jupiter: Cancer
  • Venus: Pisces
  • Saturn: Libra

Planetary Debilitations:​

  • Opposite signs of their exaltation:
    • Sun: Libra
    • Moon: Scorpio
    • Mars: Cancer
    • Mercury: Pisces
    • Jupiter: Capricorn
    • Venus: Virgo
    • Saturn: Aries

Tip: A planet near the Sun is weakened, while a distant planet gains strength. Distance from its favorite sign also influences its power.

4. The Astrological Houses and Planetary Strength​

Houses play a crucial role in assessing planetary strength:

  • Strong houses for each planet:
    • Sun: 10th House
    • Moon: 4th House
    • Mars: 10th House
    • Mercury: 1st House
    • Jupiter: 1st House
    • Venus: 4th House
    • Saturn: 7th House

Example:​

  • Saturn on the Ascendant (1st House): A challenging placement, bringing difficulties.
  • Jupiter or Mercury on the Ascendant: Very beneficial, especially if exalted.

Important: A strong planet doesn’t guarantee an easy life. Subtle nuances—often hard for a beginner to spot—can greatly alter outcomes.

For example, a Sun in Aries is often caricatured as stubborn or antisocial, but such stereotypes rarely reflect reality. Avoid these superficial simplifications. Aries is a complex sign, whose expression depends on other factors like aspects to other planets or house placements.

Likewise, Scorpio is often misunderstood and linked to negative ideas like fear or conflict. Yet, its true power depends mainly on the planet in that sign:

  • Mars in Scorpio, for instance, can give someone exceptional self-control. This placement often reflects a positive, protective mother figure in childhood, providing support and guidance.
  • Surprising Detail: Mars—traditionally seen as a warrior planet—can also relate to a caring, solid mother who teaches healthy ways to ask for help.

Tip: Correct planetary interpretation always depends on the overall context, not an isolated reading of a sign or planet. Delving into these nuances is essential to avoid simplistic judgments and uncover the real richness of Vedic astrology.

5. Life Periods and the Role of Planets​

Planets influence different life periods:

  • Moon and Mars: Associated with childhood (0–3 years), reflecting unconscious skills.
  • Mercury: Transition between childhood and adolescence (3–12 years).
  • Venus and Jupiter: Adulthood (12–50 years), representing maturity and development.
  • Sun and Saturn: Parental period (50–120 years).

Example:​

  • If Venus is the strongest planet, the person will tend to develop mature behavior during its dominant period (12–32 years for Venus).
  • If Mercury is weak, the childhood from 3 to 12 years might be marked by communication challenges.

6. How to Assess Planetary Balance?​

Personal preferences are often influenced by planetary strength or weakness:

  • If Mars is exalted, a person will love being active and value that activity.
  • If Mars is debilitated, they might prefer inactivity and see it as positive.

General Planetary Influences:​

  • Jupiter: Brings optimism.
  • Mercury: Favors communication.
  • Venus: Encourages diplomacy.
  • Saturn: Teaches patience.

Practical Tip: Analyze exaltations, debilities, and planetary positions to better understand a person’s strengths and weaknesses.

Wrong Ascendant or Sidereal Ascendant?​

Difference Between the Ascendant, Earth, Sun, and Stars​

Calculating the Ascendant point is sometimes done incorrectly by certain software. On many Vedic astrology sites, the majority use sidereal astrology to calculate the Ascendant, which, in my opinion, is an error.

The Ascendant is defined by the position of the Earth relative to the Sun, precisely where it rises in the east. This calculation shouldn’t rely on the stars since the Earth is local and has no direct connection with any star other than the Sun.

Thus, in my view, Tropical Astrology corresponds to the calculation based on the Earth’s position relative to the Sun and Moon. The 24 hours of a day are linked to 12 Ascendants, each lasting about 2 hours. Sidereal astrology, on the other hand, does not directly rely on this calculation. Logic dictates starting with the solar system, which is close, and then adding more distant elements, not the other way around.

Sidereal Astrology is an entire topic I address in part in a video on the Blue Serpent. This system is far more complex due to its distance and the precession of the stars. As a result, sidereal signs or constellations are shifted by about 23° relative to tropical (solar) Houses or Signs.

Example: Ascendant Shift​

If you are Ascendant Aries at 15° in Tropical astrology, you will be Ascendant Pisces at 22° in Sidereal astrology.

Preview of the Linked Article​

Where to Begin for the Beginner: Sidereal or Tropical?​

The techniques can be used on both zodiacs, but their approaches differ:

  • Greco-Roman (Western) techniques focus primarily on psychology.
  • Vedic techniques combine prediction and psychology.

In summary, if you were born with a significant psychological trauma, Vedic astrology can predict the difficulties you might face in developing certain skills. This prediction is built on logical, easy-to-interpret foundations.

Conversely, Western astrology, as often practiced in Europe and the United States, tends to concentrate more on immediate personal psychology than on how life is meant to unfold or on long-term predictions.

Modern Western astrology often overemphasizes the three outer planets—Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto—often at the expense of the visible planets, which have a more direct and concrete influence on our daily lives. This focus makes Western astrology less effective at predicting future events or deeply understanding life’s evolution.

By contrast, Vedic astrology, especially when using the tropical zodiac, excels not only in predicting future events but also in the deep understanding of human psychology. It offers powerful tools to identify and resolve traumas, move forward in life, and heal emotionally.

These aspects, essential for personal development, are absent or extremely rare in modern Western astrology. The Vedic approach, with its symbolic and practical richness, provides concrete and holistic solutions that modern Western astrology does not offer.

Conflicts and Debates:
Like in all fields, there are differences of opinion and philosophical conflicts on these topics. These divergences enrich perspectives but can also confuse beginners. It’s important to explore both approaches to see what resonates with you.

My Personal Choice?​

I always lean toward what seems most logical and works in practice. An idea may seem appealing, but if it doesn’t work in testing, I don’t use that approach.

What I appreciate about Vedic astrology is that it does not separate science from spirituality. One could say it doesn’t separate Jupiter (spiritual wisdom) from Mercury (logic and intellect). Research through the physical senses is just as important as research through “spiritual” senses.

The mistake many make is to split science and spirituality, or to mock religions and myths, which often serve as symbolic—and sometimes scientific—representations. Just as Latin is used in a scientific approach, Sanskrit has an important root called Mula, which comes from the Nakshatra at the end of Sagittarius.

In Vedic astrology, everything is explained astrologically, mythologically, psychologically, and scientifically. One could say this reflects the four paths of life:

  • Dharma (duty or life mission),
  • Artha (material prosperity),
  • Kama (desires and pleasures), and
  • Moksha (spiritual liberation).

Types of Houses

This image illustrates the distribution of astrological houses in Vedic astrology according to the four paths of life: Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha. Each house is associated with a specific function reflecting a fundamental aspect of human existence.

A fascinating aspect of this system is the complementary opposition between Moksha (houses 4, 8, 12) and Kama (houses 3, 7, 11). These houses are like two sides of the same coin: although they seem opposite in nature, they are intrinsically linked and complement each other to achieve the same goal.

For example, Moksha symbolizes the spiritual quest and detachment, while Kama represents life’s pleasures, desires, and relationships. If Moksha drives us toward transcendence and liberation, Kama brings us back into the realm of human experience. One without the other would be incomplete:

  • Spirituality (Moksha) disconnected from life’s pleasures (Kama) can lead to a form of spiritual boredom, where the quest for liberation becomes empty.
  • Likewise, pleasures and desires (Kama) without a spiritual direction (Moksha) can seem hollow and fleeting, lacking depth and purpose.

One could say these oppositions function as a natural balance, where each house attracts and balances its opposite. This explains why some spiritual teachers (linked to Moksha) can sometimes become excessive in their pursuit of material and sexual pleasures (Kama): they haven’t integrated the idea that these two paths can coexist for full fulfillment.

Just as science without belief can become purposeless, and spirituality without regard for earthly life can seem sterile, the Moksha and Kama houses teach us that balance between the two is essential. By embracing both perspectives, we can grow both spiritually and humanly.

This classification of the houses shows how Vedic astrology offers a coherent system, integrating the material, emotional, and spiritual experiences of life while maintaining a dynamic balance between these opposites.