Vargas (Harmonic Charts)

One of the most important predictive features of Vedic astrology Is the use of different harmonic charts to focus in on specific areas of life. There are 16 major harmonic charts used (that are identified in Brihat Parashara Hora Sastra). Below are the sutras from Brihat Parashara Hora Sastra, the calculations for erecting the harmonic charts and a brief overview of what each chart is for.
5-6. Rashi and Hor. The Rashi, owned by a Grah, is called its Kshetra. The first half of an odd Rashi is the Hora, ruled by Srya. While the second half is the Hora of Candr. The reverse is true in the case of an even Rashi. Half of a Rashi is called Hora. These are totally 24, counted from Mesh and repeated twice (at the rate of 12) in the whole of the zodiac.

The hora Chart is related to wealth, income and connection. It basically shows a deeper masculine and feminine quality of the chart. The Masculine feminine quality of the hora chart is determined by the birth chart itself. Planets are already in masculine and feminine signs there. NOTE: It is traditional to put planets in either Leo or cancer based on the above Sutra - (the signs ruled by the sun and moon). Yet, it is more likely that this is a common mistake as that instruction is not given. What is given is that the rulers are the sun and moon. So then, how are we supposed to break these two halves of the sign? It later says that each sign is repeated twice. The most sensible way for that to happen is to see that each sign is an expression of duality in this chart. Based on how the other sutras are written we would have been instructed to move forward or backwards one or two signs - which is the only other possible calculation method of that would still have each sign repeat twice. It Is ruled by the moon, The indicator of connection.
7-8. Dreshkan. One third of a Rashi is called Dreshkan. These are totally 36, counted from Mesh, repeating thrice at the rate of 12 per round. The 1st, 5th and the 9th Rashis from a Rashi are its three Dreshkanas and are, respectively, lorded by Narada, Agasthya and Durvash.

The Drekkana Chart shows our relationship to third house issues such as siblings, competition, Courage and other sorts of individualized activities. It breaks up each sign into three equal portions of 10. The first portion is ruled by the sign itself, then the next two portions are ruled by the sign of the same elements in Zodiacal order. For instance, a planet in the second Drekkana Of Gemini would be in the Drekkana of Libra. As Gemini is broken up into three equal ten degree portions. The first one being Gemini, the second being Libra and the third being Aquarius the three air signs unfolding in zodiacal succession.

It Is ruled by Mars, The indicator of courage and strength.

Chaturth. The Lords of the 4 Kendras from a Rashi are the rulers of respective Chaturth of a Rashi, commencing from Mesh. Each Chaturth is one fourth of a Rashi. The deities, respectively, are Sanak, Sanand, Kumar and Sanatan.

The Chaturtamsha has to do with Peace, prosperity, and inner stability. It breaks the sign up into four different sections of 7 30 seconds each. The sign itself rules the first Chaturtamsa then each successive Chaturtamsa is an angle from the first. For instance, A planet at 20 Leo would be in the third Chaturtamsa, or the sign of Aquarius. Leo is the first Chaturtamsa (0-7:30) Scorpio the second angle from Leo (7:31-15) - Aquarius the third (15:01-22:30) It is ruled by Mercury, Who travels all four directions building prosperity.
10-11. Sapt. The Sapt (one seventh of a Rashi) counting commences from the same Rashi in the case of an odd Rashi. It is from the seventh Rashi thereof, while an even Rashi is considered. The names of the seven divisions in odd Rashis are Kshaar Ksheer, Dadhi, Ghrith, Ikshu, Ras, Madhya and Suddh Jal. These designations are reversed for an even Rashi.

The Saptamsha breaks the sign up into seven equal portions of approximately 4:17. This chart is assessed for general creativity - but especially children. In calculating this chart the signs unfold from the original Rashi, in successive order except for even rashis, (Feminine signs) which are calculated in reverse. For example, a planet at 15 Capricorn would be in the Saptamsha of Libra; as 15 is the fourth Saptamsha and Libra is the fourth sign from Capricorn when counted in reverse. If the planet was in 15 of Libra it would be in the Saptamsha of Capricorn the fourth sign from Libra when counted forward. It is ruled by Jupiter, The general indicator of the expansion and children.
12. Nav. The Nav calculation are for a Movable Rashi from there itself, for a Fixed Rashi from the 9th thereof and for a Dual Rashi from the 5th thereof. They go by designations Deva (divine), Manushya (human) and Rakshasa (devilish) in a successive and repetitive order for a Movable Rashi. (Manushya, Rakshasa and Deva are the order for a Fixed Rashi, while Rakshasa, Manushya and Deva are a Dual Rashis order)

The Navamsa breaks the sign up into nine portions of the 3:20 seconds each. This is the chart related to the Nakshatra's specifically the Nakshatra padas are shown by the Navamsa chart. It is shown for general indicators related to spiritual growth, skills and its overall potential. It is the main chart to be assessed when looking into marriage and relationship issues. The chart unfolds in a forward direction through ninth successive signs. The starting point is determined thus. If a planet is in a cardinal (movable) sign, that one is the first Navamsa. If a planet is in a fixed sign, the ninth from it is the first Navamsa. If the planet is in a dual sign, the fifth from it is the first Navamsa.

It is ruled by Venus, the planet of relationships and embodying our teachings on the earth plane.
13-14. Dash. Starting from the same Rashi for an odd Rashi and from the 9th with reference to an even Rashi, the 10 Dashas, each of 3 degrees, are reckoned. These are presided over by the ten rulers of the cardinal directions, viz. Indra, Agni, Yama, Rakshasa, Varuna, Vayu, Kuber, Isan, Brahma and Ananth in case of an odd Rashi. It is in the reverse order, that these presiding deities are reckoned, when an even Rashi is given.

The Dasamsha Chart is related to career, handling pressure and using power. It breaks up the chart into 10 equal portions of 3 each. It is calculated Starting from the same sign, portioning each successive sign in 3 increments for an odd sign (masculine signs). If a planet is in an even sign, (water and earth signs) counting begins from the ninth from it and proceeds forward in 3 increments. It is ruled by Saturn, The planet of pressure, commitment and power.

Using Vargas to Fine Tune Predictions

There are many uses for harmonic charts. First and foremost, they are excellent for chart rectification, as important events in people's lives will be shown with a properly rectified harmonic chart. Not only can an astrologer see exact, specific events but also the overall tone of a certain quality of life can be seen based on the overall quality of the harmonic chart referring to that area of life. Assessing harmonic charges no different than assessing the regular natal chart. The same rules of dignity, placement, aspect, element all apply. In a general sense the way to approach harmonic charts is to compare the appropriate varga with the appropriate birth chart factors When assessing a specific subject and / a specific moment in time like the time you're doing the reading. If you specific approaches: Compare the planet in the birth chart with the planet in the Varga in question. It's better to have a harmonious interaction between the two, and not have them falling in difficult placements from each other. For example, a planet in Gemini in the birth chart would see its indications supported in a harmonic chart if it were in friendly signs from Gemini mainly Libra and Aquarius. The best placement in a harmonic chart is to be in the same sign as the Rasi chart (called Vargottama). When this happens, the overall energy of the planet itself (as shown by its placement in the sky when the person was born) is In Sync to its harmonic vibration in that area of life as well. When there is discord between these two placements, the expression of that planet may have difficulty in general and more specifically, during its dasa cycles.

Assess the Harmonic chart ruler in that Varga to see the person in that area of life. Just as the ruling planet in the birth chart is generally assessed as the person in their overall life, in a harmonic chart the ruling planet is seen as the person in that area of life. If someone has a Leo ascendant in the D-9 Chart, the sun is assessed as the ruling planet for their relationships. They will be very much like the sun in their relationships their partner will be very much like Saturn, the seventh house ruler in that harmonic chart. This will be a very specific indication and is blended with the indications from their birth chart.

Assess the Harmonic chart Karaka in that Varga to see the nature of that area of life. This is The same as above, only you are assessing the overall nature of this area of life based on the health of the Karaka in the appropriate Varga. For example, in the D-9 Chart Venus is assessed to see the overall quality of their style of relating and capacity to embody the grace and teachings here on earth in this lifetime.