LEARN ASTROLOGY - LESSON 3

"INTRODUCTION TO CHARTS"
ASCENDANT / ASCENDING SIGN/ LAGNA
The Ascendant or Lagna is that point in the zodiac which rises at the time of birth of a person with
reference to the place of birth. The position of planets in the zodiac is noted with reference to the earth.
The ascendant is the first house in a horoscope and the rest of the houses are reckoned from it.
IMPORTANCE OF ASCENDANT/ASCENDING SIGN / LAGNA
The functional nature of the planets in a birth chart is identified through the ascendant. The functional
nature helps in identifying the strength of planets and the planets which cause unfavorable influences in
the birth chart. The ascendant helps us in identifying the strong aspects of life and the aspect of life under
stress including health. The astrological remedial measures for various life problems are recommended
on the basis of the functional nature of the planets.
RASI CHART
The Rasi chart, which is known as birth chart or natal chart as well, can be drawn in many ways but for
the purpose of our study, we will only take up two types as given below: 1) North Indian Style
This is drawn as under: This is the best form of drawing a chart as it provides a very easy comprehension of the chart at a mere
glimpse. It shows angles/planets placed in angles without enumeration.

North Indian Style Chart

Angular houses have been marked here under.

The sixth, eighth and twelfth houses in a chart are known as Dusthanas or malefic houses. It shows
whether any planet is posited in the dusthanas. Dusthana houses have been marked hereunder:

Fifth and ninth houses are known as trines. The following chart shows the placement of planets in trines,
if any, at a mere glimpse.

Even reckoning of aspects is very easy in this form of a birth chart. The Houses are always fixed and are
shown below:

The lordship of the houses is reckoned from the placement of signs in a particular house. The lord of the
sign placed in a particular house is called the lord of the house. The counting of houses is done in an anti
clockwise direction.
In the following chart, for example, the sign Gemini rises in the Ascendant:

1) Graphical presentation of general significations of houses.

2)Graphical presentation of body parts ruled by various houses

3)Graphical presentation of blood relations ruled by various houses