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The
Navamsha – 9th divisional chart or Varga
In Hindu astrology the
horoscope may be broken down into several vargas, or
divisions. Although as many as 16 basic divisional
charts exist, most astrologers only concern themselves
with the navamhsa or 1/9 division. Each varga chart
relates to a certain house, and this one corresponds to
the 7th, the house of marriage. However, because the 7th
is the opposite of the lst, which is the most personal
part of a horoscope, it has to do with a person's
relationship to society and all its functions. Therefore
the navamsha is of great importance, and no professional
Hindu astrologer will attempt to analyze a birth chart
without it.
Although astrologers
consult the navamsha for specific details of married
life, the chart is mainly used for its impact on a
person's life in general, for this chart carries a good
deal of power to affect the actual birth chart. For
example, if 4 or 5 planets in the navamsha are exalted,
or in their own signs, the original horoscope is
tremendously strengthened in a recognisable way.
Naturally, if many planets are fallen in this divisional
chart, the opposite results would occur. Also, nearly
all Hindu scriptures are emphatic about the fact that if
a planet is exalted in the birthchart but fallen in the
navamsha, then the particular effects of that planet
will be extremely mixed, and in that planet's dasha
(planetary period- will discuss later) some amount of
misery must be reaped. It should also be mentioned that
the Hindu scriptures are replete with planetary
combinations and formulas involvng this varga. One such
basic and easily noted condition is what is known as
vargothamamsa, or vargottama.
This occurs when a planet in the navamsha occupies the
same sign as its horoscope placement. This is a
beneficial situation, and Hindu scriptures state that
the planet will give results similar to those given when
posited in its own sign. A planet in its fallen sign,
being vargottama, is of course only worse off.
One must bear in mind,
however. that the navamsha is not an actual horoscope
but a calculated one based upon the original. Therefore
aspects and conjunctions in this chart should never be
used, despite the fact that some astrologers attempt to
do so. Also, planets are posited in signs in the
navamsha, but there are no degrees for them.
The navamsha is
essentially used to color the actual horoscope. There is
no question that specific results can be delineated from
the proper use of the chart, but the conditions revealed
must be balanced with the natal horoscope. For example,
if Jupiter is fallen in the 10th house of the navamsha,
one may expect disturbances in the person's career.
However, the intensity of difficulties will depend upon
the condition of the 10th house of the actual birth
chart.
There is one
consideration, especially for Westerners, which must be
taken quite seriously. And that is that when a 30 degree
sign is divided into 9 parts, each one is only 3 degrees
20 minutes. Therefore since 1 degree equals 4 minutes of
arc, an error of 13 minutes in the birth time throws
this chart completely off. In many cases a mere 4 or 5
minute discrepancy will give a wrong ascendant for the
navamsha. Thus, it is Inappropriate to use the houses in
the navamsha unless one is certain the birth time is
exact, or unless events proving the accuracy of the
divisional chart have been witnessed. But although the
houses may be inaccurate due to an improper birth time,
the planets in signs will not be affected. Therefore
even if one is not positive the birth time is exact,
there is still great value in knowing what signs the
planets occupy in the navamsha.
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