Systems.approach.determining.horoscopes.david.hawthorne

The Systems’ Approach to Interpreting HoroscopesDavid M. Hawthorne, M.S., J.B.

In this article you will learn a simple, practical approach to Vedic astrology. The

Systems’ Approach to Interpreting Horoscopes, as developed by Professor V.K.

Choudhry of Gurgaon, India, is based on classical Jyotish principles, and was tested

under the empirical studies of more than 50,000 charts over a 20-year period. The

Systems’ Approach is easy to learn and apply, and simplifies the process of reading

charts. It is fast, precise, and gives you confidence in your analysis. More than 800

Vedic astrologers worldwide are now practicing the Systems’ Approach. This is Vedic

astrology in its most contemporary form.

THE MAIN POINTS OF SYSTEMS’ APPROACH

Events and indications in life are ruled by the four elements of astrology: the planets,

houses, signs and planetary periods. During their operating periods, the planets bless the

person with the significations ruled by them relative to their strength and placement in the

horoscope. The main points are:

1. Identify the Most Effective Point (MEP) of every house. The Most Effective Point

is based on the rising sign degree. For example, if the natal chart rising sign is 10

degrees, 15 minutes (regardless of any sign from Aries to Pisces), then the Most Effective

Point of every house is 10 degrees, 15 minutes.

2. Note the five-degree orb. Whenever a planet is within five degrees of any other

planet, or is within five degrees on either side of the Most Effective Point of any house,

whether by conjunction or aspect, in either the natal chart or by transit, then the planet’s

benefic or malefic influence is considered close and applicable. Benefic and malefic

planets, however, can co-exist without problems (whether by conjunction or aspect),

when they are safely outside the five-degree orb from each other.

Systems’ Approach to Interpreting Horoscopes Page 1

3. Determine the functional nature of planets. Planets operate as either functional

malefics or functional benefics in any given chart. The functional malefic planets are

Rahu and Ketu for all rising signs, along with planets ruling mooltrikona signs falling in

the dusthana (inauspicious) houses – which are the sixth, eighth, and twelfth houses, as

counted from the ascendant. Under Systems’ Approach, the mooltrikona signs are 1, 4,

5, 6, 7, 9, and 11 -- Aries, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Sagittarius, and Aquarius. These

signs are ruled by Mars, Moon, Sun, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn, respectively.

This is an important key to accurate readings. In the future, simply note whether any

mooltrikona sign (1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, or 11) falls in the inauspicious sixth, eighth, or twelfth

house; and, if so, the rulers of these houses become functional malefics for that rising

sign specifically. This explains why some people have good results with traditional

malefic planets, and poor results with traditional benefic planets. In other words, Sun,

Mars, and Saturn are not malefics for every chart; and, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and

Moon are not benefics for every chart.

The application of this principle shows that the number of functional malefic planets

varies for each rising sign, as indicated in the following list.

Aries: Rahu, Ketu, and Mercury

Taurus: Rahu, Ketu, Venus, Jupiter, and Mars

Gemini: Rahu, Ketu

Cancer: Rahu, Ketu, Jupiter, and Saturn

Leo: Rahu, Ketu, and Moon

Virgo: Rahu, Ketu, Saturn, Mars, and Sun

Libra: Rahu, Ketu, and Mercury

Scorpio: Rahu, Ketu, Mars, and Venus

Sagittarius: Rahu, Ketu, and Moon

Capricorn: Rahu, Ketu, Sun, and Jupiter

Aquarius: Rahu, Ketu, Moon, and Mercury

Pisces: Rahu, Ketu, Sun, Venus, and Saturn

Note: If a planet is not a functional malefic, then it is a functional benefic. There are no

neutral planets in this system.


ANALYSING THE PLANETS AND HOUSES

Natal chart and transit interpretations are always done with reference to the ascendant.

Interpretations are not done using any other sign, house, or lord independent of the rising

sign.

Measuring the strength of the planets: There are 30 degrees in every sign. Planets in

the first five degrees of a sign are considered in infant state and are rendered weak.

Similarly, planets in the last five degrees are considered in old age, and are also weak.

Just as an infant or elderly person cannot protect or provide for others, these planets need

to be strengthened when they are functional benefics in a chart.

The results of planets vary in degree of strength as per their longitudes. That is, when

planets are in their infant state their power is 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% when

they are 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 degrees, respectively. When planets are in their old age state

their power is 100%, 80%, 60%, 40%, 20% and 0% when their longitude is 25, 26, 27,

28, 29, and 30 degrees, respectively.

Weak Planets: Planets are considered weak if they are: 1. In their signs of debilitation.

2. Are combust. 3. Are in the state of infancy (first five degrees of a sign). 4. Are in the

state of old age (last five degrees of a sign). 5. Placed in an inauspicious house (the sixth,

eighth, and twelfth) in the natal chart or by daily transit.

A weak planet does not have the ability to fully protect either its general or particular

significations. The general significations refer to the subjects ruled by the planet. The

Sun, for example, rules father, status of the native, heart, digestive system, etc.,

irrespective of the house lordship of the Sun in a natal chart. The particular significations

refer to: 1. The significations of the house where the planet's mooltrikona sign is placed,

and, 2. The house where the planet is placed in the natal chart.

Afflictions: The afflictions to the planets and houses are caused by the close conjunction

or aspect (within five degrees) of the functional malefic planets in a natal chart.

Whenever a weak planet is afflicted by a functional malefic planet, the results of its

significations manifest with delay, or suffer altogether. Afflictions in the natal chart

cause damage during the entire sub period of the weak planet or of the afflicting planets.


Afflictions to the weak planet during the transit influences cause only short-term damage,

and last only for the duration of the operating transit influence.

Exalted Planets: Whenever planets are placed in their signs of exaltation they are

considered to have additional strength. Whether or not they are placed on the exact point

of exaltation has very little relevance. The exaltation power, however, is reduced if the

planet is weak in infant or old age state, or if it is closely afflicted by functional malefics

in the chart, or if it is badly placed in either the sixth, eighth, or twelfth house.

Combust Planets: When the Sun is a functional benefic planet, its conjunction with

other well-placed functional benefic planets is considered good. It gives exponential

growth relative to the significations of the planet in close conjunction with the Sun.

However, the combust planets will suffer when they are under the transit malefic

influences. On the other hand, when the Sun is a functional malefic and is closely

conjunct with other planets, then the planets involved suffer. This is because the planets

become afflicted by the conjunction of the functional malefic Sun permanently -- due to

their natal chart positions. The combust planets also suffer in transit afflictions.

Measuring strength of the houses: The strength of the houses and the signs is gauged

through the strength of their lords and the conjunctions and aspects to the Most Effective

Point of the houses.

Analyzing non-mooltrikona signs: Until and unless there is a close malefic influence

on the Most Effective Point of a house containing a non-mooltrikona sign, the

significations of that house will not bother a person. That is, generally people will not

seek astrological consultations or remedies relevant to the significations of those houses

containing non-mooltrikona signs.

Use of divisional charts: The divisional charts are used for judging the strength of a

planet while studying its impact in a particular field. Any planet occupying its sign of

debilitation in a particular divisional chart will fail to protect its significations in the natal

chart in its sub periods. We consider the lord of the ascendant of the divisional chart. If,

for example, the ascending sign of the dasamsa (profession chart) is a mooltrikona sign of

a particular planet, the same planet is also considered as a prime determinant of the

profession. However, if there is no mooltrikona sign in the ascendant of the dasamsa, we

then consider the position of the primary and secondary determinants of the professional

affairs of the natal chart in the dasamsa. For judging the strength of the primary and


secondary significators, we have to see if these planets have gone to their signs of

debilitation in dasamsa.

Capability of planets to bless with their significations: It is necessary to study both

the natal chart and the transit position of the planet. The planet will be able to bless the

native with both its general and particular significations if it is strong in both the natal

chart and in transit.

PLANETARY PERIODS AND RESULTS

The planets, according to their strength in a horoscope, give the results of the

significations and houses ruled by them in their main and sub periods. Though various

types of planetary periods for specific combinations in a nativity are mentioned in

classical texts, the Vimshotri Dasha system has been mentioned for general applications

and is used exclusively under the Systems’ Approach.

During the sub period of a planet, the following three significations are operating: 1. The

general significations of the planet. 2. The particular significations of the house where

the mooltrikona sign of the operating planet is placed. 3. The significations of the house

where the planet is placed.

The results of the general significations of the sub period lord depend upon its functional

nature, strength, placement, and any close aspects or conjunctions to the sub period lord.

Results of main and sub period lords: Events take place during the periods of

operating planets. The following table is useful in analyzing results of the main period

(mahadasha) and sub period (antardasha or bhukti):

Main Period Lord Sub Period Lord Results

Functional Malefic Functional Malefic Will cause suffering

Functional Malefic Functional Benefic

(If well placed and strong)

Will bestow good results

Functional Malefic Functional Benefic

(If weak or afflicted)

Will create only hope (that does

not get fulfilled)

Functional Benefic Functional Benefic

(If well placed and strong)

Will bestow very good results

Functional Benefic Functional Benefic

(If badly placed and weak)

Will bestow average results

with misfortune during

unfavorable transit influences


Functional Benefic Functional Malefic Will cause mild sufferings

Functional Benefic Functional Malefic

(If involved in close conjunction or

aspects with other weak planets)

Will cause grave

concerns/tragic happenings

IDENTIFYING TRANSIT INFLUENCES:

Transits refer to the planetary positions at any given time after the date of birth.

Transiting planets are studied with reference to the natal chart ascendant and position of

the planets in the natal chart, and not with reference to the natal Moon sign.

Significant events are triggered by the transit of planets over the natal planetary positions.

Whenever a functional malefic planet transits a weak natal position, it triggers an

undesirable incident concerning the planet and the house involved. This is more so when

the weak natal planet is also weak in transit. The afflicted planets and houses are those

with which the functional malefic planets form exact or close conjunctions and aspects.

The result of a particular house will be influenced by a transiting planet when it is near to

its Most Effective Point, depending upon its functional nature whether benefic or malefic.

The impact of transit functional malefics is on both functional malefics and benefics.

The subjects governed by the planets are their general and particular significations. The

significations of a functional benefic planet are harmed when it transits the natal position

or close aspect of a functional malefic planet.

Whenever planets in transit form conjunctions amongst themselves, the events occur

depending upon their functional nature in connection with the house with reference to a

particular ascendant. Whenever the functional benefic planets transit auspicious natal

positions, they trigger happy incidents. During the main periods of the functional benefic

planets, benefic transit effects are more pronounced, while malefic transit effects are

mild. Similarly, during the main periods of functional malefics, the benefic transit effects

are mild while the malefic transit effects are more severe.

Reading transit results: The sub period lord sets the trends. However, transit effects

can supersede the trend results of the sub period lord and create significant events. The

malefic effects of slow moving functional malefic planets, i.e. Jupiter, Saturn, Rahu and

Ketu, are more pronounced when during the course of their close conjunctions or aspects,

they become stationary, or move more slowly as compared to their normal speed.


In essence, the sub period planet sets the trend as per its mooltrikona sign lordship, house

placement, and other influences on it in the natal chart. The transit planets then cause

influence whenever they come into contact with the sub period planet’s natal or transit

position. Whenever the transit planets transit over the natal functional malefic planets,

then the significations ruled by the transiting planets suffer badly. Whenever a transiting

functional malefic planet transits the Most Effective Point, it affects the house in which it

is located and all the houses that it aspects.

Take, for example, a natal chart with a Sagittarius ascendant. In this chart, the sign of

Libra is placed in the eleventh house. Now, suppose the eleventh house lord, Venus, is

placed in the twelfth house of loss. Then, during the sub period of Venus, there could be

loss relating to eleventh house significations -- such as income, friends, or elder siblings.

Even the death of the elder sibling could occur if, by transit, the functional malefics Rahu

and Ketu form a close conjunction or aspect to any of the following: 1. The Most

Effective Point of the eleventh house. 2. The natal position of Venus. 3. The transit

position of the sub period lord, Venus.

ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES

The key issues in analyzing a horoscope are: 1. Identifying the functional nature of

planets in a nativity. 2. The techniques for judging the strength of a planet. 3. The

distinction between the weak and/or afflicted planets. 4. The impact of weak and/or

afflicted planets. 5. The orb of longitudinal difference for judging the impact of

conjunctions and aspects. 6. Identifying the impact of the Most Malefic Planet. 7. The

Most Effective Point of various houses in a chart.

How to analyze a chart: Note the ascendant degree, which becomes the Most Effective

Point of every house. Underline the functional malefic planets. Identify the conjunctions

and aspects within a five-degree orb from each other. Put a circle around the planets and

houses that are afflicted due to the close influence of the functional malefic planets. Note

the weak, badly placed, and afflicted planets, and/or the sub period of the functional

malefic planets (for trend results).


A functional benefic planet becomes weak if placed in any of the malefic (sixth, eighth,

or twelfth) houses. The Systems' Approach also considers the strength or weakness of a

planet that is placed in the mooltrikona sign of another planet.

Problems are always with regard to the weak, badly placed and afflicted planets or the

sub periods of the functional malefics. Short-term problems are indicated by the malefic

transit over the weak natal planets. Good results are identified for the significations of the

well-placed strong planets having good and close conjunctions or aspects.

The best thing an astrologer can do is to indicate, in the shortest possible time, the strong

and weak areas in a chart and prescribe the appropriate remedies.

ASTROLOGICAL REMEDIES

The problems in life are caused by weak or badly placed functional benefic planets or

afflictions to them. To help people overcome their problems, the astrologer advises

appropriate astral remedies, such as meditation and spiritual practices, color and

gemstone therapy, the wearing of a kavach or amulet as a protective shield, and the

participation in pujas and yagyas, etc.

The strengthening astrological remedial measures are suggested for all the functional

benefic planets even if they are not weak and afflicted in the natal chart. The

strengthening measures provide a preventive cover to the planets against their transit

weakness. Similarly, the propitiating remedial measures are advised for all the functional

malefic planets even if they are not forming close afflictions in the natal chart. The

propitiating remedial measures provide a preventive cover for transit and natal afflictions.

When planets indicate tragic happenings, people usually do not perform astral remedies

to protect themselves against the expected losses. (The weakness of Jupiter and the lord

of the ninth house is always a contributing factor in this regard).

The indications of time can only be modified with the help of the astral remedies. Until

and unless the astral remedies are performed, the extent of the services of the divine

science of astrology is very much limited. The planetary relationships give results as per

the indications in case no preventive remedies are performed.


EXAMPLE CHART

JOHN F. KENNEDY, JR.

This is the chart of the son of President John F. Kennedy, the late John F. Kennedy, Jr.,

who tragically died in an airplane crash at sea on July 16, 1999. His wife, Carolyn, and

her sister, Lauren, were also killed in the accident.

The rising sign is Leo. The Most Effective Point of every house is 18:39 degrees. The

functional malefics for this chart are Rahu, Ketu, and Moon. The functional benefics are

Sun, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn.

Rahu and Ketu, at 18:27 degrees, are exactly on the Most Effective Point and closely

afflict the houses they occupy and aspect, i.e., the first, third, fifth, seventh, ninth, and

eleventh houses in the chart. (Under Systems’ Approach, Rahu and Ketu aspect the fifth,

seventh, and ninth houses from their positions in either the natal or transit chart.)

Rahu, the significator of unexpected events and calamities, afflicts Saturn, the significator

of longevity, and Venus, the significator of wife and conveyances. Rahu also closely

afflicts the first house (personal calamities), the fifth house, (he had no children), the

seventh house (his wife died with him), and the ninth house (his father was assassinated).

Ketu, the significator of miseries and obstructions, closely afflicts Mercury, the ruler of

the second house of status and continuation of family life.


Sun, the ruler of the rising sign, is well placed in the fourth house and shows good results

relative to mother, fixed assets, and domestic happiness. The well placed and unafflicted

Sun, along with Rahu in the first house, gave him fame, fortune, position, charisma, and

popularity. The Sun and well-placed lord of the ninth house, Mars, also gave him gains,

good fortune, and executive skills. The lord of the second house, placed in the third

house, gave him status in life through his own self-efforts. The well-placed Jupiter gave

him higher education and a degree in law.

Note that none of the planets are placed in the malefic sixth, eighth, or twelfth houses.

This helped provide John F. Kennedy, Jr. with good health, fame, wealth, status, mental

development, self-efforts and initiatives, education, partners, and good fortune.

Unfortunately, even all of these well-placed planets were not able to safeguard against the

close affliction of the Rahu-Ketu axis to the Most Effective Points of the various houses

they occupied and aspected in the chart. The astral remedies could have helped to reduce

the impact of the malefic influences and severe afflictions indicated in this chart.

Timing of Events

At the time of his death, John F. Kennedy, Jr. was running the Saturn main period and

Mercury sub period. The main period lord, Saturn, is the natural significator for

longevity and is afflicted in the natal chart by Rahu, the significator of unexpected events

and calamities.

The sub period lord (and operating planet), Mercury, is closely afflicted in the natal chart

by the aspect of Ketu, the significator of violent accidents, miseries and wounds. Note

that Mercury is placed in the air sign, Libra, ruled by Venus. Venus is the significator of

conveyances, and is under the exact affliction of Rahu by aspect from the first house.

On the day of John F. Kennedy Jr.’s death, Mercury was transiting the twelfth house of

loss, closely conjunct transiting Rahu. Sun, the lord of the chart, was extremely weak in

transit at 00:15 degrees in the malefic twelfth house. Moon, the Most Malefic Planet in

this chart, was transiting the first house, over his natal Rahu. In addition, transiting Rahu

and Ketu in the twelfth and sixth houses, respectively, were at 19:10 degrees, (within one

degree of the Most Effective Point), thus afflicting all of the houses they occupied and

aspected -- including the malefic sixth, eighth, and twelfth houses.


_______________________________________________________________________

David M. Hawthorne, M.S., J.B., received his Master’s degree, and the titles of Jyotish Bhanu

and Professor of Astrology, from the Systems’ Institute of Hindu Astrology, Gurgaon, India.

He is the co-author, along with Professor V.K. Choudhry, of Astrology for Life: How to Be Your

Own Vedic Astrologer. Mr. Hawthorne is a member of both the American Council of Vedic

Astrology (ACVA), and the Systems' Institute of Hindu Astrology (SIHA). He is also the President

of the International Institute of Predictive Astrology (IIPA), with more than 800 Vedic astrology

members from 40 countries worldwide. Mr. Hawthorne can be reached at Astroview, Inc.,

508 N. Second St., Fairfield, IA 52556 USA. Tel: 641-472-3799. http://www.astroview.com.


http://www.astroview.com/

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Systems.approach.determining.horoscopes.david.hawthorne