When you hear astrology, the first thing that may come to your mind is a fortune teller holding a crystal ball while looking into your eyes.
Sadly, that’s not how it works.
There’s no physical tool used in astrology.
Most astrologers read your charts from their laptops.
These charts were distributed as early as the 4th century BCE.
Now this information is generated using software.
Astrology instruments
The tools in astrology are essentially charts and a map of the night sky known as ephemeris.
Ephemeris
This is a table of planetary positions that are based on calculations of the planet’s movement and astronomical model.
It may seem like a cheat sheet, but the ephemerides don’t spell out the positions of the planets.
Instead, the astrologers need to read the placement of the planet’s positions by degrees on the wheel of the zodiac.
This way, they can read each 12 signs and their relation to the planet.
This may seem confusing if you haven’t studied astrology.
However, we should be thankful to the ephemeris for the future predictions on our horoscope.
Divisional charts
These types of charts are of greater importance in the Vedic system and are also known as the Varga chart.
First, let’s understand what Varga is.
The zodiac is divided into 12 signs which totals 360 degrees or 30 degrees for each sign.
The signs are further subdivided.
And each of the equally subdivided are positions mapped on each Amsa (Divisions/Vargas).
These subdivided signs are known as Vargas, and they represent specific aspects of one’s life, like:
- education
- wealth
- love affairs
- marriage
- profession
- children, etc.
Vargas
There are 16 kinds of Vargas for each sign (chart: divisor {Varga} area of influence), and they include:
D-1: 30degree {Rashi chart}; this is the basic chart that studies the beginning of one’s destiny.
D-2: 15degree {Hora Chart}; this chart helps astrologers define your financial and wealth matters.
D-3: 10degree {Dreshkanna}; this chart studies longevity.
D-4: 7degree 30’ {Turyeeamsa or Chathurthamsa}; this chart indicates worldly attachments.
D-7: 4degree 17’ 8’’.57 {Saptamsa}; this chart shows progeny matters and procreative power.
D-9: 3degree20’ {Dharmamsa or Navamsa}; this chart is complementary to the birth chart; it is important for accurate prediction.
D-10: 3degree {Swargamsa or Dasamsa}; this chart indicates one’s standing and status in society.
D-12: 2degree30’ {Suryamsa or Dwadasamsa}; this chart shows health, parents, well-being, and longevity.
D-16: 1degree52’30’’ {Kalamsa or Shodasamsa}; this chart shows luxuries, vehicles, and happiness.
D-20: 1degree30’ {Vimsama}; this chart tells of progress and spiritualism.
D-24: 1degree15’ {Siddhamsa or Chaturvimamsa}; this chart indicates success in competition and education.
D-27: 1degree6’40’’ {Saptavisamsa or Nakshatramsa or Bhamsa}; this chart shows weakness, physical and inner strength.
D-30: 1degree {Trimsamsa}; this chart tells of evils, difficulties, and miseries about to happen.
D-40: 45’ {Swavedamsa or Khavedamsa or Chatvarimsamsa}; this chart shows inauspicious and auspicious effects of horoscopes.
D-45: 40’ {Akashvedamsa}; this chart shows one’s character.
D-60: 30’ {Shastiamsha}; this chart indicates deeds from past lives and past karma.
Natal chart
This chart is another important tool in astrology.
It can predict your personality based on the placement of the planets.
As well as the geographic location when you were born.
Just anyone can read natal charts, but you have to recognize the planets in your chat and decipher their meanings.
If you want to read your birth chart or natal chart, it is best to learn how this chart works.
Learn the different symbols on it, and how they influence your personality traits.
As earlier said, the astrology tools are not physical.
They are charts, graphs, planetary positions, and movements of the native (the individual who wants a reading).
Most astrologers use other tools as well that relate to Tarot and numerology.
All these tools help give a more precise and accurate prediction.
Can I Teach Myself Astrology?
Creating astrology charts is a great way to learn more about the subject and practice your skills.
You can create them by hand, use software or websites that do it for you.
Or even build custom ones with several different options based on what exactly you’re looking for in an event’s chart.
Do you know of any other tools used in astrology?
Let us know.
Hana is a numerology expert who studied extensively in India and made some amazing connections in that time. Her goal is to teach numerology enthusiasts how to live lives of passion and purpose by utilizing numbers as a guide.