Step 1: Basic Chart Setup

• Obtain the birth details: birth date, time, and location.
• Use these details to generate the birth chart, which will show the positions of planets in various houses and signs.

Step 2: Understand the Ascendant (Lagna)

• Identify the Ascendant or Rising Sign (the 1st house). This sets the stage for the entire chart, as the houses are counted from the Ascendant.
• The Ascendant sign represents the core personality, physical appearance, health, and overall life direction.

Step 3: Analyze the Houses and Their Significance

• There are 12 houses, each representing a specific area of life:
  • 1st House: Self, body, health.
  • 2nd House: Wealth, family, speech.
  • 3rd House: Siblings, courage, short journeys.
  • 4th House: Mother, home, comforts.
  • 5th House: Children, creativity, education.
  • 6th House: Enemies, debts, health issues.
  • 7th House: Marriage, partnerships.
  • 8th House: Longevity, mysteries, transformations.
  • 9th House: Luck, higher learning, spirituality.
  • 10th House: Career, fame, status.
  • 11th House: Gains, achievements, friendships.
  • 12th House: Losses, expenses, foreign travels, spirituality.
• Look at which planets occupy each house and how these affect the areas of life represented by that house.

Step 4: Study the Lords of Each House

• Identify the lord of each house (based on the Ascendant sign) and see where it is placed in the chart.
  • For example, if Aries is the Ascendant, Mars rules the 1st house. If Mars is placed in the 10th house, this might indicate a strong focus on career and public life.
• The house position of each lord gives clues about where the energy of that house will manifest.

Step 5: Assess the Planets and Their Conditions

• Evaluate each planet’s placement by sign, house, and its dignity (exalted, debilitated, or neutral).
  • Exalted Planets: Perform exceptionally well and bring positive results.
  • Debilitated Planets: May struggle to deliver good results unless supported by other factors.
• Look for planets in friendly or enemy signs to see if they are comfortable or challenged.

Step 6: Evaluate Major Yogas (Planetary Combinations)

• Certain combinations (Yogas) create powerful effects. Some important yogas include:
  • Raj Yoga: Created by connections between the lords of the Kendra (1, 4, 7, 10) and Trikona (1, 5, 9) houses, bringing prosperity and success.
  • Dhan Yoga: Financial success due to specific planetary alignments involving the 2nd, 5th, 9th, or 11th houses.
  • Sanyasa Yoga: Indicates renunciation if multiple strong planets occupy the 12th house.
  • Vipareeta Raja Yoga: Occurs when the lords of the 6th, 8th, or 12th houses are placed in each other’s houses, sometimes turning adversities into gains.
• Identifying yogas can give insights into major life themes.

Step 7: Study Aspects and Conjunctions

• Each planet has a unique aspecting pattern. For example:
  • Mars aspects the 4th, 7th, and 8th houses from its position.
  • Jupiter aspects the 5th, 7th, and 9th houses.
• Note how planets influence each other through aspects and conjunctions, as this impacts how their energies combine. For example, a benefic aspect from Jupiter on the 7th house can bring positive effects to marriage.

Step 8: Analyze the Moon and Ascendant Sign (Psychological Profile)

• The Moon represents emotions, mind, and instincts, while the Ascendant shows external personality traits.
• Analyze the Moon’s position by sign and house to understand the person’s mental state, emotional needs, and stability.
• This information provides a psychological profile that highlights motivations, mental well-being, and how a person interacts emotionally with the world.

Step 9: Look at the Dasha System (Planetary Periods)

• The Vimshottari Dasha system in Vedic astrology is crucial for timing events in life.
• Each Dasha (planetary period) focuses on a specific planet’s influence over a set period, providing a roadmap of how and when specific aspects of life will unfold.
• By understanding which Dasha the person is in, you can see which planetary influences are active and anticipate key events or changes.

Step 10: Consider Transits (Current Planetary Positions)

• Transits show the current position of planets in the sky and how they affect the birth chart.
• Look at the transits of slow-moving planets (like Saturn, Jupiter, and Rahu-Ketu) to identify long-term effects, such as growth periods or challenges in certain life areas.

Sample Quick Analysis Outline

1. Ascendant and Its Lord: Determine the basic personality and primary life focus.
2. Key Houses and Lords: Focus on houses like 1st (self), 4th (happiness), 7th (relationships), 10th (career), and 11th (gains).
3. Moon Placement: Analyze emotional tendencies and psychological outlook.
4. Dasha Periods: Identify which planetary period is active and its effects.
5. Key Yogas and Aspects: Determine strengths or obstacles due to planetary combinations.
6. Transits: Look at current planetary positions to assess timing for major events.

Tips for Quick Reading

• Focus on significant houses and planets (1st, 7th, 10th houses; Sun, Moon, and Ascendant Lord).
• Use the Moon chart (where the Moon is treated as the Ascendant) as a secondary chart to understand the mental and emotional perspective.
• Start simple; focus on big-picture themes before diving into details.