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The classical vocabulary of a chart: the grahas, the rashis, the nakshatras, the bhavas and the ways a chart is drawn.

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A few articles to begin with, and the reference guides to the grahas, rashis, nakshatras and bhavas.

Articles

Reference guides

Graha

The nine grahas of Vedic astrology

  • Sun (Surya) soul, father, authority, vitality, government, bone structure
  • Moon (Chandra) mind, mother, emotion, fluids, public, memory
  • Mars (Mangala) energy, siblings, land, courage, conflict, surgery
  • Mercury (Budha) speech, logic, trade, skin, maternal uncle, writing
  • Jupiter (Guru / Brihaspati) wisdom, children, wealth, dharma, teacher, liver
  • Venus (Shukra) spouse, beauty, art, luxury, vehicles, reproduction
  • Saturn (Shani) longevity, discipline, labour, delay, sorrow, nerves
  • Rahu (North Node) (Rahu) obsession, foreign, illusion, technology, sudden rise, taboo
  • Ketu (South Node) (Ketu) detachment, moksha, past life, occult, loss, healing

Rashi

The twelve rashis of Vedic astrology

  • Aries (Mesha) Movable fire sign of initiative; the head of Kalapurusha.
  • Taurus (Vrishabha) Fixed earth sign of accumulation, value and the senses.
  • Gemini (Mithuna) Dual air sign of exchange, duality and communication.
  • Cancer (Karka) Movable water sign of nurture, memory and shelter.
  • Leo (Simha) Fixed fire sign of sovereignty, will and self-expression.
  • Virgo (Kanya) Dual earth sign of analysis, service and discrimination.
  • Libra (Tula) Movable air sign of balance, trade and relationship.
  • Scorpio (Vrishchika) Fixed water sign of depth, secrecy and transformation.
  • Sagittarius (Dhanu) Dual fire sign of dharma, philosophy and the long aim.
  • Capricorn (Makara) Movable earth sign of structure, duty and slow ascent.
  • Aquarius (Kumbha) Fixed air sign of system, collective and detachment.
  • Pisces (Meena) Dual water sign of dissolution, compassion and moksha.

Nakshatra

The 27 nakshatras of Vedic astrology

  • Ashwini Ashwini spans 0°00'-13°20' of the zodiac, ruled by Ketu, presided by Ashwini Kumaras. Symbol: Horse's head. Gana deva, yoni horse, nadi vata.
  • Bharani Bharani spans 13°20'-26°40' of the zodiac, ruled by Shukra, presided by Yama. Symbol: Yoni / womb. Gana manushya, yoni elephant, nadi pitta.
  • Krittika Krittika spans 26°40'-40°00' of the zodiac, ruled by Surya, presided by Agni. Symbol: Razor / flame. Gana rakshasa, yoni sheep, nadi kapha.
  • Rohini Rohini spans 40°00'-53°20' of the zodiac, ruled by Chandra, presided by Brahma / Prajapati. Symbol: Cart / chariot. Gana manushya, yoni serpent, nadi kapha.
  • Mrigashira Mrigashira spans 53°20'-66°40' of the zodiac, ruled by Mangala, presided by Soma. Symbol: Deer's head. Gana deva, yoni serpent, nadi pitta.
  • Ardra Ardra spans 66°40'-80°00' of the zodiac, ruled by Rahu, presided by Rudra. Symbol: Teardrop / diamond. Gana manushya, yoni dog, nadi vata.
  • Punarvasu Punarvasu spans 80°00'-93°20' of the zodiac, ruled by Guru, presided by Aditi. Symbol: Quiver of arrows. Gana deva, yoni cat, nadi vata.
  • Pushya Pushya spans 93°20'-106°40' of the zodiac, ruled by Shani, presided by Brihaspati. Symbol: Cow's udder / lotus. Gana deva, yoni sheep, nadi pitta.
  • Ashlesha Ashlesha spans 106°40'-120°00' of the zodiac, ruled by Budha, presided by Nagas. Symbol: Coiled serpent. Gana rakshasa, yoni cat, nadi kapha.
  • Magha Magha spans 120°00'-133°20' of the zodiac, ruled by Ketu, presided by Pitris. Symbol: Royal throne. Gana rakshasa, yoni rat, nadi kapha.
  • Purva Phalguni Purva Phalguni spans 133°20'-146°40' of the zodiac, ruled by Shukra, presided by Bhaga. Symbol: Front legs of a bed. Gana manushya, yoni rat, nadi pitta.
  • Uttara Phalguni Uttara Phalguni spans 146°40'-160°00' of the zodiac, ruled by Surya, presided by Aryaman. Symbol: Back legs of a bed. Gana manushya, yoni cow, nadi vata.
  • Hasta Hasta spans 160°00'-173°20' of the zodiac, ruled by Chandra, presided by Savitr. Symbol: Open palm. Gana deva, yoni buffalo, nadi vata.
  • Chitra Chitra spans 173°20'-186°40' of the zodiac, ruled by Mangala, presided by Tvashtar / Vishvakarma. Symbol: Bright jewel / pearl. Gana rakshasa, yoni tiger, nadi pitta.
  • Swati Swati spans 186°40'-200°00' of the zodiac, ruled by Rahu, presided by Vayu. Symbol: Young shoot in wind / coral. Gana deva, yoni buffalo, nadi kapha.
  • Vishakha Vishakha spans 200°00'-213°20' of the zodiac, ruled by Guru, presided by Indra-Agni. Symbol: Triumphal archway. Gana rakshasa, yoni tiger, nadi kapha.
  • Anuradha Anuradha spans 213°20'-226°40' of the zodiac, ruled by Shani, presided by Mitra. Symbol: Lotus / staff. Gana deva, yoni deer, nadi pitta.
  • Jyeshtha Jyeshtha spans 226°40'-240°00' of the zodiac, ruled by Budha, presided by Indra. Symbol: Circular amulet / earring. Gana rakshasa, yoni deer, nadi vata.
  • Mula Mula spans 240°00'-253°20' of the zodiac, ruled by Ketu, presided by Nirriti. Symbol: Bunch of tied roots. Gana rakshasa, yoni dog, nadi vata.
  • Purva Ashadha Purva Ashadha spans 253°20'-266°40' of the zodiac, ruled by Shukra, presided by Apas. Symbol: Winnowing basket / fan. Gana manushya, yoni monkey, nadi pitta.
  • Uttara Ashadha Uttara Ashadha spans 266°40'-280°00' of the zodiac, ruled by Surya, presided by Vishvadevas. Symbol: Elephant tusk. Gana manushya, yoni mongoose, nadi kapha.
  • Shravana Shravana spans 280°00'-293°20' of the zodiac, ruled by Chandra, presided by Vishnu. Symbol: Ear / three footprints. Gana deva, yoni monkey, nadi kapha.
  • Dhanishta Dhanishta spans 293°20'-306°40' of the zodiac, ruled by Mangala, presided by Vasus. Symbol: Drum / flute. Gana rakshasa, yoni lion, nadi pitta.
  • Shatabhisha Shatabhisha spans 306°40'-320°00' of the zodiac, ruled by Rahu, presided by Varuna. Symbol: Empty circle / 100 stars. Gana rakshasa, yoni horse, nadi vata.
  • Purva Bhadrapada Purva Bhadrapada spans 320°00'-333°20' of the zodiac, ruled by Guru, presided by Aja Ekapada. Symbol: Sword / front of funeral cot. Gana manushya, yoni lion, nadi vata.
  • Uttara Bhadrapada Uttara Bhadrapada spans 333°20'-346°40' of the zodiac, ruled by Shani, presided by Ahir Budhnya. Symbol: Back of funeral cot / twins. Gana manushya, yoni cow, nadi pitta.
  • Revati Revati spans 346°40'-360°00' of the zodiac, ruled by Budha, presided by Pushan. Symbol: Fish / drum. Gana deva, yoni elephant, nadi kapha.

Bhava

The twelve bhavas (houses) of a Vedic birth chart

  • 1. House of Self (Tanu) body, appearance, temperament, vitality, the head
  • 2. House of Wealth (Dhana) accumulated wealth, family, speech, food, right eye
  • 3. House of Courage (Sahaja) younger siblings, courage, short travel, hands, communication
  • 4. House of Happiness (Sukha) mother, home, land, vehicles, education, chest
  • 5. House of Progeny (Putra) children, intellect, purva punya, mantra, speculation
  • 6. House of Adversity (Ari) enemies, disease, debt, litigation, service, maternal kin
  • 7. House of Union (Yuvati) spouse, partnership, trade, public dealings, desire
  • 8. House of Transformation (Randhra) longevity, sudden events, occult, inheritance, chronic ailment
  • 9. House of Fortune (Dharma) father, guru, dharma, pilgrimage, higher learning, luck
  • 10. House of Action (Karma) career, status, authority, public standing, action in the world
  • 11. House of Gains (Labha) income, gains, elder siblings, networks, fulfilment of desire
  • 12. House of Loss (Vyaya) expenditure, foreign lands, isolation, moksha, bed pleasures, left eye