How to Check Your Astrology Charts for a Hindu Wedding

Many Eastern Indians rely on astrologers, or "learned ones," to make marital and family decisions, such as the date and time a marriage should take place. With a lot of patience and hard work, you can learn some of the basics.

Things You'll Need

• Jyotish/Vedic Astrology Software

Instructions

1. Learn as much as you can about Hindu Vedic astrology. The zodiac used is different from the one used for Western horoscopes.

2. Begin by reading books, studying charts and talking to commercial Vedic astrologers to understand more about their work.

3. Understand that the Hindu system relies on three basic elements that are believed to seal your fate: date, time and place of birth.

4. Become familiar with the following integral components: the two luminaries, or the sun and moon; the five planets, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn; the two nodes of the moon, Rahu and Ketu; the Ascendant, or the exact point in space that was rising at birth; the 12 signs of the Vedic zodiac; the 12 houses of a chart; and the 27 Nakshatras, or fixed stars and constellations of the zodiac.

5. Learn how these items interrelate with each other. For instance, what are the effects from the houses on the various planets and points? And what are the effects of combinations and aspects of the planets on each other?

6. By understanding the various interactions between the different components, you will be better able to predict events and determine an auspicious time for special events such as marriages and births.

7. Remember that each person has a total of 16 charts. Learn the meanings of these. For instance, the Rashi Chart, which is the main one, means the basic chart of the planets and the signs they are in, with the rising sign noted. The primary harmonic chart, called the Navamsha Chart, is a chart made by dividing each sign into nine parts. And the Bhava Chakra, also known as Chalit Chakra, is the chart of houses.

8. Purchase a Jyotish software program, which will construct all of these charts for you. You can find this program online.

9. When reading someone's chart, look for such things as where the planets stay, what they control, where they intersect, and what periods they rule. Then you can begin to pinpoint what areas of life will be affected and how. Compare your charts with those of a potential mate to see if your charts are compatible.

10. Recognize your limitations. You may not be able to pinpoint exact details, but over time you will be able to determine the general flow of life.

11. Be patient. It takes five or more years of devoted study to develop the ability to be a Vedic astrologer.

Tips & Warnings

• Vedic astrology is mainly used to make a chart of life, based on dashaas or cyclic movements, and to predict events based on a 48-hour time period.

• A Vedic astrologer who practices commercially must possess a university degree in Jyotish, which is a complicated study of precise mathematical and astronomical principles of the heavenly bodies.

• Be very careful about your predictions. Avoid giving bad advice or scaring someone.