The ascendant is the point on the ecliptic that rises at the moment of birth. The Sun passes through one sign of the Zodiac in a month, while the Moon does so in about two and a half days. The ascendant takes from one to three hours to change (depending on the sign). There are two types of natal charts (North Indian and South Indian). We will use the South Indian chart.

Here is an example of a Vedic horoscope with an ascendant in Leo. The ascendant is indicated by two parallel lines. It is also called the Lagna, the rising sign, or the first house. From the ascendant, the count proceeds clockwise from the first to the twelfth house of the horoscope. Each house falls into a specific sign. The signs have their fixed positions, as depicted in the illustration. By calculating your horoscope, you also receive the positions of the planets in the houses:

Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto are not used in Vedic astrology. When we obtain our horoscope, we need to look at the ascendant, the positions of the houses in the signs (how they influence each other), the positions of the planets in the houses and signs, as well as the interactions between the planets (if there is more than one planet in a house). In Vedic astrology, a house is called “bhava.”

First House – Bhava of the Body

Keywords: “I,” body.

Meanings: appearance, character, main inclinations, predispositions, behavior, overall well-being, health, head.

Second House – Bhava of Accumulated Wealth

Keyword: finances.

Meanings: family, food, drink, speech, securities and assets, accumulation of wealth, face, right eye, tongue, mouth, teeth and gums, precious metals, gemstones, truthfulness.

Third House – Bhava of Siblings

Keyword: decisiveness.

Meanings: biological siblings, neighbors, courage, physical strength, ear, hearing, sales skills, art, dance, music, voice, singing, communication, writing, short trips, hands, weapons, nervous system, adventure, fun.

Fourth House – Bhava of Relatives (Bhava of Happiness, Bhava of the Mother)

Keyword: feelings.

Meanings: mother, home, emotions, overall happiness, father’s longevity, fundamental things, real estate, hobbies, leisure, comforts and convenience, houses (buildings), boats, vehicles, buried or submerged treasures, things from underground, area of the chest and heart.

Fifth House – Bhava of Children

Keyword: intellect.

Meanings: romantic relationships, love, stock market trading, speculation, spiritual techniques, merits of past lives, intellect, education, authorship, maternal grandfather, yantras, entertainment, sports competitions, government dissatisfaction (especially due to taxes), abdomen, digestion.

Sixth House – Bhava of Enemies

Keywords: service and protection.

Meanings: minor illnesses, competitors, rivals, enemies, hostility and opposition, litigation, intimidation, troubles due to the opposite sex, struggle, physical weaknesses, mental anxieties, wounds and injuries, pets, servants or assistants, employees, cousins, theft, maternal uncle, stepmother, healers, intestines.

Seventh House – Bhava of Marriage Partners, Partners in General

Keyword: cooperation or partnership.

Meanings: marriage and similar relationships, love affairs (sometimes extramarital), cohabitation, spouse’s longevity, business partnerships, business and trade, living abroad or travel for business, lower back, kidneys.

Eighth House – Bhava of Death (Life)

Keyword: longevity.

Meanings: longevity, chronic diseases, hidden things, scandalous behavior, difficulties, shyness, accusations, esoteric and occult knowledge, extravagance, unearned wealth (lottery, inheritance), excitement, sexual energy, dizziness or falling from a height, deception, murder, futile endeavors, loss of money, danger from poisons, type of death, obstacles, unsuccessful attempts, dreams, partner’s wealth, reproduction.