Interpreting horoscopes is both simple and complex. According to the rules of Jyotish, there are some simple rules one can follow to create a schematic picture of a person's life and the path they are likely to follow. Many of rules of Jyotish use basic parameters such as whole sign houses and full sign aspects. In traditional Hindu astrology, aspects do not have orbs and houses do not have cusps. Since I like to blend the best of both systems, I take full advantage of both aspect orbs and house cusps.
But chart reading is also complex. There are many factors one has to incorporate in order to give an accurate and complete account of the horoscope. There are a plethora of techniques available for interpretation and it is easy to get lost in them. I try to stick to a few basic reliable approaches. For this reason, I do not use any Jaimini techniques and tend to stick with a blend of Parashara, simplified KP, and Western astrology.
Determining the basic personality, How can you tell what makes a person tick?
Usually, one has to take into account a range of factors, but the most important influences on personality come from the ascendant/1st house, Moon and Sun. A person with Mars closely conjunct the Moon and has Cancer rising (which is ruled by the Moon) will generally exhibit many Mars attributes such as high energy, extraversion, fondness for sports and competition. A person with Saturn on the ascendant with Sun in Capricorn will probably be fairly reserved, introverted, and lack spontaneity.
The 1st house:-
Angelina Jolie - Natal Chart Venus on the Ascendant/1st houseAngelina Jolie - Venus on the Ascendant/1st houseThe most important part of a chart is the first house. The influences on the first house and its lord or ruler (ie. the planet associated with its sign) will exercise a disproportionate influence on the person in terms of basic orientation. Aspects to the first house are also important. These can be read as if the person has the planet actually in the 1st house, and they will exhibit their influence the closer they are to the ascendant itself. The first house lord rules the whole chart so it merits special attention. Besides the moon and the ascendant, this is one of the most important planets in the chart. Take note of the sign and house it's in and any planets it is associated with. Orbs are very important in deciding what planets exercise the greatest influence. For example, a person with Venus 15 degrees from the ascendant will likely be less Venusian if their Moon and first lord are conjunct Jupiter within 5 degrees. While all influences will show up in some way, the Jupiter influence will likely predominate.
The Moon:-
Al Gore - lagnesh Moon conjunct JupiterAl Gore - lagnesh Moon conjunct Jupiter Next examine the situation of the Moon. The Moon represents the mind and the emotions and therefore plays a big part in describing the person as a whole. The stronger the Moon, the better chance the native will have a happier life. If the Moon is bright, (ie. opposite the Sun although the general rule of thumb is the further from the Sun, the better, particularly where the Moon is more than 90 degrees away), then the person will tend to stand out in a crowd or have a more pleasing manner about them.. A Moon in the first house often confers this quality and can make the native physically attractive. A Moon associated with Jupiter is usually good for success and can make the native generous, and interested in following society's conventions. A Moon with the nodes, Rahu and Ketu, on the other hand, can make the native unconventional and in some cases, mentally unbalanced. More generally, the Moon associated with the nodes will make a person sensitive and perceptive to the people around them. The Moon is dussthana houses (ie 6th, 8th, 12th) will generally make the native shy or retiring and will often make them prefer their own company. Aspects to the Moon are also important, as is the Moon's dispositor (ie. the ruler of the sign the Moon is placed in).
The Sun:-
George W. Bush - Sun's dispositor Mercury conjunct AscendantGeorge W. Bush - Sun's dispositor Mercury conjunct Ascendant The Sun in Vedic astrology does not hold the same power as it enjoys in Western astrology. Although it is still important, it is usually relegated to third place in terms of important horoscopic points. The Sun shows vitality and ego and where energy is used to project the self onto the world. And strong Sun confers confidence, good health, and leadership. A Sun with problems such as dussthana house placement may show lack of self confidence. If the Sun is afflicted by malefics (Rahu, Ketu, Saturn, Mars) may be aggressive or egotistical. Since the Sun represents the father, a Sun with afflictions and otherwise bad placement may also show difficulties with the father, either through the native's relationship with him or more specifically, hardships borne by the father.