Jyotisha, from the ground up

What a chart actually is

A birth chart is a map of where the visible sky stood at your first breath, drawn from the place you were born. Vedic astrology reads it sidereally — against the fixed stars — which is why your Vedic sun sign is usually one behind the Western one.

The difference between the two zeroes is the ayanamsha, currently about 24°. We use Lahiri (Chitrapaksha), the Government of India standard.

The three anchors

Lagna — the sign rising on the eastern horizon, which changes every two hours and sets the entire house structure. Chandra — the Moon, which governs the mind and is the basis of dasha timing. Surya — the Sun, the sense of self and purpose.