Interpreting the Navamsa chart
In Vedic astrology, Navamsa or the D9 chart as we call it is an important viewpoint while analyzing a person’s “Kundli”. Traditionally when a person visits an astrologer to see what his/her fate or destiny is written by the universe, the astrologer might most likely read Lagna (D1) chart and give their predictions. Rightfully so, nothing wrong in it ! But that is not the end. D9 chart comes as a magnifying glass to the D1 where it tells you whether the promises of D1 will really be fullfilled in the person’s life.
D1 chart represents physical body, outer circumstances, ego and initial life conditions of a person. Whereas D9 chart represents soul’s path, internal maturity, inner character and fruit of actions.
You may consider that D9 becomes significant once a person reaches his/her mid 30s (particularly after marriage) where life starts to reflect results of karma (actions). Its a time when shift happens from societal conditioning of physical world to inner nature, core values and rise in spiritual trajectory.
How are both charts connected?
Strength of a planet in D1 can be confirmed by observing how the planet is positioned in D9. The house where planet sits in D1 and the characteristics it shows depends on whether the planet’s placement in D9 is benefic or malefic. Lets understand with an example.
Saturn in D1 chart in Pisces zodiac in 5th house of the person’s chart is not a comfortable placement (Pisces is a sign of water element ruled by Jupiter while Saturn is an fixed element planet). However same planet in D9 chart is in 3rd house in Libra. Now, for someone with knowledge of planets and their exaltation/debilitation states would have got the idea already ! (Saturn’s exaltation happens in Libra which is ruled by Venus, air element sign).
Now going back to D1 5th house where Saturn is placed, we know that 5th house characteristics are children, intellect, love, romance, relationships, gains from investments and so on (each house can take a chapter itself to describe it completely). This indicates that the person might face challenges initially in life in these areas but will turn out safe giving good results eventually (after mid 30s).
Note that the 3rd house theme of D9 also applies here which tells that the person’s 5th house growth is tied to efforts put in 3rd house of action and courage.
How is Navasma chart created?
The Navamsa or D9 divides 30 degrees of each zodiac into 9 equal segments of 3 degrees 20 min. Across 12 zodiacs, there are 108 Navamsa divisions in entire zodiac circle of 360 degrees. If you know the concept of Padas, then 1 Pada = 1 Navamsa.
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Each segment of zodiac maps directly to one of the 12 zodiacs in D9 (read more to know how). Starting sign for counting depends on element (elemental triplicity) of original sign in D1.
Fiery signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) — counting starts from Aries (1st zodiac)
Earthy signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) — counting starts from Capricorn (10th zodiac)
Airy signs (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) — counting starts from Libra (7th zodiac)
Watery signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) — counting starts from Cancer (4th zodiac)
Lets take an example of Mars in Taurus at 5.10 in D1 chart. Taurus is an earthy sign. 5.10 = 2nd division (3.20–6.40). Hence D9 counting starts at Capricorn (refer above table).
2nd division = Aquarius. Hence Mars will be in Aquarius in D9 chart.
Hope this explains “how it works”. Practically there are software models which generate this map of D9 chart and we don’t have to use pen and paper to create it.
