The following article was published in The Times of Astrology Magazine of New Delhi in Sep 1999 issue By Pemmaraju V.R. Rayudu and M.C.Appa.

Introduction

Astrology is a noble science. It is as old as the ages of the Vedas. It depends on the position of the planets ascertained astronomically. It explains the celestial phenomena and corresponding terrestrial events. The true meaning of Astrology is the "Message of the Stars

The whole world is run according to a well-defined plan. Nothing happens by chance and Nothing happens as an accident/chance. The divine plan is wall arranged and is timed with amazing precision. Astrology can be correctly interpreted only by a genius endowed with Divine grace and wisdom The basic aim of astrology is to offer correct prediction through natal birth chart, horary, nadi, traditional or Krishnamurti Paddhati. The simpler and easier is the method followed, the better.

Branches of Astrology

Natalastrology(humanbeings), mundane, horary, medical astrology(astro-pathology), astro-meteorology, electional astrology(muhurthas), nadi and omens(shakunas) etc.

What is Birth Chart (Natal)?

Natal astrology concerns broadly with the life of human beings. A birth chart (Janma kundali) is made out for the moment of birth and for the particular place of birth. (Latitude and longitude being taken for calculation). Given standard time had to be converted into sidereal time. For a given sidereal time, the ascendant (lagna_) and the cusps of the other houses can be obtained with the help of "Table of houses"referring to the desired latitude. Nirayana system of longitudes for the ascendant and other bhavas and planets are used. The Vimsottari dasa system is only used. Similarly the position of planets for any given time of birth /event can be obtained from a reliable ephemeris. By plotting the position of ascendant, other cusps and the corresponding planets as scientific Nirayana chart is prepared. One should first become very familiar with natal astrology especially as regards to the casting of horoscope; local time correction the nature of sign/house/planets and aspects. Then only one can handle horary astrology and become perfect. Honestly many decades will be needed to carryout the research on the natal horoscopes to find out the truth.

We deal now with Horary astrology in this article.

Horary Astrology

Horary astrology deals with the preparation of the chart at time of the question and reading the results. This branch of science is mysterious, perfect and most useful. After thoroughly understanding the principles, correct, clear and precise predictions can be offered. This helps the astrologers to confirm what prediction he has to give by using other methods, when explained will convince and satisfy the consultant Generally, this branch of science/astrology is resorted to mostly by those who have no horoscopes or who doubt the correctness of them. This branch can answer all questions and clear all doubts, like longevity, health, success or failure in one's enterprise, foreign travel/his return, time of marriage, description of partner, divorce, re-union, birth and death of children, examination results, recovery of lost articles, speculation, gain by lottery, litigation and anything on earth. On many occasions, there are contradictory indications according to the birth charts. On such occasions, we can make the best use of horary astrology for proper guidance and confirmation. Even when one decides to offer prediction using other branches of the science, horary astrology has to be used as a final safe method to declare with confidence, the results already obtained. Vimsottari dasa system is used in horary astrology.

Why Horary Astrology is preferred?

To erect a horoscope with twelve cusps and insert the planets at correct position, the time of birth should be very accurate. Because of use of various times (postal/railways/standard times/local time and inaccuracies of clocks, the time of birth in most of the cases is not correct at all. Whereas in horary astrology one takes the moment of the judgment (working the question), makes a chart and offers the result. This horoscope will be very correct and the results also will be amazingly accurate. It is most useful as one can have the results/the solution for one's problem in a few minutes. Horary astrology is also very useful to make the selection out of the many (as found in natal chart) and get precise answer.

Horary- Traditional Astrology

Prasna Jnana depends on the intelligent anticipation, proper application and interpretation by the astrologer (plattotpala). According to Jataka Parijata, Saravali, ten conditions of planets are taken into consideration (exaltation, debilitation, own house, kendra, kona, pakshabala, guna status, aspects, and various amsas of charts etc.

Most traditional astrologers use the time of  the consultant putting the question for erection of horary chart(Prasna kundali).They use the standard ayanamsa which they have been following.

Time of Erecting a Horary Chart

Many doubts have arisen about the proper time to be taken for the chart of a horary question to be erected. Some think when the consultant is first seen by the astrologer; some think when querent enquires of him. The consultant may send a letter by post on a particular day, date and time. The astrologer receives the same on particular date and time. But the astrologer may actually take up the question at a different time. If the question comes to the astrologer's mind, he casts the chart for the moment of his thought using the latitude/longitude of the place where he stays at that moment. Therefore, the time of judgment (working question by the astrologer) alone must be taken to give the query put by the consultant and the horary number which he has given/written should remain the same.

Horary- "Krishnamurti Paddhati" (KP) System

(Advanced Stellar System)

For casting the horoscope (natal/horary), as per Krishnamurthy Paddhati, the following books i.e. KP Ephemeris, Raphael's Table of Houses, KP ayanamsa, KP Horary Table of Houses (for numbers 1 to 249). These 1 to 249 members (subs)are derived in KP system as in proportion to the division of a constellation into SUB portion in terms of Vimsottari Dasa system .The readers can find the details from any KP system text books.

Each planet or Horary Number (1 to 249) governs three zones in the zodiac; the sign-the star /constellation-and the sub. The sign lord planet is the source, the constellation shows the nature of the event and the SUB is the deciding factor that is favorable or not. Even though the sign, the sign lord, and the constellation lord may indicate very many subjects/points, it is the Sub-lord who ultimately decides which of them applies to the individual. The time of query or the Horary number serves the ascendant of the querist. Each SUB (1 to 249) covering the entire zodiac of 12 rasis is allotted or specific sign-sign lord, star lord and sub-lord.

These horary numbers with the corresponding sign lord, star lord and sub lords are given in table of Houses KP textbooks for reference.

KP Ayanamsa is to be taken to prepare the chart as per KP system.

This will be different from other Ayanamsas used by others (difference up to 1 deg.)

Ruling Planets- KP

Whatever is born or done at any particular moment of time has the qualities of that particular moment. The map of heavens prepared for by the moment of time represents all the ingredients of the moment, whether of a birth of human being/ thought/ question / event/matter. The Ruling planets (RP's) will be a "Common Link" at the three stages of the event (the past, the present and the future). The Ruling Planets governing the sensitive point of the zodiac at the time of judgment are the same at the time of fructification of an event/matter. Therefore the R.P's indicate the nature of the query and the time of fructification of an event. The RP's will also fully agree with the Dasa-Bhukti-Antara period in operation.

The RP's in their ascending order of strength are:

The Day lord, the Moon sign (Rasi) lord the Moon star and sub-lord, the Ascendant sign (lagna)lord, the Ascendant star and sub-lord.

Traditional Astrology and KP system

There is no difference between the Krishnmurti Paddhati (KP) and the Traditional Hindu (Vedic) astrology, so far as calculations are concerned that is up to the level of preparation of a horoscope, calculation of balance and future Dasa-Bhukti periods. The first point of difference is in the reckoning of 'Houses". In traditional astrology 'Bhavas' regardless of the rising degree-minute-seconds longitude at the birth, Bhava charts are prepared as per equal house system, Sripati system etc.

In the KP, the 'Placidius' system of reckoning the house is followed that is longitude to longitude or the 'Cusp Rule'. In KP for any event that is childbirth, marriage, education etc normally one Main Bhava (cusp) and other two bhavas are taken into consideration along with the sub-lord of the Main cusp.

Example 2:

For childbirth: Houses 2,5 and 11 and main cusp sub lord of V is taken into account. The 2nd house shows the increase in the number of the member of the family by birth of children; the 5th house is for offspring (progeny) and the 11th house is not only the fruit of one's action but also the 5th house to the 7th -partner. Any child! Whether one is promised child or not is to judged from the 5th cusp (main)

One will be able to produce children if the following three conditions are simultaneously satisfied  -  i ) the sublord of the 5th cusp is not retrograde ii) it is not posited in a constellation of a retrograde planet and  iii) it is a significator of either 2nd or 5th or 11th house. If any one of three conditions is not satisfied, one will not be able to produce a child at all. By application of the above rule if the answer is positive childbirth is promised. Then the next question is when? One has to select the significators of  houses 2,5 and 11 and the timing will be during the conjoined period of the string significators.

Note: If the sublord of the V cusp is retrograde or otherwise a strong significator. There will be delay till the sublord becomes direct in offering the positive result. If however, if the sublord of the V cusp is retrograde and is posited in a constellation whose lord is also a retrograde planet, then it will result only in a failure. (Retrograde theory does not apply to Birth-Natal charts). By selecting "Common Planets" from among the significators of houses 2,5 and 11 and the 'Ruling Planets', the Karaka (chief significator) of the event, and looking to transitting planets of the Dasa -Bhukti-Anthara periods in operation exact timing of the event is arrived at with amazing accuracy.

In this connection, mention of great significance attached to Nodes (Rahu and Ketu) in KP system in note-worthy.

In Traditional system, Rahu and Ketu do not seem to have been given much importance and are treated like any other planets. Whereas in KP system Rahu and Ketu play a very important role, because a) they offer the results of the planets which they are conjoined with, b) they offer the results of the planets which are aspecting c) they offer the results of the lord of the house in which the nodes are posited d) lastly they offer the results of the planets in whose constellation they are posited.

Traditional Astrology and KP system

To apply the scheme of analysis from Horary Astrology point of view, events-everyday for one year is collected. Then some important events of about 30 are segregated out this list. Since they are daily events, Moon and Lagna are given the prime consideration for analysis to understand the occurrence of the event along with the other planetary configuration.

The event occuring on a particular day at a particular time will be different for different persons. Hence it is necessary to link the event with the natal birth chart of the individual depending on the Vimsottari Dasa periods running on that day and this type of event should be broadly visible in the natal birth chart.

Conclusion

As can be seen from the methodology/analysis and interpretation for an event from Horary and Natal charts, it is not very easy and lot of concentration, analysis and synthesis techniques are to be used judiciously and intelligently based on the experience. It is emphasized that unless an event is promised broadly in the natal chart the actual occurrence of the event may not materialize with the transit of the planets in the Horary astrology.  The event on a particular day and particular time will be different for different individuals and unless the event is linked with the natal birth chart the fructification of the event may not be realized for the particular individual. Lot of effort was taken in collecting data every day for different events for duration of one year amounting to about 200 events. All these events are not mentioned and about 30 important events are segregated. Out of these , four examples are discussed with  the Horary and Natal charts. It is the sincere wish of the authors that all astrologers should maintain data collection in this fashion, do research and formulate rules and methods to justify the events occurred so that this may form as a basis for application for predicting future events.