Divisional charts (vargas) from D1 to D60, in plain words
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A divisional chart, or varga, takes your birth chart and cuts every sign into smaller equal parts. Each part is given a sign of its own, so every planet lands in a new sign in each divisional chart. Vedic astrologers read these charts as close-ups of one area of life, such as partnership in the D9 navamsa chart or career in the D10. Our free birth chart tool draws all 16 of them for you.
What is a divisional chart?
Your main Vedic chart is the rashi chart, also called D1. In a divisional chart called D-n, each 30 degree sign is split into n parts. A planet's part is then mapped to a sign by a fixed rule, and the planets and the ascendant are drawn again in those new signs.
The classic text Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra lists 16 divisional charts, the shodasha vargas. They range from the D2 hora, which halves each sign, to the D60 shashtiamsa, which cuts each sign into sixty slices of half a degree.
The 16 vargas at a glance
Movable signs are Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. Fixed signs are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. Dual signs are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces. Odd signs are Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius and Aquarius.
| Chart | Name | How it is worked out | Traditionally read for |
|---|---|---|---|
| D1 | Rashi | The sign itself. | The whole chart: body, temperament and life in general |
| D2 | Hora | Two halves of 15°. Odd signs: Leo (Sun) then Cancer (Moon). Even signs: Cancer then Leo. | Resources, savings habits and family values |
| D3 | Drekkana | Three parts of 10°: the sign, then the 5th and the 9th sign from it. | Siblings, courage and drive |
| D4 | Chaturthamsa | Four parts of 7°30': the sign, then the 4th, 7th and 10th from it. | Home, property and settled good fortune |
| D7 | Saptamsa | Seven parts of about 4°17'. Odd signs count from the sign, even signs from the 7th sign. | Children and creative legacy |
| D9 | Navamsa | Nine parts of 3°20'. Movable signs count from the sign, fixed signs from the 9th, dual signs from the 5th. | Marriage and partnership, dharma, and the inner strength of each planet |
| D10 | Dasamsa | Ten parts of 3°. Odd signs count from the sign, even signs from the 9th. | Career, status and your work in the world |
| D12 | Dwadasamsa | Twelve parts of 2°30', counted from the sign. | Parents and family heritage |
| D16 | Shodasamsa | Sixteen parts of 1°52'30". Movable signs from Aries, fixed from Leo, dual from Sagittarius. | Vehicles, comforts and everyday happiness |
| D20 | Vimsamsa | Twenty parts of 1°30'. Movable signs from Aries, fixed from Sagittarius, dual from Leo. | Spiritual practice and devotion |
| D24 | Chaturvimsamsa | Twenty-four parts of 1°15'. Odd signs from Leo, even signs from Cancer. | Education, learning and knowledge |
| D27 | Saptavimsamsa | Twenty-seven parts of 1°06'40". Fire signs from Aries, earth from Cancer, air from Libra, water from Capricorn. | Strengths and weaknesses, and stamina |
| D30 | Trimsamsa | Five unequal parts. Odd signs: Aries 5°, Aquarius 5°, Sagittarius 8°, Gemini 7°, Libra 5°. Even signs: Taurus 5°, Virgo 7°, Pisces 8°, Capricorn 5°, Scorpio 5°. | Challenges and the way you meet them |
| D40 | Khavedamsa | Forty parts of 0°45'. Odd signs from Aries, even signs from Libra. | Good and difficult effects in the chart as a whole |
| D45 | Akshavedamsa | Forty-five parts of 0°40'. Movable signs from Aries, fixed from Leo, dual from Sagittarius. | Character and conduct |
| D60 | Shashtiamsa | Sixty parts of 0°30', counted from the sign. | The chart as a whole, seen as the fruit of past karma (needs a very exact birth time) |
The navamsa (D9) chart
The D9 or navamsa chart is the most used divisional chart. Each sign is split into nine parts of 3 degrees 20 minutes, the same size as a nakshatra pada. Movable signs start counting from themselves, fixed signs from the 9th sign, and dual signs from the 5th sign.
For example, a planet at 16 degrees 43 minutes of Aries sits in the 6th part of Aries. Aries is movable, so we count six signs from Aries and reach Virgo: the planet is in Virgo navamsa. A planet at 16 degrees 39 minutes would still be in the 5th part and land in Leo.
When a planet is in the same sign in the rashi chart and the navamsa, it is called vargottama. Astrologers traditionally see a vargottama planet as steady and well expressed. The navamsa is read for marriage and partnership, for dharma, and as a second look at how strong each planet is.
Other popular divisional charts
The D10 dasamsa chart is read for career and your work in the world. The D7 saptamsa is linked with children and creative legacy, the D12 dwadasamsa with parents, and the D24 with education and learning. The D3 drekkana is read for siblings and drive, and the D4 for home and property.
Two charts break the equal-parts pattern. The D2 hora uses only Leo and Cancer, the signs of the Sun and the Moon. The D30 trimsamsa splits each sign into five unequal parts ruled by Mars, Saturn, Jupiter, Mercury and Venus.
Why the fine vargas need an exact birth time
The ascendant moves about one degree every four minutes. In the D60 chart a sign changes every half degree, so the D60 ascendant can change every two minutes of birth time. Even the D9 ascendant changes about every 13 minutes.
For that reason many astrologers only read the D30 to D60 charts when the birth time is known to the minute. If your birth time is rounded, treat the fine vargas as a curiosity and lean on the D1 and D9.
How our divisional chart calculator works
Our tool takes the sidereal planet positions from our own astronomy code, with the Lahiri ayanamsa and the mean lunar node, and applies the Parashara rules in the table above. You can switch between the North Indian and South Indian chart styles and pick any of the 16 charts. Everything runs in your browser and nothing is stored.
Frequently asked questions
What is the D9 chart in astrology?
The D9 or navamsa chart divides each sign into nine parts of 3 degrees 20 minutes and places every planet in a new sign. In Vedic astrology it is read for marriage and partnership, dharma and the inner strength of the planets.
How is the navamsa chart calculated?
Take the planet's degree within its sign and divide by 3 degrees 20 minutes to find its part, from 1 to 9. Count that many signs, starting from the sign itself for movable signs, from the 9th sign for fixed signs and from the 5th sign for dual signs.
What is vargottama?
A planet is vargottama when it sits in the same sign in the rashi chart (D1) and the navamsa chart (D9). It happens in the first navamsa of movable signs, the middle navamsa of fixed signs and the last navamsa of dual signs.
Which divisional chart is used for career?
The D10 dasamsa chart is the traditional chart for career, status and work. Astrologers usually read it together with the 10th house of the rashi chart.
Why do D60 charts differ between websites?
The D60 changes every half degree, so small differences in birth time, ayanamsa or the method used for the lunar nodes can move a planet or the ascendant into another D60 sign. Check that the birth time and ayanamsa match before comparing.
Can I see my divisional charts for free?
Yes. Enter your birth details in our free birth chart tool and open the Divisional tab. You can pick any of the 16 charts from D1 to D60 and switch between North and South Indian styles.
For reflection and fun, not fate. We explain astrology as a tradition and a tool for reflection. It has not been shown to predict events.
Sources
- en.wikipedia.org - Varga (astrology)
- en.wikipedia.org - Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra
- dekhopanchang.com - navamsa boundaries