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Prologue
However, the solar calendar has been widely followed in
India only since Varahamihira started Vikrama Saka. India had been
following the Vedic luni-solar calendar for millennia. When
Maharshis like Valmiki and Vyasa mentioned the timing of events in
epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata, they identified events only by
the tithis. It maybe interesting to note that traditional Hindu’s
celebrate their birth days (called Jayanti or Janma tithi) on the
Vedic date (Tithi) of the luni-solar calendar instead of the date of
Sun’s return. All festivals (except for Sankrantis) commemorating
the birthdays of deities, Gurus etc are also based on the luni-solar
calendar of Tithi. For example, Hindus celebrate Lord Rama’s
birthday on the Sukla Navami Tithi of Chaitra month every year and
Lord Krishna’s birthday on the Krishna Ashtami Tithi of Sravana
month. If birthday as per the luni-solar calendar is more important
than birthday as per the solar calendar, why do we cast a chart for
Varsha pravesha (commencement of a new year) based on birthday as
per the solar calendar? Does it not make sense to cast a chart for
the commencement of a new year based on birthday as per the luni-solar
calendar of tithis?
In fact, not only does it make sense, but the technique of annual
horoscopy using the luni-solar calendar is one of the most reliable
techniques – and hence a guarded secret – taught by tradition for
fine predictions.
Tithi
Tithi is the Vedic date of the luni-solar calendar and is a measure
of the angular displacement of Moon from Sun. It is known that the
period between two consecutive full moon’s (i.e. exact 1800
displacement of the Moon from the Sun) is about 29.5 civil days. The
total movement of 3600 of the angle between the Luminaries in
transit in a month was divided by 30 to obtain a measure of 120
called ‘Tithi’ (luni-solar day). Tithi is the period in which the
angular displacement of Moon from Sun increases by exactly 12º.
There are fifteen tithis (15 x 120 =1800) in the waxing phase (Sukla
paksha) and fifteen tithis is the waning phase (Krishna paksha). The
displacement angle = Longitude of Moon – longitude of sun. When this
angle is divided by 12º, we get an index to the tithi, starting from
Sukla Pratipat.
The Luminaries
A child is a product of both parents and the importance of the Moon,
even over the Sun in the determination of fortune is a well
established aspect of Vedic Astrology. The tripod of life is the
ascendant (body), Sun (soul) and Moon (mind). In another sense,
these are self (Lagna), Father (Sun) and Mother (Moon). It is but
natural that a better definition of the moment of birth would be the
angular displacement of the Moon from Sun, instead of just the natal
Sun position. This is the Janma Tithi.
We should be equally careful to ensure that such a definition does
not dilute the importance of the sun as it is the representative of
the real self/the soul. For this purpose Maharshis have defined the
twelve sunsigns (or simply signs of the zodiac) called Dwadasa
Aditya. These define the boundaries within which the Sun’s placement
causes it to have the specific form of a ‘deva’ and a ‘Jyotirlinga’.
Thus the longitude of Sun in a sign is not as relevant as its
placement in the very sign itself and this fact is taken as an
‘anchor’ for drawing the annual charts. As the soul is the anchor of
our existence, Sun’s transit in its natal sign signifies the
figurative re-establishment of this anchor, i.e. a new beginning (In
fact, it is because of this re-establishment of anchor that marriage
is prohibited in the solar month of birth).
Such an anchorage would be meaningless without a consideration of
the ‘Mind’ – the emotions, sustenance and fruits of existence. Thus
including the Moon’s ‘angular return’ along with the annual solar
natal sign anchorage defines the astrological Janma Tithi return.
Though birthday as per the luni-solar calendar is traditionally
celebrated when janma tithi returns in the same lunar month (which
is identified based on the signs occupied by Sun and Moon at the
beginning of the month), this definition was probably adopted for
ease in civil usage. The most astrologically acceptable definition
is based on janma tithi and sunsign (sunsign at janma tithi return
and not sunsign at the beginning of the month). This is the most
perfect method for defining the moment that is the closest in
emulating the moment of birth. Hence, this is the ‘truest
astrological birthday’ or rather ‘birth moment’.
Tithi Pravesha Chakra
As outlined above, the definition of the annual birth moment is the
moment when Sun transits its natal sign and the Moon is at the exact
displacement angle from Sun (degrees, minutes & seconds) as at
birth.
Pravesha means entry or return and Tithi Pravesha Chakra is the
chart drawn for the birth moment of Tithi return every year. If the
angle from Sun to Moon matches that in the natal chart, it means
that the Tithi running is the same as birth Tithi and also the
fraction of Tithi remaining is the same as at birth. If someone was
born with Sun in Aries on Chaitra Sukla Navami with 25% of the Tithi
remaining, the native’s astrological luni-solar new year will
commence every year when Sun is in Aries and Sukla Navami is running
with 25% of the Tithi remaining. A chart cast for this moment for
the longitude and latitude of the birthplace – irrespective of where
the native is currently living – will throw light on the events
during the coming year. This chart is called "Tithi Pravesha" (TP)
chart.
Example of Casting
Example 1: Let us consider the chart of India’s Late Prime Minister
Mrs. Indira Gandhi.
Birth data: 19th November 1917, 23:03:00 (IST), 81 E 52', 25 N 28'
It may be noticed that natal Sun is in Scorpio. At the time of her
birth, Kartika Sukla Shashthi Tithi was running and 88.15% of the
Tithi was left. Let us consider the annual TP chart of 1976-77. Her
luni-solar birthday came on 26th November 1976. Sun was in Scorpio
on that day and Kartika Sukla Shashthi Tithi was running. At 9:34:07
am, 88.15% of the Tithi was left.
In other words, the displacement angle from Sun to Moon at that time
matched that at Mrs. Gandhi’s birth. In her natal chart, Sun was at
4° 7' 39.45'’ in Scorpio and Moon was at 5° 32' 57.86'’ in
Capricorn. The displacement angle from Sun to Moon was 61° 25'
18.41'’.
At the time of Tithi pravesha in 1976, Sun was at 10° 30' 11.58'’ in
Scorpio and Moon was at 11° 55' 29.99'’ in Capricorn. The
displacement angle from Sun to Moon was again 61° 25' 18.41'’. This
matches the displacement angle at birth.
Annual TP Data: 26th November 1976, 9:34:07 (IST), 81 E 52', 25 N
28'
One can cast a chart for the above data and draw conclusions about
the events in the year.
Use of Weekday, Lagna and Hora
The annual chart is interpreted just like the natal chart, but there
are some special considerations:
(1) Weekday: Take the ruler of the weekday running at the
commencement of New Year. If he is a benefic with respect to natal
Lagna, it will be a favorable year. If he is a malefic with respect
to natal Lagna, it will be an unfavorable year.
(2) Lagna: Take the sign occupied by Lagna in the annual chart. If
it is a quadrant or a trine from natal Lagna, the year will bring
the fruits of good actions of the past, i.e. it will be a favorable
year. If it is a Dusthana from natal Lagna, the year will bring the
results of evil actions of the past, i.e. it will be a year of
obstacles.
(3) Hora: Take the ruler of the Hora (hour) running at the
commencement of New Year. This planet will be the most important
planet during the year, even more important than Lagna lord. The
houses owned and occupied by this planet will set the tone for the
main events of the year. The strength, placement and yogas of this
planet will have a tremendous impact on the main events of the year.
In addition, all the principles applicable in natal horoscopy will
apply in annual horoscopy.
Example 2:
Let us examine the 1976-77 annual chart found in Example
1 (Chart 1).
The weekday on 26th November 1976 was Friday. Its lord Venus is a
functional malefic for Mrs. Gandhi’s natal Lagna (Cancer). So it
indicates an unfavorable year.
Lagna in the annual chart is in Sagittarius, which is a Dusthana
from natal Lagna. It shows struggle during the year.
Saturn Hora was running at 9:34:06 am on 26th November 1976. So
Saturn is the most important planet during the year. He is a
functional malefic with respect to Sagittarius Lagna and occupies
the 8th house. This shows that the main theme of the year will be
disappointments and fall (8th). Mrs. Gandhi indeed experienced
misfortune during the year and her party was ousted from power in
the General Elections of 1977.
In addition to the above points, one may note that
• Lagna lord is in a Dusthana.
• A functional malefic afflicts Lagna.
• The 9th and 10th lords are in the 12th house of losses, showing a
loss of fortune.
One may contrast this annual chart with the annual charts of 1966-67
and 1970-71, when her party won elections emphatically.
Example 3
Annual chart of 1966-67, when Mrs. Gandhi won an election
The weekday was Thursday. Jupiter owns 6th and 9th from natal Cancer
Lagna and is considered a functional benefic. Lagna of the annual
chart is in the 11th house from natal Lagna and shows gains during
the year.
Lagna lord, 4th lord and 5th lord form unblemished raja yoga within
a 2-degree arc in the 7th house and aspect Lagna together. This
excellent raja yoga promises much success during the year. Mercury
is a functional benefic; he owns the 5th house of power; and, he
takes part in this raja yoga. His Hora was running at 17:08:21 on
17th November 1966. Thus the year is likely to bring power and
authority (5th, 7th and raja yoga).
Example 4
Annual chart of 1970-71, when Mrs. Gandhi won another election
The weekday was Thursday again. Lagna in the annual chart is the
same as in natal Lagna. This shows favorable developments and a
fresh and powerful new beginning. Hora at the commencement of the
New Year belonged to Mars. He is a Yogakaraka for Cancer Lagna and
takes part in a raja yoga that involves 4th, 5th, 9th and 10th
lords. Again, the strength and Yogas of the most important planet of
the year suggests power and authority in the New Year. As Mars owns
5th and 10th, power and career are the main theme of the year.
Moon’s aspect on Lagna indicates mass support.
Example 5
Annual chart of 2001-02 for the nation of Pakistan ; Birth data:
14th August 1947, 0:00:01 (IST), 67 E 3', 24 N 52'
Annual TP Data: 16th August 2001, 15:27:00 (IST), 67 E 3', 24 N 52'
Scorpio rises in the annual chart and it is the 8th house from
Pakistan’s natal Lagna (Aries). This shows that results of the evil
actions of the past will have to be experienced, i.e. it shows a
year of obstacles. In addition, one may note that that the 8th house
of the annual chart is occupied by 4 planets, including two key
marakas – 2nd and 7th lords. Moon and Rahu are also in the 8th
house. This also confirms a year of obstacles, tension, frustration,
sudden changes and reversals.
However, Lagna lord Mars is in Lagna and hence Lagna is powerful.
Moreover, Mars Hora was running at the time of the chart and hence
Mars is the most important planet of the chart. He sets the theme of
the year. As Mars owns and occupies Lagna, this is a year of a fresh
and bold new beginning. Overall, this is a year in which Pakistan
has to go through the pain of paying for past mistakes and make a
fresh and bold new beginning amid turmoil and frustration.
During this year, the nation of Pakistan had to desert their friends
in Afghanistan and unwillingly support the international war against
terrorism, in the backdrop of unrest and revolt within the militant
religious circles of Pakistan. Pakistan’s laudable attempts to curb
extremism and return to the mainstream international polity as a
progressive society are taking shape very slowly. Because of the
strength of Mars, General Musharraf’s position has only improved
despite speculations about challenges to his leadership. While the
strength of lagna and hora lord shows an auspicious new beginning,
the strength of the 8th house and the placement of TP lagna from
natal lagna clearly show that this happens in the backdrop of past
mistakes that bring immense suffering.
Example 6
A native who stood first in his state (AP) in intermediate (higher
secondary school) examinations with a record score in May 1987;
Birth data: 4th April 1970, 17:47 (IST), 81 E 8', 16 N 10'
Annual TP Data (1987-88): 28th March 1987, 0:31:15 (IST), 81 E 8',
16 N 10'
Weekday was Friday (note: weekday of Jyotish changes at sunrise and
not at midnight). Venus is a functional benefic with respect to the
natal Lagna (Virgo). This shows favorable events. Sagittarius rises
in the annual chart and it is the 4th house from natal Lagna. This
being a quadrant, favorable results are indicated. The fruits of the
native’s past learning (4th) will be experienced in the year.
Lagna lord Jupiter also happens to be the Hora lord. Thus Jupiter is
the most important planet during the year and he sets the tone and
tenor for the year. As he owns Lagna and 4th and occupies 4th, good
results related to education are to be expected. As Jupiter conjoins
9th lord Sun within 35 arc-min, there is a powerful raja yoga
between Jupiter and Sun. This raja yoga brings fortune in education
and explains why academic success was the main theme of the year.
Usually, whenever the Hora lord or the Lagna lord is involved in a
good yoga in a Tithi Pravesha chart, very favorable results related
to the houses involved will be experienced in the year. On the
contrary, whenever the Hora lord or the Lagna lord is badly placed
in a Tithi Pravesha chart, the year will be disappointing.
A Fine System
As these examples may have demonstrated, Tithi Pravesha is a very
sophisticated, and yet simple, technique of Jyotish that enables us
to quickly see the main events of a year without much ado. One can
get an accurate big picture without hairsplitting with complicated
techniques. It is simply an amazing technique.
However, Tithi Pravesha is not just about getting the big picture
easily. There is much more to it than what has been seen so far. As
mentioned earlier, all the techniques applicable in natal horoscopy
are applicable in Tithi Pravesha. Several techniques like divisional
charts and Ashtakavarga can be considered for finer readings of
Tithi Pravesha charts. For fine timing of events within a given
year, we even have a special dasa that goes together with Tithi
Pravesha charts. With the blessings of Maharshi’s, more aspects of
the Tithi Pravesha system taught by our tradition are planned to be
covered in the coming few issues of Jyotish Digest.
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