Horoscope is a combination of two words, Hora which signify hour and scopos the watcher. Horoscope is nothing but a chart of the heavens or a diagram of twelve houses. It shows the zodiac and the position of planets and Nakshatras.This chart of heavens is drawn based on the precise moment of the birth. It is required to answer any query, thought or Prashna of the native.

Astrology says that to make birth chart 3 pieces of information are required. These are the date of birth, time of birth and place of birth. A perfect Kundali is possible only when all these 3 factors of a native are supplied correctly.

Ascendant

Our celestial hemisphere of 360 degrees is divided into twelve equal parts of 30 degrees each and is called zodiac.The zodiac is assigned different rashis. When the earth rotates on its axis which takes about approximately 24 hours, a Rashi rises in the eastern horizon.This is the Ascendant of a particular time.

Using this data first the Ascendant is determined which is purely a mathematical calculation for the given date, time and place, and then placements of planets in different houses are done according to the Tithi. The calculation so done is precise with respect to the degrees of the ascendant and planets therein. In this way, Janmang is created.

Beyond The Janma Kundali or Birth chart

Moon Chart

After this astrologers create the Moon chart of the native. In this chart, the Moon sign of the native is placed as the Ascendant and other planets are placed in their respective signs. Moon sign chart is prepared to study the mental inclinations of the native. Not only this the Moon Chart also lets the astrologer know of all the Yogas that are formed with the moon sign and how they are going to affect the native. Placement of the Moon in a particular sign and Nakshatra will decide the onset of Dasha system. In fact it is the Moon which sets the clock in motion.

Vimshottari Dasha

After chart or horoscope is ready astrologers predict the events a native is going to encounter on the basis of the clues in the horoscope, but how is this decided. Our sages have given many Dasha systems to solve this problem. Maharishi Parashar in his book Brihat Parashar Hora Shastra has narrated many kinds of Dashas. However, Vimshottari Dasha seems to give the most accurate results and is, therefore, most prevalent among Hindu astrologers.

Vimshottari Dasha is determined from the Nakshatra and Charans of the Moon.The Longitudinal degrees the Moon holds or in other words the Nakshatra in which the Moon is posited determines the Dasha which the native will be enjoying at the time of birth. It is also called Dasha balance at birth.

The elapsed degrees of Nakshatra is called Bhukti Dasha of the Lord of the Nakshatra whereas remaining degrees within the extent of Nakshatra give us the Bhogya period which is called Dasha balance at birth.

Once this is computed the other Dashas follow progressively giving a total period of one hundred twenty years in all. The Kundali prepared up to this stage is called small horoscope.

Shadbal

Mathematical astrology is used to generate the complete total birth chart. Astrologers find out the strength of planets using the Shadbal system. It deals with six different types of strength of planets.The strength a planet possesses depends on it’s placement in a house and the type of conjunctions and aspects that are there which increase or decrease the strength. The strength of seven planets is measured on the following parameters:

1.	Sthana Bala	Positional strength
2.	Dig Bala	Directional strength
3.	Kaala Bala	Temporal or time strength
4.	Chestha Bala	Motional strength
5.	Naisargika Bala	Natural strength
6.	Drishti Bala	Aspectual strength

Rahu and Ketu are not considered in measuring Bala.

Divisional charts/Sodash Varga

The secrets of prediction are hidden in divisional charts or Vargas. These charts give precise information about a particular field of the native. These divisional charts are also used to assess the strength and weaknesses of the planets. A planet is strong in own Varga or exaltation sign in Vargas. Further, if a planet is placed in a friendly, own or inimical sign, an astrologer will analyze Varga charts for a particular significance to get the wealth of information as a predictive tool. A total of sixteen Vargas are given by sage Prashara.

While making the Kundali of a newborn, astrologers also make the Sapta Varga, Das Varga, Shodash Varga Kundali if there is a requirement. The other things in a Kundali which are considered important are the Ashtak Varga, Gandamul Nakshatra and Manglik Dosha.

Ashtak Varga

Asht means eight types of energies which a planet in a horoscope generates with reference to itself, Lagna and six other planets excluding Rahu and Ketu.The energies released can be benefic or malefic.This system is unique in the Vedic system and is not found anywhere else.

It is an offshoot of Prashari system. It is easy to comprehend and predict the main events in a horoscope based on the eight types of energy released by the seven planets and Lagna. The Lagna can be either benefic or malefic depending upon the strength of planets.The benefic points released are called Bindus and malefic points are named Rekhas. A planet which has contributed to a Bindu is strong and will give positive results. Ashtak Varga is of great help in predicting events.

Gandamul & Manglik

There are 6 Gandamul Nakshatras and if a baby is born in any Gandamul Nakshatra then the astrologer will perform the ceremony of Mula Shanti due to which negative impact of the Nakshatra can be reduced.

Manglik Dosha is another inauspicious combination in the Kundali. Astrology says that at the time of marriage match matching of the Kundalis should be done thoroughly. It is imperative to ascertain if there is any Mangalik Dosha. It is a general misconception that natives born in this Dosha do not have a very happy married life. There are remedies that can be performed in case of the Mangalik Dosha

An astrologer when having all the above information will be in a better position to judge a horoscope and conclude his prediction in a comprehensive way. The more the information the better the probability of an accurate prediction.