Analyzing the natal astrology chart for clues that help in choosing an appropriate career is an important part of the astrologer’s research. The determination of a client’s vocation has to take into account nearly every aspect of the birth chart in order to find an occupation that both satisfies the yearning for fulfilling work as well as providing a necessary source of income. Through the astrologer’s techniques of analysis one discovers the details of one’s karma and latent potentials. The viewpoint of Vedic Astrology is that by living in harmony with your karma while simultaneously consciously activating your potentials, you can increase the level of success and satisfaction in your life.

How a person functions in the world, the use of one’s talents and skills, the ability to understand and communicate, the position and status that is desired, the capacity for hardship and struggle that must be endured—all this and more needs to be evaluated in order to find a proper “fit” for a career choice. In this exploration of the chart the astrologer is helped by certain factors that directly bear on the topic of career.

It is essential to choose a career appropriate to one’s personality characteristics. The zodiacal sign in the first house, i.e., the rising sign, is the primary indicator of one’s personality. Second to this is the Moon’s sign. An emphasis on the sign Leo, the sign of the king, indicates a person for whom subservience to another is akin to a living death. Career guidance for Leo must point towards a profession that gives free reign for self-expression and receiving the acknowledgement of others (example: Woody Allen). On the other hand, a chart with Capricorn as the rising sign prefers to be in a position of responsibility, where fulfilling one’s duties and obligations efficiently brings a sense of self worth and satisfaction. Thus Capricorn is ideally suited for a managerial position (example: Barack Obama). If Gemini is the rising or Moon’s sign, the person is born with a chameleon-like flexibility of the mind capable of adapting to the needs of another’s level of understanding. This sign has a liking for change and hates routine. Gemini personalities are suitable for the changing conditions required in a profession that deals with the public (example: Merv Griffin).

Aside from the qualities of the rising sign and Moon’s sign, the predominance of a particular planet in the birth chart will strongly color a person’s personality with its natural characteristics. For instance, Mars occupying the first house adds a dynamic, action-oriented, competitive nature to the personality. An appropriate career choice would have to include the theme of “victory” as well as fast-moving events. If other astrological factors indicate physical talent, then a career in sports could be considered. Mars also finds expression through physical work, especially of a technical nature, such as auto mechanics. The fast-moving competitive world of business deals is also a possibility.

The 10th house of the astrology chart most specifically addresses the issue of Career. The traditional signification of the 10th house is that it represents Actions in Society, which by extension includes status, position, renown, conduct, deeds, as well as livelihood. In our modern context the most important meaning ascribed to the 10th house is one’s profession. The ancient texts from India didn’t have a whole lot to say about profession, since in that culture your career was defined by what caste you were born into; if you came from a family of farmers you were a farmer: end of story. Today we have much more vertical and lateral movement possible in this area of life, and especially now with rapidly changing conditions in the world, the techniques of astrological analysis applied to the 10th house have gained a lot of importance. Once again the qualities of the sign as well as any planets located in this part of the chart have to be considered as primary factors.

For example: Venus, the planet of Beauty, when strong in a chart, signifies a potential career in the arts. If Gemini, a sign known for having an affinity with the arts, is the rising sign, then Venus represents the 5th house of Creativity (for Gemini-rising Libra is the 5th house sign, ruled by Venus). If it occupies the 10th house (which for Gemini rising is Pisces, a sensitive romantic sign), Venus then becomes the planet representing the person’s creativity placed in the house of career, which when added to the natural inclinations of Venus, makes this person suitable for a profession in the arts field (Max Ernst, Orsen Welles).

In another chart, Aquarius is in the first house. Aquarius is the humanist of the zodiac; people with this sign emphasized want to do some good in society. The Moon represents the 6th house of Work, Health, and Service in an Aquarius-rising chart because Moon rules the 6th house sign, Cancer. The Moon, signifying Mother, is a naturally nurturing planet. If the Moon is in the 10th house of Profession, then this person is most appropriately engaged in a career that emphasizes service to the public. Since Scorpio is the sign in the 10th house of Aquarius rising charts, and Scorpio is itself a sign noted for expertise in the medical field, a career in public health would be one possibility.

Astrology can help to assess whether or not someone has the potential for running his own business. One key component is a willingness to take risks, shown by an emphasis in the birth chart on signs noted for that characteristic, such as the fire signs Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius. Additionally, the 3rd house representing Initiative and Self-promotion has to be strong, as well as the 6th house representing the ability to Overcome Competitors and Adversaries.

The astrologer seeks more clues that provide career guidance by looking for astrological factors that connect the 10th house of profession with other parts of the birth chart. Links from any house in the chart to the 10th house indicate karma that ties professional activities to the people and actions signified by that particular house. If the planet ruling the 10th house sign is found in the 5th house, then the 5th house themes of Creativity, Teaching, Children, Speculation & Investment, and Sports & Entertainment become important to the analysis. If there are to be financial arrangements with others, the 8th house (“other people’s money”) has to be emphasized. If the career involves selling to unknown people, for instance over the internet, then the 12th house (foreigners, unseen people) needs to be strong in the chart. A connection between the 1st house, the house of “Self” and the 10th house indicates someone who is self-employed.

There are many other techniques used in Vedic Astrology for evaluating career potentials. Through skillful analysis of your natal chart the astrologer builds up the details of the “case” for a particular career choice. Everyone who hasn’t wants to find a means to deal with the financial necessities while simultaneously satisfying the soul. The tools of Vedic Astrology provide one way to discover answers to this particularly modern dilemma.