Astro Question Box 3: What Can I Do If I Don't Know the Time I Was Born?

Understanding a Vedic astrology chart if you don't have an accurate birth time.

In today’s Astro Question Box post, I will answer a reader’s question about Vedic astrology. If you would like to find out how this work, check out this post. Subscribers can submit their questions here.

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It’s been awhile since I did one of these Astro Question Box posts, so I thought I’d get one out today before I head off on vacation for a week. When I get back, I’ll continue the post series on transits and the astrology of assassination. For now, let’s explore the question one of my reader’s asked.

Astro Question Box: Question 3

Since I don’t know my birth time, I unfortunately can’t create an accurate birth chart. In Western Astrology, I know they focus on looking at the planets in signs when this is the case. Do they use the same approach in Vedic astrology?

Thank you for this question. I think this is exactly the kind of issue where Western astrology and Vedic astrology diverge.

In Western astrology, it is common to read descriptions such as “Venus in Leo means this, and Sun in Virgo means that.” However, in Vedic astrology, we focus much less on the meaning of a planet in a particular sign, and more on its strength in a particular sign.

For example, Pisces is the sign of exaltation for Venus. If a person has Venus in Pisces in their chart, this planet and what it stands for (i.e., relationships, enjoyment, artistic expression, etc.) will be very strong. If Venus is in Virgo, its sign of debilitation, the person will struggle with Venusian topics.

This continues with Vedic astrology’s “friendship,” “neutral,” and “enemy” sign scheme for each planet. Venus is considered to be on friendly terms with Saturn, so she has strength in Capricorn and Aquarius. She’s on neutral terms with Mars, so she does ok in Scorpio and Aries. She considers the Sun and Moon her enemy, which means she has less strength in Cancer and Leo.

It’s worth mentioning here that these concepts of strength differ sometimes between Western and Vedic astrology: both systems consider Pisces as her sign of exaltation and Virgo as her sign of debility. However, traditional Western astrology argues that she does not feel comfortable in Mars-ruled Scorpio and Aries, as they are opposite to the signs she rules, Taurus and Libra.

But let me step back from the precipice of this astro rabbit hole, as it never my intention to pit Western astrology against Vedic astrology.

What I will say is this: The true power of astrology lies more in its complexity and specificity, which is why I’m personally not interested in taking this type of approach in either system. To reach the complexity, you need to also examine the placement of the planets in the houses, aspects, and house rulership. This is also true for planets that are strong by sign.

To know this information, you need an accurate birth time. Thus, we return to the reader’s dilemma.

The good news?

There are several approaches in Vedic astrology that can help you analyze a birth chart with more depth even if you don’t have the exact time of birth.

Consider the moon’s nakshatra

Your moon’s nakshatra is incredibly important to understanding how your mind works. If you have no idea what nakshatras are, check out this post.

For example, those with their Moon in Ashwini Nakshatra are quick, bright, and always on the move. Such people are natural initiators who prefer action over deliberation. In contrast, someone with their Moon in Rohini Nakshatra moves more slowly and deliberately, often guided by a deep emotional sensitivity and a longing for beauty, comfort, and connection.

Then there are those with the Moon in Anurādhā Nakshatra, who tend to be reserved but intensely loyal, with a mind that seeks purpose through dedication, structure, and quiet perseverance. Compare that with Pūrvaphalgunī, where the Moon brings out a playful, sociable, and pleasure-seeking nature. these individuals are often warm-hearted and expressive, but not always consistent in their commitments.

Understanding your moon’s nakshatra gives you an automatically in-depth peek at how your perceive, process, and filter information and emotions. However, a small word of caution here:

Nakshatras can change within the same day. Therefore, try to find out at least the period of time you were born, or compare and contrast the two possible nakshatras to determine which is a better fit.

Consider aspects

To go deeper into a Vedic astrology chart when no birth time is available, consider planetary aspects, or dṛṣṭi (literally “sight”) from one planet to another.

In Vedic astrology, graha dṛṣṭi follows fixed rules, independent of sign relationships. Each planet has its own pattern of vision:

• Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus: aspect the 7th house from where they sit

• Jupiter: aspects the 5th, 7th, and 9th from its position

• Mars: aspects the 4th, 7th, and 8th from its position

• Saturn: aspects the 3rd, 7th, and 10th from its position

• Rahu: aspects the 2nd, 5th, and 9th from its position

• Ketu: since Ketu is “headless,” it does not have “sight;” however, its conjunctions are considered

These aspects operate regardless of the ascendant, so even without houses, we can see how the planets interact with each other.

When a planet receives aspects from benefic planets—Jupiter, Venus, or a strong, unblemished Mercury—it gains support. In other words, its function is affirmed and strengthened.

When a planet is aspected by malefics—Saturn, Mars, Rahu, or a weak Sun—its natural function is disturbed or obstructed. This is especially true when a planet is struck by multiple malefic aspects at once. In classical terms, this can be considered a form of śāpa, or a planetary curse, that plays out as persistent difficulty.

Conjunctions must also be considered. A planet joined a malefic in the same sign, especially within a close degree range, will feel that influence acutely. Ketu, although it does not cast graha dṛṣṭi, exerts a significant influence when conjunct. It tends to sever, negate, or disassociate the planet it joins.

Here’s an example of how aspects come into play:
If Mercury is aspected by Mars and Saturn, and also joined by Rahu, it becomes highly afflicted. This can manifest as learning difficulties, problems with memory, or struggles with speech and communication. The person may have experienced early disruption in education, feelings of social exclusion, or even verbal attack or misunderstanding. When harmed like this, Mercury needs to be remedied.

By contrast, if the Moon in the same chart is receiving aspects from Jupiter and Venus, it can bring emotional maturity, grace, and a strong internal compass. The mind is steadied, supported, and made more resilient, even if Mercury is under strain.

Important note:

Planets can change signs in the same day, especially the Moon and Mercury, which are speedier than the rest. Check to see if this occurs on the day of your birth to make sure you are making an accurate assessment of any aspects to or from the planets.

Have your chart rectified

If you don’t know your exact birth time, you can have your birth chart time rectified by a Vedic astrologer.

To do this, the astrologer gathers a number of biographical details from you (e.g., marriage, obtaining a degree, starting a new job, moving to a different country, etc) and compares these with various dasha timing techniques. By doing so, they can properly rectify your birth chart time.

This is actually something I do before every consultation. Since doctors and nurses are extremely unlikely to be astrologers, they tend to round up or round down birth times. If the time on your birth certificate is, for example, 7:15 or 12:30, it is particularly likely that this has been done.

Since the lagna (sign on the Eastern horizon) changes about ever two hours, a slightly incorrect birth time won’t make much of a difference on your rashi (main birth chart), unless you were born right before or right after the ascendant changes signs. However, it can make big difference in the Varga, or divisional, charts. These charts are crucial for getting more fine-tuned details about various aspects of your life, and require a more accurate birth time.

Although it is possible to rectify a chart for an accurate birth time with only the day, I personally wouldn’t feel comfortable doing so as the margin of error is high. However, if someone at least knows general information, like I was born close to midnight, I was born in the early afternoon, I was born near dawn, I would only be comparing and contrasting two to three lagna, which is completely doable.

If you’re interested in booking a consultation and need more extensive chart rectification, I recommend the 90-minute session, as we need time for this before we can get into your chart analysis and questions. Although I don’t list it on my booking tool, I can also simply rectify your chart without the more in-depth consultation. Feel free to contact me if you’re interested.

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Michelle R. Dean is a Vedic astrologer and writer based in Berlin. To find out more about Michelle, swing by here.