Astrology by now is a tried and tested science, backed by centuries of analysis and interpretation. The planetary position in the individual charts, the causes and effects of specific conjunctions, the role of sun signs and ascendants-all the aspects of this discipline have been studied in depth by astrologers.

But for the reader what makes the difference is the presentation of the material – and that's where this book scores over many others.

With a unique format by making extensive use of tables, point-by-point elucidation, explanatory notes and analysis the book makes an interesting, easy and lucid readable volume. Backed by thorough research of ancient astrology books of Urdu and English, the volume is a ready reckoner for self-learners.

• What are the remedies for adverse star positions?

• What makes for long or short lines?

• How marital bliss is indicated in a particular chart?

All this and whatever you're looking for is explained here in depth and detail. A must for every serious student of astrology.

Professor U.C Mahajan is a native of Himachal Pradesh and was born in Sujanpur Tira (H.P) in 1930. He began his career as a Lecturer in English at Dyal Singh College, Karnal (Haryana) and retired as the Principal of Government College, Hamirpur (Himachal Pradesh) in 1988. Professor Mahajan's interest in Astrology developed at his ancestral place in 1990, when he came across 'Lal Kitab'- two rare books on Astrology in Urdu. Since then, he has not only mastered the finest nuances of these books and other ancient texts related to Astrology but also adopted Astrology as his hobby.

The present book, Horoscope Reading Made Easy and Self-Learning is his first book on Astrology and contains a detailed analysis of birth charts (horoscopes) of a person, annual charts (Varsh Phals) for 103 years, Mahadashas, Antardashas and Pratantars, significance and effects of planets in various houses on human life and behaviour, etc. His second book, Lal Kitab is also on Astrology and has been widely acclaimed as it gives a complete and indepth information on Astrology in a lucid and easy-to-comprehend style.

Human mind is always curious to comprehend the movements of the planets and their influence on human life. 'Stars do govern our condition and there is a divinity that shapes our ends'. Every man or woman, however, educated is anxious to pierce through the veil of future and to unravel the mysteries of science of Astrology.

Miracles do happen and one such miracle happened in my life a few years ago. I was a skeptic and always regarded Astrology as simply humbug and trash. One fine morning, while rummaging through the old books in my ancestral home, I was fortunate enough to lay my hands upon few old books on astrology in Urdu and English. I read and re-read them & they changed my concept about Astrology. It was indeed a very rewarding and fruitful experience. I am now a strong advocate of this ancient science as it gave a new direction to my life.

I, therefore, thought of writing a comprehensive book on Astrology in English based on Ancient texts on the Hindu system of Astrology and my own research and experience on the subject spanning to more than a decade. This book in fact is the quintessence of all the finest points in Astrology garnered from various old texts on the subject in Urdu and English.

I do not claim originality and perfection, but being an humble student of this ancient science, I have based all my predictions, calculations, remedies etc. not only on the old books in Urdu and English, but also on other known texts and m-y varied experience; that is why I have added chapters on casting a horoscope, Nakshtras, Raashi, Mahadasha, Antardasha etc. to make it a complete and comprehensive book on the subject. It may be remembered that no human being is perfect and infallible and the Astrologer should not be blamed if a few predictions go wrong. Only God is perfect.

I take this opportunity of thanking all those known and unknown authors and their works without whose cooperation it would have been well-nigh impossible for me to write this book. I also express my debt of gratitude to all the wise men and seers and immortal Astrologer of the past who could see through the veils of future by studying the movements of the planets and their influence on human life. What a tremendous task they did! They were indeed the 'Men of God' who could prophesy.

I express my special feeling of love for my son Rajiv who wrote & revised some of the chapters and gave a special format to the book. I am also grateful to all my well-wishers, my brothers - Romesh and Sant Kumar Bhatnagar and my favourite student Usha Barowalia, for their encouragement.

I am also thankful to my publishers for their magnanimity in accepting this manuscript for publication.