Let’s chat it up about the most fundamental building block of astrology: The Birth Chart. It is a map of where the planets were the moment you took your first breath. It is your astrological DNA. From that, astrologers can tell what your gifts are, what your challenges might be, and help you time what events can manifest in your life. In short, the birth chart is the natal promise of who you are. Let’s talk about some of the fundamental parts of a natal chart.
1). The birth chart looks like a wheel divided up into 12 segments. Each of those segments represents a different area of focus in your life. For example, the first house is all about your health and self-identity while the seventh house is all about relationships.
2). There are 10 planets to divide up among 12 houses so everyone will have empty houses. Do not worry about that. An empty house doesn’t mean you have nothing going on in that area of your life. I have an empty house of children, but I have 2 very healthy kiddos!
3). Each house is ruled by a different planet based on which zodiac sign occupies that house. For example: My first house is Capricorn which is ruled by Saturn. Therefore Saturn is the most influential planet for my first house topics.
4). The Big Three points of a personality in a chart that you will hear in pop culture are the Sun Sign, the Moon Sign, and the Ascendant. The Sun Sign is what most people are familiar with; so when someone says, “I’m a Libra,” what they are really saying is my birthday is between September 20th and October 19th when the Sun is in Libra.
5). Planets make aspects to each other. This is a fancy way of talking about how the planets are seeing one another. If two planets are in a friendly aspect, like a trine or a sextile, then they get along and the energy usually manifests easier. However, if they are facing each other, squaring off, in each other’s blind spot, or hanging out in a house they don’t like then you are going to feel more of a struggle.
6). You aren’t going to feel everything in your Natal Chart all at once. Different years will highlight different areas and planets. A good astrologer will be able to time this out; birthdays are especially optimal times to have this done.
7). Most pop culture horoscopes are actually meant to be read from your Ascendant’s sign, not your Sun Sign. This one is always a *Surprise* for most people!!! You can figure out what your Ascendant sign if you have your birth time and calculate your chart. Be sure to double check your Mom’s memory with your birth certificate for an accurate time.
8). The horizontal line running from Asc to Dc is the horizon. You can literally see where the sun and the moon revolved around you the moment you took your first breath! This line says a lot about you and your relationships.
9). The MC is the highest point in the chart and it can give us clues as to where your career aspirations are.
10). When the planets are moving direct, they follow counter-clock wise around the wheel, with the exception of the Sun. Only when planets are moving retrograde will they travel clockwise.
For more information, you can look up your own birth chart on www.astro-seek.com or book a reading with me for a more personalized reading.