How to Read a Birth Chart
If you’re wondering why someone asked about the time of your birth, let me explain. An astrological birth chart, also known as a “natal chart,” is a representation of the sky at the exact moment, date, and place of your birth. It’s like a snapshot that recreates the celestial positions of planets and other celestial objects, along with the zodiac signs they were in. It might sound complicated, but don’t worry! In this article, we’ll delve into the basics of the birth chart to help you understand it better.
Where Can I Find My Birth Chart?
In the past, calculating a birth chart involved manual methods using tools like a protractor and an “ephemeris” table. Fortunately, we now have astrology software that can generate a complete birth chart in less than a second. One of my favorite apps for this is TimePassages, available on both iOS and Android, and the website astro.com is also a reliable resource.
To access a birth chart, whether it’s your own or someone else’s, you’ll need the exact date, time, and location of birth. It’s important to note that the birth chart is a highly sensitive diagram that requires precise data. In fact, the chart can change significantly every four minutes (more on that later), so it’s crucial to have an accurate birth time. Approximations or estimations can distort the results. Therefore, when in doubt, it’s best to verify the information with a birth certificate, baby book, or consult with a parent before proceeding with the calculation.
Understanding Your Birth Chart
Now that you have your birth chart in front of you, the initial encounter can be quite overwhelming. It’s filled with unfamiliar symbols, perplexing numbers, and a complex arrangement of shapes and lines. Making sense of a birth chart may feel like deciphering ancient hieroglyphics, and in a sense, it is. Astrology is a rich and intricate visual language that has been developed over thousands of years. Therefore, comprehending this intricate symbolic diagram requires practice and patience.
Understanding the Ascendant in Your Birth Chart
Let’s start by exploring the ascendant, also known as the rising sign. The ascendant refers to the zodiac sign that was ascending over the eastern horizon at the precise moment of your birth. Visually, the ascendant’s location may vary depending on the astrology software used, but it is typically found around the nine o’clock position and is often represented by a circle with a horizontal line through the middle.
The ascendant holds significant meaning in your birth chart. It represents your perception of reality and influences the recurring patterns, themes, and cycles you encounter throughout your life. This placement serves as the foundational structure for your entire birth chart. When interpreting a birth chart, we start at the ascendant point and move counterclockwise around the circle.
Understanding the Sections of a Birth Chart
When examining a birth chart, you’ll notice that it is divided into distinct sections, precisely 12 of them. These sections are commonly referred to as “houses.” It’s important to note that houses should not be confused with zodiac signs, even though there are also 12 signs. Houses represent the visual representation of Earth’s 24-hour rotation on its axis, meaning each house corresponds to approximately two hours of time.
Furthermore, each house in the birth chart represents a different area of your life. As you traverse the wheel from left to right, the houses transition from personal and concrete to interpersonal and abstract. To help you become familiar with the various regions of the birth chart, here are a few keywords associated with each house.
Exploring the Sections of a Birth Chart
1st House: Self, identity, physical appearance
2nd House: Material possessions, money, values
3rd House: Peers, communication, siblings
4th House: Home, family, origins
5th House: Creativity, romance, children
6th House: Health, wellness, routines
7th House: Partnership, contracts, marriage
8th House: Inheritances, sex, transformation
9th House: Philosophy, travel, higher education
10th House: Career, legacy, reputation
11th House: Activism, technology, humanitarianism
12th House: Intuition, secrets, spirituality
In your birth chart, some houses will have planets or celestial bodies occupying them, while others may not. It’s important to note that the absence of a planet in a specific house does not diminish the significance of the keywords associated with that house. Each house plays a crucial role in our birth chart, regardless of whether a planet resides in that domain. Therefore, if certain houses like the fifth house of creativity or the seventh house of partnership appear “empty,” there’s no need to panic. This is a normal occurrence in birth charts.
Understanding the Symbols in a Birth Chart
Now that you have a basic understanding of the structure of a birth chart, let’s delve into the meaning of the symbols used. In astrology, each planet and celestial body is represented by a symbol, also known as a “glyph,” as are the 12 zodiac signs. Additionally, in a birth chart, multiple symbols are often stacked together to indicate the presence of different planets in specific zodiac signs.
Let’s take a closer look at this concept:
The Planets and Their Symbols
In astrology, each planet and significant celestial object is represented by its own unique glyph. The placement of these planets in your birth chart, indicating the houses they occupy, reveals how and where their energies manifest in your life. Below are keywords associated with each planet, along with their corresponding symbols.
The Sun (circle with a dot in the middle): Identity, purpose, ego
The Moon (crescent moon): Emotions, inner world, security
Mercury (circle with “horns” and a cross underneath): Communication, expression, the mind
Venus (circle with a cross underneath): Values, taste, sensuality
Mars (circle with a diagonal arrow): Motivation, action, sexuality
Jupiter (curvy numeral “4”): Expansion, abundance, luck
Saturn (curvy lowercase letter “h”): Responsibilities, lessons, maturity
Uranus (curvy uppercase letter “H” with a circle beneath): Innovation, rebellion, eccentricity
Neptune (trident): Spirituality, dreams, illusions
Pluto (circle framed by two arms and a cross underneath): Transformation, metamorphosis, rebirth
The Signs of the Zodiac and Their Symbols
Understanding the zodiac signs is crucial in determining how each planet expresses its influence. Simply put, the zodiac sign illustrates how a planet carries out its mission. For instance, if Venus represents values and love, Venus in the airy sign of Gemini will manifest through curiosity, communication, and playfulness. Conversely, if Venus is in the mysterious sign of Scorpio, it will prioritize intensity, power, and depth. Below, you’ll find keywords associated with each zodiac sign, along with their symbols.
Aries (letter “V” with a curved top): Bravery, passion, spontaneity
Taurus (circle with two horns): Loyalty, commitment, practicality
Gemini (Roman numeral “II”): Curiosity, communication, playfulness
Cancer (horizontal “69”): Sensitivity, protection, creativity
Leo (circle with a curly tail): Performance, courage, pride
Virgo (letter “M” with a curly tail): Organization, structure, pragmatism
Libra (half circle with arms and a line underneath): Balance, harmony, justice
Scorpio (letter “M” with a pointed tail): Intensity, power, depth
Sagittarius (arrow pointing diagonally): Adventure, exploration, discovery
Capricorn (curvy letter “G”): Ambition, responsibility, success
Aquarius (two zig-zag lines): Innovation, rebellion, activism
Pisces (curvy letter “H”): Imagination, psychic powers, mysticism
Analyzing the Birth Chart: Putting it All Together
To effectively analyze a birth chart, it’s essential to have a basic understanding of houses, planets, and zodiac signs. Once you grasp these concepts, interpreting the birth chart becomes relatively straightforward. The formula for interpretation is as follows: Planet + Sign + House. In other words, you need to consider what a planet represents, how it expresses itself through a particular zodiac sign, and the specific area of life it influences in a given house.
For instance, let’s take the example of Mars in Virgo in the third house. In this case, Mars symbolizes motivation, Virgo represents a focus on structure, and the third house signifies interpersonal relationships. Thus, Mars in Virgo in the third house suggests that the individual’s drive and energy (Mars) will be channeled through a structured approach (Virgo) in their interactions with others (third house).
Similarly, consider the moon in Sagittarius in the 12th house. Here, the moon represents emotions, Sagittarius embodies exploration and discovery, and the 12th house relates to psychic abilities. Therefore, the moon in Sagittarius in the 12th house indicates that the person processes their emotions (the Moon) by seeking spiritual or intuitive insights (Sagittarius) and exploring their psychic potential (12th house).
My advice to you is to take your time with this process. The more you practice, the better you’ll become at creating strong astrological interpretations. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different narratives and make bold observations. Additionally, virtual communities like the Constellation Club, which I personally run, can be valuable resources. They provide opportunities for receiving feedback on your interpretations, which can be especially helpful when you’re just starting out.
Taking Things at Your Own Pace: Trust the Process
It is crucial to emphasize the significance of going at your own pace. In the realm of mysticism, there is a timeless axiom that I frequently share: “You will know what you need to know when you need to know it.” This axiom applies to all aspects of astrology as well. You can rest assured that understanding will come to you precisely when it is meant to and not a moment too soon. It is essential to trust the process and have faith in the unfolding of your astrological journey.
