The birth chart is laid out in the shape of a wheel, as you can see. We’ll begin counter-clockwise, with the letters ‘AC’ standing for ascendant, the chart’s starting point.
Virgo, whose natural planetary ruler is Mercury, rules the ascendant/1st House. This indicates a patient and analytical personality. Mars, the planet of action, is also in Libra’s 1st House. This energy makes you feel energised and active.
The 2nd House is controlled by Libra, which indicates that money matters are carefully handled and that financial gain is obtained through partnerships.
Scorpio rules the 3rd House, which indicates a need for honesty in every communication. Pluto’s position in Scorpio, in the 3rd House, amplifies this energy. Jupiter is a degree in Sagittarius in the 3rd House, indicating a desire to converse a lot with the goal of gaining a better understanding of oneself through in-depth discussion.
Using the house guidelines above, continue around the wheel until you reach your birth chart.
In This Article...
What is an astrological chart and how does it work?
If you check your horoscope every day, have CoStar and The Pattern downloaded on your phone, or dabble with tarot cards, you probably think you’ve got astrology down pat. But, according to personal astrologer Hedy (also known as Nymph of Neptune), your birth chart is where it all begins and ends. “Reading a birth chart may really expose areas of your life that you may not be aware of, both conscious and unconscious,” she explains. “It’s about finding psychological equilibrium and taking charge of your life so you can better regulate your tendencies,” says the author.
Do you want to learn more? We turned to Nymph of Neptune for all of the answers to this ostensibly complicated process.
What exactly is a birth chart?
In a nutshell, your birth chart depicts the position of the planets in the sky at the time of your birth. Nymph of Neptune explains, “It’s a snapshot or map of the position of the planets or stars at the time you were born.” “Each planet has a unique impact on a different part of our lives, as this demonstrates.”
In essence, this means that we all have personality traits from numerous zodiac signs in our horoscopes, and these traits correspond to different aspects of our lives. Venus, for example, regulates relationships, so if your Venus is in Scorpio, it implies you embody those qualities in your relationships, such as passion, intensity, loyalty, and sexuality.
How do you read your birth chart?
You’ll need the date, exact time (to the minute, if possible), and location of your birth to get your birth chart.
You can use an astrology app online or utilize apps like The Pattern and CoStar to get the details of your birth chart and make horoscopes based on that information. However, Nymph of Neptune strongly advises that you have yours read by a personal astrologer first. “Apps don’t give the whole story,” she says, adding that having your chart reviewed by an expert can reveal all of your behavioral tendencies. “Astrologists are able to see everything that is put out in front of them, including patterns, needs, and actions. And I believe that many have problems in relationships because they are chasing someone who will not meet their requirements. Seeing an astrologer, on the other hand, may assist someone in identifying their wants, which may be something they aren’t aware of.”
What are the key components of a birth chart?
A birth chart, as Nymph of Neptune explained, shows where each planet was at the moment of your birth, and each planet governs a distinct part of your life. When you read your horoscope, you refer to your sun sign, which essentially represents who you are at your heart. Your moon sign, on the other hand, is significant since it relates to your emotional self and the type of nurture you had as a child. Nymph of Neptune explains, “It connects to your relationship needs and what you need in your adult life.” Your rising sign is determined by the constellation that was visible in the sky at the moment of your birth, and it describes how people see you when they meet you for the first time: “basically, what external features you present to the world.”
The other planets reflect other elements of your life as well.
Venus represents relationships, Mercury represents communication, Mars represents action and aggression, Jupiter represents expansion, Saturn represents self-discipline and fears, Uranus represents innovation and progress, Neptune represents the subconscious and healing, and Pluto represents power and intensity. You’ll be able to detect your traits, habits, and actions if you know which sign each planet belongs to. This will show you both your strengths and areas where you need to improve.
The houses, which symbolize the earth’s rotation around its axis, are another feature of your birth chart. “There’s a 12-house system,” Nymph of Neptune explains, “and each house represents a distinct life topic or sector.” Depending on whatever planet and sign they’re in, the houses provide greater insight into each part of your life.
The first house represents your ego and sense of self; the second house represents material possessions; the third house represents community and communication; the fourth house represents home and family; the fifth house represents creativity and romance; the sixth house represents health and work; the seventh house represents partnerships; the eighth house represents death, sex, and transformation; the ninth house represents travel and philosophy; the tenth house represents public image and career; the eleventh house represents death, sex, and transformation; the twelfth house represents death
Does it appear to be difficult? Consider the following scenario: Your birth chart uses the formula “planet + sign + house,” which helps you comprehend your patterns when added together.
How would your birth chart differ from someone else’s?
Quite a bit, actually. Your personal planets, like as the moon, Venus, rising, Mercury, and Mars, can change signs every few hours to days, which is why your horoscope might differ dramatically from someone born only a few days later.
Pluto, Uranus, and Neptune, on the other hand, are quite sluggish, changing signs only every few years or so. As a result, these planets recognize generational shifts and qualities, and they will be comparable to your peers of a similar age. “Pluto was in Scorpio at the time, which regulates sex, which explains why people born in the 1990s are hypersexualized. This suggests that this generation is more sexual than past generations “Nymph of Neptune opined.
What can a birth chart teach you?
Reading your birth chart, according to Nymph of Neptune, can reveal areas in your life that need improvement and help you understand why you act the way you do in all facets of your life. She claims that it “illuminates all of our behavioral patterns, both good and harmful.” “It allows us to emphasize the positive aspects while highlighting the negative ones. You can stop them in their tracks once you grasp why they happen.”
Consider the following scenario to see how that works in practice: “If you have Mercury and Mars in your horoscope, you’re more likely to have angry outbursts. However, if they realize this and perhaps take up a sport like boxing, it may be possible for them to regulate their fury in this way “Nymph of Neptune opined. “Or it could simply make them more aware of the fact that they’re doing it.”
Can you read your birth chart multiple times over?
Yes, and depending on what’s going on in your life, you might even find yourself yearning to return to it. “There’s more depth in your birth chart every time you look at it,” says Nymph of Neptune. “I go back and check what I’ve missed when things happen. It gives me a mental boost and clarifies what I’ve been missing because we all go through stages of spiritual development. So, in January, we may be really focused on how we express anger and how we deal with our feelings, but by June, we may need to be reminded of that.” For example, let’s say your chart indicates that you overlook your personal needs in a relationship and that you’re having relationship problems. Reading your chart can then serve as a reminder of this propensity, allowing actual transformation to take place.
How would each year be affected by your birth chart?
The planets are constantly moving and hence appear in different positions at different times throughout the year. This implies that a planetary retrograde or transit into a particular sign can have an impact on your life in ways you may not be aware of unless you have your birth chart to show you which sign and house each planet is in. This is why the Nymph of Neptune recommends year-ahead chart readings so you can see what the following year holds for you.
Mercury retrogrades, which occur three times a year, are an excellent example of this. Mercury is traditionally associated with communication and technology, but you may experience a retrograde if Mercury is in your home sector, for example. “Mercury could show up during the retrograde in this situation by causing a leak on your roof, which is completely different. It could be happening in a less visible area, or it could be happening in a more internal setting, such as your intimate home. It won’t effect your work, house, or travel in this situation, but it could suggest that you’re thinking about some things more and processing them differently “Nymph of Neptune opined.
Can a birth chart determine relationship compatibility?
“Without a doubt,” says Nymph of Neptune. “You’d be able to see each individual’s trends in relationships and whether they had similar needs for relationship compatibility. The moon, Venus, and Mars are the most important planets in this sign. In fact, incompatible sun signs may have Venus indications that are quite similar, which is more relevant.” Perhaps you should already inquire about your crush’s birth date?
What is the most effective technique to learn about astrology?
Astrologer Kelly Surtees joins the podcast in this episode to discuss some recommendations for learning astrology and eventually becoming an astrologer.
The conversation is based in part on a post I did on my blog several years ago titled 10 recommendations for understanding astrology. (Update 8/18/2018: watch also my video on five short beginner astrology recommendations.) I wanted to revisit the subject in order to dig a little deeper into some of the suggestions and add a few new ones.
Kelly and I take you from the very first steps you need to take in order to begin your studies in astrology, assuming you know nothing or very little about it, all the way to the intermediate and advanced phases of learning about the subject, during the course of the show.
The end result is a 3-5 year framework for how to become an astrologer, and by the end of the program, we’ll have gotten the listener to the stage where they should be able to transition into professional astrology practice.
I’ve included an outline of some of the subjects covered in the program below, but please visit the original blog post linked at the top of the page for a full article with all of the links.
Studying Astrology: Episode Outline
Kelly’s three key astrological learning suggestions are as follows:
- Readbooks/blogs/websites/journals.
- Make contact with other people who are interested in astrology. Meetups, local astrology groups, and online astrology groups are all options.
- Educate yourself and get official training. Choose a person you can meet in person or an online course that interests you.
Tips for learning astrology in particular:
- www.astro.com can provide you with a copy of your birth chart.
- If at all possible, double-check your birth time.
- Learn the symbols for the zodiac signs, planets, aspects, and more.
- Kelly provides a free handout with the icons for the planets and zodiac signs.
- She also has some more astrological handouts for beginners here.
- Make use of free online resources. Blogs, blogs, podcasts, YouTube, Reddit, and other social media platforms
- Dictionary of Astrology
- Reddit’s Astrology section
- For astrology videos, go to Chris’ YouTube account.
- Get yourself a few astrology books. Here are some decent books for beginners:
- April Elliott Kent’s The Essential Guide to Practical Astrology
- Derek and Julia Parker’s Astrology is a book on astrology.
- Helena Avelar and Luis Ribeiro’s On the Heavenly Spheres
- Richard Tarnas’ Cosmos and Psyche
- Stephen Arroyo’s Chart Interpretation Handbook
- Principles of Practical Natal Astrology, by Kevin Burk, is his most recent book.
- The Mountain Astrologer magazine is available for subscription.
- On their website, they also feature a fantastic beginner’s series.
- Learn to read an ephemeris if you don’t already have one.
- The free online ephemeris from Astrodienst.
- Learn how to use an ephemeris in our guide.
- With Astro.com’s unique daily horoscope, you can start tracking your transits.
- Begin by charting the Moon’s path through your houses or making aspects to planets in your birth chart.
- Examine the horoscopes of your friends, family, and celebrities.
- AstroDatabank has birth information for a number of celebrities.
- Use online forums to connect with other astrologers.
- Skyscript, Astrodienst, Facebook, and other similar services are available.
- Meet up with astrologers in your area. Meetup.com, the NCGR, and a Google search are all good places to start.
- Start your own meetup if there isn’t one already.
- Take an astrological course, either online or in person.
- Kepler College, The International Academy of Astrology, The Faculty of Astrological Studies, The American College of Vedic Astrology, or classes taught by Chris or Kelly are all good places to start.
- Kelly delivers A Beginner’s Online Astrology Course: Practical Astrology.
- Chris teaches ancient astrology through his online course.
- Become a member of an astrological organization.
- AAGB, ACVA, AYA, FAA (in Australia), NCGR, ISAR, AFA, AFAN, OPA, AAGB, ACVA, AYA, FAA (in Australia), and so on.
- Attend a conference on astrology.
- Next week, NORWAC will be in Seattle.
- Obtain certification (?)
- Certification’s benefits and drawbacks.
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In astrology, what are the Big Three?
Growing up, you were undoubtedly asked what your zodiac sign was a few times. Perhaps you recognized yourself in the description, or perhaps it didn’t feel quite right. The reason for this is because your zodiac sign (also known as your sun sign) is simply a small part of your horoscope, whereas each of us has a full map of planets that influenced our birth. You may receive a much more realistic picture of your personality by learning about your full horoscope and all of its placements!
Finding out what your “big three placements” arethe sun, the moon, and the ascendantis the first step in getting to know your horoscope. These three planets each represent a different aspect of you, and when combined, they form a remarkably accurate portrait of your personality. Here’s a quick rundown of these opportunities.
What is the meaning of your horoscope?
A natal chart (also known as a birth chart) is an astronomical image of the stars based on the precise date, time, and location of your birth. We compute the location of each planet, as well as the sign of the zodiac and house it was in at the time of your birth, using NASA data.
What method do you use to locate your planet?
Before we begin, we’ll assume two things: first, that you’re not looking at the night sky via a telescope, but rather with your naked eye, and second, that you’re in a location where your view isn’t obstructed by massive buildings, extremely tall trees, or other obstructions.
The first step in recognizing planets is to determine which ones can be seen without using a telescope. Most people can see Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn since they are the five brightest planets in our night sky. Mercury is the most difficult planet to spot on our list since it is the closest planet to the Sun and is never visible too far away, making it difficult to spot due to its low altitude and the glare of the rising or setting sun.
In a nutshell, no. It’s worth noting that, while we may view the brightest planets quite frequently, there isn’t a specific time of year when a particular planet is at its best. Planets orbit the Sun at different rates, and the Earth orbits the Sun at a different pace, thus we see planets in the night sky at different times throughout the year.
The simplest approach to distinguish planets is to remember this simple rule: stars sparkle, but planets do not. Planets and stars appear as pinpoints of light when viewed with the naked eye. When you look at a star, you’ll notice that it twinkles and that the light changes colors. Planets don’t seem to twinkle too much. Why is there a distinction? Because stars are much more away from us than planets, their light is influenced more by travelling through our atmosphere than light from a much closer planet. Twinkling is caused by the air we breathe. Planets and stars would not twinkle at all if you were in space!
No, not at all. In the sky, depending on how far a planet is from the Earth, it may appear brighter or darker than at other times. The brightness difference between Jupiter and Saturn, for example, isn’t significant. They are far enough away from Earth that the fact that we are getting closer or farther away has little effect on their brightness. Mars, on the other hand, can change dramatically from year to year. Mars was roughly 40 million miles from Earth in late July 2018, and seemed very brilliant orange in the early evening sky. However, by the middle of 2019, Earth’s orbit had shifted sufficiently that Mars was nearly on the opposite side of the Sun, more than 200 million miles away! At this point, the light had dimmed considerably.
The brightness of the planet is also affected by how near it is to the horizon. You have to gaze through less air to see a planet that is high above the horizon. Because you are seeing through more air when a planet is closer to the horizon, it will appear dimmer than when it is higher in the sky.
Planets come in a variety of hues as well! Mercury has a pale yellowish color, while Venus is a brilliant white. The color of Mars is a rusty orange. (What can we say? It’s called the Red Planet, after all.) It’s a bright orange color.) Saturn is a yellowish tan tone, while Jupiter is a light tan color.
You’ll need to know which planets are visible in your night sky now that you know which planets are visible and what they might seem like. This will change during the year and from year to year, as previously stated. It’s also worth noting that you might not be able to observe all five planets at the same time or on the same night.
To get started, use one of the internet sites below to find out what’s visible in your sky tonight.
You can use the tools above to acquire a list of which planets are visible in your area, at what times, and where they are in the sky by plugging in the date you’ll be watching and your location.
We have the potential to see planets during the following times, depending on our date and location:
To begin, you might be unsure what the terms “from” and “till” signify. To truly comprehend these listings, you must consider the time of the Sun’s rising and setting for this precise place.
The 27th of December was a Friday. This listing presupposes that the reader is looking at the material on that particular day. Mercury rising at 6:51 a.m. on Saturday, December 28 means the planet rose at 6:51 a.m. on Saturday, December 28. Mercury was hidden in the glare of the rising Sun at about 7:15 a.m. that day, thus it wasn’t visible for practical purposes. Jupiter is in the same boat. From Saturday 7:16 a.m., Jupiter rose at nearly the same time as the Sun and was also not visible because of the time of sunrise.
Mars rose at 4:07 a.m. on Saturday, which implies it rose at 4:07 a.m. Because the sunrise was at 7:15 a.m., Mars was visible, weather permitting! after it ascended till the rising Sun’s brilliance blocked it out roughly 45 minutes before sunrise.
We’ll now concentrate on the planet Venus. According to Time and Date, it was ideal to view Venus after sunset until approximately the time Venus set, which was a little after 7:00 pm local time, for this particular date and place. Venus would have been quite bright as vision increased and the sunset glare receded. Let’s say we were looking for Venus at 6:00 p.m. that evening. The chart below depicts where Venus was in the sky on December 27, 2019, at 6:01 p.m., as indicated by the yellow circle and orange dotted line: