Astrology 101: How to Read a Natal Chart
November 24, 2018
Welcome to Sagittarius season! In the spirit of this sign's desire to expand their intellectual horizons through education, I've written a guide on how to read an astrological natal chart. It will cover the basics on how to read the chart, understand the symbols, and navigate the complex layers of chart interpretation. This guide is meant for those who want to learn more about astrology, but don't know where to start!
First and foremost, I like to use Astrodienst for my natal chart calculations. I find it to be reliable, accurate, and extensive because it offers many different styles of drawings for your chart. While a bit complicated for the beginner astrologer, I think it's much better to start out this site as opposed to Cafe Astrology. A lot of people use the later for chart interpretations but I find it very limited, as it doesn't give you the full visual scope of planetary aspects and what houses the planets are in.
I recommend entering your birth information into Astrodienst to follow along with this tutorial. Just click the Free Horoscopes tab under the website's logo to be directed to the page below. When you click the Extended Chart Section, you'll be prompted to enter your birth information.
As you can see, it's possible to create charts for people as well as events and dates. I'm going to create a chart that shows where the stars are at the time and place of writing this guide. It's important to know the exact time and place of birth for the person (or event) you're calculating the chart for in order to get the most accurate information.
Once you've entered the details, you'll be directed a page that allows you to choose different options for calculating your chart. I'd recommend playing around with what they have to offer, including different chart types and house systems. But for now, choose the default setting "Natal Chart Wheel" and select the name of the chart you've just entered.
Viola, your chart has been drawn! Let's deconstruct what this all means.
While complicated and nuanced, understanding the houses begins with learning which aspects of life they correspond to. Here is a list that explains the basics:
1st (ruled by Mars) = House of the Self
2nd (ruled by Venus) = House of Values
3rd (ruled by Mercury) = House of Communication
4th (ruled by the Moon) = House of Emotions and Home
5th (ruled by the Sun) = House of Love Affairs and Creativity
6th (ruled by Mercury) = House of Work and Health
7th (ruled by Venus) = House of Relationships
8th (ruled by Pluto) = House of Death and Regeneration
9th (ruled by Jupiter) = House of Higher Conscious
10th (ruled by Saturn) = House of Career
11th (ruled by Uranus) = House of Community
12th (ruled by Neptune) = House of Karma and Dreams
You'll notice that each houses is ruled by the planets of the zodiac. The cyclic and symbolic nature of the natal chart wheel demonstrates that each planetary energy is present and influential within our lives.
I'll talk more about the relationship between the houses and the planets but first let's discuss the planets themselves. In the screenshot below, we see a smaller chart that details which sign each planet is in. The planets are channels for expressing who we are. Without a complete analysis of all of them, we run the risk of a superficial interpretation. There are two categories of planets, known as the inner and outer planets.
Inner planets are planets closest to the Sun. They are the Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Mars. The sign these planets are in, which houses they're located, and what aspects they form with other planets reveal information about our general personalities and how we express ourselves. They pass through signs much quicker than the outer planets, making their impact on our lives more evident in a tangible way.
Outer planets are planets farther from the sun. They are Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. They represent our subconscious and spirituality. Placements and aspects to the inner planets reveal deeper, more elusive parts of the self. They also take longer to orbit the Sun and have a greater impact on longer periods of our lives.
In this natal chart drawing, we also see the True Node and Chiron, which are not actually planets. The True Node (also known as the North Node) is a point where the Moon's orbit around Earth intersects with the Sun. The South Node (or descending Node) is not featured in this chart but is always the opposite sign of the True Node. So if the True Node is in Cancer, then the South Node is in Capricorn.
Chiron's status as a minor planet is contested as it exhibits behaviors of a comet. Regardless of its celestial makeup, Chiron's role in our chart corresponds to the mythology of a Greek centaur. Chiron was a healer and teacher who could not heal himself. Therefore, Chiron in astrology represents the part of ourselves that are deeply wounded, but that holds great capacity to heal and help others.
☉Sun (ruling planet of Leo) = Our personal purpose & basic personality
☽ Moon (ruling planet of Cancer) = Our interior motivations & emotional processes
☿ Mercury (ruling planet of Gemini/Virgo) = Our methods of communication & conscious mind
♀Venus (ruling planet of Taurus/Libra) = Our attitudes about and expression of love
♂ Mars (ruling planet of Aries/Scorpio) = Our ability to take action and our desires
♃ Jupiter (ruling planet of Sagittarius/Pisces) = Our methods of expanding our personal horizons♄ Saturn (ruling planet of Capricorn) = Our responsibilities, limitations, how we navigate society
♅ Uranus (ruling planet of Aquarius) = Our individuality and expression of creative rebellion
♆ Neptune (ruling planet of Pisces) = Our spiritual visions, imagination, & psychic abilities
♇ Pluto (ruling planet of Scorpio) = Our unconscious nature, relationship to power, & ability to transformSo far, we've learned what areas of our lives the houses rule and the psychological drives the planets influence. Before we tackle the individual essences of each Zodiac sign, let's discuss the grouping they exist within. Take a look at the part of the chart that I've highlighted with a black box. This details which elements (Earth, Fire, Wind, and Air) and qualities or modes (Cardinal, Fixed, Mutable) are present in the chart.
To understand the qualities of the 4 elements, we only have to look at the scientific and cultural interpretations we already know. Earth is the land we depend on; it grows our food, provides shelter, and solidifies our connection with other life forms. Therefore, Earth signs (Capricorn, Taurus, and Virgo) are reliable, stubborn, and stable.
Air exists all around us. It's an element we take for granted because its invisible. It gives us oxygen, which not only allows us to survive but gives us the ability to speak. Our breath and intellectual ability to create language are attributed to air. Thus, Air signs are communicative, elusive, and versatile.
Water nourishes the Earth as well as our bodies. It's the conduit for spiritual and emotional energy, aligned with the Moon which moves the tides in the ocean and our hearts. Water signs are sensitive, receptive, and moody.
Fire erupts in volcanic explosions or fades like a fickle flame. It's the inspiration that sparks in our imaginations, energy that pushes us forward into action. It warms our bodies as much as it fuels our passions. Fire signs are intuitive, romantic, and impulsive.
Within the chart I've created, five planets are in Fire signs (as you can see in the category F). If this was a natal chart for an individual, they would have prevalent fire sign qualities such as impulsivity, creativity, and a passionate attitude about life. The lack of Earth in their chart (only two planets) indicates a problem with creating a reliable foundation to fall back on when their instinctive behavior gets them into trouble. With four planets in Water signs, they would be deeply sensitive to their feelings and surroundings. Perceiving other people's emotions and subconscious motivations would be a distinguishing skillset, one they might take for granted depending on their level of awareness. And finally, with three planets in Air signs, this person's value of communication depends on which signs the planets are in. A Moon air placement indicates the desire to express one's interior self verbally or a tendency to deny their intuition in favor of their logical processing.
As you can tell, this analysis is a bit vague because it's not considering many other aspects of this person's chart. Let's go a step further by revealing the three qualities (or modes) of the signs. Each one corresponds with the three stages of the four seasons.
Cardinal (Capricorn, Cancer, Libra, Aries) = Beginning of the season, the initiator of the Zodiac. Excellent at starting projects but struggles to finish them. Usually has a strong sense of action.
Fixed (Taurus, Scorpio, Leo, Aquarius) = Middle of the season, the signs that carry out the purpose of the season. Reliable and persevering but sometimes to the point of unyielding stubbornness.
Mutable (Sagittarius, Gemini, Virgo, Pisces) = End of the season, the mediator between changing energies. Adaptable signs that prefer dynamic changes. Often restless and inconsistent.
Let's refer back to the part of the chart that mentions the frequency and placement of these qualities.
Symbolized by the C for Cardinal, F for Fixed, and M for Mutable, this imaginary person's natal chart is dominated by Mutable energy with some Cardinal energy and absolutely no Fixed energy. Therefore, they are likely to be highly adaptable to change, preferring a lifestyle that fluctuates often to stimulate their tendency to be bored and fickle. Since their Sun, Mercury, Ascendant, Moon, and Mars are in Mutable signs that are mostly Fire, the way they communicate, present themselves, act, and feel are are going to be passionate, volatile, dynamic, and capricious. They may struggle with finding balance and stability in their everyday reality as well as in their philosophical and spiritual values (since Neptune, Jupiter, and Chiron are all in mutable signs).
The lack of Fixed energy means they aren't stubborn but also have difficulties committing to projects, ideas, people, or jus general consistency. There might be a sense of never feeling like they belong, as they are constantly jumping from one experience to the next for the sake of stimulation as opposed to actual need. With the presence of Cardinal energy, they love beginnings, especially in relationships and work (Venus and Midheaven, which is another name for the10th house, are both in Cardinal signs) but get bored once the novelty of newness wears off. The lesson here is learning to value consistency and stability, as it provides a foundation for the growth and expansion this person needs to feel purposeful.
Now that you have a basic understanding of the the elements and qualities of each sign, it's time to delve into the details about each Zodiac sign. I'm hoping that learning about the houses and what they represent alongside the planets, elements, and modes, you'll already be able to fill in the gaps about what each individual sign represents.
Here's a handy graphic I've created for you to learn and memorize the symbols for each sign. Unfortunately, memorizing is a big part of the journey into the realm of astrology. But application of this knowledge is going to be the most important in solidifying your understanding! An excellent way to do this is to use your own natal chart in your analysis of each sign. While some signs may be more prevalent than others, it's still a useful method for aligning your technical knowledge with your intuitive intelligence.
Here's a list of each sign of the zodiac with a couple positive and negative traits for both. Remember this is just a basic explanation of each energy, not a full comprehensive analysis.
Aries (symbolized by the Ram) = Assertive and courageous // Impatient and quick tempered
Taurus (symbolized by the Bull) = Sensuous and patient // Materialistic and stubborn
Gemini (symbolized by the Twins) = Articulate and witty // Anxious and devious
Cancer (symbolized by the Crab) = Protective and sympathetic // Moody and lamenting
Leo (symbolized by the Lion) = Confident and dramatic // Conceited and excessive
Virgo (symbolized by the Virgin) = Precise and analytical // Hyper-critical and neurotic
Libra (symbolized by the Scales) = Charming and gracious // Indecisive and superficial
Scorpio (symbolized by the Scorpion) = Mysterious and resourceful // Jealous and distrusting
Sagittarius (symbolized by the Archer) = Honest and idealistic // Fickle and irresponsible
Capricorn (symbolized by the Goat) = Ambitious and methodical // Pessimistic and brutal
Aquarius (symbolized by the Water Bearer) = Inventive and altruistic // Erratic and impersonal
Pisces (symbolized by the Fishes) = Mystical and imaginative // Escapist and self-doubting
With Mercury in Sagittarius, the verbal expression of ideas and thoughts are honest, philosophical, and frank. But since the 12th house is normally ruled by Neptune, which is the planet of illusion and the subconscious, this person's communication methods are seeped in secrets. The 12th house represents our fears and when Mercury rests here, the individual can experience hesitation and doubt in expressing their true thoughts. However, when channeled in an appropriate and healthy way, this placement grants manifestation powers through writing, speaking, and spiritual chanting.
With the Sun also in Sagittarius, this person's drive and motivation is directed by an honest, inspiring, and adaptable fire sign. It's placement in the 11th house of community reveals the individual's desire to connect with groups of people who share their idealistic and enthusiastic perspective. The 11th house rules friends, clubs, or any kind of social gathering. Even though the Sun in Sagittarius is chillin in this house, the house itself is ruled by Scorpio. Since Scorpio is perceptive, emotional, and disinterested in superficiality, this person's relationships with friends and groups are going to be deeply transformative. Whether that manifests in surrounding oneself with spiritually-attuned communities or organizations interested in changing political and social structures, the emphasis on Scorpio's probing power is a potent clue into this person's role within larger groups.
We are only scraping the surface of the deeply complex and nuanced art-form of deciphering natal charts. There is much more to discuss, analyze, and postulate about this chart but for the sake of learning the basics, I'd like to discuss the next and final part of the chart: aspects.
Aspects are the angles between each planet, the mathematical part of astrology that reveals much about how each planet interacts with one another. Just as we have tense or easy relationships with siblings, parents, friends, and co-workers, so do the planets. When well-aspected (known as soft aspects), planetary energies work together whereas challenging aspects (hard aspects) create tension and conflict. Learning how the planets relate to one another in your natal chart can reveal parts of your personality that work together or present struggles that hold potential for growth.
While this chart calculation features major and minor aspects, I will only discuss major ones as they are more commonly referenced by astrologers and astrology websites. Once you've mastered your understanding of these, then it's appropriate to seek more information about the less impactful aspects.
The Major Aspects in astrology are:
Conjunction ☌
When two planets are 0° or less than 8-10° apart. These two energies meld together as one, making it difficult to distinguish between the two. They're often taken for granted, as they naturally integrate within our personalities.
Sextile ∗
When two planets are 60° apart. This is a harmonious aspect that requires activation in order to be utilized. Often understood as an opportunity for success and productivity.
Square □
A hard aspect where two planets are 90° apart. The symbol of a square can be building or stumbling blocks, depending on how you choose to view it. It's an aspect that forces us to learn difficult lessons.
Trine △
A soft aspect where two planets are 120° apart. These relationships indicate innate prosperity and talent that brings ease with creative expression. The triangle is a stable shape that blesses us with insight and vision.
Opposition ☍
A hard aspect where two planets are 180° apart. Oppositions indicate tension between complementary opposites, where we seek the reflection of ourself by interacting with others. They also reveal parts of ourselves that feel torn and divided. Reconciliation of these two energies are the key to learning their lesson.
Now let's look again at the part of the natal chart that details the planetary aspects. Don't worry about the symbols I didn't define above. Let's focus on the hard aspects (Squares and Oppositions). I always tackle the difficult parts first because I'm a Capricorn and I love telling people how to get their shit together :~)
Mercury in Sagittarius squares Mars in Pisces, invoking tension between the way this person communicates and their sense of action. Sagittarius and Pisces are very different energies, despite being ruled by Jupiter (Pisces's first ruler is Neptune, and then Jupiter). One is frank, straight-forward, and adventurous while the other is dreamy, emotionally fluid, and sensitive. With a square between these two energies, there's a tendency to be assertive to the point of exhaustion as well as intense impatience and frustration when others don't fully understand what the individual is trying to express.
Mercury square Mars thinks quickly and voices their thoughts before they've had a chance to review them. This can lead to misunderstandings and others perceiving this person as argumentative and hot-headed. The intensity of their logical processing can lead to physical strain. The lesson here is to slow down and consider one's intuition when deciding what to say and how to say it. Finding a way to appropriately channel one's verbal aggression will assist in mastering this square aspect.
Now let's look at an opposition aspect present in the chart. The Moon in Gemini is in opposition with the Ascendant in Sagittarius. The Ascendant is not a planet, but the 1st house which is a potent point in the natal chart because it represents one's sense of self. While the Ascendant is most commonly understood as the way we present ourselves to the world and how other's perceive us, I also think of it as the point of accumulation of all the energies in a chart. As the Ascendant is the part of the sky where the sun rose on the day of one's birth, it is a symbolic representation of destiny.
So what does it mean if the Moon opposes the Ascendant? Gemini and Sagittarius are sister signs, another word to describe the opposition aspect between signs. They are essentially the same energy, but manifested in differing ways. They are both dynamic and energizing, represented by the relationship between Air and Fire. Without air, fire fizzles. Without fire, air floats without purpose.
We can view Moon opposition Ascendant in the same way. With a Moon in Gemini, the individual experiences their emotions on an intellectual plane. They are excellent at verbalizing their feelings, but often fail to acknowledge the necessity in feeling them rather than thinking about them. With Ascendant in Sagittarius, this person is driven by truth-seeking and developing their sense of self around their values. Since the Ascendant is our first house, then the Moon opposite this placement is close to the 7th house of relationships. Despite it technically being placed in the 6th house, planets hovering near the important axis of the self versus others will influence the kind of relationship dynamics one chooses.
With the Moon in the 6th house, this person's emotive capacities is orientated towards service for others. Since the 6th house represents work and health, there may be a tendency to care so much for another's well-being that they neglect giving themselves the same attention. Depending on how and who raised them, their emotional intensity can translate into codependence on other people to feel their emotions for or with them. While emotional interdependence is a positive relationship that brings people closer, codependency overwhelms and stifles growth within this dynamic.
Keep in mind that lived experience is very important in analyzing astrological aspects and placements, as the objective interpretations fall flat when one fails to apply them to a person's reality. Perhaps this is why astrology gets the negative reputation of being unreliable, because nothing is ever definite. Natal charts shouldn't be used as an instructional manual because they are only blueprints. They hold our potential and who we can become. If you approach astrology with this perspective, it will be 100x more helpful in using it as a tool for growth and transformation.
I hope this guide to reading a natal chart helped you better understand the various layers in interpreting the wealth of knowledge astrology has to offer! I'll be creating more posts in the future about various aspects about the Zodiac so be sure to subscribe to my email list or follow my pages on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates.
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