What is a Birth Chart?
The birth chart is made up of three things -- planets, the signs of the Zodiac and the twelve Houses. Take a moment to find these on the wheel. For signs and planets, use the gallery of symbols for reference. And note that like in most charts, the twelve segments or Houses have corresponding numbers in the middle of the circle.
Each planet-sign-house combo, such as Sun in Taurus in the 5th House, has a unique expression. The key to interpreting a birth chart is to be able to understand the essence of that combo on its own, and then in relationship to the other planets. For now, start with the first elements on their own.
We have a birth chart with the sign Leo on the middle left, which gives the person a Leo Ascendant (Asc) or Rising sign. The signs progress from there in a counter-clockwise direction until coming back to the horizon of the chart.
In a birth chart, the Rising sign is the mask that others often see first. Leo Rising give a fun-loving, expressive "front door" to the outer world.
You probably already know your Sun's sign and with a chart you can now see its House position. Your Sun may be alone or in a cluster with other planets. The Sun in astrology is your core self, and its House position and relationship to other planets can be very revealing.
The Sun is in Leo and aligned with the Ascendant, putting it in both the 1st and 12th Houses. It's hard not to notice that Mercury is also smack dab at the horizon, and Jupiter and Venus are close by.
With the Sun straddling the 1st and 12th Houses and aligned with Mercury, it follows that this person could be equally-minded and easy to talk to. The 12th House is that of mysteries and unseen worlds and a strong 1st House Sun can give someone a forceful presence.
Note your Moon's sign and House placement -- you'll likely recognize the crescent-shaped symbol. The Moon reveals your instinctual nature, your emotional base, and is that part of you that only close companions will see. Its house placement offers clues to what gives you a sense of well being.
The Moon is in Libra in the 4th house. The Libra moon seeks comfort in partnerships, and in creating balance and harmony in life. Often this people resist conflict in favor of keeping the peace, is a natural trait.
After noting the sign and placement of the "Big Three" -- Sun, Moon and Rising -- look at the other personal planets. These are Jupiter, Venus and Mars. Take note of where they fall in your chart.
Mars is the planet of action, and shows what can light a fire under passions.
We find Mars in the 11th House in Gemini, both social placements, and this gives the person strength when in numbers. He'll be drawn to group activities and be able to bridge the gaps between people through his ideas.
Venus' realm is romance and friendship, and reveals what types of connections are made.
Venus is on the Cancer-Leo cusp in the 12th House. This can mean that invisible "friends" -- or enemies -- can bond with him in an emotional way. Also one may value an amount of self-sacrifice and a giving attitude.
Jupiter is the planet of expansiveness and good fortune.
In the1st House, Jupiter gives the personality an aura of being special, and of having a mission in life.
As you learn about each planet, a kind of synthesis is needed to add to what you already know. Once you're ready, add the nuances of Saturn, Pluto, Uranus and Neptune to your astrological repertoire.
Saturn has the reputation as the "Great Teacher" and its lessons are about discipline and perseverance.
Saturn is in the 2nd House in Virgo. In the simplest terms, the 2nd House deals with money and values, and this would suggest a limitation or delay in funds. An astrologer might point to denial by his family, followed by his great inheritance of all he could every need.
Pluto's role seems to be to bring each of us to our knees. That sounds dramatic, but after Pluto's devastation, you'll rise like a Phoenix from the flames.
Pluto at the 3rd/4th House cusp matches an early loss of home (a 4th House association) or may go trough a lot of changes (relocations) that affect the sense of security. The home and family situation could be a focus for growth and real learning.
Uranus brings sudden shifts and events in the area concerning the House in which it falls.
Uranus is in the 4th House in Scorpio. The planet of unexpected changes in the House of home could explain the upheaval in his early childhood.
Neptune's placement is a beacon for growing spiritually. Since entire generations share the same sign, that aspect leads to trends among that group.
Neptune in the 5th House in Sagittarius gives an spiritual path through creativity, romance, friendships and perhaps some travel. It's also a fire sign, which creates a trine (or harmony) to Jupiter in Leo and MC (Midheaven) in Aries.
After becoming familiar with the planets in their signs and houses, you're ready to look at how they relate to each other.
In astrology, the planets are said to aspect each other. This is their relationship, or the way they either create friction or harmony. Hidden in these relationships are more clues to understanding your unique set of "energies" and the interplay between the individual components.
There is a Grand Trine in Fire in the Chart, this would stand out to me in preparation for a reading. When planets "trine," they are of the same element. The red triangle is from Jupiter in Leo to Neptune in Sagittarius to his MC in Aries -- all fire signs.
The MC in astrology is the Medium Coeli, which means "middle of the sky" in Latin. The MC in a chart points to a career path, but in a wider sense to a person's destiny. Here, the MC in Aries points toward being a pioneer and taking action.
The Grand Trine is just one of many aspects that can occur in a chart. It is auspicious since it gives a matrix of harmonized fire energy to fulfill the destiny.
Each line on the birth chart represents an aspect or relationship between two planets. Some are in harmony, and this is where you'll have natural talents, ease or good fortune.
A trine is between planets in signs of the same elements -- air, water, fire or water. They're also spaced every fourth house apart. Find the trines in your own chart, and contemplate what it could mean based on your personal experiences.
Another example of a trine in the chart is, Mars in Gemini makes a trine (harmony) to his Moon in Libra since they are both Air signs. With this favorable aspect, emotional instincts and the manner in which one takes action will blend well together.
