Deciphering a birth chart can feel like trying to read ancient hieroglyphics. You can learn to speak this visual language with practice.
One important first step is learning the difference between houses, signs and planets. Each element such as the queen of swords adds something unique to the chart. Personal planets move fast, so their placement in a home will be different for every person.
Houses
Birth charts, or natal-astrology, can provide insight into one’s unique personality and soul journey. Astrology is the study of how astral bodies move through the zodiac signs and house during a person’s life. This can reveal potential strengths and areas of growth. The houses in a person’s birth chart are more important than their Sun sign.
In a birth chart there are 12 divisions of houses, arranged in a counter-clockwise direction around a wheel. Each house represents a particular area of your life. The first house, ruled by the sign Aries and the planet Mars, governs how you appear to others, your physical appearance, your traits and characteristics, your outlook and sense of self expression.
The second house is ruled by Taurus, Venus and all the material possessions in your life. This includes your money, investments and your financial security. It also speaks about your values, what you find valuable and how you express it.
In the second house, you will also find themes like home ownership, children, family, and the relationship with your mother. The third house is governed by Gemini and the planet Mercury, and it rules communication and how you process information. The third house also speaks to your immediate neighborhood and environment, short journeys, habits, your siblings and cousins and how you interact with younger people.
The fourth house, ruled by the watery intuitive sign Cancer, is all about family, roots and connections with the past and how you take care of yourself. The fifth house is about joy, creativity and pleasure. Its themes include hobbies, sports and parties.
The eighth house is a mysterious, profound house that deals with transformation through the birth-death-rebirth cycle, extremes, the taboo, intimacy, sex and psychological exploration. It is also the house of inheritance and shared resources.
Signs
Astrology is a system of interpreting your birth chart using patterns, signs and houses. Each of these three aspects describes different aspects of your personality and story.
A chart can also be interpreted by examining patterns and the distribution of planets within the elements and modes. When there is a preponderance of planets within a certain element or mode, this highlights associated traits. If you have a majority in Fire signs for example, then your energy is bold and assertive. If you have a preponderance of planets in Air signs, you’re communicative and intellectually oriented. If you have a majority planets in Mutable Signs, you are flexible and open to changes.
Other important components are the ascendant (or midheaven), descendant and imum coeli. These describe your approach towards family, marriage, and public appearance. The primary angles also have a weighting based on sign. This includes masculine and feminine signs as well as the astrological glyphs that represent each sign’s qualities.
Your Sun sign is the outer layer of who you are, or what people would see when they meet you. Your Moon sign represents your inner self and reveals your emotional and psychological needs. Your Rising sign is your first impression, how you comfort yourself or protect yourself and how you present yourself.
A birth chart reading can be like a guidebook for your personal growth, giving you tools to understand your strengths, weaknesses and one-of-a-kind qualities. It’s a tool that helps you trust your instincts, rather than following the expectations of others. When used properly, your birth chart is a solid guide to the path of least resistance.
Planets
The planets act as the main players in your astrological profile. Their placement within the astrological signs and houses at the time you were born determines their influence, meaning and purpose for your life.
The only planets in the birth chart that do not move in tandem with other planets, the Moon or the Sun, are called singletons. They still play a role in the interpretation of a chart, particularly when a single planet is prominent.
One way to interpret a horoscope is by examining the distribution of the planets among the various natural elements. If, for example, most of the planets cluster above the horizon, it could indicate extroversion and a desire to be recognized in the external world. If, however, the majority of planets is below the horizon it can indicate introversion. It may also signal a preference for privacy or a desire to find fulfillment in the inner realms.
A chart can also be interpreted by examining its shape or the way that the planets interact. This is done by analyzing the aspects a planet makes with other planets, with the ascendant and the rising sign, and with the zodiac signs and houses it occupies. Aspects consist of conjunctions such as squares, oppositions and sextiles. They bring out the personality and character of a person and illuminate certain themes in their birth chart.
Patterns
A birth chart can look intimidating at first glance because there are many symbols and numbers scattered across it. Once you understand the basic elements of a birthchart–signs planets and homes–you can begin analyzing it in a meaningful way. A birth chart’s patterns reveal underlying themes in life and recurrent problems. Aspect patterns, which form when two or more planets are connected in the chart, give shape to these themes and help explain why certain situations in life play out as they do.
For example, if you have all your planets clustered in a single group (often in the same sign) or in a tight square or grand trine formation, this is a clear indication of focus and determination to succeed. On the other hand, if you have a bundle pattern with all your planets spread out over the map in different clumps, this may indicate an unfocused or scattershot approach to your goals. If you have a bundle pattern that is reinforced by your house positions, it may indicate that you are very good at one skill but struggle in other areas.
A birth chart also contains a pattern of the distribution of the planets between the elements (fire), modes (fixed, mutable, and cardinal) and the elements. A preponderance in the fire mode indicates courage and self-starting ability. Those with a majority of planets in the earth mode are grounded and practical. Those with the most planets in the air mode are motivated by ideas and social interaction. Individuals with a water-dominant chart are intuitive and sensitive.
A chart can also show less common arrangements of planets. These are known as “chart shaping” and can offer deeper psychological insights. For instance, if you have two trining planets sextile a third, this creates a harmonious triangle and places huge emphasis on the central planet. If, on the other hand, you have two planets in opposite modes (such as air and fire), this can create conflict or force you to reach your destiny’s climax.
