A birth chart, also called a natal chart, is a map of where all the planets were in their journey around the Sun, from our vantage point on earth, at the exact moment you were born. A birth chart reading can reveal your strengths and weaknesses, your opportunities for soul growth, the best timing for your most important moves.

The birth chart will show you some very important data which you should never forget. The position of the planets in the signs of the Zodiac has an influence on the character of the individual and these influences form a large part of the individual psyche. The Sun sign is the most general information in your horoscope. However you should make special note of your ascendant (Asc), also called rising sign.

Never forget your rising sign as it give you more in-depth information about yourself. The Moon sign is also important as it reflects your emotions and intuitive side of your nature. In the Old Astrology, the Moon sign was a lot more important as the more general Sun sign.

When you read your zodiac horoscope in a newspaper or on the Internet, you should always read the predictions for your Sun sign and your rising sign.

Interpreting any birth chart is synthesis. The chart must be taken as a whole. A natal chart abounds with bits and pieces of information about an individual. Each separate bit must be synthesized into one whole picture of the person. The point, is that the entire chart must be blended together. After seeing the separate interpretations of each planet in its sign and house, you must weave it all together, and lace it with the Rising Sign, to get an accurate picture.

The zodiac sign will show how the planet is manifested. The signs are the "stained-glass windows" through which the planet is expressed. See if this analogy helps: envision a sentence, with a "verb" and an "adverb." The planet is the "verb" while the zodiac sign is the "adverb."

For example, the Moon (feel, nurture, respond) in the sign of Capricorn (reservedly, coldly) denotes someone who nurtures in a cold and reserved way, or has trouble expressing emotions.

The planet in the sign will focus on the House. This means that the activity denoted by the planet will take place in the arena of your life designated by the House in which that planet falls.

Planet = What?
Sign = How?
House = Where?

Planets = energies; what you like to do = What
Signs = the way you do it = How
Houses = areas of your life = Where

The planet is the what, the sign is how that what is done, and the House is where it takes place.

Say a person has Saturn in Capricorn in the 7th House, which could manifest as a reserved (Capricorn) attitude in love relationships (7th House). Then, say this same individual has Venus in Sagittarius in the 11th House. This person will be friendly and outgoing (Sagittarius) in social situations and groups (11th House), but unemotional and detached (although dependable) in love relationships (Saturn in Capricorn in the 7th).

Another influence on each House (in each department of life) is the ruling planet of the House. The ruling planet of each House in your natal chart is the planet that rules the sign on the cusp. The sign on each house cusp shows one's attitude towards the matters of that house, whereas planets in the house show actual circumstances.

For example, Capricorn on the 7th House cusp denotes an attitude of reserve or caution towards forming partnerships. On the other hand, Saturn in the 7th house may denote actual problems transpiring in partnerships and in marriage. These are subtle differences that will perfect your interpretations when reading a birth chart.

So a House is influenced by any planets residing in that House, but also by the ruler of the House. Most of the time, the ruler will be in a different House. Many times, the goods of the House will be used for advantage in the House where the planetary ruler actually resides.

For example, say you have Capricorn on the 7th House cusp, and Saturn (Capricorn's ruler) in the 2nd House. You may very well choose to marry (7th House) for money (ruler in 2nd House).

The celestial configuration that took place at your moment of birth is a powerful indicator of your motivations, drives, preferences, and psychological makeup, but it does not seal your fate. It does show the potential you were born with, but what you do with that potential is up to you.

Astrology is a powerful tool for understanding those seemingly contradicting tendencies that we all have. The birth chart tells it all. With time and patience, you will be able to read all such details from a birth chart.

To calculate your personal natal chart and get an explanation what this means or could mean for you, fill out the form below.