What Is A Birth Chart? Astrologer, Susan Taylor Explains Its Use

Last updated by Susan Taylor

Astrology is based on the study of the planets, their positions, their movements and their interactions with each other. By observing a birth chart, an astrologer can accurately determine future events, a person's personality, strengths, weaknesses and even their love compatibility. Our chief astrologist Susan Taylor gives us more information on this fascinating aspect and explains why it's so useful and when it should be consulted.

What Is A Birth Chart? Astrologer, Susan Taylor Explains Its Use
Contents:

Many of us read our daily horoscopes every morning in order to get ahead. If horoscopes are everywhere in our favorite magazines and even on the radio, the workings of astrology remain rather unknown. Which is a pity because it is a rich mine of information for those who want to know the future, to know themselves better and to improve their relationships.

What is a birth chart?

A birth chart is the study of the position of the planets in the sky at the time you were born. In other words, it is a photograph, a map of the sky at the time of birth. The natal chart represents the state of the sky at the precise moment of your birth, and according to the place where you were born. (Longitude and latitude of the place of birth.) A very accurate natal chart can be established if you have the exact time of birth and the longitude and latitude of the place of birth. If you don't have this information, you can still make a natal chart with an approximate time (but to the nearest quarter-hour) or a more approximate place of birth, such as the nearest large city to the birthplace. The ideal scenario is to have the birth certificate of the native where all this information is precise, especially nowadays.

  • Example of precise data: Maria, was born on September 27, 1972, in Saint-Cyr-l'Ecole (92) in France at 15:42.
  • Example of acceptable data to establish a natal chart: Maria, born on September 27, 1972, in Versailles (the nearest big city) between 15:30 and 15:45.

In the past, a birth chart was calculated and drawn by hand. This can take two hours in total! These complex calculations require the possession of the Ephemeris book (which presents day by day the longitudes and declinations of the planets, with the Lunar Nodes, Black Moons which come from NASA planetary calculations) as well as the House Tables (these House Tables include the summer times of several European countries as well as the latitudes and longitudes of the 3500 main cities of the world).

Birth chart

These calculations require a thorough course in astrology and are made easier with the use of a computer, here, they take barely a minute! If you have astrology software or if you find a site that offers you your free natal chart (there are plenty of them) you just have to indicate your first name (optional), your date of birth, your place, and your time of birth.

You get this kind of sky map (the graphics sometimes vary a little, depending on the sites, software...):

Birth chart example

Let's take the example of Maria, born on September 27, 1972, in Saint-Cyr-l'Ecole (92) in France at 3:42 PM. On the map, you have to locate this symbol first: ☉ It is the Sun. Once spotted, look at which sign it is, it is your zodiac sign.

In this example, the Sun is in Libra, so the native is the sign of Libra. For this, it is necessary to know the astrological symbols but sometimes by clicking on the symbol of the star, the software indicates how many degrees away from which sign it is. (Here: Sun ☉ at 4°35 in Libra).

Now locate the arrow (AC) on the left of the chart: this represents your ascendant. In the example, the ascendant is at 20 degrees of Capricorn.

Then look at where your Moon is located to find your Moon sign, symbolized by ☽: in which sign is it? In the example, the Moon is at 5°44 of the sign Gemini.

Finally, locate the vertical line whose vertex is a circle or arc,
this is your midheaven. Find out in which sign it is located, and you will have information about your destiny in general, but especially your professional destiny. In this example, the midheaven is at 21°28 of the sign Scorpio.

>>> Read; What is Putin's zodiac sign? Analysis of his birth chart

📌
You already have the broad outlines of your natal chart and an idea of how to interpret it. In short, remember the zodiac sign (Sun) + Ascendant + lunar sign (Moon) + possibly midheaven (destiny).

In order to dig deeper, you will have to locate all the planets of the natal chart: after the luminaries (Moon and Sun), you will be able to find Mercury ☿, Venus ♀︎, Mars ♂︎, Jupiter ♃, Saturn ♄, Uranus ♅, Neptune ♆, Pluto ♇ and if you want to dig deeper, you can also find out the position of your Lunar Nodes, Black Moon, Chiron, Vesta, etc.

Of course, there is much more to develop, and we could write a whole chapter on each star and each planet, but in order not to lose yourself in the explanations, note the basics:

  • The Sun and the Ascendant give the first outline of your personality.
  • The Moon represents your inner world, your sensitivity, and the way you express this sensitivity, but also the woman you are and the feminine part you have if you are a man.
  • Mercury represents your intellect, your way of thinking...
  • Venus represents your relationship to love, your way of loving...
  • Mars represents your way of acting.
  • Jupiter is your luck, your optimistic part, or your excesses...
  • Saturn represents the structure, the responsibilities, the discipline, the brakes, the patience...
  • Uranus represents your audacity, your notion of freedom, and your originality...
  • Neptune represents your ideals, your beliefs, your philosophies of life, your inspiration, imagination but also your misguidance...
  • Pluto represents your unconscious, your taboos, your instincts, your fears, your power, your magnetism, and your sexuality...

Once you have located these planets in your birth chart, look at which signs they are in and see the interpretation in the existing texts...

Note that a natal chart is divided into 12 parts: the astrological houses, which each represent a sector of life. So a planet is interpreted as a sign but also in House! In the example chart, Venus, the star of love, is at 21°14 of the sign of Leo in the 7th House. You will therefore interpret Venus in Leo, but also Venus in the 7th house.

But that's not all! You must also take into account the astrological aspects (e.g.: conjunction, square, opposition, trine, sextile ...) between the planets. Here Venus in Leo and in House 7 is Sextile (thus well-connected) to Saturn in Gemini, which brings emotional stability to Venus in Leo already generous, rather demonstrative, and which has a great need for relational because in house 7.

You have understood that it is not easy to decipher your natal chart, and even less to interpret it. But the few keys that we have just given you will already help you to understand how it works.

What is the ruling planet in my birth chart?

To find your ruling planet, the methods are numerous and differ a little according to the astrologers. As far as I am concerned, I look at :

1/ Who is the ruler of the Ascendant? See in which sign the ascendant is located, and therefore which is its ruling planet.
2/ The planets at the angles. On the horizontal axis: Ascendant/Descendant: are there one or more conjoined planets, i.e. close to each other (10 degrees of the orb are accepted)? On the vertical axis: Midheaven/Bottom of the Sky: are there one or more conjoined planets?
3/ Are there any planets in the 1st astrological house?  
4/ Are there one or more planets conjoined (next to) or Opposed (opposite) to the Master Ascendant (with 10 degrees of orb)?
5/ Are there one or more planets Conjunct (next to) or Opposite (opposite) the Sun (with 10 degrees of orb)?
6/ Are there one or more planets Conjoined (next to) or Opposed (opposite) to the Moon? (with 10 degrees of orb.)
7/ In the planets already selected, if some are equal, see which are in fall/ exile, which weakens their influence, or in exaltation/ domicile, which strengthens their influence. (See table of masters, debilities, exaltation, falls of planets in signs)
You should be able to remove only one dominant planet and thus see which planetary type you belong to.

Why is my birth chart useful?

The natal chart is on the basis of any astrological study and its uses are numerous because everything is inscribed in a natal chart. It indicates the main trends of the one’s personality, the possibilities of success and the areas of predilection.

It also indicates the predispositions of each person in the different areas including love, money and work. Obviously, a chart does not show everything, because it simply reflects the influence of the planets. The astrologer must also take into account the sex of the person, their backgrounds and their education.

One should not constantly try to anticipate the future at the risk of "ruining the magic of the moment". Astrology makes it possible to anticipate events and determine the most favorable moments for such and such an activity. In short, astrology allows us to choose the right moments and to behave better in front of situations.

In what situations can analyzing a birth chart be helpful?

When dealing with relationship problems

If a person encounters emotional problems, relational difficulties or repeated love failures, the position of Venus in a natal chart explains the person's way of loving and certain blockages.

For example, people who are born with a Venus-Neptune Conjunction are people who will fall in love more easily than others. They idealize love far too much and often fall into toxic relationships. They often fall for people who are not free, platonic loves or even sacrificial loves... Knowing this, we can overcome our problems thanks to a psychological work on ourselves.

When faced with professional issues

Are you fed up with your current job? Wondering when you're going to find something better? Looking for a job, wondering when you're going to get a permanent contract? Ditto! Thanks to your natal chart, the astrologer will look at the transits and see if it's the right time or not... And this works every time.

When you're going through personal problems

By studying your natal chart, an astrologer can see where you are at psychologically and in terms of the events of your life, and thus help you move in the right direction.

Susan Taylor’s insights: The journey continues...

To get to know yourself better, you need to learn to decipher your natal chart. And this can also be done in a particular area. Whether you want to know more about your professional life or about the theme of love, all the planets have something to teach you. If you have questions about your future, if you need answers, don't hesitate to make an appointment with one of our psychics. They will enlighten you about your future with great attention.

- The future is mine -

We think you might also enjoy these articles:

Article presented by Susan Taylor

Editor in Chief and Astrologist for MyAstroMag - I’ve always been completely fascinated by the world of Astrology and horoscopes. Writing for you and forecasting my exclusive predictions are my main passions.

Your horoscope straight to your inbox

Most recent articles

Libra Compatibility With Other Signs: Who Is A Good Match?

Libra seduces people with their irresistible charm and dreamy attitude. As gentle and understanding characters, no one can resist this sign's kindness and good sense of humor. On the other hand, they are incurably indecisive people and hate having to make decisions. That's right, they are so afraid of conflict that they find it hard to express their opinions and speak their minds. Now, not all horoscope signs can put up with these traits; so the question is; can you? Are you compatible with a Libra? Take our compatibility test here and find out!

How Do I Know Who My Real Twin Flame Is? - 6 Signs

You’ve probably heard people talking about soulmates before, but are you familiar with the term 'twin flame'? Well, twin flames are much deeper than regular soulmates and are in fact two different people who are said to share the same soul. Once each flame or person is ready, they’ll cross each other's path and will be lucky enough to experience an extraordinary love story. This obvious and fascinating connection defies the notion of time and limits. Now, thanks to these 6 signs below, you will immediately be able to recognize the person destined for you.

What Is The Ugliest Zodiac Sign, And Who Is The Prettiest?

Astrology explains how influential the planets are, and how their movements could change the course of our lives. As for our zodiac signs, they influence our personalities, attitudes, and desires, so why wouldn’t they impact our looks and images? What do the stars say about your beauty and the image that you project? We’ve compiled a ranking from the prettiest to the ugliest zodiac sign; so the question is, where do you fit in?

Pluto Retrograde 2023: The Effects On Your Zodiac Sign

In 2023, Pluto goes retrograde from May 1 - October 11. Planet Pluto rules deep instinct and change, therefore its retrograde motion links to a need for change in the home. Here, the phase offers the possibility of going back on initiatives or using introspection as a way to get to our darker side. Indeed, it invites us to face our fears and the darker sides of our personalities. According to Susan Taylor, it is also a time to learn from the past to better perceive the future, so find out how your zodiac sign will be impacted.

15 True Facts About Libra - These Will Amaze You!

When you think of Libra, we're sure that there are three adjectives that come to mind quickly; equality, harmony and diplomatic. While all these attributes are true for this romantic and dreamy sign, there is so much more to their personalities than immediately meets the eye. As lovers of peace and harmony, you'll be hard-pressed to find anyone as charming and seductive as these natives. Luckily for you, we’re revealing 15 facts about Libras to help you grasp a better understanding of their characters and who they are.

What to expect from the night sky

Is There A New Moon In Libra In October 2023? - Yes, On The 14th

Even though it’s invisible in the sky, a New Moon marks the beginning of a new lunar cycle, and symbolically represents a fresh start for each of us. Its energies urge us to double our efforts and to prepare for the rewards to come. Now, with this in mind, we bet you're wondering what happens during this phase, and what influence the New Moon exerts on our bodies and minds. Susan Taylor answers all of your questions and reveals how can we make the most out of this prosperous instance. Discover all the dates of this important phase, and anticipate this catalyst motion.

When Is The Next Full Moon?

The Full Moon is the lunar phase in which the satellite appears brightest 🌕. During this cycle, we see almost all of its surface and also notice many mystical on goings. The effects of the Full Moon are numerous, especially on our sleep and our libido, hence the importance of knowing the date of the next Full Moon. By anticipating the date, we subconsciously prepare ourselves to experience the powerful influence it has on our daily lives. Each monthly lunar event has a different degree of impact on each zodiac sign, so be sure to check back regularly.

Full Moon Wishes To Make, Here’s What You Must Know

The Full Moon is a perfect time to make a wish; whether it be for love, wealth, health, or in your general activities. When you have a specific wish in mind, there is a suitable ritual for it, and it’s simple to carry out! First, discover the Full Moon wishes for abundance rituals, or wallet game, which comes from Japan, then learn how to practice the second wish and intention ritual. Your dreams are finally about to come true!

Venus Retrograde 2023: What Are The Dates, What Happens, And The Effects?

Venus; the planet of love, doesn't exactly sound so sweet during the retrograde phase. This movement has an impact on every area of your life including, romances, harmony, and your finances. Venus goes retrograde once every 20 months, for a duration of 42 days, meaning we will have to wait until July 23, 2023, for it to impact the daily lives of each of the 12 zodiac signs. However, this good news is that this chaotic period will come to an end on September 4, 2023. Here are Susan Taylor's insights into this phase.

Abundance Check For The New Moon

The New Moon is a powerful time and is synonymous with renewal, recognition, as well as the beginning of a new cycle, whereas the Full Moon is a phase of completion, fertility, and transformation. During these important phases, why not try writing an abundance check to entice prosperity and wealth into your life? Doing this will guarantee positive things in all areas of your life, including financially as well as in terms of relationships and love. We reveal how this simple ritual could change your life for the better, so what are you waiting for? Grab a pen and prepare to welcome great things into your life.

Our most popular astrology rankings

Evil Zodiac Signs; Who Is The Most Demonic, And Who Is The Least?

We are all different when it comes to tolerance and patience, yet some of us have scarily low levels of these qualities, and are therefore far from being saints. We’ve taken a look at the stars and can now reveal which zodiac signs are the evilest and who should never be messed with. Are you a real evil genius, or are you too kind to cunningly plot? We're about to get all Game of Thrones on you, it's time to find out who has the most demonic personality, and the ultimate bad side.

What Is The Most Hated Zodiac Sign? - The Top 6, Ranked

Life is undeniably a wild journey, during which we are fortunate enough to meet people we instantly get on with, however, from a less fortunate perspective, we also come across folks that we instantly dislike. You know, those people who, by simply breathing, rub us up the wrong way and make us want to pull our hair out. As with many things, astrology and in particular our personality traits, are often responsible for how appreciated or in this case unappreciated we are by our peers. Discover which 6 zodiac signs are the most hated.

How Do The Zodiac Signs Deal With Stress?

It’s virtually impossible for us not to be anxious at the moment! What with the global pandemic, the constant isolation, money worries and other general frustrations that the situation might trigger. All these factors seem to weigh heavily on our frail shoulders, but some of us manage the pressure better than others. Astrologist, Susan Taylor reveals her ranking of the zodiac signs from the most to the least stressed, and something tells us that you'll inevitably recognize yourself and will definitely agree with your placement!

Amanda's psychic experience on Astrofame

Amanda's psychic experience on Astrofame