How to read/calculate your birth chart
From time to time I get people who are absolutely brand new to astrology, so I figured I should make this post and add it to my FAQ for reference. In this post I’ll demonstrate step by step how to calculate and read your chart via Astro.com.
*This is just a simple guide; you will still be required to research on specific topics such as basic understanding of symbols in astrology.
Calculating Your Chart
Step 1
Create an account on Astro.com
Step 2
Under ‘Free Horoscopes,’ you will find ‘Extended Chart Selection’ and it will take you to the chart calculating/format page.
Step 3
If you haven’t already inputted your birth info, you can do this now under ‘Add a New Person’
On the Extended Chart Selection page, it gives you options for how your chart will be calculated and formatted. The default House System will likely be set to “Placidus,” but I strongly recommend changing this to “equal” as it will be easier to understand and is the way I read birth charts.
You don’t need to change any other settings from here, however you’re welcome to. Under ‘Display and calculation options” you can adjust what planets or objects will be included in your chart, you can adjust the aspect orb, and you can change aspect allowances. Under ‘Additional objects’ you can choose to include certain asteroids and objects as well. I personally like to include Pallas, Ceres, Vesta, and Juno, but these are by no means required.
Step 4
‘Click here to show the chart’ will take you to the actual chart page. This is your calculated chart.
(This is my chart with my personal settings)
The table below the circular chart lists the placements and aspects. Take note of the planetary symbols next to their names as this will help you learn the symbols and understand the circular chart better.
The aspect chart (the staircase looking table) can be read by looking at one of the symbols (triangle, square, angle, etc.) and the planetary symbol above it and the planetary symbol to the right indicates which two planets are making this aspect. This page on Astro will give you a brief explanation on what the aspect symbols are. You definitely do not need to focus on aspects if you’re a beginner, but this may be good to refer back to when you’re ready to learn about them.
Looking at the circular chart, you’ll notice it resembles a pie with twelve slices. You will see that these twelve slices are numbered (near the centre). These numbers represent the Houses. Where the houses start is indicated by your Ascendant (AC in your chart. Ascendant can also be referred to as Rising sign). From the exact degree of your Ascendant, 12 slices can be marked around the circle in 30 degree intervals. In my case, my ascendant is marked at 22 degrees in Leo therefore my first house starts at 22 degrees in Leo, my second house starts at 22 degrees in Virgo, my third house starts at 22 degrees in Libra, and so on. The equal 30 degree slices are the result of the equal house system; other house systems will give you different house layouts. Placidus, for example, will give you different sized houses starting at different points (so you might be able to see why I recommend the equal house system.)
Still looking at the circular chart, you will see the planetary symbols sitting in these pie slices with a little number next to them. The little number next to the planetary symbols indicates in what degrees the planet is in the sign (note; the SIGN, not the house. The signs have their own ‘cusps’ apart from the houses which are also in 30 degree increments). So if you take a look at my Sun for example (circle with a dot symbol) it is sitting in the 4th pie slice (fourth house) at 16 degrees in Sagittarius.
If you continue to look at my Sun in the 4th in Sagittarius, you will notice that a red line is pointing to it and connecting to Jupiter. This is considered an aspect. Aspects show the relationships between planets in our birth chart. If you refer back to the staircase table and where the Sun meets Jupiter, you will see a square symbol. This symbol indicates that the Sun and Jupiter are forming a square aspect.
The 3x4 table to the right of the staircase table keeps score of how many planets of the same element or same mode you have. C - Cardinal, F - Fixed, M - Mutable and F/Red - Fire, A/Yellow - Air, E/Green - Earth, W/Blue - Water. This will give you a basic and quick idea of the general emphasis of your chart. It only takes you really a second to realize that I’m a fire dominant with a significant lack of earth just by looking at this table.
Reading Your Chart; Where to Start?
1. The Big Three
Locate your Sun, Moon, and Ascendant. These three placements are almost always the most important placements in your chart. Identify their meanings, their significance to the house they are in, and look into what their relationships are with other planets in your chart.
2. Your Chart Ruler
Your ascendant indicates what your chart ruler is. Your chart ruler is the planet that your ascending sign rules over. For example, if you are a Taurus or Libra ascendant, then your chart ruler would be Venus. Look at the condition of your chart ruler, is it in a sign that works well for it? What aspects are being made to it? What house is it in?
3. Day VS Night Chart
Your ascendant’s line is what divides the chart into two hemispheres. The top half of your chart is considered the Southern Hemisphere whereas the bottom half is considered the Northern Hemisphere. Depending on if your Sun is placed above (Southern) or below (Northern) the ascendant’s line will indicate whether you have a Day chart or a Night chart. In Day charts, the Sun has more priority and the chart’s main benefic planet is Jupiter. In Night charts, the Moon has more priority and the chart’s main benefic planet is Venus. You can find many other significances with Day VS Night charts that are worth researching into.
4. North Node
Your North Node placement is going to be one of the most eye-opening placements to look into. Definitely should not go overlooked.
5. Midheaven
Your Midheaven, also synonymous with your 10th house, gives some insight to future career or life goals. This represents where you will build your legacy.
6. Love indicators (for those who are interested in this)
Your chart can imply insight to how you behave in love and the type of people you attract/may be most compatible with. The points you will want to research for this are Venus (romantic expression/aesthetic expression), Mars (sexual expression), and your Descendant/7th house. The asteroid Juno is a bonus you may want to look into.
7. Jupiter and Saturn…. And the rest of the planets
Eventually you’ll want to look into the rest of the planetary positions in your chart. Jupiter typically suggests our eases and opportunities in life whereas Saturn indicates inhibitions and fears. There’s some really interesting things to unpack from these planets based on their sign and house position. When looking at the planets, you should also consider their condition as planets do better in certain signs and worse in others. This is considered exaltation VS debilitation. Outside of a planet’s ruled sign, it has a sign it exalts in, a sign it is debilitated in, and a sign it is detriment in. Planets in their ruling or exalted sign have significant influence on the chart.
8. What stands out?
When you look at your chart, what stands out to you? Any particular aspect shapes? Any over emphasis in one sign (Stellium)? Any major conjunctions? If it stands out, it’s likely important and should be looked into. Take my chart for example, there is a very obvious triangle shape in it; this is called a grand trine. There are other chart patterns too, as this is just one, that can lead a big impact in one’s chart.
9. Literally at this point, go down the rabbit hole.
By this point, you would have gone over many of the main points of your chart and you can explore any particular point or section now! Aspects? The rest of the houses? Asteroids maybe?
To summarize, I want to emphasize that this is just a simple guide that will require research. Google, books, and forums are your best friend when it comes to researching astrology. Overall, I hope this post makes sense.
