What Is a Birth Chart and How Do You Read It?

What we all want is to know ourselves a little deeper. We may linger and search outside ourselves, accumulating things upon our paths that are not ours. However, as we come back around, we shed the heavy load to which our egos have attached, and we desire to connect within our soul, to know our truth, who we truly are.

Astrology describes who you are. It makes you the star of your life; it is all about you. Astrology is the gateway to knowing your purpose in life, a guide for your decisions, and a path that holds opportunities to live your best life. Within limits, astrology allows you to direct your own destiny and, in the process, reach a personal understanding of who you truly are.

What Do the Signs on a Birth Chart Mean?

Take a snapshot of the night sky and watch the animal kingdom come alive. A circle of animals, animals, and people represent the zodiac signs. Ecliptic: the Sun moves across the sky for a year, crossing all 12 zodiac signs. Each sign governs 30 degrees of a thin band across the sky.

The first sign of the zodiac is Aries when the Sun is on the ecliptic during the first day of Spring. The last sign of the zodiac is Pisces, when the Sun is on the ecliptic, representing the end of the Winter. Each zodiac sign has an element that enhances its character, skills, talents, and personality. For Example, Taurus, an earth sign, is grounded, methodical, practical, materially inclined, committed and devoted. While Scorpio, a water sign, is fluid, emotional, compassionate, sensual, transformative, intuitive, and in the flow.

Though each sign has its distinct personality, the type of planet that lands in that specific zodiac sign changes how it exists in certain areas of life—for example, Planets: Sun, Moon and Rising (Ascendant).

Sun

The Sun represents the soul. It is how we shine our light into the world. It is who we are, the projection of our essence. It is often how we live our purpose daily, what we represent and believe in, and who we are becoming. If you have your Sun in Libra, you will be an individual that has a strong sense of justice. You will be pushed in this life to stand up for what is right and fair, weigh the pros and cons, and witness Karma.

Moon

The moon represents the mind and the heart. It is what we keep hidden within our deepest emotions and thoughts. It is often who we truly are inside because it is the energy behind the mask ( the sun). The moon often illuminates the shadows the sun creates. If you have your Moon in Aquarius, you will be an individual who expresses through logical and intellectual means. Your emotions govern your strong sense of rebellion, innovation, and hope for the future.

Rising

The rising (ascendant) represents how the world perceives you. It is the point in the sky of the exact time of your birth. It governs your personality, your identity, and how you present yourself. Ex: If you have your ascendant in Pisces, others will perceive you as intuitive, secretive, emotional, sensitive, though holding great wisdom.

It is important to note that the Astrologer needs the person's name, date of birth, time of birth, and birth location to create an accurate birth chart for the client. Many sources can help guide you through reading your birth chart.

How to Read Your Birth Chart

A birth chart is read through several possibilities depending on the house system used. For example, the Equal is an ancient system dating back to the first century BCE, where each house is divided equally on the line of the ecliptic 30-degree zodiac sign. The Placidus system, which is modern and often used, bases its house system on space and time measurements through calculations. Thus, knowing your birth time is necessary for better accuracy. There are 12 houses, just as there are 12 zodiac signs.

If the birth time is unknown, an astrologer can help you calculate the closest time to which you were born using the house system. If reading for yourself, knowing your house system is unnecessary, as you can get a pretty clear picture of your whole personality and path in life by understanding your planets and the signs they rule.

"Inner Planets" and the signs they rule.

To know yourself, you must know your inner planets and the signs in which they rule. The inner planets, otherwise known as our planets, govern how we are in this world. They are the core center of who we are. These planets are Sun, Moon, Mercury, Mars and Venus. For example, Mars, the planet of physical energy, governs your sex drive, forcefulness, and aggression. It is the planet that instigates your action. If you have Mars in Scorpio (a sensual water sign), you are a resourceful person driven to succeed. You will often act passionately, determined and relentlessly.

"Social Planets" and the signs they rule.

Without others, we could not see ourselves. The "Social Planets," Jupiter and Saturn, govern how we relate to society and its impact on our internal worlds. For example, Jupiter, the planet of optimism, good luck, success, fortune and generosity, brings happiness and joy into life. If you have Jupiter in Virgo (a practical earth sign), you can create success from a hobby or something you enjoy doing as a pastime. You are analytical, intelligent, and persevering and have a strong potential to develop successful empires.

What Are “Outer Planets” in a Birth Chart?

The "Outer Planets" are those discovered in modern times. These include Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. These planets show us how we relate to society in general. Because they take longer to orbit around the Sun, they focus more on generational energy and themes than personal ones.

Neptune is the planet of mystery and illusions. It governs your imagination, intuition, mystical abilities, and dream life. It is also the planet of occultism and psychic phenomena.

Uranus is the planet of change, unexpected events, and surprise. It often brings opportunities, blessings, awakenings, and epiphanies. Throughout history, this planet has handled the initial spark of something new in the arts and sciences.

Pluto is the planet of transformation. It reconstructs and rebuilds. The energy of Pluto brings to light the things hidden in the depths of your subconscious. It has a powerful energy capable of erupting your suppressed energies.

Is a Ruling Planet Relevant to a Birth Chart?

A ruling planet is when the Planet sits in its home sign. It is at its strongest and its most comfortable position. It makes all the decisions and leads the energy. Each planet rules one day sign and one-night sign. The day signs are more active, while the night signs are more passive. For example, Saturn is ruled by Aquarius in modern astrology and Capricorn in Traditional Astrology. Both are relevant, though they hold different meanings. When Saturn is in its home sign, Aquarius, you can assume that any innovative, intelligent, digital, communicative, rebellious, revolutionary change that manifests during that time will create a strong foundation grounded in economic change for our society or your reality.

Retrograde Planets

A retrograde planet is when a planet has reached the furthest part of its orbit and begins to circulate back closer to the Earth. As it returns, it seems to be moving backwards. When a planet is retrograded, the area of life that the planet governs moves slower and becomes more introspective. For example, Mercury, the planet of communication, when retrograde, we tend to experience problems with the internet, misunderstandings between our peers, travel delays, technical issues and difficulty getting our point across.

How to Learn Even More About Yourself With a Birth Chart

Knowing your birth chart brings you one step closer to understanding your personal psychology and the environment around you. It can show you your strengths and weaknesses. It determines where you have been, where you are now, and where you are going. It is a guideline for your soul's path in this life. It can help you understand your purpose, build confidence, and love yourself.

Psychics can help you understand your birth chart, as well as the many aspects that are found within. They can help you reach a new level of awareness about yourself and help you connect with yourself on a deeper level. Seeing a psychic to understand all this information will significantly enhance your life and everything in it.

Are you ready to learn about your astrology birth chart?

Now that you understand the planets and the signs they govern in your birth chart. Confidently, you can take charge of your life through personal awareness of yourself and your destiny.

If you want your birth chart read by a professional astrologer, you can book a session with me!