You can read a birth chart in seven steps: start with your Sun, Moon and rising sign, then read each planet by sign, place it in its house, look at the aspects between planets, find your chart ruler, check the balance of elements and finish with any patterns. The chart has 10 planets, 12 signs, 12 houses and 5 major aspects; together they describe what happens, how and where.
What are the parts of a birth chart?
| Part | What it shows | How many |
|---|---|---|
| Planets | What is happening: drives and needs | 10, plus points such as Chiron and the lunar nodes |
| Signs | How it happens: the style | 12 |
| Houses | Where it happens: the area of life | 12 |
| Aspects | How planets work together | 5 major aspects |
Step 1: What are your Sun, Moon and rising signs?
Start with your Big Three: the Sun (core identity), the Moon (emotional needs) and the rising sign (first impression). They give you the outline before the detail. See Sun, Moon and rising signs explained.
Step 2: What sign is each planet in?
Read Mercury (mind), Venus (love and values), Mars (drive), then Jupiter and Saturn. The sign tells you the style: Venus in Aries loves boldly, while Venus in Taurus loves slowly and steadily. Uranus, Neptune and Pluto stay in a sign for years, so their signs describe your generation more than you.
Step 3: What house is each planet in?
Each house is an area of life. A planet in the 7th house works through partnership; in the 10th house, through career and public life. Houses need your birth time.
Step 4: Which aspects do your planets make?
Aspects are angles between planets. Start with the tightest ones, those within a degree or two, and with aspects to the Sun, Moon and Ascendant. A square shows tension that drives growth; a trine shows natural ease. See natal aspects.
Step 5: Which planet rules your chart?
The planet that rules your rising sign is your chart ruler. Its sign and house show where you most naturally put your energy. See what is a chart ruler?
Step 6: Which element and mode are strongest?
Count your planets by element (fire, earth, air, water) and mode (cardinal, fixed, mutable). A chart heavy in fire acts fast; one heavy in water feels deeply. A missing element is a quality you may have to build on purpose.
Step 7: Does your chart have any patterns?
Look for groups: a stellium (three or more planets in one sign or house), a T-square (two planets in opposition, both square a third), a grand trine (three planets in trine). Patterns show the main storylines of the chart.
Can you get all seven steps done for you?
Our natal chart report, for 20 crystals (about £1), works through all seven steps for your chart: it lists every placement, draws the aspect grid, counts elements and modes, finds your chart ruler and patterns, and explains each one in seven chapters. Or start free with the birth chart calculator.