Astrology Birth Chart: How To Read and Calculate Your Chart

Most people are familiar with their sun signs and the impact it has on their personality. But your birth chart is much more nuanced than that.

Your birth chart is a map of the placement of the planets during the time that you were born. Ever wonder why you are the way you are?

Or why you may feel heavily impacted during certain moon phases? Your birth chart can provide profound insights into these pressing questions.

How to Read a Birth Chart

Your birth chart provides a portrait of how the cosmos were aligned during the time you were born. So it’s essential to know the exact time and location of your birth for an accurate birth chart reading.

Your birth chart is the sum of several unique parts. Your sun sign (aka zodiac sign) is one of those parts.

It’s important to know the traits and aspects of all 12 signs so that you get a better reading on how they’re uniquely impacted by the planets they’re in. For example, a Cancer Sun is going to express itself differently than a Cancer in Venus or Mars.

The planets all have unique energies. So they’re going to profoundly affect whatever sign falls in them. The signs and the planets they’re in during the time of your birth are going to manifest themselves differently for this reason.

Your birth chart is a blend of all these dynamic and unique aspects.

The Houses of Your Birth Chart

A popular misconception about the 12 houses is that they’re the same as the zodiac wheel. The zodiac wheel is based on the sun’s yearly rotation.

The houses, on the other hand, reflect the earth’s 24-hour rotation around its axis. When astrologers analyze your birth chart, they’re blending these two rotational movements to uncover the meaning of your birth chart.

1st house: The House of Self

This House represents the first impression people have of you, and the mask that you present to the world. It isn’t necessarily concerned with the deep aspects of your true nature. But rather the self at a surface level.

It’s also about beginnings and fresh starts since it’s the first house. The cusp of this house is often referred to as your rising or ascendant sign. This house radiates Aries energy.

2nd House: The House of Possessions, Resources, and Earthy Delights

The 2nd House relates to material items like your finances, house or car. It’s also related to the senses, so if you enjoy guilty pleasures like chocolate or designer purses, this house relates to that. This house emits Taurus energy.

3rd House- The House of Communication

This House represents how we interact with the world and the people in our personal orbit. It’s about how we relay and receive messages, as well as how we think and talk. This house exudes Gemini energy.

4th House- House of Family, Lineage, and Home:

The 4th House harkens back to your roots and where you call home. It’s about what makes you feel safe and in your comfort zone. This house emanates Cancer energy.

5th house- House of Pleasure and Bliss

This House relates to the arts and everything that colors the world and makes it joyous. It represents creativity, romance, fun, and play. This house radiates Leo energy.

6th House- House of Health, Wellness, and Routine

The 6th House represents how you serve the world and what unique talents you offer. It’s also related to exercise, health and wellness. This house emits Virgo energy.

7th House- House of Relationship and Partnership

This house relates to your romantic relationships, friendships, and business partnerships. It’s about contracts, negotiations, and the compromises we make for the people we know and love. This house exudes Taurus energy.

8th House- House of Sex, Death, and Transformation

The 8th House corresponds with the natural cycle of creation, life, death, and your magical depths. It also represents blended energies and deep bonds. This house emanates Scorpio energy.

9th House- House of Philosophy and Intellect

This house represents your moral compass and how you view and understand the world around you. It’s a house concerned with teaching, learning, growth, and belief systems. This house radiates Sagittarius energy.

10th House- House of Public Image, Career and Legacy

The 10th House relates to how others perceive your accomplishments. It relates to your purpose and life path. The cusp of the 10th house is also referred to as the Midheaven. This house exudes Capricorn energy.

11th House- House of Friendship and Camaraderie

This house represents your community, as well as future possibilities. It’s all about society, humanitarianism, as well as rebellion, technological advancements, and future discoveries. This house emits Aquarius energy.

12th House- House of the Unconscious Shadow Self

The Twelfth House represents the subconscious, unveiled mysteries, hidden truths, mysticism, and imagination. This final house also represents completion and the afterlife. This house exudes Pisces energy.

Birth Chart Compatibility

Your natal chart is a great tool to gauge compatibility. If you have a Cancer venus, you may have incompatible ways of loving with someone that’s a Leo venus due to the energy of the fire sign. You may be more compatible with someone whose Venus is an earth sign or water sign.

Reading your birth chart isn’t a fixed prophecy or destiny though. Your chart is simply a resource for guidance.

Your astrology chart can uncover a lot about your relationships, what inspires you, or what angers you. If you need help understanding a certain area of your life that’s causing you hardship, your astrological chart may be able to answer these questions or even reveal a hidden truth about yourself.

Conclusion

Knowing your sun sign is a big piece of the puzzle of unveiling your basic nature, but there are other signs like your moon sign and rising sign that also hold major insights.

The position of the sun, moon, and planets is an important key to revealing your true nature or life path. Using a birth chart calculator to find out your other signs can reveal quite a bit about yourself, your career, and your love life.

Free Birth Chart Calculator

If you’re looking for a free online birth chart calculator, our sister site has you covered with an incredibly thorough and specific tool. Try out their free birth chart calculator, and let us know your thoughts!