Natal charts and their interpretation give insight into what a person is all about. Here is some detail as to discovering what a natal chart means.
There are three very important concepts for erecting and interpreting a natal chart. These factors are the foundation on which all astrological thoughts rest. They are:
- Signs of the Zodiac
- Planets
- Houses
The Zodiac/Chart Is a Circle
Imagine a pie cut into 12 slices. At the center of the pie, a horizontal line is cut across. This is the Meridian of the Chart. Zodiac (Greek) means circle of animals.
Each slice of the imaginary pie represents a House. There are 12 houses in a chart. They represent a different area of a person's life and their potential. The natal chart never changes. It can be compared to a snapshot taken of the heavens at the precise moment of birth for all living creatures.
Twelve Signs in the Zodiac
Each of the 12 signs contains 30 degrees, thereby giving 360 degrees to the entire Zodiac. It is important to remember that the Zodiac is an imaginary circle which the planets travel through in their journey around the sun.
The signs color or give expression to the planets. They can be seen as 12 psychological types or 12 attitudinal types.
Depending on the house system used, houses vary in number of degrees contained. However, they remain stationary and are related to the environmental influence.
The Equal and Unequal House Systems
Unequal is called, "Placidius Tropical" and is far more accurate than "Equal Housing." Equal Housing places each cusp at 30 degrees, Unequal House does not. This is important since a planet is interpreted by its Aspects and the particular house it occupies.
The Planets
The Planets represent definite energy principles. There are 10 planets in Astrology including the sun and moon. Each planet rules a particular sign, eg. Mars rules Aries, Taurus and Libra share the planet Venus as their ruler. Virgo and Gemini share the planet Mercury as their ruler.
Foundation of a Chart
Signs are the "HOW" Operation - How energies of the planets will be expressed.
Planets are the "WHAT" Operation - What type of energy.
Houses are the "WHERE" Operation - Circumstances or the environment where planets in signs will manifest themselves.
Brief Description of Rulership of the Twelve Houses
1st - Self, appearance, approach
2nd - Financial, value, earning capacity
3rd - Immediate environment, the mind
4th - Base of operations, the home, end of a matter
5th - Romance, speculation, children
6th - Health, Work/Profession
7th - Marriage, partnerships
8th - Death, sex, regeneration
9th - Religion, philosophies, higher education
10th- Career, superiors
11th- Friends, hopes and dreams
12th- Self communion, sub-conscious
Erecting a Natal Chart Requires
- Date of Birth
- Time of Birth
- City/State/Country of Birth
