The Astrological Birth Chart
An Introduction to What Lies Behind the Zodiac Chart
Once the astrologer has drawn up the birth chart through calculations based on a given exact time, date and place of birth, he has before him a wealth of information which can be of enormous benefit to his client.
This chart is the blueprint of a person’s character potential and a glimpse of their life’s journey through the cycles of the planets and their links with the planets in the chart.
Astrological Interpretations
An astrological interpretation is not just based on the Sun Sign. It will incorporate the Sun, Moon and all the planets and their relationships with each other. Every planet occupies one of the 12 signs and also one of the 12 houses in the zodiac. How the nature of the energy of the planet is activated will depend on the sign and house in which it is placed. The planets are linked to each other through different angular relationships. Also considered will be the Rising Sign and the Midheaven.
The Analysis
So not only does each planet, sign and house convey character potentials and likely trends throughout differing areas of life, but the energies of the planets, depending on how they are situated in the chart may also relate or combine with each other in certain ways through what astrologers call their aspects. All this, when weighed, together will give an insightful astrological analysis.
Psychological Counselling
Through the birth map, the astrologer might see the reason Jack can’t settle in his poorly paid routine office job is that with Leo rising, Taurus on his 10th house cusp and Mars in Libra, Jack would be much better suited to a career dealing with others, offering a degree of personal freedom and providing a good wage to satisfy his more material needs.
He might advise Maud that if she were to allow her Sagittarius husband, who also has Venus in Aquarius, a greater amount of freedom and encourage his enjoyment of social and group activities rather than attempting to curb his needs in these directions, they’d both find a greater understanding and appreciation of their relationship.
Summary
Reading the horoscope is not as simple as it may at first appear. Clairvoyance is not involved; intuition may of course be of help but astrology is basically an art based on ancient observations. There are hundreds of individual aspects and characteristics which make up each individual horoscope and these must be carefully weighed up, depending on the various strengths and weaknesses of the planets before the astrologer can offer his observations. This is not to say life is predestined and people have no freewill. Astrology will give an indication of how the planets correlate with personality and life trends; it is up to us to decide how we might use these potentials. Sometimes the most challenging chart can be seen as a great opportunity for growth.
Further Reading:
Mayo, Jeff The Planets and Human Behaviour L.N Fowler & Co Ltd (1972)
