Your rising sign and house placements may be incorrect without an accurate time. To read your birth chart, you need three key pieces of information:
- Date of birth
- Time of birth (as exact as possible)
- Place of birth (city and country)
What a Birth Chart Is
A birth chart is a 360-degree circle divided into 12 sections called houses.
Key Parts of the Chart:
| Element | What It Means |
|---|---|
| 12 Signs | Show how the planets express themselves (Aries to Pisces) |
| 10 Planets | Show parts of your personality and life |
| 12 Houses | Show where things happen in your life |
| Aspects | Effect of one planet on the other |
Start With the Big Three
Astrologers often begin with the “Big Three”:
1. Sun Sign – Your Core Self
- Represents your identity and ego.
- It shows your overall personality.
- Found by checking which sign the Sun is in.
2. Moon Sign – Your Emotional Self
- Shows how you react to things emotionally.
- Found by looking at the sign where the Moon was placed.
3. Rising Sign
- Represents your appearance and first impression.
- Found on the cusp of the 1st house in your chart.
Together, these three signs create a fuller picture of your personality.
Planets
| Planet | Represents |
|---|---|
| Sun | Ego, identity, life force |
| Moon | Emotions, mind, instincts |
| Mercury | Communication, thinking, logic |
| Venus | Love, relationships, beauty |
| Mars | Action, drive, passion |
| Jupiter | Growth, wisdom, good fortune |
| Saturn | Discipline, responsibility, fear |
| Uranus | Change, rebellion, innovation |
| Neptune | Dreams, illusions, spirituality |
| Pluto | Transformation, power, rebirth |
Example: If your Venus is in Leo, you express love in a bold, romantic, and playful way.
12 Houses
Each house rules a specific area of your life. The house a planet sits in shows where that part of you expresses itself.
| House | Area of Life It Rules |
|---|---|
| 1st | Self, body, identity |
| 2nd | Money, values, possessions |
| 3rd | Communication, siblings, short travel |
| 4th | Home, family, roots |
| 5th | Creativity, romance, children |
| 6th | Health, daily work, routines |
| 7th | Partnerships, marriage |
| 8th | Shared finances, transformation |
| 9th | Higher learning, travel, belief systems |
| 10th | Career, reputation |
| 11th | Friends, networks, social causes |
| 12th | Spirituality, isolation, hidden things |
Example: Mars in the 10th house = Driven in career and leadership qualities.
Connect Planets with Signs and Houses
Now, it’s time to combine what you’ve learned.
Ask yourself:
- What planet is it?
- What sign is it in?
- What house is it in?
Full details about that part of your life.
Example:
- Planet: Moon
- Sign: Cancer
- House: 4th
You are emotionally sensitive (Moon), nurturing, and protective (Cancer), especially when it comes to home and family (4th house).
Look at Planetary Aspects
Aspects are the angles between planets. They show how different parts of your personality work together—or clash.
The most common aspects:
| Aspect | Degrees Apart | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Conjunction | 0° | Blends energies |
| Sextile | 60° | Easy flow, support |
| Square | 90° | Tension, challenge |
| Trine | 120° | Harmony, talent |
| Opposition | 180° | Push-pull, balance needed |
Example: If your Sun squares Mars, you may struggle with anger or impulsive actions.
Look at the Chart Ruler
| Rising Sign | Chart Ruler |
|---|---|
| Aries | Mars |
| Taurus | Venus |
| Gemini | Mercury |
| Cancer | Moon |
| Leo | Sun |
| Virgo | Mercury |
| Libra | Venus |
| Scorpio | Mars/Pluto |
| Sagittarius | Jupiter |
| Capricorn | Saturn |
| Aquarius | Saturn/Uranus |
| Pisces | Jupiter/Neptune |
Check the placing of chart ruler—it shows a major theme in your life.
Empty Houses
If a house has no planets, it doesn’t mean nothing happens there. It just means it’s not a key focus. You’ll still experience that house based on the sign it starts with (called the house cusp).
Step 10: Observe Patterns Over Time
Transit affects the happening of any event. Example: When Saturn transits your 10th house, you may feel pressure to define your career path. Use astrology not just for self-understanding but also for timing decisions.
Bonus Tips for Beginners
- Keep a journal of how planetary movements affect you.
- Focus first on the Sun, Moon, and Rising signs.
- Study one planet or house per week to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
- Use online resources or beginner astrology books to build your confidence.
Final Words
Your birth chart is your roadmap. It doesn’t lock you into a destiny—it shows your tendencies, strengths, and growth areas.
Learning how to read it step by step can give you deep insight into yourself. You’ll understand your emotions, relationships, career path, and more.
Astrology is not magic—it’s a tool.