UNDERSTANDING A BIRTH CHART

Here is a sample birth chart. Use you mouse to highlight the areas of the birth chart to get a brief explanation of each of the key elements.

ZODIAC SIGNS

The 12 signs of the zodiac make up the outer band
of the birth chart.

THE PLANETS

Symbols indicate the position of the planets inside the zodiac. The position of the planets in their sign is indicated in numbers of degrees and minutes.

THE HOUSES

The houses are numbered anticlockwise from the Ascendant, with the cusps marked by the long diagonal lines running between the zodiac band and the central area of the chart.

THE ASPECTS

The aspects are the lines that connect the planets across the central area of the chart; blue indicates easy-flowing aspects and red indicates stressful ones.

THE ASCENDANT

The Zodiac degree point rising on the horizon at the time of birth.