The Birth Chart: The Basics

The Birth Chart
Birth charts are one of my favorite components of Astrology. A birth chart is simply a picture of the sky at the second you were born, on paper. It’s a pie chart of the celestial bodies and their exact positions in the sky. Instead of everything revolving around the Sun, a birth chart depicts the Sun and the other planets revolving around you (on earth). The positions of the celestial bodies and their relation to each other on your birth chart reveal accurate aspects of your entire life. Together we will learn to analyze and interpret the information to gain insight into our past, present, and future.
The information in your chart represents different aspects of your personality, strengths, challenges, and overall life path. In this post we break it down to simple forms so we will eventually be able to read and interpret our charts for ourselves. Birth charts can also be used to help guide you through life’s ups and downs as well as assist you in making predictions about your future.

Let’s break down the key components of a basic birth chart:
The Big 3 (Sun, Moon, Rising)
The Planets (Inner, Outer)
The Houses
The Other Key Celestial Bodies
The Big 3
The Sun Sign
Your Sun sign is determined by the position of the Sun at the time of your birth and influences your overall personality traits. The Sun sign is probably the most well-known aspect of astrology, it is the equivalent to your zodiac sign. When you hear the question asked, “what is your sign”, the response will be a persons Sun sign.
The Sun sign represents your core identity, ego, and life purpose. This is how the world sees you, how you shine, and what activities energize you.
The energy that the Sun brings
Element – Fire
Zodiac – Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Ruler – Leo
Duality – Masculine
Energy – Outward

The Moon Sign
The Moon sign in your chart represents the position of the Moon at your time of birth. Just as important as your Sun sign to your makeup, your Moon sign reflects your emotions, instincts, and innermost desires. It reveals how you process your feelings and navigate your inner world. The Sun sign reveals the you that you want everyone else to see. The Moon sign reveals side of you that you your close friends and family members get to see. I like the explanation that says; the Sun is the front yard and front door of your house (what your neighbors see from the outside) and the Moon is your bedroom (the most intimate, private area of your home).
The energy the Moon brings
Element – Water
Zodiac – Cancer, Pisces, Scorpio
Ruler – Cancer
Duality – Feminine
Energy – Inward
The Rising Sign
Also known as the Ascendant, your Rising sign governs how you see others and how others perceive you and your personality. The ascendant is the astrological mask that you wear in social situations. Not only our build, also your life patterns cycles and themes. The ascendant is the helm or the the place from which your life is steered from, the initiatory energy. This aspect is about what incites and motivates you, its the first things people notice about you.
The energy the Ascendant brings
Element – Earth then Fire
Zodiac – Always occupies the 1st house
Ruler – The ruler of this sign(your Ascendant) is the Ruler of your entire chart
Energy – Cardinal, Initiatory
The Planets
MVMJSUNP – In your chart these 8 planets will be placed throughout. Each planet has its own individual energy. The closer and faster moving planets are Mercury, Venus, and Mars, inner. The remaining planets Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto are further away and move around us at slower rates. Each planet in your birth chart represents different aspects of your personality and life experiences. For example, Venus rules love and relationships, while Mars governs passion and drive, Jupiter energy is luck, opportunities, and expansion.
The inner planets are the personal aspects of your life, Jupiter and Saturn are social planets, and the most distant planets are generational planets. There are a few other basic celestial points, bodies, and astroids found in your birth chart.
The Houses
The houses in your birth chart represent different areas of your life, such as career, relationships, and health. The planets in each house can give you insights into how these areas will play out in your life. Each of the 12 houses correspond with a different aspect of life. For example, 4th House is the house of family, home, and lineage; 9th House is the house of travel, learning, and teaching; or the 10th House is the House of Public Life and career.
You can look within a house to analyze specific information about a person. Another example is, if the planet Mars is in your 7th House of Love and Partnerships this can inform you of possible arguments or show you playing a leadership role in your relationships. Even houses in your chart that are empty give information about you.
Hint:
Planets show us what is happening
Signs show us how it is happening
Houses show us where it is happening

Conclusion
Reading your own birth chart may seem overwhelming at first, but with a little practice and patience, you can start to uncover the hidden gems within your cosmic blueprint. There are plenty of online resources and astrology apps that can help you interpret your birth chart, or you can consult with a professional astrologer for a more in-depth analysis.
Remember, astrology is a tool for self-discovery and personal growth, so approach your birth chart with an open mind and a sense of curiosity. A birth chart and the information therein should not control your life, this information should help to enhance your life. Who knows what insights and revelations you might uncover about yourself along the way?
That’s it for today’s blog post on how to read your own birth chart. Stay tuned for more astrology tips and insights in the future. Until next time, Love yourself, and Love each other. Peace