Introduction to Reading Your Birth Chart

How To Cast Your Chart on astro.com

What you need:

Your place of birth, your date of birth, your time of birth

To begin…

We simply cast our personal Natal Chart at the time and place of your birth by watching the video above.

Next, have fun and explore… learning the symbols for the signs and the symbols for the planets that are shown in your chart. So that you can start to recognise them.

Aries - The Ram symbol

Taurus - The Bull symbol

Gemini - The Twins or II

Cancer - The 6 9 Crab Claws

Leo - The Lion

Virgo - M with a tail pointing inwards (The Maiden)

Libra - The Scales

Scorpio - The tail of M pointing outwards (The Scorpion)

Sagittarius - The Archer and Arrow

Capricorn - The N

Aquarius - The Electromagnetic Waves

Pisces - The Fish

The Signs

Have a read to familiarise yourself with the signs.

(Borrowed from Allure.com with my additional writings).

Aries (March 21 - April 19)

Aries loves to be number one, so it’s no surprise that these audacious rams are the first sign of the zodiac. Bold and ambitious, Aries dives headfirst into even the most challenging situations. 

Firey, impulsive, competitive, pioneering, masculine force to survive against all odds.

Taurus (April 20 - May 20)

Taurus is an earth sign represented by the bull. Like their celestial spirit animal, Taureans enjoy relaxing in serene, harmonious environments surrounded by soft sounds, soothing aromas, and succulent flavours. 

This bull is stable and plodding and holds steadfast, the moon is exalted in Taurus because I believe she loves the stability that this sign can give to her inconstancy.

Gemini (May 21 - June 20)

Have you ever been so busy that you wished you could clone yourself just to get everything done? That’s the Gemini experience in a nutshell. Appropriately symbolized by the celestial twins, this air sign was interested in so many pursuits that it had to double itself. 

The juggler with all the balls in the air, curious, book loving, communicator with a youthful zest for life and its curiosities. Head in the clouds as an AIR sign.

Cancer (June 21 - July 22)

Cancer is a cardinal water sign. Represented by the crab, this crustacean seamlessly weaves between the sea and shore representing Cancer’s ability to exist in both emotional and material realms. Cancers are highly intuitive and their psychic abilities manifest in tangible spaces: For instance, Cancers can effortlessly pick up the energies in a room. 

A sponge for the emotions of others, a nurturer, feels and knows. Gentle and soft and shy, needs a safe and secure place to reside.

Leo (July 23 - August 22)

Roll out the red carpet because Leo has arrived. Leo is represented by the lion and these spirited fire signs are the kings and queens of the celestial jungle. They’re delighted to embrace their royal status: Vivacious, theatrical, and passionate, Leos love to bask in the spotlight and celebrate themselves. 

They need an audience, a space to self-express and be authentic and they demand loyalty. Curating an image of themselves and leading others is often a natural part of their spirit. They need to be seen and loved and are generous and loving back.

Virgo (August 23 - September 22)

Virgo is an earth sign historically represented by the goddess of wheat and agriculture, an association that speaks to Virgo’s deep-rooted presence in the material world. Virgos are logical, practical, and systematic in their approach to life. This earth sign is a perfectionist at heart and isn’t afraid to improve skills through diligent and consistent practice. 

The fixer, they want to help and serve and fix and are fantastic editors and analysts but can be overly critical and self-persecutory.

Libra (September 23 - October 22)

Libra is an air sign represented by the scales (interestingly, the only inanimate object of the zodiac), an association that reflects Libra's fixation on balance and harmony. Libra is obsessed with symmetry and strives to create equilibrium in all areas of life. 

Libran’s are sociable and connective and love to have people around them and to make sure everyone is having a good time. Sometimes putting the needs of other above all else and themselves.

Scorpio (October 23 - November 21)

Scorpio is one of the most misunderstood signs of the zodiac. Because of its incredible passion and power, Scorpio is often mistaken for a fire sign. In fact, Scorpio is a water sign that derives its strength from the psychic, emotional realm. 

Scorpion’s are intense and insightful and will drive down to the depths of truth and observation. They will not care for inauthenticity and call out the BS.

Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21)

Represented by the archer, Sagittarians are always on a quest for knowledge. The last fire sign of the zodiac, Sagittarius launches its many pursuits like blazing arrows, chasing after geographical, intellectual, and spiritual adventures. 

The great adventurer and optimist.

Capricorn (December 22 - January 19)

The last earth sign of the zodiac, Capricorn is represented by the sea goat, a mythological creature with the body of a goat and the tail of a fish. Accordingly, Capricorns are skilled at navigating both the material and emotional realms. 

The goat climbing the ladder of social status and hierarchy and providing the boundary banks to the river or the container to hold together structure and form.

Aquarius (January 20 - February 18)

Despite the “aqua” in its name, Aquarius is actually the last air sign of the zodiac. Aquarius is represented by the water bearer, the mystical healer who bestows water, or life, upon the land. Accordingly, Aquarius is the most humanitarian astrological sign. 

But it is an AIR sign. Aquarius can be seen as detached as well as humanitarian. Utilitarian almost. Society and groups and community are important even if they are often seen as the outcast or scapegoat.

Pisces (February 19 - March 20)

Pisces, a water sign, is the last constellation of the zodiac. It's symbolized by two fish swimming in opposite directions, representing the constant division of Pisces' attention between fantasy and reality. As the final sign, Pisces has absorbed every lesson — the joys and the pain, the hopes and the fears — learned by all of the other signs. 

Pisces is connection with all, and feeling of everything, compassion and sadness and grief and flow and creativity. Pisces is all of this contained in musical song that is both healing and painful to listen to.

The Houses

Have a read of the bullet point meanings for each of the houses below.

Reading Your Natal Chart - a mini example of Princess Di’s chart

Rulerships of Signs:

Simply try and memorise these as a start…

Aries ruled by Mars

Taurus ruled by Venus

Gemini ruled by Mercury

Cancer ruled by The Moon

Leo ruled by The Sun

Virgo ruled by Mercury

Libra ruled by Venus

Scorpio ruled by Mars and Pluto

Sagittarius ruled by Jupiter

Capricorn ruled by Saturn

Aquarius ruled by Saturn and Uranus

Pisces ruled by Jupiter and Neptune