Last Updated on July 15, 2022 by Wishbonix
A Natal Chart (also known as a birth chart, horoscope, natus, geniture, radix, genethliac chart) is a chart that shows the positions of the planets of the zodiac during the time of one’s birth. It is a map of the universe with you or the person of interest in the center of the chart. The chart is circular in nature and has 12 divided sections that show the position of the planets, the moon as well as the sun. These 12 sections are called the houses. Some astrologers will even acknowledge fixed stars, asteroids, minor planetary bodies, and other mathematical points and angles. Charts will also show other celestial objects, which are all referred to as one’s planets and are defined by the houses and the astrological signs.
How a Natal Chart or Birth Chart is Created
Each chart considers the details of one’s birth, such as the time and place of your birth, as well as the latitude and longitude and, of course, the date of birth. The exact time of your birth is often referred to as “your first intake of air”.
The majority of the charts you will see are based on Planet Earth (Geocentric), and the Interpretation of the chart is where the astrologer will build a picture from the chart, which shows your personality, characteristics, and traits.
There are two main phases of chart interpretation:
- Chart Weighting
- Chart Shaping
The two will note the distribution of the signs, houses, and the zodiac, comparing it to your personality to see if it has any significance. Shaping evaluates the placement of the planets and processes to find any significant patterns between them.
The structure of the horoscope
At first glance, a horoscope consists of a confusing variety of very different elements. These elements are arranged in three rings. The basic structure is the twelve signs of the zodiac, the astrological houses are grouped outside and the planets inside, which in turn are related to each other by aspects.
The Twelve Signs of the Zodiac
The twelve signs of the zodiac are divided into several groups. Besides the division into cardinal, fixed, and changeable signs, there is also a distinction according to the astrological elements. In the horoscope drawing, the element fire is shown in red, the element earth in green, the element air in yellow, and the element water in blue. In addition, male and female signs alternate; However, this does not mean the traditional gender roles, but the proportions of yin and yang that everyone has within them. This doesn’t have much to do with masculinity and femininity in the usual sense.
The sun as a determining factor
The sun is at the center of our solar system. One revolution of the earth around the sun corresponds to one year. Viewed from Earth, the sun moves through all twelve signs of the zodiac once a year.
When we say “I am Sagittarius”, it actually means: I was born when the sun (seen from Earth) was Sagittarius. So the sun determines the so-called birth sign, i.e., the zodiac sign with which we identify.
The sun is the only celestial body in our solar system that shines under its own power. All others are illuminated and only reflect the light of the sun. Because the sun is the giver of life, astrology connects the sun with the central life energy, with the heart, and with the self.
Ascendant and house system
In addition to the annual rhythm of the sun, there is a second important rhythm. Earth spins around itself once in twenty-four hours. If we looked straight up for a whole day (and wouldn’t disrupt daylight), we could see all twelve signs of the zodiac move past in twenty-four hours.
The system of twelve astrological houses, the quality of which corresponds to the twelve signs of the zodiac, is derived from this daily rhythm. Since the ring of the twelve astrological houses describes a full revolution in twenty-four hours, each astrological house lies behind each zodiac sign for a short time in the course of a day. The beginning (or the “top”) of the first house is the ascendant.
Since planets and houses are constantly in motion, new, very individual birth pictures are always created. The birth chart is nothing more than a snapshot of the astrological situation at a certain moment.
As a rough rule, one can say: the planet shows what is realized, the sign shows how something is realized, and the astrological house shows where (in which area of life) the realization takes place.
Planets in signs and houses
Depending on their position, the planets in the houses and signs can be seen to different degrees, and the interpretation is correspondingly different. The fiery Mars can naturally develop well in its own sign (Aries), sometimes it does not find a starting point in the melting fish sign to put its great energy into practice.
As the planets run through the zodiac at different speeds, they form geometric figures that can be counted. These relationships are called aspects. An example of this is the conjunction (two planets are in the same place). Aspecting a planet also influences the way in which the qualities can be expressed.
A tension between two planets can be understood as an incentive to develop in a certain area. For example, if this challenge is ignored for convenience, the negative aspects of the aspect in question can be particularly unpleasant. If we pick up the signals and deal with the indicated conflicts, we can realize the positive qualities of the aspect.
There are neither purely positive nor purely negative factors in the horoscope. The aspects are always the same, but what we make of it is up to us. In this respect, it also leads in the wrong direction if you consider a horoscope as the expression of fateful forces against which you cannot do anything anyway. On the contrary – when used correctly, astrology can even help tackle and resolve conflicts and take our lives into our own hands. The stars are out there, but what they have to tell us is a mirror of our soul – and they speak about our very personal responsibility for our own life.
What a Natal Chart Can do for You
Natal Charts are an amazing and unique way to discover hidden personality traits of yourself or a person of interest. It is the basis of a complete horoscope that is quite detailed and mystic in nature. Because the planets, the moon, and the sun are in constant motion around our planet Natal Charts are not that easy to create, and it takes comprehensive astrological knowledge to create and interpret a birth chart correctly.
With the alignment of the planets as well as the Zodiac signs, the Natal chart will create a mystic combination for each person making everyone’s chart completely unique and their own. This not only makes the charts detailed and customized to one’s own self, but it also makes them extremely fun to take part in. It sheds light on the mystery that astrology, space, and the universe tends to have on us.
How to Get a Natal Chart or Birth Chart
You can get a free natal chart through software calculations, such as the one that we have provided on our site. While they are helpful and give you an idea of what your natal chart is and how it looks like, it is in no way as comprehensive as the ones you can get from a professional and skilled astrologer.
