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Join r/selfgazer on RedditFollow @selfgazerapp on InstagramAstrology Chart Education
Introduction to the Birth Chart
Your Cosmic Blueprint
The natal chart as a snapshot of the sky
Your birth chart is a map of the sky at the exact moment you were born. It captures the positions of the Sun, Moon, and planets across the zodiac wheel.
Think of it as a cosmic photograph - frozen in time at the moment of your first breath, containing the seeds of your personality, talents, and life path.
Toggle the layers below to see how the chart is constructed:
The Zodiac Wheel - 12 Signs
The Four Elements
Fire, Earth, Air, and Water
The zodiac is divided into 12 signs, each belonging to one of four elements. These elements describe fundamental energies and temperaments.
Earth signs are practical and grounded.
Air signs are intellectual and communicative.
Water signs are emotional and intuitive.
The Big Three - Sun, Moon, Rising
Your Core Personality Trinity
The three most important placements
The “Big Three” are the most significant placements in your chart. They form the foundation of who you are.
Planetary Symbols & Meanings
The 10 Classical Planets
Each planet governs specific life areas
In astrology, “planet” includes the Sun and Moon (called luminaries). Each celestial body represents different aspects of your psyche and life.
Sun
Identity, ego, vitality
The 12 Houses - Life Domains
Where Life Happens
12 domains of human experience
While signs describe how energy expresses, houses show where in your life it manifests. The houses divide the chart into 12 life areas.
Understanding Aspects
Planetary Conversations
How planets communicate through geometry
Aspects are angular relationships between planets. They show how different parts of your psyche interact - sometimes harmoniously, sometimes with friction.
Harmonious vs Challenging Aspects
The Nature of Aspects
Ease vs growth through challenge
Not all aspects are created equal. Some indicate natural flow and talents, while others represent areas of dynamic tension that drive personal growth.
The Full Picture
A healthy chart has both types. Harmonious aspects provide stability, while challenging aspects drive evolution. Balance is key.
Planetary Dignities
Planets in Their Element
Signs of strength and challenge
Each planet has signs where it operates well (domicile/exaltation) and signs where it struggles (detriment/fall). This is called “essential dignity.”
Retrograde Motion
When Planets Move Backward
The optical illusion with real meaning
Retrograde motion is an optical illusion - planets appear to move backward in the sky. In astrology, this symbolizes internalized or revisited themes.
Retrograde Planets in This Chart
Transit Charts - Current Sky
The Living Chart
Where the planets are now
Your birth chart is frozen in time, but the planets keep moving. Transits are the current planetary positions overlaid on your natal chart.
When transiting planets touch sensitive points in your chart, events and themes are activated.
Planetary Motion Over Time
The Cosmic Dance
Watching planets move through time
This animation shows how planetary positions shift over a month. Notice how the Moon moves quickly while outer planets barely budge.
Aspect Patterns
Geometric Configurations
When planets form powerful patterns
When multiple planets form specific geometric patterns, they create powerful configurations that dominate the chart's energy.
Chart Reading Flow
A Systematic Approach
How to read any birth chart
Reading a chart is both art and science. Follow this systematic approach to ensure you catch all the important details.
Step 1: Overview
Take in the whole chart. Notice the overall distribution of planets.
Are planets clustered or spread out? This shows focus vs versatility.
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