Mention astrology to someone, and you’ll more than likely hear that person start talking about their signs. “I’m not your typical Leo,” one may say. “I own my drama queen tendencies. I am, after all, a Pisces,” another volunteers. Yet those with more than casual astrological knowledge may say that it’s more than just one’s sun sign. Natal charts may be the latest buzz in popular culture, but it’s worth understanding how they’re seen as maps of your personality and life events.
Natal Chart Astrology 101
The Astrology Dictionary provides a useful definition of natal astrology. As the entry explains, it’s the study of celestial bodies’ alignments and how they impact a person’s temperament, psyche, and life path. Some still refer to it as “genethlialogy,” after the original Greek word for this branch of astrology. The basic premise is the same, with a focus on planetary and star positions at the time of a person’s birth.
Like the other branches, c Its practice spans millennia, used to guide major decision-making and even arrange marriages. Today in the West, people often look to it for fascinating personal insights and guidance for optimal life choices.
A Quick Overview of the Natal Chart
Creating birth charts is the central focus of natal astrology. According to The Mountain Astrologer’s Mary Plumb, these charts show the heavens as seen from Earth. Mapping of celestial bodies occurs within a 360-degree circle, with the 12 zodiac signs located on the outer rim.
The chart is divided into 12 houses, each measuring 30 degrees. Cafe Astrology provides a brief rundown on the meaning of each house. Some, such as the first and fifth houses, signify aspects of the self, while others like the fourth and seventh reflect how we relate to others. The natal chart also contains four other key points used in interpretations:
- Ascendant, showing the position of the sun at dawn
- Descendant, depicting the sun at dusk
- Midheaven, representing the sun at noon
- Nadir, the location of the sun at midnight
The ascendant and descendant points connect by the horizon line bisecting the chart’s center from left to right. Similarly, the meridian line running vertically through the chart links the midheaven and nadir points.
Stars, Planets, and Points
A March 2018 Allure article documents the connotative meaning ascribed to each of the planets in our solar system. When people discuss their signs, they’re actually talking about the part of the zodiac the sun was present in at the time of their birth. Astrologer Aliza Kelly Faragher mentions that the sun represents one’s basic self and personality. As for the rest of the planets, Faragher also breaks down their symbolic meanings:
- The Moon: the emotional inner world
- Mercury: one’s logic and rationality
- Venus: attitudes toward beauty, love, and money
- Mars: action, determination, and aggression
- Jupiter: abundance, spirituality, and fortune
- Saturn: time and restriction
- Uranus: change, innovation, and nonconformity
- Neptune: imagination and mystery
- Pluto: transformation, destruction, and rebirth
The four points of the chart also convey distinctive meanings. The ascendant, or rising sign, represents other people’s perceptions about us. Meanwhile, the descendant reflects qualities we’d like to see in a prospective partner. The midheaven describes our career and life aspirations. Finally, the nadir symbolizes the inner world, emotional needs, and unconscious self.
An Old Art in Modern Times
Thanks to a growing interest in astrology, more individuals read their horoscopes and birth charts. With plenty of online tools and apps available, you can easily see your own chart within minutes. As astrology’s validity continues to be debated, the art of the natal chart still reveals some stunning insights into the human mind.