The map of the universe at the moment of your birth
The natal chart (a.k.a. birth chart) is a map of the universe at the exact time and place that you were born. Astrologers use this map to understand who you are. But, technically speaking, this map is pure astronomy: it describes the location of the planets at a specific moment in time.
Example natal chart
THIS IS AN EXAMPLE NATAL CHART
The planets are shown from the perspective of Earth, against the ring of constellations called the zodiac.
From the perspective of the Earth, at any given time, each planet is in front of one of these constellations.
For example, if Mars was in front of the Libra constellation when you were born, your Mars is in Libra.
Let's look at how we can create a natal chart for a person. We will name this example person Nic. Nic was born at 7pm CST on June 13, 1990 in Milwaukee.
Since it is evening time, the Sun is just setting on the western horizon. If we look to the eastern horizon, we see the constellation of Scorpio and we see the Moon.
Horizon with baby and scorpio constellation rising
With just this information, we can draw their chart like this:
The constellations (or "zodiac signs") are always 30° apart and in the same order. If we know where one zodiac sign is, we know where all of the other zodiac signs are, too.
All of the other planets are in the sky too. Let's add Mercury and Venus into the picture now. The orbiting balls show their movement around the Sun.
The symbols ☿ (Mercury) and ♀ (Venus) on the chart show where they are in their orbits when Nic was born.
This is all interesting astronomy, which anyone at NASA could understand and agree with. But what do we do with this natal chart? What does it mean?
For example, what can we say about someone whose Mars is in Gemini?
Imagine it's late at night and you look up.
You see a scary red ball in front of some stars in the shape of a couple of fun guys holding hands.
You've seen this before–you've seen this once every couple years, in fact.
During this time, your own scary red energy feels a little more fun & playful, just like two years ago.
Could the red ball be associated with anger and aggression? Could the two fun guys be associated with mischief and play?
Gemini constellation with Mars and Earth
In astrology, every combination of planet and constellation – or zodiac sign – has a specific meaning.
Mars in Gemini
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"I take action in a curious, chaotic way."