How to Read a Birth Chart Explained: First Steps

We discuss how to read a birth chart, and explain the first steps you should take and which techniques you should use to interpret an astrology chart, with astrologers Chris Brennan and Leisa Schaim.

New students of astrology often learn a number of different techniques, but they are often unsure of the order and priority that you should give different factors when you are first looking at a new natal chart.

Since there are many different approaches to astrology, astrologers will tend to develop different approaches or prioritize different things, and this became clear in a thread we started on Twitter in preparation for this episode.

Our goal with this episode was to outline our approach to what we prioritize when looking at a new chart, although many of these factors are generally consistent with most major traditions of western astrology.

What to Prioritize When Reading a Birth Chart:

Rising sign/Ascendant Ruler of the Ascendant: house, sign, aspects

Sect - day or night chart

Sun: sign, house, aspects

Moon: sign, house, aspects

Most positive benefic based on sect (Jupiter by day, Venus by night)

Most negative planet based sect (Mars by day, Saturn at night)

Stationary planets (within about a week before/after birth)

Notable chart patterns: a stellium, T-square, etc.

Planets conjunct the degrees of angles, and angular planets by sign

Elemental or modality emphasis

Close aspects, applying aspects, hard aspects

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This is episode 260 of The Astrology Podcast:

https://theastrologypodcast.com/2020/...

#TheAstrologyPodcast


Timestamps


00:00:00 Intro
00:06:55 Looking at what stands out
00:09:26 Tradition-specific approaches
00:11:50 Sun, moon, rising
00:12:50 Birth time and ascendant degree
00:16:20 Day or night chart
00:17:25 Sun and moon locations
00:19:00 Ruler of ascendant
00:23:53 Houses ruled by sun and moon
00:24:40 Planets in first house
00:27:07 Analyzing the big three
00:29:56 Moon and emotions
00:36:09 Positive and challenging planets
00:46:28 Judy Blume's chart
00:52:47 Stationary planets
00:57:09 Chart patterns
01:01:14 Planets conjunct degree of the angles
01:07:00 Elements and modalities
01:11:49 Close and hard aspects
01:13:39 Summary
01:17:02 Chart example Scorpio rising
01:22:08 Chart topics
01:25:50 Chart example Taurus rising
01:33:35 Chart example Virgo rising
01:39:45 Timing techniques
01:40:22 Annual profections
01:42:42 Transits
01:44:22 Saturn and life stage transits
01:46:42 Eclipses
01:49:03 Secondary progressions
01:51:12 Zodiacal releasing
01:53:46 Context importance
02:00:00 Final remarks