On AstrologyBay, we’ve talked about many different topics within the astrology branch. Everything from horoscopes, the Chinese Zodiac, palmistry, fortune-telling & more. But one thing we haven’t touched on too much is birth charts. And truthfully, a birth chart is essential to understanding who you are as a person inside & outside. But sometimes birth charts can get a bit confusing, & a lot of people don’t even know where to begin with it. And for that reason, today, we’re going to delve into an intro to the enigma of birth charts & a break down of the basics & all the important aspects you need to know as a beginner. So, without further ado, let’s get started.
What is a Birth Chart?
First & foremost, what is a birth chart? In simplest terms, a birth chart is a recording of the planets’ position & placement upon the time of your birth. Each unique planetary placement offers different influential traits into who you are. This also decides what your Zodiac sign is & it’s a position in the 12 houses of the Zodiac. But believe us, your birth chart goes far beyond just your Zodiac personality. And believe it or not, this can contribute to who you are more than any other branch of astrology, including your Zodiac traits (you can read more about this in the article, “Birth Chart for Beginners” by Astrology.com).
What information do you need in order to read your Birth Chart?
To read your birth chart you only need three things; the day, time & place. As long as you have this information, you can delve into your birth chart easily. If you are unsure about the exact city or exact time you were born, this information should be recorded on your birth certificate.
What information is recorded on Birth Charts?
While there are many different bits & pieces recorded on your birth chart, we’re going to go over the 4 most important sections today.
1. Sun sign
The sun sign is a representation of the position the sun was in the second you came into this world. This determines your Zodiac sign & personality (meaning, if the sun was in position with Cancer, your sign is Cancer). Our sun sign influences our outward demeanor. It is our ego, personality, drive & needs. This is the personality & energy you give off to those around you. To learn more about your sun sign & a more in-depth look, be sure to check out our article about it here.
2. Moon sign
Next, the moon sign is heavily focused on our emotions. This represents the more secretive, vulnerable, & intimate side of your personality that few rarely see. It highlights our feelings, fears, weaknesses, wants & needs & helps us to understand why we react the way we do to things. This can help to highlight areas where growth is necessary & help you to understand better what you want out of life overall.
3. Rising sign
Next, your rising sign, also known as your ascending sign, indicates the sign that was rising in the easter horizon when you were born. This, similarly to the sun sign, reflects personality, first impressions, & the self. This sign, alongside the sun & moon signs, is believed to make up the foundation of who you are.
4. The 12 houses
And to complete a beginner’s look into birth charts, let’s go over the 12 houses.
Each of the 12 houses is unique & associated with different traits that help make up each of our inner & outer personalities.
When a planet moves through a house, it alters & ignites the traits in that house in regards to your chart. This can help us understand different parts of our lives that will be brought forward into focus & why certain things change over time.
And because each of the houses is very detailed & intricate in their own way, we’re going to go over a brief overview of what they represent to help you easily understand their meaning.
The 12 Houses:
The First House:
Identity, the self, appearance, leadership & beginnings.
The Second House:
Money, self-esteem & childhood.
The Third House:
Communication, travel & siblings.
The Fourth House:
Foundation, family, home & ancestors.
The Fifth House:
Inspiration, creativity, attention, fun & romance.
The Sixth House:
Self-care, health, fitness & routine.
The Seventh House:
Business, relationships & marriage.
The Eighth House:
Transformation, sex property, investments & birth/death.
The Ninth House:
Adventure, inspiration, morals, luck & risk-taking.
The Tenth House:
Tradition, fame, authority & achievements.
The Eleventh House:
Friendships, networking, social aspects & astronomy.
The Twelfth House:
Lies, completion, afterlife & old age.
In conclusion, while there are many different aspects to a birth chart, we believe this is the perfect introduction for beginners to decode every element of your birth chart in an easy & simple way. If you enjoyed this article & are looking to dive in more, be sure to check out our other articles on birth charts here for additional information.