Example Chart: Maxie

Example Chart: Maxie

Author: Alison Price   –   Updated: January 2025

Example Chart Reading

I have so many requests from my readers for example chart readings and wanting more about how to get going with chart readings, where to start, what to look at first and what’s important. There are also many questions about what to ignore and move forward. I do think because there are so many moving parts with chart reading that it can be overwhelming to start with.

This week I’m going to go over again the basic approach I take to natal chart reading. I’m going to show what I pull forward initially and what I consider to be important in the natal chart and also how I would approach a 12-month forecast for an individual chart.

Information Overload

As I can only spend so much time doing this reading for our listener Maxie, in some instances I’ve just listed highlights about what I would be looking for, but without filling all the details out. But then further down I have explained in more detail about the two questions she had really, which were about forecasting in 2025 for love and career. While the natal chart is not fully fleshed out in this chart, I would normally explore all the full natal chart if she was an actual client.

Podcast Episode

You can listen to the podcast that Arwynne and I did on our example chart for Maxie who has given permission to have her chart shown publicly.

Birth Data

Maxie’s birth date is 8:20am, November 12th, 2003, in Phalaborwa, Limpopo Province, South Africa.
example-chart-maxie

Natal Chart

When I’m looking at a natal chart, there are 5 main points that I pull out to start with, and they are in order.

 

Let’s have a look at these 5 main chart points in greater detail.

Strong Balances

With balances. I’m looking for a broad overview of the chart before I get into the nitty gritty of the planetsAlso note, when I’m considering balances, I’m only looking at the visible planets. The seven visible planets are the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn.

Balances Overview

Polarity: Balanced.

Element: Water.

Mode: Mutable.

Hemisphere: Southern and the Moon rules.

Quadrants: Balanced.

Triple Division: 3rd, ruler is the Sun.

Emphasis: Sign – none.

Emphasis: House – none

Unaspected Planets: none.

Intercepted Signs: Aries and Libra.

Chinese: Yin – Water Ram.

Part 2: Ascendant Complex

With the ascendant complex I’m looking at. The sign of the ascendant, the ascendant degree, any aspects to the ascendant degree, and any first house tenants.

Ascendant Sign: Capricorn.

Ascendant Degree: 07°29′.

1st House Tenants: Chiron

Ascendant Aspects Neutral: Ascendant conjoined Chiron.

Ascendant Aspects Hard: Ascendant opposition Saturn.

Ascendant Aspects Soft: Ascendant trine Jupiter.

Saturn-purple

Part 3: Chart Ruler Complex

With the chart ruler complex, I’m looking to find the ruler of the Ascendant, the specific planet. I want to know which sign is it in, which house is it in and what is its condition by the aspects it has flowing towards it and whether or not it has position within the chart. If there are two chart rulers, each one has its own sheet.

Planet: Saturn

Direction: Retrograde

Sign: Cancer

Essential Dignity: Detriment

House: 3rd, cadent.

Rules: Chart, Northern hemisphere, 1st quadrant, 1st triple division, and 1st, 2nd and 3rd houses.

Position in Dispositor Tree: Gateway planet.

Hard Aspects

Saturn opposition Chiron.

Saturn opposition Ascendant.

Saturn square Pluto.

Saturn sesquiquadrate Mercury.

Saturn sesquiquadrate Uranus.

Soft Aspects

Saturn trine the Sun.

Saturn trine Mars.

Saturn sextile Jupiter.

Flex Aspects

Saturn quincunx Venus.

Major Aspect Patterns

Saturn in Mystic rectangle with Mars, Jupiter and Chiron.

Saturn in a water Grand Trine with the Sun and Mars.

Saturn in Finger of the World (or Thor’s Hammer) as the focal planet with Mercury and Uranus.

sun

Part 4: Luminaries: The Sun

The luminaries are the Sun and the Moon. With the Sun, I want to know what sign is it in, what house is it in, what aspects it has and whether or not it has positioned within the chart.

Sign: Scorpio.

House: 11th house succedent. Has accidental detriment.

Rules: 9th house.

Sun Aspects

Neutral Aspects

List all conjunctions to the Sun and what that means.

Hard

No hard aspects.

Soft

Sun trine Mars (Grand Trine).

Sun trine Saturn (Grand Trine).

Flex

Sun semi-sextile Pluto (minor).

Pre-Natal Eclipse

Her prenatal solar eclipse was on the 31st, May 2003 at 9°19′ Gemini in her 6th house.

Major Aspect Pattern

The Sun is in a water grand trine with Mars and Saturn. Note Mars disposes the Sun.

blue-moon

Part 4: The Luminaries: The Moon

Turning our attention now to the Moon, I’m looking at the sign the moon is in, the house the moon is in, whether or not it has positioned within the chart. I want to know what aspects the Moon has. At this point I will also be considering the lunar phase. Depending on the chart, I may at this point look into the lunar nodes as well.

Sign: Gemini.

House: 6th, cadent.

Rules: Southern hemisphere, 3rd quadrant and the 7th house.

Speed: Slow.

Declination: Out of bounds at N26°15′.

Lunar phase: Full Moon Phase.

Aspects Neutral: None

Aspects Hard

Moon opposition Pluto.

Moon square Midheaven.

Aspects Soft

Moon trine Uranus.

Major aspect pattern: None.

Major Aspect Patterns

Next, I turn my attention to any major aspect patterns within the chart. So that would include stelliums grand crosses, grand trines, T-squares and the like. I would consider the major aspect patterns in sequence of important as well. I’m also paying attention to whether or not the chart ruler, or the Sun, or the Moon is part of these major aspect patterns.

Maxie has an astonishing five major aspect patterns, a mystic rectangle, a water grand trine, a Venus mutable T-square, a Pluto mutable T-square and a Saturn Thor’s Hammer or Finger of the World.

Mystic Rectangle

The passive Mystic Rectangle is between Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Chiron.

Water Grand Trine

The water grand trine is between the Sun, Mars and Saturn (chart ruler).

Venus Mutable T-square

Her mutable Venus T-square has Venus square Mars and Jupiter and Jupiter and Mars are in opposition.

Note that Venus and Pluto are conjoined, so really these two T-squares could be interpreted as one.

Pluto T square

Her mutable Pluto T square has Pluto square Mars and Jupiter, and Mars and Jupiter are in opposition.

Saturn Thors Hammer or Finger of the World

Her Saturn Thor’s Hammer has Saturn sesquiquadrate to Mercury and Uranus, and Mercury and Uranus are square each other.

Committee Dispositor Tree

She has a 3-planet committee dispositor tree Mercury, Jupiter and Mars in the committee. Also note that Saturn, which is the chart ruler, is actually gateway planet above Chiron, Neptune and Uranus.

example-chart-maxie-dispositor-tree

Maxie’s Forecasting 2025

Special Focus

Maxie’s special focus request was “Romantic relationships and Work within the next year.”

Career

Regarding her first question about career, I looked at the 10th, 6th, and 2nd house and I considered Saturn and Mercury as the ruler of the Midheaven.

The solar return chart contains a very obvious pointer towards her career this year.

There were quite a few transits that will influence her career this year and I don’t want to go into them in great detail in this newsletter, but you can read full story on the main blog post.

Romance

The other part of her question was about romantic relationships. For her love life I looked at her 5th and 7th houses and Venus in greater detail. There are several significant transits coming up for her this year. Additionally, her progressed Venus has made a recent shift that is significant too. Furthermore, I picked up on things such as her Part of Marriage position and considered some aspects to the vertex.

Career

For career related questions we look at the 10th, 6th and 2nd houses and at Saturn’s complex.

10th House

10th Cusp Virgo ruled by Mercury

 

6th House

6th Cusp Gemini ruled by Mercury

 

Moon in 6th

 

Transiting Jupiter 6th

Transiting Jupiter in 6th until July 13th.

 

2nd House

2nd Cusp Aquarius ruled by Saturn (chart ruler) and Uranus

 

Neptune in 2nd

 

Transiting Pluto

Pluto just entered 2nd house

 

Saturn Complex

Saturn in 7th, chart ruler, retrograde and in detriment in Cancer.

Affairs of the Heart

5th House

Romance (5th)

For romance and love life questions we look at the 5th house complex.

5th cusp is Taurus so Venus rules 5th house.

The 5th house is where love blossoms. The 5th house represents dating, romances, flirting and looking for romantic partner. It is where you can fall in love.

North Node in 5th

Destiny is in your love life. Anytime a transiting planet conjoins your north node in the 5th house, you’re likely to feel that you are destined to love this person and they were destined to love you. Make sure that you have engage your mind as well, and I’m not just following your heart.

Vertex in 5th

The Vertex in the 5th house is a classic indicator of where people come and go within your life. This natal placement typically suggests that you cycle back around to people you knew and loved before. The Vertex in the 5th house is often an indication that people whom you knew in your past will remain in your heart, often for the rest of your life.

When any transiting planet conjoins your natal Vertex, at 16° Taurus, you are likely to feel the urge to rekindle an old flame. Additionally, any person who has their natal Sun conjoined your Vertex is likely to be seen as a romantic interest for you. These would be people whose birthday is on the 7th, 8th, or 9th of May of any year.

Committed Partnerships (7th)

7th house complex

7th house tenants: Saturn.

The 7th house ruler is the Moon in Gemini in the 6th.

Part of Marriage is at 3° 21′ Leo.

Intimacy (8th)

8th house ruler is the Sun.

Consider Mars for the chase and intimacy.

Consider Pluto for intimacy.

Venus

Venus for love. Veuns is in Sagittarius in the 12th house. Venus is the focal plant of one T-square.

2025 Inner Transits

The Sun, Mercury and Venus, travel close together and will bring their energies to bear on your romance for a varied time this year.

Transiting Sun

The transiting Sun will stimulate your love life from April 21st until May 26th. If you are single, this is a great time to meet somebody who touches your heart. If you are in a relationship, you may find that it becomes more significant the longer you spend the time with them.

Transiting Mercury

Mercury enters your 5th house on May the 10th until. May the 26th. For a short two weeks planet Mercury will stimulate your romantic sector as well. But this energy is more likely to be expressed through communications, new contacts you meet and anyone you meet face-to-face, or you exchange emails with or phone numbers who may be more important for you later on. In general, this is a great time to connect with people who you really enjoy being with, but not necessarily romantically although they certainly can be.

Transiting Venus

Transiting Venus when enter your 5th house on June the 7th until July 8th. As Venus passes through your 5th House of romance and love affairs, it is an ideal time to fall in love. Although you have to realize that Venus does this every single year of your life and it’s not every year you’re falling in love. However, if you are open to it, you are likely to meet somebody whom you find valuable, someone who you find worthwhile, and someone who you can appreciate on a deeper level, when Venus transits your 5th house.

7th House

7th cusp is Cancer so the Moon rules 7th

The 7th house represents all serious relationships such as marriage and long-term common-law relationships. In includes commitments like betrothals, engagements, dowries and prenuptial contracts. With Cancer on the cusp of 7th house and therefore the Moon ruling is likely that you will find your life-partner through family connections or via someone within your heritage.

Natal Saturn in 7th

Saturn is the chart ruler and retrograde and in detriment. Saturn in the 7th house typically indicates that you will marry an older, more established person or someone with a solid reputation. This placement suggests that you will marry later in life and usually after age 30 past your first Saturn return. Saturn in the 7th house (as the ruler of time) also indicates longevity and staying power with people who are in it for the long haul, in all your committed relationships.

2025 Superior Transits

Transiting Mars

Transiting Mars is currently in your 7th house retrograding back. It will go direct on February the 24th (this is a turning point) and then Mars will continue through the rest of your 7th house until it finally leaves on April the 20th.

So between now and mid-April there is likely to be a lot of activity in your relationship area. Mars is the planet that creates heat, friction and get you off the couch and urges you towards activities that help you seek out a partner.

While Mars is still retrograding, so up until February the 24th, things will not be clear.

It is only from February 25th onwards to April 20th, that you are likely to be able to clearly see a viable guy who can be a partner for you.

Remember too that Mars will come through your 7th house every two years. While you are not likely to get married every two years, nobody does, you are likely to have a more active partnership where you do things together. Perhaps you get outside, maybe with a sport activity or you both go hiking or something like that where you’re actually spending time together, doing something, with somebody.

Even people who’ve been married for 20 years will decide to do something with their spouse during the time that Mars stimulates their 7th house.

Transiting Jupiter

Jupiter enters your 7th house for almost a year from July 13th, 2025, until June 2026. 

When Jupiter enters your 7th house, there is likely to be opportunity for a serious relationship. What once started out as fun and laughter may finally expand into a partnership where you feel you could go far in life with the person. You are likely to have known someone for a while (since Jupiter was in your 5th) and then suddenly you see them with fresh eyes. 

The only downside to this transit is that you may be presented with more than one opportunity to cinch the deal. The danger here is that you may let someone special slip away while you’re off dallying elsewhere.

The Graphic Ephemeris

Forecast Time Frame

I’ve created a graphic ephemeris spanning two years beginning six months ago in July 2024. This graphic ephemeris only shows the aspects of the 8th harmonic, the conjunctions, oppositions, squares, semi-squares and sesquiquadrates.

I’m also only displaying the planets from Jupiter outwards.

Y-axis

Maxie’s natal positions are on the far-right column going down and each of her natal planets has a horizontal dotted line going across the page. As the transiting planets make aspects to the natal planets, the aspect glyph is placed at the intersection.

You can note that not every aspect is as relevant as others.

Maxie-graphic-ephemeris

Transiting Jupiter in the GE

Jupiter opposition Venus and Jupiter square Mars

Because Max is Venus and Mars are in a tight square, anytime when a transiting planet makes an aspect to either one, they will also make the aspect to the other. When back in July 2024, as Jupiter came by, it made the opposition to Venus and then the square to Mars. That was the first pass.

Jupiter then continued on direct and eventually retrograded back.

We see that now during January, February and March, Jupiter is peaking at the top in going to be making its station as well. This gives an extended period of January, February and half of March where Jupiter is is opposition her Venus and Jupiter is square Mars at the same time.

Both of these planets have to do with relationships, so we would be interested to looking at that as well.

Jupiter enters 7th House

Moving on to July 2025, you can clearly see where Jupiter is opposing the Ascendant, which really means that it’s entering the 7th House of serious partnerships.

Saturn Opposition Midheaven

During April 2025, Saturn will opposer Midheaven. That is the first pass. It then retrogrades back and once again opposes her Midheaven, retrograde,  in October 2025, and then finally makes the final and 3rd pass in January 2026 when Saturn once more opposes her Midheaven.

1st Pass

Typically, with a three hit transit. The first connection. Opens up the situation. So what happens in April career wise for her will be important to pay attention to. It could be people she meets or contacts you mates. Or even some training that she does.

2nd Pass

The second pass. Which in this case will be in October. Will bring more focus to. The situation that began to unfold during April and things can get firmed up at this point. However, because it is retrograde, she will still not have all the full details of how things are going to unfold. This could be a time of scrambling too. Established parameters or perhaps? Decide which company she might want to work with, or with bosses you may want to work with. But at this point, the fight nothing has been finalized. It is still under discussion during the retrograde.

3rd Pass

At the 3rd and final, direct part of Saturn opposing her Midheaven that’s occurs in January 2026, this is likely to be the month where things are finalized. Where perhaps she gets a job in the company she wants to work for, or perhaps she creates her own business that she’s been working on for over 8 months. As always at the third pass, it shows the finality of the situation which Saturn has created, established and maintained for her which began back in April 2025.

These three contact points where Saturn opposes the Midheaven on the three separate months will be highlighted. These are months where a lot more activity and achievements can be made career wise, but it is only as Saturn finally clears the last opposition that we will be able to see the outcome of her plans that have unfolded.

Interpretation

Saturn is the chart ruler, so any transits from Saturn are always important for her.

As Saturn moves into the 4th house and opposes her Midheaven is suggests there will be challenges with logistics to do with the home life and the career. Saturn in the 4th house is a very patriotic placement where people like to stay close to home.

However, it can also be a time when she establish a firm base from which to launch her life, because the IC see indicates the foundations of your life. She will want to create this firm base (perhaps buy a home) where she can launch her career from as she ventures out in the public domain.

It will be important for Maxie to make sure her home base is secure as she lines up career prospects that are calling her in her work life.

Transiting Uranus in the Graphic Ephemeris

Transiting Uranus will oppose Mercury during 2025 / 2026. The first pass will occur towards the last week at the end of June into July. The second pass will be at the early weeks of November and the third pass will be the last half of April 2026 moving into May.

Interpretation.

In Maxie’s natal chart, Mercury rules the Midheaven, so anytime planets contact Mercury, it will have a knock-on effect towards her career.

1st Pass

The first pass in June / July 2025 will set the stage and open up negotiations. Uranus opposing Mercury is likely to bring her unexpected connections and contacts that will benefit her later. This really means that she might be meeting people who can be influential in her future.

2nd Pass

Moving on to the second retrograde pass in November 2025. Again, this is likely to be a time where she continues to find new and innovative ways of communication or language skills or even considers doing more writing.

The second pass is always where you’re still in the midst of the situation, you are still in the weeds wading through. At this point you have to remember that you still do not have all the information, but you have enough to go on to start making plans.

3rd Pass

The 3rd and final pass of Uranus opposing Mercury will be in April and May 2026.

For example, this could be a time where she changes of designation in her career or where she perhaps does some writing, language, communication or editing or reviewing because it’s Mercury as the MC ruler it can be anything that has to do with her career.

One other thing that comes to mind is that her resume, CV or even her LinkedIn profile at this point will be established in the world the exact way she wants it to be.

From this point onwards, she could reflect back to June 2025 to how she thought things were going to unfold in her future (because the future is represented by Uranus).

Alternatively, it can be that she embraces new technology or something modern and fashionable which then becomes the main thing that she is talking about and thinking about in her day-to-day career.

Transiting Chiron semisquare Venus in the GE

Transiting Chiron on will make a semi-square to her Venus for an extended period from June to September 2025. It will then reappear in April 2026.

Interpretation

During this time, she could anticipate that Chiron and her love life represented by Venus will be a focus for her. Chiron is the gift in your chart, and it brings potential for good things once you have overcome any wounds you may have. Because it is opposing Venus, we would look to this as affairs of the heart and the love life where perhaps past hurts can finally be healed.

Clearly, everyone’s love life is a complex thing, but during the mid-year of 2025, Maxie will need to give herself some time to work through and heal any issues that there may be in her, in her love life. This may not be easy. 

For example, if she has been hurt romantically, this will need to be worked through before she can start another romantic relationship and not take the baggage (Chiron) with her into her new love life. Chiron will make the final opposition to Venus in April 2026, when once more these issues could come forward.

This Chiron opposition is unlikely to supersede the Jupiter going through her 7th house, bringing optimism and luck in serious and meaningful partnerships.

Venus

Progressed Venus enters your 1st house

On September the 8th, 2024 (basically four months ago) her progressed Venus crossed the Ascendant and entered your 1st house for personality.

Venus is likely to stay in your first house for around 30 years, although the main potency of this energy shift will only last until September 2025, whilst Venus is in orb of the conjunction to the Ascendant. Symbolically, this is Venus coming out of the darkness and entering the light. It can be an indication that love, and finances become more clear to you at this time and that the focus is on what youwant, rather than what you feel society is imposing on you.

The reason that we are looking at Venus, not only because Venus is the planet of love, but also because Venus rules your 5th house for romance. Your progressed Venus entering the 1st house, brings a sharp focus to you as a person. It lets you show your femininity, who you are as a young woman and what you would like to attract and what are looking for in love.

Progressed Sun conjoined Venus

In October 2025, your progressed Sun will exactly conjoin your natal Venus in the 12th house. This will be a highly auspicious time and even the two months leading up to it (before and after when the Sun is in orb of Venus) will be times that vibrate with this positive energy. Anytime the Sun comes through, it’s usually a good thing.

Solar Return

Solar Return November 2024

Your solar return chart is calculated every year at your birthday in November and will last for 12 months until your next birthday in November 2025. In this particular solar return chart for 2024, the Sun is in your 10th house.

This is a dynamic position bringing a bright spotlight onto your career. If you were thinking of moving up the corporate ladder or if you were thinking of opening your own business, this would be a brilliant time to do so, before November this year.

Solar Return: Sun Aspect Pattern

Sun Yod

Your current solar return’s Sun is at is the focal point in a yod patternThis is highly significant. The Sun is both quincunx to Jupiter and Chiron. Jupiter and Chiron are sextile to each other this creates the yod major aspect pattern.

Yods are typically spiritual in nature and the planet that is being pointed at, and in this case, it is the Sun in the 10th house, is the main feature for the pattern. This yod in your solar return chart is the main indicator.

Interpretation

This Sun yod shows that your growth potential and optimism (Jupiter) and your teaching or healing powers (Chiron), are flowing towards you, yourself, personally, (the Sun). It is a period when you have to step into the limelight. Remember, the Sun is your identity, it is who you are, your beating heart and life force. The Sun in a chart shows where you can stand up authentically as yourself without bending to the whims of others.

More Example Chart Interpretations

Below are a few more of our example chart interpretations. Each one explains the process of interpretation and of filtering out what is important in each individual chart.

Author Bio

Alison Price: Professional Astrologer

Alison helps you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor. She offers Consultations for everyone and Coaching for Aspiring Astrologers.

If you’d like to get in touch with Alison, you can reach out to her via email at starzology@gmail.com.

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Planetary Complexes

Planetary Complexes

Planetary Complexes

When you start learning how to read a chart, there are four main things that you have to consider. These are the ​cornerstones of chart reading​, which are signs, planets, houses and aspects and although you have to learn them to all to start with. Even if you’re an experienced astrologer, you will go back to the basics and continuously refer back to these four cornerstones. Over the years you will no doubt research, read and pay attention to the four cornerstone concepts. Every year that you practice astrology, you will know a little bit more about the signs, planets, houses and aspects and this knowledge adds to your skills as an astrologer.

Planetary Basics

Planets

Planets are considered one of the cornerstones of chart reading. Typically, there are 10 to 12 planets in each chart they are the Sun, the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto and Chiron. Additionally, some of you may add the dwarf planet Ceres into your planetary mix. The point is that every chart contains planets, but not all the planets will be as effective in one person’s chart as they are in another.

Planetary Weightings

Planet in Sign

Back in the day much consideration was given to planetary weightings which does key into planetary complexes, but the complexes go a few steps further. With planetary weightings, you consider the essential dignity of the planets and whether that planet can function well in that sign or not. For example, planets with essential dignity will get a score of:

  • Rulership +5
  • Exaltation +4
  • Fall -4
  • Detriment -5

Essential dignity is a simple way to look at planetary weightings.

Planetary Complexes

Consideration

Planetary complexes, on the other hand, don’t just consider the sign the planet is in. When you look at planetary weightings, you will look at the:

  • Chart Ruler
  • Sign
  • House
  • Aspects
  • Position
  • Chart shape
  • Dispositor tree
  • Direction
  • Antiscia
  • And maybe more

 

When considering planetary complexes, sometimes it is obvious which planet is more important. In cases like this you don’t have to dig into the weeds with planetary complexes for every single chart you do. It may be quite apparent, as you work through the list, which planet is rising to the top and is the most influential planet for that person.

I’ve created this list of planetary complex considerations in order of importance, as I see them. As you work your way down the list, use your intuition and discretion to determine which planet is stepping forward. Let’s look at all these planetary complex considerations in greater detail, so you know what you’re looking for.

Chart Ruler

Rising Sign

Whichever planet rules the sign on the Ascendant is the chart rulerThe signs on the Ascendant with their associated chart rulers are as follows:

  • Aries: Mars
  • Taurus: Venus
  • Gemini: Mercury
  • Cancer: The Moon
  • Leo: The Sun
  • Virgo: Mercury
  • Libra: Venus
  • Scorpio: Mars and Pluto
  • Sagittarius: Jupiter
  • Capricorn: Saturn
  • Aquarius: Saturn and Uranus
  • Pisces: Jupiter and Neptune

 

Two Rulers

Some charts will have two chart rulers, such as those with Scorpio, Aquarius or Pisces rising. In charts with two rulers, always consider both planets as equally important at this point in your deliberations. The chart ruling planet gains supreme strength. Very often the chart ruler is the strongest planet in the chart and although other planets can usurp it, it doesn’t happen that often.

Sign

Essential Dignity

The first thing to do would be to consider the planet in its sign and whether or not it can be effective there. This is measured by essential dignity.

Rulership

Planets in rulership are in their own sign. They are also said to be in dignity. In general, planets and rulership get a score of +5.

Exaltation

Planets in exaltation are in a sign where they are welcomed. In general, exalted planets get a score of +4.

Fall

Planets in fall are in a sign where they cannot effectively express their energies. Planets in fall generally get a score of -4.

Detriment

Planets in detriment are in signs, where they cannot function well at all. Planets in detriment generally get a score of -5.

Term

Planets and term are well placed and get a score of +3.

Face

Planets with face are well positioned and get a score of +2.

House

Accidental Dignity

When looking at planetary complexes and the house, you would consider whether the planet has accidental dignity or not. A planet has accidental dignity when it is in the natural house of its sign of dignity. For example, the Sun in the 5th house is in accidental dignity because in the natural wheel Leo is in the 5th house position. I generally give accidental dignity planets a score of +1. Also note that planets could be an accidental exaltation, fall and detriment and that needs to be considered as well.

Type of House

A planet will be either in an angular, succedent or cadent house. You need to consider which type of house the planet is in as planets in each of these types of houses are able to express themselves in different ways. The scoring I give to planets in types of houses as follows:

  • Angular +1
  • Succeeded 0
  • Cadent -1

But to be quite clear. I only consider type-of-house scoring when I’m trying to break a deadlock.

Aspects

Aspects

In most charts, every planet has some aspects, but a few are more important than others. Aspects to consider highly are:

  • Conjunctions and parallels
  • Oppositions and contra-parallels
  • Squares
  • Aspects to the chart ruler, the Sun or the Moon.

Applying or Separating

All aspects which are applying are more important than aspects that are separating.

Opening or Closing

All aspects will be either opening or closing except the conjunction and the opposition. Aspects which are opening are more important than aspects which are closing.

Chart Position

Where

The position a planet holds within a chart is important. It may not have any essential dignity to speak of, or be well aspected or in a good house, but if a planet has position, you need to pay attention.

Most Elevated

Only one planet will be the most elevated planetThe most elevated planet gains strength by its position in the chart.

Gauquelin Sector

There are two main Gauquelin sectors, the Ascendant and the Midheaven. Any planets in these sectors gain strength.

Cazimi

Planets will be cazimi if they are within 0°17’ of a conjunction to the Sun. The cazimi orb is often debated by astrologers, but moving on… Cazimi gives the planet supreme position in the heart of the Sun.

Influence in Chart Shape

Cutting Planet

Some chart shapes will have a cutting planet which leads the pack. Chart shapes which contain a cutting planet are:

  • Bowl
  • Bucket
  • Bundle
  • Fan
  • Locomotion

If a planet is the cutting planet within a chart shape, it gains strength.

Handle Planet

Some chart shapes contain a handle planet. The chart shapes with handle planets are:

  • Bucket
  • Fan

If a planet is a handle planet, it gains strength.

planetary-complexes

Dispositor Tree

Final Dispositor

If a chart has a final dispositor tree, and the planet in question is the final dispositor, it gains supreme strength.

Gateway Planet

In any type of dispositor to tree, if the planet in question is a gateway planet, it gains a modicum of strength.

Direction

Direct

In general, planets which are direct are stronger than planets which are retrograde.

Stationary

Always check for stationary planets which are those planets within 0°10 of the exact turning point of the station. If a planet is stationary direct it is stronger than any planet which is stationary retrograde.

Antiscia

Antiscia and Contra-antiscia

If a planet is antiscia to another planet within the chart, it gains a modicum of strength. Planets in contra-antiscia are moot.

Overarch

Why Bother

Determining planetary complexities is a is an interesting thing about charts. I work through each chart and analyze the planets within it by their complexes. I generally find that one planet has a far greater complex than the others and these planets are important to the person. And not only that, if you are then considering specifics within a birth chart, such as, financial or love life questions where you need to consider the Venus complex, if you have already extrapolated the full complex out before you get to do the interpretation, you’re on a better footing with your analysis for that person. In general, most charts have one and sometimes two planets which are strong. The strong planet is the one that you can lean into as an astrologer, because the person who’s chart it is will know about this planet’s energy already as they will be working with it on a daily basis.

Calculate

Every time I cast a chart for a client, I calculate all the planetary complexes, so I can fully understand what’s going on in a chart.

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Author Bio

Alison Price: Professional Astrologer

Alison helps you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor. She offers Consultations for everyone and Coaching for Aspiring Astrologers.

If you’d like to get in touch with Alison, you can reach out to her via email at starzology@gmail.com.

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Your Astro Biz Session

Your Astro Biz Session

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Podcasting and Joe Rogan’s Birth Chart

Podcasting and Joe Rogan’s Birth Chart

Author: Alison Price   -   Published: March 2025 Podcasting In our latest Starzology Astrology podcast episode, Arwynne and I look at the astrology of podcasting. We also look at the natal chart of contemporary podcaster Joe Rogan. Podcasting Planet We discuss the...

3 Tips to Reduce Interpretation Overwhelm

3 Tips to Reduce Interpretation Overwhelm

Author: Alison Price  Published: March 2024

Interpretation Overwhelm

When you’re just starting to learn how to read a chart, it can feel like there’s a lot to take in. Whether you’re a hobbyist, an amateur, or a student astrologer, it’s helpful to start by focusing on the essentials.

You don’t have to tackle everything at once; instead, you can gradually explore the finer details of chart reading over time.

The key is to prioritize understanding the main elements of the chart first.

Many people wonder where to begin with chart reading because there’s so much to explore. It’s true, there are countless details, some obvious and some more subtle, waiting to be discovered.

However, you don’t need to try to absorb everything all at once, especially with your next chart.

To help ease the overwhelm of starting out as an astrologer, here are three strategies you can use when approaching a chart for the first time.

Interpretation Overwhelm: Visible Planets

Planets to Display

One approach to reduce overwhelm is to focus solely on the visible planets.

Traditionally, there are seven visible planets: the Sun, the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.

To start, I recommend displaying only these planets on the chart.

  

Planets to Cut Out

You won’t include Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto, or factors like Chiron, Eris, and other asteroids.

Also, you won’t show into the lunar nodes or other specific points for now.

These topics are best saved for later exploration.

Interpretation Overwhelm: Ptolemaic Aspects

Big Five Aspects

To further simplify your interpretation process, focus only on the five Ptolemaic aspects.

These include the conjunction, opposition, trine, square, and sextile.

These are the essential aspects you should concentrate on initially.

Aspects To Ignore

You should disregard the minor aspects, including the semi-sextile, quincunx, semi-square, and sesquiquadrate.

Also, ignore any aspects beyond the basic five, such as quintiles, septiles, noviles, and deciles.

While these lesser-used aspects have their significance, you don’t need to focus on them when you’re just starting out.

Interpretation Overwhelm: Tighten Orbs

Cut Orbs

Next, I recommend halving the orbs.

By doing so, you’ll focus only on the aspects that are tighter in orb, making them more significant in the chart reading.

This adjustment helps streamline your interpretation process.

Conjunctions, Oppositions, Trines and Squares

Reduce the orb for the conjunction from its original 8° to 4°, allowing only conjunctions with a 4° orb or less to appear in the chart.

Similarly, adjust the orbs for oppositions, trines and squares to also have a 4° orb.

This ensures that only tighter aspects are considered in the chart analysis.

Sextiles

When halving the orbs, decrease the orb for the sextile from 4° to 2°.

With fewer aspects to interpret, you’ll focus on the ones that matter most initially.

Keep in mind that tighter orbs indicate greater significance for the aspect.

Example Chart: Andy Warhol

Let’s have a look at an example chart with these three ways of reducing overwhelm applied.

  

Chart Data

We’ll take the chart for Andy Warhol who was born at 6:30 AM on August the 6th, 1928 in Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

Andy-warhol-birth-chart
Andy-warhol-aspectarian

Visible Planets Only

In a typical full birth chart, which is what I usually use, there are 12 planets and four points displayed.

However, this chart also includes 55 aspects in the aspectarian, which a professional astrologer would interpret, but you don’t need to dig into all of them at the beginning.

By simplifying the display to include only the visible planets, the chart becomes much easier to read.

You’ll immediately notice that it’s simpler to interpret, with only seven aspects in the aspectarian for you to understand.

Andy-warhol-birth-chart-visible-planets-only
Andy-warhol-aspectarian

Ptolemaic

When we narrow down the aspects to the five Ptolemaic ones, the chart becomes significantly easier to interpret.

Now, there are only 6 aspects to decipher, comprising 3 squares and 3 trines.

Andy-warhol-birth-chart
ansy-warhol-birth-chart-aspectarian-ptolemaic-aspects-only

Cut Orbs

By halving the orbs, we further reduce the number of aspects to deal with. Now, there are only 3 aspects remaining.

However, it’s important to note that the Fire Grand Trine is the only aspect pattern left in this chart, underscoring the supreme significance of this major aspect pattern and the 3 trines that comprise it for this specific chart reading.

Andy-warhol-birth-chart
Andy-warhol-aspectarian

Take Away

Interpretation Overwhelm

By implementing all three steps to reduce the amount of data for interpretation, the information is significantly pared down.

In Andy Warhol’s chart, we’re left with only 3 aspects.

However, it’s not necessary to take all three steps every time you want to reduce the quantity of information to interpret. You can opt for just one of the steps mentioned above.

For instance, you might choose to retain all the planets in the chart but simply reduce the orbs.

Alternatively, you could keep all the planets but focus solely on Ptolemaic aspects.

Either approach will effectively decrease the amount of information you need to interpret.

Sign and House

For your chart reading you will still have to interpret every planet which is displayed by its sign and house. That’s where using the visible planets comes in.

Aspects

As you begin to trim down both the aspect set and the orbs within it, you’ll notice a considerable decrease in the workload for each chart.

The beauty of this approach to reducing information overwhelm is that what remains are the crucial Ptolemaic aspects involving visible planets.

These aspects form the backbone of the chart reading process.

Creating Information Overwhelm

Let’s approach this from another angle.

Whenever you introduce additional elements to a chart, such as asteroids or fixed stars, you inevitably increase the interpretation load.

Each new component requires consideration by sign, house and aspect, adding more work to the process.

Moreover, if you decide to include quintile aspects, while intriguing, it further burdens your interpretation load since these aspects also need to be analyzed.

The key takeaway here is that the more you add to a chart, the more it contributes to your interpretation workload.

Conversely, simplifying what’s displayed within the chart brings clarity to what truly matters, focusing on the tight, Ptolemaic aspects between visible planets.

  

Let me know which of these 3 tips you will try to reduce your chart information load and improve your chart readings.

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Author Bio

Alison Price: Professional Astrologer

Alison helps you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor. She offers Consultations for everyone and Coaching for Aspiring Astrologers.

If you’d like to get in touch with Alison, you can reach out to her via email at starzology@gmail.com.

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Podcasting and Joe Rogan’s Birth Chart

Podcasting and Joe Rogan’s Birth Chart

Author: Alison Price   -   Published: March 2025 Podcasting In our latest Starzology Astrology podcast episode, Arwynne and I look at the astrology of podcasting. We also look at the natal chart of contemporary podcaster Joe Rogan. Podcasting Planet We discuss the...

Taurpio

Taurpio

Author: Alison Price   –   Published: February 2024

Background

In early 2024 I had the idea to offer online chart interpretations. These would be for listeners of our podcast.

The online astrology reading is not a face-to-face consultation, but it is an interpretaion that is discussed on the podcast or perhaps on Youtube. I considered inviting Arwynne to join in the conversation on some of them and she was excited to chim in on this, the first online astrology reading. I am happy that Arwynne joined me for the interpretation on the podcast.

Also please note that there was so much interest in the Online Astrology Readings that there is an 8 month waitlist because we need to catch up with all the readings already requested.

 

 

Chart Details

Birth City

When starting any chart reading you need the birth details. Taurpio’s was born at 6:28 pm, on the 28th April 1983, in Wellington, New Zealand.

 

Current City

Because I will look at the transits, I asked where she was living now and it turns out that she now resides in Perth, Australia.

taurpio-natal-chart

Balances

Visible Planets

Only counting the visible planets.

Hemispheres

Moving on to the hemispheres,  the four Hemispheres are balanced.

Quadrants

The four Quadrants are balanced.

 

 

Strong

Mode

Fixed = 5

Triple Division

2nd Triple Division = 4

Sign

Taurus = 5

House

6th house 6

 

 

Chart Shape

Shape see saw chart typically has many oppositions and not many trines. There are usually two sides to the chart.

 

Ascendant Complex

Sign and Degree

The Ascendant is at 28° Scorpio.

 

First House Planets

Part of the Ascendant complex are any planets in the 1st house. Planets in the angular 1st house are well placed. In Taurpio’s chart there are two 1st house planets. Uranus is conjoined Jupiter in the first house in Sagittarius.

 

Ascendant Aspects

Ascendant Neutral Aspects

The Ascendant is conjoined the Moon in fall in Scorpio and in the sensitive Ascendant Gauquelin sector.

Ascendant Hard Aspects

The Ascendant is opposite Mercury and Chiron both in Taurus in the 6th house.

Chart Ruler Complex: Mars

Mars

As Scorpio is the Ascendant sign and because Mars rules Scorpio, Mars becomes the first chart ruler.

 

Mars Sign

The chart ruler, Mars, is in detriment in Taurus and gets a score of -5.

 

 

Mars House

Mars is in the 6th house.

 

Mars Position

Mars is the Evening Planet as it sets after the Sun.

 

Mars’ Aspects

Mars Aspects Neutral

Mars is conjoined Mercury and the Part of Fortune.

Mars Aspects Hard

Mars is opposite the Moon.

Chart Ruler Complex: Pluto

Chart Ruler’s Sign

The second chart ruler, after Mars, is Pluto as it is the modern ruler of Scorpio. 

  

Chart Ruler’s Sign

Pluto is in Libra.

  

Chart Ruler’s House

Pluto is in the 12th house.

  

Pluto’s Aspects

Pluto Aspects Neutral

Pluto is conjoined Saturn.

  

Pluto Aspects Soft

Pluto is sextile Neptune. This is a generational aspects and millions of people have it in their chart.

Pluto is trine the North Node and sextile the South Node.

 

Pluto Quincunx Chiron

 

Sun Complex

Sun Sign

The Sun is in Taurus.

Sun House

The Sun is in the 6th house.

Sun Rules

The Sun rules the Midheaven, the 6th house, the Eastern Hemisphere and the 4th Quadrant (Q4).

 

Sun Aspects

Sun Aspects Neutral

The Sun conjoins Mars and the Part of Fortune.

 

Sun Aspects Hard

The Sun is opposite Saturn.

 

Sun Aspects Adjustments

The Sun is quincunx Jupiter and Uranus.

  

Moon Complex

Moon Sign

The Moon is in Scorpio which is not well placed as it is in Fall and gets a score of -4.

Moon House

The Moon is in the private 12th House.

Moon Rules

The Moon only rules the 9th house.

Lunar Phase

This chart has a Full Moon phase where the light of the Moon is very bright.

  

   

Moon Position

The Moon is in the Ascendant Gauquelin sector which gives it weight.

 

   

Moon Aspects

Moon Aspects Neutral

The Moon is conjoined the Ascendant.

Moon Aspects Hard

The Moon is opposite Mercury, Mars, Chiron and the Part of Fortune.

 

Dispositor Tree

Dispositor trees are another way to visualize the chart. This chart has two dispositor trees. The first is a Planet in Sign Tree, the Jupiter one, and the second is the Mutual Reception Tree with Mercury and Venus.

See the Dispositor Tree diagram further down.

 

Planet is Sign: Dispositor Tree

Jupiter is in its own sign of Sagittarius and so is well placed on the top line. Below Jupiter is Uranus and Neptune in Sagittarius. Jupiter disposes both Uranus and Neptune.

 

Mutual Reception Dispositor Tree

The two planets in mutual reception are Mercury and Venus. Mercury is in Venus’ sign of Taurus and Venus is in Mercury’s sign of Gemini. This means that Mercury and Venus are in mutual reception and have equal status in the dispositor tree. They go on the top line.

Below Venus is Chiron, Mars and the Sun in Taurus and Pluto in Libra. Venus disposes Chiron, Mars and the Sun. Below Mars is the Moon and Saturn in Scorpio. Mars disposes the Moon and Saturn. There are no planets below Mercury because there are no other planets other than Venus in either of Mercury’s signs Gemini and Virgo.

Links and Aspects

I always note any links (the arrows) that are also aspects in the chart. In this chart Jupiter is linked to Uranus and there is a conjunction between the two. The Moon and Mars are linked in the tree and they are in opposition to each other as well. The aspected links are maked in red.

Chart Rulers

I always highlight the chart rulers in a dispositor tree and in this chart the two chart rulers are Mars and Scorpio which are highlighted in yellow.

Taurpio-dispositor-tree-diagram

Main Comments from Taurpio

These are the main comments and question that Taurpio wanted us to focus on. Arwynne and I can’t cover everything in a 30 minute podcast, so we did what we could.

  

Reading Special Focus?

“How to make the best of the delightful pluto square pluto transit I’m going through. Somewhat challenging.”

Your Favourite Starzology Astrology Podcast Episodes?

“I love them all. I find yourself and Arwynne super engaging. I really enjoy the planets through the signs, also when you talk about generational transits i.e Chiron return. Also enjoyed the Oriental planet, mine’s Neptune.”

Additionally…

“I feel like I have a lot of polarity in my chart, very fixed energy of ♉️ and ♏️. Also interested to hear about the axis of the 6th and 12th houses.”

Forecasting: Transits recent Past

Pluto square Pluto

This transformative aspects which was in place for the past two years has finally cleared. Taurpio specifically asked about this aspect and we discuss in more in the podcast episode.

 

Forecasting: Transits Upcoming

Pluto square Saturn

Pluto is squaring Saturn now and will do so another two times during the course of 2024. This is marked in orange on the Dispositor Tree.

 

Taurpio-natal-transit-bi-wheel

Graphic Ephemeris

Graphic Ephemeris Defaults

I always set my Graphic Ephemeris defaults as follows:

  

  • 45 degrees.
  • Eighth harmonic aspects.
  • Two years.
  • Start six months ago.
  • Go ahead for 18 months.
taurpio-graphic-ephemeris

Graphic Ephemeris: What to Add

Once I have the Graphic Ephemeris printed out, I begin to add extra forecasting details. These other forecasting techniques are great at underlying what has already been brought forward in the transits.

Graphic Ephemeris: Eclipses

I look for lunar and solar eclipses for the next 12 months. I add any eclipses that conjoin the natal chart planets or points.

Graphic Ephemeris: Secondary Progressions

For the secondary progressions, I add any secondary progressed planet that changes of sign or house in teh next year. Additionally I add any secondary progressed planet of angle that conjoins a natal planet or points.

Graphic Ephemeris: Solar Arc Directions

I add the Solar arc directed planet changes of sign or house. I also add any Solar arc directed planets that conjoin a natal plants or point. See more on this later.

Solar Return Chart

The solar return chart can standalone and be interpreted by itself. This is another direct forecasting technique that I use after transits and eclipses. I always cast the solar return chart for the place they are at on their birthday.

With a solar retrun chart I look for:

 

  • The Solar Return Sun’s house.
  • The Solar Return Sun’s aspects.
  • Solar return ascendant in the natal chart.

You can continue on and interpret the whole chart but remember that is is the Sun that is the basis of this chart and therefore the Sun in the solar return chart is the most important.

If you want to loo for love and money then cast a Venus return chart and interpret that.

Taurpio-solar-return-chart

Secondary Progressions

With secondary progressions I cast the secondary progressed chart but mainly look at the bi-wheel and not the standalone secondary progressed chart.

When using bi-wheels I alwasy put the natal chart in the center as that is what everything else is based on. The person is the topic and the secondary progressed planets will affect the natal chart from the outside in to the natal cahrt or the core of the person.

The bi-wheel has the natal chart in the center and the secondary progressed chart on the outside.

 

What to Look for in Secondary Progressions

The three main secondary progressions that I am looking for are:

 

  • Secondary progressed Moon phase and when is the next phase change.
  • Secondary progressed planets or points changing natal sign.
  • Secondary progressed planets or points changing natal house.
  • Secondary progressed planets or points conjoining natal planets.

 

Personally, I don’t often consider other secondary progressed aspects unless I’m into the deeper third, fourth or fifth sessions with my client.

Taurpio-bi-wheel-natal-and-secondary-progression

Solar Arc Directions

With solar arc directions I cast the solar arc directed chart but only look at the bi-wheel and not the standalone solar arc directed chart.

When using bi-wheels I always put the natal chart in the center as that is what everything else is based on. The person is the topic and the solar arc directed planets will affect the natal chart from the outside in to the natal chart or the core of the person.

The bi-wheel shown below has the natal chart in the center and the solar arc directed chart on the outside.

 

What to Look for in Solar Arc Directions

The three main secondary progressions that I am looking for are:

 

  • Directed planets or points changing natal sign.
  • Directed planets or points changing natal house.
  • Directed planets or points conjoining natal planets.

 

Personally, I don’t often look at other solar arc directed aspects, like squares and oppositions, unless I’m into the deeper third, fourth or fifth sessions with my client.

Taurpio-bi-wheel-natal-and-solar-arc-directions

Conclusion

Chart Overview

In this post I have highlighted the important factors in this chart. I would urge you to develop your chart reading skills by working through the post from top to bottom and concentrate on the chart details that I have brought forward for consideration. Yes, there is much more to discuss about this chart, but those bits can be left for another day.

I want to inspire you, an Aspiring Astrologer, to get better at chart reading by focussing in on what really matters in a chart and leaving the lighter signifiers for another day.

I think it is better to teach someone how to fish and not give them a fish. So to relate that to chart interpretation, “It is better to teach you how to interpret a chart than to do it for you.” This is why I have not provided thorough interpretations in this question because you need to do it for yourself.

 

Chart Interpretation Done For You

However, if you requested a full chart consultation from me, then I would give you all the information surrounding the placements in the chart and the full forecast prediction.

 

Thanks

I want to thank Taurpio for sending in her questions and especially for listening to our podcast in the first place. This post answers our podcast listener Taurpio’s questiions. It is heartening to know that we have listener’s from as far away as Perth, Western Australia in our audience. This shows the power of podcasting.

 

 

 

Taurpio-pin

 

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Feedback

Below is some recent feedback from Taurpio about the podcast and what she thought of our interpretation (edited for brevity).
Thank you Taurpio.
  
⭐️
  
Hi Alison,
  
A big thank you to you and Arwynne for the online interpretation of my chart. I listened while taking my dog out for a walk. Pretty spot on really, particularly the part about my parents, I have a Taurus mother and a Scorpio father.
  
Anyway so generous of you to offer these readings. Look forward to booking an online consultation with you in future.
  
The information on the blog is so helpful also. 
  
I thoroughly enjoy all of your podcast episodes and learn something new every episode. Have shared with my friends and family also.
  
Have a great day.
  
Best regards,
  
Taurpio
  

Author Bio

Alison Price: Professional Astrologer

Alison helps you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor. She offers Consultations for everyone and Coaching for Aspiring Astrologers.

If you’d like to get in touch with Alison, you can reach out to her via email at starzology@gmail.com.

 

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Chart Interpretation Example for Bo

Chart Interpretation Example for Bo

Author: Alison Price   –   Published: October 2023   –   Revised: January 2024

Chart Interpretation Example

See how to get organized to start a CHART INTERPRETATION. You can listen to the interpretation in the podcast episode below or read on for all the main margin notes that I extracted to read this birth chart. I’d like to thank Bo for giving us permission to use his birth chart for this training. We appreciate you.

 

Podcast Episodes

Bo’s Natal Chart Interpretation

In the first podcast episode, Alison and Arwynne go through a new chart interpretation step by step and extract the most important planets and signifiers. This is the way professional astrologers begin their chart readings.

 

Listen now >>> Bo’s Natal Chart Interpretation Prep

 

The Duality of Pisces

In the second podcast episode Arwynne welcomes Bo. This is a wide-ranging discussion on the most complex and hard-to-define sign of all. Pisces might also might be the most misunderstood and maligned sign in the zodiac. This episode is an illuminating deep dive for anyone struggling to pin down what the deepest of the water signs is all about. We explore the complexities, contradictions, dreams, intuitions, addictions, ambitions and sacrifices that make this sign so unique, and why we would all benefit from understanding the oceanic energies of Pisces a little better.

   

 

Chart Details

Bo’s natal chart details as given are as follows:

  • 9:32 am, January 22nd, 1988, Ness City, Kansas, USA.

This birth data is rated “AA” on the Rodden Rating as the time (9:32 am) is recorded on his actual birth certificate in hand.

 

Chart Calculation Defaults

We are using standard Western astrological defaults including:

  • The Tropical zodiac.
  • The Placidus house system.
  • The True Node.

This chart is calculated with Astro Gold.

 

Standard Orbs

Our standard natal orbs for both applying and separating aspects are:

  • 8° for conjunctions, oppositions, trines and squares.
  • 4° for sextiles.
  • 2° for semi-sextiles, semi-squares, sesquiquadrates and quincunxes.
  • 1° for quintiles, biquintiles, parallels and contra-parallels.

 

Begin Gathering the Information

This is how to approach a chart interpretation using the method I’ve been using for years. The aim is to get all the relevant information onto one page to start with.

 

Bos-birth-chart

Step 1: Balances

The balances refer to the polarity, elements, modes, hemispheres, quadrants, triple divisions, signs and houses. Only count the seven visible planets.

Polarity

In this chart the active polarity has five and the passive polarity has two planets. This makes the active polarity strong. People who are strong in the Active polarity are positive and eject energy into the world by their thoughts and actions.

 

Element

Now let’s consider the elements. In this chart there are three planets in Fire, Earth has no planets, Air has two planets and Water has two planets. This makes Fire slightly stronger than the other elements. Technically, for an element to be strong it must have two more planets than the next best element, which fire doesn’t. It only has one more planet than the next best elements which are Air and Water. Strong fire people are inspirational and will inspire others as well.

Explore more >>> Astrological Elements

Explore more >>> The Elements and Herbs

 

Mode

Turning to the modes. In this chart. Cardinal has one planet fixed has two planets and Mutable has four planets. This makes the Mutable mode strong with four planets. For a mode to be strong it technically must have two more planets than the next best mode. In this case the next best mode is Fire with two planets therefore Mutable is strong. People who are strong Mutable types are amenable to change.

 

Hemispheres

Of the four hemispheres, the Northern hemisphere has three planets, the Southern hemisphere has four planets, the Eastern hemisphere has six planets, and the Western hemisphere has one planet. This makes the Eastern hemisphere strong with six planets. People with a strong Eastern hemisphere. Have a great focus on their lives and what they are doing.

Hemisphere Ruler

The Eastern hemisphere ruler is Jupiter (as Sagittarius is on the MC). Jupiter is in its own hemisphere (Eastern) so this make Jupiter a focus planet for us to note.

Quadrants

Considering the quadrants. The first quadrant has three planets. The second quadrant has zero planets. The third quadrant has one planet. And the 4th quadrant has three planets. Because the 1st and the 4th quadrants have equal amount of planet. There is no strength in quadrants here.

 

Triple Division

Moving on to the triple divisions. The first triple division has three planets. The second triple division contains zero planets, and the third triple division has four planets. This makes the third triple division slightly stronger. However, technically, for a division to be strong it needs to have two more planets than the next best triple division, which the third division doesn’t. That’s why the third division just getting the “slightly stronger” label. The third Triple division is the “Them” division, where the focus is on what’s going on in the world.

Sign Emphasis

The sign with the most planets is Sagittarius. Therefore, the sign of The Archer, Sagittarius, is emphasised.

 

House Emphasis

There is no house with more than two planets thus no house emphasis.

Step 2: Ascendant Complex

Ascendant Sign

The Ascendant sign is Pisces. This makes the chart ruler the greatest planet of all, Jupiter.

First House Planets

The planets in the first house are Venus in Pisces and the Moon in Pisces. We also note that the north node is in the first house in Pisces as well.

Aspects to the Ascendant

Looking at aspects to the Ascendant, and we have Venus conjoined the ascendant and Mars is square the ascendant.

Step 3: Chart Ruler Complex

Chart Ruling Planet

The chart ruler is Jupiter because Pisces is on the Ascendant and Jupiter rules Pisces.

Ruler’s Sign

Jupiter is in Aries. Note that Jupiter is in mutual reception with Mars in Sagittarius.

Ruler’s House

Jupiter is in the second house.

Ruler’s Aspects

Jupiter is conjoined the Part of Fortune and Eris. It receives sextiles from Mercury and Chiron, and trines from Saturn and Uranus. Note that Jupiter only has soft aspects and therefore is unafflicted. Very nice.

gathering-info-for-a-chart-reading-diagram

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Step 4: Luminaries

The Sun

Sun’s Sign

The Sun is in Aquarius which is in detriment as it is in the sign opposite its rulership sign of Leo, so it gets a score of -5 in Essential Dignity.

Sun’s House

The Sun is in the 12th house.

Sun’s Aspects

The Sun is unaspected as it does not receive a Ptolemaic aspect from another planet. However, the Sun does receive a lesser-used aspect, the bi-quintile, from Chiron. Additionally, the Sun is trine the South Node. Even though the Sun receives two aspects, it is technically considered “Unaspected” because the Sun does not receive a Ptolemaic aspect from another planet.

Luminaries: The Moon

Moon’s Sign

The Moon is in Pisces.

Moon’s House

The Moon is in the first house. Well placed in an angular house.

Moon’s Aspects

The Moon is conjoined the North Node and trine Pluto. The Moon is quintile Neptune. The Moon’s hard aspects are squares from Saturn and Chiron. The Moon is the focal planet in the T-square. The Moon receives an opposition from the South Node. The Moon is opposition and contra-parallel the Vertex. This makes the opposition to the Vertex a double whammy opposition and is therefore a more significant aspect.

Lunar Phase

The lunar phase is Crescent.

arwynne-and-bo-waving-outside

Arwynne and Bo

Part 5: The Other Planets in Order

Venus

Venus’ Sign

Venus is in Pisces, in exaltation. Venus gets a score of +4 for it’s exalted status in Essential Dignity.

Venus’ Position

Venus is the rising planet and Venus is in the Ascendant Gauquelin sector.

Venus’ House

Venus is in the first house. Well placed in an angular house.

Venus’ Aspects

Venus is conjoined the Ascendant. Venus is square Mars. Venus is trine Pluto and sextile Neptune. Venus is quintile Saturn.

Chiron

Chiron’s Sign

Chiron is in Gemini. Chiron is the only retrograde planet in Bo’s chart.

Chiron’s House

Chiron is in the fourth house. Chiron is part of the only T-square.

Chiron’s Aspects

Chiron is trine Mercury and sextile Jupiter. Chiron is opposition Saturn and square the Moon and part of the T-square. Chiron is opposition Uranus. Chiron is biquintile the Sun.

Pluto

Pluto’s Sign

Pluto is in Scorpio, in dignity and gets a score of +5 for Essential Dignity.

Pluto’s House

Pluto is in its natural eighth house which makes it in accidental dignity. I give Pluto a score of +1 for this. Well placed.

Pluto’s Aspects

Pluto is square Mercury. Pluto is trine the Moon and Venus and sextile Neptune (generational aspect).

Mars

Mars’ Sign

Mars is in Sagittarius.

Mars’ Position

Mars is well positioned as the Most Elevated Planet. Mars is in the Midheaven Gauquelin sector.

Mars’ House

Mars is in the ninth house.

Mars’ Aspects

Mars receives a trine from ErisMars receives a square from Venus. Mars is quintile Mercury.

Saturn

Saturn’s Sign

Saturn is in Sagittarius.

Saturn’s House

Saturn is in the tenth house so is in accidental dignity because the 10th house is Saturn’s natural house (+1).

Saturn’s Aspects

Saturn is conjoined Uranus. Saturn is trine Jupiter and trine the Part of Fortune. Saturn is square the Moon, opposition Chiron and square the Lunar Nodes. Saturn is quintile Venus.

Uranus

Uranus’ Sign

Uranus is in Sagittarius.

Uranus’ House

Uranus is in the tenth house.

Uranus Aspects

Uranus is conjoined Saturn, trine Jupiter and trine the Part of Fortune. Uranus is opposition Chiron and square the Lunar Nodes.

Neptune

Neptune’s Sign

Neptune is in Capricorn.

Neptune’s Position

Neptune is the oriental planet.

Neptune’s House

Neptune is in the eleventh house.

Neptune’s Aspects

Neptune is sextile Venus and sextile Pluto (generational). Neptune is square Eris. Neptune receives a quintile from the Moon.

Mercury

Mercury’s Sign

Mercury is in Aquarius.

Mercury’s Position

Mercury is the occidental planet.

Mercury’s House

Mercury is in the twelfth house.

Mercury’s Aspects

Mercury is sextile Jupiter, the Part of Fortune and Eris. Mercury is trine Chiron. Mercury is square Pluto. Mercury is biquintile the South Node.

Dispositor Tree

Bo has a Mutual Reception Tree with Jupiter in Aries and Mars in Sagittarius on the top line. Also note the Saturn is a Gateway planet with three planets below it.

 

Explore more >>> Dispositor Trees

 

Bos-dispositor-tree

Part 6: Major Aspects Pattern

T-Square

There is only one Major Aspect Pattern which is a T-square. The T-square composes of Saturn in Sagittarius opposition Chiron in Gemini, and both are square the Moon in Pisces. The Moon is the focal planet of this T-square. The energy of Saturn and Chiron will be channelled and often expressed through the Moon. This is a mutable T-square as all the planets are in mutable signs. This T-square can be referred to as a “Moon mutable T-square.”

 

More Example Charts

Below is a selection of example charts. Thet generally show my process for getting the information together before the interpretation begins.

Podcasting and Joe Rogan’s Birth Chart

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Author Bio

Alison Price: Astrology Coach

Alison wants to help you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor.

Learn more about Alison’s journey.

If you’d like to get in touch with Alison, you can reach out to her via email at starzology@gmail.com.

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