Chart Interpretation Example

Sun square Pluto is an aspect of intensity. Anticipate ego conflicts, feeling out of control or power struggles with people in authority.

Double and Triple Sign Glyphs

Double and Triple sign glyphs. See some examples of double and triple sign and their glyph for when the Ascendant, Sun and Moon is in the same sign.

Color of the Year

Astro Art

Pantone - the Color People Color of the Year Towards the end of each year, Pantone announces a new color for the forthcoming year. The publication of the Color of the Year is highly anticipated, mainly by artists, graphic designers, trend setters and the New Age...

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.

Listen now >>> The Duality of Pisces: Interview with Bo

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.

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

Pin this to read later

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

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 Eris. Mars 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

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.

Chart Interpretation: Chani Atreides

Example Chart Reading

See how to do a chart interpretation and gather info to read a birth chart with our listener’s chart. She chose the Starzname Chani Atriedes.

Chart Interpretation Example for Bo

Example Chart Reading

Follow along with this astrology chart interpretation example as we pull out the relevant information in a birth chart.

Featured Chart: Gary Vaynerchuk: Businessman, Documenter

Example Chart Reading

Gary Vaynerchuk birth chart. This is the featured chart for Gary Vaynerchuk, businessman, thought leader and entrepreneur.

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.

If you enjoyed this post, you may like some more astrology related articles from our blog.

Sun Square Pluto

Sun square Pluto is an aspect of intensity. Anticipate ego conflicts, feeling out of control or power struggles with people in authority.

Venus Square Chiron

When VENUS squares CHIRON it can create a lot of inner tension that can be really painful for people – Starzology Astrology Podcast.

Mars Conjunct Saturn

Mars conjunct Saturn can feel like you’ve been held back and you’re just waiting to unleash the full force of your powers of creativity.

Natal Chart Readings: Beginners

How to Read a Birth Chart

The 4 Cornerstones of Chart Interpretation

Reading a birth chart is a skill that can be learned. By an undestanding of four main components of a chart you can get to understand the chart easily. Although there are many, many parts to one birth chart, if you start with the basics you swill be well on the way to interpreting the message in a chart sooner rather than later.

In this post, I’m going to share with you the four cornerstones of chart interpretations. Chart reading is a huge subject and there are many ways to skin this cat, so today let’s zoom out for a high level look at what you need to know. And what is important for anyone who wants to read charts.

Listen now >>> The Four Cornerstones of Chart Reading

Cornerstones

The four cornerstones are what holds things up and they can hold up your chart readings. An example is the pyramids. They first lay the four cornerstones and make them level then they can build upon that. Walls are built that hang from the corners. It’s like the foundations of your house.

The four cornerstones of chart reading are the signs, planets, houses and aspects. Many astrology books focus one one or more of these factors. I urge you to read as many astrology books as you can and I have some book recommendations for you.

1. Signs

The signs of the zodiac are the gateway into chart reading. The signs are originally named after the constellations. In the tropical zodiac, measured fro the Vernal equinox, the zodiac signs are the ones that the Sun passes through every year.

Everyone knows their Sun sign. You will know your family and frineds and maybe even your colleagues’ Sun signs. As an astrologer, you need to understand the meaning of the signs and one way to do this is with keywords.

Sign Keywords

There are a few main keywords for each sign. Let’s just be clear about sign keywords. A keyword cannot be generic like “happy” as this could relate to many signs. A sign keyword must directly relate to the sign and to no other sign. A sign keyword is unique to that particular sign.

Example Sign Keywords

Fire signs keywords: Inspirational, hot, fiery, active and outgoing.

Aries: Competitive, aggressive, dynamic and red.

Leo: Creative, honest, extravagant and yellow.

Sagittarius: Adventurous, cosmopolitan, philosophical and blue.

Your Astrology Journal

A good idea when learning astrology is to have an astrology journal. Reach for your astrology journal. Make a page titled “Signs” then on the next 12 pages, write each sign name at the top of the page. You will fill in more information about the signs later.

Reference your good astrology books, choose five sign keywords for each sign and learn them first. Be aware of polarity, element and mode, but don’t worry too much about out this yet. First learn the signs in which you have tenants, or planets. So for instance, if you have the Sun in Libra, then learn that sign.

Next turn your attention to your Moon sign and learn that signs keywords. Follow in for all the planets and learn these signs first.

2. Planets

As you start to learn the sign keywords, along with all of that you can add in some planet keywords. Start with the Sun, the Moon and then work your way outwards from Mercury.

Get at least five planet specific keywords for each planet. Planet keywords must not be generic and must be only relevant to that individual sign. You can use all your astrology books as a reference but don’t quote other astrologers directly.

3. Houses

For the houses there are 12 houses and each house represents a different area of life. Houses can also contain people in your life.

Start learning the houses by your own planet in house placements. So learn your Sun’s house keywords then your Moon’s house keywords and so on. In this way you become more familiar with what is in your own chart first. Then go back over and learn the rest of the house keywords. That will be your vacant houses.

Read more >>> The Astrological Houses

4. Aspects

Next learn the aspects.

Ptolemaic Aspects

There are five Ptolemaic aspects. Start with the conjunction, opposition, trine, square and sextile. In other words the major or Ptolemaic aspects. When you have mastered the big five, go on to learn keywords for the minor aspects.

Minor Aspects

The minor aspects are the semi sextile, quincunx, semi-square and sesquiquadrate.

Aspects of Declination

Eventually you will learn keywords for the parallel and contra parallel aspects.

Lesser Used Aspects

The lesser used aspects are the quintile and biquintile, the sextile, bi-sextile and tri-septile and the novile and decile.

Process

You won’t know everything at once it is a process. Lay out your astrology journal with one double page spread for each cornerstone component of sign, planet, house and aspect. Ideally you will leave pages inbetween each cornerstone topic so you can come back and add more information later.

Personal Astrology Resource

If you create an astrology journal it can become your very own astrology resource. As you read more and more charts you can develop your interpretation style further.

I hope these ideas will give you something to think about. I’d like to think these four cornerstones will help you get going with learning your wonderful craft.

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.

If you enjoyed this post, you may like some more astrology related articles from our blog.

Mars Conjunct Saturn

Mars conjunct Saturn can feel like you’ve been held back and you’re just waiting to unleash the full force of your powers of creativity.

Venus Square Chiron

When VENUS squares CHIRON it can create a lot of inner tension that can be really painful for people – Starzology Astrology Podcast.

Be a Guest on the Starzology Podcast

Work With Us

Podcast Guests. How to apply to be a guest on the Starzology Astrology podcast and share your knowledge with the world.

Astrological Ethics and Privacy

“It is not possible that particular forms of events should be declared by any person… it is necessary for [astrologers] to adopt inference. Only God can predict particulars.” ~ Ptolemy

Introduction

We as astrologers would certainly be wise to adopt inference about our readings especially in regard to our clients. Here we will discuss some ethical predicaments in which an astrologer, or student, can easily find themselves.

Privacy

The privacy laws are always in effect and you need to be aware that they affect your work as an astrologer. You cannot discuss the chart details of one person with another – even another astrologer.

Permission

If you want to use an individual’s chart details and personal storyline you may not do so without first obtaining their written permission and clearly stating whether the data will be used for research, teaching or for publication. The public do not know the breadth and depth that an astrological interpretation can entail and how chart analysis will reveal features and motivations in someone’s life. As an astrologer, you need to tread carefully here.

Children

A new mother comes to you and wants her baby’s chart read. What do you do? Obviously, parents make decisions for their offspring all the time. Perhaps one way of dealing with interpreting children’s charts is to be found in the transits. Prior to the first Jupiter return (age 12) the parents may request a child’s chart to be read and after the Jupiter return the child should agree to you doing the reading.

“Is he the one?”

A woman arrives at your office clutching the birth details of Mr. “Fifth Boyfriend this Year” and demands, “Is he the One?” What do you do? This really is an ethical situation where you are being asked to interpret charts for those who are not there and are unaware that it is happening. There may be justification in some instances, but you will have to decide where to draw the line.

The Deceased

We often select famous people who are dead for chart interpretation practice such as Alexander Graham Bell, Albert Einstein or Michael Jackson. If a private person has died and you wish to work with their chart details this usually is acceptable unless the death has occurred recently, and the family is still working through their grief. You have to decide what type of astrologer you are and again you have to make the call.

Hit-and-Run

You have just left an energetic astrology meeting and are standing at the door casually chatting about the weather and someone thrusts their chart into your face and says breathlessly, “I have no planets in the seventh house, I was told it means I won’t get married, what do you think?”

Well, what do you think? For a start you can’t stand there discussing her chart in front of other people. What gets me about this scene is that during some point in her past someone told her the grim news and she has been carrying the baggage with her up until now. There is no point to respond with another hit-and-run consultation as you stand at the door.

The way to handle this situation is to explain that many factors influence marriage and invite her to make an appointment to meet with you at a more appropriate time where you can gently go over how it all works and put her straight on this matter.

You are the Authority

Remember, as an astrologer (and as an astrology student) you are deemed the authority in all matters of an astrological nature. From the point of view of your clients and the general public you are the wizard and as such you need to be careful to do no harm.

Your Chart

Look at your chart to see what your Saturn (respect and boundaries), Uranus (astrology) and Pluto (secrets) reveal about you and your approach to ethics and privacy.

Give some thought to the issues discussed above and it could help you decide where you stand.

Conclusion

Every astrologer has their own opinion on these introductory matters. It would do you well to think about what your views are before attempting a chart interpretation.

Starzclass

Aspiring Astrologer Activity: Ethics and Privacy

In your astrology journal, please do the following:

Consider three possible ways you may be challenged in your astrology business with family and friends surrounding ethics and privacy.
Decide if you will reveal information about a client’s chart to the person who pays for the consultation.
Consider which types of requests you will decline e.g. “Why did he die, can you look at his death chart?” “I’m sixteen years old, will you read my chart and not tell my parents?” “I think my partner is having an affair, will you read their chart for me but not tell them, I have the details for you?”

Extend Yourself

Write an astrological personal privacy statement which can be used on your website and in correspondence with potential clients (100 words).

Jupiter Conjoined Uranus

Jupiter conjoined Uranus is an aspect at the start of a cycle. It indicates what will unfold in the next 13 years.

Jupiter in Taurus

Planets

Jupiter in Taurus: May 2023 to May 2024

Sun Square Pluto

Sun square Pluto is an aspect of intensity. Anticipate ego conflicts, feeling out of control or power struggles with people in authority.

The Modes in Astrology

Modes

There are three modes (also known as modality, quadruplicities or qualities).

The three modes are cardinal, fixed, and mutable.

Each sign has one mode. Every mode has four signs associated with it.

The four Cardinal signs are Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn.

The four Fixed signs are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius.

The four Mutable signs are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces.

Cardinal	Aries	Cancer	Libra	Capricorn
Fixed	Taurus	Leo	Scorpio	Aquarius
Mutable	Gemini	Virgo	Sagittarius	Pisces

Modal Emphasis

Only count the seven visible planets of The Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn.

Balanced Mode

The modes are balanced when they are spread evenly (as much as you can evenly spread seven into three).

For example, three planets in cardinal signs, two in fixed signs and two in mutable signs are considered in balance.

Strong Mode

A mode is strong when there are at least two more planets in the mode than the next best mode.

For example, four planets in cardinal signs, two in air and one in a mutable sign makes the cardinal mode strong.

Weak Mode

A mode is weak when there are no planets in the mode.

For example, three planets in cardinal signs, four planets in fixed signs, and no planets in a mutable sign makes the mutable mode weak.

Cardinal Meaning

Strong cardinal

People with many planets in the cardinal signs usually start things.

They are self-motivated, have goals and are the leaders of the zodiac.

Cardinal signs initiate change.

Weak cardinal

A lack of planets in the cardinal signs suggests the individual is not one for starting things or getting things going.

For a weak cardinal person, procrastination may be an issue.

Fixed Meaning

Strong fixed

Those with many planets in fixed signs stick to things and can complete things.

They are tenacious, reliable, stubborn and steadfast.

They are resistant to change to the extent that they may have to overcome inertia.

Weak fixed

A shortage of fixed planets in the signs indicates the person has a certain wavering in life.

Mutable Meaning

Strong mutable

Strong mutable signs are flexible, adaptable and inclusive. They are accommodating, adjustable, amenable to change and they can move things along.

Weak mutable

When there are no planets in a mutable sign it imparts some rigidity to the individual.