How to Read a Birth Chart Explained: First Steps

We discuss how to read a birth chart, and explain the first steps you should take and which techniques you should use to interpret an astrology chart, with astrologers Chris Brennan and Leisa Schaim. New students of astrology often learn a number of different techniques, but they are often unsure of the order and priority that you should give different factors when you are first looking at a new natal chart. Since there are many different approaches to astrology, astrologers will tend to develop different approaches or prioritize different things, and this became clear in a thread we started on Twitter in preparation for this episode. Our goal with this episode was to outline our approach to what we prioritize when looking at a new chart, although many of these factors are generally consistent with most major traditions of western astrology. What to Prioritize When Reading a Birth Chart: Rising sign/Ascendant Ruler of the Ascendant: house, sign, aspects Sect - day or night chart Sun: sign, house, aspects Moon: sign, house, aspects Most positive benefic based on sect (Jupiter by day, Venus by night) Most negative planet based sect (Mars by day, Saturn at night) Stationary planets (within about a week before/after birth) Notable chart patterns: a stellium, T-square, etc. Planets conjunct the degrees of angles, and angular planets by sign Elemental or modality emphasis Close aspects, applying aspects, hard aspects -------------------------- This is episode 260 of The Astrology Podcast: #TheAstrologyPodcast Timestamps 00:00:00 Intro 00:06:55 Looking at what stands out 00:09:26 Tradition-specific approaches 00:11:50 Sun, moon, rising 00:12:50 Birth time and ascendant degree 00:16:20 Day or night chart 00:17:25 Sun and moon locations 00:19:00 Ruler of ascendant 00:23:53 Houses ruled by sun and moon 00:24:40 Planets in first house 00:27:07 Analyzing the big three 00:29:56 Moon and emotions 00:36:09 Positive and challenging planets 00:46:28 Judy Blume’s chart 00:52:47 Stationary planets 00:57:09 Chart patterns 01:01:14 Planets conjunct degree of the angles 01:07:00 Elements and modalities 01:11:49 Close and hard aspects 01:13:39 Summary 01:17:02 Chart example Scorpio rising 01:22:08 Chart topics 01:25:50 Chart example Taurus rising 01:33:35 Chart example Virgo rising 01:39:45 Timing techniques 01:40:22 Annual profections 01:42:42 Transits 01:44:22 Saturn and life stage transits 01:46:42 Eclipses 01:49:03 Secondary progressions 01:51:12 Zodiacal releasing 01:53:46 Context importance 02:00:00 Final remarks