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.

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.

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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

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.

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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