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