Western Astrology
A natal chart is built from ephemeris planet positions, then mapped to signs, houses, and aspects.
Suggested reading path
- Methods: Natal chart casting → Reading order
- Concepts: Natal chart · Tropical zodiac · House systems · Aspects
- Term index
The system directory below lists signs, planets, houses, aspects, and methods.
In this system
Concepts
- AspectsAngular relationships in ecliptic longitude between planets, used to describe dynamic combinations.
- House SystemsDiffering methods for dividing the twelve houses (e.g. Equal, Placidus).
- Natal ChartA map of planets, houses, and aspects calculated from birth time and place.
- Tropical ZodiacThe common ecliptic system that starts Aries at the vernal equinox (as opposed to the sidereal zodiac).
Terms
- AquariusFixed air; often linked to groups, ideals, and a detached viewpoint.
- AriesCardinal fire; often linked to initiation, impulse, and self-assertion.
- AscendantThe eastern horizon of the chart; often linked to outward orientation and life approach.
- CancerCardinal water; often linked to care, belonging, and emotional memory.
- CapricornCardinal earth; often linked to structure, responsibility, and long-term aims.
- ConjunctionConjunction (~0°): energies merge; themes intensify or blend.
- GeminiMutable air; often linked to information, variety, and exchange.
- House 1The 1st house of the natal chart, thematically tied to self and physical beginnings.
- House 10The 10th house of the natal chart, thematically tied to career and public structure.
- House 11The 11th house of the natal chart, thematically tied to community and ideals.
- House 12The 12th house of the natal chart, thematically tied to the unconscious and endings–beginnings.
- House 2The 2nd house of the natal chart, thematically tied to resources and values.
- House 3The 3rd house of the natal chart, thematically tied to information and the near environment.
- House 4The 4th house of the natal chart, thematically tied to home and roots.
- House 5The 5th house of the natal chart, thematically tied to creativity and pleasure.
- House 6The 6th house of the natal chart, thematically tied to daily life and craft.
- House 7The 7th house of the natal chart, thematically tied to relationships and contracts.
- House 8The 8th house of the natal chart, thematically tied to shared resources and deep transformation.
- House 9The 9th house of the natal chart, thematically tied to outlook and higher learning.
- JupiterExpansion, belief, and a sense of opportunity.
- LeoFixed fire; often linked to expression, recognition, and creative drive.
- LibraCardinal air; often linked to relationships, aesthetics, and balance.
- MarsAction, desire, and conflict drive.
- MercuryThinking, expression, and information processing.
- MidheavenThe southern midheaven of the chart; often linked to social role and public image.
- MoonEmotional needs, habits, and inner security.
- NeptuneIdeals, fog, and collective undercurrents.
- OppositionOpposition (~180°): pull between poles; opposing needs must be integrated.
- PiscesMutable water; often linked to empathy, imagination, and dissolving boundaries.
- PlutoDeep power and death–rebirth imagery.
- QuincunxQuincunx (~150°): awkward adjustment; often needs a method change to reconcile.
- SagittariusMutable fire; often linked to exploration, meaning, and far horizons.
- SaturnLimits, structure, and maturation themes.
- ScorpioFixed water; often linked to depth, boundaries, and transformation.
- SextileSextile (~60°): opportunistic link; needs active use.
- SquareSquare (~90°): tension and drive; prompts action and friction.
- SunSymbol of core will and vitality.
- TaurusFixed earth; often linked to stability, the senses, and values.
- TrineTrine (~120°): easy flow; talents express readily.
- UranusBreakthrough, sudden change, and individuation.
- VenusPreferences, attraction, and value exchange.
- VirgoMutable earth; often linked to analysis, refinement, and service.
Methods
- Common Natal Chart FieldsMeanings, calculation sources, and interpretive uses of natal chart output fields.
- Natal Chart CastingFull steps to compute planetary longitudes, Ascendant and Midheaven, houses, and aspects from birth time and geographic coordinates.
- Natal Chart Reading OrderA recommended reading sequence from the personality axis (Sun–Ascendant–Moon) through dominant planets, aspects, and house topics.
Indexes
- Astrology Term IndexEntry points for signs, planets, houses, and aspects.