Astrology Guide

Western astrology draws the sky as it was at the moment and place of your birth as a circular map called the natal chart. It records which sign and house the Sun, Moon and planets occupied, and the angles they formed with each other (aspects). Astrologers read these combinations to describe tendencies of character, talents, challenges and the rhythm of a life.

The four building blocks

Planets

"What force": the Sun is the self, the Moon emotion, Venus love and values…

Signs

"In what style": Venus in Aries is direct and fiery, Venus in Virgo careful and practical.

Houses

"In which area of life": the 7th is partners, the 10th career…

Aspects

"How the forces relate": flowing, tense or blended.

The sign rising on the eastern horizon at birth is the Ascendant (rising sign). It sets where the houses begin and describes how others see you, which is why the birth time matters.

How to use our astrology chart

1. Enter your birth details: date, time (as exact as possible) and place. Typing a city fills in the coordinates and the time zone in force at the time, including daylight saving; if your city is not found, enter the latitude and longitude and pick the time zone yourself.
2. Choose a house system: Placidus by default, or Whole Sign, Equal or Porphyry. If unsure, keep the default.
3. No birth time? Tick "Birth time unknown": planets are calculated for noon, the Moon may be off by a few degrees, and the Ascendant and houses cannot be calculated.
4. Press "Cast chart": you get the chart wheel with planet positions, house cusps, aspects, the balance of elements and modes, and a reading of each planet by sign and house.
5. Going further: look at transits (where the planets are now relative to your chart), secondary progressions and life cycles, compare with another person in synastry, or ask a specific question with horary. Save the result as an image, print it or copy a link to share.

Topics

• The planetsThe ten planets plus the Node and Lilith, and the signs they rule.
• The twelve signsElement, mode, ruler and character of each sign.
• The twelve housesThe areas of life each house covers, and how house systems differ.
• AspectsConjunction, sextile, square, trine, quincunx and opposition, with orbs.
• Ascendant and MidheavenThe four angles and why birth time matters.
• How to read a natal chartStart with the Sun, Moon and Ascendant and work through the chart step by step.
• Transits, progressions, synastry, horaryWhat our advanced sections show and how to use them.

Weekly horoscope

Work and love highlights for all twelve signs, from each week’s actual planetary positions →

This is fixed text compiled from general convention, not a reading of any individual and not a prediction. For important decisions, please consult qualified professionals.