How to Read a Birth Chart Explained: First Steps

[@clay333]

This is so incredibly helpful for an amateur like me who wants to master natal chart reading! I really appreciate this and all of your content, Chris; it truly means a lot.

[@LanaK83]

Same here. I have been on a binge for a month now. What a gift. ❤

[@MysticDivinerLJ]

Hey, I see this comment was posted a year ago. From when this comment was posted ‘til now, do you have any advice for any beginner astrology enthusiasts? Any advice will be much appreciated. Anyone else can answer as well. Thanks to anyone who helps. ❤

[@LanaK83]

@@MysticDivinerLJ i would start with getting familiar with birth charts for sure. Just do as many as u can. ❤️

[@crabcake17]

Agreed!

[@LanaK83]

Coming back year later to Re listen after I spent much more time practicing. ❤

[@ClaireBear0712]

Been studying for a year now. Astrology has always been a thing in my life but all I really knew was sun signs. But then It really all started when I looked up my birth chart last year and realized I couldnt interpret it barely at all. I decided id do a little research on how to read a birth chart and that should get me a better understanding .....HA 😂😂😂 Iaugh now because I had NO idea the depth of learning one must do to properly read a chart. I also had no clue that typing into youtube "how to read a birth chart" would send me down a YEAR LONG rabbit hole...and ive only just BEGUN to really scratch the surface. This stuff is fasicnating and beautiful and astrology is now not only an interest of mine but also a passion and something I am studying seriously so I may help others decipher their charts eventually. Coming back to this video after a year makes me feel so many emotions! I now understand it much better...but I also have so far to go. I would not be where I am without Chris Brennan. What a legend..

[@MayasDream]

Chris, you are amazing! Thank you for bringing back this ancient wisdom!! Your research is top-notch! We appreciate you, your writings, your talks, and your videos so much.

[@FlowerChild-Tiktok]

Oh yes, yes, yes. He is singlehandedly responsible for me dreading Scorpio men.

[@eveosiris3039]

@@FlowerChild-Tiktok lmao at this comment. Both my children were created by two different Scorpio stellium partnerships.

[@snickersluvsu2]

This is so helpful. Astrology has been difficult for me to catch on to but I want to understand so bad! This was great, thank you so much!

[@hollyw.]

Same here! There are so many layers to it.

[@omorikayoko]

Thank you Leisa and Chris, I love how thorough, clear and systematic Chris is with any material. Such intense focus and dedication!! I love that these astrologers are all seasoned yet are perpetual serious students. It's so invigorating to watch- THis particular podcast was SO helpful, and Chris thank you always for mentioning related topics. This way, it's a self-paced learning course so you can pick and choose appropriate topics. Thank you for mining and disseminating a historical, conceptual and empirical depth to astrology, so that new students can filter out more hypey, flimsy, subjective views of modern astrology.

[@lovejustlied]

generally i immediately look at: 1) sect 2) rulerships and dignities and adversities 3) ascendant and ascendant ruler 4) signs ruled by planets in the ascendant and what houses they're in (if any)

[@perolatuon4613]

I just add receptions in item 2

[@bethbartlett5692]

Please define "sect", not familiar with this reference. Thanks

[@michellecav5595]

astro hobby enthusiast here, have learned so much watching your program for the last 12months. was validating watching this episode to realise just how much i now know 😃

[@LanaK83]

Chris I hope you know how many people you reach and touch with your knowledge. You and your guests have been such helpful addition to my learning process. Every episode I am so grateful that this material is accessible to public. Please don’t stop. Thank you Lana

[@ronnberg6254]

Interesting podcast overall! A big thanks to you for such a great material! One thing that catched my eyes was the birth chart of the author of children’s books you used as an example, namely Judy Bloom, I would add to your interpretation that Jupiter being the most benefic planet in her chart naturally rules publishing of books and it is the ruler of her 3rd house of information and learning, and is placed in her 5th house of children.

[@dragonnymph]

👏

[@healthwhatelse6294]

Chris: -"in this chart (pause)- in this episode" 😄 I loved that "Freud" mistake! He is a real astrologer, I learnt so so much from you! 🙏🏻

[@EVschoice10]

So I listen to these podcasts while staying home with my 6th month old. We both fell asleep and I had a dream that I was in a room with a bunch of astrologers and someone was telling me all this info and I woke up an hour later or so later this was still playing and on topic in my dream. I pressed rewind and clearly remembered all the info from the dream. What placement/aspect is this lol 😂

[@soulaudacity555]

😂I have fallen asleep on these shows...haven't had the dreams, but I actually hear their voices while I'm sleeping!

[@TheAstrologyPodcast]

Let me know what the first things are that you look at when you pull up a new birth chart in the comments below!

[@MsMoedoe]

I am very interested in my own placement of Jupiter conjunct Mars, 0 degrees of Virgo in my 5th house. Day chart. My most benefic and Malefic together! 0 degrees...

[@cafezo87934]

sun, moon, mercury and venus. I dont care for ascendant/risings because I dont look at peoples appearance it's not accurate. shouldn't even be a part of astrology/birth chart IMO

[@ailishfarragher5994]

Ruler of the Ascendant and House placement of that, the Sun and Moon. Now I'm asking whether it's a day or night chart. A reading with Leisa 🖐 illuminated my night chart Moon in 1st and that's given me a deeper understanding of my chart 💗🙏

[@cattnat]

Beyond the "big three", planets on angles, day chart or night chart, most positive benefic, most negative malefic, planets in domicile or exaltation, any stelliums that are present, and though I don't focus on it a ton and it's a more modern approach, I do focus on aspect patterns because they tend to highlight areas of difficulty or ease.

[@csabasaf]

After the Big Three, I always look for stelliums. I believe they leave a very characteristic mark on the native.

[@gangabraun4439]

This is a great episode, and to add an anecdotal confirmation of what is shared around 1:00:00- my husband has Mars conjunct IC and he and his family's primary way of keeping connected is through sports. Pre-covid they were constantly in touch about intricate behind the scenes details within the sports world, and my husband gets pretty defensive whenever people (like me) make light of sports. Also all of his most joyful and most painful memories from childhood somehow have to do with sports, whether it was a game he attended with his grandfather or a lesson his father taught him while coaching his travel soccer team.

[@michelledebari2836]

That’s interesting. If I saw mars conjunct IC I might interpret that as aggression, war , fights in the home or home discordance . Mars placed here may be a healer/ caregiver .

[@sirbradfordofhousejones]

Me: Oh man, I’m starting to get this! Chart Readings: No. I love this about astrology. There’s so much to learn!

[@TurtleKitty-357]

You have absolutely become my favorite and primary go-to astrology podcast/video series! Thank you for all your hard work, both of you! And since I've been getting a huge plethora of info from so many episodes lately, I felt that it's only right to support your work, & I just made a yearly payment on Patreon. Thanks again! ❤❤

[@AvoryFaucette]

Love this topic!! I'd love an episode on how you prioritize different parts of the chart in general, particularly when they might contradict. I'm always curious how different astrologers/schools of astrology decide what matters most (i.e., sign placements? house placements? aspects? etc.)

[@Whymee24]

I typically start with the ascendant, ascendant ruler, planets in the 1st, and then the sect light. However, if something catches my eye (ex: a huge stellium), I might go there first.

[@kridler112]

Wanna read my chart? Give me your Venmo tell me how much and I’ll give you my info

[@SusanDelRey]

The day charts and night charts thing truly open my eyes! I have a day chart and I’ve never had problem with my Saturn placement. My problem is my own mind, at which my Mars stays. Make a lot of sense!

[@paigejapinga3528]

I love this video! So informative and well presented. I appreciate the time and effort spent with this video, Chris and Leisa!

[@TheCosmicThread11]

I appreciate her mentioning the detail about the birth time.. I’ve always wondered about the validity of it. I’m sure there are many ppl with inaccurately recorded birth times

[@Madibeats]

Honestly having a Identity crisis because im now not sure if my time is right 😂

[@Sophie-py8cr]

SOOO helpful, thanks a million! I so appreciate you for making these podcasts available to the public! Thank you!

[@FlowerChild-Tiktok]

Thank you both for this and all the work you do to elevate the planet. I listened some even though you are both are Ph.d astrologers and I was in kindergarten or 1st grade. The integrity and passion was compelling. I'm up to maybe 2nd now so I'll keep watching and learning. Thank you!!!!

[@sonjazuercherspirit]

Thank you for those fully packed and well structured talks. I love Astrology and learn a lot here 🙏☀️

[@judemcdougall9504]

Fantastic episode for me and learning from you both. I feel so grateful to you Chris & Leisa

[@gracielavazquez765]

Chris is an extraordinary and excellent Astrologer! I'm addicted to his Astrology Podcasts! 🙏❤👍😍

[@libragem]

The stationary planets point made so much sense! Just 10 & 1/2 hours after I was born, Uranus went Stationary Direct! AND Uranus is in my 1st House of my natal chart, in Placidus, Equal, and Whole Sign!! Thanks, thanks, thanks for this!!

[@dianespencer8057]

Thank you, Chris and Leisa, this was very helpful! I've studied astrology off and on a couple decades but got a lot out of this format and learned some new things!

[@biandakanani]

1:50:58 thanks for pointing this out Leisa. I’ve just learned about progressions this past month and realised that I’m in the last few months of my progressed balsamic moon phase. It really shed a lot of light as to why I’ve been feeling so lost the past 2 years, and tbh just some much needed validation. Felt guilty for ‘wasting’ my 7H jupiter transit this year, lol.

[@Loufi303]

Does leisa have her own channel? She needs one. You two have fabulous voice chemistry if that's a thing lol

[@astraeusgodofthestars676]

This is just amazing. Thank you so much! Astrology is Life 🕊️

[@Polaris333]

the first step i take is determine the chart ruler and it’s dignity, aspects to it, planets or rulers of the angles. then i go straight to the progressed chart and read it in combination with what profection year the native is going thru. cant wait to listen to this. i also look at the phasal relationship between planets to get an idea of the person’s maturity level, for example venus and mars; jupiter and mercury, etc. i learned this concept from evolutionary astrology so may not be applicable here...i liked the video before watching it, as usual 😆

[@evedotcom]

Really enjoyed this! I feel like I'm getting more to an intermediate level with astrology but still learned so much from this. One cool thing I discovered thanks to this video: my north node stationed direct THE DAY BEFORE my birth. And it's conjunct my ascendant. I had heard from a couple of people that retrograde nodes aren't significant, but maybe in this context they are?

[@BlockianasBoifriend]

I would love an episode on stelliums. I’m a 5 Planet Scorpio Stellium, not including my Scorpio Rising 😎

[@hinnyastrology]

Much appreciated!! I am an amateur astrologer and love your podcast content!!

[@tracysternburg]

Appreciate you guys most every day. Thank you for continually making me a better astrologer. 🙏❤️

[@Panda9943mind]

Thanks. It’s surprising how many astrology courses don’t cover the different systematic approaches to analysis that one can take. At the end of the day it is a series of steps one embarks on when they begin analysis, interpretation

[@genxmindfulness3976]

This step-by-step is fantastic and incredibly helpful. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@cebolamaria]

That's a complete and amazing overview of natal astrology! Thanks!!

[@tracysternburg]

So much info. Will listen numerous times. Just got Chris’s book. Super excited. Thank you for all you do! 🙏❤️

[@beccaponce114]

I just enrolled in your school, I’m really loving it so far , glad I got the bundle ♓️🌞 ♍️ 🌙

[@beansontoast8819]

I’m a Pisces sun, Virgo moon too haha!

[@trixy8669]

I immediately look for Saturn. Then I find it opposed to Sun in my chart. Then I cry and realize why life is so miserable and difficult lol

[@DarkMoonDroid]

I feel ya. 💜

[@michelledebari2836]

Me too

[@moirarose4754]

Don't hate Saturn! He just wants you to eliminate the unnecessary and create a stable structure in the area of the houses your sun, Saturn and the houses ruled by sun and Saturn that will last past death. Just get to work on that and soon enough you will be rewarded by Saturn with quality, useful manifestations.

[@TheAstroWitchLux]

If you're a day chart then Saturn might not be so bad. And positive aspects of other planets to your asc or Sun can counteract some of that 🙂

[@moirarose4754]

@@TheAstroWitchLux correct. Many factors can be at play here. I have sun 26 Cap, Venus 24 Cap also Mercury at 18. My natal Saturn is 2 Taurus which is an out of sign square to my sun and depending upon which orbs you use for squares, is squaring my Venus too. You can see the mitigation here. 3 natal planets in Capricorn so I am endowed with Saturn strongly already. Saturn does ok in Taurus, so no problem there. So yes. Saturn is not brutal and painful for me, but it still forces itself into my life lessons and generally gives me stability. Every chart has magic as well as lessons. Saturn just requires effort for things that last and support... the question is where in your life can you work on building something that will last past your death? Aspects and house placement should figure..figure that out and Saturn gives rewards!

[@KatiePaisant]

Really enjoyed this video. I’m an Aqua stellium - same planets as Judy Blume. Love your work. This gave me a lot to think about.

[@sandrabulluck1896]

Wow! Lots of great information! Thank you so much! Love and light to you all with many blessings!

[@oraliafisher1208]

Wow! Big Thanks to both of you. Lots of info easy to understand, clear concise and to the point. Blessings 🙏

[@dianeyoung8068]

I lost you at about 23 minutes, however, I did learn a lot. Thank you.

[@centroastrologiconodonorte]

Wow! super instructional! Big thanks from Catalonia! I use many techniques you both talked about, but there are some that I don't as much that I might take into consideration. I would add that reading a birth chart is also an espiritual/energetic thing, it's nice and vital to have all the fundaMENTAL stuff understood, but before you started, meditating and ask for help to your espirtual guides is a big tresure. That's a Chamanic aproach for healing, your are a channel, even in a reading like that. Astrology is a ciencie but it's much more at the same time, we are involved into energy exchange in high vibes, we gotta be open cause relevant info will be coming and going while speaking and listening. Sorry about my english! not a native.

[@VJ_7137]

Great session 👍 hope you do a follow-up session sharing your recent experiences and examples for 2021🙏

[@michellesugimoto914]

Fantastic podcast. Thank you so much! I had such a good time listening to it.

[@DeniseBraunStargazer]

You are so amazing. You’re whip smart and your dry sense of humor always draws me in 😂😃 Thanks for these informative shows!

[@starz4marie]

This is a very interesting and informative discussion

[@lauracoleman4529]

Thank youAstrology podcast this is something very beautiful and important to me I am starting to understand I m so lucky I found you

[@redbudryan9624]

Definitely helpful to understand my own chart where I have 5 planets in my ascendent.

[@amrit_]

Along with what many others have highlighted, planets that are conjunct an angle. Thank you both

[@merimadz]

You guys are so amazing, I enjoy listening to you!

[@kimfrey5442]

Wow! U taught me SO much! I am so greatful! You are both Amazing and work So complementary with each other!

[@jennifersantiago6728]

I love seeing you both communicating.

[@liammckeeverphdrdn8469]

This was just so helpful. Thank you.

[@natasha3518]

thanks to these videos i now understand a bit more about my birth chart im also a november 1st scorpio sun sign not come across many before

[@handsolo1546]

This podcast is so awesome. I feel like i am listening to scientists on the radio. Serious scorpio stuff

[@Alusnovalotus]

Great video. I was always perplexed with house systems. Most astrology apps and sites use placidus system. Once I started using whole house system, I ended up having two stelliums (in 1st house & 4th house). So it was a whole thing for me to look at interpretations.

[@VJ_7137]

Nice session Chris👍 enjoy listening to Lisa 🎉🔥🙏

[@bethbartlett5692]

This is Discernment: DT has Leo Ascendant 29° and Mars in the 1st with Virgo in 1st, (this speaks of NPD including obsessive energies/traits) + Sagittarius Moon with the shadow side can be a Grandiose of VIP worthiness and Ideaoligy Correctbess. Natal Charts continue to amaze me. Beth Bartlett Sociologist/Behavioralist and Historian

[@mineralgreen3]

I am only halfway through this video and wanted to check in. Awesome info, very detailed.I have been delving into whole sign houses after learning modern astrology and its really adding some layers of knowledge. After studying astrology on my own the past 25+ years it is neat to learn something new about myself I hadn't noticed before! I do have a question about the "stationary" planets in the natal. I have Merc rx...checking in the ephemeris it went direct ~10 days after my birth..would that still be in the window? Are there other factors to consider to "break the tie" either way? Thanks and keep up the great work...and I've def got my eye on your book Chris!!

[@TwoGrainsOfGold]

Love this! I have precisely the timing issue you both discussed at Min 15 because I have a “between 3am and 3:30am” and the ascendant changes from Capricorn to Aquarius at 3:12am and Mars moved from Aquarius to Pices around 3:20am;so I don’t have a conclusive way to know what my ascendant sign is nor which house my Mars is in. 🤷‍♀️

[@333thelc]

Thank you, wonderful episode for me as a student. Another thing I've gotten excited about looking at is the the balance of the big three in personal, interpersonal, and transpersonal signs. I read about it in the Astrology for Yourself workbook by Demetra George and Douglas Bloch. It explained some quirks about people I know, like my Gemini friend who loves to quote some movie -"The purpose of life is to die, in the meantime get money."

[@KristenSeikaly]

I've got a 5-planet stellium in Capricorn including Saturn, along with the Midheaven (9th house). The past few years have been a doozy...

[@MollyRoachSings]

Wow!!!

[@MollyRoachSings]

I have a 4 planet stellium in cap 5th house . Been a doozy for me too.

[@tokiapeleda4752]

Same !

[@my_endless_road]

I'm very into the inherent placement, now that I've been looking at family. It's really kind of amazing.

[@evelyn1717-v6s]

Wonderful conversation. Thank you so much!

[@murlimewes3685]

Big 3 + rulers, moon phase, if there's any eclipses/stations/out of bounds planets. I also like to check the rising order of Sun/Mercury/Venus.

[@JameLeipold]

I immediately look for Saturn. Then I find it opposed to Sun in my chart. Then I cry and realize why life is so miserable and difficult lol

[@gandolfthorstefn1780]

The Sun,Moon and Ascendant all relate to The Part of Fortune from which is calculated using those three places in the Chart. The Part of Fortune is underated and when you think the Moon is the mind,the Sun the spirit and the ascendant the body you can see why The Part of Fortune signifies the the soul and its purpose in this life.

[@amanitamuscaria7500]

thank you both. very informative and interesting.

[@peacepantherproductions]

Anything that jumps out first- then Asc and ruler, house placement and ruler of that house.. then I generally keep following the rulership around to get a feel of the flow, noticing the moon and sun, their rulers, and usually start to see more of an organic communication or relationship between planets forming. Then I go to sect and all main aspects. Then lord of the year, transits ... etc... also: Your examples in the beginning were funny because my chart has Mars in a day chart 1° Leo exactly on the midheaven in the 11th. I really haven’t had a lot of major falling outs with friends, however I’ve noticed it pick up a notch since I’ve been living directly on my Mars line. And also when Mars is activated by a transit. But generally my main problems are definitely working with any type of superior and just generally settling on a new vocation. Because I’ve always done physical work and it’s extremely hard for me to sit. But seeing as I have Jupiter in Pisces in the sixth, I’ve started to have a number of injuries (ha) that have made it harder for me to be active as far as dancing or catering or art modeling- things I’ve done which are all using the body or movement.. The Lord of the year right now happens to be the sun as that 11th house is the profected house. So: Gemini sun in the 9th conjunct Ketu... I’ve always really had more of a “background effect” with my Mars, I think in part because of Ketu dimming things a bit... But yes I have the examples you had pointed out. The day chart Mars in an elevated place and a Jupiter in domicile but in the 6th.

[@mercuryprashant]

Hi, I look at the big 3 + asc lord placement + emphasis on any particular sign. As that will tend to define his personality and nature in general.

[@antoniortega1964]

I just came across this video and I learned so much. Thank you for sharing this information. Do you have this template written down somewhere where I can download it! It will greatly help us to follow along. Thank you again

[@jalynluis6394]

Love your interpretations of astrology

[@NN-nj8jr]

THANKS A LOT, TEACHER

[@BerylRossAwakened]

🙏 thank you for this great video! I use the Asc. Sun & Moon, then stelliums, etc., and aspects to those plus the nodes, with the true node being what this is asking the individual to work towards. Have found the whole house system doesn’t work for me based on my own natal chart. Also, use Vedic astrology using the Western astrology chart system. Vedic/Jyotish astrology also feels right for my natal chart. I have Venus (Asc Taurus) conj Pluto 29° in 5th house square Saturn 29° in 7th (Scorpio) - blood-dy painful but it finally lead to a profound awakening 🙏 🕉 and learning astrology. Aussie - AstrologyKing has a spot on description of natal Venus conj Pluto badly aspected.

[@stella448]

I have a 5 planet stellium and 6 if include Vesta, so completely agree with Chris. I do always look at less than five as not as impressive, ha!

[@miabernau7908]

Thank you two❤️❤️so very good and helpful

[@perolatuon4613]

The first thing I check is if the person’s birthday on the Hebrew calendar matches their sun sign. 56:50 I loved to learn from you about the planet stationing direct within a week from birth. It does make sense!

[@patriciadias6990]

I love your channel! Thank you for this 🥰💖🙏🏻✨

[@nano3014]

I'm due to give birth in the next few weeks and my baby will likely be born with a natal venus conjunct my natal venus, and likely at the exact degree. Pretty fascinating.

[@f0nd004u]

very helpful video, thank you.

[@christopherlivingston2400]

List review at 1:13:15. Thanks Chris and Leisa! Love this channel.

[@timeapeter7621]

I also like to look at the closest separating/ applying aspects of the moon

[@emekaodikanekwu8769]

Excellent discussion 👍

[@lisan1010]

this is so amazing! thanks

[@paul-yy5qf]

thanks for doing this episode, great to hear the methodical approach you take! just out of interest, how would you factor in the following; dignity and debility essential and accidental; peregrine? triplicity/term/face, motion speed, combust planets. the depositor tree as an extension of the rulership? i've typically looked at prominent planets in the chart and the strength of them then looked at the condition and how they are getting along. I have also considered the depositor tree for example and how the planets in that tree also may aspect each other. usually the person is asking about an area of life and I will look at the rulerships of those houses in question. i've been western based in my astrology but i'm opening up more to other techniques. traditional factors like the different types of dignity are something new to me. I have recognised that some astrologers like to factor this as important so I was wondering what you thought on how important those things are?

[@rachelwyatt9529]

Sun, Mercury, Pluto, Uranus in my 12 house...Uranus conjuct my ascendant ..need to study this more!

[@rachelwyatt9529]

Uranus conjunct my ascendant at 0 degrees yikes no wonder I am weird

[@rachelwyatt9529]

Debi Burge thank you ... yes unique is a better way of looking at it 😀

[@JohnSmith-wp7vf]

I would rather say Big 5 insted big 3 1. Sun sign 2. Moon sign 3. Planet in the first house (if there is one) 4. Chart ruler 5. Rising sign

[@edwardharvey5839]

I really want to do the Hellenistic course offered by this site.

[@pimaryy]

Great content! Thank you!

[@sophiecomo]

If you're in Uk you can ask the hospital you were born in for a subject access request and just request your birth time. I didn't have my birth time on my birth certificate unfortunately, and so did the above. They managed to find it written down on a ledger. Although of course you can't truly know it's accuracy to the minute as you say Chris it depends on when they actually got round to recording it. I spose even if you do have it written down may still be worth getting an astrologer to check it to be as accurate as you can.

[@betholeary6815]

Love your teaching

[@johnkimani5012]

Thanks for I'm learning

[@angelag2662]

Ok new what is stellium? Need layman's terms.😮 Also what if you don't know exact time? Thanks!

[@TinkCameronDaniel]

I can thank the full moon in Libra for getting me the time I needed to finally watch this. Sleep can wait anyway

[@tattoofthesun]

14:00:00 they start talking about charts

[@josesdiary]

So useful. Thank you :)