How to Read a Birth Chart Explained: First Steps

[@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..

[@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. ❤

[@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.

[@Juicing369]

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

[@eveosiris3039]

@@Juicing369 lmao at this comment. Both my children were created by two different Scorpio stellium partnerships.

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@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! ❤❤

[@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! 🙏🏻

[@andrearonnberg6254]

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]

👏

[@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!

[@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 .

[@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.)

[@paigejapinga3528]

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

[@sirbradfordofhousejones]

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

[@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

[@Sophie-py8cr]

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

[@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!

[@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!

[@Loufi303]

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

[@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!

[@gracielavazquez765]

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

[@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 😆

[@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 😂

[@BlockianasBoifriend]

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

[@judemcdougall9504]

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

[@astraeusgodofthestars676]

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

[@tracysternburg]

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

[@Juicing369]

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!!!!

[@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!

[@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. 🙏❤️

[@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?

[@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.

[@cebolamaria]

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

[@dianeyoung8068]

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

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@handsolo1546]

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

[@sandrabulluck1896]

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

[@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.

[@oraliafisher1208]

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

[@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

[@nadiavel8145]

1. Ascending 2. Sun 3. Moon 4. Venus 5. Midheaven 6. Conjunctions

[@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.

[@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!!

[@redbudryan9624]

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

[@DeniseBraunBundy]

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

[@amrit_]

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

[@starz4marie]

This is a very interesting and informative discussion

[@christopherlivingston2400]

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

[@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.

[@SK1MD]

Hi Chris, should Chiron be accounted into a chart pattern/shape? Because if I generate a natal chart some sites seem to conclude it’s a cardinal Grand across if Chiron is included/ accounted for in aspects, and some don’t include the Chiron and there is not Grand Cross. What are your thoughts? Should Chiron be taking into account for the chart shape/pattern?

[@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 !

[@angelag2662]

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

[@jennifersantiago6728]

I love seeing you both communicating.

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@merimadz]

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

[@my_endless_road]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@liammckeeverphdrdn8469]

This was just so helpful. Thank you.

[@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

[@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. 🤷‍♀️

[@linafilipova1234]

Chris, on the 52" you say that if the nodes are in the vicinity of the moon (15-18 degrees apart), it means it is also an eclipse. I guess you mean solar eclipse, is that right? And how do you translate that in an astrological language, especially if the moon is in the 10 house?

[@VJ_7137]

Nice session Chris👍 enjoy listening to Lisa 🎉🔥🙏

[@kimfrey5442]

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

[@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."

[@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!

[@gloriaesmee3333]

I have a night chart. But my venus is conjuct saturn in Aquarius in 6th house. So the most positive planet and most negative planet are both in de same sign and house. What does this mean???

[@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!

[@jorze79]

I have a night chart and Venus is squared by Saturn, there goes Venus's positivity, right? How would you read that?

[@tattoofthesun]

14:00:00 they start talking about charts

[@egorshilov8473]

Traditional astrology usually started with the definition: 1) temperament, 2) manners, qualities 3) mind and 4) native soul.

[@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.

[@nittyarizza]

If we should pay attention to stationary planets, how much should we focus on whether or not certain planets are retrograde in the birth chart?

[@NN-nj8jr]

THANKS A LOT, TEACHER

[@bronwynsolecki8775]

My friend has almost all her inner planets in Gemini as well as Saturn, the north node and her MC! All opposing Pluto.

[@jude6483]

i have a day chart, libra rising with venus in my sun sign (leo) in the 10th house, what does it mean? i have a leo stellium too (sun, jupiter, venus, mercury)

[@liberfructus]

What if the contrary malefic is ruler of the ascendant?

[@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 😀

[@captainnolan5062]

16:35 & 17:46 Chris you use "rising sign" and "ascendant" as if they are different. Can you explain the difference?

[@brookelynbrehmer1618]

Your rising sign is the sign ruling the first house. Your ascendant is the precise degree that sign falls on.

[@jaelenesahlberg6104]

what if i have a night chart and both venus (17*) and saturn (27*) are in aries in the 12th house ._. 36:37

[@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.

[@babyeek]

Thank you so much for your meticulous breakdowns! Do y'all look for Out of Bounds planets and do you believe they have significance?

[@adyingdream4585]

What a cool channel. So well structured, organized and the aesthetic is very welcoming.

[@chelseadevlin6066]

I am a pisces sun, Virgo rising and Gemini moon. My mom is a cancer sun My dad is a Virgo sun And my sister is a Scorpio sun ( My brother is a Libra, not relevant to what I'm saying though lol if I knew my parents whole charts and his I could probably pick up on the generational overlays) My children are my oldest is a Taurus sun, cancer rising Capricorn moon My daughter is a Taurus sun, cancer rising and moon My younger son is a Scorpio sun and moon and a aquarius rising And my husband (their dad) is a Libra sun, Scorpio rising and aquarius moon And his parents are a cancer sun dad and pisces sun mom. I before I saw this video was noticing these kinda patterns but wasn't seeing the meaning of it and I'm still kinda not completely grasping it, I've just started looking into the entire charts like literally this week 😂😂 but I am glad that something was telling me to pay attention to these things.

[@Sophie-py8cr]

Question: what will happen when Saturn (night chart) makes a positive aspect (like a trine) to another planet/ area of life? Or Venus (night chart) a negative aspect? Very curious!!

[@kumikokashii8960]

A bit confused about what Chris starts saying around 44:50. Trines to a benefic are good; hard aspects to a malefic are bad? If so, what happens when there are trines to a malefic?

[@evelyn1717-v6s]

Wonderful conversation. Thank you so much!

[@alebalessa77]

What about the out of sign aspects?, Are they really invalidated or without influence in practice?