What is a birth chart in astrology – and what does yours say about you?
A birth chart is made up of three essential components: the 12 zodiac signs, the 12 houses and the 10 planets (including the Sun and Moon). Each of these parts represents specific energies, and their arrangement emphasises or de-emphasises certain personality traits and life themes.
The part of a birth chart most people know is their Sun sign. When someone asks, 'What's your zodiac sign?' they're really asking, 'Which zodiac sign was the Sun in at the moment of your birth?'
While the Sun sign is important, it only tells a small piece of the story. In reality, everyone has multiple prominent zodiac signs represented in their birth chart. While not all 12 signs will carry the same 'volume', it's common for at least two or three to stand out as significant influences.
I like to think of this as a colour palette. When we bring these emphasised signs together, they create a unique vibe. Some palettes blend complementary shades, while others feature stark contrasts – both are beautiful in their own way. This explains why some people display contrasting personality traits, while others behave consistently across different situations.
Similarly, every chart highlights a different set of what I like to call 'main character planets'. For example, someone might be considered Mercurial (Mercury as main character energy) if they're naturally chatty and curious, or Venusian (Venus as main character energy) if they're social and diplomatic.
Finally, when we look at the houses in a birth chart, we're exploring major life topics: things like home, siblings, relationships, career and more.
The birth chart can also reveal which life areas may offer the most personal growth over a lifetime, and how best to navigate those themes.
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