1. Planets — what part of you
Each planet represents a different part of your personality. In astrology the Sun and Moon count as planets, and the lunar node is included as a sensitive point.
| Planet | Represents | In plain words |
|---|---|---|
| Sun | Your core self | Identity, vitality and what you are here to express. Moves through one sign a month. |
| Moon | Your emotions | Feelings, instincts, comfort and memory. Changes sign every 2½ days. |
| Mercury | Your mind | How you think, learn, speak and write. Always close to the Sun. |
| Venus | Love and values | What you find beautiful, how you love and what you value. |
| Mars | Drive | Energy, courage, desire and how you handle conflict. |
| Jupiter | Growth | Luck, generosity, optimism and where life expands. About a year per sign. |
| Saturn | Lessons | Discipline, responsibility, limits and long-term achievement. About 2½ years per sign. |
| Uranus | Change | Originality, freedom and sudden breakthroughs. A generational planet. |
| Neptune | Dreams | Imagination, spirituality, compassion and illusion. A generational planet. |
| Pluto | Transformation | Power, depth and rebirth. A generational planet. |
| North Node | Life direction | The North Node points to qualities you are growing towards in this life. |
2. Signs — how it expresses itself
The sign a planet is in colours its style. Venus in Aries loves boldly and directly; Venus in Taurus loves slowly and sensually. Each sign has an element and a mode — see the zodiac sign guide or read a full sign profile.
- Aries — boldly and directly
- Taurus — steadily and sensually
- Gemini — curiously and playfully
- Cancer — protectively and emotionally
- Leo — warmly and dramatically
- Virgo — carefully and practically
- Libra — gracefully and diplomatically
- Scorpio — intensely and privately
- Sagittarius — freely and optimistically
- Capricorn — patiently and strategically
- Aquarius — independently and inventively
- Pisces — gently and intuitively
3. Houses — where in life
The chart is divided into twelve houses, each an area of life. The 1st house begins at your rising sign, which is why an exact birth time matters. A planet's house shows where its energy plays out most.
| House | Area of life |
|---|---|
| 1st | Self-image, appearance and first impressions |
| 2nd | Money, possessions and self-worth |
| 3rd | Communication, siblings and daily learning |
| 4th | Home, family and roots |
| 5th | Romance, creativity, fun and children |
| 6th | Work routines, health and service |
| 7th | Partnerships and marriage |
| 8th | Intimacy, shared resources and transformation |
| 9th | Travel, higher learning and beliefs |
| 10th | Career, reputation and public life |
| 11th | Friends, networks and future hopes |
| 12th | The subconscious, rest and spiritual life |
In daily horoscopes we use "solar houses": your Sun sign is treated as the 1st house, so everyone with the same Sun sign gets the same reading.
4. Aspects — how the parts interact
Aspects are angles between planets. They show which parts of your personality support each other and which create inner tension.
| Aspect | Angle | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Conjunction | 0° | Two planets work as one — a concentrated, powerful blend. |
| Sextile | 60° | An easy opportunity. The energies cooperate when you make an effort. |
| Square | 90° | Tension that pushes you to act and grow. Often where effort brings achievement. |
| Trine | 120° | Natural harmony and talent that flows without effort. |
| Opposition | 180° | A pull between two sides of life that asks for balance. |
Reading your chart in five steps
- Start with your big three: Sun, Moon and Rising signs.
- Look at where most planets fall by element — it shows your natural temperament.
- Notice which houses hold several planets — those areas of life are emphasised.
- Read the tightest aspects (smallest orb) first; they are the strongest themes.
- Put it together as a story, not a list — every chart has strengths and challenges.
Ready? Calculate your birth chart — it shows the wheel, a planet table, aspects and a written reading.