Natal chart

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Example of a natal chart
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Example of a natal chart

In astrology, a natal chart is the term used to describe a horoscope drawn for the exact time of an individual's birth at a particular place on Earth, for the purposes of gaining information about the individual. Commonly used names for the natal chart include natus, birth chart, and nativity.

In addition to the date of birth, an accurate birth time (the first breath is generally agreed upon as the exact time when the chart should be calculated) and a location are essential when setting up a natal chart in order that the primary angles of the chart may be calculated with extreme accuracy. These include the ascendant (or "rising sign"), along with the midheaven (or MC, medium coeli).

The picture above and to the right is a modern example of a natal chart as a modern Western astrologer would most likely view it. This particular chart is calculated for a male that was born on 1982-06-21, at 11:03 p.m. EDT in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA (Lon:080W50'36" -- Lat:035N13'37"). The design used can vary widely, some choose to include the zodiac wheel, some do not. Also charts do not have to be round, they can be square.

The twelve segments of arc form astrological houses which are said to have significance for different areas of life. The angles of the chart divide the chart into four quadrants and the three houses within each quadrant are calculated in this chart by means of a "quadrant system" of chart erection, in which the houses usually include portions of more than one astrological sign. Each quadrant has an angular house, which includes one of the angles of the chart, a succedent house following it, and a cadent house at the end of the quadrant.

When calculating a natal chart, the time of birth is critical. The time of birth can usually be found on the birth certificate in many countries. In some instances, however, the birth times are rounded off by the nurse or doctor that is present to the nearest half or quarter-hour, thus rendering the time only approximately correct. Because of this fairly common practice, the parents should always remember to note the exact time of the child's first breath and not rely on the time given on the birth certificate in the event that they ever plan on having a precisely accurate natal chart calculated for their child. An accurate time is useless without a location.

A chart can be created for any moment at any location, it doesn't have to be for a birth but can be for an event or a proposed event. See Electional Astrology.

These are the astrological glyphs as most commonly used in Western Astrology
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These are the astrological glyphs as most commonly used in Western Astrology

Because the Sun, Moon, planets, and primary angles in the sky are constantly in motion relative to the earth, as each second passes the natal chart/astrological chart is changing, albeit slowly and a new chart is theoretically created for each moment at each location. A natal chart is extremely personal and unique, depending on the date, exact time, and precise location of the birth. Even the birth charts of a pair of twins are often slightly different due to the fact that one of the twins is usually born a few minutes apart from the other.

Most charts are geocentric, that is based on the Earth. There is no reason a chart cannot be created for another planet. Some astrologers use Heliocentric - Sun centered - charts which only require an accurate time as the location would be the Sun. These are theoretical constructions and have a different interpretation to geocentric natal charts.

Charts based on other planets would need all the points recalculating from that point of view. Jovocentric would be a Jupiter centered view.

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