Natal chart

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In astrology, a natal chart is a horoscope/astrological chart 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 alternate names for the natal chart include birth chart, natus, and nativity, among others.

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 calculating a natal chart so that the primary chart angles may be calculated with the greatest possible accuracy. These include the ascendant (or "rising sign"), imum coeli, descendant, and the midheaven.

Contents 1 Example 2 Time of birth 3 Astrological symbols 4 See also 5 External links

[edit] Example

The picture to the above-right is a modern example of a natal chart as a modern Western astrologer would most likely view it (though there are variants depending on the specific astrological tradition that the astrologer follows and/or their personal preferences). This particular chart is calculated for a male that was born on 1982-06-21, at 11:03:00 P.M. EDT (Eastern Daylight Time) in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA (Lon:080W50'36" -- Lat:035N13'37"). The design, along with the symbols/glyphs used in the chart, can vary widely; some choose to include the Zodiac wheel, while some do not. Also, charts do not have to be round -- following the Hellenistic/Roman, medieval and/or Vedic styles, they can be square as well.

The astrological aspects (such as conjunctions or oppositions, among others) are delineated in the center of the chart. The twelve signs of the Zodiac are located at the outer portion of the chart wheel; similarly, 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 follows this, with a cadent house at the end of the quadrant.

[edit] Time of birth

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 of birth is virtually useless if the exact location of birth is not known.

[edit] Astrological symbols

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 created for every moment at each location. A natal chart is extremely personal and unique, depending on the specific 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 (see also: astro-twin).

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; for example, "Jovocentric" would be a Jupiter centered view.

[edit] See also

• Angles of the chart
  • Ascendant
  • Descendant
  • Imum Coeli
  • Midheaven
• Astro-twin
• Astrological aspects
• Astrological sign
  • Zodiac
• Astrological symbols
  • Astronomical symbols
• Electional Astrology
• Horary astrology
• Horoscope
• House (astrology)
  • Angular house
  • Succedent house
  • Cadent house

[edit] External links

• Astrological Chart Calculator, an online service for horoscope/natal chart calculation
• Astrodienst chart calculation
• Indian (Vedic) Astrology Chart Calculation software by way of Indian (Vedic) Astrology