Whether you believe in star signs, or just see them as a bit of fun, most people have flicked to the horoscopes section of a newspaper to see what the universe has in store for them that week.
But did you know that your star sign is just the tip of the astrological iceberg, and that the planets can tell you a lot more information about yourself?
Your birth chart yields information about your signs and astrological houses and their influence on your personality.
But how can you find your birth chart, and what can it tell you
What is a birth chart?
Professional Astrologer Janelle Belgrave from So Above told Metro.co.uk: ‘A birth chart is a snapshot of the sky at the moment of your birth.
‘Think of it like a toolbox filled with the potential of your life, your interests, challenges, all the possibilities available for you to experience with your own free will at the helm.
‘It’s important to remember that the stars impel but do not compel. If it’s in your heart, it’s very likely to be reflected in your chart as well.’
When you were born, each of the planets in the solar system had a precise position in the zodiac.
An Astrologer can then interpret the chart to yield information about you.
How to find your birth chart
You can easily access your birth chart online for free from various astrology websites, such as Astrology.com and Cafe Astrology.
You will be asked to enter information such as your name, gender, date of birth, time of birth, location of birth.
The site may also ask for your email to send you the result.
You can also book an appointment with a professional astrologer, who will be able to talk you through exactly what your birth chart means.
According to Janelle, the exact time you were born is ‘crucial’ when it comes to your birth chart.
Janelle said: ‘Time is a crucial part of astrological accuracy, the sky is constantly shifting and there are elements of a chart like the Ascendant or Rising Sign and the Moon that move through the zodiac in a matter of hours or days respectively.
‘There’s a significant difference between someone born with an Ascendant or Moon in Libra vs Virgo or Scorpio, the two signs on either side of it.’
She added: ‘The same can be said for “cusps”, there’s a belief that people can be a blended Sun Sign, say for example “Sagi-Corn” or someone born within those few days that seem to meld Sagittarius & Capricorn together.
‘With an exact birth time someone can be born with the Sun at 29° 59′ Sagittarius at 11:55pm on Dec 21st but as soon as it’s 11:56pm the Sun would move to 0°0’ Capricorn, there’s no in between sign or cusp. You’re either one or the other.
‘Time creates separation and structure. If your placements don’t resonate you may want to investigate further with time in mind.’
What does your birth chart tell you?
Your birth chart has information on a great deal of aspects, from communication to family relationships.
Janelle explained to Metro.co.uk: ‘With enough practice, you can see someone’s entire family in their natal charts, parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles, family stories.
‘You can tell the timing of major life events, births, deaths, marriages, divorces, illnesses, relocations, career shifts etc.
‘Birth charts are not limited to just people, there are branches of Astrology that focus on world events, nations, politics, weather, farming, medicine etc. So long as there’s a time and place, there’s also a chart.’
Your birth chart can also tell you what job you’d be suited for based on your various traits and qualities.
You can also find out which star signs you are most compatible with, which may be a good thing to keep in mind when dating.
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