When beginning to learn more about Astrology and your own Natal Chart, it is a good idea to start with "The Big Three". So, let's talk a little about what these are and how you can use this information to learn more about your personality. The Big 3 are as follows: your Rising sign (also called your Ascendent), your Sun sign, and your Moon sign.
Time - Remember, that I recommend having your exact birth time from an official document to calculate your chart. In Astrology, hours and minutes do matter. And I can't tell you the number of times I've had clients get a time from their mom, to only come back later with a different time once they have their birth certificate. And y'all, cut your mom some slack. I've never had a child, but I would imagine that while you are trying to push an 8 lb. human out of your hot pocket, you are PROBABLY not looking at a damn clock. Just sayin!
If you can't get the exact time - There are people who can rectify your chart if you don't have the exact time, but I understand it is an in-depth process that can never really be 100% be confirmed. Given that, we can still do a reading without your exact time, it just won't be complete and there are some things we won't know 100%. Even though I do use my intuition and communication with your guides to fill in the gaps, if possible, I prefer to work with an official time when it is available.
Okay! Let's get into it....
1) Your Rising or Ascendent sign relates to the zodiac sign that was rising on the eastern horizon at the time of your birth. And it is super important to know for various reasons. The first is that your rising sign actually creates the layout of your natal chart. Because of this, when you are reading horoscopes, this is the sign you will want to go by, NOT YOUR SUN SIGN. I know, mind blown!!!!!! Try it for a bit and see if it resonates. It certainly did for me. Some astrologers recommend reading your horoscope for all 3 (Rising, Sun and Moon). Typically, I read for my Rising and then if my intuition guides me to do so, I will read my Sun and/or Moon as well.
The other reason your Rising is so key, is that many times, this sign and its traits are actually how you present to others and also what your family might have expected from you in childhood. Even if we desire it to be otherwise, how people perceive us can shape who we are, especially in childhood. As we learn, grow and evolve, we can create a healthier balance between what others expect of us (Rising) and what we require in life (Sun).
For example, a client whose Sun sign is the sometimes-serious Capricorn with a fun-loving, playful Gemini Rising, may have been seen as flaky or flighty when in fact they also have an industrious side to their personality. Our rising sign can also be what we go to in times of stress, because it is familiar to us. In our example, this client might revert back to being spacy and all over the place when they are stressed or triggered.
Deep dive - This sign changes every two hours in a 24-hour period. So, people born on the same day, could have one of 12 different rising or ascendent signs based on the exact time they were born. Example - someone born on 12/12/1985 at 2:34 pm might have a rising sign of Virgo, but someone else born on 12/12/1985 at 4:34 pm could have a rising sign of Libra. This does impact your personality in a variety of ways. Pretty cool, huh?!
2) Your Sun Sign - Most people know what their Sun Sign is. When someone asks the very neutral question, "what's your Sign", this is the one they are asking for (even if they don't know that). In the course of a year, the Sun moves through each sign for about 30 days. We start with Aries in the Spring and end with Pisces in the Winter.
Our Sun Sign can give us important information regarding what lights us up in a very general sense on a day-to-day basis. Also described as what our soul requires to feel fulfilled. For instance, a Gemini Sun may need some playful joy each day to feel satisfied with life. A Pisces Sun may need to mediate or be in the higher spiritual realms each day to feel fulfilled. Since the physical Sun is a source of energy and vitality, the Sun sign can give you hints as to what you can give yourself to feel a bit happier and more energized each day.
Deep dive - Interestingly enough, it's possible that your Sun sign could be different than what you thought if you were born the day the Sun is changing signs. Typically, people call this being born on the cusp. But really, since Astrology is so exact, you are either a sign or not. So, someone born on 10/23/2023 at 12:20 pm would be a Libra Sun. However, if they were born just a minute later at 12:21 pm, they would actually be a Scorpio Sun. Talk about a possible identity crisis. (Don't freak out, it's not that bad, I'm just being funny).
3) Your Moon Sign - This is one is a game changer for so many of my clients. I know it was for me personally. Your Moon is deeply connected to your emotions and your intuition. Understanding the traits of your Moon sign, can help you to understand why you react to life the way you do. It can also provide you valuable feedback about what you need to feel fulfilled on a deeper emotional level. And! It can show you how you can connect and expand your intuition on a practical level.
As an example, a strong and confident Aries Sun with a Pisces Moon may feel shy and withdrawn (especially at different times in the month) and not understand why. Aries is typically a fiery sign that can stand in their power, regardless of what others think of them. But with the Pisces Moon, they will very deeply feel on an intuitive level what others are thinking of them, and they may want to adjust their behavior to avoid feeling and sensing this.
What if you have the above combinations but you don't resonate with the example? Inevitably, once you start to research these things our your own, you are going to find interpretations that just don't feel true to who you are as a person. That's okay! There are multiple factors that we have not go into today, that determine how the energy of the planets and signs are expressed. What I gave you here is just a basic overview. These are just a few examples from past clients. This is why working with a professional Astrologer is going to give you a good basis for your own knowledge. I love empowered clients who come to me with questions about their charts and who take time to understand the different components. Our charts are truly a source of divine information about who we are, what we can accomplish, what might be holding us back, and so, so much more.
Before I started learning about Astrology, I used to joke that it was a big cosmic f**k you that we hadn't been sent to this incarnation with some kind of guidebook. When I was drawn to learn Astrology, I realized my Natal chart was the guidebook I had be hoping for. Some also refer to it as our Soul's Blueprint and I believe it is a really rad gift that we have been given. I mean, life can be challenging at times, but there is just so much great information and insights in this beautiful, magical little wheel of goodness.
Understand that learning Astrology takes time. That is why there are Astrologers that have been doing it for 20 or 30 years. There is soooooo much to learn. Be patient with yourself and stick with it if you feel drawn. Although it intimidated me at first, now 7 years later, I appreciate that I am constantly learning.
Keep in touch and let me know if there are other components you would like to learn about in your chart!
Loves ya, Robin
your Spiritual CFO
Natal Chart Example
