Natal Chart Components

While a natal chart has many different parts, we will identify some of the more common components below.  Click on the underlined links for more information on that topic.

Ascendant or Rising Sign This is determined at the  moment of your birth and is the beginning of chart interpretation.  The Ascendant is always the sign on the first house cusp.  The example is showing Aries as the rising sign or Ascendant  for this particular chart.

Sign on House Cusp.  The Glyphs shown represent the Zodiac Signs.  See the Sign Key on the left.  The example arrows are showing that Taurus is on the 2nd House cusp and Gemini is on the 3rd house cusp of this chart.  Placement is determined by the time and location of your birth.

House Number.  There are 12  houses each one representing different areas of our lives.

Midheaven.  This is the degree of the zodiac at the top of the sky at the moment and placement of birth.  Also known as Medium Coeli or MC.  This example is showing the Midheaven is in the sign Capricorn at 12 degrees 45 minutes.