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Overview
In astrology, a birth chart (also called an astrological chart) is a graph that provides a glimpse into an individual’s natural character. A birth chart offers information about the tendencies and potentials of individuals and describes what periods of time of their lives will be better or worse. Birth charts map the positions of the planets in the Zodiac signs and houses during one’s birth moment. Many people complain that they are nothing like what their zodiac sign (also known as a Sun sign) or horoscope says that they should be. This is because most people only know their Sun sign and there are powerful influences of other planets that can only be known by the examination of one’s unique birth chart because the birth chart for every person contains all zodiac signs. This means it is not just the Sun sign that makes people who they are, but all zodiac signs and the Moon sign have an effect on them.

Birth Moment
What is generally accepted as the true moment of birth is the moment of the first inspiration of breath after litigation of the umbilical cord. In order to be correctly set in the birth chart, the time of the birth moment must be reduced to standard time and adjusted to Greenwich world-time for calculating the planet's location.

Astrology Overview
Astrology is based on the relationship between the planets; the Sun and the Moon; the 12 Zodiac signs; and 12 areas of a person’s life called houses. Astrology offers explanations for phenomena that can’t be described by the rational sciences. The Complete Idiots Guide to Astrology defines the zodiac as the elliptical pattern Earth follows in its annual revolution around the Sun. The zodiac signs represent the needs and styles of the planets. The planets represent the various energies of a person (mental and emotional nature, desires, etc.). The houses encompass a specific arena of life. Astrological interpretations are descriptions of how a person may behave rather than what he or she might actually do.

Zodiac Signs
The Zodiac is divided into twelve 30-degree segments, and each segment is a zodiac sign. The segments are named after significant constellations of stars. Because of the motion of the Earth over thousands of years, the constellations are no longer exactly aligned with their zodiac signs as they were when they were first named. Every sign is ruled by a planet.

Sun Signs
The Sun sign is the position of the sun at the time of one’s birth. A person’s Sun sign is what they know as their Zodiac sign and is what they use to look up their daily horoscope. The domain of the sun is individuality. The most general information in a horoscope is based on this sign. It is the most powerful sign, however, birth charts can reveal the powerful influences of other planets and information about Moon signs, which helps to give a more accurate description of individuals. This is especially true for those born at the beginning or end of a Zodiac cycle. If you find that you happen to be typical of your Sun sign, it is probably because several planets are in your sign or are linked with it in positive ways.

Moon Signs
The Moon sign is the position of the moon at the time of one’s birth. The domain of the moon is emotions. The characteristics of the Moon sign tell us how one interacts emotionally.

Parts of Birth Charts
There are 12 sections of the chart, each called houses. Within each house on the birth chart are symbols representing the location of the planets, and the signs they were in at one’s birth. The houses represent the places where everything in life will occur. Depending on where the zodiac signs were during birth will show how one will be in certain aspects of their lives. Below the horizon are the six houses of personal development, and above the horizon are the six houses of development in the larger world.

The highest point of the chart, the midheaven (M.C.), is the highest point that the Sun reached on the day of your birth and is located on the edge of the tenth house. The lowest point in the chart, the lower heaven (I.C.), is on the exact opposite side of Earth of the midheaven. This point represents your life’s foundations and psychological roots. It is on the cusp of the fourth house. There is a horizon line that goes from left to right across the chart. The left side is known as the ascendant, or Rising sun, and is the way that the outside world perceives you. The Rising sun also indicates the skills and traits that will be developed throughout life. The right side known is known as the descendent, and represents how you relate to others through relationships.



The Difference Between Daily Horoscopes and Birth Charts
•	A horoscope only reveals what astrology says about Sun sign’s.

•	A horoscope is a general overview that relates to everyone who shares a particular Sun sign.

•	A birth chart reveals more detailed information based on numerous pieces of information, not just the Sun sign.

•	A birth chart is unique for each individual.

Find Your Birth Chart Online
There are numerous websites that provide you with a free birth chart. All you need to do is put in your name, the date you were born, the time you were born, and where you were born. Even after you see your birth chart, it may be hard to interpret the meaning. The best way to understand your birth chart is to speak with an astrologist who can interpret the chart for you.