Classical astrology provides a structured approach to interpreting a natal chart. By following a step-by-step method, astrologers can analyze personality, life events, strengths, weaknesses, and potential challenges with precision.

Step 1: Examine the Ascendant (Rising Sign)

• Purpose: The Ascendant represents the personality’s outward expression, physical appearance, and initial approach to life.
• Method:
  • Note the sign, degree, and ruling planet.
  • Analyze how the rising sign sets the tone for the entire chart.
• Keywords: Personality, physical traits, approach to life.

Step 2: Analyze the Sun and Moon

• Sun: Core identity, ego, life purpose.
• Moon: Emotions, instincts, inner needs, and reactions.
• Method:
  • Consider their signs, houses, aspects, and dignity (essential and accidental).
• Keywords: Ego, motivation, emotional patterns.

Step 3: Examine Planetary Positions

• Planets to analyze: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto.
• Method:
  • Look at signs, houses, aspects, and dignities.
  • Identify strengths, weaknesses, talents, and challenges.
• Keywords: Communication, relationships, drive, expansion, discipline, innovation, intuition, transformation.

Step 4: Study the Houses

• Purpose: Each of the 12 houses represents a life area.
• Method:
  • Note which planets occupy each house.
  • Examine the ruling planets of empty houses.
• Keywords: Life domains, focus areas, challenges, opportunities.

Step 5: Assess Aspects

• Purpose: Aspects show planetary interactions, forming harmony or tension.
• Major aspects: Conjunction, opposition, square, trine, sextile.
• Minor aspects: Quincunx, semisextile, quintile, sesquiquadrate.
• Method:
  • Analyze exact aspects first, then near aspects.
  • Consider both major and minor influences.
• Keywords: Interaction, harmony, tension, growth.

Step 6: Consider Essential and Accidental Dignities

• Purpose: Determine planets’ strength and effectiveness in the chart.
• Method:
  • Essential dignity: rulership, exaltation, triplicity, term, face.
  • Accidental dignity: house placement, aspects, speed, stationing.
• Keywords: Power, weakness, effectiveness, influence.

Step 7: Evaluate Special Points

• Examples: Ascendant ruler, Part of Fortune, Vertex, Arabic Parts, Chiron, fixed stars.
• Purpose: These points highlight fate, opportunity, challenges, and hidden talents.
• Method: Integrate them into the overall interpretation.
• Keywords: Destiny, hidden potential, karmic lessons.

Step 8: Integrate Everything

• Purpose: Form a cohesive narrative about the person’s life, personality, and potential.
• Method:
  • Connect signs, houses, planets, aspects, and special points.
  • Note recurring themes, dominant elements, and key patterns.
• Keywords: Synthesis, holistic understanding, life themes.

🔑 Summary

1. Ascendant → Personality & physical traits
2. Sun & Moon → Core identity & emotional nature
3. Planets → Talents, drive, relationships, challenges
4. Houses → Life areas & focus
5. Aspects → Planetary interactions
6. Dignities → Planetary strength & weakness
7. Special points → Hidden talents, fate, karmic lessons
8. Integration → Complete life narrative