Cardinal Points

As you look at the chart - to your left at 9 o'clock is the Eastern horizon, this is known as the Ascendant of the chart, sometimes shortened to ASC. On this chart it is 25Taurus22 The ascendant represents the degree of the constellation that was in line with the eastern horizon for the calculated time of the chart. The ascendant also marks the beginning of the first house.

To your right at 3 o'clock is the Western Horizon, this is known as the Descendant of the chart, sometimes shortened to DSC. On this chart it is 25Scorpio22 The descendant represents the degree of the constellation that was in line with the western horizon for the calculated time of the chart. The descendant also marks the beginning of the seventh house.

Up at roughly 12 o'clock is an arrow tip, this marks the highest position the Sun would've reached at local apparent noon. This is known as the Medium Colei (Latin. "middle of the sky") of your chart, known commonly as the Midheaven, sometimes shortened to MC. On this chart it is 04Pisces37 The midheaven also marks the beginning of the tenth house.

Down at roughly 6 o'clock, opposite the midheaven is the Innum Coeli (Latin. "bottom of the sky") of the chart, known commonly as the Innum Colei..hehe, sometimes shortened to IC. This marks the lowest position the Sun would've reached at local apparent midnight. On this chart it is 04Virgo37 The innum colei also marks the beginning of the fourth house.

These 4 points are sometimes known as the Cross Quarters.

Hemispheres

Northern and Southern

The plane of the Horizon ( 9 to 3 o'clock ) divides the chart into two halves. For charts "in" the Northern hemisphere on Earth - the upper half of the Astrology Chart is referred to as the Southern hemisphere, with the lower half referred as the Northern hemisphere. The opposite applies for charts "in" the Southern hemisphere on Earth, where the upper half of the chart is referred to as the Northern hemisphere and the lower half - the Southern. Most Astrologers simply prefer to refer as "upper or lower".

Eastern and Western

The chart is then divided again vertically into halves. From the Midheaven to the Innum Colei. To the left of the chart is the Eastern hemisphere and the right of the chart the Western hemisphere.

Quadrants

Born in the Northern Hemisphere Chart

Top Left = South East

Top Right = South West

Lower Left = North East

Lower Right = North West

Born in the Southern Hemisphere Chart

Top Left = North East

Top Right = North West

Lower Left = South East

Lower Right = South West

The Houses

Each Quadrant is divided by 3, rendering a Cardinal, Fixed and Mutable House in each Quadrant creating 12 Houses in all around the chart.

The Houses are numbered from the Ascendant anti clockwise around to the Descendant # 1 to 6. The Houses from the Descendant anti clockwise around to the Ascendant are numbered # 7 to 12.

Aspects

The colorful lines through the center of the chart are just visual aids, marking the angles between two points. The entire chart being a circle is classified geometrically as 360 degrees in circumference. These angles are referenced back to our respective viewing point on earth; they are called "aspects".

The red lines join points approximately 90 degrees apart from each other - these are square arcs.

The blue lines, 120 degrees - trine arcs.

The black lines, 180 degrees - opposition.

The pink lines, 60 degrees - sextile arcs.

The green lines, 150 degrees - quincunx arcs.

There are many more and this is only the color key for this chart, other keys may be used.

In astrological script, symbols are used to identify geometric "aspects". You can see these tiny symbols also, on this chart. You'll find the symbols listed in Cosmic Corner - "Astrological Symbols".

Once the layout of the chart is understood, then we move into data collection, which then leads to interpretation.

After your born, the planets obviously continue orbiting. Astrologers refer to this ongoing "real time" movement as "transits".

The Sun on the chart above will take 12 months approximately to transit the entire wheel. When the sun reaches 09Virgo37 by transit it will be exactly opposite the birth position of 09Pisces37. This is a transiting sun opposition a natal sun. When the sun is at 09Gemini37 it will be square the natal sun.

Transits are accurately predictable in their timing.

Interpretation of future atmospheres are possible when

sufficient data has been studied of manifestations in past atmospheres.

As Above so Below

When you understand a cycle...

you can consciously work with it for greater control.