1. Introduction - The Overall Picture

2. The Four Components of Every Chart

3. Label the Four Points of the Cross

4. Name the Ascending Sign (Ascendant)

5. Number the Houses

6. Identify the Planets

Identify the Zodiac. You don't need to know yet what all the components mean. The outer circle is actually made of two circles forming a band (or belt) called the zodiac. It is cut into the twelve signs of the zodiac.

Identify the Houses. Inside the zodiac there is what looks like twelve slices of pizza. They do not necessarily align with the signs of the zodiac. These are the twelve houses.

Find the ten Planets. Inside the twelve houses you find the ten planets. If you are counting more than ten in your Birth Chart that is because some websites (or programs or astrologers) show asteroid positions (and other interesting points in the sky) at the moment of your birth. Do not worry about these.

Recognize the Aspects. Finally, in the middle of the Birth Chart there are usually a whole lot of lines. They show interplanetary relationships and are called aspects.