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

Mark the First House: Now that we know the Ascendant we have also identified the starting point of the chart. The Ascendant is always the beginning of the First House. We count the houses counterclockwise.

Mark the other houses: Use ascending numerical order. Some charts have this already marked.

Note the house sizes: The houses in a chart are not necessarily all the same size but they can be. This depends on the house system used. You can read more about the houses here.