your astrological blueprint: birth charts and what they mean.

your birth chart, or natal chart, is your astrological blueprint. it is a guide to the potential of your personality and your likely journey and evolution through life, according to the position of the planets in the sky at the time you were born.

your birth chart can reveal your potential strengths as well as your possible weaknesses, or the challenges you need to overcome and learn from to evolve on your journey through life. if you wish to draw up your birth chart, you will need to know the time, date, and place of your birth. your birthday isn't just your special day, it is also the key to your astrological personality and deepest desires.

your birth chart can reveal incredible insights about you and the areas of your life you are likely to flourish but be aware that what it reveals is potential only. whether you develop that potential is up to you. you can choose to dance or you can choose to sleep under the stars.

your birth chart resembles a wheel. decoding it can help you determine the position of the sun and the planets when you were born, which in turn will enable you to understand yourself and your life better. be aware that the sun is the most powerful celestial and astrological body in your chart. every month, and over the course of a year, it moves full circle through 12 astrological constellations or signs known as the zodiac.

here's what you will need to know:

• sun sign: the position of the sun and the zodiac sign it was passing through when you were born. this sign represents who you are, your sense of self, and what drives you.
• rising sign: the zodiac sign that was rising up when you were born, also known as the ascendant. this sign represents how others see you or the image you present to the world.
• moon sign: the position of the moon and the zodiac sign it was passing through when you were born. this sign represents your emotional and inner self.
• the planets: each planet was in a sign when you were born and will also impact your personality and potential.
• the 12 houses: the first house on your chart is where your rising sign is located. from there, move counter-clockwise to discover which signs fall into the other 11 houses. each house is associated with a different aspect of your personality and life.