Question 1

What is a birth chart?

Accepted Answer

A birth chart (also called a natal chart) is a map of the sky at the exact moment and location of your birth. It shows the positions of the Sun, Moon, and planets in the zodiac signs and houses, revealing your personality traits, life themes, and potential.

Question 2

How do I calculate my birth chart?

Accepted Answer

Enter your birth date, birth time, and birth city into the calculator. The tool uses the Swiss Ephemeris to compute precise planetary positions, house cusps, aspects, and dignities. You'll need your exact birth time for accurate house placements and Ascendant calculation.

Question 3

What if I don't know my birth time?

Accepted Answer

You can still calculate a partial birth chart without your birth time. Check the 'I don't know my birth time' option and the calculator will use noon as a default. Your planet signs and aspects will be accurate, but house placements and the Ascendant will not be reliable.

Question 4

What is the difference between Whole Sign and Placidus house systems?

Accepted Answer

Whole Sign houses assign one entire zodiac sign to each house, starting from the Ascendant's sign. It's the oldest system and increasingly popular. Placidus divides the sky based on time, creating unequal house sizes. Placidus is the most widely used modern system but fails at extreme latitudes.

Question 5

What is zodiacal releasing?

Accepted Answer

Zodiacal releasing is a Hellenistic time-lord technique from Vettius Valens. It divides life into major periods based on the Lot of Fortune or Lot of Spirit, with each zodiac sign ruling a period proportional to its ruler's minor years. It reveals peak periods, career chapters, and major life turning points.

Question 6

What are essential dignities in astrology?

Accepted Answer

Essential dignities measure how well a planet functions based on its zodiac sign position. The five levels are: domicile (planet in its own sign, strongest), exaltation, triplicity, terms (bounds), and face (decan). A planet with no dignity is called peregrine. Dignities are fundamental in traditional and horary astrology.

Question 7

Is this birth chart calculator free?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the birth chart calculator is completely free to use. You can cast natal charts, view transits, calculate progressions, and access all astrological techniques without any payment. Creating a free account lets you save charts and receive personalized transit alerts.

Question 8

What are secondary progressions in astrology?

Accepted Answer

Secondary progressions are a predictive technique where one day after birth equals one year of life. Planetary positions on day 40 after birth describe the themes of age 40. The progressed Moon is the most active indicator, changing signs every 2.3 years and marking emotional chapters. This calculator also supports tertiary progressions (1 day = 1 lunar month) and minor progressions (1 lunar month = 1 year).

Question 9

What is synastry in astrology?

Accepted Answer

Synastry is the comparison of two birth charts to assess relationship compatibility. It examines how one person's planets aspect the other's, revealing areas of harmony, tension, and mutual activation. This calculator also supports composite charts (midpoint method) and Davison relationship charts (midpoint in time and space).

Question 10

What are profections in astrology?

Accepted Answer

Annual profections are a Hellenistic timing technique where each year of life advances the Ascendant by one whole sign. At age 0 it's in the 1st house sign, age 1 in the 2nd, and so on in a 12-year cycle. The ruler of the profected sign becomes the year's time lord, highlighting which planet is most active. This calculator includes both annual and monthly profections.

Question 11

What is the difference between tropical and sidereal astrology?

Accepted Answer

Tropical astrology aligns the zodiac to the seasons (0° Aries = spring equinox). Sidereal astrology aligns to the fixed star constellations, currently offset by about 24° due to precession. This calculator supports both: tropical (default Western), plus 8 sidereal ayanamsas (Lahiri, Fagan-Bradley, Raman, Krishnamurti, DeLuce, Yukteshwar, JN Bhasin, True Citra) and draconic zodiac.