The Natal Chart: A Tool for Understanding

Astrology as a Practice of Tolerance

Astrology is often misunderstood as a system of labels, predictions, or personality shortcuts. For me, its true value lies somewhere quieter and far more useful. A natal chart, also known as a birth chart, is not a verdict on who you are, nor is it a hierarchy of better or worse traits. It is a language of understanding. One that, when used thoughtfully, can soften judgment, deepen self-knowledge, and make room for compassion.

What Is a Natal Chart?

Every planet, luminary, planetoid, and asteroid in our sky occupied a particular sign and degree at the exact moment you took your first breath.

In that millisecond of you joining the world, a snapshot of the heavens was taken. This astronomical Polaroid is referred to as your natal chart, or birth chart, sometimes called your astrological blueprint.

It will please you to know that natal charts are like snowflakes. No two are the same. The sky is in constant motion, and because we’re all born at different times and places on Earth, the snapshot shifts from moment to moment. Each natal chart is entirely distinctive.

Every planet in a natal chart represents a different and essential part of who you are. Sometimes those planets form easy, flowing angles with one another. Sometimes they make difficult ones. At times, planets struggle to express themselves. At other times, they move full steam ahead, strengthened by their essential dignities.

A natal chart should breed tolerance, patience, and understanding. Primarily for yourself. And from there, it should circle outward to include others.

Once you begin to understand that you are this and not that, you can stop exhausting yourself trying to be something you’re not. That’s what Shakespeare was pointing to when he wrote, “To thine own self be true.” Simple words to say. Much harder to live.

Self-knowledge is tricky business. Especially when we waste time trying to be like others and come up short. Or when we recognize our own innate strengths and fall into the opposite trap, comparing ourselves upward and downward, judging others for the very struggles we don’t share.

That’s why she’s so bossy.
Or he’s so detached.
Why mom seems cold, or dad so judgmental.
Why my daughter says I’m controlling.

Seen through the lens of a natal chart, people’s foibles start to make more sense.
And understanding, at last, has somewhere to land.

A Note on Practice

I don’t practice astrology as a way to predict outcomes or categorize people. I use astrology as a tool for reflection, self-awareness, and humility. At its best, astrology helps us understand ourselves and others with more nuance and less judgment. When curiosity replaces certainty, compassion has space to grow.