In order to gain a stronger grasp on the information in this section, it is suggested that you have a printed out copy of a natal chart to look at. If you do not currently have a copy available, you can obtain a free natal chart which you will be able to print out from the astrodienst website.
Looking at your natal chart, you can see that it is in the shape of a wheel. The center of the wheel represents the earth. Since we look at the signs and planets in relation to the earth, most forms of astrology are done geocentrically (or earth centered). Sure, we all know that the Sun is really the center of the Solar System, but most systems of astrology adhere to the geocentric method since we experience the planetary energies in relation to our position on earth.
Outside of the inner circle are the 12 houses, each corresponding to a department of life. For example: the first house represents your outward personality, the second house represents your material possessions, the third house represents your daily communications, etc. (Click on "the Houses" in the side bar for more detailed information on each of the 12 houses.) Each house is separated by a line called a cusp. On the cusp of each house appears a symbol, or glyph, which represents the sign of the zodiac that it falls in. The characteristics of this sign , along with the planet that rules the sign, it's aspects, and any other planets that are located within will color the influence of this house.
Within the houses are the glyphs of the planets and their location; listed by the degrees and minutes of the sign where they appeared in the zodiac at the moment of your birth. This is known as the planet's celestial longitude. Each of these planets represents a certain type of energy. For example: Venus represents the manner in which you attract others and your money making ability. Mars represents how you like to use your energy and how you assert yourself, the Moon represents your basic emotional response and ability to nurture, etc. This energy is affected by the influence of the sign it is in. This combined influence, effects the area of the person's (or native's) life represented by the house where it is located. For example, Mercury stands for communication. Pisces stands for Compassion. If Mercury is in the sign of Pisces, we have someone who communicates compassionately. Furthermore, if Mercury is in the person's sixth house (the house of ones work) we can say that this person communicates compassionately within the work environment. This could be a likely placement for a vocation such as a psychologist or counselor.
Other factors used in the interpretation of the natal chart include the aspects between the planets, the ascendant (the cusp of the first house) and the Midheaven (the cusp of the tenth house); the planets that rule the sign on each house; aspect configurations (special combinations of multiple aspects which have significance); the number of planets in each element, mode and polarity; the number of planets in the top/bottom half of the chart, and the number of planets in the left/right half of the chart.
By blending and interpreting this infinite combination of patterns, astrologers are able to decipher the astrological influences which reveal the uniqueness of each individual person.