an amateur birth chart interpretation: L

Parker, J., & Parker, D. (1991). Parkers’ Astrology: The Definitive Guide to Using Astrology of Your Daily Life. DK Publishing.

I recently stumbled upon an old astrology book at a quaint little bookstore in a small Virginia town. Written by a husband-and-wife duo and published back in 1991, it’s a treasure trove of astrology and all things zodiac. After diving into their insights and weaving in some of my own, I’m ready to share my thoughts—stitched together with a blend of the old and the new.

Astrology Terms for Reference

A good friend of mine, L, graciously allowed me to use her chart as an example to help understand some foundational concepts in astrology, particularly the planets, houses, and sun signs. I hope this serves as a useful reference for you as well. If you’d like, I can also work on your natal chart interpretation. It won’t be as detailed as the professional reports you might find online, but it will offer some personal insights.

L's Chart

L's Sun sign is in Taurus, and her Rising (Ascendant) is also in Taurus, positioning Taurus in the house of personality and motivation (1st House). Taurus, ruled by Venus, is a sign of permanence and possession. Her ruling planet, Venus, is located in the 12th House, the house of faith and escapism. Think of a Taurus personality as one that is steadfast, perhaps even stoic and stubborn in her own ideas and opinions. L is slow to change, as the need for permanence feels like a second skin (12th House). She cherishes the love and harmony she finds in life, whether through family, friends, or the abstract ideas and possessions she holds dear. This might manifest as a strong attachment or possessiveness over these elements in her life.

If our Sun represents the "face" we present to the world, our Moon is the mirror. L’s Virgo Moon in the 5th House, which governs creativity and pleasure, may seem contradictory at first, but hear me out: Virgo, known for its critical and analytical nature, suggests that L might be risk-averse, especially in areas involving creativity and pleasure. Virgos are not typically known as the risk-takers of the zodiac, so this placement may mean L approaches her creative endeavors with caution and careful analysis.

Mercury, the planet of communication and the mind, being in Taurus indicates a need for harmony and balance in speech. L likely prefers to stick to what she knows and believes, rarely straying from her established views. This type of stubbornness is what many might connect to the classic Taurus stereotype, and that's because L has a significant amount of Taurus placements in her chart. The more placements ruled by the same planet, the more those stereotypical traits and behaviors might emerge.

L’s Mars, the planet of physical energy and initiative, is in Aries. This strong placement suggests that L's approach to her social life and friendships is assertive and forthright. When a ruling sign (in this case, Aries) is found in the ruling planet's position (Mars), there is a stronger association with the House. L’s interactions may come across as intense and embody an all-or-nothing mentality. Her friendships are either amazing and continue to thrive, or they simply do not last. This isn’t a dig at her character, but rather an observation of her straightforward nature in relationships.

Jupiter, the planet of learning and philosophy, is in Virgo. Remember Virgo? The sign of critical analysis? When a sign like Virgo is found in Jupiter, the planet of expansion, things get a bit complex. In addition to being analytical, Virgo is also a mutable earth sign. So L has a critical, often risk-averse, and "anxious" sign in her house of pleasure, creativity, and overall risk-taking. This placement may not bode well for impulsive actions in future ambitions and goals, to say the least. It’s not to imply that L will never achieve or grow in her philosophies, but she might shy away from trying new things that feel too risky. For some, exploring new ways of being is a guiding life force, but for a Virgo Jupiter, this might not be the case.

Now is also a good time to note the importance of planetary distances in a natal chart. The closer a planet is to Earth, the more specific it is to the individual; the farther away it is, the more it reflects generational influences. For example, L’s Venus and Mars placements will be more personally relevant, while her Pluto and Neptune placements reflect broader, generational themes.

Saturn, the planet of stability and control, is in Aquarius in the 10th House. This suggests that L may have a strong and independent view of her social status and worldly progress. She might find herself more independent, aligning with unique perspectives rather than following the crowd. Aquarius is known for "out-of-the-box" thinking, and a Saturn in Aquarius in the 10th House exemplifies that.

Uranus, the planet of change and disruption, is in Capricorn in the 9th House, which governs further education, ideals, and dreams. This placement suggests a certain grit and resilience, characteristics found in many Millennials born with this influence. These individuals take their responsibilities seriously and do not waver in their ideals. Whatever L wanted to be when she was younger, there’s likely still some of that dream within her, even if she hasn't yet achieved it. However, the Uranus-Capricorn combination might create internal conflicts as her ideals clash with the practical reality of achieving them.

Neptune, the planet that deals with cloudiness, non-absolutes, and indecision, is also in Capricorn. Like her Uranus in Capricorn, this might seem like a mismatch—two puzzle pieces that don’t quite fit. Neptune Capricorns are practical people with idealistic dreams, driven to use their aspirations to move forward, even if those dreams sometimes feel at odds with their practical nature.

Finally, L’s Pluto is in Scorpio in the 7th House, the house of relationships and partnerships. Pluto is the planet of transformation, disruption, and elimination, and being in Scorpio amplifies these traits. This placement suggests that L might experience intense and transformative relationships, marked by deep emotional connections and significant personal growth. Pluto in Scorpio, especially in the 7th House, reflects an introspective nature. L might find herself drawn to the deeper, more hidden aspects of herself, almost to a fault. This introspection could lead to intense emotional experiences, possibly manifesting as jealousy or possessiveness. On a more optimistic note, this placement can also signify the ability to rise from challenges like a phoenix from the ashes, finding strength and renewal through difficult times.

Summary

L expresses herself in a possessive and determined manner, often striving for permanence in how others perceive her. Her emotions, especially related to creativity and pleasure, are critical and analytical, leading her to approach these areas with caution. Communication is deeply tied to her personal beliefs and may often be expressed in a manner that is unwavering, perhaps even leading to periods of seclusion. She finds harmony and unity through a form of escapism, whether through faith or her own imagination. L channels her physical energy directly into her friendships and social life, where she applies a critical and analytical philosophy, especially toward her own creative endeavors. Risk-taking is approached with prudence, reflecting her calculated nature. When it comes to her social status, aspirations, and worldly progress, she may experience periods of distant reflection, leading to possible changes or disruptions in her further education, personal ideals, and dreams. These areas of her life are navigated with caution, as she strives to balance her practical nature with her idealized visions. L tends to harbor intense, buried emotions within her friendships and partnerships, which could manifest as jealousy or deceit, but her passion for these one-to-one relationships runs deep and is a central aspect of her experience. Her chart highlights a life marked by deep emotional connections, significant personal growth, and the potential for profound transformation.

If you're interested by what you see here and want to explore your own relationship with the stars, feel free to share your natal chart with me. I'd love to interpret it and learn more about how we’re all connected to the cosmos.