· By Ashleigh O'Leary

What is an Astrological Natal Chart?

"Your astrological natal chart is a map of your soul intention or a guideline to help you navigate to your highest potential and purpose. Many have coined it as ‘your cosmic fingerprint'".

What is a natal chart?

Everyone is born with a natal birth chart. There are different names for this chart including; horoscope, birth chart or natal chart.

At the very base level - your natal chart is a snapshot of where the planets were located in the sky at the exact moment you took your very first breath.

It shows us where all the planets and asteroids were positioned in the Solar System, as seen from the earth's perspective, specific to the exact location and time of your birth. It is a never to be repeated arrangement of planets, signs, angles, houses and aspects combined with your own free will, as an expression of you as an individual spirit. Your birth chart is a holistic image of you and a reflection of your unique character. It energetically ties together the relationship we humans have between the larger universe outside of us and the personal universe within (as above, so below). It's our energetic tapestry that's forever linked and impacted by the various planets and asteroids in the sky.

Everything you are and do is somehow contained within its dynamic picture. Your natal chart is therefore a picture and just like a Dr reading CT scans or X Rays, Astrologers look at the Natal Chart to get a deeper insight and feel for what you may be feeling and experiencing this lifetime.

We all have a purpose and we are all here to evolve and expand. Our natal chart flows naturally toward this goal, making us feel alive and purposeful. It allows us to become conscious of our gifts, challenges and areas of healing + evolving.

But why would you get a natal chart reading?

A natal chart reading is different from a natal birth chart. This is the art of reading the movements and patterns of the planets and other celestial bodies and correlating them to life on earth. An astrologer studies the spiritual science of the zodiac wheel as well as the signs, the planets, the asteroids and the angles of a chart and can read your natal chart in an objective and neutral way. Acting like a mirror of hope, reflecting things back to you which you may not have seen or felt.

Your natal chart is an invaluable, enlightening guide to self-awareness. An understanding of your chart and the planetary energies, allows you to take your life into your own hands and utilize the energies to help you evolve. It’s a bit like choosing to swim WITH the currents of life as opposed to swimming AGAINST the currents. It’s a form of spiritual science that can help support you throughout many phases and terrains of your life.

If you’ve ever felt misunderstood or if you’ve ever felt confused when it comes to your soul’s purpose, having your chart read allows you to be seen on such a profound level. Thus, unlocking a new realm of deeper self-appreciation, self-care and self-compassion.

An astrology reading can be conducted in-person, over the phone, Skype/ Zoom, or delivered via an audio recording or written report.

A reading aims to bring your cosmic road map to life, showing you the potential of your personality and your likely journey of evolution. It highlights your character, your potential strengths and weaknesses, potential challenges and areas of growth.  It reveals your motivations and needs, what drives you and what makes you seek what you seek. It looks back into the past, suggesting ancestral themes that may have their impact on you and also looks to the future and what you may be striving to achieve in this lifetime.

And from this place of self-knowledge, we can begin to understand the world around us, our relationships with others and the experiences we encounter.

I currently have three different astrology offerings that cater to various needs and life phases;

- A Sun, Moon and Rising Sign reading is a perfect bite-sized astrology offering that gives you a short but potent insight into your personal astrological make up click here for more information.

- A Full Natal Chart reading is a more in-depth offering and is suited to the individual who is looking to understand their entire natal chart and learn what it all means. This reading looks at all the planetary placements, the nodal story, the Chiron wound and the major aspects click here for more information.

- The Cosmic Parenting Guide is a beautiful e-Book and audio resource for parents who are wanting to better understand and connect with their child based on their child's astrological blueprint. The guide covers all of your child's personal planets based on element and provides insightful information as well as helpful parenting tips. Click here for more information.