Astrology is one of the very best tools for self-discovery.  It’s very easy these days to get your ‘astrology chart’.  There are many free sites online that will give you a PDF of your natal chart – that is the ‘star map’ for when you were born and is like a blueprint of the positive and negative personality traits, potential skills and abilities, and more, that you will have at your disposal as you move through life.

Here are a just a few places you can download or print your free natal astrology chart – Astrology.com, Astrology Zone, Astrolabe, Astro-Charts. Look for one that writes out the names of the planets and the signs they are in for you, as you will need that if you are a beginner.

In your initial journey of self-discovery through astrology, the most important part of the chart to look at is, firstly, your sun-sign, which is who your soul chose to incarnate as in this lifetime. A deep look at the talents, abilities, and both positive and negative personality traits of your sun-sign is the most important place to start.  This is what my book, Astrology: Art and Science, covers.

Next, look at your moon-sign.  Not only does the moon represent the way you respond to things emotionally, it also talks about the personality traits you’ve brought into life with you.

Then, look at your ascendent.  That’s the sign on the left side of the horizon line on the chart.  That is your soul’s immediate purpose in incarnating.

I also like to look at the south node of the moon.  That also gives enormous insight into your present and past personality, and often shows traits you’re ready to offload in this lifetime.

Lastly, when I am giving an overview of the personality from your natal chart, I look at Saturn.  That’s the planet that tells me about your life lessons.

Here’s a quick meaning for each sign that you can apply to these points in your chart, for some initial insight into yourself:

Aries – Explosive Energy. Action Taker.
Taurus – Calm. Powerful. Accumulating.
Gemini – Thoughtful.  Versatile. Changeable.
Cancer – Nurturing. Family Oriented.
Leo – Leadership. Loyalty.
Virgo – Analytical. Mechanically Inclined.
Libra – Community Minded.  Diplomacy.
Scorpio – Controlling. Powerful. Protective.
Sagittarius – Freedom Loving. Changeable.
Capricorn – Family and Career Oriented. Powerful.
Aquarius – Objective. Gregarious. Judgmental.
Pisces – Empathic. Understanding. Lacks Boundaries.