Natal Chart Readings [also called Birth Chart Readings]
What Is a Natal Chart?
A natal chart is a precise astronomical map of where the planets were located in the sky around Earth at the exact moment of your birth. It is calculated using time, date, and geographic coordinates, and could be used by an astronomer to identify planetary positions [apart from the zodiac signs, which are symbolic overlays]. It is not invented or interpretive by itself; it is a real, mathematical snapshot of the sky.
Why I Require a Natal Chart Reading Before Other Readings
Before I can offer any other type of reading to a new client, we must begin with the natal chart. The natal chart is the seed from which all other charts grow. This is to say that all subsidiary charts, such as solar return charts, are calculated using your exact natal chart data. For this reason, an initial birth chart reading is required for all new clients.
Other charts, such as transits, progressions, or relationship synastry, can offer insight into specific life dynamics, but none of them make sense without understanding the person at the center. As a psychological astrologer, I believe that in order to read the energy of a current moment, we must first understand the emotional and psychological patterns you carry into that moment. This foundational session gives us the context we need for all future work.
After we’ve had our initial natal reading, you’ll be able to book a variety of other readings I offer, such as transits, solar returns, one-question email readings, and more.
Birth Chart Reading Session Details
All natal readings are 1 hour long, and held over Zoom. We begin with a conversation that invites you to share your life story, however you’d like to tell it. This might include family background, formative experiences, key relationships, or anything else that feels important in helping me understand your world. This part of the session typically lasts anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes.
The rest of the hour is dedicated to interpreting the structure of your chart. We’ll explore your Sun, Moon, and Rising signs, major planetary aspects, aspect patterns, and the elemental, modal, and hemispheric balance of your chart. I also pay attention to anything that feels symbolically significant, or that ties into your personal history or questions. Each session is shaped by you.
My Philosophy
I don’t approach astrology as a set of answers or predictions. I see it as a language; one that helps us interpret the ongoing conversation between inner life and outer experience. When I read a natal chart, my goal is not to tell you who you are, but to help you notice what has shaped you, what you long for, and what might be possible from here.
My approach is deeply rooted in self-reflection, symbolism, and discovery. If you’d like to read more about what guides my practice, visit the Inkblot philosophy page.
Resources for First-Time Astrology Clients
If this is your first time receiving an astrology reading, you don’t need to prepare anything in advance. All you need to bring is a willingness to be present and open to reflection. That said, if you're someone who likes to feel prepared, I recommend this episode from astrologer Chris Brennan’s The Astrology Podcast on how a client can prepare for and get the most out of an astrology reading. Apple ╱ Website
For those who enjoy reading, The Astrologer’s Handbook by Frances Sakoian and Louis S. Acker is a clear and well-structured introduction to the basics of natal astrology. It’s a valuable companion for anyone interested in building context around what we explore in a reading.