A Birth chart, also known as natal chart, is an astrological chart showing the position of the stars and planets in the sky at the exact time and date that you were born. They are also commonly called as horoscope, natus, astrological chart, astro-chart, celestial map, sky-map, nativity, cosmogram, Vitasphere, soulprint, radical chart, radix, or simply chart, among others.

Astrologists use this chart to get information about the person for it is their belief that the heavenly bodies have considerable influences on our personalities.

The chart is used by the astrologers as a basis for understanding the individual’s strengths and weaknesses when counseling them.

In calculating a natal chart, the date of birth, an accurate birth time (the time of the first breath is generally agreed upon as the exact time) and a location are the necessary information that one should get.

In order to calculate your primary chart angles, get the Ascendant (or Rising Sign), along with the  imum coeli, descendant, and the midheaven of your birth chart.

Aside from the getting the location of birth, the astrologer must also know the latitude and longitude of the location of the birth in order to set up a fully accurate birth chart.

Natal charts provide an astrological interpretation of one’s personality relative to time, date, and place of birth.
There are many ways of calculating your birth charts today. One can use a planisphere or sky map. They are movable paper wheels of the map of the stars which you can set to a specific time, date, or hemisphere. Another way is by using formulae that calculate local sidereal time, house cusps, planetary positions, and the many aspects of the chart.

At present, with the emerging new technologies that we have, we can create our own birth chart at the comfort of our homes through the internet. We can find several online sites that offer birth charts for free of charge or for a fee. These sites also offer customized horoscope, tarot reading, and more about astrology. They also provide daily, weekly and monthly horoscope based on your zodiac signs and future predictions and interpretations of your personality.

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Source : MB.com