How to Read Your Birth Chart
Join astrologer Stefana Brancastle for a 90-minute introduction to how astrology impacts your life through your own personal birth chart. Understand yourself and your unique relationship to the astrological universe better by the end of this engaging workshop.
In this illuminating and accessible workshop, you will learn the meaning of the Sun, Moon, and Rising signs in your chart, the understand the influence of the twelve houses, and begin exploring and reading an astrological chart with ease.
Open to ages 15 and up - no prior experience required. Please bring your birth date, time, and place for a more personal exploration. If you have a laptop or ipad please bring this too. Otherwise a paper chart will be provided for you.
How participants will spend their time
Welcome and Introduction (10 minutes)
A brief explanation of the many astrological traditions across history, such as Babylonian, Greek, Vedic, and Tibetan Buddhist astrology. Participants learn that although each system has its own language, the core principles of chart reading remain universal.
Overview of the Basic Chart Components (25 minutes)
Participants are introduced to:
- Planets as archetypal forces
- Zodiac signs and their elemental and modal structure
- Houses as the twelve areas of life
- Aspects as the angles and relationships between planets
Microcosmos and Macrocosmos (5 minutes)
A simple introduction to the idea that astrology reflects both the psyche or microcosmos of the human being and the macrocosmos of the larger world.
Charts can be cast for individuals, global events, and historical moments.
Guided Interpretation Process (20 minutes)
A clear and practical demonstration of how to begin reading a chart step by step.
- Exploring charts of famous, historical figures or events in history
Personal Chart Exploration (30–45 minutes)
Participants receive their printed birth chart. With Stefana’s guidance they will:
- Identify their Sun, Moon, and Ascendant
- Understand their personal planets
- Recognise key themes in their chart through signs and houses
Stefana moves around the room to offer support where needed.
Group Reflection and Questions (10 minutes)
A gentle closing discussion and time for questions in The Sun Exhibition at the end of the workshop - one to one sessions of 10min or so per participant.
What participants will learn and be able to do
By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:
- Understand the foundational building blocks of astrology
- Recognise the universal structure shared across various astrological systems
- Identify major placements in their own chart
- Begin interpreting themes related to personality, purpose, and life patterns
- Understand how astrology reflects both the inner life (microcosmos) and the wider world (macrocosmos)
What participants will take away
- A concise handout summarising:
- Planets, signs, houses, and a gentle introduction to Aspects
- The microcosmos and macrocosmos principle
- A simple method for reading a chart
This provides guests with a clear starting point for ongoing learning and exploration.
With thanks to the Arts Council England for funding for Helios at St Albans Museum + Gallery
