How to Read an Astrology Chart: A Beginner’s Guide to Planets, Signs & Houses

You’ve pulled your birth chart. You’ve read a dozen astrology books. You’ve followed every astrologer on Instagram.
And yet…

“What does all of this really mean?”

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many astrology seekers hit this same wall. They’re passionate—but overwhelmed. Inspired—but unsure how to use what they’re learning.

This post is for you.

Let’s break astrology down in a way that’s practical, spiritual, and totally beginner-friendly—so you can move from curious to confident.

First, Why Astrology Feels So Confusing

Astrology is a symbolic system, made up of layers:

Planets (what is happening)
Signs (how it expresses)
Houses (where it shows up in your life)
Aspects (how energies relate to each other)

When taught out of order—or in fragments—it’s like getting puzzle pieces with no box cover.

The Foundation: Start With These 3 Elements

To decode your chart (or someone else's), begin here:

1. The Planets: The “What”

Each planet represents a part of your psyche or life experience:

Sun – Identity, vitality, life purpose
Moon – Emotions, instincts, inner self
Mercury – Communication, thinking, learning
Venus – Love, values, relationships
Mars – Drive, desire, action
Jupiter – Expansion, wisdom, faith
Saturn – Structure, lessons, responsibility
Uranus – Change, rebellion, innovation
Neptune – Dreams, illusions, spirituality
Pluto – Power, transformation, rebirth

🪐 Start with just your Sun, Moon, and Rising sign to understand your core energetic makeup.

2. The Signs: The “How”

Each sign describes the style or energy of expression:

Aries – Bold, fast, independent
Taurus – Grounded, loyal, sensual
Gemini – Curious, communicative, changeable
Cancer – Nurturing, protective, emotional
Leo – Confident, expressive, passionate
Virgo – Practical, analytical, service-oriented
Libra – Harmonizing, diplomatic, aesthetic
Scorpio – Deep, transformative, intense
Sagittarius – Expansive, adventurous, philosophical
Capricorn – Disciplined, ambitious, structured
Aquarius – Innovative, detached, visionary
Pisces – Intuitive, dreamy, spiritual

📝 Example: Mars in Leo = expressive, bold drive.

3. The Houses: The “Where”

Houses tell you which area of life each planetary energy affects:

1st House – Identity, appearance, first impressions
2nd House – Money, self-worth, material values
3rd House – Communication, siblings, learning
4th House – Home, family, inner emotional roots
5th House – Creativity, romance, play
6th House – Daily routines, health, service
7th House – Partnerships, marriage, one-on-one dynamics
8th House – Transformation, intimacy, shared resources
9th House – Travel, philosophy, higher learning
10th House – Career, public image, ambition
11th House – Community, networks, dreams for the future
12th House – Subconscious, spiritual growth, hidden realms

🔍 Tip: Look at where your Moon is—it reveals your emotional landscape and intuitive tendencies.

Bringing It Together: One Planet, One Sentence

Practice by combining planet + sign + house in a sentence:

Example: Venus in Scorpio in the 7th house
→ “I approach relationships with deep emotional intensity and seek soulful, transformative partnerships.”

It’s okay if it takes time—this is a practice, not a pop quiz.

If You’re Feeling Intimidated, Remember:

You don’t need to know everything to begin
Trust your patterns and insights—your intuition matters
Go one layer at a time: Planets → Signs → Houses → Aspects
Astrology is a spiritual language—it reveals itself through experience

Want to Keep Exploring?

If you’re feeling the spark to go deeper with astrology, here’s how Mindful Purpose Institute can support you:

Start with an introductory course, What's My Sign? - Learn how to plot your horoscope and determine your sun, moon & rising signs.
Take the next step with our Astrology Certification Course – Learn how to confidently read charts, connect patterns, and guide others