Astrology · Guide
Astrological notation: how to read a placement
Learn the notation in a natal chart: planet, sign, degree, house and aspect. Follow a worked example and find the meanings of AC, MC and R.
Editorial illustration.
In this lesson
Translate the symbol into a name
Open the chart legend and write the bodies’ names. Programs can use different glyphs for the same body, particularly Pluto. Do not rely solely on a resemblance to a familiar mark.
Read the five parts of a placement
“Mercury, 16° Aries, eleventh house, an aspect to the Moon” contains a body, degree, sign, house and relationship. A sign degree is measured within the sign; absolute longitude begins at 0° Aries. Thus 12° Cancer means 102° around the full circle.
Keep notation separate from evaluation
R usually indicates apparent retrograde motion. It is not a rating of “bad”. AC denotes the Ascendant and MC the Midheaven; read them alongside the selected house system.
Astrology · Guide
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Astrology and self-reflection: working with notes
Use an astrology journal for self-reflection.Natal chart: an order for interpretation
Follow an order for reading a natal chart: start with a planet, then add its sign, house and aspects.Connecting planetary meanings
Connect planetary meanings in a natal chart.