Question 1

What is a natal chart and what does it actually show?

Accepted Answer

A natal chart, also called a birth chart, is a map of the sky at the exact moment you were born, drawn from your specific location on Earth. It shows where the Sun, Moon and planets sat across the twelve signs and the astrological houses, along with the aspects (the angles) they form with one another. Think of it less as a fixed script and more as a mirror for self-reflection: it highlights tendencies and themes you are free to work with consciously, never a fixed verdict about your future.

Question 2

What information do I need to calculate my birth chart, and why does the time matter so much?

Accepted Answer

You need three things: your date of birth, your birth time as precisely as possible, and your place of birth (the city is usually enough). The date sets the planetary positions and the place anchors the chart to your horizon, but the time is what places the houses and the ascendant, which shift roughly one degree every four minutes. Even a difference of a few minutes can move your ascendant or house cusps, so an accurate time gives you a noticeably more personalised chart.

Question 3

Can I still get a chart if I don't know my exact birth time?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and it is still genuinely useful. Without a confirmed time you can reliably see your Sun sign, your planetary placements by sign, and most of the aspects between planets, which already says a lot about your core themes. What stays uncertain is the ascendant, the house positions and the exact Moon degree if you were born on a fast-moving lunar day. If you find your time later, you can simply recalculate for the full picture.

Question 4

What is the difference between my Sun, Moon and ascendant?

Accepted Answer

These three points are often called the "big three" because together they sketch the broad outline of who you are. The Sun reflects your core identity and what energises you, the Moon describes your emotional world and instinctive needs, and the ascendant (the sign rising on the eastern horizon at birth) shapes how you meet the world and the first impression you give. Reading them together is far more revealing than looking at your Sun sign alone.

Question 5

How accurate are the calculations behind the chart?

Accepted Answer

Modern chart calculation is extremely precise. Astrollo uses the Swiss Ephemeris, the same high-precision astronomical data trusted across the field, which positions the planets down to a fraction of a degree. That means the astronomical foundation of your chart is reliable, while the interpretation is where reflection and personal context come in. Accurate birth data on your side is what lets that precision translate into a chart that truly fits you.

Question 6

Is it free, and how do I begin reading my own chart as a beginner?

Accepted Answer

You can generate a natal chart with Astrollo at no cost and start exploring straight away. As a beginner, begin with your big three (Sun, Moon and ascendant), then notice which houses hold the most planets, since those areas of life tend to stand out for you. Treat each placement as an invitation to reflect rather than a fixed prediction, and let your understanding build gradually instead of trying to decode everything at once.

Your natal chart: frequently asked questions