Whole Astrology–Reinterpreting a Natal Chart

People often say to me, “Oh, you’re an astrologer. I had my chart read once.” As if once is enough. The problem with reading a chart only one time is that the complexity of the configurations and aspects of a chart take years of understanding. And as we evolve those configurations, challenges, and blessings take on new meanings.

For instance, a chart before a Saturn Return and a chart after this major life event provide the client with lessons already learned. At that point, he or she leaves childhood behind and begins the journey to the second Saturn Return which occurs around age 60 since a Saturn Return happens every 28 to 30 years. A chart with a yod or singleton planets also changes flavors over time. Someone coming in with a yod at 28 or even 40 years of age will talk about their frustrations. They will explain that none of their projects reach fruition, or that others don’t understand them. But when the same person goes to an astrologer after age 45, they tell a different story of synthesis and having learned some hard lessons that brought them wisdom.

I found that three aspects in my own chart dogged me in my younger years, but now, at age 51 I feel like I’m finally ripening or becoming the woman I was meant to become as a self-actualization process occurred with my Singleton Venus (retrograde), Pluto transiting over my Capricorn Ascendant and me learning that people with Saturn conjunct Moon in a birth chart (mines in Pisces), age more slowly than the rest of the population. So any astrologer worth their salt would have noticed when I was going through my 1st Saturn Return that I was blooming slowly and my life would seem arduous at times.

This is why comparing ourselves to others is never a good idea. It’s not like we’re running a race against our neighbors anyway. And if you ever noticed, fruit ripens at different times on a tree, despite the amount of sunlight and rain the fruit receives. There is no wrong or right way to take the life journey. Some people bloom at an early age, even in their teens and early 20s then they burn out in their 40s (having done this and done that already). While others take a more scenic route like I did. While some people will ask me about my accomplishments (which come off like a quilt instead as a linear progression), they will wonder what the heck I did with my life. It’s the same for people with planets in the 12th House or parked in a Yod.

So let’s look at the Singleton Venus (which I’ve written about extensively on my Whole Astrology blog). I’m always finding new meanings and life experiences from this single unaspected planet (despite it’s square with Chiron and inconjunct to Neptune). First, I’ve never found myself terribly attractive, though I’ve not thought of myself as unattractive either. Yet, I have experienced people commenting on my looks favorably, I was followed by men in college and my younger years which I could never figure out since I thought of myself as too thin and too inexperienced (hardly sexy in the conventional sense). But having a Singleton Venus is similar to having Venus in the 12th House or planets in Taurus or Libra hidden in the 12th House. I didn’t have full access to my feminine side and thought of myself as a tomboy who got along better with boys than girls growing up.

Perhaps if you also have Venus in one of those situations in your chart and you’re a woman then you can relate to what I’m saying. When I get a chance I would like to revisit Audrey Hepburn (a Taurus not comfortable with her body) and other gamine actresses (tomboys with short cropped hair) and see where Venus is in their charts.

When I combine my RX Singleton Venus with the Capricorn Ascendant and Saturn/Moon in Pisces (with a one degree orb), I adopted the belief that I’m ageless. I’ve had people remark that I resemble a 30 year old woman and yet, I’m in my 50s. I find this disconcerting when no one believes my age, but my mother, a Capricorn had the same problem over time. Capricorn and Saturn rule time and delay progress such as the progression of aging. Also having Venus in the youthful sign Gemini helps.

I haven’t had to worry about aging, though I do just like anyone. But I don’t use any special face creams or dress like a teenager. But I have struggled with feeling comfortable in my own skin (unlike those French gamine actresses). And my life has been one big head game with me spending more time in my thoughts than my body (Venus in Gemini). I spent most of my time trying to outwit others and using words as my defense. But how long can I hide behind well-placed words? Has this been your experience too?

Let’s return to the idea that every chart deserves multiple reads from multiple astrologers. But even beyond that, if you have an interest in astrology, then read as many books and websites on the topic as possible while looking for examples in your own chart. This is after all part of the self-discovery process. I dare you to find an astrologer and get a new reading on your chart today or at least read an article on an astrological topic new to you and use your chart as an example.

I’m a metaphysical coach and astrologer based in Bellingham, Washington. Learn more about my astrology at Whole Astrology. And get a personal reading.