Donna Cunningham lays out a workable system for reading charts in this latest of her twelve published volumes. It isn't a cookbook, but more of a driver's manual, as she offers her unique spin on the favorite question asked of conference speakers: How do you interpret a chart? The book offers fresh and often pungent insights into planetary types, missing or weak features, and other facets of the horoscope that shape our character and actions. Index. Bibliography. Charts. How long have you been studying astrology? If you've been practicing for a year and don't feel comfortable reading an actual horoscope, then this is the book you need to read! You'll learn to "reason astrologically" and discover how to put the planets and the aspects together. You'll learn how to figure out the meaning of Venus aspects, or your fixed T-square, or that upcoming Mars transit to your Moon. Rather than encouraging you to learn by rote, Donna Cunningham gives you a structured approach so you can let the astrological symbolism flow through you and out to your client. Cunningham teaches a minimalist style of reading a chart as the best way to start. You'll discover which technique you want to use, and how to let go of the many techniques you may want to play with later. This "unclutters" the chart so you can begin to really see what's there. You'll learn what you need to know to be able to talk for that first hour with your client. Remember, there is a lot that can be said about a horoscope -- so much material is hidden in the circle that you could spend hours and weeks discovering it all. While this may be a lifelong interest for you, you need to talk sensibly without overwhelming the client, and after you've read this book, you'll be able to just that! Donna Cunningham , MSW, was an internationally respected astrologer and author of 16 books on metaphysical topics. Listed in several "Who's Who" volumes, she has given seminars around the world and won the prestigious Regulus Award for her contributions to the field at the 1998 United Astrology Congress. She also had a Master's Degree in Social Work from Columbia University and over 30 years experience in counseling people. Donna's Red Wheel/Weiser title, How to Read Your Astrological Chart , is highly recommended for the intermediate student. She passed away in July of 2017. How to Read Your ASTROLOGICAL CHART Aspects of the Cosmic Puzzle By Donna Cunningham Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC Copyright © 1999 Donna Cunningham All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-57863-114-8 Contents List of ChartsList of TablesAcknowledgmentsIntroductionCHAPTER ONE Looking a Chart in the FaceCHAPTER TWO The Sun, Moon, and Ascendant—Working Partners or Family Feud?CHAPTER THREE Plugging in the Individual PlanetsCHAPTER FOUR What Planet Are You From?CHAPTER FIVE A Guided Tour of the Hard AspectsCHAPTER SIX Soft Aspects—When the Living is EasyCHAPTER SEVEN Piecing Together the Major ConfigurationsCHAPTER EIGHT Understanding Transits—Another Way to Use AspectsCHAPTER NINE An Overview of Transits—Seeing the Whole PictureCHAPTER TEN How Aspect Analysis Illuminates Chart ComparisonBibliographyIndexAbout the Author CHAPTER 1 Looking a Chart in the Face After studying astrology for a while—ten months for some, ten years for others—youdecide it's time to stop reading books and start reading charts. You pickone up and wonder how to proceed. You recall dozens of rules and techniques,some of which contradict each other. You stare at the chart. Confronted by adizzying array of symbols, you try to figure out what's important. Over time,astrological sophisticates develop their own systems for reading horoscopes.This chapter, and the rest of this book, presents mine. This is not the onlymethod for reading charts. You may not choose to use it. But this is the way Ianalyze charts in my practice. It identifies the most significant features invery short order. First, Check the Birth Time Begin by speculating on the accuracy of the data. Times that have been roundedoff, like 7:00 or 7:30, are suspect. Times on the quarter-hour are likely to becloser to the truth, and a time like 7:06 may be exact. Be especially cautiouswhen the Ascendant is in the last few degrees of one sign or the first fewdegrees of the next, since a slight difference in birth time can change therising sign. In borderline cases, ask for the Sun sign of both parents, as oneof them may be the correct Ascendant. Ask where the person got the data. If it's from Mom's memory, she's 80, and shehad seven kids, the data may be faulty unless memorable circumstancesaccompanied the birth. A birth announcement or baby book may be given somecredence. If the time was noted on the birth certificate, it is at least asclose as the delivery-room staff could make it. However, when difficult planets like Saturn, Pluto, or Neptune fall near theAscendant, inquire if any unusual circumstances accompanied the delivery. Often,there is quite a saga. I