Natal Astrology — Agent Interpretation Guide
For agents using the astro MCP to perform natal chart interpretation.
Resource URI: astro://guides/natal-astrology
Quick Reference: Tool Call Strategy
natal chart basic → calculate_natal_chart(birth_data)
natal + overview → calculate_natal_chart(birth_data, include_overview=true)
natal + patterns → calculate_natal_chart(birth_data, include_patterns=true)
natal + karmic → calculate_natal_chart(birth_data, include_karmic=true)
natal reading (full) → calculate_natal_chart(birth_data, include_overview=true, include_patterns=true)
karmic natal reading → calculate_natal_chart(birth_data, include_overview=true, include_patterns=true, include_karmic=true)
transit check → get_transit_preview(birth_data, start, end)
current transits → get_transit_preview(birth_data, today, today+30d)
Framework
A natal chart is a symbolic map of personality, potential, and life themes. The art of interpretation is synthesis — weaving individual data points (planets, signs, houses, aspects) into a coherent narrative about the person.
Core Principle:
- Planets = what is happening (psychological functions)
- Signs = how the energy behaves (style, flavor)
- Houses = where in life it plays out (life areas)
- Aspects = how the parts interact (support, tension, fusion)
Standard Natal Reading Workflow
Step 1: Chart Overview
Call: calculate_natal_chart with include_overview=true
Process the overview section:
- Element balance — Which elements dominate? Which are missing? Missing element = compensatory life area.
- Modality balance — Cardinal (initiating), Fixed (persistent), Mutable (adaptable). Dominant modality = core approach to life.
- Hemisphere emphasis — Upper (7-12, outer/public), Lower (1-6, private), East (10-3, self-driven), West (4-9, relational).
- Stelliums — 3+ planets in a sign/house = intense focus on that theme.
- Empty houses — Life areas that operate more unconsciously, less self-directed.
- Chart ruler — The planet ruling the Ascendant sign is the most important planet. Its sign, house, and aspects show where life energy is directed.
Step 2: The Big Three
Data from: Step 1 planets list (Sun, Moon, Ascendant angles)
- Sun (sign + house): Core identity and purpose
- Moon (sign + house): Emotional needs and instincts
- Ascendant (sign from angles): Persona and approach to life
- Chart ruler: Ruler of the Ascendant — its sign, house, and aspects (from overview)
- Sun-Moon phase (from lunar_phase): New moon (beginning), waxing (building), full (culmination), waning (releasing)
Step 3: Angles and Angle Rulers
Data from: Step 1 angles + overview house_rulers
- Signs on the 1st, 4th, 7th, 10th house cusps
- Rulers of these angles and their condition
- Planets conjunct any angle (highly emphasized)
Step 4: Personal Planets
Data from: Step 1 planets list + aspects (filter for tight orbs, ≤3°)
- Mercury: Thinking and communication style
- Venus: Love style, values, aesthetics
- Mars: Drive, assertiveness, conflict style
- For each: sign + house + key aspects
Step 5: Social and Outer Planets
- Jupiter: Growth, opportunity, faith
- Saturn: Challenges, lessons, mastery
- Uranus/Neptune/Pluto: Generational themes; personal when tightly aspecting angles or personal planets
Step 6: Aspect Patterns
Call: calculate_natal_chart with include_patterns=true
Use the aspect_patterns output:
- T-squares: Stress + potential; apex planet is focal point
- Grand Trines: Natural talent and ease; can indicate complacency
- Grand Cross: Intense tension requiring balance and flexibility
- Yods: Fated, sensitive points; apex planet is destiny focal point
Also check chart_shape:
- Bundle: Intense focus, specialized life approach
- Bowl: Self-contained, collecting experiences in one direction
- Bucket: Handle planet directs all the energy
- Splash: Diverse interests, scattered or universal
- Locomotive: Driving force, the gap is where they push forward
- Seesaw: Two opposing pulls that need balance
- Splay: Multiple talents, needs integration
Step 7: Synthesis
Identify 3–5 recurring themes across the chart:
- Repeated elements: Sun + Moon + Ascendant in fire = fire-dominant personality
- Contradictions: Sun in Aries but Moon in Libra = inner tension between assertion and harmony
- Compensations: Missing fire element but Mars in 1st house = fire through action
- Dominant aspects: Multiple squares to Saturn = a "Saturnian" life with heavy lessons
- Unaspected planets: Function operates independently, sometimes unconsciously
Step 8: Current Transits (Optional)
Call: get_transit_preview with a date range around today
Shows which natal planets are being activated by transits right now. Focus on:
- Transits to Sun, Moon, Ascendant (personal activation)
- Saturn transits (life structure changes)
- Jupiter transits (growth opportunities)
- Pluto transits (deep transformation)
Output Structure for a Natal Reading
- Overview: Core personality in 2–3 sentences (from element/modality balance, chart shape)
- The Big Three: Sun, Moon, Ascendant — identity, emotions, persona
- Chart Ruler: Where life energy is directed
- Key Planet Placements: 3–5 most significant planet-in-sign-in-house combinations
- Major Aspects: 3–5 tightest/most significant aspects with interpretation
- Aspect Patterns: Any T-squares, grand trines, grand crosses
- Chart Shape: Overall life approach pattern
- Life Themes: Recurring patterns across the chart
- Strengths and Gifts: Natural talents and supportive aspects
- Growth Edges: Challenging aspects and what they're teaching
- Current Transits (optional): What's activating the chart right now
Interpretation Templates
Planet in Sign in House
[Planet] in [Sign] in [House] → [Planet function] expressed in the style of [Sign keywords] through the life area of [House].
Example: "Mars in Capricorn in the 6th house → Drive and initiative (Mars) expressed with discipline and ambition (Capricorn) through daily work and health routines (6th)."
Aspect
[Planet A] in [Sign X] [aspect] [Planet B] in [Sign Y] → The [Planet A function] and [Planet B function] are [blended/in tension/in harmony], creating [dynamic] between [life area A] and [life area B].
Example: "Venus in Taurus trine Saturn in Virgo → Love and affection (Venus) flow naturally with discipline and commitment (Saturn), creating a stable, enduring approach to relationships and values."
Chart Ruler
The chart ruler is [Planet] in [Sign] in [House] → Life energy is strongly directed toward [house themes], expressed through [sign style].
Example: "The chart ruler is Mercury in Sagittarius in the 9th house → Life energy is directed toward higher learning, philosophy, and travel, expressed through an optimistic, exploratory communication style."
Common Pitfalls
- Sun sign only: The Sun is important, but it's only one piece. Always read the full chart.
- Overemphasizing hard aspects: Squares and oppositions are growth opportunities, not curses.
- Ignoring the chart ruler: The ruler of the Ascendant is often the most important planet.
- Reading planets in isolation: Always consider sign + house + aspects together.
- Deterministic language: Avoid "you will" — use "you tend to," "you may find," "there's a theme of."
- Missing the forest for the trees: Step back and identify the 3–5 big themes before diving into details.
Interpretation Tone
- Empowering, not deterministic: The chart shows potential and tendencies, not fixed fate
- Strengths-first: Lead with gifts before discussing challenges
- Actionable: For each challenge, suggest what the person can do with it
- Plain language: Avoid jargon when possible; translate technical terms
- Holistic: Weave individual placements into a coherent story, not a list of bullet points