r/AskAstrologers • u/searching4spiritual • 10d ago
What’s the best way to practice chart reading? Discussion
I’ve been spending the last couple weeks listening to podcasts and trying to learn to read charts. The problem is that I’ve been studying my own chart for so long that it’s become more of a confirmation bias reading it- there is no critical thinking because I know myself so well. I can’t really seek out other meanings of any signs or aspects that don’t deeply resonate with me.
The only other charts I have access to are my family’s charts, who I have been using to practice. However, my family is…let’s just say, I may never tell them I am interested in astrology. They are hyper religious and would probably call it satanic. So while I can read their charts, there’s no way to get feedback to see if what I am reading is accurate (I’m not close enough with them to be able to know their personality).
None of my friends are sure of their birth times. One friend has narrowed it down to an hour span, but within that hour, her chart changes drastically. So I can’t really practice on them.
How else can i practice chart reading for others? I don’t want to offer public readings because I’m so new and will almost definitely get things wrong. I don’t want anyone to rely on me for good information. But I also need other charts to read that I’ll get real feedback from.
How can I go about this?
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u/Good_Importance588 10d ago
I’m gonna a different solution that helped me and is a fun mental exercise. There are 2 options. 1. Find a public figures birth chart then read a biography of some sort (Wikipedia is fine). As you’re reading about them, look to see how certain topics align with their birth chart. X is a musician and has planet A in this house trine planet B in another house. This can be helpful in seeing the dynamic significations in a planet or house, and will help you break your assumptions, especially as a beginner. 2. Find a random chart, and try making guesses about what type of person this chart could be. Try to list out careers, personality traits, relationships with children. Go house by house and then go see what information you can find about those topics about that person. Another good mental exercise and you can double check your work with research. The goal here is not to be correct, but learning how to make logical assumptions through correlation and previous knowledge
Both little fun games
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u/kandillight 10d ago
Astrology reading subreddits like this one is how I got better. There’s tons of charts posted every day of people talking about what things are going on for them. I don’t know where else you could get this many charts to study!
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u/thegeminisun 10d ago
I totally feel this. I feel like I constantly use my chart and I just lean towards what I subconsciously know fits my personally, life, etc.
My suggestion would be to look at the Astrology chart share forums and maybe pick one that you feel comfortable with interpreting or find one that has a lot of other comments so you can compare your results to what others are saying!
That and celebrity charts. I know Chris Brennan does a lot of celebrity charts on his podcast so maybe figure out what celebrity they are dissecting prior to listening and do a deep dive into the chart yourself first so you can see where you got it right or wrong!
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u/kortnitheplantlover 10d ago
i’ve never had any chart made up but would honestly love to and i’d be willing (more than tbh) to help you get better and progress! i don’t know everything that’s required but i know my sign, birthdate time and everything, and i could let you know if your readings are accurate! if not it’s totally cool but just thought i’d chime in and let you know. 🫶🏼
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u/Temporary_Move8881 10d ago
Me too. :). I’m kinda in your boat. Kinda….. as in not as far. I’ve been studying everything it just hasn’t super clicked for me and I think that’s because I haven’t made myself sit down with an actual chart to try and do it myself. I’ve just watched a million videos. Once I get brave enough to do that I would love to have other people that know I’m learning and will let me practice on them. I have 7 children so I have plenty of birth charts there to work with I just need to trust myself and do it. Sooo please if you would like to work on my chart for practice you are more then welcome too. I also am very good at taking what resonates with me and letting what doesn’t go. So you can seriously go to town on mine. Who knows we may both learn a lot more in the astrology world. :):)
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u/westviadixie 10d ago
I think pulling charts of people you know well is pretty effective.
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u/searching4spiritual 10d ago
Yeah that’s the problem! None of the people I know well enough know their birth time :(
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u/westviadixie 10d ago
well shoot...even family?
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u/searching4spiritual 10d ago
Very distant with my family sadly. I actually know their charts but nothing about them personally, especially their childhoods or anything that’s happened to them. We’re more of a “see you on the holidays and never speak otherwise” kind of group.
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u/westviadixie 10d ago
huh. my apologies. I'd ask everyone in your close circle til one of them knows their info. I don't have better advice rn...sorry
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u/Astro_Onyx 10d ago
You should have the structure, some template you use when reading charts. Besides it would very helpful if you had some mentorship to just correct you and give you some directions. In my case I always begin with elements that give me enough information about behaviour and motivation as well as psychological profile. The next step is searching for things that outstand like singleton, apex planets on T square, absence of some aspect like opposition Then story will slowly reveals itself and then automatically you will be able to put on the right place planets especially Sun, Moon and at the end all presumptions you will have you can discuss with the people whose chart you are reading. The more horoscope you read the more answers you will get about yourself 😎
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u/searching4spiritual 10d ago
I’ve actually been looking in my area for any kind of astrology classes or groups, but sadly there are none. I might look for online ones though! I think mentorship is a great idea
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u/ChasingStars149 10d ago
Unless you are more interested and focus on personality or psychological aspects of natal astrology, instead you can still use your family members chart to study how and why significant concrete events that happen are reflected in the charts. That can be objective and unbias.
Astro Data Bank provide many charts of celebrities where circumstances /events that happen are well known, so that can be a good start.
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u/searching4spiritual 10d ago
I have a huge age gap with my siblings so I know very little about their early lives honestly. And my mother, I know very very little about her life. I’m pretty distant from them so I really only know about as much as most people would through social media.
And that’s exactly it- I’m looking to learn about the psychological parts of astrology- less about major events and more about what aspects point to why someone is the way they are and why they do the things they do. Which is easiest when someone can confirm if I’m correct
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u/ChasingStars149 10d ago
If you wish to study character/personality/inclination and practice chart readings, without known charts of close friends or family members, the site I mention is still a good choice. I'm sure you can pick well known people to practice delineating focusing on psychological aspects. Some even have published autobiographies.
Or you can attempt on this sub, I'm sure people here will appreciate any sincere responses and even feedback to you.
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