types of birth chart

Types of Birth Chart

Exploring the Many Ways Astrology Can Reflect Your Soul's Journey

When most people hear the words “birth chart,” they often think of one thing: that circular diagram with zodiac signs, planets, and mysterious symbols representing your astrological DNA. But did you know there are many different types of birth charts?

Each chart offers a unique perspective, illuminating different aspects of your life—your personality, your emotions, your relationships, your career path, your past, your future… even your soul’s karmic imprint.

Whether you’re new to astrology or deep in your cosmic journey, understanding the types of birth chart available can help you navigate life with greater clarity, intention, and connection.

In this post, we’ll walk through the most common and powerful types of astrological charts, what they reveal, and how you can use them for self-discovery, growth, and spiritual alignment.

1. natal chart (birth chart)

Let’s start at the beginning—your natal chart, often simply called your birth chart.

This is the chart cast for the exact moment you were born. It’s based on your date, time, and place of birth, and it maps the positions of the planets in the sky at that moment.

Your natal chart is your cosmic blueprint. It reflects the energetic conditions that surrounded your soul’s entry into this lifetime and offers insight into:

• Your personality traits

• Emotional tendencies

• Communication style

• Relationship patterns

• Natural talents and challenges

• Soul lessons and karmic themes

  
  

It includes your:

• Sun sign (your core identity)

• Moon sign (your emotional world)

• Rising sign / Ascendant (your outward expression)

• Planets in signs and houses

• Aspects (the angles between planets)

  
  

Every other type of chart builds from this one. If you’ve never looked at your natal chart, this is the perfect place to begin.

2. solar return chart

The Solar Return chart is created for the exact moment the Sun returns to the same degree it occupied at your birth. This happens once a year—around your birthday—but not always on the same day.

It’s like an annual snapshot of the sky, showing the energies that will shape the year ahead.

Your Solar Return chart can reveal:

• Themes and lessons for the year

• Opportunities for growth or transformation

• Relationship dynamics or career shifts

• Emotional and spiritual focus for the next 12 months

  
  

Many astrologers use this alongside your natal chart to provide birthday readings, helping you set intentions and prepare for the year to come.

3. lunar return chart

As the Solar Return celebrates your birthday, the Lunar Return celebrates your Moon.

It’s the chart cast for the moment the Moon returns to its natal position—about once every 28 days. This chart reveals your emotional focus for the upcoming month.

A Lunar Return can be helpful for:

• Navigating emotional ups and downs

• Understanding mood shifts or intuitive messages

• Tracking patterns in relationships and self-care

  
  

It’s a softer, more inward-facing chart that supports emotional awareness and wellbeing.

4. progressed chart (secondary progressions)

The progressed chart is a powerful tool for long-term self-growth. It symbolically advances your natal chart through time, based on the idea that each day after your birth equals one year of life.

So, if you’re 30 years old, your progressed chart looks at where the planets were 30 days after your birth—and interprets that as your current inner landscape.

Progressions don’t show external events. Instead, they reflect internal shifts, such as:

• Emotional development

• Maturity in communication or relationships

• Changing values or priorities

• Life phases or identity evolution

  
  

For example, your Progressed Moon (which changes signs every 2.5 years) can show where your emotional focus is. It’s one of the most useful indicators of current life themes.

5. transit chart

A transit chart shows where the planets are in the sky right now—and how they interact with your natal planets.

This is astrology in motion. Transits can:

• Trigger events

• Stir emotions

• Bring clarity or confusion

• Create tension or flow

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By comparing your natal chart with the current transits, astrologers can help you understand:

• Why you're feeling what you’re feeling

• Why certain themes keep showing up

• When a difficult phase might pass

• The timing of new beginnings or endings

  
  

It’s not about predicting your future—it’s about recognising the energies at play, so you can align with them, rather than resist them.

6. composite chart (relationship chart)

A composite chart blends two natal charts into one—creating a chart for the relationship itself.

This type of birth chart is often used for:

• Romantic relationships

• Friendships

• Family dynamics

• Business partnerships

  
  

The composite chart shows:

• The purpose of the relationship

• Strengths and challenges

• Emotional and energetic patterns

• How the relationship evolves over time

  
  

It’s a beautiful tool for compassion and understanding, helping you move through conflict and deepen connection.

7. synastry chart (relationship compatibility)

While the composite chart creates a shared chart, synastry compares two charts side by side.

This shows how one person’s planets affect another’s—and vice versa.

Synastry reveals:

• Chemistry and attraction

• Emotional harmony or tension

• Areas of growth or challenge

• Communication flow

• Shared soul contracts
  

It’s especially helpful for:

• Romantic relationships

• Understanding triggers or recurring issues

• Supporting deep personal reflection through relationship mirrors
  

  
  

8. draconic chart (soul-level astrology)

The Draconic chart is a lesser-known but deeply spiritual type of birth chart.

It shifts your natal chart to align the North Node with 0° Aries—creating a new chart that reflects your soul’s truth, beyond personality and conditioning.

Draconic charts are often used to explore:

• Past life connections

• Soul purpose

• Karmic contracts

• Deeper spiritual identity

  
  

They’re not a replacement for the natal chart—but a soul-level overlay that offers rich, intuitive insights.

9. harmonic charts

Harmonic charts are based on dividing the circle of the zodiac into equal parts (harmonics) and analysing new patterns that emerge.

Each harmonic focuses on different life themes:

• 5th harmonic: creativity and talent

• 7th harmonic: spiritual or mystical themes

• 9th harmonic: higher purpose and dharma

  
  

These charts are more advanced but can reveal subtle layers of the soul’s journey, especially for astrologers who love going deep.

10. electional chart (chart for timing)

An electional chart isn’t based on your birth—it’s a chart astrologers use to find the best time to start something important.

Whether you're launching a business, getting married, moving house, or beginning a new venture—electional astrology can help you choose a date aligned with supportive energies.

It’s the art of divine timing.

11. horary chart (chart for questions)

Horary astrology is another specialised branch that doesn’t require your birth data.

Instead, a horary chart is cast for the exact moment a specific question is asked. Astrologers then interpret the chart to find the answer.

It’s often used for:

• Yes/no questions

• Locating lost items

• Understanding complex relationship dynamics

• Exploring decisions when your birth time is unknown
  

how to know which chart you need

With so many different types of charts, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. But don’t worry—each chart serves a purpose, and you don’t need to know them all at once.

Here’s a guide to help you choose:

Chart Type	Best For
Natal Chart	Understanding your overall personality and soul blueprint
Solar Return	Exploring the year ahead
Lunar Return	Monthly emotional cycles and focus
Progressed Chart	Long-term personal evolution
Transit Chart	Navigating current themes or challenges
Synastry Chart	Relationship compatibility
Composite Chart	Relationship dynamics and shared purpose
Draconic Chart	Past life and soul-level insight
Electional Chart	Choosing the best time to start something
Horary Chart	Finding answers to specific questions

final thoughts: your chart, your compass

Each type of birth chart offers a unique mirror. Some reflect who you are at your core. Others reflect who you are becoming. And some reveal the people or forces that shape your journey along the way.

But at the heart of every chart is the same message:

✨ You are connected to the cosmos.✨ You are part of something greater.✨ And your life is unfolding exactly as it should.

At Cosmic Birthtime, we honour every chart—every layer of insight—as sacred.

Whether you’re seeking your birth time through our rectification service, or diving deeper with transits and progressions, your chart is always a map back to yourself.

Because astrology isn’t just about stars.

It’s about soul.

And your soul is written in the sky.

✧ Ready to explore your chart?

Not sure where to begin? Start with your natal chart—or let us help you find your birth time with our AI-powered birth time rectification.

Learn more about our online rectification service.