The astrology chart -
a general introduction

The natal astrology chart is effectively a three-dimensional image presented in a two-dimensional way. The image is of the view taken of the Sun, Moon and Planets in the Solar System at the time, date and place of birth. This is then plotted against the backdrop of the patterns of stars we see in the night sky — the Zodiac. There are several ways of plotting the Zodiac around birth charts. Edward Bach's chart is shown in the Tropical Zodiac. (The Tropical Zodiac refers to a system in astrology where the motion of the Sun and planets through the signs is calculated from the intersection of the ecliptic - the apparent path of the Sun through the sky - and the Earth’s equator.)

Each planet is then plotted on the chart against the sign that it appears to be in, from the Earth’s point of view. In this way the signs of the Zodiac form a backdrop for the planets. Also included in this chart are two points in space where the path of the Moon cuts the apparent path of the Sun. These are called the nodes of the Moon or the nodal axis. In astrology they are taken to describe where the past and present collide or the direction of soul growth. They can be construed as the karmic path of an individual, or can be seen as how we can be of service to the community in which we live. The planetoid Chiron is also included here. Although not discovered until nearly one hundred years after Bach’s birth, it sheds light on key energies within his chart.

The astrological chart is simply a toolkit of different types of skills an individual has. It can also be seen as a way of cataloguing the many sub-personalities we all possess that coalesce to create the person we are. For many people however, investigating and using the skills they are born with takes them all their lifetime. From this stance they could feel quite restricted by it and it may feel fatalistic or limiting. For others, the skills are mastered and integrated more quickly and for those people the chart becomes a point of reference of where they have been and the fuel that got them there.

What someone does with his or her astrological toolkit is completely open to free will. However an astrologer can assess / intuit the most likely path of action for a given individual from the interactions of the patterns in their birth chart. In the case of Edward Bach we are able, in retrospect, to begin to understand some of the underpinning drives and concerns he was subject to and how he made use of them.