The natal horoscope is also referred to as the radix horoscope, a term which is based on the Latin word, radix (root). The radix horoscope displays the sky as it was seen from earth at the time of a person’s birth. For this individual horoscope the precise time of birth as well as the longitude and latitude of the birth place are very important. The radix horoscope represents a snapshot of the positions of the sun, moon and planets. In the past it took hours of precise work to construct a radix with the help of a compa ss and a protractor, but today almost all astrologers use a computer to do this.   A typical radix looks like this: 

On the outer circle are the signs of the zodiac represented by coloured symbols. The middle circle, with the numbers one to twelve, depicts the individual houses, while the inner circle is scattered with planets. The position of the planets and the signs of the zodiac depend on one’s birth date, time and place. For instance, there are four planets in the 12th house, while the 2nd – 5th houses are empty.

When someone says that he is either this or that sign, one is usually referring to the astrological position in which the sun was found on his or her birthday. These are also called sun signs. When constructing someone’s horoscope, however, something else is taken into consideration that also affects one’s personality, the ascendant. The first impression that we make on others is symbolized by the ascendants.

This is in the sign that rises on the eastern horizon at the moment of birth. Most people behave outwardly as is symbolized by the ascendants. The face we present to the world corresponds to that of our ascendants, while our general personality corresponds to the sun.