Identify the Ascendant and the rising sign
Note the Sun sign, Moon sign, and Ascendant together
Check the chart ruler and its house placement
Review the planets by sign and house
Examine the major aspects between planets
Observe the element balance: fire, earth, air, water
Observe the modality balance: cardinal, fixed, mutable
Look at the house emphasis and empty houses
Assess the lunar nodes and their axis
Review Saturn for structure, limits, and lessons
Review Venus and Mars for relationships and drive
Review Mercury for thinking and communication
Review Jupiter for growth and opportunity
Review outer planets for generational themes
Check the Midheaven and the 10th house
Compare chart patterns and planetary clusters
Synthesize sign, house, and aspect meanings together