Find the Ascendant or Rising sign
Note the Sun sign
Note the Moon sign
Identify the planets in signs
Identify the planets in houses
Check the aspects between planets
Look at the ruling planet of the Ascendant
Examine the chart ruler’s sign, house, and aspects
Review the balance of elements
Review the balance of modalities
Check for dominant planets
Check for dominant houses
Look at conjunctions
Look at oppositions
Look at squares
Look at trines
Look at sextiles
Check the North Node and South Node
Check Saturn for lessons and limits
Check Jupiter for growth and opportunity
Check Mercury for thinking and communication
Check Venus for love and values
Check Mars for drive and action
Synthesize the chart as a whole
Compare patterns across signs, houses, and aspects