3 Birth Time
The third piece of birth data required is the birth time.
Noon Chart
As the first step, if my client has no birth time, I will cast the noon chart.
A noon chart is created with the birth time set at 12 noon.
This is right in the middle of the day.
The idea is that with a noon chart you can only be 12 hours out.
And let’s face it 12 hours is still huge, but it is better than being 24 hours out.
With the noon chart you have to ignore the angles and house cusps.
Although you can be pretty confident on lots of the planets in their signs and many of the aspects will hold up.
Noon Chart Exceptions
Of course, there are a couple of exceptions to being sure of a planet’s sign with a noon chart.
Exception 1: Sign Cusp Planets
Any planet, especially the Sun, Mercury, Venus or Mars, which is close to a sign cusp at 0 degrees or 29 degrees of any sign, could potentially change signs that day.
Planets do not conveniently change signs at midnight.
The sign ingress may occur either before noon or after noon.
Because in a noon chart we don’t have a firm birth time, you can’t say for sure which sign any planet that is placed on a sign cusp was in.
And note that this planet-on-sign-cusp can be any of the planets which might change signs, not just the personal planets.
Either way, the outer ones move slower, but if they are on a sign cusp you still have to check.
Consideration needs to be given to any sign cusp planet. Look out for retrograde motion as well.
You may need to keep an open mind about which of the potential two signs a cusp planet could tenant until you fully understand the chart.
Exception 2: The Moon
The second exception is the Moon.
The Moon trots along at give or take 13 degrees each day.
Therefore, in one 24-hour period the Moon will travel about 13 degrees through the zodiac.
So, for a 12-hour period, and here I mean our noon chart, it can potentially.
move around 6.5 degrees from the noon position.
That is, the Moon can travel up to 6.5 degrees before noon and 6.5 degrees after noon.
This means that if the Moon in the noon chart is 6.5 degrees from either sign boundary, the before sign and the after sign, it will be in that sign.
And for more certainty, if the Moon at noon is placed between 6.5 to 23.5 of a sign, it will be in that sign.
Double Check
Note, if the Moon is bang on 6.5 from a sign boundary, you must go back and check the lunar daily motion on that particular day. If it is greater than 13 degrees you will have to rethink the sign.
In a noon chart for example:
- If the Moon is at 6 degrees Virgo it could be in the previous sign of Leo.
- If the Moon is at 10 degrees Sagittarius it will definitely be in the sign of the Archer.
- If the Moon is at 26 degrees Pisces it could be in the next sign, Aries.
You can tinker with an unknown birth time for days.
A Better Solution
But what if there was an easier way to find the birth time if you don’t know it?
Fortunately for us there is.
It’s called rectification.
Rectification
Rectification is a highly skilled astrological technique which explores the options for a better birth time and therefore firms up the Ascendant and the house cusps.
Not every astrologer practices rectification.
Rectification is usually used in two specific instances:
When there is no birth time, like what I’m talking about here with the noon chart, and,
If there is a birth time, but the chart doesn’t seem to fit comfortably with the person.
As maths is not my strong suit and due to the heavy load of numbers, maths and statistics required to work out someone’s rectification, it’s not something I do.
I will admit I have done rectification back in the day, but now I don’t do rectification nor do I enjoy doing it.
I feel it’s better left to the specialist astrologers who relish maths and love practicing rectification to help others.
Rectification Specialist
This week I am thrilled to share with you the conversation I had recently with professional astrologer, and rectification specialist, Norma Lachance.
Norma is a highly skilled professional astrologer with an advanced certificate (soon to be a diploma) from the Faculty of Astrological Studies, London, England.
And if you don’t know, the Faculty diploma is the world class honour you can receive in astrology today.
I’ve known Norma for about seven years.
She is the only rectification specialist to whom I confidently refer my own clients when they want, or need, their birth chart rectified.
