Natal chart interpretation is a science and an art as astrologers have various techniques of reading the energy of astrological charts. The use of astrological chart patterns is one way to obtain a general understanding of how individuals manage their natal zodiac energies.
Discovered by astrologer Marc Edmund Jones, the astrological chart patterns offer deep insight to assist people with understanding how they harness and use their natal astrological energies.
Natal Chart Patterns
Chart patterns consist of seven identifiable ways in which planetary energies are distributed throughout a Western natal zodiac wheel. The seven chart types are Bowl, Bucket, Bundle, Locomotive, SeeSaw, Splay, and Splash. The names of the charts describe the patterns that are made by the placements of the planets in the houses of the zodiac wheel. It is believed that by analyzing the pattern created by the planets in the astrology chart that it is possible to determine how a person uses their natal astrological energies as well as any benefits or roadblocks individuals have in accessing the full potential of their natal planetary energies.
The chart patterns are an important part of accurate, quality natal chart interpretation. In general, there are numerous ways to read a natal chart to get an impression of a person’s energy. From calculating planets in specific elements to determining the direction of a person’s energy by analyzing where planets are located in the hemispheres of the zodiac chart, chart interpretation is both an intricate science and an intuitive art that is honed through years of astrological chart interpretations. The use of chart patterns is another way to learn more about the energies within a natal chart.
Astrological Chart Patterns
The following are descriptions of the seven chart patterns as noticed and introduced by astrologer Marc Edmund Jones.
The Splay
This chart pattern features conjunctions of several planets spread throughout the natal chart wheel so that it appears as a triangle. The conjunctions show concentrated energy that manifests as specialized skills. While the person has these specialized skills, they may not always harness the energy productively to bring the various concentrations together. An effort is needed to positively utilize concentrated energy.
The Splash
The planets are found all over the chart. This is an indication of a person with numerous interests that do not connect. This is a person that is willing to share their knowledge and resources freely with others. However, the variances that are noted with this chart pattern can lead to scattered energy.
The Bundle
Bundled charts are quite obvious because all the planets appear together usually within no more than four astrological signs. The planets are usually in the same adjacent houses. With the planets so close together, this is a person with specialized interests and knowledge. They are likely to be an expert at what they do or know. However, they can get stuck in a rut and have the potential to ignore anything that is not related to their concentrations.
The See-Saw
The See-Saw features planets that stand at opposing ends in the natal chart. For a reference, think of the nodal axis except all the planets in the chart are aligned in this manner. A person with this chart pattern could be torn and have a problem making a choice due to the oppositional energies. The person may go back and forth between the planetary energies at either end of the axis. While the integration of two different energies is difficult, those individuals with this chart pattern are often capable of handling situations where there are oppositional energies.
The Bucket
The bucket chart features a planet by itself in one area of the chart with all the other planets on the other side of the zodiac wheel. The lone planet, also called a singleton, is the “bucket,” and it is a very important energy in the birth chart as all the energy of the entire chart is interpreted through the bucket planet. Individuals with bucket charts tend to have focused energy and strive to stand apart in their endeavors. They may want to fit in with others, but find that they stand out…just like the singleton planet in their charts. Thoroughly interpreting the energy of the singleton planet (sign, house, and aspects) is very important to assist the individual in utilizing the energy in a productive, conscious manner.
The Locomotive
This chart pattern features planets in 9 out of the 12 houses. The empty houses reveal an inherent lack that the holder of this energy may compensate for by being knowledgeable in all other areas. It is important to take note of the empty houses to ensure that their functions are acknowledged and integrated into the natal energies.
The Bowl
The bowl chart pattern features planets that are located on one hemisphere of the zodiac wheel. This energy shows great focus on the areas where there are existing planetary energies. However, the energy of the empty houses is often sought out through other people. It is important for the holder of this chart pattern to integrate the energies of the “empty hemisphere” into the natal energies instead of seeking the “missing” energies through other people.
Which Chart Pattern Is Yours?
Now that we know what each chart pattern means, this information can help us learn more about how we utilize our natal energies. These chart patterns reveal our strengths as well as our weaknesses so that we can take the initiative to maximize our energetic potentials while also addressing the ways in which we mismanage our natal energies.
