A Tool for More Nuanced Natal Chart Analysis

The 16 point scale is a technique that I find helpful in revealing underlying energy within the natal chart. It’s a simple concept but adds nuance to your analysis and can help identify themes that you might otherwise overlook.

The concept is simple - create a scale that measures the polarity, quadruplicity, and triplicity in the natal chart. You do this by assigning 2 points each to the Ascendant, Midheaven, Sun & Moon, and one point to each of the remaining planets. I typically start at the Ascendant and sweep counter-clockwise around the chart.

I basically jot down three columns in the order below. The total number of points in each column should equal 16 when you’re done.

EXAMPLE: Let’s take the chart of Kendrick Lamar, the famous rapper, lyricist, and activist.

Starting with Polarity, we count 9 points in Masculine signs: The Ascendant in Libra (2 points), the Moon in Libra (2 points), Saturn & Uranus in Sagittarius (1 point each), the Sun in Gemini (2 points), and Venus in Leo (1 point). 2+2+1+1+2+1=9

Now, since each column adds to 16, we know we should have 7 points in Feminine signs, but let’s double check. We have Pluto in Scorpio (1), Neptune & Mars in Capricorn (1 point each), Jupiter in Pisces (1 point), Mercury in Cancer (1 point), and the MC in Cancer (2 points). 1+1+1+1+1+2=7

Looking at Quadruplicity, we count the following:

Cardinal: Libra Ascendant (2 points), Moon in Libra (2 points), Neptune & Mars in Capricorn (1 point each), Mercury in Cancer (1 point), MC in Cancer (2 points). 2+2+1+1+1+2= 9 points.

Fixed: Pluto in Scorpio (1 point), Venus in Leo (1 point) 1+1= 2 points

Mutable: Saturn & Uranus in Sagittarius (1 point each), Jupiter in Pisces (1 point), the Sun in Gemini (2 points) 1+1+1+2= 5 points. And to confirm, 9+2+5=16.

Finally, Triplicity.

Earth: Neptune & Mars in Capricorn (1 point each) = 1+1= 2 points.

Air: Libra Ascendant (2 points), Moon in Libra (2 points), Sun in Gemini (2 points) 2+2+2= 6 points.

Fire: Saturn & Uranus in Sagittarius (1 point each), Venus in Leo (1 point) 1+1+1= 3 points.

Water: Pluto in Scorpio (1 point), Jupiter in Pisces (1 point), Mercury in Cancer (1 point), MC in Cancer (2 points) = 1+1+1+2= 5 points. And to double check, 2+6+3+5=16

When we look at the chart, we see Masculine, Cardinal, Air with the highest counts, which are the modalities for Libra, the sign on his Ascendant. Typically I would ask myself if this underlying energy will compliment or compete with the expression of the Ascendant, but when it’s the same sign, I like to ask whether it will refine or exaggerate the expression of the Ascendant?

EXAMPLE 2: Edgar Allen Poe.

Again, starting with Polarity, we have 5 points in Masculine signs - Saturn & Neptune in Sagittarius (1 point each), MC in Leo (2 points), and Mars in Libra (1 point). 1+1+2+1= 5 points

That gives us 11 in Feminine: Ascendant in Scorpio (2 points), Uranus in Scorpio (1 point), Mercury in Capricorn (1 point), the Sun in Capricorn (2 points), Venus, Pluto, Jupiter in Pisces (1 point each), and Moon in Pisces (2 points). 2+1+1+2+1+1+1+2= 11 points

Following again with Quadruplicity:

Cardinal: Mercury in Capricorn (1 point), Sun in Capricorn (2 points), Mars in Libra (1 point). 1+2+1= 4 points

Fixed: Ascendant in Scorpio (2 points), Uranus in Scorpio (1 point), MC in Leo (2 points). 2+1+2= 5 points

Mutable: Saturn & Neptune in Sagittarius (1 point each), Venus, Pluto & Jupiter in Pisces (1 point each), Moon in Pisces (2 points). 1+1+1+1+1+2= 7 points. To double check ourselves, 4+5+7= 16.

And finally for Triplicity:

Earth: Mercury in Capricorn (1 point), Sun in Capricorn (2 points). 1+2= 3 points

Air: Mars in Libra (1 point). = 1 point

Fire: Saturn & Neptune in Sagittarius (1 point each), MC in Leo (2 points). 1+1+2= 4 points

Water: Ascendant in Scorpio (2 points), Uranus in Scorpio (1 point), Venus, Pluto & Jupiter in Pisces (1 point each), Moon in Pisces (2 points). 2+1+1+1+1+2= 8 points. And again to double check ourselves, 3+1+4+8=16.

Here we have an underlying Pisces energy since our counts emphasize Feminine, Mutable, Water, so we ask does this compliment or compete with the sign on the Ascendant? How are these signs similar and what are the differences between them?

I would also point out that this exercise shows where there may be an absence or an overabundance of a particular modality. Too cardinal? They may have trouble relaxing or letting go. Too earthy? They may have trouble with empathy or expressing emotion. In Edgar Allen Poe’s chart, there is only 1 point in air. This can point to potential trouble accessing the qualities of air signs - communication, verbal expression, human relationships, etc. Factors in the chart can compensate, but it immediately tells you to pay attention when beginning your analysis of the chart.

Every once in a while you have a chart with something like the below where it’s pretty evenly distributed. In a case like this, I usually default to the one outlier, like the 6 points in mutability, and consider multiple options. In this case,

Masculine, Mutable, Air = Gemini Masculine, Mutable, Fire = Sagittarius

Feminine, Mutable, Earth = Virgo Feminine, Mutable, Water = Pisces

The key is to always go back to the Ascendant and figure out how the signs are similar and different. Here Mutability becomes a theme, and if the person has the fixed sign Taurus rising, for example, this may be challenging.

The 16 Point Scale

A Tool for More Nuanced Natal Chart Analysis

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