All About Degrees in Astrology and How They Can Help You Understand Your Birth Chart (2024)

When it comes to understanding astrology, it's essential to note that the well of knowledge is infinite. Think of every insight and lesson as a chance to peel back the layers of an onion. Since we've covered moon signs and stelliums, it's time to analyze another portion of the birth chart: degrees.

Degrees in astrology are a way to forge individuality in the zodiac and claim the energy that connects with us on a soulful level.

Knowing the relevance of essential degrees will help you clarify why there are rowdy Virgos, impatient Libras, or, as Olivia Rodrigo says, “spicy Pisces.” Critical degrees add a wealth of knowledge and insight to who we are at the core. Which is all the more reason why they are crucial to comprehending one’s birth chart.

A Guide to Stelliums and What It Means for Your Birth Chart, According to an Astrologer

Below, a breakdown of what degrees in astrology mean.

What are degrees in your birth chart?

Zodiac signs and planets fall at a specific place in the sky. This is known as an astrological degree. These degrees give meaning and depth to the hidden characteristics of the sign and planet, allowing us to understand their internal forces on a deeper level.

For instance, if your sun falls at zero degrees Aries, which is a sensitive point, you will embody the true essence of the sign. However, if it falls at 29 degrees Aries, that can mean you rush to evolve into something different, more significant or better. Zero degrees Aries would encourage you to stop and smell the roses, unlike 29 degrees Aries, which would push you to move forward without patience.

Degrees in astrology are vital to getting to the next level and layer of understanding the complexities of the sign. It makes two Aries different and enhances the uniqueness between two people and birth charts.

What is the significance of degrees on your birth chart?

In a birth chart, degrees can add flavor to the zodiac sign and planet. For example, if Venus falls at 15 degrees Taurus, this could mean that you are someone who yearns to connect with others on a spiritual level. On the other hand, having your sun at 15 degrees Libra could mean you are more daring and irrational than other Libras.

Certain degrees create a personal dynamic that heightens our connection to the universe and forge our cosmic individuality.

What is the degree theory in astrology?

The degree theory looks at a zodiac wheel as consisting of 360 degrees. Since there are 12 zodiac signs, we then divide 360 by 12, making the maximum number of degrees by sign or planet 30. These degrees come in handy when trying to determine one’s persona and understand their birth chart.

Sabian symbols are also a vital part of the degree theory. Created by astrologer Marc Edmund Jones and clairvoyant Elsie Wheeler in 1925, Sabian symbols are the 360 phases that correspond with each degree on the zodiac wheel.

They bring imagery and assign a story to certain degrees. For example, 11 to 12 degrees Aries represents a flock of wild geese, while five to six degrees Gemini depicts workers drilling for oil. (The complete list can be calculated and found here).

What are the critical degrees for each sign?

We can find nuance and understand how any sign acts by looking at its specific degrees. Each sign has particular degrees that bring out their energy in an extreme way and can change the overall vibe.

Below are the pivotal degrees of each sign:

Aries: 1, 13 and 25 degrees.

These degrees are passionate and goal-oriented.

Taurus: 2, 14 and 26 degrees.

These degrees are hyper-focused on love and creativity.

Gemini: 3, 15 and 27 degrees.

These degrees are extra curious and chatty.

Cancer: 4, 16 and 28 degrees.

These degrees make someone extremely sensitive and nurturing.

Leo: 5, 17 and 29 degrees.

These degrees can make the fiery sign very dramatic and selfish.

Virgo: 6 and 18 degrees.

These degrees can make the Mercurial sign rigid and inflexible.

Libra: 7 and 19 degrees.

These degrees can add erraticism and criticism to the forefront of their personality.

Scorpio: 8 and 20 degrees.

These degrees bring more intensity to the water sign.

Sagittarius: 9 and 21 degrees.

These degrees increase the need for freedom and travel.

Capricorn: 10 and 22 degrees.

These degrees make one goal and success-oriented.

Aquarius: 11 and 23 degrees.

These degrees increase fanaticism and rebellion.

Pisces: 12 and 24 degrees.

These degrees bring out mysticism and intuition in the water sign.

Furthermore, there are degrees for each modality — three classifications that categorize each sign— and strengthen their overall vibe:

Cardinal signs: Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn are the cardinal signs of the zodiac. They are the ones who start a season, with Aries starting spring, Cancer initiating summer, Libra bringing in the fall and Capricorn starting winter. Their critical degrees are 0, 13 and 26.

Fixed signs: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius are the fixed signs, the builders and doers of the zodiac. Their primary roles are to maintain equilibrium and keep tradition in the zodiac. Their critical degrees are 8, 9, 21 and 22.

Mutable signs: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces are the philosophers and restless changers of the zodiac. Unlike fixed signs who like establishing a norm, mutable signs do just fine with welcoming new changes. Their critical degrees are 4 and 17.

What does it mean to have critical degrees in your birth chart?

Critical degrees in a birth chart are sensitive points that can affect how a person relates to the world, themselves and others. They are markers for beginnings, endings, and transformation. A critical degree in the birth chart can make you more sensitive and intuitive and push you to work harder to attain what you want most.

It's important to remember that astrology has no wrong or right aspects. It is just the energy that you are meant to work with in this lifetime. Having these triggers in our birth chart indicates that you need to focus your energy on making shifts that allow you to transcend and transform by utilizing the power that the degree adds to the zodiac sign and planet.

All About Degrees in Astrology and How They Can Help You Understand Your Birth Chart (2024)

FAQs

All About Degrees in Astrology and How They Can Help You Understand Your Birth Chart? ›

The degree theory looks at a zodiac wheel as consisting of 360 degrees. Since there are 12 zodiac signs, we then divide 360 by 12, making the maximum number of degrees by sign or planet 30. These degrees come in handy when trying to determine one's persona and understand their birth chart.

How to read degrees on a birth chart? ›

Look at the 12 zodiac signs encircling the outside of your chart. A circle is 360 degrees, and each zodiac sign takes up 30 degrees (one 12th of the circle). Each sign begins at 0 degrees and grows to 29 degrees going counterclockwise. Every time you hit 30, a new sign begins.

What is the 13 degree in astrology? ›

13 degrees is an Aries Degree, Critical Degree and a Karmic Debt Degree. People with this degree in their chart have to work extremely hard for everything good in their life. Blessings may feel delayed. They constantly have to 'overcome' something standing in their way.

How to read the birth chart in astrology? ›

Reading Your Sign

The section in which your birth date falls is your Zodiac sign. There are 12 signs of the Zodiac, all of which represent different personality traits. Locate which section you fall into in order to identify your Zodiac sign. On your astrology chart, a small person is drawn on the globe in the center.

What is the 25 degree in astrology? ›

The 25th degree is a degree of culmination. It carries the active, assertive, courageous pioneering drives of the first and 13th degree. It has a sense of achievement. You can harness the full potential of the planet or placement in this 25th degree.

How do you read degrees? ›

Each degree is divided into 60 equal parts called minutes. So seven and a half degrees can be called 7 degrees and 30 minutes, written 7° 30'. Each minute is further divided into 60 equal parts called seconds, and, for instance, 2 degrees 5 minutes 30 seconds is written 2° 5' 30".

What are the degrees important in astrology? ›

Critical degrees are specific points within each sign that are known to have intensified astrological significance. These degrees are 0, 29, and sometimes 15 degrees. Each of these has a special energy and deals with beginnings, endings, and heightened traits or intensity.

What is the 0 degree in astrology? ›

The Ingress

In the natal chart, planets or points at 0° of a sign take a stance that either indulges in or embraces the very pure, undiluted nature of the sign. There's a fresh, unstudied quality to a planet at this degree.

What is the 14th degree in astrology? ›

What is the 14th degree in astrology? Having 14 degree in midheaven means you have a potential to become successful, but it's going to be very hard and much harder than for others. Rounder, softer features. Often have a seductive vibe to them like their sister sign, scorpio.

What degrees in the birth chart indicate wealth? ›

If your natal chart has Venus in particularly prominent degrees in Sagittarius, Taurus, Pisces or Scorpio, it may indicate financial abundance at some point in your life. Additionally, Venus placement in the 2nd, 8th or 11th house is considered a positive sign for wealth accumulation.

What is the big three in astrology? ›

These days, many people can rattle off their “Big Three” zodiac signs—their sun, moon, and rising sign—often including the trio in their social media bios. Exploring our charts beyond sun signs has brought some of us to a new consciousness about ourselves and our place in the universe.

Which house is for marriage? ›

The 7th house in your horoscope is connected to marriage. The planet that facilitates marriage is Venus. In everyone's horoscope, the list of auspicious planets include Jupiter (Guru), Venus (Shukra), Mercury (Budh) and Moon.

What can your birth chart tell you? ›

With your birth chart as a guide, you can gain insights into your strengths, weaknesses, and one-of-a-kind qualities, which can ultimately help you connect more deeply with yourself and those around you.

Is there a 30th degree in astrology? ›

Since there are 12 zodiac signs, we then divide 360 by 12, making the maximum number of degrees by sign or planet 30.

What is Lilith in astrology? ›

Lilith, or "Black Moon Lilith," is a point in your birth chart that reveals your personality's hidden or taboo parts. It indicates where you've kept your true desires secret to avoid criticism or rejection. This hidden side, often called your shadow, represents everything society considers forbidden or unacceptable.

What is the 28th degree in astrology? ›

In astrology, the 28th degree of a sign is known as the anaretic degree. It holds a significant meaning and is often associated with: 1) A sense of urgency, completion, or crisis. 2) Karmic crossroads. 3) Heightened sensitivity and vulnerability.

What does 3 degrees mean in astrology? ›

An astrologer would use the 3 degree Sun placement to determine that the Sun is in the first decanate of your Sun sign, which give slightly different personality traits than if it were in the other two decanates.

What do the angles of your birth chart mean? ›

The four angles of a chart include the Ascendant, Descendant, Midheaven, and Imum Coeli. These cardinal points in an astrology chart are pivotal in shaping a chart's narrative. They mark beginnings and ends, and each angle offers a distinct perspective on our journey through life.

What are the famous degrees in birth chart? ›

Fame degrees, in the simplest terms, are degrees within the chart that determine whether or not an individual has a higher possibility of having a career as a public figure or being well-known in some way. 5°, 17° and 29 are the most well-known variants of these.

What does 28 degrees mean in astrology? ›

In astrology, the 28th degree of a sign is known as the anaretic degree. It holds a significant meaning and is often associated with: 1) A sense of urgency, completion, or crisis. 2) Karmic crossroads. 3) Heightened sensitivity and vulnerability.

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