Harmonic chart
A harmonic chart is a new chart made by multiplying the degree of every point in your birth chart by a number. In the 5th harmonic chart each planet's longitude is multiplied by 5, in the 7th by 7. This simple step brings out fine aspects that are easy to miss in the birth chart: two planets that are 72° apart in your birth chart sit side by side in the 5th harmonic chart.
Harmonic astrology developed in the 20th century through the work of the English astrologer John Addey. The basic idea is that each number carries its own meaning: 2 describes division and awareness, 3 ease and enjoyment, 4 effort and structure, 5 creativity and skill, 7 inspiration and imagination, 9 maturity and union. Planets that come together in a harmonic show abilities of yours that work together in the area of that number.
Harmonic charts don't replace the birth chart; they deepen it. Knowing which harmonics are strong for you helps you understand the direction your talents and interests take.
How is it calculated?
The longitude of every planet in your birth chart is multiplied by the harmonic number you choose, and the remainder after dividing by 360 is taken. In the 5th harmonic, for example, a Sun at 20° Aries (20°) moves to 100°, which is 10° Cancer. If your birth time is known, the Ascendant and Midheaven are multiplied in the same way.
Two planets that come together in the harmonic chart (conjunct within 6°) are planets that are a multiple of 360/n apart in the birth chart. The 6° orb corresponds to 6/n degrees in the birth chart: 1.2° in the 5th harmonic and about 0.7° in the 9th. Planets that are already conjunct in the birth chart are conjunct in every harmonic, so they are not listed.
If your birth time is unknown, the Moon is left out: it moves about 13° a day, and once multiplied by the harmonic number its position becomes very uncertain. When the strength of the harmonics is compared, the number of aspects that belong to each harmonic is taken into account, so that every harmonic has roughly the same expected score in a random chart.
How to read a harmonic chart
Start by looking at which harmonics are strong for you. A strong harmonic shows a natural inclination in the area that number describes: a strong 5th harmonic describes a talent for shaping and making things, a strong 7th harmonic inspiration and imagination.
Then look at which planets come together in the harmonic you choose. The themes of planets that are conjunct merge in the area of that harmonic. Venus conjunct Mars in the 5th harmonic can describe a talent for joining passion and beauty to create something; Mercury conjunct Neptune in the 7th harmonic, an inspiration that brings words and imagination together. Clusters of three or more planets stand out especially.
In a harmonic chart the signs and houses are not read as in the birth chart; what matters most is how the planets relate to each other. Planets conjunct the harmonic Ascendant or Midheaven carry the harmonic's themes into your personality and your direction in life.
The harmonics from 2 to 12
- 2nd harmonic: Division and awareness
- The 2nd harmonic is the harmonic of the opposition. It describes polarities, tension and getting to know yourself in the mirror of others. Planets conjunct here show two poles you try to balance in life and the awareness that sets you in motion.
- 3rd harmonic: Ease and enjoyment
- The 3rd harmonic is the harmonic of the trine. It describes natural talents, flow, and the things you enjoy and do without strain. Planets conjunct here support each other on their own; the only risk is using this ease too comfortably.
- 4th harmonic: Effort and structure
- The 4th harmonic is the harmonic of the square. It describes struggle, hard work and the effort it takes to build something in the world. Planets conjunct here push you but get you moving; they show the driving force behind your concrete achievements.
- 5th harmonic: Creativity and skill
- The 5th harmonic is the harmonic of the quintile. It describes the power to shape and make things, to master a craft and to develop a personal style. Planets conjunct here show the subjects in which your creative and constructive talents come together.
- 6th harmonic: Harmonious relationship and service
- The 6th harmonic is the harmonic of the sextile. It speaks of working together with others, being useful and the enjoyment of effort. Planets conjunct here show skills of yours that come out easily in relationships and cooperation.
- 7th harmonic: Inspiration and imagination
- The 7th harmonic is the harmonic of the septile. It describes inspiration, intuition, dreams, romance and a vision that goes beyond the ordinary. Planets conjunct here show the areas that enchant you and from which you draw creative inspiration; it is often prominent in the charts of artists.
- 8th harmonic: Intense effort and realisation
- The 8th harmonic is the harmonic of the semi-square and sesquiquadrate. It is a concentrated form of the 4th: it describes the determined effort and friction involved in making something happen. Planets conjunct here show the matters you pursue persistently.
- 9th harmonic: Maturity and union
- The 9th harmonic is the harmonic of the novile. It describes maturing, inner peace, spiritual growth and the ideal sought in a relationship. The navamsa chart of Vedic astrology is also based on this harmonic. Planets conjunct here show sides of you that come out more in the second half of life and shape your ideal of marriage or partnership.
- 10th harmonic: Creativity going out into the world
- The 10th harmonic is the harmonic of the decile aspects. It carries the creativity of the 5th harmonic out into the world and society: it describes recognition of skill, professional mastery and having a voice in a field. Planets conjunct here show how you turn your talent into public achievement.
- 11th harmonic: Beyond limits
- The 11th harmonic describes going beyond the rules, excess, stepping outside the usual and idealism. Planets conjunct here show sides of you that push you beyond the ordinary, sometimes without limits and sometimes bringing innovation.
- 12th harmonic: Service and devotion
- The 12th harmonic is the harmonic of the semi-sextile and quincunx. It describes adapting, working for others, devotion and sometimes sacrifice. Planets conjunct here show the areas in which you devote yourself to a purpose or to other people.
Frequently asked questions
What is a harmonic chart?
It is a chart made by multiplying the degree of every point in your birth chart by a number. Each harmonic looks at a theme described by that number and brings out fine aspects that are easy to miss in the birth chart.
What does each harmonic describe?
The most widely used are the 5th harmonic (creativity and skill), the 7th harmonic (inspiration and imagination) and the 9th harmonic (maturity, union and the ideal of partnership). The 4th harmonic describes effort and structure, and the 3rd ease and enjoyment.
Do I need my birth time for a harmonic chart?
Your birth date is enough for most planets, but since the Moon moves about 13° a day, its position in a harmonic chart becomes very uncertain without a birth time, so we leave it out in that case. The harmonic Ascendant and Midheaven also need a birth time.
Is the 9th harmonic chart the same as the navamsa?
They are similar. The navamsa chart of Vedic astrology also divides each sign into nine and is based on the 9th harmonic; however, it is calculated with the sidereal zodiac and focuses on sign placements. Western harmonic astrology looks mainly at planets coming together.
Are signs and houses read in a harmonic chart?
In harmonic astrology the signs and houses are not interpreted as in the birth chart. What matters is which planets come together and which harmonics are strong in your chart.