Astrology describes the structure of the heavens at the time of birth.  The birth (natal) chart describes the flow of energy in and out of the astral body.  The soul creates the astral body at the moment of birth linking the cosmos to the physical body.  The energy structure that is created at the time of birth is linked to the structure of the cosmos at that instant.  Different moments in time can see each other within the astral plane because it is intermediate between this world of space-time and the infinite-eternal center of being.

The planets, houses, signs, and aspects are the foundations of astrology.  The task of astrology is to understand how the combination cosmos at birth has shaped and directed the individual.  This is the natal horoscope.  Another important task of astrology is understanding the timing and nature of cosmic influences upon an individual during the course of their lifetime.  The best way to do this is by tracing when the planets overhead move through the 12 houses of the natal horoscope and investigating the relationships that these transiting planets make to the planets in the natal chart.  Another application of astrology is investigating the effect that two people have on each other by seeing how their charts compare, by seeing what are the influences between the planets in the two natal charts and if they are antagonistic or synergistic. There are many other astrological procedures; the natal chart, daily transits and relationship compatibility are fundamental.