The Art of Astrocartography: Intrepreting Your Chart Lines

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Learn the best places to travel or relocate based on your personal map

Co-authored by Angel Eyedealism and Amber Crain

Last Updated: August 21, 2024 Fact Checked

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What is astrocartography?

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Astrocartography Map Basics

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Planetary Meanings

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Key Lines

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What can I learn from my astrocartography map?

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Expert Interview

Ever wondered where in the world you truly belong? Looking for a life-changing travel destination? Hoping to meet the love of your life abroad? Your astrocartography map can point you in the right direction! In this article, we'll explain exactly what astrocartography is, how to generate your own map, and provide detailed interpretations for the corresponding lines and planetary meanings. If you're ready to get moving and expand your horizons, read on!

Things You Should Know

Use an astrocartography map generator to create your chart. You'll see lines charting points all over the globe.
The lines will have planetary symbols on them. Each planet represents a different aspect of your life/personality.
Note where the lines are on the map. The closer you are to a line, the more you feel the energy of that particular planet.
Use the map to figure out where to relocate, find vacation spots, or look for your soul mate based on the planetary energy you want to cultivate.

Section 1 of 5:

What is astrocartography?

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Astrocartography is a form of astrology that focuses on geography. It's sometimes referred to as locational or relocational astrology. Astrocartographers use your birth chart to create a map pinpointing the best geographical locations for you and your energies. You can use this information to find places where you'll thrive, feel inspired, and achieve your goals.^{[1]
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- Similarly, your map can tell you which places to avoid because they're inauspicious and don’t support your personal goals.
- Astrocartography is an old concept, but was officially "invented" in the 1970s by American astrologer Jim Lewis. Lewis devised a systematic way to generate astrocartography maps based on planetary movements at the time of a person's birth.^{[2]
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  Research source} For an in-depth look into this branch of astrology, check out Lewis' seminal book, The Psychology of Astro*Carto*Graphy.

Section 2 of 5:

Astrocartography Map Basics

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Use an online astrocartography map generator to create your chart. There are plenty of free websites, like Astro.com and AstroSeek, that can generate your map or chart for you. To use them, you'll need to enter the exact time, place, and date of your birth. At first glance, the map will just look like a bunch of colorful lines. Helping you interpret it is where we come in!
- You can also buy special software to generate an astrocartography map, or consult a professional astrologist that specializes in locational astrology (search "locational astrologer + your zip code" to find local pros).
The lines represent planetary paths at the time of your birth, and each line on the map corresponds to a different planet, meaning, and purpose. The lines run through specific geographical points, so you can use the meaning/purpose of each line to understand your connection to that place on the map.^{[3]
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The lines are labelled with corresponding planetary symbols. If you’re familiar with astrology, you know that each planet has specific associations. The same meanings and associations apply in astrocartography. The closer you are to a line, the more you feel the energy of that particular planet.
- All of the planet lines will also be labeled with one of the following abbreviations: AC (Ascendant), IC (Imum Coeli), MC (Midheaven), and DC (Descendant). These lines have specific meanings that you will interpret in conjunction with the planetary meanings.
- Astrologers generally read your birth chart next to your astrocartography map to provide deep insights about who you are and where you belong.

Section 3 of 5:

Planetary Meanings

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This line shows you the locations that are attuned to your core personality. Whenever you’re there, you’ll feel the most like yourself, experience success, and influence others. If you want to experience a massive boost of self-confidence and generally live your best life, head to one of these spots.^{[4]
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This line charts points where you’ll feel the most emotional and experience deeper intuition. It also has a feminine aspect, so you may feel the urge to become a mother or a maternal figure to someone when you’re here. Your capacity for compassion and understanding will shine and you'll be very in touch with your internal world.
Mercury is associated with communication and intellect. Points on your Mercury line are places where you’ll feel mentally strong and connect easily with others through language or writing. If you’re looking for creative inspiration, you’ll find it in one of these areas.
Venus is associated with love, beauty, and success. Follow this line if you’re looking for your soulmate, or if you’re ready to launch your career successfully. You can also expect a serious glow-up when you’re in one of these places—you'll radiate warmth, beauty, and magnetism.
Mars is associated with passion, excitement, and being assertive, so these are great locations if you’re trying to cultivate your inner passions or become a leader. All that energy can have a flip side, though—you may end up feeling over-stimulated or aggravated if you spend a lot of time here. Be sure to find ways healthy ways to blow off stream and de-stress when you need to!
This line shows you areas where you’ll experience luck and abundance, especially when it comes to material possessions. The positive vibes don’t stop with just material possessions, though—if you’re looking to be lucky in love or strike gold in your career, follow your Jupiter line to success.
This line corresponds to duties, responsibilities, and the more serious sides of life. Go to places on your Saturn line if you want to learn what your values are or to transform yourself on a fundamental level. It may not be the most comfortable path to walk, but you’ll be forever changed in ways that truly matter.
If you want to rebel or flip the script on yourself, traveling to a place on the Uranus line is a good option. Uranus is associated with innovation, technology, and life’s extremes. If you’re feeling stuck in a rut, traveling to one of these places just might jolt you out of that. Whatever it is you’re looking for, expect to find it suddenly and in unexpected ways.
If you feel disconnected from your spirituality, places on your Neptune line can help you rediscover that side of yourself in abundance. Your imagination will be wild and free here, so it’s easy to get swept away in the magic. Because of that, your Neptune line is great for pinpointing a dream vacation spot (but not so great at indicating where you should live full-time).
Pluto is all about drama, cycles, and transformations. Locations on your Pluto line will force you to confront uncomfortable truths and open up floodgates of repressed emotions or memories. If you’re looking for growth and transformation, follow your Pluto line. It may not always be a smooth or comfortable process, but you’ll change and blossom into who you were meant to be.

Section 4 of 5:

Key Lines

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The planets that end up on these lines create the tapestry of your personality. For example, if the Sun is on an AC line, your warm and outgoing personality will shine in these areas. If Saturn is on an AC line, the goal-oriented and responsible side of your personality will take over when you're in these spots.^{[5]
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Planets on the IC lines affect your home and family life. For example, if Jupiter shows up on an IC line, you might end up having a lavish home in a wealthy neighborhood. If you’re looking for a spiritual home away from home, go where Neptune shows up on an IC line. Looking for a place to retire? Find where the Sun lines up with an IC line.
Planets on your MC lines influence your career, reputation, and status. For example, on a Sun/MC line, you’ll project warmth and influence. In places where Pluto lands on an MC line, you’ll experience a darker side of yourself and pursue power in your profession.
Planets on DC lines affect your closest relationships (both personal and business-wise). For example, you may find the love of your life when you visit a place where Venus lands on a DC line. If you’re looking to attract a partner, that’s where you need to be. If you’re hoping to settle down, you’d want to avoid locations on a Uranus/DC line (Uranus is associated with instability and extreme behavior).

Section 5 of 5:

What can I learn from my astrocartography map?

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Best places to live You can be happy living anywhere, but your map can tell you which geographical locations will support you on a deeper level. You might have a spiritual connection to a particular spot, or a certain city may provide the right energy for you to achieve a specific dream or career goal. Depending on how strong your connection is and which planet shows up, you may want to move to (or near) one of these places.
- People often seek out astrocartography charts before relocating. For example, if you’re trying to decide on a college, your chart can tell you which places are most suitable for your energy and goals.
- Look for the lines marked "IC" if you're looking for places to move to since those are tied closely to home and family. Then, look at which planetary symbol is on the line to figure out how your home/family will be influenced.
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Ideal travel destinations and vacation spots Ready to take your dream vacation but aren’t sure where to go? Astrocartography can help with that! You can use your map to locate destinations that will be meaningful and powerful for you once you’re there. If you're looking for a life-changing experience, your map can tell you exactly where to find it.
- Look for your AC and MC lines when picking travel destinations. Be sure to check the planetary symbol so you know what kind of energy you'll find there.
- You don’t have to visit these spots in person to reap the benefits. For example, if you have a strong spiritual connection to Austria, you can harness that energy by learning the language, customs, and myths.
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Where to find love or other meaningful relationships If you have a specific goal in mind, like finding love or making crucial career connections, your astrocartography map can tell you where you’re most likely to find what you seek. Your Venus line in particular can tell you where you’ll find love and other long-lasting relationships.^{[6]
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- Look for your DC lines on the map if your goal is to meet someone or form relationships. Then, use the planetary symbol to figure out the kind of energy you'll find along that line.
- You don’t necessarily have to permanently relocate to these areas—you can connect with people online. You might make business or long-distance love connections in these places by using social media or other platforms.