A horoscope, also known as a natal chart or astrological chart, is a diagram that maps the positions of celestial bodies, including the Sun, Moon, planets, and their angular relationships, at a specific moment in time, often a person's birth. The term originates from Greek words meaning 'time' and 'observer.' Proponents of astrology believe horoscopes can be used for divination and understanding personality, forming the basis of horoscopic traditions. However, scientific studies have not supported the accuracy of horoscopes, and their methods are classified as pseudoscience, with interpretations often explained by psychological phenomena like the Barnum effect. While widely published in popular media, often simplified to solar Sun sign astrology, horoscopic traditions vary, with examples like Hindu astrology's 'kundali' used for matching individuals and determining auspicious timings.

A horoscope functions as a symbolic representation of the sky at a particular moment and location. Typically viewed from a geocentric perspective, it details the positions of planets, the Sun, and Moon, alongside calculated elements like lunar nodes, house cusps, zodiac signs, and specific angles. These elements, including the relationships between planets known as aspects, are interpreted differently across various astrological traditions. The core belief is that the celestial configuration at birth reflects an individual's characteristics and potential.

Within a horoscope, four primary angles are considered crucial: the Ascendant (rising sign), Midheaven, Descendant, and Imum Coeli. These points, forming a cross-like structure, represent significant areas of life and are roughly 90 degrees apart. The Ascendant, where the ecliptic intersects the horizon in the east, and the Midheaven, representing the highest point in the sky, are often regarded as the most influential. The Ascendant, changing roughly every two hours, is thought to influence how a person is perceived, while the Midheaven is associated with career and public image.

The Zodiac is a belt of space, approximately 16 degrees wide, divided into 12 signs of 30 degrees each, representing the apparent path of the Sun. Western astrology commonly uses the tropical zodiac, which begins with the Sun entering Aries at the spring equinox. In contrast, the sidereal zodiac, favored by Indian astrologers, aligns more closely with the actual positions of constellations. The tropical zodiac is tied to seasons, while the sidereal zodiac accounts for the precession of the equinoxes, a slow shift in Earth's axis over thousands of years.