Using Astrology to Find Your Birth Time

In episode 169 of the podcast, astrologers Chris Brennan, Leisa Schaim and Patrick Watson give a detailed introduction to the subject of correction. This is a process used to determine when a person was born when it is otherwise unknown or uncertain.

Correction is often considered to be one of the most difficult tasks in astrology because it is essentially an exploratory process that takes many variables into account.

However, it is also very important, as an exact time of birth is often crucial in order to use many techniques in astrology, from simple ones like the twelve houses to more sophisticated timing techniques.

As a result, it may be necessary to make some sort of correction if someone does not know their time of birth or if the time of birth recorded is only approximate and needs to be fine-tuned.

Leisa and Patrick regularly do correction work for customers. You can find more information about her work here:

Chris is not currently conducting any consultations but has a presentation on his website on how to correct natal charts for sale and is in the process of developing a course on the subject.

Correction is a pretty big topic so we had a lot to discuss, and this was a long three hour episode. Below is both audio and video versions of this episode. The audio quality in the audio version is better than the audio quality in the video version, but both are the same in content.

Below are the show notes, followed by links to download or stream the recording of this episode of the podcast.

Correction overview

Correction: Definition of our terms.
- Correct: correct, correct, correct.
- A procedure usually used to find a time of birth when it is unknown or uncertain.
Many astrology techniques require precise timing.
- Both birth interpretation such as houses and timing techniques.
- In some cases a correction is required.
Sometimes the term is used more broadly to reverse engineer a diagram in general.
- The earliest historical reference that I could find was from the 1st century BC. BC (Varro).
  - Try to find the map for Rome and its founder.
The basic requirement is that the birth certificate describes the quality of life and events in the future.
- As an extension, it should be possible to reverse engineer a diagram from known events.
- Corrigendum puts this theory into practice, usually in an emergency.
When is a repair usually necessary?
- Limited known time window vs. 24 hour correction.
- Rough birth time recorded, but required more precisely for certain technology.
- The worst case scenario is when there is absolutely no time of birth during the entire 24 hour period.
- Less bad scenario is when they have a general idea of the time of day.
- The best scenario is when they have a rounded time that just needs fine tuning.
  - Although even this can be difficult for people with pointy ascendants.
Correction out of necessity versus out of principle.
- Chris always saw rectification as a necessity.
- But I’ve met some astrologers who believed that every map should be corrected (e.g. Axel Harvey).
  - The argument for this is that it can be rounded many times.
    - No guarantee that even a decent looking time will be accurately recorded.
- The argument against it is that the recorded time can be exact despite an astrologer.
  - You may not be looking for the right techniques or you may not have a complete knowledge of life.
  - Then risk correcting everything as you may be wrong.
Correction as speculative
- The main problem is that the correction is always speculative in the end.
- Unless the time of birth is determined later, there is no safe way to check.
- Each astrologer uses their own preferred correction techniques.
  - As a result, different astrologers can come to different conclusions.
- For this reason, every correction must be carried out with a grain of salt.
- Every time a correction has been made, you must indicate this in advance.
  - For example when you see an astrologer for advice.
  - Recently annoyed that AstroDatabank listed corrections.

Correction strategies
First, it’s important to look for possible records everywhere.
- Trying to find birth certificate, birth certificate, baby book, etc.
- Talk to parents and other relatives to see if they remember the time of day.
- Can help narrow down the time frame, e.g. B. when it was sunrise, evening, etc.
- Be careful, as parents’ memories can be unreliable.
Rectification with increasing sign versus rectification with increasing degree.
- It is easier to find out the increasing sign than the increasing degree.
- This should always be your first starting point as there are only 12 characters.
- The use of entire shield houses makes this easier.
  - All houses change with every rising sign.
  - Big difference between one rising sign and another.
- Only 2 or 3 characters may be available within a few hours.
- Becomes a process of comparing essentially 2 or 3 different charts.
- Once you’ve narrowed down the correct rise sign, you can narrow down the grade.
Establishing the evidence for the correction in conversation with the customer.
- Primary data are known features and events in the customer’s previous life.
- Some fit birthplaces, others are tied to timing techniques.
- The client’s clear perception of life is an important variable, as is a good memory or record.
  - Much of what you do depends on accurate reporting.
- You have to ask good questions and then wait carefully for answers to get subtle pointers.
  - Sometimes it is important to recognize when your perception is incorrect.
    - This can sometimes be an important clue in itself.
- What are some of the major events that have already happened in your life?
  - What makes their life different from other lives in general?
  - Problem point: people normalize their unique experiences.
- Focus on benefactors and wrongdoers.
- I mainly want to focus on topics that fit the 12 houses.
- 1st house: Character, body, appearance, 2nd house: Finances, possessions, 3rd house: Siblings, travel, education, 4th house: Parents, home, living situation, 5th house: Children, 6th house: Illness, injury, work, subordinate, 7th house: Relationships, partners, 8th house: Death, other people’s money, 9th house: Religion, travel, strange things, education, 10th house: Career, reputation, 11. House: Friends, groups, 12. House: Enemies, loss, isolation.
Knowledge of natal astrology as a basis for correction.
- Your ability to correct a chart is based on your understanding of natal astrology.
- You need to know what you would expect from one home placement versus another
- Also the ability to be flexible and see how different placements manifest for individuals
- Not only about house placements, but also about rulers of the houses.
  - Need to watch out for overlapping ads.
First steps to correct.
- The ability to animate the diagram speeds up the process significantly.
- We all use Solar Fire for this.
  - Use the promo code AP15 for a 15% discount on Solar Fire from Alabe.com
- Find out your time frame, then try to narrow down the rising sign.
Birth Chart Placements To Look For.
- What changes will change over the course of the timeframe you have to work with?
- Rising sign: the quality of the sign, planets in the sign.
- Planet ruling ascendant, its condition and its household listing.
- Moon sign changes
  - Apply / separate aspects of the moon
- Sun and other planetary sign changes (less common)
- Use of benefactor / malefactor along with sect extremely useful in rectification
  - House placement of the most positive and negative planet.
  - However, damage control can make this difficult
Timing Techniques:
- After narrowing down the options, check out timing techniques.
- People tend to use the same timing tools that they normally use for correction.
- House-to-house transits are especially important, especially slower planets.
  - Saturn and Jupiter traverse the entire shield houses.
    - Jupiter and Saturn because their natures are so different
    - Finally, you can narrow this down to specific grades.
- Annual professions
- Other degree-based techniques.
Final remarks
- The rectification depends primarily on your ability to delineate natal charts.
  - Just applying your approach to childbirth to establish expectations.
- Ultimately, it is speculative and should be treated with caution.
- But sometimes necessary and can be very helpful.