How do I find out which fixed stars are in my chart?

There are two primary ways to determine which stars are in your nativity: conjunctions and parans.

For conjunctions, simply look at the degrees of the placements in your natal chart, particularly the seven traditional planets, important lots and the angles (i.e. ascendent, midheaven, etc), and see which stars are conjoined that placement within 2º. So, for example, if you were looking at the fixed star Alderamin, at 13º07’ Aries, any placement within 11º07-15º07 Aries would be touched by that star. Keep your orb tight and only look at conjunctions: as there are so many stars and they’re much farther from earth than the planets, we want to focus on the more exact connections.

Parans, or paranatellonta, are an ancient way of measuring planet-star connections by calculating when a planet is on one of the angles of the sky at the same time as a star. This method is much more technical and only really possible to calculate using computer software.

Luckily, you can calculate your parans for free on astro.com following these steps:

• first make an account or input your birth info
• Click on the Menu bar on the side → free horoscopes → horoscope drawings + data → Extended Chart selection → click over to the “Special” tab → scroll through the “chart type” menu until you find “Parans According to Bernadette Brady”

Though all of the stars listed in your parans are part of your nativity, pay special attention to the heliacal rising and setting stars: they set up the foundation of your stellar path.

For more information on the heliacal stars, check out my lecture devoted to the subject.

But know you do not need a natal connection to work with a star! It may take more time to get the attention of a star not in your natal chart, but as someone who has worked with many, many stars with no prior connection, I can attest to their potency either way.