Skycarta What is astrocartography?
Astrocartography is a branch of astrology that projects your birth chart onto a map of the world. It shows the places where each planet was rising, setting, directly overhead or directly underfoot at the exact moment you were born.
Where it comes from
The technique was popularized in the 1970s by the American astrologer Jim Lewis, who trademarked the name "A*C*G". The underlying idea — that a chart changes when you change location — is much older and is known as relocation astrology. Computers made it practical to draw all the lines at once, and in recent years the method has become a travel trend on social media.
The four kinds of lines
- MC (Midheaven) lines — where a planet was overhead. Linked to career, reputation and public life.
- IC lines — where a planet was underfoot. Linked to home, family and inner life.
- AC (Ascendant) lines — where a planet was rising. Linked to how you feel and come across.
- DC (Descendant) lines — where a planet was setting. Linked to partners and relationships.
With ten planets (counting the Sun and Moon) and four angles, everyone has 40 lines. See the meaning of every line.
How people use it
People use astrocartography to choose a city to move to, plan a meaningful trip, understand why a certain place felt life-changing, or decide where to spend a birthday. A popular approach is to look for Venus lines for love, Jupiter lines for luck and growth, and the Sun MC line for career.
What you need
Your birth date, your birth place and — ideally — your exact birth time. The time matters: the Earth rotates 15° an hour, so a one-hour mistake shifts every line by about 1,000 miles at the equator.
Make my free astrocartography map
Is astrocartography scientific?
No. The planetary positions are calculated with real astronomy, but the meanings are astrological tradition, not science. Think of your map as a tool for reflection and inspiration rather than a guarantee.