How accurate would a birth chart be if there is an estimated range of 1-2 hours for birth time?

[Arianna]

I’m curious, because I know that this affects the house placements, but how important are the house placements between 1-2 hours?

Discussion

[SnarletBlack]

1-2 hours gives you an approximate range of 15-30 degrees for the Ascendant, which is a lot, but it will make the most difference if the Ascendant sign changed during that range. You can find that out by casting a chart for the lower and upper range of the time. If both have the same AC sign, then the main issue is not knowing the exact AC degree (which can cause issues mainly with aspects and transits, as well as the construction of the whole chart in a Placidus so I would recommend using whole sign houses here). If the 2 charts have different AC signs, well then you don’t know what the rising sign is and that can really limit a lot of interpretive possibilities in the chart. You should also note if the Moon (or any other planets) changed signs between the 2 charts. If the charts are very different, with different rising signs and/or moon signs or other planet signs, you might want to look into professional rectification.

[StellaGraphia]

In addition to what others have said, the asc degree is important for other reasons as well. We use something called Progressions, most commonly Secondary Progressions (but there are other kinds). And for this, if the asc is of by just 1 degree (that’s about a 4-minute error in birth time), then what the progressed asc shows will be off a full year in the experience for the native. That is, life events and influences involving that progressed asc and its aspects and transits will be said to happen a year later or earlier than the events or influences really happen.

A 4 minute difference can, over time result in other major errors, such as when the moon progresses into a different sign.

In the natal chart itself, aspects to the MC and the ASC can be key in the life of the individual, so, if you don’t have a time of birth, you would need to ignore any transits to what the chart says those points are. Again, an error of just 1 degree can throw things off by a great deal.

House placements matter not just for understanding what areas of life are influenced natally, but also with transiting planets. And then there are Annual Profections, and they too need an accurate asc. Though if, you are absolutely certain of at least the rising ***sign*** then using whole sign houses (required for Annual Profections anyway), then that can work.

There is also professional rectification, which runs about $150 and requires a lot of work. It should only be done by a skilled, experienced professional astrologer. No app can do this accurately, and no amateurs. In fact, not all pro astrologers will undertake it – it tends to be a bit of a specialty. If you are interested in that, you can message me. (I don’t do them, but can point you in a reliable direction.)

[EverbrightRDT]

The ascendant takes about a day to move through the entire zodiac, so that’s ~2 hours per sign (it varies depending on the time of year and how long day/night is. Remember, sunrise and sunset are linked to the sun conjoining with the ascendant/descendant)

A 2 hour difference in birth time can be a completely different ascendant. Sometimes even a small difference like 15 minutes can matter of your ascendant is right at the start/end of a sign. My friend would be an Aries rising if he was born 2 minutes earlier than what his birth certificate says.

[SaintPepsiCola]

My best friend and my bf is another Aquarius!