If you've ever wanted an astrological conundrum to sink your teeth into, you'll have to go a long way to find something as mind-bending as this:

Is time of birth taken from the 'delivery' of the baby or from the cutting of the umbilical cord ('first breath')?

Ms X is searching for the answer to this question in order to find her correct birth chart - as a beginner in Astrology, her own chart forms the basis for her journey into this wonderful science. Put on your rectification hats, fire up your astrological software and send your opinion to Aspects - we will forward your comments to Ms X ( ).

Ms X - female, born 15 Sep 1971, approximately 01:45am in Rosettenville, South Africa.

BIO: Age 34, single, no children. Project Manager in adult vocational training field. Highest education level Honours degree in Clinical Psychology. Keen interest in philosophical and metaphysical subjects, with an existential and humanitarian focus. Started studying astrology formally with Cynthia Thorburn in 2006, with a view to utilising my formal psychology training as a foundation, and astrology as a functional platform/ point of departure for therapeutic counseling.

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS:

FATHER:

• 15 Sep 1926 : Born in Rome, Italy
• Feb 1954 : Left Italy for Kenya, worked as butcher for 10 years
• 04 Jun 1957 : Son born (unmarried)
• Oct 1964 : Left Kenya for South Africa, met Ms X's mother

MOTHER:

• 30 Jul 1940 : Born in Johannesburg
• 20 Apr 1957 : Married first husband
• 26 Nov 1957 : Eldest daughter born
• 26 Oct 1959 : Second daughter born, 2 months premature, died 4 hours later
• 19 Sep 1960 : Son born
• 07 Sep 1963 : First husband died

GENERATION OF MS X:

• 25 Feb 1969 : Father married mother, adopted her two children from previous marriage
• 02 Jul 1969 : Eldest sister born
• Jul 1970 : Father bought own business - Significance: this business became successful enough to upwardly transform the family's financial circumstances, new era
• 15 Sep 1971 : Ms X born - Rosettenville, south of Johannesburg (*see below)
• 21 Mar 1974 : Youngest sister born
• 25 Sep 1976 : Parents purchased first family home (north of Johannesburg) - Significance: this home represented a big change as it involved a move from a low to a high socio-economic area with the accompanying life-style change, and also impacted the entire extended family, splitting the family in terms of interpersonal relationships, community culture as well as physical distance
• 1977 : Renovated new house while residing at old house
• 08 Jan 1978 : Family moved into new home (new era)
• 1982/3 : Father sold business (low point)
• Jul 1988 : Father purchased new business (up-swing)
• 1993 : Father sold business (low point)
• May 1993 : Family moved out of house with intention to sell it (end of era)
• 16 Oct 1993 : Family moved back into house, elder sister and Ms X moved into parents' home to assist financially.

MS X PERSONAL LIFE EVENTS:

• Jan 1978 : Age 6 - entered Primary School
• Jan 1985 : Age 13 - entered High School
• 1989 : Age 18 - matriculated
• Jan 1990 : Age 18 - first full-time job, commenced university studies (non-degree)
• Feb 1991 : Age 19 - commenced BA degree
• Oct 1994 : Age 23 - first significant romantic relationship
• Feb 1996 : Age 24 - purchased own business (new era)
• 1996 : Age 25 - completed BA degree
• Mar 1997 : Age 25 - graduated BA degree
• 1998 : Age 26 - commenced Honours degree
• May 2000 : Age 29 - sold business (low-point)
• Jan 2001 : Major family conflict, elder sister and Ms X left home, later returned
• 12 May 2001 : Uncle passed away (tragic circumstances) - Significance: very close and influential family member, impacted family badly, represented dissolution of extended family cohesion.
• Apr 2001 : Age 29 - graduated Honours degree
• Nov 2001 : Working trip to Europe (high point)
• (Jun 2000 - Jun 2003 : Age 29-31 - major depressive episode, loss of direction, life crisis, very low point)
• Jul 2003 : Age 31 - started new job (attempt at "new era")
• Jul 2003 : Age 31 - Father diagnosed with cancer
• Oct 2003 : Age 32 - left job to assist with Father
• 28 Dec 2003 : Age 32 - Father passed away
• Apr 2004 : Age 32 - started new job (significant upswing)
• May 2004 : Age 32 - elder sister had emotional breakdown, booked into clinic
• Feb 2005 : Significant romantic relationship
• 05 Mar 2005 : Sold portion of home (subdivided land) - Significance: emotional loss and major change, but opportunity to gain financial stability.
• May 2005 : Elder sister returned to work (upswing)
• Jul 2005 - June 2006 : Deteriorating work environment, ongoing stress
• Jun 2006 : Resigned job (loss, personal crisis, low-point)

*CIRCUMSTANCES AROUND BIRTH:

Born two months premature, at home. Birth unexpected, very quick (no warning contractions), no time to get to clinic, therefore delivered by father (on his 45th birthday) somewhere between 01:45 and 02:15 am. Taken by ambulance to nearest hospital (still attached). Delay of about 30 minutes (max 45 minutes) from birth to cutting of umbilical cord. Some doubt over survival for first 48 hours, because didn't receive immediate medical attention, and because of mother and grandmother's pregnancy history (mother's second child from previous marriage born two months premature and died after birth, and grandmother's second child premature and stillborn). Remained in incubator for about a week before being sent home.