Looking at a birthchart will instantly reveal important pieces of information about the subject. For example, planets scattered at fairly equal distances around the chart will create a pattern of behaviour entirely different from of one with all the planets clustered together in a small area.
The system of dividing the Zodiacal circle into distinct shapings was originally devised by Marc Edmund Jones in the 1940s for his book "The Guide to Horoscope Interpretation" and has since become an integral part of astrological interpretation. He described seven common shapings - Bundle, Bowl, Bucket, Locomotive, See-saw, Splash, and Splay. More recently, astrologers have described additional shapings that do not fit into these defined patterns, called Fan and Undefined.
BUNDLE
All the planets are contained within an arc of 120 degrees. This intense concentration of planets in such a small area indicates a determined, single-minded person who has difficulty adapting to change. When the bundle is situated in the lower half of the chart, such people enjoy privacy and are usually quiet but ego-centred. When it is in the upper section, they are objective and relish public life though may be unable to cope with personal commitments.
BOWL
All the planets are contained within 180 degrees. The bowl is a confined chart shaping which, like the bundle, allows no access into the other half of the birthchart. When placed in houses 1 -6, the subject may be introverted or shy but in houses 7-12 the subject has confidence but may lack empathy or imagination. If placed on the ascending side of the chart (houses 10-3), they are self contained and independent but if on the opposite side in houses 4-9, they are sociable but dependent on the dictates of others.
BUCKET
One planet is situated in the opposite sphere of the chart which forms a "handle" allowing access to the other side. The bucket person does not possess an isolated outlook and can adapt to changes in lifestyle. The singleton planet (the handle) is always an important planet and may even dominate the chart. The subject often desires to give expression to the area of life in which this planet is situated before moving on to the rest of the chart; for example, someone with nine planets in the lower half of their birthchart and a handle in the tenth house (career) may be excessively ambitious.
LOCOMOTIVE
All the planets are sited within a wide arc of 240 degrees leaving four consecutive unoccupied houses. This person usually possesses a self driving personality. The planet that leads the group clockwise symbolizes motivation; the house that it occupies shows direction of motivation.
SEE-SAW
The planets are divided into two even groups on opposite sides of the chart. This shaping produces a see-saw or up-and-down effect on the subject who is constantly striving for perfection and balance. This is rarely achieved, as the see-saw is unable to remain in a balanced position for long. Such subjects have complicated personalities, therefore, and are often moody and indecisive.
SPLASH
The planets are scattered evenly around the chart with only a few empty spaces. Such people are creative and knowledgeable and have broad interests, but unless many of the planets are in fixed signs, they may lack concentration or reliability and be good at most tasks but master of none.
SPLAY
The planets are scattered irregularly around the chart. The subject is likely to be a nonconformist and may be unique, eccentric, wilful, or in some way unusual. They may be highly gifted people but they are often unable to channel energy in a constructive manner.
FAN
A new shaping used by some astrologers, similar to the bucket, but where two planets form a fan-like handle. The two singleton planets can be used together to form one powerful handle or separately to form two different ones. The subject is said to project two distinct sides to the character, both of which are able to relate to and control the planets on the opposite side of the chart. They are sometimes thought of as Jekyll and Hyde personalities.
UNDEFINED
All the planets are situated within 210 degrees of the chart with a largely empty area of 150 degrees - too widely spaced to be regarded as a bowl but not far reaching enough to be called a locomotive. This shaping has become more common since the 1960s and occurs in the charts of those who need to make many adjustments to their lives in order to "fit in."
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