For one, they notate how far into a zodiacal “season” a planet is. In astrology, degrees serve many purposes. Accurate birth times are imperative for applying degree theory when studying your natal chart. These are degrees and are quite specific based on your time of birth. If you’ve ever looked at your birth chart, you’ve probably noticed a set of numbers on the right of your zodiac placements. Ever wonder what those numbers next to your zodiac placements mean?