The MC, also known as the medium coeli or middle of the sky, is the highest point in your birth chart. It represents the zenith as seen from your birth location on the day of your birth.
It is the exact point that defines your reputation, status and career path. Unlike your rising sign, which focuses on how people first meet you and how they perceive you, the MC is about public image and legacy.
The Midheaven
Whether you’ve been a longtime astrologer or have just started to explore astrology, it may come as no surprise that the midheaven is one of the most crucial pieces of your birth chart. Not only does this placement indicate how people see you in a one-on-one way, it also gives clues about your natural gifts and how you can contribute to the world around you.
The midheaven isn’t a planet like the Sun, Moon, or Mercury; it’s the highest point in your chart at the time of your birth, and it’s positioned directly overhead. It’s also called the medium coeli, or MC for short, and it reveals information about your professional path.
In astrology, the MC is usually placed in a sign opposite to your rising sign, which is a zodiac sign that represents the dominant, most public part of your personality. It’s often linked to your parents and your ancestral lineage, so understanding what it means in your natal chart can help you build the most successful career possible.
For example, if you were born with your midheaven in Leo, you’re likely to be incredibly confident and charismatic. This gives you the ability to shine when it comes to putting yourself out there and being recognized for your hard work. If you have your MC in Virgo, you’re a dedicated, practical, and analytical person who values the value of time spent working towards your goals.
On the other hand, if you have your MC in Libra, you’re interested in balance and beauty. You’re drawn to a career that requires you to listen to both sides of an issue and fight for fairness, such as being a lawyer or a manager.
Finally, if you have your MC in Aquarius, you’re a humanitarian who prioritizes friendship and community over anything that’s self-focused. You’re a natural dreamer and are passionate about helping people. This makes you a great candidate for a career in social services, law, or medicine. You also love to be on the go and can get bored easily, so a job that allows you to travel or experience new things will be ideal.
The Imum Coeli
The Imum Coeli, or IC, is the point opposite the Midheaven in astrology. This is the cusp of your fourth house, and it represents your most private aspects of life — your home, family, early childhood development, and relationships with nurturing parental figures.
The IC also symbolizes the past and your roots, as well as your inner self. This is the part of you that you're not comfortable showing to others, but needs to be explored in order to find your most authentic self.
This is also the part of you that you're most vulnerable to and often feel the most alone in. As such, it's the place where you explore your most innermost feelings and fears.
It's also the part of you that may be inherited from a parent, and can be associated with your family history. For example, someone with an IC in Sagittarius may be a descendant of someone who was famous for their group involvement, such as an orchestra, football team, political party or charity.
Similarly, someone with an IC in Capricorn may have been raised in a strict environment with a strong emphasis on discipline and structure. They may have a rigid way of thinking and need to be able to pull themselves out of bad moods when they arise.
People with an IC in Aquarius, on the other hand, are more likely to have an inherited sense of being very creative. They may be extremely artistic and often have a lot of ideas, but they need to be careful not to become overly proud or egotistical.
These individuals can be quite sensitive and emotional, but they may have a strong sense of empathy. They can also be very imaginative and are not afraid to try out new ideas.
The IC is the most important angle in your natal chart, and it has an enormous impact on your personality and how you live your life. It's one of the three power points, along with the MC (midheaven) and the DC (descendant), that you should know about.
The Ascendant
The Ascendant, also called the rising sign, is calculated using your exact birth time and is one of the most important astrological aspects of your chart. It symbolizes your day-to-day life and how you express yourself to others. Your friends, colleagues and family are likely to interact with the Ascendant on a daily basis, so this is something that you want to pay attention to and understand.
While your sun sign represents your ego, and how you think, the Ascendant describes how you react to the world around you and how other people see you. It is a crucial piece of your astrological profile and an often misunderstood aspect of horoscopes.
Astrologers can read the Ascendant to help them better understand how you approach relationships, your personal brand and the way you are perceived by other people. For example, if you’re born with your Ascendant in Pisces, ruled by dreamy Neptune, your first impression is of gentle, humanitarian, compassionate and kind.
Those born with their Ascendant in Aries, Leo or Sagittarius will strike people as energetic, enthusiastic and optimistic. They have a well-organized, slightly stern outer manner which reflects their inner confidence and their good judgment.
On the other hand, those who are born with their Ascendant in Cancer, ruled by taskmaster Saturn, come off as practical, down-to-earth, traditional and very career-oriented. They are serious about what they do and their work, yet they are able to maintain an upbeat, spirited and happy attitude no matter what challenges they may encounter.
If you are born with your Ascendant in Gemini, Libra or Aquarius, you will be friendly and sociable. You communicate easily, and you have many different plans and schemes in motion. You will often have multiple projects on the go at once, so you need a partner to help you get them done.
Those born with their Ascendant on the cusp of a new zodiac sign will find that they’re always being shaken up, challenged, and encouraged to transform. They are constantly on the move, and unless they learn to surrender and be open to the karmic challenges that arise from this position, they’ll never truly be anchored in their power.
The Descendant
Your Descendant sign is the zodiac sign that resides opposite your Ascendant, and it reveals how you want to interact with others. It is especially active when you are entering relationships, and it reveals what kind of person you're looking for in a partner.
In astrology, the descendant is opposite your ascendant, and it marks the beginning or cusp of your 7th house. This house is responsible for long-term partnerships, marriages, and other relationships that last for a significant length of time.
When you have a descendant in a specific sign, it means that you are naturally attracted to a person with that particular zodiac sign. It also shows you what qualities you're most attracted to in a partner, or romantic mate.
For example, if you have the Descendant in Pisces, it means that you are attracted to people who are sensitive and emotional but who can also be practical and organized. They are the type of person who you can count on to be there for you in times of need, and they may be able to teach you more about your own intuition and imagination.
Another example of a descendant in a different sign is when you have the Descendant in Aries. It means that you are attracted to people who share a similar love of adventure, and they may even be willing to take risks with you.
It is also common for Aries to have a descendant in Leo, which means that you are attracted to someone who can teach you how to be bold and fearless. They are the type of person who can show you new ways of thinking and help you find your voice in a world that is often filled with chaos and uncertainty.
You can look to your natal chart to find out where your descendant is, and then pop over to a birth chart generator to see how it relates to other aspects of your chart, including the Ascendant and the seventh house. You can also use a compatibility reading to find out how your partners' planets align with yours.
