Astrological Lessons

This lesson looks at how the chart is divided.

Chart Divisions

The astrological chart consist of a circle divided into 12 segments or houses. The thicker and/or longer horizontal line is called the Ascendant/Descendant axis or the horizon. To see this clearly in your chart (Astrolog program only), go to Settings, Restrictions, then click the Restrict All button. Now untick Asc and Des then click ok. This will remove all the objects from the chart. If you now look at the column on the right of the chart you will see the exact degree of the Ascendant (Asc.).

The Horizon

The Sun (signs and planets) Ascend in the East and Descend in the West.

Although we know that the earth goes around the Sun and the affect of the rising and falling of the Sun is due to the spinning of the earth, for the purposes of astrology it is easier if we think of the earth as static and the heavens revolving around the earth.

In the natal chart, the placement of the heavens is frozen at the time of birth. So if birth took place at dawn then the Sun would be on the eastern horizon. At sunset it would be on the western horizon. Likewise, if the birth took place during the day, the Sun would be above the horizon line, at night it would be below it. Take a look at your own chart to verify this.

As the world spins, so the signs of the zodiac also pass through the heavens. Therefore if the Sun was in Gemini and the birth was at dawn then, the Eastern horizon would also be Gemini. The Ascendant is the cusp of the 1st house, whilst the Descendant is the cusp of the 7th. East and west are reversed for Southern hemisphere births.

We will examine the affects of the Ascendant and Descendant in more detail later.

The majority of planets above the horizon can show that the individual's focus in life is on external activities. Things like socializing, work and ambition.

Most planets below the horizon emphasis more personal issues such as health, self image, family, property and the sense of belonging.

M.C./I.C. Axis.

The longer and/or thicker vertical line is the Medium Coeli (M.C.) and Immum Coeli (I.C.) axis. To see this clearly in your chart (astrolog only), bring up Settings, Restrictions again and uncheck I.C. and Midheaven.

In the northern hemisphere the M.C. represents the South, whilst in the Southern hemisphere, the direction is reversed. The I.C. is always the cusp of the 4th house and the M.C. the cusp of the 10th.

Medium Coeli means Medium Heaven, the highest point of the Ecliptic (sun's apparent orbit). The Immum Coeli is the lower heaven, the point at which the lower meridian intersects with the Ecliptic. This axis is not always exactly vertical.

When the majority of planets are on the left side of the chart then the individual is likely to be in control of their own destiny. Whilst most planets on the right side indicate that the individual's life is greatly influenced by other people.

Halves and Quarters

Therefore, the chart can be divided in half via the Asc/Des axis or the M.C./I.C. Axis. This can be further divided into quarters.

The half below the horizon deals with personal matters. Above the horizon shows externalized affairs.

The eastern half contains matters that are individualistic and self orientated, whilst the western horizon deals with matters that affect other people.

The (1st) eastern quarter below the horizon is representative of things that belong to the individual, like the self, the self image, the possessions, the need for personal security, the persons ideas and opinions and the ability to communicate them.

The (2nd) western quarter below the horizon deals with personal matters that can affect other people such as the home life, children, pleasures, hobbies and daily routines.

The 3rd quarter takes us away from these personal areas, as it is above the horizon in the west. This indicates external matters that affect others. Partnerships, sex, learning, travel and the desire to go beyond our limitations.

The last quarter in the southeast covers externalized matters that are individualistic and self orientated. The career, ambition and life goals, group activities, acquaintances and places of isolation.

These quarters are then subdivided into threes, giving a total of twelve segments or houses. These can be seen by the shorter, fainter lines crossing the birth chart.

We will deal with the meanings of the houses later.

Exercise:

Using the three charts you have set up, send to me the dates, times and places of birth for each chart, along with the zodiac signs and degrees of both their Ascendants and Midheavens.