Specific planets or points in aspect to midpoints are revealed in the midpoint trees displayed above. Mercury () is in hard aspect to the midpoints mentioned in the accompanying chart.
We would remark the following configuration since Mercury is conjunct the midpoint Venus/Mars (/):
We use the equal sign even if the aspect is an opposition, square, semi-square, or sesquiquadrature. The diagram displaying all of the midpoints in hard aspect to Mercury is called a “midpoint tree,” and the following example “equation” is formally called a “planetary image.”
In This Article...
What is a Midpoint?
Midpoints have been utilized in astrology since 1200 AD, when Guido Bonati, a great Italian astrologer, used half sums, sometimes known as midpoints, to analyze a chart. Alan Leo, a well-known American astrologer, used midpoints in conjunction with solar arc directions at the turn of the century. Prior to Reinhold Ebertin and Alfred Witte’s usage of midpoints and the 90-degree dial at the beginning of the nineteenth century, I had no awareness of their use. Solar arcs, on the other hand, have a long history dating back to Ptolemy, who used primary directions in the second century.
In Astrology, a midpoint is the intersection of two points, which in this case refers to the intersection of two planets and/or personal points, such as the Midheaven, Ascendant, and Nodes. The meeting of planetary energies that becomes active via the process of growth, which is related to the passage of time, is this center point. We have a spatial relationship with the aspects formed by the heavenly bodies.
This technique may be traced back to Reinhold Ebertin and Alfred Witte, who invented it near the turn of the century by breaking down a 360-degree wheel into a 90-degree dial. The use of the 90-degree dial became a useful method for projecting future occurrences since Ebertin believed that hard elements caused events in one’s life.
Ebertin began by dividing the planets into three groups.
30 degrees for Cardinal Positions, such as Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn; 30 degrees for Fixed Positions, such as Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius; and 30 degrees for Mutable Positions, such as Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces.
On a 90-degree dial, this system can be seen as 0 to 30 degrees Cardinal, 30 to 60 degrees Fixed, and 60 to 90 degrees Mutable for the planetary points to be set in accordance with their quality.
For every pair of planets and points, there are two midpoints that are exactly opposite one another. The diagram below illustrates why this is the case:
What is the midpoint of the ASC MC?
In midpoint astrology, the Sun/Moon and Asc/Mc midpoints are two of the most important midpoint couples. This is due to the fact that they involve the chart’s personal points.
The Sun/Moon midway unites the masculine and feminine energies within an individual, and has been dubbed the “Inner Marriage” by some writers (see Michael Harding and Charles Harvey’s ‘Working with Astrology,’ published by Cinnabar Books). The midway of the Sun and Moon describes how a person “gets himself together.” Any planet that is conjunct or in a H8 aspect to the Sun and Moon’s midpoint is said to be “on the midpoint.” The nature of a planet or planets at the midway has the effect of bringing the energy of the Sun/Moon into focus. Venus at the Sun/Moon, for example, would indicate that the person “gets himself/herself together through artistic endeavor or love.”
Any planet that comes into touch with the Asc/Mc midpoint, like the Sun/Moon midpoint, pulls it into focus. The nature of these two points correlates to the interpretation of the Asc/Mc midpoint. The Ascendant is linked to the birthplace, while the Midheaven is linked to the birth time. The Ascendant is the sign that rose in the East when you were born. The longitude of the birthplace correlates to the degree of the Midheaven at birth, resulting in the time in hours and minutes the birthplace is from Greenwich. According to legend, the Asc/Mc midpoint represents a person’s relationship to “this time and this place.” As a result, the midway might be defined as how a person lives his or her life in this location and time, moment by moment. Planets on the Asc/Mc midpoint reveal a person’s current state of mind. Jupiter at the Asc/Mc, for example, would indicate someone who is hopeful, Saturn would indicate someone who is serious, and Mars would indicate someone whose life is a battleground.
Synastry & Relationship Astrology
We provided an outline of compatibility considerations on our mainSynastry page. We provided a weighting scheme for several interchart characteristics and places on our Compatibility Analysis page. We look at the significance of planets and points falling in a partner’s house on our House Overlays page. On our Synastry Books Compared page, we compare and contrast our favorite relationship astrology books and explain why we appreciate them.
Karmic Connections
Conjunctions to the Vertex (particularly personal planets or the Ascendant or Descendant), IC (cusp of the 4th house), South Node, and the advanced Vertex or Descendant are all common interplays between the charts that seem fated and karmic.
Attraction
In an article titled Astrological Indicators of Sexual Attraction, we look at several indicators of basic physical attraction between people. Of course, attraction isn’t a guarantee of long-term happiness. It usually comes before a serious connection, and in some situations, it’s important just for the sake of being important, as we may not be interested in forming binding relationships right now.
When one person’s Ascendant conjuncts or opposes another person’s Sun, Moon, Venus, or Mars, it frequently indicates romantic attraction. Interactions between yin and yang (feminine and masculine) personal planets are most powerful when it comes to attraction, as they can create a lot of curiosity. If we take the Ascendant to be a yang energy and leave out the neutral (unisex) personal planet Mercury, the following interplays emerge:
Interactions between personal planets and Ascendants that are yin-yang and yin-yin have a part in attraction as well. The yin-yang interplays, on the other hand, are more engaging and “romantic.” Sun-Venus appears to be the least sexual and romantic of the planetary pairings listed above (it generally inspires a strong affection).
Parallels and Contra-Parallels in Declination
Contra-parallels are likened to oppositions, while parallels are likened to conjunctions. When planets in synastry make an aspect to one another and are also parallel to one another, the parallel reinforces the aspect.
In synastry, I interpret parallels as simple, natural, and spontaneous links between the two energies represented by the planets. The interaction is less difficult than the conjunction, and the affinity emerges naturally. I’ve also discovered that Saturn parallels to personal planets are a little easier to work with than synastry conjunctions. When Saturn is an interaspect in synastry, it is not as prone to criticism or control as it is when it is an interaspect. Saturn’s stabilizing influence is more pronounced. We have some great relationships when the planets involved are yin and yang (such as Sun with Moon, Moon with Mars, Venus with Mars, etc.).
Solstice Points/Antiscia in Synastry
In the synastry of a couple who both felt they fell in love at first sight (no other Ascendant-Descendant connections in regular synastry), the woman’s solstice Venus was exactly conjunct the man’s Descendant; a man whose Venus-Moon conjunction did nothing but square his partner’s Saturnthe anticision degrees of Venus-Moon tightly conjunct her Sun/Moon midpoint; in two cases of married couples with no Sun (they did marry).
Midpoints in Synastry
It can be highly illuminating to look at the synastry between each person’s midpoints. It also takes a lot of time! I don’t look at all of the interchart elements involving midpoints unless I’m going over a relationship with a fine-toothed comb. One of the first things I do with any chart is calculate and add the Sun/Moon midpoint (). It’s a highly personal and sensitive issue that I never overlook in any relationship analysis.
It is typical to examine the following aspects when doing midpoint work: conjunction, opposition, square, semi-square, and sesquiquadrature. When a planet makes one of these aspects to a midpoint, the notation is as follows (where Venus is the planet making one of these aspects to the Sun/Moon midpoint, for example):
In meaningful relationships, the Sun/Moon midpoint is frequently activated by the other person’s own planet in synastry. The midway of the Sun/Moon marks a turning point “It represents an inner marriage and a deep personal bond. If another person’s personal planet, particularly the Sun or Moon, creates an aspect like the ones mentioned above, that individual represents some sort of integration promise to the Sun/Moon midpoint owner. Whether or not integration occurs, this synastry relationship has a tantalizing promise that is difficult to ignore. As a result, it’s a good predictor of attraction.
When a person creates a substantial relationship, the Sun/Moon midpoint is frequently stimulated by transit and progression, and it is frequently gravely tested when significant partnerships are disrupted, such as divorce. The following activations were present in my own life when I met and married a man as a young adult:
The more factors there are, the more probable a major event will occur. Progressed Mars=Natal Sun/Moon when the first overt signals of problems to my marriage appeared. Uranus had proceeded to a perfect square to my natal Sun/Moon when I separated. There were no directions or transits to my Sun/Moon at the time of my legal divorce. This comes as no surprise to me because the official divorce was merely a formality to me. The transits and paths to my Sun/Moon midpoint showed the disturbances that meant something to me personally.
In synastry, the Sun/Moon midway is a very sensitive point. The need for companionship is inherent in its meaning. Another midpoint to consider in relationship analysis is Venus/Mars, which Reinhold Ebertin characterized to as “the drive to love and “passion” in his most influential book, The Combination of Stellar Influences. I don’t feel that someone’s personal planet being the same as my Venus/Mars indicates a strong bond between us in general. It can also refer to a one-night stand or an impulsive attraction in a relationship. Other synastry strengthening variables need, of course, be present in order for this link to be more meaningful. However, constructing astrological charts may be fun “In order to arrive at more details in a relationship analysis, assertions (such as her Venus/Mars= his Sun) are used. Of course, looking at the midway claims made in the individual charts should also be instructive. How might Venus/Mars=Saturn play out in terms of relationship possibilities and expectations if a person’s natal chart includes Venus/Mars=Saturn?
What Happened?
Some of us turn to astrology to try to figure out what went wrong in a broken relationship.
Relationships can start off with so much promise and “oomph” that they leave people wondering “what went wrong?” when the relationship has calmed down The majority of the time, the answers can be discovered in synastry of the natal chart. There are, however, some answers in progressions.
A relationship that began with immense force is an example from my files. Both people were smitten with one other right away. The sentiments looked to be withering after a few months, especially on the man’s part. The locals had a reasonable synastry, but it wasn’t extraordinary. The man’s advancing Sun/Moon midway could explain the fizzling out that occurred.
His Sun/Moon midpoint was directly opposite (exact) the woman’s natal Moon at the time of their meeting. The Sun/Moon midpoint denotes a close relationship, so this is a potent link. The “inner marriage” is the Sun/Moon midway, and it is a highly sensitive point in synastry.
The advanced Sun/Moon midpoint advances at a rate of about 6 or 7 degrees every year, or about one degree every two months. Because this couple’s natal charts lack interchart aspects between the Sun and Moon, as well as Sun/Moon midpoints, the advanced to natal encounter appears to have been a one-time occurrence. The connection faded as the man’s advanced Sun/Moon midpoint moved beyond the woman’s Natal Moon (out of range and no longer in aspect), given that there were no strong, permanent natal ties to begin with. These types of events can occur in conjunction with other advanced and natal points, some of which are more long-lasting. For example, if my advanced Mars conjuncts your natal Venus, the consequences could persist for a good 2-3 years if we allow a modest orb of influence, and many more years if we accept a bigger orb of influence (depending on Mars’ speed at the date that corresponds with my secondary progressions).
Interchart aspects and comparisons
Keep the following in mind when interpreting interchart aspects:
- In that particular connection, each person whose planet is involved will most likely assume the role of that planet or play out the energies of that planet. If A’s Saturn is conjunct B’s Sun, for example, A will most likely play the part of Saturn in the relationship when B is exhibiting his or her own Sun traits. When confronted with A’s Saturn expression, B will express the Sun’s energy. In some ways, you can think of it as a game. A takes on his or her Saturn role while B is exhibiting uniqueness.
- Each planet’s sign and house location should be taken into account. When one person’s Sun conjuncts another person’s Saturn in Scorpio, the interplay is different than when the conjunction is in Sagittarius.
Aspects between charts.
More articles, techniques, interpretations, and recommendations are being added to our Relationship Astrology section of the site. As it stands, we have a substantial amount of data on the subject. For links to all of our Synastry articles, go to our main Synastry hub page and scroll down to the bottom.
In astrology, and more specifically in the natal chart, the Sun Moon Midpoint is a highly sensitive and personal point. It is a mathematical point that is located halfway between the Sun and the Moon (or exactly halfway).
The longing for togetherness is inherent in the symbolism of the Sun/Moon midway. The midway of the Sun and Moon denotes a “inner marriage” and a deep intimate bond. In addition to natal chart work, this aspect is critical in any type of relationship analysis.
It’s worth noting that while working with midpoints, other planets and points that create the following aspects to the midpoint are usually taken into account: conjunction, opposition, square, semi-square, and sesquiquadrature. When a planet makes one of these aspects to a midpoint, the notation is as follows (where Venus is the planet making one of these aspects to the Sun/Moon midpoint, for example):
In meaningful relationships, the Sun/Moon midpoint is frequently activated by the other person’s own planet in synastry. If another person’s personal planet, particularly the Sun or Moon, creates an aspect like the ones mentioned above, that individual represents some sort of integration promise to the Sun/Moon midpoint owner.
Whether or not integration occurs, this synastry relationship has a tantalizing promise that is difficult to ignore. As a result, it’s a good predictor of attraction. Many astrologers believe that major relationships that lead to marriage or another type of commitment have at least one of the following synastry interchanges: one person’s Sun aspecting the other’s Moon, and/or one person’s personal planet aspecting the other’s Sun/Moon midpoint.
Note About Midpoints:
To comprehend the significance of the Sun/Moon midpoint, one must first comprehend the significance of midpoints in general. The midpoint is a crucial point in a chart when the influence of the two planets involved merge, according to Ebertin, who is regarded as an authority on midpoints.
What are the characteristics of midpoints?
The midway is the point that lies halfway between the two ends: Its x value is in the middle of the two x values. Its y value lies in the middle of the two y values.
Which planet is to blame for the mishap?
- Accidents are caused by the afflicted lord of the eighth house, Mars, and Rahu.
- When Saturn, Moon, and Mars are in the second, fourth, and tenth houses, respectively, the native falls from the vehicle, according to sarawali.
- When the Moon and Mars are in the fourth house and are aspected by malefics, yogas for accidents are also produced.
- When the Sun is in the tenth house and Mars from the fourth house is aspecting it.
- The lord of the ascendant and the lord of the eighth house are conjunct in the fourth house and are weakly situated.
- When the ascendant’s lord is weak and conjuncts the lords of the sixth, eighth, and ninth houses, as well as Mars, the native is prone to big mishaps.
- When the ascendant’s lord is weak and conjuncts Rahu, Ketu, or Saturn in the sixth house, the ascendant’s lord is weak.
- When the atmakaraka planets in the horoscope conjunct malefic planets, the native may be subjected to accidents.
- When the lord of the eighth house is in the dreshkona, an accident by automobile is predicted.
- When the Sun and Jupiter are afflicted and in a relationship with the trik house lords.
- When the fourth and tenth houses of the horoscope are afflicted, the native suffers catastrophic injuries.