The angles are normally positioned at 3,6,9, and 12 o’clock; but, depending on where you were born, the chart circle may appear to be a little less centred.
The Ascendant (also known as the ascendant, ascendant sign, or rising sign) divides the chart in half horizontally and reaches over to the Descendant (DC or DSC) and depicts Self vs. Other, or how you balance your need to individuate with working with others.
The Mid-Heaven (also known as Medium Coeli or MC) indicates your personal integration vs. social function, or how your home base supports your professional expression, and divides the chart in half vertically down to the Immum Coeli (also known as IC or nadir).
Each angle point (AC, IC, DC, and MC) reflects a different part of your life, and the sign each angle is in reveals something about you.
In This Article...
In astrology, what is the AC house?
The axis is fundamental to the way we operate as individuals, interpreted as our method to responding to the wider world, our perspective on ‘the other,’ the way we perceive where we’ve come from and where we’re headed…
Your Guide To The Angles:
The Ascendant represents how we meet the world and how we express ourselves. Our ‘rising sign’ is the zodiac constellation on the Ascendant, and it colors the way we greet life and approach new situations. When you’re close to a ‘Ac’ line, your personality will absorb the energies of the planet in question, or you may identify with the themes it represents.
The Ilum Coli is tied to our origins, heritage, family, and foundations. If you’re near a ‘Ic’ line, the features of the planet where you dwell or inhabit, who you live with, or the mood of your living arrangements may have an impact on your environment. It can have an impact on how we feel about settling down in a new area, as well as our perceptions of home and the environment. It can also permanently alter our thoughts about where we came from!
We recognize and are drawn to the attributes of our Descendant in others, which is why the Descendant is all about ‘the other.’ When you’re near a ‘Dc’ line on your Astro Map, the impact is that you’ll be able to experience the qualities externally through others, meeting with the planet’s themes through them, or identifying with its features.
The Midheaven is associated with our career, social standing, and reputation; it is the first impression people get of us. Midheaven lines incorporate a planet’s attributes into work domains, enhancing our public image. Planetary issues could play out in the workplace and impact other people’s beliefs without our knowledge!
Imuni Coeli and the Midheaven are frequently related or reflect ancestral lineage and parents (or parenting).
Different astrologers attribute the MC/IC to the mother or the father; however, I believe they can be either or both.
My middle name (Peter) is derived from my father’s surname (Mc), and his Moon Sign is my Mc sign. However, I can appreciate his presence around my Ic as well!
What is the difference between ASC and MC?
Because they’re both outward representations of your ego, your midheaven and rising signs are sometimes confused, but they’re actually quite different. While your ascendant, or rising sign, represents the mask you put on for the world, or how others perceive you at first, your midheaven represents your career, public life, and reputation. It alludes to your individuality’s external manifestation. If you know your birth date, time, and location, you may find out your midheaven with the app TimePassages or the website Cafe Astrology.
Knowing your midheaven sign can help you better comprehend both your professional and social lives, so check your birth chart and scroll down to locate yours in the list below. However, keep in mind that astrology is supposed to be enjoyable. Take this information with a grain of salt because you’re a complex person with a complex natal chart, and the midheaven is only one component.
What is the difference between IC and DC in astrology?
The MC (midheaven), IC (Imum Coeli), and DC (descendant) comprise the anchors of your birth chart and your life, along with the ascendant, or rising sign. The MC, IC, and DC are technically known as “angles,” but you may think of them as compass points that help you find your way around the universe.
What is the difference between IC and MC in astrology?
The Imum Coeli (IC; Latin for “bottom of the sky”) is the point in space where the ecliptic crosses the meridian in the north, directly opposite the Midheaven, according to astrology. In most house systems, it is the fourth house cusp (this is reversed in the southern hemisphere).
In Astrocartography, what does AC stand for?
- Your rising line is linked to your outward personality, and you’ll identify with the energy of whatever planet(s) was closest to your ascendant at the moment of your birth. You could feel more confident and centered in the way you seem to others out and about in the world if you travel or move to your sun AC line.
- The Descendant (DC): The descendant line is about your interpersonal relationships. For example, your Venus descendant line could be particularly beneficial in terms of finding love.
- The Imuni Coeli (IC): The IC line is linked to your beginnings, home, family, security, and how your identity is influenced by that foundation. Your moon IC line has a reflective influence, so it could be a spot where you can make progress with a therapy or meditation practice, getting in touch with deep-seated emotions.
- The Medi-Coeli/Midheaven (MC) line reflects our social standing, public reputation, and who we are or desire to be. Spending time on your Mars MC line may inspire you to set ambitious career ambitions. (See also: How to Achieve Your Goals Based on Your Zodiac Sign)
In astrology, what is a DC?
If you’ve even dabbled in the world of astrology, you’re definitely aware that you have an astrological birth chart full of zodiac signs, houses, and planets that make up your cosmic profile. And, while you may know what your sun, moon, and rising signs represent in astrology, do you know what your descendent sign means? This important axis in your horoscope can reveal a lot about your relationships, both with others and with yourself.
The descendent sign, unlike the sun and moon signs, is represented by an angular point in the birth chart rather than a real planet or celestial body. It’s one of four key angles in any astrology chart, all of which are on the X/Y axis (see the chart below for a visualeach point is labeled with letters on the perimeter of the zodiac wheel). The midheaven sign (commonly abbreviated as MC) and the imum coeli sign (abbreviated as IC) reflect your public and private lives, and are seen at the top and bottom of a chart, respectively. However, the ascendent sign (AS) is on the right side of a chart, whereas the descendent sign (DC) is on the left (AC). While your ascendant (also known as your rising sign) portrays your personality and self-image on a surface level, your descendent sign in astrology is all about what you seek in interpersonal interactions.
What does MC stand for in a birth chart?
The Midheaven (MC) or Medium Coeli: The MC, which is found at the 12 o’clock position in your chart, marks the highest point on the horizon that any planet can reach. The tenth house of career and public image, which governs your professional path, social position, and public persona, is on the verge of being activated.
What is the address of my MC’s home?
“The 10th house of one’s birth chart is the midheaven,” astrologer Lisa Stardust tells Refinery29. “It represents our public persona, social standing, and professional ambitions. It also outlines our life’s purpose and what we may contribute to society.”
What is the difference between ASC and DSC in astrology?
Imagine being aware of the exact lessons your relationships are teaching you. Though understanding does not solve problems, it does provide assistance in navigating the maze of human relationships.
If you have a simple birth chart, you may learn everything you need to know about your relationship “school” by knowing the Ascendant (first house) and Descendant (seventh house) axes.
The ascendant is the first house, and it is the sign rising on the horizon at the time of our birth. This is why knowing where you were born and when you were born is so important when creating a birth chart. This sign, also known as the rising sign, reveals our incarnational intent as well as how we filter and project our energies into the world.
The ascendant serves as the “personal identity project, or the archetype we have decided to engage with in this lifetime,” according to Daniel Giamario, the founder of the Shamanic Astrology system.
The DSC is on the other side of the ASC.
It is made up of the 7th house, or the house of relationships. The 7th house is the doorway via which we enter partnerships in the Shamanic system. Our unconscious, karmic mission that drives our interpersonal connections is described by the sign that rules this house. This is referred to as a “joint endeavor” by Giamario.
When we think of our relationships and identities as projects, we’re implying that they’re something we strive towards rather than something we complete.
Jen had been a long-time client, but she’d never had an astrological chart reading with me before. ” She admitted that she had once gotten a horoscope reading. “Doesn’t that suffice?”
I explained that everyone takes a different approach and asked if I may observe. “I’m sure we can obtain more clarity looking at your chart if you have huge doubts regarding your relationship with your husband.”
Jen had never heard of the subject I was talking about, but she was intrigued. I made up her chart and discovered that she was born under the sign of Aquarius, with Leo (the sign opposite) as the descendant. Her husband Avery’s chart was also available to us, and we discovered that he had Capricorn on the ASC and Cancer on the DSC.
Jen’s spirit had incarnated in order to be free, to defy society’s harsh norms and codes. She’d come to experiment, discover, and establish new paradigms. She hadn’t come here to do “regular” things. This was revealed to me through having an Aquarius identification project.
On the DSC, Leo indicated that she was learning to share power in relationships and to recognize the various forms of co-dependency with others. To have the most creative, generous relationship experience, she needed to be free to be herself and to let others be themselves as well. Those predicated on need and conformance were not going to work with traditional relationship patterns. Relationships with this placement needs to be built on recognizing each other’s individuality rather than fostering the concept of “two becoming one.”
(Giamario argues that this is now humanity’s overarching relationship template, and that we are all in this relationship school as a species.)
Jen agreed with this viewpoint. She thrives on technology, cutting-edge approaches, and dispelling her clients’ self-limiting ideas as an entrepreneur dedicated to helping women creatives flourish.
She also acknowledged that she wanted Avery’s undivided attention in her relationship and didn’t want to “share him, particularly with youngsters.” Their opposing viewpoints on having children had pushed them to the brink of a relationship breakdown.
Avery had come into this existence with his Capricorn ASC in order to cultivate responsible “father energy.” His soul’s mission was to create a more sustainable society in which people may grow and thrive. He needed to live in the real world, with integrity and a sense of community.
Because he had cancer on his DSC, his goal/challenge in terms of relationships was to create a safe atmosphere for others to succeed. All of his relationships were tinged with the mother image, and he felt compelled to nourish and sustain others. Of course, this may appear as codependency, and he frequently put Jen first in the relationship, which her Leo adored, but he was resentful inside when his own desires weren’t met.
After his 40th birthday, Avery’s desire to have children had caught him off guard, and he and Jen were forced to negotiate on a major topic they had previously agreed on.
Despite the fact that their astrological charts were significantly different, they were both dedicated to the partnership. Jen needed to learn to respect Avery’s nurturing nature and to assist him by allowing him to find the community and family he sought, even if it wasn’t with her. In turn, he needed to help her grow and expand her business by making it “safe” inside their relationship for her to flourish and shine.
A little soul-searching revealed to Avery that he didn’t need his own children, but he did want to be involved in the development of young people on a regular basis. Jen volunteered to help him transition from CEO of a medium-sized firm (where he had fully explored his Capricorn) to fundraising director for a non-profit that worked with at-risk children. He also mentors a child on a regular basis. Jen isn’t very interested in his mentoring, but she appreciates the time he spends away from the relationship pursuing his own interests. When they’re together, he has more to offer her as a fulfilled individual.
Aries/Libra: Those born under these signs in the first or seventh houses are here to learn about and create their identities through partnerships.
Taurus/Scorpio: These signs deal with creative and sexual energies, as well as sharing and experiencing life force energy with others.
The partnership/identity drives in Gemini/Sagittarius are centered on finding individuals with whom to adventure and search for the truth, as well as relationships that promote independence and space.
Cancer and Capricorn are devoted to community, stability, and family.
Regardless of what that word means to them.
Leo/Aquarius: This pairing is experimenting with actual interdependence and freedom in relationships, while honoring each other’s individuality and aspirations.
Virgo/Pisces: These zodiac signs are dedicated to their spiritual journey and/or sacred work. Relationships must be able to sustain a commitment that is greater than the relationship itself, such as a dedication to work or service.
Working with an astrologer or other advisor might help you figure out what’s going on in your relationship. The ASC/DSCaxis is self-evident, and it gets more so as other astrological data or karmic agreements are added on top. Relationships with family, coworkers, friends, and opponents can all be viewed and processed through the relationship axis lens.
If you have a basic birth chart, you can learn more about your relationships by comprehending the ascendant (first house) and descendant (7th house) axis by speaking with a Keen advisor.
How do I figure out what my IC is?
Delving further into the domain of your astrological birth chart can lead to a plethora of new insights and revelations about many elements of your life. And once you get started, you’ll notice that it’s not just the planets in astrology that have a significant impact on things. There are also certain key points in an astrological chart that signify vital components of your cosmic puzzle. In astrology, one of these points is known as the imum coeli (commonly shortened as IC), which means “bottom of the sky” in Latin. Because it’s hidden away at the very bottom of your birth chart, this angle is also known as the “midnight point.” In astrology, the significance of the IC focuses on our personal life, foundations, and roots, and it can reveal a lot about our inner world.
On your birth chart, the IC is directly opposite your Midheaven sign. The Midheaven point, which is on the verge of the tenth house of public affairs, is at the very top of your birth chart and represents the most powerful contributions you’ll make to the world through your work and public image. The IC, on the other hand, is on the cusp of your birth chart’s fourth house, which represents your home, family, and foundation. The IC speaks to the inward-focused energy of our private lives, as well as the roots and foundations of who we are, including our prior memories, childhoods, and family lives, in contrast to the public-facing, legacy-building energy of the Midheaven.
If you’re familiar with what the planets symbolize in astrology, you’ll notice that the I.C. has some thematic overlap with the moon’s significance in astrology. This is because the fourth house is naturally related with Cancer, the only zodiac sign ruled by the moon. Of course, this does not imply that your IC is in the sign of Cancer or that it is in any way related to the moon in your horoscope. Check the zodiac sign that the fourth house cusp falls into, which is located at the very bottom of the chart, if you want to learn more about how the IC manifests in your life. The energy of that zodiac sign will pervade your IC and speak to the core of who you are, as well as your relationship with your home, family, and personal life.
Here’s the lowdown on what the IC means in astrology and how you may better understand your own.

