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.
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What is the difference between MC 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.
In astrology, what do AC and DC stand for?
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.
What is the procedure for locating my IC and MC?
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.
In astrology, what does AC DC IC and MC mean?
When we look at the natal chart, we’re looking at the planets’ positions from one point of view: our place of birth on the planet. We’re evaluating the astrological forecast from that one location, which is similar to a weather forecast.
From the perspective of your moment of birth, Locational Astrology projects the planetary bodies onto a map, revealing where they are ‘angular.’ Your birthplace will be represented on the map with a cross surrounded by a circle signifying ‘earth,’ followed by a slew of other lines throughout the world.
Each planet has four lines, which represent the four 90-degree angles within a circle. The four cardinal points in astrology are represented by this axis, which resonates with the symbolism of Aries (self), Libra (other), Cancer (home), and Capricorn (career). They are located at 270, 90, 180, and 360 degrees on the natal chart, or 9 p.m., 3 p.m., 6 p.m., and 12 p.m. on a clock face, respectively.
The lines include the labels ‘Ac’ or Ascendant, ‘Dc’ or Descendant, ‘Mc’, the Midheaven, and ‘Ic’, the Imum Coeli, as well as the labels ‘Ac’ or Ascendant,’Dc’ or Descendant, ‘Mc’, the Midheaven, and ‘Ic’, the Imum Coeli.
These lines are similar to four points in an astrological chart, representing self (Ascendant around 9pm), other (Descendant at 3pm), where we’re coming from (Ilum Coli around 6pm), and where we’re going to (Ilum Coli around 6pm) (Midheavenaround the midnight position).
What does MC stand for in a birth chart?
There’s a lot more to astrology than just knowing your sun and rising signs, as die-hard devotees of the subject know. Are you ready to learn more about astrology? It’s time to get down to business with your chart. Because it is not a planet, your midheaven sign, also known as the Medium Coeli, or MC, is distinct from other components of your chart. It symbolizes the southernmost high point over the horizon at the moment of your birth and is located at the top of your chart. (See, this is why knowing your precise birth time, or acquiring it from your crush if they’re willing to provide it, is so important.) The midheaven is also the cusp of the natal chart’s 10th House of Social Status, which can reveal a lot about your public life.
In astrology, who is Lilith?
In astrology, what is the Black Moon Lilith? The black moon, also known as the Black Moon Lilith, is the point on the moon’s orbit where it is the furthest away from Earth. Lilith, unlike the planets and asteroids in your birth chart, isn’t a physical entity, according to the AstroTwins.
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, how do I find out what my IC is?
The Imum Coeli (IC): The IC indicates the point opposite the MC and is located at the bottom of the chart, or at the 6 o’clock mark on a clock.
What is the difference between ascendant and descendant?
On the same axis of the Zodiac wheel, the Ascendant sign (or rising sign) and the Descendant sign are situated on opposing sides of the birth chart, facing each other. The Ascendant is associated with the First House, whereas the Descendant is associated with the Seventh House.
At the precise moment of birth, the Ascendant is the sign that is on the most eastern horizon (east, rising). At the same time, the Descendant is the sign that is discovered below the western horizon (west).
The Ascendant/Descendant axis can control Houses on opposite sides of the zodiac, but in Astrology, rather than separating, it links, relates, and complements two halves that appear to be independent and opposite, forming an unified entity.
