Birch Dragon
Well-known member
A common way to interpret the Ascendant, I've noticed, is as an individual's "face" in the world: literally what we look like, but also our outer personality. A common way to interpret the M.C., it seems, is as a point that indicates career, vocation and/or where we influence the wider, public world.
But then, I keep running into hints that there is something much deeper about these two fundamental axes in the natal chart.
Dane Rudhyar calls these two axes "the roots of individualized consciousness." Astrodienst calls these angles "our personal cross of matter" or our "tree of life." Martin Schulman advertises his book on the Ascendant (which I haven't read) by calling the Asc. one's "karmic doorway." I've seen forum member peircethevale call the Asc the "who", the Desc. the "where to," the I.C. the "how" and the M.C. the "why" of our lives. Forum member may28gemini in a recent post said it was a common mistake to conflate Asc. and M.C. with the 1st and 10th houses when in fact these axes speak to something deeper: our very essence.
I'll admit that at this stage - and maybe forever - I'm digging into astrology to dig deeper into myself. The impetus behind all of my questions on this forum are ultimately selfish. But comparing notes and beliefs on these two key axes might prove interesting and insightful all around.
My question to astrologers: How do you use these fundamental axes in your astrological readings, and why? What are the beliefs behind the way you think about these axes?
I understand what the axes represent astronomically. When I ask "why?" I'm asking about your specific approach to astrology - which, it seems to me as I read this site, can vary quite a bit between astrologers - and how those underlying understandings of astrology lead you to see the Asc., Des., I.C. and M.C. as you do.
Thanks for indulging. I'll be reading and learning...
But then, I keep running into hints that there is something much deeper about these two fundamental axes in the natal chart.
Dane Rudhyar calls these two axes "the roots of individualized consciousness." Astrodienst calls these angles "our personal cross of matter" or our "tree of life." Martin Schulman advertises his book on the Ascendant (which I haven't read) by calling the Asc. one's "karmic doorway." I've seen forum member peircethevale call the Asc the "who", the Desc. the "where to," the I.C. the "how" and the M.C. the "why" of our lives. Forum member may28gemini in a recent post said it was a common mistake to conflate Asc. and M.C. with the 1st and 10th houses when in fact these axes speak to something deeper: our very essence.
I'll admit that at this stage - and maybe forever - I'm digging into astrology to dig deeper into myself. The impetus behind all of my questions on this forum are ultimately selfish. But comparing notes and beliefs on these two key axes might prove interesting and insightful all around.
My question to astrologers: How do you use these fundamental axes in your astrological readings, and why? What are the beliefs behind the way you think about these axes?
I understand what the axes represent astronomically. When I ask "why?" I'm asking about your specific approach to astrology - which, it seems to me as I read this site, can vary quite a bit between astrologers - and how those underlying understandings of astrology lead you to see the Asc., Des., I.C. and M.C. as you do.
Thanks for indulging. I'll be reading and learning...