Step 5 - The Midheaven and Nadir

The Midheaven (MC)

The Midheaven (MC) is the sign that was highest in the sky at the time of birth, and so is dependent on the time of birth and longitude. For example, someone born on the Prime Meridian (0° longitude) in the UK will have exactly the same MC as somebody born at the same moment elsewhere on that same line of longitude, whether it be in France, Spain, Mali or Togo.

The Midheaven is the tenth house, and can be placed in the chart by referring back to the Table of Houses and looking down from the column marked "10" to the relevant Sidereal Time and noting the sign and degree. The MC is the point in the chart that most accurately represents our aspirations and goals, especially in our career or working life.

The Nadir (IC)

The opposite point to the MC is called the Nadir (also known as the Imum Coeli, or IC), which marks the fourth house cusp. The Nadir is said to refer to our roots and also to the least conscious part of ourselves. It symbolises beginnings in life, what may have been experienced through parental inheritance and home influences, need for security and relationships with the home and family life. It also may describe the circumstances that we will encounter at the end of our lives.

The Qualities

At this point, the section of the chart marked "Qualities" can be filled in by counting the number of planets placed in the polarities, elements and quadruplicities and noting the ruling planet (the planet which rules the sign on the Ascendant), ruler's house and any rising or angular planets.