An Introductory article on Midpoints

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2000 Carol Willis, MA..

 

 

 

This article is an introduction to astrological midpoints and how I use them.

 

Midpoints are an advanced technique, but even beginners benefit from an overview

of the subject and can plant the seeds now to grow into using midpoints in the

years ahead.

 

 

 

What is a midpoint?

 

A midpoint is not a physical entity like a planet, but is a logico-mathematical

point of significance in an astrological chart.

 

A midpoint is the midway point between any two planets or other astrological

factors such as moon nodes, asteroids, angles, vertex point, part of fortune,

Uranian ("transneptunian") planets, etc.

 

There are usually considered to be 2 midpoints between any two astrological

factors: a) the near midpoint, and b) the far midpoint. The near midpoint is

the nearest or closest midway point between the factors, and the far midpoint

is the farthest midway point between the factors. The near and far midpoints

are thus in exact opposition to each other. For example, the near midpoint of

the Sun at 15 Scorpio and the Moon at 15 Capricorn is 15 Sagittarius. (The far

midpoint is therefore at 15 Gemini.)

 

If two factors are in exact opposition, which is quite rare, we could consider

both midpoints as near AND far. For example, if Venus is at 0 Aries 00, and

Pluto is at 0 Libra 00, either 0 Cancer and/or 0 Capricorn could be used as

midpoints. This circumstance is so rare that I've never seen it happen, and by

using precise calculations we can usually determine which is the true near

midpoint.

 

In actual practice with regard to midpoints, I use only: 1) NEAR MIDPOINTS, 2)

CONJUNCTIONS of planets and angles TO midpoints, and 3) a 1-DEGREE ORB.

 

The use of near midpoints and conjunctions only may not be a universal practice

among astrologers, indeed both are controversial, but I will admit to the

practice keeping me more sane personally and professionally than the more

detailed approaches that tempt us to go overly "mental." In astrology, sanity

counts for a lot, and we need all the sanity we can get. :-)

 

There's a lot of information we can get from midpoints, especially in retrospect

after circumstances unfold, but at some point we have to know when to quit, when

to stop-cease-and-desist. Knowing when to quit astrologically is high art. :-)

Know when to hold 'em, and when to fold 'em. Buy low, sell high. In other

words, a couple of well-chosen midpoints go a long way.

 

 

 

Midpoint Sorts

 

We can calculate all of the near midpoints in a chart after selecting which

factors we want to include, then place resulting midpoints onto a table called

a "midpoint sort" for easy reference. Professional astrological calculation

software are a marvel at creating near-instantaneous midpoint sorts.

 

2 popular midpoints sorts:

 

1) Midpoints are sorted in ZODIACAL ORDER from 0 Aries through 29 Pisces, which

allows you to see which midpoints are conjunct the degree of your Ascendant,

for example.

 

2) Midpoints are sorted into a GRAPH or MATRIX with selected factors running

along the top side and left sides, which allows you to easily find your

Saturn/Pluto midpoint, for example.

 

 

 

Interpretation

 

A MIDPOINT shows the convergence or relationship between two archetypal factors

in the chart. The weight or importance of each factor is symbolicly equal at

the midpoint, and the two are perfectly blended, balanced, and EMPHASIZED at

the midpoint. A full range of manifestations is possible with each midpoint

just as with the various aspects. Here is where I allow a midpoint to "speak"

to me in any given moment or situation, for the purpose or question at hand. If

it doesn't speak to me, I don't speak about IT - just a personal rule of thumb.

Yes, midpoints can be a useful intuitive or prophetic tool or mnemonic device.

 

I sometimes look at a midpoint as the "child" of two other planetary factors who

are its "parents." The child is the "next generation" of unfoldment and

possibilities. As such, midpoints may subtly whisper a prophecy or exhortation

about the future that cannot be denied as time and experience unfold over the

years, especially when exactly on the ASC or MC, or just into the 1st or 10th

houses. Indeed, midpoints in key places can turn out to be major landmarks and

signposts along the path. Perhaps we can better learn to use them wisely and

earlier rather than simply acknowledge them after the fact? Wisdom borne of

experience needs to be the driver, rather than an artificial sense of urgency

to comment. If one or two midpoints really speak to us in a chart, this can be

just the right amount of seasoning.

 

 

 

Midpoints vs. Aspects

 

How is a midpoint different from an aspect, which is also a mathematical

relationship between two astrological factors?

 

The most obvious difference is a different kind of mathematical CALCULATION to

discern a midpoint vs. an aspect.

 

With regard to INTERPRETATION, aspects purportedly show certain KINDS of

relationships between the factors, but in my aspects article or chapter I note

that those kinds of relationship do not always play out in the ways traditional

astrology has indicated. Indeed we see at times quite the reverse of what we

have been led to expect. What we usually end up getting is a range of

manifestations of the aspect over time.

 

Interpreting an aspect can be similar to interpreting a midpoint, with respect

to a combination or blending of what each planetary factor represents. With

aspects other than the conjunction, more than one house is usually involved,

and these houses can enter into the interpretation. With conjunctions, just one

house is normally involved. Likewise with the location of a midpoint, ONE HOUSE

serves as the residence of that single point. Further, conjunctions in a house

ALSO have their near midpoint in the same house, thus acting as a double

whammy, underscore, or extra emphasis, which is perhaps part of where

conjunctions get their power.

 

 

 

Advanced Synastry

 

We can do advanced synastry (comparing one person's chart with another) by

looking at conjunctions of Person A's planetary factors to Person B's

midpoints, and vice-versa. I recommend including the Vertex (VTX) point at

every turn of this process, as the VTX acts as a secondary descendant and has a

lot to do with relationships and attractions, possibly even karma between

persons. I routinely include VTX in midpoint sorts.

 

In actual practice, using midpoints in relationship analysis and fine-tuning is

something that astrology students and professionals are more likely to do over

the years in mulling over their own lives rather than for clients, as the level

of detail with midpoints can quickly become overwhelming, and thus becomes

effectively useless if done extensively or exhaustively. Also the mulling is

mostly speculation and research. However, noticing one or two midpoints in

counseling a relationship in crisis, in addition to other astrological and life

factors can be very useful and not overwhelming - here midpoints can be likened

to adding a dash of cayenne or a twist of lemon, or like ringing a miniature

crystalline bell.

 

 

 

Study Exercises

 

Keep an astrological journal for notes as you do these exercises.

 

1. SUN TRANSITS TO NATAL MIDPOINTS. Print out a midpoint sort for your natal

chart in zodiacal order from Aries to Pisces. Observe the transits of the Sun

over each midpoint, conjunctions to natal midpoints (1 degree orb) as the Sun

"lights up" the each midpoint in turn each year. The transiting Sun symbolizes

to me the soul's desire for experience in present time, and its transits to the

natal midpoints can be as windows into new levels or dimensions of

life-experience. This exercise not only is a kind of map of personal growth for

the year, it also is an exercise in subtle observation and the study of

midpoints.

 

2. MOON TRANSITS TO NATAL MIDPOINTS. When a major life circumstance occurs,

especially those of emotional impact, or unexpected, see where the transiting

Moon was at the time and which natal midpoint(s) it may have conjoined. Here we

will often see a need to react, respond, use instinctive intuition, protect self

or others, and other lunar themes as they play out in moments of present time.

This is a curious study owing to its complexity, only really practical to do in

retrospect or after the fact, but in so doing we learn more about the nature of

planetary triggers and synchronicities.

 

3. MIDPOINTS IN HOUSES. When you study the houses of your chart, notice which

midpoints fall into a particular house. When you consider a set of midpoints in

a house, do any planets really stand out? Does the set of midpoints being in

that house speak to you in any way? Write down any observations or realizations

that come to you as you consider midpoints through the houses of your natal

chart.

 

4. In an EVENT CHART, look at midpoints on and very close to the angles, and

conjunctions of key planets and midpoints. A key planet would be the planet(s)

that represent the theme of the event. The Moon and angles represent the

immediacy of the event.

 

 

 

Favourite Midpoints

 

In doing the annual Sun transit exercise above, you'll begin to develop your own

theories, interpretations, "pet" or favorite midpoints, and may cultivate

particular days out of the year to pursue activities related to certain

midpoints.

 

Many astrologers favor the Sun/Moon midpoint, and Venus/Mars midpoint for life

integration and romance respectively. I have not been able to substantiate

their enthusiasm for the above midpoints in connection with the alleged

results.

 

My favorite midpoint is the Saturn/Pluto midpoint - I call it an "initiatory"

midpoint, having to do with opening the door of the soul of the prepared

aspirant to spiritual initiation, direct encounters with God/Spirit.

Saturn/Pluto also seems to have a lot to do with good and bad karma, and karmic

testing, especially in synastry. I recommend doing a mini or full retreat on the

3 days surrounding the transiting Sun conjunct the Saturn/Pluto midpoint: the

day of the exact conjunction, and one day on either side of the exact

conjunction. Follow a simple, orderly, beautiful, devotional, inquiring and

contemplative path at this time, leaving much of time for solitude and

spontaneity. These 3 days each year are outstanding for vision quest, ideal for

teens age 16+ who passionately seek spiritual awakening and understanding to be

initiated. Uses of classical and traditional music, drumming or other

percussion instruments such as piano, yoga, and being alone in nature may be

helpful to create a suitable context.

 

My favorite midpoints in synastry are conjunctions to the Ceres midpoints for

care and comfort, and the Vertex midpoints for special relationship

connections.

 

In a natal chart, I especially like to look at midpoints on the ASC and MC, and

just into the 1st and 10th houses, regarding talents and expression (1st) and

fame, career, and/or professional reputation (10th).

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