Midheaven

MID-heh-vuhn

latin: Medium Coeli (MC)

Definition

The Midheaven (shortened to MC, from the Latin Medium Coeli) is the point of the zodiac that crosses your local meridian — the north–south line overhead — above the horizon. It is the highest point a planet reaches as it arcs across the sky in a day, what astronomers call upper culmination. In quadrant house systems the MC marks the cusp — the start — of the 10th house. In whole sign houses, where each house is one whole zodiac sign, the MC degree may instead fall in the 9th, 10th, or 11th sign counted from the Ascendant.

In Tradition

Astrologers tie the Midheaven to public life, career, reputation, and your most visible achievements. The 10th house, which the MC heads in quadrant systems, is traditionally counted among the most powerful positions in a chart.

In Practice

Astrologers examine the sign on the MC, its ruling planet, and any planets sitting right on the MC degree to weigh up career direction, public reputation, and social standing. In transit work, the slow passages of the outer planets across the natal MC are watched for shifts in career. The MC is also looked at in solar return charts — charts cast for the Sun's yearly return to its birth position — for the year's vocational themes. In whole sign houses the MC degree and the 10th sign can part ways, and each is then assessed on its own.

Historical Origin

In Hellenistic astrology the Midheaven had three distinct definitions: the tenth whole sign from the rising sign, the meridian degree (mesouranema kata moiran), and the cusp of the tenth quadrant house. Firmicus Maternus explicitly states that the Midheaven is the tenth sign from the Hour-Marker.

Etymology

Origin: Latin. Meaning: From Medium Coeli, meaning "middle of the sky" — referring to the Sun's culmination point at midday. Abbreviated MC..

Definition

In Tradition

In Practice

Historical Origin

Etymology

Further Reading