Everyone recognizes the symbol of the cross, often seen as a Christian pendant. It carries a profound meaning, and I am happy to share its significance from an astrological perspective. I call them ‘our individual cross.’
It is the final stamp engraved on our natal chart, a visa for this life journey. Within our natal chart, we can find everything we need, including hidden abilities and support—if we know how to look for them. However, these unique qualities are coordinated and governed by four key points: Ascendant (Asc), Descendant (Dsc), Imum Coeli (IC), and Midheaven (MC). I call them ‘the personal cross.’ In fact, every individual has a unique cross to carry throughout their life journey.
Angles are essential in astrology. I also find it particularly relevant in our time, as many people seek self-discovery and clarity about their life path. The new generation seems to find comfort and validation in astrology’s symbolic language. When understood correctly, angles can reveal whether we have free will or are on a predestined path. By decoding the natal chart, we can identify where we have flexibility, which part of our personal cross feels heavier, where we can find support, and how to uncover and develop our life’s purpose. What is our true vocation, and how do we reach it?
I will organize my view into five categories:
- General overview of the angles.
- The meaning of each angle, as well as the significance of angular planets—any planet in conjunction with one of the angles.
- How to understand the weight of a particular angle, including the influence of outer planets.
- Understanding transits over the angles
- The country’s cross
- Generalities
If you know how to draw a natal chart, start with an empty circle representing 360 degrees. By drawing a vertical line, we divide the Eastern Hemisphere from the Western Hemisphere, symbolically separating our inner self from others. Similarly, drawing a horizontal line divides the Northern Hemisphere from the Southern Hemisphere, separating the past from the future and night from day.
These two axes do not run parallel; they intersect at a central point. Symbolically, the soul resides at this intersection, maintaining its balance. In some religious traditions, the cross symbol includes a small circle at this intersection—such as in the French Catholic, Irish Catholic cross. Moreover, Irish Catholic priests would explain that the circle in the Celtic Cross represents eternity.
Therefore, from the first moment we entered this world, from the first breath, we have a well-defined stamp over our natal chart as a destiny key. Every person, without exception, no matter the religion, has four important points, four angles (Asc, Dsc, IC, MC) that represent the coordinates of this incarnation. Popularly speaking, it is our individual cross.
Everyone has a unique cross, even if someone is born at the same time. Even if you are born at the same time and in the same city as someone else, you are not born into the same family. As a result, you will not have the same cross to carry. I discovered that our soul has DNA and comes from a specific soul family. Our individual cross (our angles) represents the ‘skeleton’ of our destiny. Additionally, old elements from our past (or our family’s past) will be added to our individual cross. We are the next generation and receive circumstances either to resolve or to enjoy.
Here, I would like to mention that the Christian church teaches that sins are passed down to family members up to the seventh generation. In astrology, we might refer to this as positive or negative karma. Some people have a predestined journey in this lifetime; it is fixed and very difficult to change. Others have free will in certain areas. I will discuss this further when I analyze each angle.
Now, let’s see what Wikipedia says about the cross”
“ The cross represents the Tree of Life and the Tree of Nourishment; it is also a symbol of universal, archetypal man, capable of infinite and harmonious expansion on both the horizontal and vertical planes; The vertical line is the celestial, spiritual and intellectual, positive, active and male, while the horizontal is the earthly, rational, passive, and negative and female, the whole cross forming the primordial ANDROGYNE. [In Christian terms], it is the salvation through Christ’s sacrifice; redemption; suffering; faith. Crossroads are often symbolizing points of intersection between the paths of living and the dead; and as a framework for coordinates, the cross gives people the ability to orient themselves within space and time. “
This is a beautiful description! It suggests that the cross serves as a symbolic guide, helping individuals find their place in the world—both in terms of physical existence and the flow of time. It emphasizes the cross as a tool for navigating life’s journey, offering clarity and direction. The idea of “orienting” oneself within space and time adds a deep, spiritual layer to the symbolism of the cross, showing how it can help individuals connect with their purpose and path.
Therefore, even if we are not Christian, even if we don’t acknowledge it, or even if we ignore it, the personal cross still exists. The four angles are present in our natal chart. Our life seems to unfold based on this cross. Practically, it integrates us as individuals into the world; it provides insights into our past and our roots, while also allowing us to explore the world and grow into the future. You can recognize the Ascendant (AS), Descendant (DC), Imum Coeli (IC), and Midheaven (MC). We will need to investigate each of these individually. Each one has a story that reveals something about you.
The Ascendant is crucial, but the Descendant is essential for our integration into this world. This axis shows who we are and how far we can go in our relationships with others. How will we embrace others? We are meant to meet people throughout our life journey. On the other hand, we cannot be alive without roots (IC), and we cannot have continuity in life or progress into the future without the Midheaven (MC). We are an extension of our ancestry—the blood confirms this, and astrology affirms it as well. So, the second axis reveals where we come from and where we are going with our soul’s intention. Ultimately, we need to find our vocation in the world to lead a meaningful life.
First, it is essential to locate each angle: which house and sign it falls in, what the qualities of that sign are, and what directions the angle indicates. Then, every conjunction with one of these four points will color and shape how we see and perceive the world around us. As a result, it will add a unique ‘shadow’ to our existence, defining our individual and unique creation. It will also reveal if we lack free will in certain areas.
- The meaning of each angle, as well as the meaning of an angular planet—any planet in conjunction with one of the angles.
ASCENDANT
The Ascendant is the most important point. It marks the start of a new beginning—a new life, a fresh perspective, and a new day when the Sun rises. This new beginning is about you. Who are you as a soul, as an inner power? How did you come into this world? Are you shy? Are you excited to meet the world? What do you bring with you? Do you expect something from life? Are you looking to find someone, help someone, or develop certain qualities? What is your piece of the world puzzle?
From here, we astrologers begin to analyze each individual chart. There are many variations of the Ascendant. The Ascendant also represents how others perceive you for the first time—your first impressions and how you interact with the world. When you open a door, what energy do you carry with you? How were you welcomed when you arrived in this world?
Usually, the Ascendant is described by the qualities of the sign it falls in and the planet that rules that sign. The ruler of the Ascendant’s sign is the ruler of the chart. It is one of the most important planets—it acts as the CEO of your life, the General Manager of your life project. This planet can negotiate for you, showcasing your qualities to the world. It will form all kinds of connections, highlight your unique inner abilities, and help you complit your life’s mission.
But what happens when a planet is conjunct with the Ascendant? In astrology, we call this a rising planet. The rising planet is different from the chart ruler, which is the planet that rules the sign on the Ascendant. A planet conjunct with the Ascendant may symbolize an important tool to have during this lifetime. It could be like a guardian angel or counselor, guiding you on your life journey. But first, let’s explore where this planet comes from and what it represents.
I am using equal house system, that means every house have equaled 30 degrees.
Every planet in conjunction with the Ascendant has two possibilities: 1. It is located in the first 8-10 degrees of the first house, or 2. It is located in the last 8-10 degrees of the 12th house. These two possibilities are distinct from each other and carry entirely different meanings.
1.If the rising planet is located in the first house, it will represent the ‘things’ you might need to carry with you on your life journey—your essential luggage. You can open this luggage as many times as you like and take out the inner qualities you wish to develop next. Every new beginning will pass through that point (the degree where the rising planet is located), and the planet conjunct with the Ascendant from the first house will assess whether that new opportunity is useful for you. It acts as a checkpoint, functioning like a strainer.
For instance: thing about you have Saturn conjunct Ascendant from the first house. You could see the world with restriction eyes, you can see the world as a serious place, every beginning could be little slow, you might need to control your life steps. Even if the Ascendant is in Gemini, and you want to communicate, to be sociable, the Saturn conjunct Ascendant from the first house, will determine you to be more skeptical, reserved, cold, not easy impressed about easy things.
Generally, a planet conjunct the Ascendant from the first house has significant meaning. It will motivate you and provide extra support (the support you need, not necessarily the one you desire) to navigate your life in a certain direction. It will also influence how you see life and how you initiate things. In other words, it will define how you perceive and engage with the world.
You might ask yourself, which planet is more important: the angular planet (the rising planet) or the chart ruler?
The chart ruler generally dominates the overall picture of your chart, while the rising planet symbolically assists you at the beginning of your journey and may offer additional support to achieve your life goals. As I mentioned, the chart ruler acts as the general manager of your life project, while the rising planet is like a counselor. Its influence will be present throughout your life, and you will feel it strongly at times, more than at other times. The intensity of this influence depends on the qualities of your rising planet, as well as the planet’s dignity (how comfortable that planet is in that sign), the aspects it makes with other planets in your natal chart, and the aspects it forms with other planets during transit.
One excellent example here is Elon Musk. Elon Musk has Mercury in a very close conjunction (in the next degree) with his Ascendant in Cancer. Moreover, the ruler of his Ascendant in Cancer is the Moon, which is in Virgo, Mercury’s sign. There is a mutual reception here. The Moon is in the second house (the house of money), supported by the rising planet Mercury. They work together, enhancing each other. I mention this because Mercury is associated with communication, ideas, thoughts, and intellect. Elon Musk seems to have a unique way of speaking. Despite this, with each new idea that comes to his mind, he filters it through his intellect and takes prompt action (Cancer is a cardinal sign), being the initiator in making money. He is recognized as the richest person in the world. The Moon, as the chart’s ruler, represents popularity, and its placement in the second house reflects how he builds wealth and how he generates money. Elon Musk is also known as the owner of X platform, old Twitter, and he previously had PayPal, which is also linked to transactions and money (Mercury/Moon). So, the rising planet Mercury works in harmony with the ruler of the chart, the Moon.
On the other hand, the Sun is in a very wide conjunction with the Ascendant from the 12th house. The Sun, located behind the Ascendant, reveals his identity. We only learned about him when he became associated with other world leaders. The Sun is also associated with leadership.
2.What if a planet is in conjunction with your Ascendant from the 12th house?
It might change the dynamic of your spirit. It’s simply an option, something related to your past, separate from your present. Sometimes, you might feel the urge to escape and revisit certain things. If you are not stuck in the past, this planet will not trouble you much. However, it can offer you opportunities to better understand your hidden qualities and enhance your mystical connection. This conjunction may symbolically be seen as a baggage (a suitcase) containing information related to the secrets of your past lives (if you believe in reincarnation), or the hidden layers of your soul. As a result, the influences could be felt differently and might function in various ways, or they might not function at all if someone does not acknowledge the hidden aspects of their soul.”
At an abstract level, let’s say some of us bring into this life an unnecessary suitcase, which I like to call a ‘soul wish.’ We all know that the last degree of the 12th house closes the entire cycle of 360˚ degrees. In other words, we arrive at the final house before the entity’s energy meets again at the Ascendant.
Perhaps some aspects of that ‘previous cycle’ (previous life) were unfinished, or maybe they were not done well, or did not meet the soul’s expectations. Alternatively, it could be that the soul of that entity recognizes the potential and positive benefits of that ‘suitcase’ on a larger scale. Therefore, those apparently ‘deep secrets ‘are hidden under the quality of the planet you have in the 12th house. Is Mars there, or is it Jupiter? What about Chiron? And if that planet is conjunct with your Ascendant, it will provoke you to reactivate these qualities. This reactivation might occur when the person feels empowered, as though they are in control of their own destiny.
For this reason, I see two options here:
-The first is to ‘dissolve’ that past, to escape from that point, especially if it is personal and not useful at a universal level.
–Secondly, an entity, before ending the cycle, may want to attach that ‘profound wish’ to the soul, to have it for the next experience. It’s like a precious accessory; you can live without it, but you want to have it. It will emphasize and color your character. If it’s Jupiter, you will be noticed for your faith and generosity; if it’s Venus, you might display your mysterious beauty; if it’s Uranus, it’s about your secret, eccentric life. If it’s Chiron is about your body and mind.
What if this souvenir that you carry with your soul everywhere reflects humanity’s qualities, such as compassion and generosity? What manifestation might this person have during their lifetime? I believe the planet conjunct the Ascendant from the 12th house will connect the person to an unfinished and unresolved soul project. Perhaps it’s difficult to detach from or abandon, and the entity wants to find a way to continue developing or even complete that project by sharing it. However, this may be done in a very hidden way in the next beginning. In fact, the 12th house is symbolically connected to our soul’s secrets, self-undoing, and the unconscious. Additionally, under the 12th house, we experience the desire to lose our solitary separateness and merge with something universal.
Going forward, as we begin a new cycle, a new life, we will gradually separate ourselves from our past. I mean, the influence of this type of conjunction will be frozen for a long period of time until the person discovers the deeper layer of himself/ herself, their unborn abilities, and the passion of their soul. In contrast, there might be a possibility of incorporating the old aspects into the new experience, which is not necessarily important for the new phase of your life journey. Moreover, you might develop an obsession with that idea, talent, or thing because it comes naturally to you, and you feel at ease when you are around it. I have realized that this type of conjunction can sometimes be distracting, causing you to think about old projects without doing the work to achieve the new goal. But perhaps you might want to begin a new cycle to complete the old one. It’s like a second chance to accomplish something that means a lot for the soul or something that was very beneficial for you, and now you want to develop and share it with others.
I will give you an example: Imagine you are planning to attend a meeting or a party with many important people, and perhaps a subsequent opportunity for an important project. You arrive at that place, ready to open the door and enter. When you open the door, you see someone standing in your way—a person asking for your invitation, ticket, someone who redirects you to a specific row or room. Practically, you cannot pass without interacting with this person or host. Even if you don’t like this person, or him/her attitude, you must walk in that direction, and you might need to conform to their guidance. You are at the event to meet other people, to learn, and to connect. This is like the planet in the 1st house, conjunct your Ascendant. Your energy and intentions will be filtered through that point, and it may influence the way you see life—from which perspective, from which point. From the moment you enter, you can feel the atmosphere inside, the music, and the people around you.
On the other hand, imagine opening the door and nobody is in your way. You are free to go your own way. However, as soon as you open the door, someone behind you might say ‘wait’ or even mention something to you that feels familiar. That person could offer an old message or piece of information that instantly triggers your curiosity or deliver a message that resonates deeply with you. You might even have met this person a long time ago.
This would be like the planet conjunct your Ascendant from the 12th house. You can choose to ignore it, or you can reconnect with it. Eventually, you may decide to enter that event together, or you could ignore the connection throughout the entire time. Moreover, that person could stay with you during the event. You might find yourself distracted by this old connection and miss out on new opportunities.
Symbolically, the planets in the 12th house conjunct your Ascendant may remind you of your past, of something that meant a lot to you, something familiar. They may offer a link to help you find your soul, revealing the hidden desires or hobbies of your soul and showing how it has grown.
President Trump has Mars conjunct the Ascendant from the 12th house.
DESCENDANT
Because we understand the Ascendant, we must also understand the Descendant. It is essential to analyze each point in detail, but then we need to consider them as an axis. The Ascendant represents the inner self, while the Descendant represents others. So, if we imagine a line with two points, one being “A” and the other being “B,” we must take our inner abilities and our way of navigating the world to engage with others. How far do we want to go in relationships with others? What do we learn during this journey, both about ourselves and others?
This axis will expand as much as you are not afraid to approach others. If you are not fully self-aware, you may have limits in your relationships, and thus feel safer in your comfort zone. The Descendant is the point that reveals details about your relationship with others, particularly regarding contractual or maternal relationships. It represents an unfamiliar place, as it is located opposite your inner self.
If you draw a circle around this Ascendant-Descendant axis, you will notice that the circle becomes more extensive if the axis is longer. Similarly, your vision, the way you perceive life, and your philosophy of life will grow. Some people have more freedom in how they connect with others. Other people may have a strong, predestined path if there is a planet conjunct with the Descendant. A planet conjunct this point is called an angular planet.
Here we have two possibilities: a planet conjunct the Descendant from the 6th house or a planet conjunct the Descendant from the 7th house. A planet conjunct the Descendant from the 6th house will provide insights into the workplace, relationships with coworkers, daily routines, and health. In contrast, a planet conjunct the Descendant from the 7th house will offer details about your relationship with your spouse or business partner, it will emphasize your relationship with others.
I have found that if there are planets conjunct the Descendant, it may indicate a person who will bring something to others on a large scale, in their community, city, state, or country, especially if it’s about outer planets. Here, we can talk about Uranus conjunct the Descendant. I’ll give you a few examples: Marie Curie has Uranus conjunct the Descendant in Cancer; Joe Biden has Uranus conjunct the Descendant in Gemini; and Erdoğan, President of Turkey, has Uranus conjunct the Descendant in Cancer. As you can see, these are examples of planets conjunct the Descendant from the 7th house.
On the other hand, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has many planets conjunct with the Descendant in Aquarius. These planets are located in the 6th house (the house of health, everyday routine, and work). He has the Sun, the ruler of the chart, conjunct the Descendant, along with Mercury and Venus. These planets are part of a Stellium in Capricorn, and the North Node is also there. This is a dissemination conjunction because the planets are in Capricorn, and the Descendant is in Aquarius. Moreover, Pluto in transit did pass over Kennedy’s Descendant starting at the end of January 2025. However, Pluto has transited over his Stellium in the 6th house, granting him power and control over his health. He was nominated, exactly during this transit time, as the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services. I can show you the charts if you’d like.
Additionally, the ruler of Robert Kennedy’s Descendant is Uranus, located in the 12th house, Cancer. So, his Descendant is influenced by unexpected changes in his sense of security and humanity. Uranus likes to explore independently and adapt accordingly. It then seeks to become part of something that shares similarities with others.
IC – MC
Next, we have the second axis: IC-MC, or the Midheaven.
The IC (Imum Coeli) is the point that reveals your background, your family history, ancestry, and your deep roots on Earth. This point is essential as it supports your future vocation. You are an important branch of your family tree, shaped by your early environment. In what direction do you want to grow? You will develop in the way you were nurtured from an early age. Many people, including family members and teachers, have contributed to your life. Whether the lessons were good or bad, easy or hard, you are meant to learn something. They created the foundation for you.
You are at the point where you meet yourself (Ascendant), meet others (Descendant), understand where you are coming from, and recognize the value of your ancestry. Now, you must grow to meet the real world, to express yourself in public, and to connect with others in a way that leads you to the MC (Midheaven)—your vocation.
Some studies say that if your axis IC – MC is located in the 3rd-9th houses, it means you could follow a completely different path than your parents. In the 9th house, the MC is more about higher education, advanced knowledge, foreign countries, long-distance travel, law, research, and a desire to understand the world. In the 10th house, the MC is more about public expression and career orientation. Who are you in the public eye?”
On online platforms, many people ask, ‘How do I find my vocation in life?’ This is one of the most popular questions nowadays—and it will continue to be. People may easily find a career or profession, but discovering their true vocation is much harder. They often realize this when they reach a peak in life—having money and reputation—yet still feel unsatisfied and unhappy.
The MC represents the soul’s wish—what your soul truly desires to become. Think about the IC; go back to childhood. When you played with newborns and cousins, what did you dream of becoming? That was a symbol of your ‘soul’s wish’ at that time. What have you done from then until now?
The IC-MC axis marks all the positive steps you’ve taken, and in the end, it will work in your favor. The MC is the higher power above us. We can reach that level if we connect with others through the AS-DC axis and if we accept and learn from our roots. I have found that some people have more than one true vocation.
We may or may not have planets conjunct the IC or MC. If we do, we may not have complete free will, as our path could be predestined. It is very important to analyze the quality of the sign, the ruling planet of that sign, where that planet is located in your natal chart, and where it is currently transiting. That planet in transit is looking to bring something to the MC, to your vocation. And nevertheless, we must understand the symbols and the qualities of the planet conjunct the MC. That planet reflects something specific.
These two axes, ASC–DSC and IC–MC, are not parallel to each other; they form a cross, meaning they interact with each other. The T-square formed by the ASC–DSC axis with the focal point at the IC will indicate how far you can reach out into the world.
As you can understand, these four angles represent our own cross—the stamp on our natal chart. We are born with it. Every cross has a specific weight, well-proportioned to the quality of our character and spirit. However, throughout life, the cross can become heavier on a certain side, and we may receive help from others on our journey—parents, relatives, mentors. The path we choose to walk in life matters greatly. Therefore, the people with whom we choose to journey are crucial.
How to check the heaviness of one location?
As I mentioned above, some people have planets conjunct one of the angles or even all of them. When this happens, those angles become significantly emphasized. In my view, this cross carries a specific meaning. Perhaps that person doesn’t have much free will or might have an important responsibility to bear. Also, this type of cross seems to be much heavier, making it more challenging to carry. It might not allow a completely free path but instead impose one, like a mission. So, if you are restricted from every corner, how can you move? The natal chart reveals specific talents and abilities from multiple perspectives.
“When we first analyze the angles of a natal chart, we should check whether all the elements (air, earth, fire, water) are represented on the angles. If any are missing, we must identify which ones to understand potential imbalances in the cross.
- If the water element is missing from the angles, we should examine the Moon and Neptune, as well as the water houses: 4, 8, and 12.
- If there are no fire angles or planets in fire signs, we should check the Sun, Mars, and Jupiter, along with the fire houses: 5 and 9.
- If air angles or planets in air signs are absent, we should look at Mercury, Jupiter, and Uranus, as well as the 3rd and 11th houses.
- If earth angles or planets in earth signs are missing, we need to analyze Saturn and the earth houses: 2, 6, and 10.”
Next, we need to check which modality predominates: Fixed (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius), Cardinal (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn), or Mutable (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces)?
Fixed angles tend to create fixed patterns. Mutable angles provide flexibility and the ability to adjust, allowing the person to flow with change. Cardinal angles reflect a powerful initiator, indicating that the individual might have the courage to initiate something new, especially in relation to those angles. Then, we look to see which modality signs are missing.
I have found that you may have a chart where the air element dominates, reflecting adaptability, flexibility, and ideas. However, the individual cross might show that three angles are in the fixed modality, with just one in cardinal. Mutable modality could be missing. In this case, although there is flexibility to navigate life within the chart, the cross seems to hold those qualities back. In this case, only the cardinal angle can help break through and navigate outward.
“Transits or even the Solar Return chart:
It will be necessary to check the transits that could trigger your angles through major aspects: conjunction, opposition, and square. Each of us will experience the outer planets over our angles. Let’s focus on the outer planets. We won’t always have time to complete Neptune, Pluto, and sometimes Uranus’ cycles. Therefore, it’s important to check the conjunctions they make with your angles.
For instance, Neptune takes approximately 165 years to complete its cycle, spending approximately 14 years in each sign. Neptune will pass through 7 signs if you live to 98 years. The area of Neptune in transit will eliminate illusions and gradually prepare the soul to break through life’s boundaries. These 7 houses will be cleared to make way for new ideals. For instance, if transit Neptune crosses your Midheaven, it might initially bring confusion regarding your vocation in the world and your humanitarian duties. You may separate yourself from the idea you once thought was your vocation, creating space for a new ideal and a new public expression.
If Neptune transits your Ascendant, you might experience confusion regarding your identity, even depression, until you discover a new way of seeing the world. Eventually, you might integrate faith or develop a strong belief in something higher. This represents a separation from the old ideal and a readiness to start anew.
People have their personal cross to bear. When a difficult period arrives, they may feel exhausted and have the urge to give up. You can ignore the influences that come from outside and feel relieved for a short period of time, only to later realize that you are missing something. You’ve abandoned your path—the most important souvenir, your cross. So, you might want to go back, perhaps after many hours of therapy, and look around for what is missing. Perhaps retrograde planets drive us back for this reason. It seems like our life mission is to reach our destination, no matter how hard the cross is. We need to reach our MC, Midheaven, our world vocation. That is the complete mission.
To conclude, in my view, the 4 angles, the 4 coordinates, our cross, have a specific meaning for each of us. It may be carried in the way the Universe intends. It might not allow for a free path, but rather an imposed one, like a mission.
Some of those principles apply to a country’s chart. Each country has its 4 angles, its national cross to bear.
Thank you for reading!
