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TMG - Astrology - Practical Midpoints - Carol Willis

 

 

Practical Midpoints

 

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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