Ascendant. The Ascendant, or Rising
Sign, is the easternmost point in your chart, and coincides with the 1st
House. The meanings of the first house (which see) also apply to
the Ascendant. However, the Ascendant (along with its opposite, the
7th house cusp, and the Midheaven and its opposite) comprise what are known
as the Angles of a chart. The Gauquelins did extensive research on
the Angles and career, and although some of their research has been subsequently
disproved, some of it remains valid, indicating that the chart Angles are
a critical part of any chart. Planets near the angles, particularly
the Ascendant, will express more clearly and with more forcefulness than
when placed elsewhere. Since the Ascendant is the mask you present
to the world, and the lens through which the world views you, planets found
near the Ascendant strongly affect your personality and what you openly
present of yourself to others.
Midheaven. The Midheaven coincides with
the 10th, or career, house, in many chart systems (although not all).
The Midheaven is also part of your public persona, as it relates to your
public standing and your place in the outer world at large. Planets
found near here, or strongly aspecting the Midheaven, will have a great
deal of influence on your public self and your career choice.
Moon Nodes. The Moon Nodes are symbolic
bodies, representing the point at which the Moon crosses the ecliptic.
They are usually considered indicators of your karmic status. The
North Node, or Dragon's Head, represents the innate skills you bring with
you into this lifetime, and your "path of least resistance" in expressing
those gifts. The South Node, or Dragon's Tail, represents your more
difficult path, that of what you are in need of developing in this lifetime
in order to be fulfilled.
Chiron. Chiron was discovered in 1977,
and originally believed to be a planet or planetoid. It is now believed
to be an asteroid. I have found that using Chiron in charts works
very well, so I consider it an important body, whatever it actually is.
Chiron represents the wounded healer; where it is placed in your chart
(sign and house) will tell you something of your deepest wounds, and that
is also the point where, because of your pain, you may be able to help
heal others. For more information on Chiron, I recommend Zane Stein's
book, and the group he began for studying Chiron.
Asteroids. Asteroids are endless, and
a lot of fun. How much the asteroids (other than Chiron) actually
affect your chart is open to debate. Most astrologers use only a
few of the asteroids, generally Ceres, Pallas, Juno and Vesta. These
asteroids are associated with more contemporary issues, particularly women's'
issues (i.e., Ceres, Goddess of Grain, is associated with eating disorders).
For more information, consult Demetra George's book, "The Asteroid Goddesses".
Midpoints. The Midpoints came out of
the German school of Cosmobiology, led by Reinhold Ebertin. Midpoints
are the point in space exactly between any two other points, and represent
the coming together of two different influences to form a third energy.
Natal planets conjunct or oppose these points refine the meaning of that
particular symbolic point, and transits to a midpoint (with or without
a natal planet residing there) will set off the meanings associated with
the planets involved, and their signs and houses at birth. For instance,
Ebertin's "The Combination of Stellar Influences" gives the principle for
the Moon/Ascendant midpoint as "The personal relationship to other people".
If Mars is found there, by birth or by transit, it could indicate moodiness
or argumentativeness in dealings with others, particularly women.
Other. There are an endless variety
of other factors that could be taken into account when reading an astrological
chart. There are varying house systems; there are Transuranian and
Transneptunian bodies; there are even different zodiacs, even (since the
precession of the equinoxes means that Spring in 1999 does not actually
begin anymore when the Sun enters Aries, some astrologers use the sidereal
zodiac rather than the traditional tropical zodiac). New discoveries
are being made frequently (one recent discovery being that Pluto may actually
not be a planet after all!), and astrology changes with each new discovery
in astronomy. What you may use as an astrologer or be interested
in seeing in your own chart will depend upon your own tastes, interests
and inclinations. Enjoy the discovery!