Angles are sensitive points of a chart. The astrological chart has four angles, which are positioned alongside two axes; they represent the backbone of the chart. Once we establish the angles, we can continue to divide the chart into houses, according to the system of house division we want to use. The positions of the angles remain the same, regardless of the house system we use. In most house systems, the angles also represent the cusps of the angular houses; even if we use a system where that is not the case, the angles will still act as sensitive points.
In the whole house system, the angles and house cusps don’t coincide, instead, the exact degrees of the Ascendant and the Descendant are marked within the First and the Seventh house, respectively. The exact degrees of the Midheaven and the Nadir are positioned somewhere in the upper or lower half of the chart, respectively.
In the equal house system, the Ascendant and the Descendant coincide as the cusps of the First and the Seventh house, respectively. The Midheaven and the Nadir don’t coincide with the cusps of the Tenth and the Fourth house, respectively, instead, they are marked somewhere in the upper or lower half of the chart, respectively.
ASCENDANT (AC)
The Ascendant is located on the left side of the chart; it represents the point of sunrise.
DESCENDANT (DC)
The Descendant is located on the right side of the chart, exactly opposite to the Ascendant; it represents the point of sunset.
MIDHEAVEN (MC)
The Midheaven is located at the top of the chart; it represents the point of zenith.
NADIR (IC)
The Nadir is located at the bottom of the chart, exactly opposite to the Midheaven; it represents the point opposite the zenith.
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