By Mari Garcia
Read Part 1
The Sun then continues to climb high into the sky and reaches the zenith of its path and gains maximum strength and heat. It is this point which in astrology we know as the MC. It is associated with power, glory, honour and distinction. It is the pinnacle of the chart hence its association with status, rank, profession, success, public life and social acknowledgement. It was seen to show where the individual succeeded as a result of their own efforts as opposed to position or status which was inherited, as symbolised by the IC. The MC was also the Mother, the public parent as opposed to the IC, the Father.
Manilius says it:
"…holds sway at the summit of the sky and divides heaven in two with imperceptible meridian; enthroned on high this post is occupied by Glory (truly a fit warden for heaven’s supreme station), so that she may claim all that is pre-eminent, arrogate all distinction, and reign by awarding honours of every kind. Here comes applause, splendour, and every form of popular favour; hence the power to dispense justice in the courts, to bring the world under the rule of law, to make alliances with foreign nations on one’s own terms, and to win fame relative to one’s station."
After reaching the zenith, the Sun then starts its downward journey to the west and this was where the Sun died and descended into the underworld. Egyptian philosophy saw this as the diminution of strength, of vitality and of life. The point at which the Sun disappeared past the horizon is what we define as the Descendant. Manilius saw it as:
"… concerned with the consummation of affairs and the conclusion of toil, marriages and banquets and the closing years of life, leisure and social intercourse and worship of the gods."
Here we see how we have derived the meanings of the Descendant where we place marriage and partnerships as well as enemies, foes and opponents. If this is puzzling consider that the Descendant is opposite the Ascendant but also the symbolism of light (Ascendant where the light is born) vs dark (Descendant where the light disappears). The hero is always white (Ascendant) strong, vigorous with right and might on their side—it is masculine and diurnal while those that oppose him are black (Descendant) indirect and obscure – it is feminine and nocturnal.
As discussed earlier, the east was associated with the right and has the qualities of might and light. It is direct, strong and benefits the individual self. Its opposite, the west was associated with the qualities of strength and benefit given over to others. Any union or partnership demands cooperation but also compromise and therefore the individual has to hand over some of their power and influence. Therefore there is the association with marriage, partners and associations but it also indicates a weakness to the individual self and factors which may be harmful or which ‘oppose’ it.
These four angles make up the Cross of Matter and they define the life cycle: conception occurs at the IC, birth at the Ascendant, middle age and maturity at the MC and the descent from the MC t o the Descendant is old age and eventually death at the IC. This is the representation of the diurnal motion of the earth, the primary motion that brings life.
If we look at a chart and see it as a fourfold unfoldment of an individual’s life, or a moment of time, it makes a powerful statement especially if we remember that what we are looking at is the literal representation of the earth’s movement.
How then can we use this? If we apply to any chart we can consider the following:
IC - what is the root, cause or origin of the person or the matter in question. It describes that which lies hidden beneath the surface and the foundation on which it rests.
Ascendant - the person’s view of life and how others see them. They way they start endeavors and the drive that impels them to meet life.
MC - the person’s aspirations and goals and the nature of their success.
Descendant - the partners and associates as well as the nature of relationships and their opponents or foes.
The strength of the individual houses was also directly related to this model which attributes to the Ascendant the source of light. The houses associated with the Cross of the Matter, the 1st, 10, 7, and 4 are considered to be the strongest of houses as they had a direct and strong relationship by aspect to the Ascendant. Therefore, a planet in these angular houses was considered to be strong, potent and effective in realising the matters of the houses it ruled.
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Copyright Mari Garcia. Mari Garcia is a consulting astrologer who has been involved with astrology since 1990. She has lectured widely both in Australia and the USA and has published articles in Australia and overseas and writes for several local and national publications. She runs a consulting practice in Adelaide and is co- principal of ASTRO MUNDI, which offers a four year course in astrology as well as special interest workshops. Mari can be contacted via the website at www.astromundi.com.
To know more about Mari Garcia click here.
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