Your Astro*Carto*Graphy map, based on your birth time, shows where each planet sat directly above the earth when you were born, and much more. Astro*Carto*Graphy maps have 40 lines; each line being an angular representation of the eight planets plus the Sun and Moon. Angularity is a powerful secret to the effectiveness of A*C*G. The four cardinal directions; East, West, North, and South are considered empowered and activating positions. These four angles are referred to as Ascendant, Descendant, Imum Coeli, and Midheaven- or ASC, DSC, IC, and MH. I’ll discuss each one, and provide examples using the king of planets, Jupiter, as a tour guide.

The Ascendant - What We Express

House number one begins what is called the Ascendant, or sunrise point of the chart. The Ascendant is symbolic of where the personality greets the day, or ’dawns’ on the world. In A*C*G any planet represented by an Ascendant (or ASC) line operates by expressing our personality and/or personal interests.

Jupiter on the ASC lends itself to both positive and negative expressions. Negatively, obesity and liver ailments may call on the woeful character who denies richness of personal growth and expansion. Sign placements as well as aspects to Jupiter in the natal chart are also clues here. For example, someone with Jupiter in Saturn ruled Capricorn may feel the crunch of ‘missed opportunities’. Positively, the Jupiter ASC may be expressed by an abundant life that comes from optimism and sharing.

The Descendant - What We Attract

Opposite the Ascendant and sunrise point is the Descendant and/or symbolic sunset. This is the place on the wheel chart that represents our relationships with others, the cusp of the seventh house. The Descendant (or DSC) lines on an A*C*G map show where we attract influences either consciously or unconsciously. Usually the messengers come in the form of our relationships. Yes, on the DSC we attract from others, but our shadow side is often operating here. Getting to the real issue at hand is a challenge in working with the DSC in Astro*Carto*Graphy

Typically, one would think that Jupiter on the DSC works overtime to manifest fortuitous opportunities. It has been my observation, though, that this influence which would seem to hold so many benefits is one of the most powerful antagonists. I was intrigued to hear from clients who felt that elbow bumps with the rich and famous exacted a dear price in personal power and integrity while visiting their Jupiter DSC zones. Shadow images haunted those who secretly felt they had ‘sold out’ to maintain lifestyle or status.

Private Influences- the IC

The Imum Coeli, or IC is the place that represents the midnight point of a chart, the cusp between the third and fourth houses. Here is our foundation and inner private world. Jupiter breaths a sigh of relief when placed on the IC in an Astro*Carto*Graphy map. He waxes philosophical while enjoying the depth and breadth of his family life; the perfect host in his expansive home. Sounds perfect, doesn’t it?

Every A*C*G map has a zone with this influence of Jupiter, but sometimes it lies in a place undesirable due to geography or personal interests. For example, since each A*C*G map is individualized, sometimes preferred areas will be in the middle of the ocean. Other times, desirable astrological influences are in places where one has no interest in living. Frequently, however, patterns of relationships or employment will be revealed coming to a person from the areas in question. A recent client who lives in New York City was delighted to understand that even though she did not wish to relocate to her Jupiter IC line in the Midwest, she immediately recognized the importance of that part of the country; her current boss is from Little Rock, Arkansas, and her Mother, (her family ‘root’) is from Louisiana.

Public Influences- the MH

The next category of lines on an A*C*G map are those representing the Midheaven or MH. This cusp between the ninth and tenth houses is the angular point of the chart representative of the noon day Sun. Peak visibility and public image are key phrases for the MH. Any Midheaven line in an A*C*G map singles out a place where one can achieve recognition. A dangerous combination such as Neptune and Pluto may even drop hints of notoriety. Also, sometimes success in the public arena comes with a price to pay in loss of one’s private life. These are all underlying issues in what would seem at first look to be a positive position.

Nonetheless, as we follow Jupiter through his placements on the four angles, he is delightfully at home on the MH. Remember that in mythology Jupiter sat on his throne atop Mt. Olympus as administrator of the classical world. One may be viewed as ‘larger than life’ in a Jupiter MH zone. Barring challenging aspects to Jupiter in a natal chart, the Jupiter MH line is an empowered place for one to live or seek professional contacts.

Examples of accuracy in Astro*Carto*Graphy maps are easy to find. One of the most noted is George W Bush’s map which reveals that at the time of his birth the planet Pluto was directly overhead Mecca, the spiritual heart of the Muslim world. This speaks to his karmic destiny in the Middle East, and how he is viewed there as a personification of what he so vigorously attacks. Also, notably, his Mars MH line (professional warrior) travels directly through Afghanistan, another clue to his intentions for that part of the world.

Former President Bill Clinton has Chiron ASC, the wounded healer, passing directly through Washington, DC. Richard Nixon left his legacy of a natal Neptune MH line which runs through our nations’ capital. There is always a synchronistic connection revealed through this magical blend of astrology and technology, and if you have a correct birth time, Astro*Carto*Graphy will never let you down.

BIO: Maya White is a professional astrologer and writer living in Hollywood, Florida. She is a long time columnist for Maine’s holistic journal ‘Inner Tapestry’ and her forecasts are regularly featured in publications around the world. She earned her Astro*Carto*Graphy certification from Jim Lewis in 1992. For more articles and a monthly forecast, visit her web site: www.WhiteStarAstrology.com.

CREDITS: The background tile came from ABC Giant. The maps are from a free geographic clipart collection at Graphmaps. The animated globe is by Iband. Web design by Donna Cunningham