The East Point and the Antivertex

Maritha Pottenger
1983

ASTRONOMICAL BACKGROUND
The angles of a horoscope are based on the intersection points of great circles.
A great circle is the largest circle it is possible cut through a sphere, that is, the
circle with the greatest radius. All great circles go through the center of the
sphere. (Small circles do not pass through the center of the sphere.)
One familiar great circle on Earth is the Equator. That is the circle going around
the middle of the Earth which is equally distant from both the north and south
poles. Latitude on the Earth is measured north or south of the Equator and
parallels of latitude (imaginary lines we visualize on the Earth and draw on our
maps) are all small circles parallel to the Equator.

Astronomy (and astrology) work with a number of great circles on the “celestial
sphere”. (The celestial sphere is an imaginary sphere centered on the Earth.
Everything in the sky is assumed to be on the surface of this sphere for
convenience in measurements and calculations.) The ecliptic is one such great
circle. The ecliptic is the Earth’s path around the Sun. (From our vantage point, it
is the apparent path of the Sun around the Earth. We know, of course, that the
Earth revolves around the Sun, but it appears that the Sun revolves around the
Earth.) Another common great circle is the horizon. Most people refer to the
place where earth meets sky as the horizon. This is the visible or apparent
horizon. It is a small circle because it does not go through the center of the Earth.
If we take the four cardinal points of a compass (north, east, south and west) and
connect them in a circle, parallel to the visible horizon but through the center of
Earth, we have created the great circle that is the rational horizon. The poles of
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the horizon great circle would be the zenith (the point directly overhead for the
observer) and the nadir (the point directly beneath the observer). Gravity pulls
from the zenith toward the nadir. [Astrologers who call the Midheaven of the
chart the zenith and the IC the nadir are using language that is incorrect and likely
to confuse others.]

Another great circle is the Meridian. This circle goes through the north and
south points of the horizon; the north and south poles of the Equator; and the
zenith (directly above) and nadir (directly below the observer). Yet another great
circle is called the Prime Vertical. It goes through the zenith and nadir and the
east and west points of the horizon. An unnamed great circle goes through the
north and south poles of Earth and the east and west points of the horizon.
The traditional four angles of the horoscope (Ascendant, Midheaven, IC and
Descendant) are all intersections of great circles. All are treated as sensitive
points by most astrologers. Using the East Point and Antivertex merely extends
the basic principle of angles.

HOROSCOPE ANGLES
The Ascendant is formed by the intersection of the eastern section of the
(rational) horizon with the ecliptic. The Descendant is the intersection of the
horizon and ecliptic in the west. The visible intersection of the ecliptic with the
Meridian (above the horizon) forms the Midheaven. The IC is the ecliptic-
Meridian intersection below the horizon. The intersection of the ecliptic with the
Prime Vertical in the east forms the Antivertex; in the west that intersection
marks the Vertex. The East Point is the intersection of the ecliptic with the
unnamed great circle passing through the east and west points of the horizon and
the north and south poles of Earth, and the West Point is its western opposition.
The East Point has also been called the Equatorial Ascendant because it is the
Ascendant on the Equator at the sidereal time of birth.

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CALCULATION
To obtain the East Point is simple. Use your standard Table of Houses (Placidus,
Koch, Campanus, whatever system you prefer). Once you have calculated the
correct local sidereal time of birth (LST), find that LST in your Table of Houses.
Rather than looking to the latitude of the birth you are interested in, go to zero
latitude (the Equator). Interpolate as necessary to obtain the Ascendant at zero
latitude for the exact local sidereal time. (As indicated, the East Point can also be
called the Equatorial Ascendant.) If your Table of Houses does not include zero
latitude, there is an alternative method. Add six hours to the correct local sidereal
time (LST) of birth. This rotates the Midheaven exactly one quarter of the circle.
(The East Point can also be defined as 90 degrees east, along the Equator, of the
intersection of the Meridian with the ecliptic.) For that LST (six hours later),
perform any necessary interpolation to calculate the Midheaven. That Midheaven
(six hours later) is the correct East Point.
The Antivertex is slightly more complicated to calculate.
1. Subtract the latitude of birth from 90 degrees. Call your answer the co-
latitude.
2. Add 12 hours to the LST of birth.
3. Take the LST from Step #2 into the Table of Houses as if you were going to
calculate the house cusps from it.
4. Look for the Ascendant for that LST at the co-latitude. Interpolate as needed.
5. The result is the Vertex. The Antivertex is directly opposite (same degree and
minute; opposite sign).
A variation is:
1. Same as above.
2. Note down the IC of the chart.
3. Find that IC in the Table of Houses AS IF it were a Midheaven.
4. Find the Ascendant for THAT Midheaven (which was originally the IC of the
chart) at the co-latitude. Interpolate as needed.
5. Same as above.

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 For those who prefer working directly with trigonometric functions, the
formulae for these angles are:
East Point = arctan (cosST/(-sinST * cos obl))
Vertex = arctan ((-cosST)/(sinST * cos obl-sin obl/tanlat))
Antivertex = Vertex +/-180 degrees
Where obl is obliquity and lat is latitude and ST is local sidereal time, and the
quadrant of the answer can be determined from the algebraic signs of the answer
and the numerator in the arctan.

WHERE DO THEY FALL?

The East Point is usually in the twelfth or first house of the chart. The Antivertex
is usually in the eleventh, twelfth, first or second house. At extremes of latitude,
the Antivertex can vary widely, falling into the third or tenth houses and
occasionally into the west side of the horoscope.
The Ascendant, East Point and Antivertex all intersect at zero degrees of Aries
and zero Libra. Thus, these angles will begin to cluster from late Pisces through
early Aries and late Virgo through early Libra. The Ascendant, East Point and
Antivertex will be the most spread out (often in three different signs and houses)
when Cancer or Capricorn is rising.
Note that the East Point will always be within a five degree square to the
Midheaven. If it is not, check your calculations.

INTERPRETATION
Both the East Point and Antivertex can be interpreted as auxiliary Ascendants.
That is, they function as additional keys to one’s basic identity, action, energy,
drive and self-expression.
They do not seem to be AS important as the actual Ascendant, but do offer
useful clues to major themes in the nature of the individual. Either angle requires
more attention when a planet falls closely conjunct it. This is almost as significant
as having that planet conjunct the Ascendant. The planet(s) involved denote
major, keynote principles of that individual’s sense of self, identity, assertion and
being in the world.
A good example is former President Jimmy Carter. His East Point conjuncts his
Saturn in Scorpio. His Antivertex conjuncts his Jupiter in Sagittarius. His East Point
and Saturn conjunct his Juno in Scorpio. The conjunction with Saturn symbolizes
his energetic pursuit of executive power, the ambition to make it to the top.
Jupiter symbolizes our ultimate values, including traditional religious beliefs (as
well as education, spiritual quests, travel, etc.) Jupiter combined with the
Ascendant, Mars, first house, Aries or East Point or Antivertex can manifest as the
missionary type: “I have the truth and it is the only truth. Take it, world!” The

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conjunction of the East Point to Juno, the “marriage asteroid” indicates a close,
personal involvement in a committed partnership; the desire for an equal sharing.
Jimmy Carter demonstrated his power drive in seeking and obtaining the U.S.
Presidency. His marriage to Rosalyn was and is very equalitarian; she is reported
to have tremendous influence and impact in his decisions. His strong (Baptist)
religious convictions were particularly unusual for a modern-day politician.

HOUSE PLACEMENT
We begin with house placement because it is the most limited and simplest to
cover. Since it IS limited, it is NOT the most important factor, but a part of the
picture. (Aspects are the most important factor, in my experience.) Generally,
house placement suggests very mild themes. Pay attention when a theme or issue
is repeated by other configurations in the chart. Always, what is most important
in the nature and horoscope will be repeated—said over and over again.
When the East Point or Antivertex falls in the twelfth house, there is a slightly
Neptunian flavor to the identity, assertion, basic self-expression. This can
manifest as idealism, high expectations, grace in action, escapism, or a number of
variants. Extremes include, “I am perfect and can do as I please.” versus “I
SHOULD be perfect and if I am not, then I am nothing.” God and the infinite are a
role model for self.
An eleventh house placement suggests Uranian overtones to the identity. There
is a hint of the rebel, the revolutionary. Personal freedom is more emphasized.
Unique self-expression is more significant. This can be original, innovative,
creative or chaotic, unpredictable, destructive. Friends and open-minded
activities, associations are role models for the individual.
Placements in the first house add a little emphasis to the “I am what I am”
theme. There is a little more directness, forthrightness in personal self-
expression. Freedom needs are slightly more intense. Whoever the person is, the
identity is in a bit more “pure” form, more readily apparent.
Second house placements tie the theme of pleasure from the material world to
the self-expression. This can range from pure self-appreciation (“I like myself.”) to
hedonism, potential over-indulgence in food, drink, possessions, collecting or
spending money, etc.

THE WEST SIDE STORY

If the East Point and Antivertex operate as auxiliary Ascendants, then logically
the West Point (opposite the East Point) and the Vertex (opposite the Antivertex)
operate as auxiliary Descendants. Again, they are not usually as important as the
actual Descendant, but do imply themes. If repeated elsewhere in the chart, the
themes are significant.

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 The Descendant, Vertex and West Point are all keys to our close, committed
relationships. They symbolize the feelings and experiences we seek through close
others (spouses, live-in partners, therapists, etc). Often, they operate as points of
projection, that is, these angles can point to qualities we tend to meet first
through other people; attributes of ourselves we may learn to face through seeing
someone else express the energy. The danger with projection is overdoing. If one
person in a relationship is “doing it for” someone else, the first person is likely to
do TOO MUCH of whatever the quality is.
So, each angle axis—Ascendant/Descendant; East Point/West Point and
Antivertex/Vertex relates to that basic self/other polarity. Each gives us clues
about balancing self-will and independent action with sharing and committing to
others. Generally, it is easiest to personally identify with the eastern end of each
axis. It is easiest to disown and see as “out there” (in other people) the western
end.
This potential of “giving away” a part of who we are and unconsciously
attracting other people to manifest that missing side contributes to what has
been called the “fated” quality of the Vertex. Where other people are involved,
we have less control and less power than where we are concerned only with our
actions and attitudes as an individual. People who externalize responsibility for
their own lives call such interactions “fated.” I prefer to operate within the world
view that life is a mirror; we attract people we can learn from. Everyone in our
lives is teaching us about a part of our own nature and potentials.
Both axes then (East Point/West Point and Antivertex/Vertex) point to a basic
self/other polarity in the life that must be faced. In any opposition, the goal is
integration. There is a natural complementarity. Both ends need each other to be
fully effective. There are two major dangers with any opposition (polarity) in the
horoscope. One danger is swinging from one extreme to the other. It is not
uncommon for people to overdo one end of a polarity, then—in reaction—go to
the opposite extreme. Some people spend their lives flip-flopping from one end of
the seesaw to the other. The second danger is projection. In that case, the
individual identifies with one end of the polarity and denies its opposite. So,
unconsciously, that individual attracts other people who are expressing that
opposite quality. The problem is, they are usually carrying it to an extreme. So,
when we see exaggerated behavior, it is a good idea to look into our own psyches
at what we may be denying.
Each opposition brings a set of themes connected to that polarity. So, East
Point/ West Point or Antivertex/Vertex across the first and seventh houses is the
basic self versus other polarity. This can be the pull between self-assertion and
doing what one wants versus pleasing and accommodating to others. It can be the
dilemma of freedom (personal independence) versus closeness (a committed love

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relationship). We can alternate between extremes or overdo one end, or pick
someone (unconsciously) who will overdo for us.
Placing these angles across the second and eighth houses puts the focus on the
issue of handling the physical, sensual world comfortably with others. We may be
internally torn between self-indulgence (whether around food, sex, money,
smoking, drinking, etc.) versus control of the appetites. We can externalize the
conflict by identifying with one end and unconsciously selecting a partner to play
out the opposite end of the seesaw. Then we spend our time fighting about
spending versus saving or sex or other forms of giving, receiving and sharing the
physical pleasure world. The goal is to be comfortable within ourselves in our
handling of physical possessions and pleasures and also to be able to receive from
others; give to others and share equally with others in an intimate context.
Where these angle axes fall across the fifth and eleventh houses, we are again
dealing with freedom versus closeness issues. A part of us wants to be
independent, off doing our own thing, unique, not following anyone else’s rules.
Another side of who we are wants to love and be loved; to be special; to be
admired and looked up to in an intense, emotional relationship. One side of our
being emphasizes the intellect, the detached, objective mind; another side values
the heart, feelings and emotional responses from others. We may externalize the
conflict by feeling torn between friends and lovers or children. Or, we can identify
with either end and attract the opposite from others in our lives, or flip-flop from
one side to the other until we learn to have some of both in our lives.
The opposition across the sixth and twelfth houses by these angles points to a
need to truly blend our dreams with reality. We are learning to be both idealistic
and realistic. If not handled, we may swing from rose-colored glasses, gullibility
and disillusionment or escapism to hard-nosed insistence on doing everything
exactly by the book. Or, we can identify with one end, and attract significant
others who overdo the opposite side. Our work arena (and our health) are often
areas where we are learning to take the small, reasonable steps to reach our
visionary goals. If we do not integrate this polarity, we may job hop, each time
looking for a more ideal situation, or suffer from ill health because we are not
doing that incredible, wonderful visionary work which we feel we OUGHT to be
doing. It is all well and good to have a “calling.” We must just be able to ground
our visions in the physical world, to do what is necessary to turn them into an
actuality.
Remember, anything in the chart which is important will appear in the form of a
repeated message. Major issues and themes are highlighted in a number of
different ways. These two angle axes can suggest potential areas of analysis, but
we need to look for confirmation in the rest of the chart to be sure the focus we
choose is truly of major import.

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SIGNS
These angle axes can, of course, fall across any of the six polarities by sign. The
signs involved denote themes to be faced in the life. As with any opposition, we
are striving to find that golden mean: the happy middle ground where the two
ends of the polarity support and reinforce one another’s strengths and talents.
We want to avoid the extremes of bouncing from one end of the seesaw to the
other, eschew repression (where we develop the appropriate illness to act out the
missing end) and bypass projection (where we attract others to overdo the
themes with which we have not dealt.) Moderation, doing some of both sides of
any polarity, keeps us balanced and healthy.
When either the Antivertex or East Point falls in Aries or Libra, we are facing a
one/seven polarity. The issues are likely to emerge in the context of personal
relationships. The balance we are seeking to maintain is between personal
freedom, doing things alone, answering only to our personal wants, needs,
desires and actions versus sharing a relationship with another person, whether
cooperative or competitive. If the eastern end (EP or AV) is in Aries, we are more
likely to identify with the need to be free, independent, on our own, expressing
when, where, how we wish. If the eastern end of the axis is in Libra, we are more
identified with the need for a one-to-one relationship with another. Equality,
harmony, justice, fair play and a sense of even-handedness are likely to be basic
parts of our identity. We may choose to relate in a cooperative way (and the
extreme to be avoided is playing doormat, appeasing the other person). We may
select (consciously or unconsciously) competitive relationships and engage in a
series of game-playing (literally and figuratively) associations. We are learning to
balance our need for freedom with our need for closeness. We are learning to
integrate acting and reacting. We are dealing with the issue of power: whether in
our hands or in the hands of other people. Hopefully we are moving towards a
comfortable blend: we do not have all the power; the other party does not have
all the power. Sometimes we get our way; sometimes they get their way; many
times we both compromise, harmonize and meet in the middle.
If these angles fall across Taurus and Scorpio, issues of sensuality are being
faced through close relationships. The goal is to reach a comfortable inner
balance between self-indulgence and self-control. The arenas of focus can involve
money (spending versus saving; earning it yourself versus depending on someone
else); food; drink; sensuality and sexuality. There is often a tendency toward
extremes: feast versus famine; sex versus celibacy; overdrinking and then cutting
it out completely, etc. Moderation is again the goal—being able to comfortably
enjoy the physical sense world. Overindulgence is a problem. But denial is just as
much a problem. Some people cut out a part of their lives completely (be it sex,
dealing with money, etc.) as that is the “only” way they feel they can be in

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control. The polarity emphasizes being able to experience BOTH ends without
overdoing either extreme.
Because inner ambivalences are often subjectively “easier” if we experience
them as “out there,” many people will externalize this conflict. Rather than fully
feeling the inner struggle, they (unconsciously) choose to identify with one end of
the polarity. Then, they attract other individuals (with the same conflicts) who can
live out the other end of the polarity. So, we can attract partners who have their
own internal struggles around indulgence versus control. Then, the relationship
easily falls into power struggles around money, sex and the sharing of the physical
sense world. We can fight about spending versus saving; how much sex, when,
what kind, etc. We can nag each other about our weight or how much we should
or should not drink, smoke, etc. In order to fully resolve the outer (relationship)
struggles, we must balance the inner dilemma. The more comfortably we can
adjust to our own approach-avoidance feelings around sensual issues, the more
easily we can give, receive and share pleasures, possessions and the physical
sense world with others.
Where the eastern angle is in Taurus, we are more likely to identify with the
need for pleasure (including the potential of liking ourselves) and comfort. Where
the eastern angle is in Scorpio, we are more likely to feel the need for self-control,
personally identifying with a sense of mastery.
When these angles fall across Gemini and Sagittarius, the issues revolve around
short-term curiosity versus long-range goals and values. This is an extremely
restless and mental combination. Usually the mind is important, and part of the
identity is found through thinking, speaking and the whole intellectual world.
People with this polarity are often perpetual students (always studying something
new—formally or informally), teachers (sharing their knowledge with others) and
travelers (searching for new horizons, new experiences in order to learn and
understand more of the world). Generally, the person is bright and articulate
(sometimes TOO talkative).
When the eastern angles are in Gemini, a sibling (or aunt, uncle, other collateral
relative) may be an important role model—positive or negative. If positive, we
want to be like them. If negative, we tend to do the opposite of what they did.
The person is often insatiably curious and loves to collect little bits of (what seems
to be useless) information and trivia. The interests tend to be quite varied, and
the individual may be somewhat scattered. Sometimes the curiosity can appear
cold and callous as the level of objectivity is potentially high. There is usually an
openness to learning in any situation.
Where the western angles fall in Gemini, the attraction is toward a meeting of
the minds in partnerships. Communication and intellect are important.
Information is shared. If projected, one partner may think, talk or be detached
and light-hearted for the other.

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 If the eastern end occupies Sagittarius, the individual is more concerned with
finding final answers. The goal seeking is oriented toward questions of meaning,
truth, philosophy and religion. Why are we here? Where are we going? What (if
anything) does life mean? All these are very personal issues for the individual. If
these individuals decide they have found THE truth, there can be problems. This is
the potential missionary combination: “I have the truth, world. It is the only truth.
And I am willing to fight to ram it down your throat.” They may aggressively
pursue ultimate values and belief systems. Such people are, in some way,
identified with the absolute. This can manifest as: “I should be perfect.”
Perfection may be defined as having all the right answers to all the right
questions; as being witty, charming and fun; as traveling to all the right places,
etc. Then, they can decide, “I am perfect; the world only needs to recognize and
appreciate me,” or “I should be perfect; I’m not; therefore I am nothing.” Seeking
perfection in the form of some higher meaning in life is usually more satisfying
than trying to play God personally.
If the western angles fall in Sagittarius, the challenge is to seek meaning, truth
and an intellectual absolute with another person without demanding impossibly
high expectations (of self, other or the relationship).
Where either or both axes fall across Cancer and Capricorn, parental issues are
significant in the basic identity and self-expression as well as in close, personal
relationships. The polarity calling for balance is between unconditional and
conditional love. Cancer represents the unconditional love parent (usually
mother, but it can be father or whoever played that role in the life). That is the
parent that protects us, cares for us, gives us the basic nurturance, nourishment
and support which we need when very young, without which we would die. Or, at
least, that is what unconditional love is supposed to be like: “I love you because
you are, because you exist. You do not have to DO anything for that love.”
The conditional love parent, by contrast, is teaching us about reality. That is the
parent (or parent figure, whoever played the role or was supposed to) who says,
in effect, “I love you when you do the right things. I will reward and punish you on
the basis of behavior.” That parent teaches us about consequences—as you sow,
so shall you reap. That parent inculcates the shoulds and shouldn’ts, the oughts
and oughtn’ts of life into our being. From that person, we learn how to behave in
a society of other people, what the rules are, what is expected of us. We face the
limits in life: what we can do; what we cannot do; what we have to do. Once we
internalize those limits, they restrict us in terms of our own inner conscience.
Where this polarity is repeated in the chart, the individual may be torn between
expressing the conditional love approach to life, or the unconditional. They may
be unsure whether to come across as the loving mother or stern father. They may
feel a conflict in terms of time and energy commitments between home, family
and domestic desires versus the need for work, achievement and accomplishment

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in the outer world (including a career). They may swing between dominance and
dependency.
If the eastern end is in Cancer, the identification was more with the
unconditional love parent. However, parental role models can be positive or
negative. We may want to be similar to our parental role model, or we may want
to be the opposite. When parents are keys to the identity, it simply suggests that
the individual is comparing his or her behavior with that of the parent. The parent
is the standard: either of what TO do, or of what NOT to do. If we did not like the
kind of unconditional love experience we had when young, if we felt frustrated or
unhappy or deprived or overprotected or smothered, or whatever, we may take
that unconditional love parent as a negative role model and do the opposite of
what s/he did. If we felt basically comfortable with their example, we will usually
follow it.
If the eastern end of one of these angle axes is in Capricorn, the identification is
more with the conditional love parent. The person usually faces reality young.
From an early age, that person tends to feel responsible and be aware of the
limits. If we overdo internal limits (feeling blocked, frustrated, incapable,
inadequate, self-critical), then we end up being a self-blocker. We stop ourselves
before we even start, convinced we would just fail, fall short, or be blocked by the
world anyway. If we underdo the internal limits, we are constantly fighting against
the rules of the games, the ordinary limitations of society. We may constantly
battle authority figures (from father onward); we may fight against time; we may
break the law; we can act against the accepted conventions of our culture and
society in a number of ways. Again, the conditional love parent could have given
us a negative or positive example in terms of expressing ourselves within the
limits of what is possible in a real, physical world.
When Capricorn is the western end of the axis, the individual is facing
conditional love issues through partners. The goal is to be able, in a relationship,
to share the power, share the responsibilities, the practicalities in life. Integration
means both parties do all that they can within the limits of what is possible in life
and in the relationship. Negative forms include projecting the energy and
attracting someone to play “father” for us (whether male or female). Then we
unconsciously attract strong, dominating, often critical individuals who try to
control us (but are stable and predictable). Or, we attract workaholics who do not
have time for the relationship. Or, we attract very weak individuals who
(unconsciously) expect us to carry the whole load, take care of business, be
“daddy.” If we have unfinished business with our father or father figure (the
conditional love parent), we are likely to meet the same issues through partners,
until we resolve them. One positive option includes turning our fathers into
partners, reaching an equalitarian, sharing relationship with our conditional love
parent(s). But, regardless of our eventual relationship with that parent, we need

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to feel accepting and comfortable with our work-oriented, power-conscious,
conscientious, consequence-aware side in order to handle it positively in our love
relationships.
Where Cancer is the western end of either or both of these axes, if there is
unfinished business, it usually lies with mother (or whoever played the
unconditional love parent role). Nurturance and dependency are issues in close,
personal, one-to-one relationships. We may turn our mothers into partners
(positively in terms of equal sharing and communications or negatively in terms of
perhaps being so close to a parent that we do not “want” or “need” other
committed relationships). We may look (consciously or unconsciously) for
partners who will mother us (either repeating the “good” or the “bad” mothering
which we feel we got, or looking for the kind of mothering we feel we did not get,
but always wanted). We may seek (consciously or unconsciously) partners who
will allow us to mother them (as the “good” or “bad” mother, or both). Then we
attract weaker people, who need to be taken care of, supported, protected, etc.
The compromise or middle ground leaves room for both people to be warm,
committed, emotional and supportive. They take turns taking care of each other.
Each nurtures the other in his/her areas of particular strength. Each is able to give
nurturance, and each is able to receive it (which means being willing to be
dependent, being emotionally open and vulnerable, willing to share with another
human being).
Where the opposition involves Leo and Aquarius, a part of the dilemma is the
common freedom versus closeness struggle. Such people are trying to blend a
need to be special, be a star, be loving and loved in an intense way with a need
for freedom, uniqueness, independence and not being tied down. A part of the
opposition involves combining the heart and the head—feelings and thinking.
Another part involves time for both close, intense love relationships (which can
include children) and friends and outer world associations and activities. Another
potential issue is making peace between self-esteem (and a natural, human need
to be proud of ourselves, to shine, to be special in some area—a potential “better
than” feeling) with equalitarian, humanitarian principles (“We are all equal.
Everyone deserves equal opportunity to be all that s/he is capable of being.”)
Where the eastern end falls in Leo, we are more likely to initially identify with
the need for attention, response, admiration from the world. We are more likely
to be personally acting out and expressing our need to be a star. We may be the
natural actor or actress with tremendous charisma, magnetism and persuasive
ability. If the eastern end falls in Aquarius, we are more likely to identify with our
uniqueness, our individuality and our feelings for justice and fair play. We may
enjoy shocking others occasionally with unconventional behavior, designed to
prove that all rules can be broken. We may be very unique and inventive or simply
eccentric and strange. We may be rebellious in a number of areas. We are likely

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to identify with our minds, whereas Leo identifies with the heart. We may be
great rationalizers—able to intellectualize everything.
If Leo is involved with the western end, we need exciting, dramatic, fun
relationships. If shared, both people are dynamic, magnetic and active individuals.
They admire, applaud and look up to one another. If projected, one individual is
likely to be TOO ego-involved. Everything revolves around him/her. That person
may expect to play the role of king or queen with others cast as mere courtiers.
Everything in the life may be exaggerated, imbued with larger-than-life
importance as a way of seeking grandeur and majesty.
If the western end is Aquarius, we are seeking to experience uniqueness,
freedom and open-endedness in our relationships. We may have unusual
associations, non-standard ways of sharing our lives with others. We may project
and attract free souls who do not want to commit to a partnership; or excessively
strange or weird or irresponsible partners; or significant others who are from a
very different background, race, religion, etc. If the need for variety, something
new and different, is not satisfied positively, relationships tend to be unstable.
Divorce is a possibility, with either party playing out the role of: “I don’t like this;
I’m leaving!” Not a traditional do-everything-together couple, such people need
some space in their relationships, to feel they are not tied down or limited. If both
people are bright, versatile, independent and able to enjoy each other’s
uniqueness, then they are the best of friends, really respecting and tolerating
their differences. The partnership can be a very long-lasting one, provided both
get the needed intellectual stimulation, variety and sense of openness within the
sharing.
Virgo-Pisces is the final polarity. Here, the individuals are striving to unite the
beautiful dream with the nitty-gritty reality of the world. The goal is to have an
ideal vision, a utopian concept, but also have the pragmatism and willingness to
work in small, not always exciting ways to achieve the wonderful vision. People
can overdo either end. Too much Virgo and we get the squirrel cage mentality—
all caught up in doing the job JUST RIGHT and concerned with every little flaw or
shortcoming that appears. The proverbial forest is obscured by a minute focusing
on the trees (or a millimeter of bark on that specific tree). Work is consuming, but
without a sense of purpose or a framework of higher meaning. Pisces without
Virgo however is the clichéd space cadet—lost in the clouds, dreaming life away,
waiting for one’s ship to come in, anticipating some cosmic Santa Claus who will
come along and make everything perfect. Or, running away from life—into
alcohol, other drugs, fantasy, psychosis, chronic illness, etc.—any avenue which
offers the opportunity to avoid recognizing that life is NOT ideal and that the
escaping party is not doing anything to improve it! With an integrated Virgo-
Pisces polarity, Pisces offers the faith, the trust, the hope for something more,
something Higher, the sense of connectedness of the Universe and all of life

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which puts our practical (Virgo) efforts in the everyday, workaday world into
perspective and gives us the inspiration to keep on keeping on, taking the
necessary, realistic steps to achieve our highest ideals.
Where the eastern end is in Virgo, we are most likely to personally identify with
the need to work and to be pragmatic. Such individuals need early responsibilities
(which are within their capabilities). They tend to feel guilty when not working, as
if they SHOULD be contributing in some way. They are generally identified with
their work (“I am what I do.”) and with a performance orientation. If carried too
far, this can lead to excessive self-criticism. The flaw-finding, judgmental faculties
are turned against the self and the self is always falling short. Illness, problems in
the way the body functions, can be the escape for people who feel they OUGHT
to be working. After all, if one is too SICK to work, one does not have to feel
guilty. When done in moderation, the individual identified with Virgo is simply
very practical and realistic, usually works hard and sees life and the self clearly.
Where the eastern end is in Pisces, more of the identity is tied to idealism and
the search for mystic oneness. This generally leads to high standards for the self.
(“I should be perfect.” Or, “I already am perfect and the world should recognize
it.”) The three major roles through which individuals express the idealism of
Pisces are: artist, savior and victim. We choose whether we will seek the
connection to the Infinite through creating more beauty in the world, through
making a more perfect world, or by running away to our own imagined world.
If the western end of the angle axis involves Virgo, we are learning through
relationships to deal with practicality, hard work, the focus and concentration on
necessary details and efficient functioning. If shared, both people work at their
relationships, to build a solid foundation of sharing. Sometimes they work
together literally, sharing a career or other tasks. Sometimes work and
relationships blend as we meet partners through work. Where the Virgo qualities
are projected, we may attract workaholic partners who overdo the nitty-gritty
focus. Or, we may attract people we can criticize, or people who criticize us.
Overvaluing work and achievement can interfere with the emotional sharing
context of the relationship. If one party is too much into being the practical,
responsible one, that individual can unconsciously attract people for whom s/he
ends up working. Both people need to look at the relationship realistically and put
some effort into achieving good interactions with one another.
If the western end is in Pisces, we seek experiences of unity with the Universe
through our close relationships. Potential dangers include: searching for the ideal
relationship and never being satisfied; believing one has found Prince/ss
Charming only to be disillusioned later; attracting victims who need to be
rescued; attracting “saints” who feel they are ideal. More fulfilling options include
creating beauty with a partner; sharing a spiritual quest; looking for an ultimate

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through idealistic, inspirational activities. The key is to allow ourselves and our
partners to be human and to value our relationships even when imperfect.

ASPECTS
One basic astrological rule of thumb is that the more aspects a factor has,
especially close aspects, the more important that factor is. (A one degree orb is
usually highly significant. Up to three degrees is generally important.) Thus, if the
Antivertex is strongly aspected and the East Point has relatively few aspects, I pay
more attention to the Antivertex. If both are relatively weak in terms of aspects, I
give them little weight in my delineation.
Aspects are interpreted in terms of the nature of the aspects; the nature of the
planets plus themes suggested by houses and signs. As indicated earlier,
conjunctions to the eastern end of the axis show major themes in our basic
identity, sense of self, personal action and expression. Conjunctions to the
western end indicate qualities we tend to manifest in our relationships—either
directly, ourselves, sharing with others, or through projection—attracting
someone else who will express those qualities for us.
Squares, oppositions and quincunxes to the East Point or Antivertex suggest the
part of our life symbolized by the factor in hard aspect in some way conflicts with
a part of our basic identity, our natural self-expression, our physical body, our
personal freedom to do and be as we please in life. (This is further modified by
the nature of the factor—planet, asteroid, angle—involved plus house and sign
placements). Hard aspects to the West Point or Vertex point to the need to
integrate that part of our life symbolized by the factor in hard aspect with our
desire for one-to-one relationships, our need for equality, the qualities we tend to
meet first in other people in our close, sharing associations.
The so-called soft aspects—trine, sextile and semi-sextile—indicate parts of our
nature which are in harmony with either our basic identity (where the East Point
and Antivertex are concerned) or our interaction with others (Vertex and West
Point). Such aspects indicate the potential of easily combining and blending these
various sides of ourselves.
I am not going to attempt to cover all the aspects. Readers can apply the
principles of the twelve letter alphabet to figure out relevant aspects. The
Antivertex and East Point are other forms of Letter One. The Vertex and West
Point are other forms of Letter Seven.

SYNASTRY
These angles, like the other angles of the horoscope, seem to be very significant
in synastry and chart comparison. It is quite common to find strong conjunctions
and oppositions to these angles between charts. Frequently, one will find, in

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significant relationships, that there are angle interchanges. E.g., one person’s East
Point/West Point axis falls across the MC/IC axis of the other, or across the nodal
axis, or across the Ascendant/Descendant axis, etc.
These angles seem to operate as very personal points (on the eastern end) and
as keys to relationships (on the western end). So ties between them are often
keys to relationships of major importance.

SUMMARY
Generally, both the Antivertex and East Point function as auxiliary Ascendants—
additional keys to themes of importance in our basic identity, our self-expression
in the world, our personal needs and actions. The Vertex and West Point function
as keys to our relationships—the kinds of qualities we seek in relationships, the
sorts of attributes we may project and experience through other people who are
unconsciously attracted to express that side of ourselves for us. Close aspects
symbolize fundamental issues in our self-expression and our one-to-one
interactions.
Both axes, as oppositions, show areas of life—by sign and house—where we are
working to integrate, seeking the middle point. Both ends need each other. They
are natural partners. We are learning to express some of each side, to support the
synthesis—the best of both ends. And those issues which are most important will
be repeated in several ways in the chart. The more we can be aware of the rich
variety of options we have, the more different sides to our own nature we can
recognize and utilize when appropriate, the more fulfilling lives we can lead!

Copyright © 1983 Los Angeles Community Church of Religious Science, Inc.

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