For thousands of years, the art and science of astrology has been used as a guide to help individuals gain greater insight into their lives. Astrology has the ability to help us recognize personal strengths, understand weaknesses and develop a deeper understanding of relationships, careers and life's purpose.
At its core your astrological sign and chart can interpret present life circumstances and also be used to forecast future events. But one of the most underutilized tools for developing a truly thorough astrological chart is the use of "midpoints." By learning more about midpoints, anyone seeking a greater understanding of their astrological chart is certain to benefit.
Midpoints: What are they?
The midpoint is the center point between either two planets or personal points. Midpoints provide astrologers with the ability to express how planetary energies can combine and create their own distinctive force and influence. In brief, midpoints combine the forces of two or more planets.
Midpoints are typically seen on a chart halfway between the shortest arc of two planets and are expressed in writing by showing a slash between to planetary symbols, or "glyphs."
Direct and Indirect Midpoints
When creating or reviewing a chart, knowledgeable astrologers apt to analyze "direct midpoints" and "indirect points." A direct midpoint occurs when one planet or point is located between two other planets or points. When direct midpoints occur, the energies of all three planets come into play.
An indirect midpoint is a planet or point that makes an aspect to the midpoint of two other planetary bodies without a physical body at this midpoint. While the majority of astrologers tend to favor using direct midpoints, I tend to look to gain greater understanding of astrological charts by interpreting both direct and indirect midpoints. This is why you can have conflicting midpoint readings.
While charting direct and indirect midpoints may be confusing to the novice, a computerized chart can easily help determine all midpoints so that the focus is on interpretation rather than charting.
Sun and Moon Midpoints
The Sun and Moon symbolize an intricate planetary relationship, sometimes described by astrologers as akin to a marriage. As a result, the lunar and solar midpoint is often considered the most important. Any planet that has a midpoint relationship between the Sun and the Moon should be studied carefully, since all three planetary bodies will have a blended role in your life.
Where Ancient History and Spirituality Intersect
While the topic of midpoints is often one that many people have never heard of or have simply overlooked, they have long been studied by serious astrologers since the Middle Ages. The use of midpoints can be traced back to Guido Bonati, a thirteenth century Franciscan monk, mathematician, astronomer and astrologer who focused on the practical uses of midpoints.
Working on behalf of the Count of Montefeltro, Bonati was known to have charted astrological midpoints to more precisely time military campaigns. When one of Bonati's charts accurately predicted that the Count would win the battle but receive injuries word began to spread of how the subtleties of midpoints could be used to successfully predict the course of future events.
Bonati's detailed charts gained him favor with emperors and politicians of his day and in 1277 he produced Liber Astronomiae which has been considered on the greatest astrological books of all time.
Bonati's work with midpoints faded over the centuries but were revitalized that to Alfred Witte, a German surveyor and astrologer. Witte used midpoints extensively and looked at astrologically scientifically. The Uranian School of Astrology is based on Witte's precise midpoint analyses.
German physician and astrologer Reinhold Ebertin elaborated on Bonati's achievements, attempting to study the medical applications of astrology, with a focus on midpoints. Ebertin examination of midpoints resulted in founding cosmobiology, the study of astrology and its unique relationship to spirituality.
How Midpoints Can Help You
Whether you are seeking a greater understanding of life, marriage or work, astrology can help you comprehend the past, deal with the present and prepare for the future. Thanks to midpoints, a thorough astrological chart will explain subtle nuances that can provide you with even greater insight into past, present and future events.
It's important to keep in mind that astrological charts often have layers of information. Because each person's astrological profile often has a multitude of "layers" as well as midpoints, an experienced astrologer can read your chart and scan it for the direct and indirect midpoints that have the greatest relevance to your life.
I hope that helps you!
