The Vertex in the Natal Chart
The Vertex is almost always found on the right or occidental side of the horoscope. The exception occurs in extreme northern latitudes. The occidental side of the horoscope is co-dependent and other-directed so that the Vertex represents characteristics, attributes, qualities and skills to be cultivated in this lifetime through the demand and urging of other people. For those interested in esoteric astrology, my theory is that the Vertex indicates the Ray energy to be cultivated in this lifetime – a shift in the personality, astral or mental body.
When there are transits or progressed aspects to the Vertex, the qualities of the Vertex sign will be emphasized. Under favorable aspects, we are drawn by people (indicated by the House position) to express the aptitudes of the Vertex sign. Under afflictions, we seem to have problems with the Vertex sign energy.
Aries: In cultivating Aries energy, you will be drawn into taking charge in emergencies, taking the initiative and developing fast solutions to crises situations. There will be no time to coordinate efforts. Circumstances in the life will force you to pick up the reins of leadership and react to emergencies as a trouble shooter. You will be commanded to be your own person rather than stay on the sidelines, waiting for someone else to do it or ducking out completely.
Taurus: You will be forced to develop a sense of self-worth and material self-sufficiency, not relying upon others for support and not being obligated to others. You may be drawn into helping others achieve financial security or make value judgments for another. Freedom is found through financial independence. Esoterically, it is associated with the ability to let go, to simplify that which is complicated and to extricate by eliminating indebtedness. This can be for self, as well as others. Speak your truth when necessary and honor your own values and principles. Be willing to stand up for what you believe to be true.
Gemini: You will be drawn to teach, to present your own ideas and to back up the information with facts. Gemini will draw you into a relationship or work activity that will demand that you learn to be flexible and to do more than one thing at a time. Flexibility is often connected with allowing others to change their minds, something that Gemini does quite easily.
You may be forced to debate and prove your views or to relay the messages of others correctly. You may be forced to prove your believability, choosing your words correctly and not relying upon generalities. Such an individual may not like the pressure of facts but this will ultimately build confidence in communication skills. You will learn that in theorizing you give your power away, being at the mercy of others who fight with the facts.
Cancer: In this life, you will be pulled into dealing directly with the public, with the media, with the emotions of others— often this starts with the emotional issues in the family, depending upon the Vertex House position. In dealing with the emotional issues in your relationships with others, you will be drawn into soothing troubled water and nurturing others’ needs. You may also be drawn into dealing with issues connected with women in general. Cancer is the sign of the masses, mass trends and Universal Consciousness. This position can provide and opportunity to assess and spot trends on behalf of the public interest.
The natural tendency with the anti-vertex in Capricorn is to appear authoritative and unemotional. Now you are to learn compassion for the feelings of others. In this lifetime, you cannot let others down. You must get emotionally involved and care!
Leo: In this lifetime, you must learn to get personally involved so that you gain recognition for yourself and not share the glory with the group. You are to learn to be creative and to cultivate Self-Expression and Willpower. The tendency is to fade into a group rather than individualize. Individualization is the task at hand. A personal approach to dealing with people is needed rather than a detached and objective orientation.
I have a good friend with the Vertex in Leo. Her natural tendency is to give to the group without individual recognition. I cannot help but feel that there is much frustration when the group and her partner gets the recognition and she does not. Even her writing style tends to be philosophically Aquarian, lacking in a personal revelations. When this point was hit by a transit, she found it impossible to gain the personal recognition. The timing was wrong.
Virgo: In this lifetime, the individual will be drawn to provide a service which brings something to a practical, useful order. Since the anti-vertex is in Pisces, the individual already understands and has experienced confusion but now you must learn to bring order out of chaos. Remember, Virgo rules useful service, not servitude. One client has this Vertex in the 7th and she is an accountant, working on the financial chaos of others.
Libra: In this lifetime, the individual will be drawn into learning how to bridge opposing factions, to mediate compromises, to restore fairness and to bring harmony out of conflicting issues in order to re-establish peace and order. Because the anti-vertex is in Aries, the individual must not allow personal desires to influence the situation. The individual must not take sides or impose the personal ego. The need is to detach the self, make no judgments and establish harmony that would benefit the whole rather than any specific individuals.
Scorpio: In this lifetime, the individual will be drawn into dealing with that which is complicated, matted and ensnared. Plutonian issues connected with the abuses of power can be involved, fighting for the rights involved with exploitation issues. The individual maybe drawn to working with the finances of others, assisting them in achieving security and empowerment. I have one client who was compelled to investigate death/dying issues, learning to transform and heal, learning metaphysics in order to help others.
Since Taurus is the anti-vertex, it is too easy to stay in one’s comfort zone, taking the line of least resistence, not jeopardizing personal security and comfort. You must give strength and courage to the concerns of others, overcoming the fears that make you too comfortable with the status quo.
Sagittarius: In this lifetime, you must go beyond the facts in order to see the Big Picture. You may be drawn to give testimony wherein you must draw conclusions from many facts. The Gemini details may look good for now but they do not serve in the long run. The individual must teach at an expanded or philosophical level based upon the accumulated facts— extracting wisdom from what you know. Go beyond the facts to the truth of the matter. Do not get bogged down with superficial, gossipy information. You will be drawn to deal with philosophical, spiritual or moral issues in connection with the Vertex House position.
Capricorn: The individual will be called to develop skills in responsible leadership. It is essential that you learn to accept duties and obligations for a future control. Leadership and organizational ability go hand-in-hand and you must learn patience to cultivate these skills. Do not allow your emotions and fears to interfere with a realistic attitude in administration. It is essential that the individual not allow the needs of home, family or feelings of insecurity to impede in fulfilling your destiny and thereby rise to a position of respect.
Aquarius: First, you must learn tolerance for the differences in others. This would be particularly true if Saturn and Earth-Water signs are strong in the chart. If Uranus and Fire-Air signs are strong, the individual must learn how to coordinate one’s efforts with other independent, task oriented types. Regulating Uranian people is a hard-learned lesson! Since the anti-Vertex is in Leo, the individual must guard against allowing one’s strong subjective and “MY WAY” opinions to interfere with cooperation. The lesson is to be detached and impersonal.
Any prejudices will come back to haunt you in this lifetime. Learn to be a good friend, to be a part of group effort rather than trying to shine on one’s own. When tolerance is not an issue for the individual, I find that there is some difficulty working with group energy. One client felt that she needed to learn to function and protect herself while working within groups.
Pisces: In this lifetime, the individual is to cultivate sensitivity for the intangibles rather emphasizing the pragmatic, the materialistic and the fine points fo detail. The individual will go through experiences that bring out compassion, the ability to listen with empathy to the concerns of others, and experiences that will make for greater sensitivity to the suffering of others. Another lesson is to let go of criticism. With the anti-Vertex in Virgo, it is easy to zero in on the details, the flaws and imperfections, losing sight of the whole. Learn to go with the flow. Do not judge by rules but rather by instinct and compassion.
Dec 16, 08:47 AM
With the Vertex in Libra in the 7th House and the Aries influence, this combination seems “karmic” in that your relationships will force you to temper your instinctual reactions – to mediate the crises of others, to bridge differences and to take others into consideration before taking action. With this lesson learned, it is a very positive and powerful combination.
Aug 16, 07:55 AM
The Moon conjunct the Vertex can make it easier to access and cultivate the energies of Capricorn but there is a problem.
The Vertex is always cultivated by the demand and needs of others. This can be very frustrating when you do not take time to take care of your own emotional needs.
When planets cross the Anti-Vertex, on the opposite side (Cancer), you are encouraged to take care of your self and your needs….or you will get sick and be forced to do this. This is what happened to me as I have the Vertex in Capricorn too.
Feb 15, 01:10 PM
Uranus transiting the Anti-Vertex warns that you do for yourself and not others with its passing. If you do not take care of yourself, place yourself as the priority, then something can happen, like getting sick, to force this.
Apr 22, 08:06 AM
First, I never use the Vertex or a Node as a point in an Aspect Pattern, such as the Cross. But, its alignment within this pattern is important, as you have indicated.
What I wrote for the VX in Scorpio with a comment on the Anti-Vertex is really your answer. The Sun in Taurus can settle into its comfort zone. Your relationships with others will force you to address complications in life, learn to handle complicated situations, to dig for deeper meanings.
The Anti-Vertex is all about YOU and not other people. Others will force you to address Scorpio issues.
You need to look at your entire chart so this is just a general analysis.
May 27, 01:07 PM
Gemini: You will be drawn to teach, to present your own ideas and to back up the information with facts. Gemini will draw you into a relationship or work activity that will demand that you learn to be flexible and to do more than one thing at a time. Flexibility is often connected with allowing others to change their minds, something that Gemini does quite easily.
You may be forced to debate and prove your views or to relay the messages of others correctly. You may be forced to prove your believability, choosing your words correctly and not relying upon generalities. Such an individual may not like the pressure of facts but this will ultimately build confidence in communication skills. You will learn that in theorizing you give your power away, being at the mercy of others who fight with the facts — I cannot say anymore about the VX in Gemini.
In the 8th House, you may find yourself drawn by others to communicate information in healing, transformational activities and empowerment issues.
While the Moon may be important since it is a conjunction, I do not use other aspects to the VX.
Aug 4, 08:10 AM
PALA: As I said in the article, the VX in Aries indicates that you will be drawn into handling the crises of others. In the 7th House, it denotes that this will come through the public or your one-to-one relationships…or even as consultant.
The Anti-VX, when triggered by transits, warns that you must be fair to yourself at that time.
I have not used natal aspects to the VX. Janet Booth is about to put her VX article from the Mountain Astrologer magazine on her website. Check this out.
Aug 30, 02:49 PM
Hi Lynn,
I have a question for you. I’m in a personal dilemma with this Vertex thing. Mine is in Virgo in house 7, and it says I need to bring order out of confusion, but my North Node is in Pisces. Wouldn’t living up to my Vertex be like falling back on past life issues, instead of embracing what I’m learning in this one?
Aug 31, 08:12 AM
JUSTIN – This is a good question. While I cannot go into this here, I have a very different interpretation of the Nodes. I am old and I have seen these cycles many times. Just because something was said by some astrologer eons ago does not mean that it is accurate.
The South Node of Virgo represents to me the Journey of the Prodical Child…you must venture there, embrace its lessons before you can return to the North Node.
It helps when there is a planet or VX near the North Node because it encourages you to venture to this Node to learn the lesson of ordering chaos…rather than just living in chaos without order.
Eventually, I will write a Node article but this will be at a less busy time.
Jan 26, 09:01 AM
Gina – Relationships coming in and out of your life is Mars R, not the Vertex or Anti-Vertex.
The Vertex is more connected with people coming into your life, forcing you to cultivate certain traits and attributes, as shown by the sign…and the House…but mostly the sign.
The Anti-Vertex, when hit by transit or progression, marks a time to focus upon ourselves and NOT OTHERS.
When there was a strong aspect to my Vertex, I began taking books, computers and shareware to astrologers in “Eastern Europe.” This is something that I did for many years and continue to do.
Many years later, when my Anti-Vertex was hit by progression, a health crisis forced me to stay home and take care of myself…something I had to do for 2 years.
I did “sneak” back into Bavaria without telling anyone so that I could just spend time enjoying myself. A healing soon occurred after that visit.
But, to stress again, the Anti-Vertex marks a time to DO for YOU and NOT for OTHERS!!!
Mar 21, 07:53 AM 0 Cardinal: Any contact with a “World Point” (natal or progressed to a world point) can attract the individual to international activities or people.
Apr 7, 09:28 AM
COLLEEN: With so much in the horoscope, I have never progress the Vertex for my readings. Yes, it is in the progressed chart and I may have commented on it but I cannot say much about this.
Conjunct the Moon-Venus would indicate qualities that you are to cultivate through interacting with others.
Being a nurse is very in tune with the natal Cancer Vertex but now maybe you need to add new qualities as shown by sign and planets.
Jul 27, 11:44 AM Vertex & Comparison Charts: I do not use the Vertex in chart comparison. I find it too karmic because the person always demands that you manifest the qualities of the sign — Capricorn wants you to be independent, self-reliant and not needy, to be organized and do stuff for them. This does not mean that you are supposed to do this. Boundaries are essential. In chart comparison issues, I really look at the chart of the person (such as this man) and tell the client what he is like and what the problems will be. The person has to decide if they can live with these qualities or not.
OTHER POSTS: Everything I know about the Vertex is here. I can give no further interpretations. And, I do not know anything about Lilith.
Pluto in Libra conjunct Vertex has lesson to learn in being COOPERATIVE and less in control.
Aug 29, 08:04 AM
ZOE: I use the Placidius system but, when a client says that Koch works best for them, I use that system…and it seems to work. So, use the House system that works best for you.
Sep 19, 02:10 AM
Thanks,
Very useful and very true.
I have my vertex at 0’ 21 Leo, 5th house
and, just to make it even tricker, Saturn
on the cusp of the 11th.
I write too, like your friend, and I draw a bit.
In the beginning, when I first started writing, I found that ‘dear old friends’ from early school days were more undermining than helpful; I no longer see them, but I have had my work published.
Funny, now that I think of it—everytime I have
tried to work creatively as part of a group, it either hasn’t worked out, or I haven’t been ‘that’ into the project.
And tell your friend that I spent a good deal of my life supporting the creative process of friends, and some have even gone on to do ‘great things’ but as their success increased our friendship faded.
Yes, it is true, I am a little jaded, but also philisophical—maybe because of a heavily tenanted 9th house?
These days I focus on my own work and feel much happier for it—I really do.
best
Dianne
Sep 19, 08:00 AM
DIANNE: This is a good understanding of the Leo Vertex. Transits to this Vertex will help manifest personal creativity and recognition. However, the danger comes with a transit over the Anti-Vertex.
When my progressed Mars crossed my Cancer Anti-Vertex, I was forced to stop my role as “Santa Claus” to friends. I had to take care of myself first because I developed the Esptein-Barr Virus (like Mono only it lasted 2 years).
Jan 1, 01:02 AM
ALISON – I hate to disappointment but everything I know about the Vertex is the this article. Frankly, I do not use it in my readings. The exception is when the client is experiencing no major outer planet transits during the year but there is a crossing of the Vertex. Then, I will use it in order to describe something about the year.
If you have learned the lessons of the Vertex, it will not be important in your chart. But, do observe the outer planet crossings over the Vertex to see what happens. This will give you a general clue as to what the Vertex wants you to learn, if there is anything more to learn.
I thought I was a very tolerant person yet I had great difficulty with a relative who has many prejudices. A friend asked if I thought I was tolerant of the beliefs of others and I certainly felt this was true. Then he said — even of the beliefs of your relative? This shocked me. I started to look at the good in this relative and I found much that is good…so I tolerate the limited thinking.
Jan 18, 09:43 AM
Hi, thank you for this article about the Vertex and for taking time answering reader’s questions… can you briefly tell me what does Neptun and Uranus cunjunct to Vertex mean ? (ust for information, it is in Capricorn in the 5th house)…
Jan 18, 10:53 AM
Lili: Since you were born at the time of the Uranus-Neptune conjunction, your Soul Group has a special destiny in going beyond boundaries. Learning to be organized and to materialize your visions is an important lesson.
Jan 20, 02:35 PM
The Vertex is always cultivated by the demand and needs of others. This can be very frustrating when you do not take time to take care of your own emotional needs.
When planets cross the Anti-Vertex, on the opposite side, you are encouraged to take care of your self and your needs….or you will get sick and be forced to do this. This is what happened to me.
I really do not know about Chiron conjunct the AV but Janet Booth in Connecticut writes about this.
Feb 13, 09:24 AM
JAMIE: I have a very different approach to the Nodes. I give a lecture entitled, THE JOURNEY OF THE PRODIGAL CHILD. The journey means that we must first explore our South Node, develop this, and then we can make the journey back home. This is based upon many years of personal experience (the perk to being old), not baswed upon something I read in a Schulman book.
The Vertex represents the qualities and traits cultivated by the demand of others — Leo leadership, taking charge, possibly in financial situations. From this, you will learn self-esttem and confidence to be a true leader.
At some point, you will return home to Aquarius and be a leader of many. Before going to Leo, you may have just been one of the herd, like a lemming going to see, with no individuality. The Vertex helps develop the South Node traits, allowing you to eventually go home to Aquarius.
This is a good thing.
Good question.
Apr 10, 08:02 AM
JAWA: “Vertex represents characteristics, attributes, qualities and skills to be cultivated in this lifetime through the demand and urging of other people. For those interested in esoteric astrology, my theory is that the Vertex indicates the Ray energy to be cultivated in this lifetime – a shift in the personality, astral or mental body.”
“When there are transits or progressed aspects to the Vertex, the qualities of the Vertex sign will be emphasized. Under favorable aspects, we are drawn by people (indicated by the House position) to express the aptitudes of the Vertex sign. Under afflictions, we seem to have problems with the Vertex sign energy.”
I do not use what planets are aspecting the Vertex. I only look to see a transit over it or its opposition sign for any consideration.
But, I rarely consider the Vertex in readings unless there are few outer planet transits for the upcoming year. If you never use it, you will be just fine…Lynn
May 19, 07:44 AM
AMETHYST: All of the Water Houses (4-8-12) indicate a connection to expanded dimenions and multi-dimensional realities.
It could be that others bring this out in you, not something you would experience on your own.
Jun 24, 05:01 PM
What about The vertex in the 9Th house…..mine is there and I can not find an explanation….it is in Virgo by the way….
Thank you in advance…..
Esperanza
Jun 27, 08:54 AM
ESPERANZA: I really only focus upon the Signs, as indicated by the article. It is rare to find the Vertex in the 9th House so I have no observation experience.
I would presume that others may demand that you act in some service (Virgo) connected with education, expanding consciousness or work in foreign countries.
Jul 27, 09:05 PM
Hi Lynn, can you be introduced to someone when Venus crosses the anti-vertex but there is a deep friendship connection -- however, the time is not right because that person is unavailable. Yet, by the time Venus hits the vertex point, the two of you meet again face to face to start your journey together? I want to add that, between the anti-vertex point and the vertex point, everytime you think of that person, joy fills your heart and you just know that you know that there is a reason why the two of you feel very close to each other when you don't even know each other. Roy
Jul 28, 09:51 AM
ROY: I hate to disappoint you but I have not made a lot of observations with transits involving both the vertex and anti-vertex so what you have stated here may be helpful to those who wish to research this area. It is a fertile area for research and the Vertexes are very definitely relationship related. Thank you for your insights.
(7-2011)Jul 28, 08:23 PM
Thank you for your honesty. I had looked back in my chart and noticed on March 11, the day Venus hit my Anti-Vertex, was the same day I started communicating with someone. We didnt stay in contact long but thier was a bond that occurred between us. Over the months something kept keeping my mind focused on her and wanting to be with her. The last couple of weeks I have been thinking strongly of her and didnt know why. Just this past weekend is when I learned about the Vertex point. When I looked at my chart I seen that on August 3 the Sun will hit my Vertex spot and on August 6 Venus will hit that same spot. I just thought that was a coincidence. So I have been trying to learn all I could online. Again thanks for your time. Roy
Aug 6, 04:10 AM
A little contribution to Vertex issue: my Vertex is exact on my daughter`s Asc and vice versa? That must mean something significant?
Aug 6, 06:38 AM
VERICA (8-2011): I do not really know much about this combination but it could be interpreted that you either are involved in activating each other’s Vertex, developing the qualities of the Vertex.
Nov 22, 08:42 AM
hi
my dad passed away when saturn was conjunct my vertex at 0 scorpio in 6th house.Soon will be there again. When in anti vertex i began to learn feng shui but my relation with teacher hasnt been too good
I`m more interested in vertex for relocation. I noticed that in London the new V is sextile mars-venus sun in capricorn but square Jupiter at MC. I Sydney the new in aries is square cappricorn planets but the new AS is in early Scorpio like natal V. I wish i knew how to interepret all this?
Dec 26, 12:30 PM
Hi Lynn,
I am not an astrologer but I do have a question for you. I am emailing you because you are one of the few astrologers online that seem to have info on vertex aspects. I just got a reading and my astrologer told me that my progressed moon will be inconjunct to my vertex in late January, indicating a renewed intensity with either my husband (with whom I am separated- very new thing) or that perhaps a new love will come into my life. From what I have read about quincunx/inconjunctions, they are more about tension/difficulty and so I interpret it as a more of a movement towards disharmony/tensions (divorce) with my hubby, not a renewed love or finding a new love. What might your take be on this?
By the way, I have my vertex in Scorpio in the 5th house.
thanks a bunch!
Jennifer
Dec 27, 07:28 PM
JENNIFER (12-2011): I do not use the Vertex this way. And, I never use the progressed Moon aspecting the Vertex. I would never use the Vertex for making major predictions.
For marriage indicators, I would use the outer planet transits.
Of course, this astrologer may have researched this aspect and knows that it works this way — but I do not.
The 150 degree aspect indicates events that occur over which we have no control. It is not something that we can actually do anything more than just react to circumstances.
I do use the inconjunct when there are no major outer planet transits occurring during a given year. Then, I must look to the minors, warning such an individual that, if it is NOT your problem, just leave it alone.
Janet Booth, an astrologer in the Connecticut area knows the most about the Vertex.
Jan 24, 06:18 AM
I have vertex exactly conjunct moon in cancer in the eighth house, singleton in the quadrant. Sometimes, in certain emotional relationships, my concern for another feels so strong, almost debilitating, like the veil is too thin between complacency and disaster. Yet with almost always the possibility for deep, meaningful fulfillment. The worry feels related to external events of the universe as opposed to internal dynamics of the relationship, which seem to fall under a different domain.
This is all have thought to connect with this aspect.