The ascendant and the medium coeli (also know as the MC or midheaven) are two prominent points in the nativity. Both lack physical form, given that they are not celestial bodies, but rather important junctures within the chart. Both the rising sign and midheaven indicate ways in which an individual represents themselves in the world.

The ascendant is the sign that was rising on the eastern horizon at the exact moment of a person's birth. The medium coeli on the other hand, is linked to the zenith point in the sky at the time of birth and indicates the highest point any planet can be in the sky. It is associated with the individual's career, public life, ambitions, and aspirations. In Jungian theory, the ascendant can be likened to the ego while the midheaven corresponds to the persona.

Just as the ego in Jungian psychology represents an individual's conscious awareness and the core of their identity, the ascendant in astrology serves a similar role. It represents the basis of the individual's personality and how a person interacts with the outer world.

Jung's perspective emphasized the ego as the focal point within the realm of consciousness, housing our conscious perception of existence and the individual identity. In astrology, the rising sign assumes a similar role, serving as a significant factor in shaping one’s external identity and how they present themselves to others.

The ascendant is occasionally misrepresented in modern astrology as simply the first impression we make onto others, but it is more than just a superficial facade. We embody our rising sign in each moment given its role as the origin of our personality. It represents our innate characteristics, temperament, and how we approach life, influencing every aspect of our existence. The development of the self begins at this point within the natal chart.

Given that the rising sign is the determining factor for the order of the houses within a person’s natal chart, it signifies the way in which the individual’s identity and personality is developed. Each house represents a specific life domain, and the position of the ascendant sign in relation to these houses gives insights into how the individual's identity and personality are developed within those particular contexts. Everything within the natal chart is given context through the sign that was rising past the eastern horizon at the time of birth for this reason.

This mask we wear (that is erroneously attributed to the rising sign) to make ourselves seem presentable to the world is better represented by the midheaven in astrology. The midheaven indicates the highest point in the sky any planetary placement can reach and thus represents the apex of our own aspirations. To be recognized, an individual has to play into the energetic archetype of the sign in which their MC is located. This alignment helps them project their desired image and achieve their professional goals.

Jung recognized the importance of the persona, but he also warned about the potential dangers of over-identifying with it. He cautioned that an excessive attachment to the persona could lead to a disconnection from one’s true self and a sense of alienation. In a similar vein, in astrology, becoming too fixated on the midheaven and the public image it represents can lead to a loss of authenticity and a sense of emptiness if one’s personal goals aren’t aligned with their core values and desires.

Jung's analogy of the persona as a mask is used to describe it as a complex interplay between individual consciousness and society, designed to create specific impressions on others while simultaneously concealing our true nature. This concept aligns with astrology's idea that the midheaven serves as our public face; the initial impression we make on the world.

With the midheaven marking the height of a person’s potential, it also is the ceiling of their nativity. The MC cannot sustain the individual because it signifies the individual’s highest ambitions and the pinnacle of their public image. It's a point where one's professional goals and external recognition are crystallized. The persona lacks the substance required for individuation of the self, similar to how neither the MC nor the house in which it resent have the same energic association as the planets within astrology.

Jung explains:

“The persona is a complicated system of relations between individual consciousness and society, fittingly enough a kind of mask, designed on the one hand to make a definite impression upon others, and, not the other, to conceal the true nature of the individual.”

The degree of pretense prescribed to both the Persona and the midheaven is indicative of the midheaven being the gateway through which the entire individual is examined and understood by the public. It is not indicative of their true character or the totality of their lived experience; it is merely a facet by which the self can be perceived and comprehended.

When someone over identities with their persona, they begin to understand their own sense of self through their midheaven, they limit their self-concept to the realm of external validation and societal expectations. In such cases, the person may lose touch with their authentic self, which exists beyond the superficial facade of the persona and the professional ambitions symbolized by the midheaven.

The midheaven is a very real aspect to our sense of self, but it is also a tool. We are most easily understood by others through the sign that contains the MC. A Leo rising individual with their midheaven within their Taurus tenth house is likely to want to have a stable and reliable public image that benefits them by providing a sense of security. This person may rely on being perceived en masse by others in their career, but is also a very secretive person given that the opposing sign to the MC, scorpio, values privacy.

The self lies in all areas of the chart, but the two most public facing points in the chart are the ascendant and the midheaven. They allow us to communicate and relate to others.

Another aspect determined by the rising sign that influences the self, is the shadow —which can be understood through the inconjunct signs to the rising sign, occupying the sixth and eighth whole sign houses in an astrological chart. The shadow encompasses the unexpressed or unconscious aspects of our personality, often obscured by the dominant traits of the rising sign. The synthesis of these two in-conjunct signs shares many similarities to those of the sign on the ascendant, despite the absence of shared polarities, elemental associations, or modalities.

The shadow self, as conceptualized in Jungian psychology, represents repressed aspects of the ego that can be projected onto others, influencing how individuals relate to one another. Relatability can be difficult if the shadow self is not integrated. In astrology, one must understand the frustrations associated with the two signs inconjunct to the ascendant and recognize how those traits are a mirror to the shortcomings of the archetype of the rising sign.

Predating Jung’s work, the stoics understood the physics of reality through the concept of Pneuma. It represents a combination of two of the classical elements, air and fire, embodying the breath of life that endows individuals with the same intelligence and organization as the universe itself. The Stoics believed that this universal breath, Pneuma, permeates and animates everything in the cosmos, from human beings to objects within the natural world. In Astrology this is validated given that each sign is composed of every other sign: no natal chart exists without each of the twelve signs occupying one of the twelve houses, reflecting the totality of the universe that exists within each being.

One of the key functional roles of the ascendant in astrological analysis is its determining factor in the order of the houses within the nativity. Within the Whole Sign house system, which is the oldest house system and is used by many contemporary astrologers who study eithers Hellenistic or Vedic astrology allots the entirety of the first house to the sign of the ascendant.

In contrast, many modern applications default to using the Placidus house system when drawing charts, which is based in time and was developed in during the Renaissance. The main difference between these two methods of house calculation lies in how they assign the cusps (the beginning and ending points) of the houses.

The Placidus system divides the ecliptic (the path of the Sun through the sky) into twelve houses based on the exact degree and minute of a person's birth chart. Each house may vary in size, and it's determined by where the cusp of the house falls in the zodiac. The houses are not necessarily of equal size in this system. The main issue that arises when interpreting any house system that bisects the signs within the house, is that there is no single planetary ruler of that house that can be used to assess its condition, which is a core feature of ancient astrological means of delineation. I use whole sign houses mainly for this reason.

To understand the archetypal energies of any given sign, you have to interpret the signs that occupy the houses of that signs subsequence zodiacal sequence; meaning, to understand Leo, you must also understand the nature of its Gemini eleventh house. The eleventh house traditionally represents friendships, groups, social networks, chosen community, fans, and aspirations. Gemini is characterized by curiosity, communication, and versatility, the ways in which Leos develop and maintain interconnected and complex social relationships is filtered through its innate Gemini factuality that governs this area of life.

Understanding this, one must recognize that each sign is composed of every other sign, just as Pneuma is the universal breath that infuses every aspect of the cosmos, binding all elements and living beings into a harmonious whole. The entirety of our beings and the universe mirror each of these twelve energies, which can in turn depict various natural phenomena and experiences.

Within astrology, each sign is not an isolated entity but a part of a dynamic and interconnected system. While each sign has its distinct characteristics and energies, they are not separate or exclusive. Instead, they blend and interact with one another. The rising sign gives the individual a lens through which to understand the “…complicated system of relations between the individual consciousness and society…” that Jung described as the function of the Persona.

No matter if the first house contains any planets or other points in the chart, its condition will always be assessed by the planetary ruler of the sign of the ascendant, which it contains. This planetary placement within the nativity becomes the chart ruler and serves as a guiding force that influences the individual’s self-image, self-esteem, outlook on life, as well as the development of their identity.

The shadow self develops over time. It emerges through our interactions with society and our internalization of its norms and expectations. Throughout our development, particularly in childhood and adolescence, we learn to suppress or hide certain behaviors or aspects of ourselves that are deemed socially unacceptable or taboo.

All signs are corrective of the sign prior to them since the energy of the Zodiac flows in order, and this movement of energy also affects the houses. We come into the world embodying the sign on the eastern horizon at the time of our first breath and learn to inhabit our reality by engaging with the subsequent eleven houses.

The houses that exist completely underneath the horizon line indicate what we learned in our childhood; these are the houses two through five. The shadow self develops in response to our childhood experiences and what we were taught to suppress while growing up. The first house that rests above the horizon, the eighth house, indicates our response to change and how we project the shadow self onto others.

As our mind develops, we begin to take in the world around us and understand what is ours, this is represented by the second house in the natal chart. The movement of the Pneuma that drives the individual through the second house signifies the process of developing our self-worth and the relationship we have with our possessions and resources.

After cultivating and understanding of belongings, resources, and values, a child must learn to communicate their needs, which brings their cognitive awareness to third house matters. In the third house, the focus shifts to communication and learning. This is where a child starts to articulate and express their needs, wants, and thoughts. It is a crucial stage where one begins to explore the world through communication, forging connections with siblings, peers, and the immediate environment.

Through our ability to communicate with others, we develop our first memories. As we move into the fourth house, the focus shifts towards the home and the past. Children are able to different their experiences to those of their siblings and cousins. In the early years of childhood, our family and home environment play a pivotal role in shaping our memories and emotions. Additionally, the fourth house represents our sense of belonging within our family, reflecting our connection to our ancestral roots. It is within this house that we learn to distinguish our personal history from the collective family history.

As the child begins to differentiate its sense of self through that of its family’s lineage, they begin to develop hobbies and exert their will onto the world through their sense of creativity. The fifth house in astrology serves as the gateway to this phase of self-expression as it represents the pursuit of personal passion.

In learning about their individual personal passions, the child must then learn to manage their time. The understanding that time is a resource comes from the awareness that there is never enough time to do all the things we would like as well as the the tasks we must complete to sustain ourselves. This house teaches us that not all experiences can be pleasurable, as it introduces the notion of necessity and survival. A prevailing fear often emerges here: the belief that no one will take care of us but ourselves. Consequently, we are compelled to learn the art of prioritization to ensure our survival. What begins as a sense of creative self-expression in the sixth house can, when sublimated into the 8th house, turn into a relentless pursuit of time as if one's very life depended on it.

The subsequent seventh house —which exists on the horizon, diametrically opposing the first house— deals with the social contracts to which we agree and uphold. It’s in this house that we formulate relationships, and partnerships; these relationships define how our sense of self is upheld by others. Here, we learn the importance of compromise and negotiation, as we navigate the delicate balance between our individual desires and the needs of our partners and society at large. This house emphasizes the significance of harmonious interactions and the role of diplomacy in maintaining healthy relationships. We must learn to make time for others to see relationships as worthwhile.

The eighth house, often referred to as the house of death, signifies the profound understanding that all experiences, no matter how enduring or meaningful, will ultimately come to an end. This house confronts us with the inevitable reality of mortality and transformation. The origination point of any relationship becomes apart of the past as the two people in the relationship inevitably influence and change one another. This evolution and mutual impact on each other create a dynamic where the original agreement or understanding may undergo profound shifts and alterations.

The shadow self is not contained in any singular house because it represents the culmination of learned experiences that shape our understanding of the parts of ourselves embodying the cultural taboos learned in childhood. The projection of the shadow self onto others is an action that occurs when the social contract of a relationship is violated, causing the individual to assign meaning to the othered person by sublimating aspects of their own sense of personal responsibility, leading to potential instability in the relationship. This process inherently objectifies the other.

In Aion, Jung explains that the shadow can “…be inferred from the contents of the personal unconscious,” indicating that its existence is parallel to the collective unconscious, which is represented by the twelfth house. The origin of the shadow self begins when the person learns about their personal responsibility within the realms of the sixth house in their nativity. It takes work to monitor and suppress aspects of one's nature. The effort that it takes to contain these parts of the shadow self deep within the psyche is routine, a process that exists in the sixth house, while the act of projection is spontaneous and is represented by the eighth house.

The shadow self is a hidden aspect of our psyche that often remains concealed from our conscious awareness until it bursts forth, demanding recognition, which is known as “projection.” In the process of this sublimation, we witness a transition from the sixth to the eighth house, effectively bypassing the seventh house, which signifies a significant deviation from the social contracts we've agreed to uphold.

The personality of the shadow self is the synthesis of the two signs that are inconjunct to the ascendant hence, the two signs on either side of the rising sign's opposing sign. The merger of the attributes of these two signs creates a composite that mirrors that of the ascendant’s archetype.

The sublimation process from the sixth to the eighth house occurs when the circumstances that require us to sustain ourselves become so challenging that we begin to disregard the social contracts and commitments we once accepted willingly. . Jung explains that “The effect of projection is to isolate the subject from his environment…” which indicates that the individual is neglecting the function of their seventh house. In this moment, the shadow self asserts itself, reflecting a neglected part of our psyche that was previously hidden but is now seeking acknowledgment and protection of our best interests.

To further exemplify Leo, the two inconjunct to this sign are Capricorn and Pisces. The qualities both of Capricorn and Pisces, when combined, form a personality that reflects the shadow aspect of the Leo archetype. Capricorn's pragmatism, ambition, and discipline combined with Pisces' imaginative, intuitive, and compassionate, and self-victimizing nature results in a shadow personality that reflects the suppressed self-assureds and driven qualities of the Leo personality.

Carl Jung believed that actively implementing the shadow self was necessary for self-actualization. The persona is able to utilize the protective qualities of the shadow while also becoming consciously aware of its pitfalls. Becoming aware of the shadow self can trigger feelings of disgust or guilt, which are important for understanding the totality of our being.

Coalescing the shadow self and the persona allows the psyche to do less work. It is easier to move through life without agonizing about the perceived need to be perfect and to not project those expectations onto others.

Assimilating “…the thing a person has no wish to be…” allows one to self actualize. By understanding the completeness of the self, even the parts we bury so deep within us they have no other means of expressing themselves besides invading our thoughts of others, we are able to see ourselves in totality. It liberates individuals from the burdensome pursuit of perfection and the tendency to project unrealistic expectations onto others.

Within astrology, understanding the responsibilities of the rising sign, the midheaven and the sixth and eighth houses can provide insight into this process of self-actualization. The natal chart reflects our experiences that have shaped our mind. The idea of the self is constantly in flux as our lived experiences compounds on top of our pasts in each new moment.

The principle that propels the quest for recognition beyond our personal experiences and individual reliability is embodied in the midheaven. It serves as a symbolic representation of the quest for recognition beyond the confines of personal identity and can be utilized in the human pursuit of achieving things that benefit the world beyond us. What we want to achieve and how we want to act in order to get that changes as we accumulate more worldly knowledge. We adapt in our lives using the energies associated with our rising sign and its planetary lord. And we learn to accept our own shortcomings by beginning to appreciate our innate obligation to others and integrating our shadow self into our awareness.

By understanding the purpose of these different parts of our individual nativities we are able to understand how to use them to reflect our existence in a way that is helpful to us as we grow and change through our lived experiences.