Composite Midpoint Charts: Overview

Midpoints

Two points on a circle will generate two midpoints, the nearer midpoint and the farther midpoint.

How to Calculate a Composite Midpoint Chart Computer Calculations

Astro Gold and Solar fire will calculate a composite midpoint chart for you. However, as an Aspiring Astrologer you ned to know how to do it manually. Here is the sequence to manually calculate a composite midpoint chart for two people..

House Cusps in a Composite Chart

The composite Ascendant and the house cusps are calculated differently. Initially we find the Midheaven midpoint and then back calculate the house cusps in the Table of Houses for the location that the relationship is taking place. Unless you are doing manual calculations, the computer will take care of this.

Calculating the Composite Planets

Take both persons Sun’s longitude position and find the midpoint between the two Suns. Place that new composite Sun in the correct position in the composite chart.

Composite Midpoints Special Considerations Chart Calculation Defaults

It is important to measure apples to apples and not apples to oranges. Before you create a midpoint, composite chart make sure both natal charts are cast the same way and they are set for:

• The same zodiac(tropical or sidereal
• The same house system (usually Placidus)
• The same node calculation (true or mean)

When the Natal Planets are Opposite

When natal planets are more than 150° apart between the two charts, you may want to consider both composite planetary positions, that is the nearer and the farther midpoint.

Planets in Signs in Composite Charts

Do not give much value to the sign positions of the planets in the composite charts. It is more useful to consider the planetary house positions, aspects and aspect patterns when interpreting these charts.

Composite Retrograde Planets

One person’s natal chart could have a direct Jupiter. and another person’s natal chart could have a retrograde Jupiter. We usually ignore retrograde motion when using composite charts.

Group Composite Charts

Although composite charts are usually done for a couple, you can cast a composite chart for three or more people. In group charts you see the dynamic of the group or unit.

Example 1

You may cast a composite chart for you and your partner who live in your home. When Granny decides to move in, you can cast the new composite chart with three natal charts to see how things will improve or deteriorate as a third person is added to the home.

Example 2

You may consider creating a four-way partnership at work, or perhaps for a music band. You can cast the composite chart for all four potential members to see how the partnership will change as more people are added.

In group composite charts look to the major aspect patterns that drive the chart for quick information.

Composite Chart Inner Planet Paradox

One paradox in composite planetary position calculations is that the composite Mercury or Venus can sometimes end up on the other side of the chart to the Sun.

This paradox can cause for example, the incorrect aspects of:

• Sun opposition Mercury.
• Sun opposition Venus.
• Mercury opposition Venus.

The suggested solution to this paradox is to take the composite Sun’s position (the nearer midpoint) and, if the inner planets are on the wrong side of the chart, move the inner planets directly opposite the calculated composite Mercury and Venus position (the farther midpoint), and thus near the Sun’s position.

The Sun always is the magnet for Venus and Mercury.

The Angles in the Composite Chart

Remember the composite Midheaven and composite IC are both midpoints generated from the two individual charts. Whereas the composite Ascendant/Descendant axis is back calculated from the Midheaven position in the Table of Houses. This indicates that the composite Ascendant is not as important as in natal astrology and one should focus on the condition of the MC/IC angles.

Composite Ascendant

• Indicates the “face” of the pair shown to the world.
• Suggests the image they would like to project as a couple.

Composite Descendant

• Shows the true nature of the relationship.
  
• Indicates what brought them together in the first place.

Composite Midheaven

• Shows how the world views this couple’s relationship.
• A strong Midheaven indicates they are a public couple and well thought of and respected by others.

• This shows how the couple are in the privacy of their own home.
• Suggests the foundations of the relationship.

Composite Houses

• Suggests how the couple are regarded together.
• Makes this an important relationship.
• Can show a united front even a façade.

Composite Second House

• Shows their shared values.
• Indicates their attitude towards joint finances.
• Suggests what they appreciate.

Composite Third House

• Shows how the couple communicate – can be important.
• Indicates what language (vulgar or not) is acceptable between the two.
• Suggests communication breakdowns as well.

Composite Fourth House

• Indicates if they have similar backgrounds or if this is an issue.
• Shows the basic feeling of being at home with each other.

Composite Fifth House

• Suggests an honest relationship.
• Indicates they like each other’s company.
• Shows they are both good at role playing.

Composite Sixth House

• One person easily becomes subservient to the other (master/slave).
• This relationship is related to the concept of work.
• Good for business partnerships.

Composite Seventh House

• Supports marriage and partnerships in general.
• Two become one in this house.
• Both are looking for the same thing (can be competitive in work relationships).
• Often found in a mentor/protégé arrangement.

Composite Eighth House

• This is a transformational relationship and will affect both parties.
• Regeneration may be so crushing for some who will leave the partnership.
• May suggest the debt level taken on by the partnership.

Composite Ninth House

• Suggests that both will see life as a journey they are taking together.
• Indicates an international partnership (differing foreign nationals).
• Suggests that both have similar education levels.

Composite Saturn

In a composite chart Saturn shows:

• The longevity of the relationship.
• The mastery they get when together.
• The fears they experience within the partnership.

Composite Uranus

In a composite chart Uranus shows:

• The uniqueness of the union.
• The excitement in the relationship.
• Genius stimulated by being together (synergy).

Composite Neptune

In a composite chart Neptune shows:

• The illusion or the ‘front’ of the partnership and where they are kidding themselves.
• The sensitive spots in the relationship.
• Empathy for others who are not a part of the pair.

Composite Pluto

In a composite chart Pluto shows:

• The intimate energy that powers the partnership.
• Where and what they will ‘kill’ or who they will ‘bury’ for the relationship.
• The deep magnetic attraction that brought them together and that powers the couple.

Composite Charts Interpretation Sequence

Remember the composite chart shows the relationship and not the individuals that formed it. You always need to have interpreted the two natal charts first to glean what each individual wants in a relationship and who they hope to attract.

In composite charts consider:

• Any house emphasis
• The luminaries houses
• The luminaries aspects
• Any planets conjunct the angles
• Venus and Mars’ house positions and aspects
• Any 7th house planets
• Saturn by house and aspects
• The other planet’s houses
• The other planet’s aspects
• The aspect patterns

Forecasting with a Composite Chart

The usual forecasting techniques of transits, secondary progressions and solar arc directions can be applied to a composite chart. It is not recommended to produce a solar return chart for a composite chart as the Sun’s position in the zodiac is already an extrapolated position. However, you may certainly attempt some research in this regard.

The Composite Vertex

The vertex in composite charts shows the sphere of experience that will be most significant for the couple, and the destiny of the relationship and to where the relationship is eventually going. We always need to consider that any relationship may have another purpose than that which we would normally expect. For example, two people who are married may not love each other anymore but both find solace or friendship within the actual relationship.

What to look for in the composite vertex:

• A well placed vertex in the composite chart indicates this relationship is having a great effect on the couple and them as individuals.
• Conjunctions and oppositions need careful consideration.
• Use a 2° orb.
• Do not consider the vertex house position heavily. Remember in a natal chart the vertex is typically only found in the 5th, 6th 7th and 8th houses.

Aspiring Astrologer Activity

Using the composite midpoint chart between yourself and your partner:

• Determine if the inner planet paradox in present in this composite chart. If so, what will you do?
• List the house positions of the composite planets (not signs).
• Determine the Ptolemaic aspects in the compositechart.
• Find any composite major aspect patterns (stellium, grand trine, grand cross, T-Square, Thor’s hammer, yod, cross of David, mini grand trine or mystic rectangle) and write a short interpretation for the pattern. (100 words)
• Find the most emphasized composite house and briefly comment on the tenants and house meaning in regard to the relationship. (100 words)
• Note if the emphasized composite house echoes the same houses in the two natal charts or if this a new emphasized house only showing in the relationship and comment. (50 words)
• In a few sentences describe the composite chart ruler complex exploring the house (not the sign), essential dignity and if it is most elevated, oriental or the almuten and consider all the aspects. (100 words)
• Note your feelings about this composite chart and how it describes the relationship between you and your partner. (50 words)

Extend Yourself

As an Aspiring Astrologer, to really get to grips with the principles of midpoint composite charts, you can extend yourself.

• Cast a couple’s two natal charts and only by looking (no arithmetic calculations) decide which sign (and maybe degree) their composite planets will be. Check yourself against the computer calculations.
• Cast the composite chart for your parents by hand. Do the manual calculations (arithmetic on paper) to see what you can create, then check your manual hand drawn chart against the computer results.
• Cast a chart for three people that you know by hand. You could use your family member’s natal charts. See what happens to the composite chart as one person is added (when granny moves in) or taken away (when a young adult finally leaves home).