The Astrocartography Edit-How the IC describes the way you connect with a location
In astrology, a birth chart contains four main angles representing the core areas of life, and they are:
The Ascendant: The self, identity, physical body, and inclinations.
The Descendant: Relationships with other people, especially committed, 1-1 partnerships.
The IC: Foundations, home, family, domestic life, but also how we relate to a location and the associations we have with it.
The MC: Career, business, opportunities, public image, social standing.
The sign ruling over each of these angles is really important because knowing this reveals our approach to those areas of life and what our experiences could look like. Additionally, identifying which planets are conjunct those angles also adds to the story.
For example, say someone has Libra ruling over their midheaven. This person could be attracted to careers dealing with Libra/Venusian themes, such as fashion, design, law, social justice, and advocacy, but can also be somewhat indecisive when it comes to their career path, being that this sign tends to struggle with indecisiveness. This person could also be perceived quite well and be well-liked in the workplace, or have a good reputation, being that Venus rules harmony and attraction.
But let’s say this same person has Mars conjunct their Libra-ruled midheaven. This could change things a lot. The person could be very motivated, driven, but also competitive and potentially perceived as aggressive and high-strung in the workplace. This energy could go directly against Libra’s themes of cooperation and collaboration.
In this issue of The Astrocartography Edit, I want to exclusively focus on the IC signs and how we can connect them to locational astrology.
Beauty is all around us! What would your most ideal environment look and feel like?
Aries/Mars:
In a birth chart: You probably seek out locations that enable you to maintain an active lifestyle. You can be restless and eager to take spontaneous trips. In terms of your environment, you prefer warmer, drier places. You could have grown up in an intense home with a lot of tension and conflict.
In a relocated chart: This location could feel intense, restless, even hostile. A more positive manifestation of this could be feeling more motivated and having higher energy levels.
Taurus/Venus:
In a birth chart: You are easily affected by your environment, making it important for you to live in a space that feels safe and comfortable. You can be stuck in your comfort zone when it comes to relocating because you think of all the potential possibilities of what could happen. In general, you don’t like to relocate too often. You like places with beautiful scenery and landscapes with access to nature/green spaces.
In a relocated chart: This is typically regarded as one of the more favorable IC rulers in astrocartography. This location feels safe, stable, and emotionally comforting. Having this in a relocated chart is often an indicator of staying in that location for quite a long time, even forever.
Gemini/Mercury:
In a birth chart: Similar to Aries, this IC/4th House placement can be quite restless. It craves a lot of stimulation and variety. An ideal environment could look like a city with a lot of bustling energy that’s close to the beach and the mountains. You also value an environment that’s intellectually stimulating with access to libraries, bookstores, museums, etc.
In a relocated chart: Often indicates restlessness, not feeling settled. The place feels exciting in a way, but probably isn’t the best for the long term.
Cancer/Moon:
In a birth chart: You could be drawn to the country of your ancestors. Similar to Taurus IC/4th House, you prefer settling somewhere long-term as opposed to nomading. Ideally, you’d prefer to be near a large body of water, especially a coastal area.
In a relocated chart: This is considered one of the strongest IC/4th House placements in a relocated chart! The place often feels like literal home, and people here often befriend others who feel like family. The location is very much associated either with one’s literal family or chosen family.
Leo/Sun:
In a birth chart: You could find yourself craving a location that promotes creativity in some way. You like having access to theatres, music venues, museums, art galleries-anywhere that enables creative expression. You probably prefer warmer, sunnier places with a beach-like climate. Having a beautiful home that reflects your tastes is also a must!
In a relocated chart: Points to a location that feels excited, jam-packed with fun and entertainment. This is often an excellent place for creatives. However, it can feel overwhelming for those who prefer a calmer vibe.
Virgo/Mercury:
In a birth chart: You would ideally like to reside somewhere that allows you to create a specific routine. For this reason, having access to certain amenities like gyms, parks, art studios, and healthy supermarkets could be a priority for you. In terms of your environment, you might prefer earthier places with a lot of green, trees, and mountains. You thrive more in locations that are relaxing and peaceful as opposed to ones that are hectic and chaotic.
In a relocated chart: This is a place that could somehow influence you to bring more order and structure into your daily life. However, life can feel a bit too mundane and lackluster if this is not the type of lifestyle you’re craving. It can be an excellent place to study, write, and research.
Libra/Venus:
In a birth chart: You are likely to crave a cozy, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing environment. A balanced location is probably best for you, meaning that you shouldn’t opt to live somewhere too urban or too rural. It’s also important for you to live in the vicinity of beautiful architecture, art museums/galleries, and gardens.
In a relocated chart: This location feels peaceful, aesthetically pleasing, and emotionally balanced. It could be supportive for romance and financial abundance as well.
Scorpio/Mars&Pluto:
In a birth chart: If you have Scorpio IC or Scorpio ruling the 4th House, you probably value having your space and privacy because you are quite introspective. You prefer to live in obscure, less-known locations. Natural environments that feel intense and eye-catching, such as evergreen forests, dramatic coastlines, mountains, and volcanic landscapes are appealing to you. The environment that you grew up in could have felt emotionally volatile and intense.
In a relocated chart: It could also indicate emotional intensity, feeling more private and somewhat “hidden” from others, and an increased need to control and protect yourself.
Sagittarius/Jupiter:
In a birth chart: If you have this in your birth chart, it is very likely that you live abroad, have lived abroad, or will live abroad at some point! This is because Sagittarius is the archetype of the traveler, the explorer, and the wanderer. Having this in a relocated chart could indicate difficulty staying put and being a victim of the “travel bug.” It’s important that you live somewhere that feels exciting and stimulating, with access to an international airport. Finally, you value a place where you can foster a sense of freedom and independence.
In a relocated chart: This location can promote a sense of adventure and freedom, but there isn’t a strong attachment to it. Restless energy, a desire to travel frequently. This place can also support one’s studies and learning.
Capricorn/Saturn:
In a birth chart: Practicality is very important when it comes to deciding where to live. You need to live in an environment that allows you to focus on work/business with access to professional networking opportunities. This placement also indicates being drawn to vast, mountainous areas with a cooler climate.
In a relocated chart: This place can be excellent for discipline, motivation, and professional development. However, there is often a coldness/stiffness to it.
Aquarius/Saturn&Uranus:
In a birth chart: People with this 4th House/IC placement often crave freedom, and the ability to move freely. Additionally, you may choose to be involved in alternative lifestyles and communities. There could be a sense of detachment from where you live with this placement.
In a relocated chart: Having this in a relocated chart points to feeling free and liberated in a location. This often feels like a place where you can truly live life on your terms. More alternative lifestyles and people can be common here.
Pisces/Jupiter&Neptune:
In a birth chart: You wish to have a deep, spiritual connection to the place where you live. Having a sense of peace, calmness, and serenity is vital with this placement. You tend to prefer dreamy environments with large bodies of water and wetter climates.
In a relocated chart: This place could feel dreamy, idealized, like a sanctuary. Good for spiritual retreats, but may not be the most grounding for some people.
👀 These IC descriptions are excerpts from my Fillable Astrocartography Workbook & Journal, which you can currently download for free on my website.
An important Announcement! 💡
Community is the foundation of everything, but it’s not at the center of our conversations enough. In a world of hyper-individualism and endless distractions, it can feel tough to identify and understand what we truly need as human beings.
Community matters because it creates spaces where we support and show up for each other, while enabling us to recognize our own unique gifts and talents that we can share with the world.
The cosmos have been guiding us for several thousand years, allowing us to understand ourselves on a deeper level, grow and evolve spiritually, and find the path that most aligns with our destiny. Astrology provides a very special type of inner guidance, one that brings us in greater harmony with the energies of the universe.
Astrology is pattern recognition and this becomes so much more meaningful and applicable when we witness the impact that the stars have across multiple lives, as this helps us to navigate and maximize the potential of these cosmic energies as a collective.
That being said, lately, I’ve been thinking about how we could engage with astrology in a more collective way, in a space where these patterns can be witnessed, shared, reflected, and lived. A dear friend and I have this vision in the works, and I’ll be sharing more soon-Stay tuned!
If you enjoyed this article and found it interesting, consider leaving a comment 💬. I’m also happy to answer any questions. If you’d like to work together, send me an email at isabelgwriter@gmail.com or check out my website. If you’d like to book an Astrocartography session with me or a free consultation call to learn more about the work I do, you can do so here.
💛💛-Isabel