The Vertex: a Turning Point of Fate
Photo credit by Vitó; creative commons license
Oh, the Vertex, what a game–he’s hiding all the cards.
The Vertex is in charge of finding treasure in the dark,
And watching over lucky clover–isn’t that bizarre?
Every little thing the Vertex does
Leaves you answered with a question mark. (“The Reflex”—Duran Duran)
Okay, so I like to dance through my house when I’m alone and sing old 80’s tunes that I’ve rewritten to apply to astrological terms. I can’t help it—I hear the term Vertex and immediately want to sing, partly because I was such a fan of Duran Duran in the early 80’s and partly because the meaning of the Vertex intrigues me. I’ve found it to be very…telling.
What Is the Vertex and How to Find It
I first discovered this tidbit of astrology when I was looking at how asteroids affect an astrological chart. My initial mistake was in thinking that
the Vertex was just another asteroid to investigate, like Juno, Pallas, Ceres, Chiron, Vesta. In fact, the Vertex isn’t an asteroid or celestial body at all. It’s a point on the astrological chart. To be specific, it’s the point where the ecliptic crosses the prime vertical, but if you want to know where yours is and have no clue what an ecliptic or prime vertical is (which is most people), hop over to http://www.astro.com and calculate yours free by creating your own natal chart. It’ll show up on the right side of your chart, somewhere in the fifth through eighth houses. My Vertex is in my Seventh House of Partnerships, so mine is especially relationship-oriented. A Vertex in a different house would have a different feel to it.
The Vertex is sometimes called a secondary descendant and usually influences fateful meetings, particularly significant breakups and first meetings. Its opposite point is called the Anti-Vertex, which some believe to be even more important. For example, it’s said that Sun conjunct Vertex in synastry (studying two charts, as in a relationship) means an instant, love-at-first-sight attraction. In any case, the Vertex/Anti-Vertex line form a new Descendant/Ascendant axis with special meanings in relationships.
The meaning of the term is literally “a turning point.” Think of it as a point that everything else revolves around, or simply as a sensitive spot that can be rubbed either sweetly or a little raw by contact with any planet or asteroid and take on the influence of that planet. It’s useful for telling how we’ll react to someone and even for foretelling when we’re likely to meet a special person.
How the Vertex Is Activated
The Vertex is activated in one of two ways: through other people (look to planets and points in synastry charts) or through timing (look to planets and points in transits, progressions, and even solar return charts).
In synastry, a planet or point’s conjunction with the Vertex shows a strong connection between two people. This is felt most in a tight orb (2 degrees or less). Outer planets, such as Pluto, Uranus, and Neptune are more generational and mean that a whole group of people near that person’s age will affect the Vertex, so the inner planets are much better to judge the effects in synastry.
I’ve seen the charts of couples who have the Vertex of one conjunct the Descendant of another, Vertex conjunct Sun, Vertex conjunct Juno (the Marriage asteroid), and/or Vertex conjunct North Node. These are all high compatibility signs and it’s obvious in their relationships. In my own significant relationships, I’ve never had a Vertex conjunction, though I have recently had several online discussions with a man who has his Vertex conjunct Vertex of mine. His Anti-Vertex conjuncts my Sun, too, a very good sign. However, we have not yet met face-to-face, so perhaps I’ll have an update eventually with first-hand experience of these conjunctions.
While synastry charts, including the Composite and Davidson charts, can show the effects of planets and points on the Vertex, charts showing the effects of transiting planets on the individual’s Vertex should not be ignored. The Sun, Moon, Venus, and Jupiter tend to have positive, expansive results when they are transit the Vertex. Saturn tends to be very harsh and restrictive, with that feeling of being pinned down. A personal example of this was when Saturn crossed my natal Vertex (a relationship broke up), then retrograded over my Vertex (his relationship cemented with someone else), and then crossed my Vertex a third time (an event in their relationship changed him into a bitter and angry person I no longer recognize). Saturn conjunct Vertex was very much like being run over by a semi, then a few months later having that semi back up over me and a few months later drive forward over me the third time just in case some part of me hadn’t been crushed. I’ll have a lot of activity there again in the late summer as most of my personal planets transit my Vertex, and it’s all good this time. (Yay! I deserve good after that Saturn-Vertex hell.)
For more of a long-term forecast, it’s interesting to look at the Vertex in a progressed chart. When the Moon crossed my Progressed Vertex, I underwent a phenomenal emotional change. Part of it was that I formed a solid emotional attachment to a new person in my life, but I also came to a turning point in another relationship and walked away without a backward glance. My Vertex was definitely colored an emotional, mothering shade as the Moon’s transit lit it up. This effect lasted for several months and was quite intense, and if the Vertex is supposed to be related to “destined encounters” and “fateful meetings,” then that one certainly qualified.
Another way I like to use the Vertex in readings is with Solar Return charts. A Solar Return chart predicts the major themes for the year, starting near the birthday when the Sun is again at the same degree as when the person was born. In years where I’ve had children or a significant new relationships, I’ve had Vertex in the Fifth House of my Solar Return chart. I have one friend whose Vertex is conjunct his Sun, and he’s joyously getting to be a full-time dad for the first time. Another friend is facing a life or death situation with his Solar Return Vertex conjunct his natal Vertex, both in the Eighth House. The year that transiting Saturn contacted my natal Vertex three painful times showed up as a conjunction in my Solar Return—and that feeling of restriction was with me almost the entire year. The last year—and final straw—of my marriage, my Solar Return Vertex was in my Solar Return Seventh House of Parterships and conjunct my natal Descendant. So it’s always a good indicator to me of where there’ll be significant turning points, based on the House as well as other planets and points, particularly ones in conjunction.
So go, find out where your Vertex is in your natal chart. Look at your upcoming transits and look at significant past transits and what you were doing in your life then. Get a feel for how those transits feel to you, how they affect you. Look at your Progressed charts and your Solar Return. Then check out the position of the Vertices in your synastry chart with that someone special. Once you understand how the Vertex works in your life, you’ll never look at your astrology chart again without considering the Vertex or, as I imagine Duran Duran might have said if they’d been singing about the Vertex instead of the Reflex, the Vertex is in charge of finding your treasure in the dark.
Hi! Really liked this article on vertex. Just began interest in vertex, what’s it about..etc. Check this out…my ‘husband’ and I are vertex Taurus, he’s at 22*42, I’m 21*28. Our Asc. are both at 23* Libra and both Aries moon. He’s a Sag, I’m a Cancer. Our daughter, Aries Sun, Cancer moon. Her vertex conjuncts my Venus at 1*14. My vertex conjuncts her Venus at 2*12. Her papa’s vertex conjuncts her Venus at 0*01 (!) Fateful relationships? Karma? Who knows, but it’s interesting. I’m curious about how often that happens for parents or through generations of a family. Ever heard of such?
Wonderful article on the vertex!
I have a similar experience with the Moon and Vertex concerning relationships…
the day I met my the man I am in a relationship currently, the moon was conjunct the vertex. The same as you, I experienced an emotional release that day, a letting go of an old love only a within moments to by fate meet my current boyfriend whom I adore. Definitely a fateful meeting. Your story reminded me of my own!
🙂
Hi there!
I’m fascinated by Vertex…and it stand out to me that in my current SR I have So.Vertex(8th) on the natal Moon(10th h) and so.Moon(3rd h) on natal vertex(5th h).
I’m very in love with someone for 18 months now….I wonder what it brings.
Next solar return, another werdie…I will have again double whammy Vertex on the Ascendant involving besides my 1st house, solar 7th and 3rd house and natal 5th house.
Do u have a clue what could mean?
Hi, just looking at my solar return for the following year. I have the solar return sun in the 7th house this year.
I have solar return vertex conjunct solar return venus both in scorpio but in early degrees. But pluto and the mars are in the 8th house of my solar return. With the moon and mercury. The solar return vertex and venus are in the 6th house. Ya. phew you could say. One good thing though I have the part of fortune of the chart in the 1st house and it conjuncts my natal true node.
The north node of the chart is also in cap. Where is saturn? It is in my 4th house of the chart.
Wonder what you think of this?
you wrote:
” My Vertex was definitely colored an emotional, mothering shade as the Moon’s transit lit it up. This effect lasted for several months and was quite intense, and if the Vertex is supposed to be related to “destined encounters†and “fateful meetings,†then that one certainly qualified.”
Now, the moon will transit your progressed vertex every month.
Will you go through all of that each month?
I’m not quite sure.
Came across this article looking online for Vertex info as Saturn is chasing my progressed Moon and both are exactly on natal Vertex right now, in the 6th house (Libra). All relationships are ending as I am being forced through Saturn’s narrow doorway, forced to move, lost my home and going to live with family 6 states away. No money, no job. Incredibly difficult times right now after being gainfully employed all my life and very responsible. No “fateful” meetings, but with Saturn involved, who would expect it?
So interesting! I have been involved with a man for almost 4 years (non-exclusively) and my antivertex conjuncts his sun exactly at 27 Gem. Also my natal and progressed vertices are in my 5th house. His antivertex conjuncts my venus and jupiter. Even though I was married for 20 years, this relationship has had a much more profound effect on my life than any other, on multiple levels, good and bad, and has a complete karmic feeling. …just cannot let go of it.
Thank you for a fascinating article! I went looking for the vertex when I realised the upcoming full moon (Nov 10th) falls opposite my vertex (sun conjunct, moon opposing), trying to work out what it could mean – I never heard of the anti-vertex before! Now I’m really curious to find out what – if anything – this full moon might bring.
Hallo,
I was looking for information on the “Vertex” axis and I found this interesting article.
My radix Vertex is at 26°Libra, Saturn is transiting around 27°Libra right now, the one I luv’s Sun/Pluto/Lilith are perfectly aligned at 21°Libra. I have had the typical “love at first sight” effect when we just met, a perfect harmony on intimacy! Never ever had before w/anyonelse!!! Unfortunately he’s already married w/another person, 13yrs older than him. We had an affair, we tore apart, he came back, he recently vanished once more…now I know that he sometimes checks my virtual contents, secretely but he hasn’t come back…yet.
What does this Saturn transit on my vertex/his birth planets reveal? Will he come back to stay? I sooo would appreciate a kind answer. Thanks for the kind attention. MK
So this article is by far the best help I’ve found online, adding another layer to synastry study- much thanks for that!
My natal north node is conjunct the (our?)composite vertex of the man I am now completely in love with, and the day we met in 2008, transiting Jupiter was conjunct that Vertex/North Node degree. Suffice it to say that my socks were knocked off entirely- I felt that compelling connection instantly and it was several months of not eating and not sleeping and trying to process what on earth was happening! My natal vertex also conjuncts his natal sun, his natal vertex is conjunct my descendant, and then there are numerous other connections between us that are too long to list here.
I say all of this because I really believe we need more data collection in the field of astrology- people to go out and document all of these experiences so interpretation can be less speculative and more based on repeated results. This is just one instance of how in 3 years, I have had no idea that these contacts beween the vertex/anti-vertex axis in both natal and composite charts and inner planets even had any significance! I think more needs to be explored and written on this topic for sure.
I cant find my vertex..my dob is march 6 1984…place of birth Hyderabad india and time of birth is 11:30 am..please help me find it…thanks
Hi,
What does really natal Vertex conjunct SR ascendant and SR Vertex on natal Ascendant. My vertex in in my 7th house, Virgo. My ascendant is Pisces.
When my most important relationship ended, Sun was 1 degree orb transiting my natal Vertex in Taurus and 7th house. Transiting Mars was squaring natal Vertex from 4th and Jupiter was squaring natal Vertex from 10th. My whole world collapsed, I spent 2 years to put my self back on track. I remodelled my way of seeing relationships and behaving with partners. Now I wonder what could happen next year in 2013. On the same day in April that this relationship ended, next year Mars, Sun and Venus will conjunct my natal Vertex in 7th house and transiting Saturn will oppose this triple conjunction from 1st house:) Maybe Heaven will pay me back my deep suffering I endured back in 2003 and send me a brand new special person:)
great article!
I have a very close relationship with my soon to be husband with some close vertex connections
Synastry – we have vertex conjunct NN (1 degree orb)
Composite – vertex conjunct DESC 7th house (1 degree orb)
Hi, I was looking up stuff on the vertex and stumbled upon this wonderful article. Great stuff. I have my vertex in the 5th house conjunct my natal moon. My vertex is at 17 cap and my moon is at 18 cap. These points are opposed my part of fortune in cancer at 20 degrees. I have my mercury in the fifth house but my fifth house is ruled by jupiter. My jupiter is trine these points because it at 16 taurus conjunct my mc. I have a very good singing voice and I do music. I have my venus at 14 d scorpio within 2 degrees separating from my ic and both these are pretty close in conjunction to my neptune in scorpio. I am leo rising too. I have a kite formation in my chart that links the top of the kite with Jupiter in Taurus, my three planets in virgo in the 2nd house and my moon in the fifth house with the bottom of the kite conjunct the ic and having that opposition from Taurus. Lots of earth in my chart. I have yet to find my soul mate but the good news is that my progressed vertex is within 3 degrees of my progressed 7th house. I read that when this is in a close progression depending on other charts and factors that marriage can come. Better late then never. I have always wanted a beach wedding. Sounds totally corny. I know. But that is what I would like.
My progressed venus and mercury are conjunct each other right now and have been for a while and are within 4 degrees of my natal moon and three degrees from my natal vertex. I read this also can bring real love and a real relationship. I am looking at this last years Solar return and there are some interesting things. I did connect with someone I have known for a long time but not much has happened yet.
I know that Saturn has a bad rep. I do not feel that way about it. I have Saturn in Aquarius at 29 d in my natal 7th house.
Currently, we have Saturn in Scorpio and it will eventually conjunct my natal ic and venus and neptune. We also have the transiting North Node in scorpio and I read that having the North Node conjunct your venus it is good. I also will have my progressed moon in Scorpio by December.
This years venus return will be very close to my birthday. Two days before. I have my birthday on the 6th. Yes, I am a chatty little Sag chick!
Hahaha
I am just kind of excited by all the stuff happening in all these different charts. I am still not great at interpretation but I had a look at the last time I had Saturn Transit and it was fine.
The current Solar Return has my ac at 22 degrees leo and that is just like my natal chart with a few differences.
Which are as follows: Saturn was in libra last year and in the 3rd house of this chart.
Juno was at 14 d scorpio and that is conjunct my natal venus.
The North Node and my sun where conjunct.
Pluto and the vertex of this chart are conjunct int he 5th house.
Venus is also there in the 5th house but in Cap.
That means that both Saturn and Venus are in mutual reception.
Neptune and Chiron are conjunct in the 7th house. Not sure what that might mean. But maybe there is a healing happening in the way I view relationships and maybe it shows my longing for a truly spiritual connection with the right person for me. Not sure.
The Sun ruling the chart is within five degrees of my 5th house cusp just like my natal.
The moon is in Taurus but not close enough to the mc a little out of bounds to be considered part of the tenth house. Again, it is connected to venus which is in the 5th house. The moon and sun of this chart are biquintile.
Venus was at 13 degrees Cap and that was conjunct the progressed venus as well. Hmmmmm
Interesting.
My Venus return coming up is interesting. It has the sun in the tenth house. The ac is at 12 d Aquarius. Uranus in the third house in Aries and Saturn in Scorpio in the 9th house. Hmmmm
The moon of this chart is at 12 d leo and conjunct the dc of the chart.
I know the important part of this kind of chart has to be Venus. Venus is in the 9th house as well with Saturn and Mercury.
Venus is within 7 degrees approaching conjunction to Mercury and in a seperating aspect to Saturn in scorpio.
The moon and the sun are trine each other tying in the 10th house and the 7th house somehow. Hmm Not sure what this means.
I did enter two songs into a music contest through Reverbnation for unsigned artists that has among its judges Tom Waits!!! I hope they like my songs. I am not interested in being a big commercial success or anything. I do not do music to be famous. I just want to have a healing effect on peoples lives, I love to sing and I love to make music and I just reinvented my life so I am doing this later in my life.
I am not going to be a Lady Gaga (not that I would ever want to be hahaha).
I hope you do not mind me blabbing on. I just loved your post.
I wanted to share some of this stuff.
My solar return is different and I am wondering if it will be hard on me.
The guy in question is a Virgo I believe. I am not totally sure. He is also the year of the snake. 1 year younger then I.
I have only one promised relationship in my natal chart and that is an applying square from sun in sag to pluto in virgo. I had a minor applying sextile from venus in scorpio to sun but I heard they are not strong enough to do anything.
My up coming solar return is at 4 d scorpio and Saturn in scorpio is within a couple of degrees of that. I have mercury and venus in scorpio in the first house of that chart with North Node conjunct Mercury both in scorpio within one degree. Hmmmm
The ruling planets of this solar return chart are both conjunct in the 3rd house. Hmm… The house of communication right?
Juno of this chart is at 25 d and in one degree separating from my natal juno which is in my natal 5th house. I think it is conjunct in the venus return on the 4th of December. The sun is in the second house. One of the most important things to consider beside the moon which is in virgo and are in a separating square. Not sure how to interpret this crazy chart.
Nothing in the 7th house. But it is ruled by venus and Taurus and venus is in the first house. The chart’s vertex is at 18 d with Jupiter in Gemini there but my natal north node is at 22 degrees but I do not think that is close enough for anything to happen. They are both though in the 8th house.
I am not sure what to think of all this but I hope some good stuff finally happens. I feel like I have been working hard and I know that and feel that I might still have a lot of work this coming year to do on the music and I know I do. Cause I am trying to complete a new cd.
Anyway if you have time to comment. I would greatly appreciate it.
This is a good reference, thank you for writing it!
This year my solar return indicates that my natal vertex is conjunct my solar return moon (Gemini, 8th house), and my solar return vertex is conjunct my natal moon (Taurus, 7th house)…exactly. Its so tidy its almost creepy! Don’t know how what to think about that, but my study of astrology is greatly focused on Vertex points, so I think at very least I will come out of that with an expanded knowledge to say the least.
I have Neptune making an exact conjunction to my vertex and it is also exactly squaring the nodes in my birth chart. The Neptune-vertex conjunction occurs in my 5th house. Similar to you, I noticed that within the last 10 years, since 2010 ,the only 2 years where I had the solar return vertex in my 5th house I started relationships. Although neither of those relationships ended in marriage, they had meaning to me. I did notice I had it in 2008 as well but the vertex that year was conjunct the 6th house cusp by just a degree so I read it as if it were in the 6th house.
Interestingly, my birthday is June 11th and for the solar return coming up 2020, I have the vertex falling in my 5th house, it is conjunct the south node by a few degrees. My secondary progressed vertex is making an exact conjunction to my natal descendant, it happened on June 3rd and will stay for about a year at 18 aquarius. The solar return vertex is just 5 degrees away from my natal vertex. So I’m really excited for who I may meet this year!
Just loved your article on the Vertex point in a chart.
Are there any books you would suggest to purchase to further our knowledge of this point in a chart?