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The Vertex in Astrology
Encounters With The Inevitable

It sometimes happens that seemingly out of nothing something or someone enters into your life and turns it upside down for good or for bad.

Call it a life changing encounter.

In astrology such karmic or "fated encounters" are said to be indicated by a seldom used imaginary point, the Vertex (Vx).

Most astrological software programs calculate this sensitive and imaginary point, but it's used rarely by astrologers.

We recommend that you use this point in all your astrological work as it may give additional and valuable insight.

What is the Vertex?

In astrology all important planes are created by "great circles" (that pass through the center of a sphere). Where these circles intersect there are some important points.

So it is that the intersection of the Ecliptic (the apparent path of the Sun across the sky) and the Horizon in the east is the Ascendant.

The brilliant and innovative astrologer Charles Jayne wondered why the intersection of the Ecliptic in the west and the Prime Vertical was not used. He called the intersection of the Ecliptic and the Prime Vertical in the west the Vertex. The opposing point is called the "Anti-Vertex" or, more commonly, the East Point (Ep).

The Vertex is a sensitive point that can always be found on the right side (western half) of the horoscope between the 5th and 8th houses.

Delineating the Vertex

Because these houses are centered around the Descendant (the sensitive point indicating "encounters and meetings") the Vertex is associated with external or outside influences and encounters that come into our own lives. This way, the Vertex (Vx) acts like an auxiliary Descendant.

After extensive research, Charles Jayne associated the Vertex with "karmic destiny", while other astrologers associate it with:

• "fated encounters"
• "your calling or the Ray energy to be cultivated in this lifetime"
• "a place where we easily give ourselves over to something beyond the scope of our own life and over which we have no control"
• "what you draw into your life"
• "one's work productivity"
• "cosmic awareness"
• "a doorway that gives access to other realities"
• "ESP, psychic phenomena, visions etc."

The Vertex can work in different ways.

• Your natal Vertex can be activated by conjunctions or oppositions of transiting (or progressed!) planets and other sensitive points.
  
  
• It can also be activated when the horoscope of another person, place or organization activates your natal or progressed Vertex.
  
  In horoscope comparison, synastry, you can find very close conjunctions of the Vertex of one person to a point or planet of the other one when there is some significant interaction between both going on.

The Vertex in the progressed horoscope seems to be more important and should not be neglected. We already mentioned this on our when to find love page!

Also, progressed planets or points conjunct your natal Vertex are significant.

So, always check your natal AND progressed Vertex points and always take notice of EXACT conjunctions and oppositions from planets/points (that happen in the same degree in a sign).

For example, if your Vertex is posited at 5°21' Cancer, only take the planets into account that are between 5°00' - 5°59' Cancer or Capricorn.

Depending on where it falls in your own chart, the Vertex brings "attractions and encounters", not necessarily romantic or physical contacts though. It may go from

• friendships and people entering your life (especially with your Vertex in the 5th or 7th house).
  
  
• patronage (especially with the Vertex in your 6th house).
  
  
• to material gain and spiritual messages from the Universe or psychic connections (especially when the Vertex is in your 8th house).

The Vertex is just about more than love, so, take this into account and don't be disappointed when love does not knock on your door when transiting Venus conjuncts your progressed or natal Vertex.

Perhaps you may receive a gift or visit a nice place with some impact as well.

Anyway, expect something important from the external world to enter into your life, for good or for bad.

Also be aware that the most intense and powerful events or encounters only seem to happen when there is a planet conjunct the Vertex in your natal chart and another transiting or progressed planet or point conjuncts this natal combo.

Sometimes the outside influence or encounter can be quite upsetting because what the Universe plans with us may not always coincide with our own plans.

The Universe is stronger though, so that you will have to succumb to these higher powers and encounters which enter your life through the Vertex point.

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