posted April 19, 2014 05:38 AM            

It’s unfortunate that this Axis has been so neglected! And considering this, I’ve decided to write a comprehensive analysis of what this Axis is really all about, including my personal observations regarding transits and synastry.

Actually, a more correct term for the East Point is the Equatorial Ascendant (and the Equatorial Dsc for the West Point). This is because the East Point/West Point Axis is exactly where our Asc/Dsc Axis would be if where were born on the equator, up or down from our location of birth, the moment we were born. In other words, its where the Asc would be at the equator the during our birth…

Not much has been written about this axis, but here’s a definition I found in an online astrological glossary.

East Point- A place of idealism and perfection in your chart. It functions as another way of contacting people.

(Here’s a link to the above mentioned glossary) http://www.artcharts.com/learn_astrology/glossary.html

Here’s where to calculate the East Point/West Point Axis in your chart. You can find it at astro.com.

Choose > Extended Chart Selection > Pullen/Astrolog > Small format natal chart wheel, Pullen style > Add Lilith from additional objects list *somehow that shows up as EP* (it seems to be labeled incorrectly as Lilith, but I know it’s the EP, because I had my EP calculated on another software and it’s at exactly the same position). There you have it. When the image of your chart shows up, the EP is listed as the EP anyway. It’s only in the additional objects box that it’s listed as 'Lilith' for some reason. The West Point is always exactly opposite the East Point.

There's also a free astrology software called astrowin, that calculates the East Point (it also does a large variety of other astro-calculations). I downloaded it years ago, and have been using it ever since.

I think it’s interesting that the stereotypical idea of what is to be considered ‘paradise’ (in most cultures at least) revolves around the image of a tropical location… Year round warm weather, palm trees and beaches, crystal blue oceans, tropical fruit which grows anytime of year, day lengths which change little throughout the year. This is the kind of ideal that has stereotypically been associated with ‘paradise’ in the media. A region of the Earth where the climate is the most even and balanced year-round.

Which brings me back to the astrology of the East Point (Equatorial Asc). In my opinion, it makes total sense that the EP/WP Axis (East Point/West Point Axis) is symbolic of our own personal ideals on ’paradise’ and perfection, due to it’s role as the Asc/Dsc position at the equator the moment we were born.

The stereotypical notion of a tropical paradise may or may not fit with our own vision of what is an ideal situation in life. Our personal vision of this would be shown by the nature of our own natal EP/WP Axis. What signs and houses this Axis falls into. The EP (Equatorial Asc) is always near the Asc and so it falls into the 1st or 12th houses in most cases. The WP (Equatorial Dsc) is always exactly opposite the EP and falls into the 6th or 7th houses in most cases.

Okay, so I’ve been paying attention to transits to this Axis over the past couple of years and here’s what I’ve noticed. Often when the Moon (which is fast moving and pretty easy to distinguish energy-wise) transits over either end of this Axis I experience a feeling that could be described as joyful contentment… As if everything is alright with the world, and I’m comfortable with the mood of the day and wish it would continue. To me, transits to either end of this Axis are like a sigh of relief and a feeling of happiness with the way things are. I’ve noticed that this feeling of contentment/‘everything being alright’ can occur during this transit even when situations pop up that usually annoy me. Somehow I’m able to put on a smile, listen to some music, and just go with the flow.

This gives me the impression that EP/WP Axis isn’t concerned with actual perfection in an objective sense. Rather, it’s concerned with the subjective mood that everything going well with our life. Our notions on what feels appropriate and ‘ideal’ are confirmed under these transits. And we respond to our troubles in a more buoyant positive manner.

It seems the EP/WP Axis shows our preferences with regard to our own personal version of ‘paradise’. The symbolism of this Axis shows what types of people and situations that give us a feeling of joyfulness, contentment, and peace of mind. My EP/WP Axis falls at 7 Sagittarius/Gemini and situations where I’m feeling optimistic and intellectually stimulated seem like ‘paradise’ to me. And people who bring this energy into my life support this version of ‘paradise’ that I have in my mind. Conjunctions to either end of this Axis via transits and synastry tend to feel bolstering and confirming of our personal preferences and ideals.

However, I have noticed that transits that make not so nice aspects to this Axis give me the feeling that something is not quite right with the mood of the day, and that things are just not as I would prefer at that time. Right now, Neptune in Pisces is squaring my Sagittarius/Gemini EP/WP Axis. Neptune rules my IC, I’m just not that happy with my current living situation. I’m certainly not living my ‘ideal’ in that area of life at the moment. I’m living a small rent-a-room right now and the vibe here is kind of dark and gloomy. I prefer to live in bright, clean places that get lots of sunlight, where the vibe is happy. Neptune is also sextiling my Capricorn Sun, so it’s not all bad.

It seems that transits and synastry that square this Axis contradict our feelings of contentment, or our ideals on ‘paradise’, with regard to the area of life ruled by the squaring planet. I’ve also noticed that quincunxes to either end of this Axis can give an ‘ill-at-ease’ mood to the day. Nothing is terribly wrong, but things just seem kind of ‘blah’ or lame during that time.

I’ve also noticed that quite a few crushes and attractions of mine have had planets on either end of this Axis. Which brings me to the most juicy part of this discussion. After all, if this Axis rules our ideals concerning the types of situations and people that feel like ‘paradise’ to us, it makes sense that we’d be attracted to people with planets conjunct either end of this Axis. I’ve also noticed that trines and sextiles to this Axis have uplifting feel to them, and support our notions on perfection. I had a Leo boss, whose Sun trined/sextiled this Axis in my chart and I always admired the way she was able to express herself. It was like she was ‘perfect’ in this way (from my point of view anyway).

posted April 19, 2014 06:32 AM            

BTW my ASC is on 7 sagittarius exact.

Apparently my EP is on 4 Capricorn (conjunct Venus on 6 Cap and VESTA on 1 Cap).

posted April 19, 2014 07:07 AM            

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Originally posted by Ceridwen:
Very interesting.

BTW my ASC is on 7 sagittarius exact.

Apparently my EP is on 4 Capricorn (conjunct Venus on 6 Cap and VESTA on 1 Cap).

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Hi Ceri,

Yeah, I totally remember that we a vice versa regardiing the EP. My Sun is on your EP while your Asc is on mine.

I think natal planets conjunct the EP/WP Axis have a tremendous impact on where in life we find our source on inner contentment. So for you that would be from Venus related things, and possibly also from the themes related to the houses that Venus rules.

posted April 19, 2014 07:10 AM            

Okay, if anyone around here is still familiar with my threads, they’ll know I’ve written a lot about the Vertex Axis. Especially in terms of how it influences attraction.

Both the Vertex Axis and the EP/WP Axis are concerned with ideals but to two completely different ways. If we compare these two Axis it helps to clarify the unique meaning of each one, and the two different types of idealism that they refer to. This is especially relevant for synastry.

By comparison...

The Vertex Axis has to do with feelings of fatedness, synchronicity, and wish fulfillment… Vertex Axis synastry adds a 'meant to be' type vibe to the relationship, and a feeling that there is meaning and significance to a connection. In transit the Vertex Axis gives the feeling that something profound, and life-changing, is happening right now. The Vertex is an exciting, compelling Axis. Transits and synastry to this Axis pique our curiosity about the meaning behind bizarre coincidences in our lives.

The type of idealism that comes from activation to our Vertex Axis pertains to the notion that certain people and situations were meant to come into our lives so that we could learn, grow, or go through some type of important turning point. It’s often due to Vertex transits or synastry that we experience some personal dream/fantasy/ideal of ours coming into reality, and this makes us speculate about the workings of fate in our lives. The Vertex Axis has been referred to as the ‘electric’ axis, and does tend to have a ‘lightening bolt’, ‘out of the blue’ type quality when it comes to sudden twists of fate, or fascinations with certain people or topics.

The East Point/West Point Axis, on the other hand, relates to feelings of contentment and joy about a particular person or situation.. It’s that cozy, warm feeling of inner security you get when your satisfied with the way things are, and don’t want them to change. The EP/WP Axis relates our idealized notions of how things should be. We all have our personal biases about the way we prefer things to flow in our lives. The signs and planets on the EP/WP Axis show what kinds of people and situations that make us feel as if our preferences are being met- That we have a piece of ‘paradise’ in our lives that we’d like to hold onto.

The type of idealism that’s associated with the EP/WP Axis comes from that subjective, biased part of us that regards situations, topics, and relationships, as good or bad, regardless of their objective merit. People like what they like, often irrespective of logic. We all have our own little comfort zone that we like to operate in. The EP/WP Axis shows the nature of the energy dynamic that we prefer to operate within. This is the energy dynamic that we’d like to be able to settle comfortably into, and bask in the joy of being part of it.

On a deeper level the EP/WP Axis symbolizes our unconscious processes of judgment and self-evaluation. This Axis is concerned with our ideals on paradise and perfection. So, if something comes along that contradicts the symbolism of this Axis, it may be judged in a negative light regardless of whether it is good or bad from an rational point of view. If something interrupts the energy dynamic we prefer to surround ourselves with, we usually don’t like it even if it’s not logical to have an objection to whatever is taking place.

If someone changes the radio station from our favorite music style, to a station that plays well performed polka music, we’re likely to have a negative reaction to this! Regardless of the fact that the new radio station plays darn good polka! (if that’s possible) Everybody has their own personal preferences regarding what situations, and behaviors from others, are ‘ideal’.

Depending on synastry and transits to our EP/WP Axis, we evaluate relationships and situations positively or negatively in terms of how ’ideal’ they are. Squares to this Axis can feel like a rude, unpleasant awakening of some kind. As if something is raining on your parade.

In another example of how this Axis works…

If a person has the Leo/Aquarius on this Axis, they may enjoy self-expression/observation, and performance/feedback, type dynamics in their life, and see situations where this is openly engaged in through the social arena as ‘ideal’. However, if they also have Venus in Scorpio square this axis they may sometimes get frustrated with their own need to be private and guarded. They may come to see their Venus traits as a part of themselves which gets in the way of them living an ‘ideal’ life. This may be so even if for the most part they enjoy having Venus in Scorpio, and like Scorpionic relationships and topics.

They may enjoy intense relationships and have deep need for trust and loyalty, but also wish they could be more openly self-expressive and well as objective in their views. They may dream about being able to live that way. If someone came of along with a planet in Leo or Aquarius and squared their Venus, even though this person challenges them, they may see this person as ‘perfect’ in a way.

They Venus in Scorpio person would admire they way the Leo or Aquarius person is able to express themselves, or make objective observations. They may wish to incorporate the style of this person into their own lives. From a subjective point of view the Venus in Scorpio person my judge the Leo or Aquarius person as better then themselves in certain ways. The important thing to remember in such situations is that the perspective that Leo/Aquarius traits are ‘better’ then Scorpio ones is a purely biased one based on taste. It’s not intrinsically true. Rather it’s a construct that comes from the mind of the Venus in Scorpio person who has a square to their Leo/Aquarius EP/WP Axis.

I hope this example explained what I’m referring to when I mention that the EP/WP Axis has to do with the subjective part of our mind that makes judgments and evaluations based on taste rather then objective facts. If a certain part of our own chart squares or quincunxes this Axis we may unconsciously judge it in a negative light, and may wish that part of ourselves was a little different (more ideal). Even if objectively speaking there is really nothing wrong with that part of ourselves. Conversely, if we have something natally trine/sextile our EP/WP Axis, we’ll find that this part of our chart very much supports us in living what we consider to be an ‘ideal’ life, and love the comfortable, secure feeling we get when we express that part of our nature.

Here’s is a part of an essay I read on the net by astrologer Michael Munkasey called The Personal Sensitive Points (PSPs) of Astrology.

It deals with the East Point/Equatorial Ascendant as well as some other interesting points to explore in the natal chart... Ascendant(ASC), Descendant(DSC), MC, IC, Vertex, Antivertex, North Node, South Node, Polar Asc, Polar Dsc, Co-Ascendant, Co-Descendant, as well as what the zero degrees Aries point means in our chart.

Anyway, here's the quote about the EP...

“There is a part of our mind where we go to relax, take stock of what is happening, evaluate life and our attitudes, perhaps even form new attitudes. The prejudices we were taught, or the prejudices we were born with, reside in the EQA region of mind. It is here that we go when we are half-asleep or half-awake to formulate impressions of how we are performing or progressing in life. The EQA is where we go to evaluate self and life and how self is reacting to life. The EQA represents idea and image formation, or idea birth. The EQA is where we go to evaluate self. The EQA is where we go to evaluate how we "think" others do or do not accept us. Many of the reactions that go on at the EQA level are only half-conscious. Self-evaluation is an important concept for the EQA.”

Here's the Link.
http://astrolog.offline.ee/astrolog/texts/psp.txt

In conclusion…

If the Vertex Axis is the 'axis of fate', then the Ep/Wp Axis is the axis of 'biased Views on perfection'. 'Biased' is not always a bad word. Most people have certain things that they favor over other things in various areas of life. It's natural to have favorites and pet peeves, as well as our own personal views on what 'perfection' is. The Ep/Wp Axis gives us a direct astrological line to these preferences.

Above, I described the Vertex Axis as having a Uranian quality. The Vertex is about the people and times in our lives where we experience meaningful turning points. It has a very electric, poignant, exciting feel to it. The Vertex stirs up change, infatuations, and the feeling that our life is unfolding towards some important destination.

posted April 19, 2014 07:24 AM            

"My Sun is on your EP while your Asc is on mine."
That sounds pretty positive. But I always enjoy conversing with you, so that is not a suprise probably.

" So for you that would be from Venus related things, and possibly also from the themes related to the houses that Venus rules."
Yes, Venus seems to be a very significant planet for me, even though it is the only one in Capricorn, and theoretically should be a problem or maybe lead a dormant life, considering my big STellium in Sag taking the Cake. But the opposite is the case. it is very determining for me, a focal point (not that it would be easy all the time. lol).
My Isis-osiris is near there as well (7 and 8 Cap), which I find interesting, how it comes under the cover of Venus.

Anyway, I remembered that Jude Law has his Sun conjunct my Venus, and I suspect that is one of the "hooks" for me. Well not just that but both natal Pluto`s are squaring this conjunction, and Pluto is on each other`s (and own) MC, thus angular and being thrust into prominence I think. (the other two "hooks" would probably centre around our Sag-ASC-Mars-Venus-Neptune interrelations, and probably also my Saturn opposing his Jupiter-NN-conjunction).

Anyway so I was curious where his EP would fall. And it is on 6 Capricorn, EXACTLY conjunct my natal Venus! LOL
(of course that means his EP is configured with his own Sun).

In a way this might even strengthen the hook, of that Sun-Venus-conjunction.
I am not entirely sure, but having something conjunct EP would it be thrust into prominence like the two cardinal axis would be? Or is it different?

Looking up Mr Sag`s EP - well his chart is not strongly tied to my Venus nor EP, which has me always surprised, as usually I NEED a strong hook via my Venus to feel attraction at all- his EP is on 27 Pisces, right on his ASC and Antivetex, opposing his Saturn (well I think his EP is on his ASC, because his cardinal axis are almost exactly square each other, as they would be if he was born on the equator, and hence the EP falling together with his ASC).

Nothing too exciting about my chart, except of course my Sun-Mercury-conjunction (on his MC) squaring it with an 1-2 degree orb.

Well we were talking about my chart, and Venus rules 5th, 6th and 10th (MC) house there, so definitely a significant planet.

Interestingly in Mr Sag`s chart his EP is opposite Saturn (would the opposite point be the WP? And if so what does it mean if a planet falls there?)

Looking at the natal planets configured with our resepctive EP, I find it very interesting.

for me it is Venus, for him Saturn.

Venus rules my 5th house and falls into my 1st
Saturn rules his 11th house and falls into his 7th.

Another of these polar opposite-dynamics taking place between our natal charts.
It would have been nice if they were somehow aspecting each other, but well, you can`t have everything I suppose.

(interestingly they ARE aspected in Draconic chart though, his Draco Saturn conjuncts my Draco Venus exactly)

"

posted April 19, 2014 07:51 AM            

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Originally posted by Ceridwen:
Very interesting.

BTW my ASC is on 7 sagittarius exact.

Apparently my EP is on 4 Capricorn (conjunct Venus on 6 Cap and VESTA on 1 Cap).

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posted April 19, 2014 08:03 AM            

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Originally posted by LeeLoo2014:
Wow, Ceri...Vesta again!

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posted April 19, 2014 08:26 AM            

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Originally posted by I'm so cappy:
If you hit these points, he's yours

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posted April 19, 2014 08:27 AM            

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Originally posted by Ceridwen:
Exactly my thoughts, followed by: "I wonder if Leeloo will read this." You apparently did.

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posted April 19, 2014 08:27 AM            

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Originally posted by Lotis White:
[b]Squares to this Axis can feel like a rude, unpleasant awakening of some kind. As if something is raining on your parade.

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posted April 19, 2014 08:29 AM            

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Originally posted by LeeLoo2014:

Vesta is ruled by Virgo, BTW.

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Well, associated maybe, but not ruled by. Besides I am not so sure about that anyway. I wouldn´t attribute rulerships to or over asteroids.

posted April 19, 2014 08:30 AM            

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Originally posted by Ceridwen:
Btw I think the EP might be always square the MC-IC-axis, or in other words, if your IC degree was your ASC at the equator, then the EP would be your MC.

It is easier though to think of the square to the MC-IC_axis.

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You are right. Very perceptive as always, Ceri...

posted April 19, 2014 08:30 AM            

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Originally posted by LeeLoo2014:
I hit them with my Sun and Mars, I wonder what to use to "hit" him, my Sun? my Mars? hehehe

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posted April 19, 2014 08:32 AM            

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Originally posted by Ceridwen:
Well, associated maybe, but not ruled by. Besides I am not so sure about that anyway. I wouldn´t attribute rulerships to or over asteroids.

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posted April 19, 2014 08:33 AM            

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Originally posted by Ceridwen:
How about both?
First you dazzle him with your shining light, and then you set him on fire.

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posted April 19, 2014 08:37 AM            

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Originally posted by LeeLoo2014:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Ceridwen:
[b] Well, associated maybe, but not ruled by. Besides I am not so sure about that anyway. I wouldn´t attribute rulerships to or over asteroids.

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You think the signs couldn't be let's say "co-ruled" by an asteroid?[/B][/QUOTE]

posted April 19, 2014 08:44 AM            

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I do associate Ceres very much with Taurus-energy

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Me too Do you think Libra Ceres in the 2nd house is a very good position for it?