Q&A: What's the Difference Between the Whole Sign 10th House and the MC

In this Q&A Video, I explore the difference between the whole sign 10th house and the critical degree of the MC, or mid-heaven.

[@HigherSelfTarot]

Thank you SO MUCH for this video! You’ve officially converted me to the Whole Sign house system.

[@SacredandSalty]

That was helpful, thank you! Oddly enough your example is my north chart lol. Gemini rising, Pisces 10th house, and Aquarius mid heaven

[@sanarieboyet1132]

Thanks so much for explaining so clearly the difference with Whole sign and MC. Also your presentation showing the visuals made it all click for me thank you, thank you.

[@anthonyb.7836]

I love whole sign house system its the most accurate very clean simple. Great presentation really wish ppl would open their minds to this & not blindly get so stuck placidus just bcuz its a default option...so annoying

[@farmgirl8310]

Thanks for clearly explaining this. Im born at 52N mid June, my MC is in 8H in whole house. So many house systems, it can be overwhelming.

[@TheAlwayspondering]

Well explained. I happened to have Gemini rising & MC in Aquarius, and my rising trine my MC. I'm always feeling resonant with the whole sign house more. For example in synastry, both people have their Venus in my 12th house but one in Taurus the other in Gemini. I knew both of them first online and it fits the 12th house Venus theme: they were ghosts for me then. The Taurus Venus relationship died very soon (also fits the 12th house Venus rule: I have to let it go), but the Gemini Venus one survived. We met in person and got married. I actually have more connections with the Taurus Venus astrologically speaking, very karmic, more obsessed.

[@sapphirasapphira]

Hm so interesting. Thank you for this explanation!

[@fleurvickers3910]

Thank you! This was so helpful. 🙏🏻

[@dmikaels2199]

Thank your for explaining the difference Adam! I have asked many astrologers about this same subject, and I was still confused, because it changes so many placements in my chart! In my own limited knowledge of astrology, I must say that the whole sign system is much easier to decipher , but it does not seem as accurate of a description, at least in my chart!

[@Adam-Elenbaas]

Often enough it's because you need a Hellenistic astrologer to read it for you! :)

[@dmikaels2199]

@@Adam-Elenbaas, ...LOL! Yes, I would like that:-)

[@miasmatik]

I have some weird in between stuff going on in my chart. For one, my ac/dc axis is at 29 degrees (gemini and sagittarius respectively) and then my sun is in the ninth at 6 pisces but my MC is at 7 pisces. So does that make mine a 9th house midheaven? It would make sense conceptually but I'm tryna get the facts down.

[@belnerearg]

Nice. Thank you.

[@dorie991]

For me, in my chart, the focus is on the IC, which is often left out or considered not so important next to the MC; but it is important, especially in some people's charts such as mine. I have Pluto in the middle of a stellium conjunct the IC (in Placidus), with Sun in the 4th in a 9 degree orb conjunction to Pluto. So, for me, I do prefer Placidus as it brings to focus this important point which might otherwise be lost in the whole house system. The IC is important (with Pluto in my chart) as the instigator for 4th house activities, imo. I also find that the degrees of all houses when using Placidus seem to be accurate in my experience for events occurring with transits on those degrees. So, while I actually glance at both types of charts (Whole sign too), I do much prefer and generally use Placidus in in-depth studies. (I am 64 now, been practicing astrology since age 11). Pluto has been my closest inner companion my entire life, transforming me constantly from the inside out.

[@piroskamolnar1470]

I do not understand why Astrologers are so liberal about what house systems they use. When they try to help a client with an analysis, they have responsibilities. It does make a difference if my Sun falls into my 12th house or the 1st. The whole picture of the personality is different according to what house system is being used.

[@Adam-Elenbaas]

Because it's divination, not science and so different frameworks may say similar things by different approaches to the same collective planetary placements.

[@piroskamolnar1470]

So, my Sun sometimes is in the 12th house, sometimes in the 1st? I like this. 😃(I am a double Aquarian with Mercury on my Ascendent.) It is like quantum physics; that photon should be here, but it's over there. We can not really tell where that photon is, for It has a certain level of consciousness and communicates with other photons and together they decide about the overall picture, not being important who is who in the story. What matters is, is the collective picture. However, when I have to pay for a consultation, things can get very exact. 😊

[@sharig4823]

Does the MC and/or 10th always have to do with careers. Public status? What is the true interpretation of MC. I love that you used visuals to explain. That made better sense to me, since I'm a visual learner. Thank you for the videos.

[@moonpluto]

The problem with this idea of zodiacal high point being significant vs the MC is that endless research substantiates the MC as critical and meaningful. It shows up endlessly in synastry between charts where 2 people with an intersection of some sort have planets on the other's MC or so commonly angles - the ASC on the MC on the nodal axis on the IC/MC. The zodical high point does not show up. With all due respect to the ideas of and astrological insights offered by ancient astrology, some techniques are useful but as a research astrologer of 2 decades, I can say the houses are one of its greatest a weaknesses, not its strength.

[@astriluca]

that 3d view is so cool

[@colleenmcbride3656]

My midheaven is in the 11th house in Scorpio with Venus and Pluto conjunct. Capricorn Sun, Ascendant, North Node, Uranus and Neptune.

[@jasonbourne4784]

12:15 THIS IS WHAT I WANTED TO HEAR. AHHHHHH. WHY MAKE A 13 MINUTE VIDEO WHEN YOU SHOULD HAVE SPENT THAT TIME TALKING ABOUT THIS 1 MINUTE PORTION? OMGGGGGGG. JEEEESUSSSSSS.

[@65minimom]

You did my chart! gemini rising 3 degrees with Pisces sun 3 degrees but whole house does not fit me as well as mars aquarius 9th, within tight orb of midheaven & both merc in aq 28 & sun in pisces in 10th - thanks for explanation but not a believer.

[@Adam-Elenbaas]

Oh that's cool! :) The fact is that this was the earliest form of house division in astrology. It's still the predominant form of house division in India, and it's something I believe all astrologers should at least be educated about. That being said, I don't think there is anything wrong with using quadrant based forms, either!! To me, house divisions are a bit like the different kinds of spreads that a Tarot practitioner might use to address the same question. :)

[@nickischneider6771]

What if there are no planets in the 10th house :(

[@lifecanbefun_]

And I'm on opposite side of things. I saw everyone using Whole Signs. I was firstly introduced to Equal Houses, where the Ascendent marks cusp for 1st house, from which each house is counted. I have compared meaning of planets in houses in charts of my close family on both systems and Whole Sign were less accurate. Especially while looking at older members of my family, who can easily agree if the traits and meanings of those planets were visible or important in their life. WS wasn't, where Equal where way more accurate and closer to the truth.

[@tracysmith245]

got venus and saturn in mine in gemini

[@alexkeenan2493]

What did you mean when you said, "That's why the whole house shouldn't be thrown out?"

[@Adam-Elenbaas]

Hi Alex--the question was asked specifically because the reader wanted to know why one should use whole sign houses versus quadrant based houses when the MC clearly has so much significance for career and yet may end up in a different whole sign house from the 10th! So I was saying, this explanation is why we need both and why they don't necessarily need to coincide perfectly!

[@Ya_Love]

@@Adam-Elenbaas - I'm still trying to get my head wrapped around this. My MC also would move into the 9th house, and since I have planets conj. my MC would they be then interpreted with the 9th house theme? It also means that since this changes in a whole house system, I have no planets in the 10th house anymore, which wasn't the case when the MC determined the beginning of the 10th ... hmmmm ?

[@vaiuta]

Don't you think your reasoning only makes sense if you are born in the early degree of a sign? I am born with a 29 degree Cancer ascendant and using whole sign houses puts Aries 0 degrees at the very top of the sky but it would be more accurate to 29 degrees Aries at the top, which is almost an entire 30 degrees away. Also, did you actually go into the specific difference in meaning behind the two? thanks in advance.

[@sherrieweber7386]

My 10 house is cancer with mars and my midheaven is gemini. Does whole house shift the chart to the right? Because if so My MC would still be gemini and my 10th cancer. I feel so misunderstood yet when I speak aboit things of the heart people cry as if inspired. Is the mars in cancer what makes my family so diatant? Libra virgo rising! I just want to help people and be happy. Left the church 12 yrs ago and struggle with shunning and judgement to and from me. I enjoy your teachimgs...