North Point

Definition

North Point is a traditional but inconsistently used term for the northern angle of an astrological chart. It commonly refers to the Imum Coeli, or IC: the point opposite the Midheaven and usually associated with the fourth-house cusp in quadrant house systems. Some sources may instead use the phrase for the astronomical north point on the local horizon, so the author’s intended definition should always be checked.

Astrological Meaning

When North Point means the IC, it describes the chart’s lowest or most private angle. Astrologers connect it with home, family background, ancestry, foundations, inner security, and life away from public view. Its zodiac sign, ruling planet, nearby planets, and aspects can suggest how a person experiences belonging and develops emotional roots. These factors describe tendencies rather than fixed circumstances, and the IC should be interpreted alongside the Midheaven, its opposite angle.

Why It Matters

Recognizing North Point as a historical synonym helps readers understand older astrological texts without confusing it with the North Node. It also draws attention to the chart’s home–public axis: the IC concerns private foundations, while the Midheaven concerns visibility, vocation, and social direction. Because terminology and house methods vary, precise chart interpretation depends on confirming which point is meant.

Related Encyclopedia Entries

• Imum Coeli
• Midheaven
• Fourth House
• Natal Chart
• Traditional Astrology
• North Node