The vertex

I'm writing this mainly because the resources I'd point you to seem to be dwindling in number and if you want to get good at astrology, which is some of you, you need to know that this point exists and what it seems to do, but I can't tell you how to calculate it or the theory behind it because I suck at that.

What it is: fated point. Simple as that. You'll note that I don't throw around the word "fate" haphazardly. I am not that type of "woo" person. Go check my archives if you don't believe me. There are two things that I will say "fate" or "life plan" is involved with in your chart, and those are the vertex and the lunar nodes. *Especially if* the Vertex is square the nodes or conjunct one of them, because that's the combination of the two fated forces.

What it also is: it's called an "auxiliary ascendant/descendant" or "electric ascendant/descendant." Because oh guess what? Opposite the vertex is what's called the anti-vertex, which... just means the point opposite the vertex. At the vertex, you let things into your life and at the anti-vertex, you let them out.

Where to look for it in your chart: somewhere between the 5th and 8th houses. It's usually represented as "Vx," and it's often a setting you have to enable somehow, like a box you need to check.

Really important note, because this is counter-intuitive: you want to see the south node conjunct the vertex, because that is an ending to fated shit, indicating an uptick in free will. The north node enlarges energies, so locks you in to some fated shit. It makes sense when you think about it: less fate = good, more fate = bad.

Its function: beats me. Let's turn to the literature that I can't find on the internet anymore but kept in my notes since there is so little material about this point:

• Transits to the vertex can bring inner and outer events corresponding to a pivotal point, significant encounter with another or a sudden change of perception. The transiting planet activates the symbolism of the vertex, coinciding with a major or minor event. Keeping orbs tight and sticking mainly to the conjunction will bring more consistent results.

• According to Bill Meridian (Mountain Astrologer, June/July 2001), astrologer, it was Charles A. Jayne that (along with Lorne Johndro) first proposed using the astrological Vertex, and "felt this point was fated and that it represented matters beyond our control."

• According to the dictionary, the Vertex is: "the summit, the highest point reached in the apparent motion of a celestial body or other points. Taken from the Latin - vertere, meaning 'to turn.'" (Meaning: the vertex is a turning point.)

When you should pay attention: when anything from Saturn on out conjuncts the vertex, you will probably meet a (tall, dark) stranger who resembles the qualities of the planet in question. (I can't help myself with the jokes.)

(Transits of fast-moving planets may do some fated shit every once in a while but it'll probably happen once or twice in a lifetime, while the slow-moving outer planets present a very high probability of something or someone occurring.)

You should possibly pay attention to what you might let out of your life when anything from Saturn on out conjuncts the anti-vertex, which is... a point of letting things go. But mainly pay attention to conjunctions to the regular vertex because these tend to be meeting points of people who can be somewhat hard to get rid of. I'm not joking. Even if they're physically gone for some reason they can take up more real estate in your head than you'd like for a very long time, and in my unfortunate experience, there are two ways to mitigate that, and both of which involve the passage of time: Saturn or south node transits to the vertex, since both energies shut things down. Beware Saturn transits to the vertex because you might meet an embodiment of Saturn (I am speaking from experience).

Another time to definitely pay attention: something conjunct the vertex in your solar return. Even if it's something nice, like the sun or Venus, that's a calling card of "you will be dealing with this energy this year and you can't get out of it." Something opposite the vertex in that solar return, therefore conjunct the anti-vertex? "You will be ACTING like this energy this year." But I want to see tight, tight orbs here, like 2°. Do not go apeshit with a 10° "conjunction."

What else to look for: people with planets or nodes conjunct the vertex point in your birth chart, because you'll be exploring those energies...together! And did I mention they're hard to get rid of? Here, have another quote I didn't write:

• You may even find that you simply can’t “let go” of that pesky vertex person (for years or even decades) until the “business" between the two of you is finished or somehow felt to be complete.

It says DECADES, guys. And this is about both people you meet during transits to your vertex and people with their planets conjunct your vertex. (😱)

We can talk about free will vs. fate all day long but I have personally seen enough to be convinced to take the vertex seriously.

Got vertex stories? HIT ME UP. Send a carrier pigeon or whatever--I want to hear about it. There's a dearth of information out there.

Video this week: Cringing with/for Katy Perry