As ardent followers of the practice know, there’s so much more to astrology than understanding your sun and rising signs. Ready to go deeper into understanding astrology? It’s time to get into the nitty-gritty of your chart. Your midheaven sign, also known as the Medium Coeli, or MC, is different than other aspects of your chart because it is not a planet. It is the highest point at the top of your chart and represents the southernmost high point above the horizon at your time of birth. (See, this is part of why having your exact birth time — or getting your crush’s if they’re willing to give it — is essential.) The midheaven is also the cusp of the 10th House of Social Status of the natal chart and can tell you a lot about your public life.
Your midheaven sign is sometimes conflated with your rising sign, as they’re both outward expressions of your persona, but they are actually quite different. While your ascendant, or rising sign, shows the mask you wear for the world, or how others first perceive you, your midheaven relates more directly to your career, public life, and reputation. It points towards the outward expression of your individuality. If you have the day, time, and place of your birth, you can easily learn your midheaven on the app TimePassages or the site Cafe Astrology.
Knowing what your midheaven sign is can help you understand more about both your professional and social life, so once you’ve checked your birth chart, keep on scrolling to find yours in the list below. However, please remember that astrology is supposed to be fun. You’re a complex person with a complex natal chart, and the midheaven is only one aspect, so take this information with a grain of stardust.
Aries Midheaven
As Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, and a passionate fire sign at that, Aries midheavens are excellent self-starters and quite confident. They likely like to do things their own way and make wonderful entrepreneurs. People with an Aries midheaven may be happier working for themselves or owning their own business than having a boss. While they excel at starting projects, they can be stubborn and sometimes lack follow-through. They also tend to act impulsively, which helps them take business risks but can also get them into trouble. If your midheaven is in Aries, it’s important to get in touch with your instincts (meditation is helpful) to help separate which impulses are healthy and which are not.
Taurus Midheaven
As Taurus is ruled by Venus, the planet of love, beauty, and abundance, Taurus midheavens enjoy the finer things in life and often achieve them. People with their midheaven in this grounded sign are drawn to creativity and elegance. However, they can be lazy at times and struggle with motivation. Despite these lulls, they are ultimately extremely hardworking and never give up on a goal. As a result, they often achieve success (even if it takes them a little longer than they would like). If your midheaven is in Taurus, you will feel less anxious about your professional life with the more stability that you have.
Gemini Midheaven
If your midheaven is in Gemini, you likely tend to be extremely charismatic (and perhaps a bit of a flirt). People with their midheaven in this sign are quite charming, and unafraid to use that charm to get ahead. Gemini midheavens are quick-witted and tend to excel in their careers, especially if they are in the communication field. In fact, professional monogamy can be difficult for them. They may find themselves leaving one career to start another more than once, or juggling a few side jobs, or working best as a freelancer. Because Gemini is a social sign and terrific gossip, people with Gemini midheavens make fabulous influencers.
Cancer Midheaven
If your midheaven is in Cancer, you might make an exceptionally compassionate and understanding boss. Because Cancer is ruled by the moon, these people tend to be very in tune with their emotions. This is an important skill because it’s common for people to compartmentalize their feelings from their work-life and, as a result, burn out or experience a lull in creativity. Those with their midheaven in this sign will likely excel in artistic careers or professions that help others. Cancer midheavens can experience professional ups and downs like the tide of the moon. Remember not to take professional criticism personally, but to learn from it and grow.
Leo Midheaven
Leo is ruled by the sun and represented by a beautiful lion who wants to bathe in the spotlight. As a result, if your midheaven is in Leo, you can expect to have a professional life filled with public-facing attention and praise. People with their midheaven in this sign tend to be incredibly ambitious; on the flip side, they can lose sight of the long-term goal as smaller opportunities for fame or recognition arise. A Leo midheaven can also be prone to speaking up publicly, so they need to make sure they think before they speak, lest they find themselves in some unwanted drama. Be thoughtful and use the mic for good.
Virgo Midheaven
Beyoncé is a Virgo, and an artist known for her utmost attention to detail. If your midheaven is in this sign, you may find yourself striving to achieve this level of perfection professionally. This accuracy and high level of performance can bring great success in life. However, those with a Virgo midheaven should also watch out for obsessive thinking and be careful of being overly-critical of their coworkers. Since Virgo is the healer of the zodiac, they may find satisfaction through a profession that helps others.
Libra Midheaven
Because Libra is represented by the scales and is the sign of justice, Libra midheavens seem to be the best at avoiding public scandal and criticism. And, if they do brush against drama, they are excellent at maintaining fairness and balance, and thus, their reputation. However, in their desire to keep the peace, they should be mindful of people-pleasing. Libra midheavens have opportunities for immense success, in particular in fields of communication, diplomacy, or the law. However, if you have a Libra midheaven, don’t be too scared to show some teeth when it’s required, or else risk being left behind.
Scorpio Midheaven
Scorpio midheavens have no interest in a dull-yet-steady career unless they are only working there as an undercover journalist. Scorpio midheavens are always investigating, and make excellent reporters, detectives, and therapists. They do not shy away from the dark underbelly of life; rather, they prefer to expose, interrogate, and heal it. As a result, they can tend to take on tough topics and achieve notoriety for their bravery. However, if this is you, be mindful of your obsessive tendencies and ability to manipulate people with your cleverness. If you don’t channel those traits into healthy outlets, you may risk burning bridges and becoming paranoid.
Sagittarius Midheaven
Sagittarius midheavens are wild at heart with a lust for life. If your midheaven is in Sagittarius, you may feel constrained by the typical 9 to 5 grind. Those with this midheaven find inspiration in travel and foreign cultures, and always want to learn new things. Their inner archer (the symbol of Sagittarius) will feel eager to shoot off money-making arrows if they can find a profession that allows them to travel. They have a gregarious, confident, and charismatic nature that will help them network and make social connections. However, they can occasionally be a little harsh, and sometimes, this makes them difficult to work with. If this is you, you must find a way to balance your ego in order to collaborate more harmoniously with others.
Capricorn Midheaven
Capricorn midheavens do not have to worry about motivation. After all, this is the sign of success and money, so if your midheaven is in Capricorn, you are likely very career-oriented and rarely let anyone (or anything) get in your way. Your success will not happen by accident or overnight, but over time by honest hard work. However, Capricorn midheavens can also sometimes end up isolating friends, family, and lovers by prioritizing professional tasks over the personal. They can also come off as a little bit icy to employees or co-workers with their practicality, but despite the tough exterior, they do crave security and love in their personal lives, so it’s wise to remember to nurture these relationships.
Aquarius Midheaven
People with their midheaven in Aquarius tend to be individual thinkers and can become quickly frustrated with corporate structures. As Aquarius is the innovator of the zodiac, they especially shine in fields such as tech or activism. However, they should work on not acting totally aloof or blowing off coworkers if something else interesting comes along. They’d do well to remember that collaboration is important, even if they feel they sometimes work best alone. Even the most brilliant of us sometimes needs another perspective.
Pisces Midheaven
While other placements separate work from life, if your midheaven is in Pisces, you may have a hard time separating your professional and personal life. However, you can use this to your advantage. Many Pisces midheavens find great success by working with partners or friends, or in creative fields which allow them to utilize your deeply creative, psychic, and emotional nature. These qualities make them the person everyone looks to for new ideas, as their innovative mind is constantly creating. However, they can also be prone to daydreams and distractions, so they may need to utilize focus and motivation tools to keep their head in the game.
Remember, regardless of your midheaven sign, everyone deserves fair wages and an opportunity to do what they love. Utilize your midheaven sign to your advantage, but never let astrology get in the way of your dreams — the stars would just hate that!
Read more stories about astrology:
These are the signs you’re most compatible with romantically: