Shifting Signs in the Progressed Angles - A Look at Big Life Changes
The angles are the most personalized points in a natal chart. The angles represent important pillars in a person’s world: self, relationships, private and public sectors of life. In any given astrology consultation, our clients are usually most curious about these areas of life. Looking at the progressed angles can then provide vital insight on pivotal developments in a person’s story. While aspects from the progressed angles to the natal planets are also very important, today I’d like to focus on what happens when the angles change sign by progression. Because the progressed midheaven follows the same rate as the progressed Sun (~1°/year), we will only ever see the progressed midheaven shift a few times in the human lifetime. As for the progressed ascendant, the rate varies based on long or short ascension signs; still, we won’t see the ascendant shift signs frequently within the lifespan either. We always use the natal location for progressions.
In gathering research for this article, I drew upon celebrity and client examples, as well as a poll I conducted on Astro Twitter – a marvelous resource for astrologers today! Let’s take a gander:
The Progressed Midheaven
Career is always one key area of life our clients always have big questions about. “When will I retire?” or “Do you see a career change on the horizon?” Often, I’ll notice a progressed midheaven parked at 29° of a sign paralleling a desire to “do something different” in their career. Or sometimes they are wondering if they have a good shot at a promotion. In this case, a progressed 29° midheaven is good news. The anaretic degree here often spurs anxiousness to invoke a directional change toward the actualization of one’s ambitions. Other times, I won’t hear these big questions so I’ll ask, “what’s going on careerwise?” facilitating a conversation about how this could emerge for them in the next few years. Indeed, some people rally to the call for change when a progressed point reaches 2°9, while others need to ease a few degrees into the new zodiacal territory before feeling the inner readiness to make the shift.
Shirley Temple (initially) retired from acting at age 12, deciding to pursue education full time. At this time of her young life, her progressed midheaven was switching from Virgo to social Libra. Temple would go on to pursue a career in politics. How Libran! However, it wasn’t until her midheaven progressed into the second degree of Scorpio that she become a UN ambassador to Ghana and later Czechoslovakia.
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen officially announced their retirement from acting in 2012 upon completing their NYU fashion design studies and launching their careers as designers. Born only 2 minutes apart, both of their MC’s had progressed from Taurus into the second degree of Gemini.
In the same spirit, we might also see significant career developments reflected by a 10th house planet changing signs. Witnessing the ruler of the 10th house and/or midheaven shift signs by progression would also indicate a profound shift. A great example of this progressed phenomenon can be found in the chart of Ronald Reagan who famously transitioned from Hollywood to politics. When Reagan wins the gubernatorial race of CA in 1967, the ruler of his MC (Venus) conjoins his 6H exalted Moon (the public) by progression, which seems very descriptive of winning the popular vote for an office of public service. When he becomes president in 1981, his progressed MC crosses into the very first degree of Capricorn. At the same time, his progressed Venus (MC ruler) reaches the 30th degree of Taurus, shifting into Gemini within months of presidency.
Reagan wins CA Gubernatorial race
Reagan inaugurated as President
The Progressed Imum Coeli
Naturally, when the progressed MC changes signs, the IC follows suit. The progressed IC changing signs can coincide with a significant move. In Reagan’s case, he moved into the White House just as his progressed IC shifted into Cancer. For many of us, making a big career change can coincide with a figurative uprooting. Although sometimes the uprooting is literal: We relocate to take a new opportunity, or the desire to move to the city of our dreams subsequently creates brand new career opportunities. One fellow astrologer shared that when their progressed M/IC changed signs, their cross-country move gave them the space to pursue their astrology career. Several folks also reported that new desires around how they wanted to grow roots emerged. When my progressed IC changed into a fixed sign, I grew serious about buying a home. It took a few years to actualize, but the shift transitioned me from a renter to an owner.
When the totality of the MC/IC shifts signs, the significant change can show up more predominantly on either side of the axis for an individual. However, other times the two are intimately connected to one another. Other times, a significant evolution on one side of the axis can lead to one on the other side within a few years’ time.
The Progressed Ascendant
Like the Sun, the ascendant is a representative of selfhood. The ascendant is how we meet the world, both in a physical sense, as well as our attitudes toward life. The progressed ascendant’s alignment with a natal planet can be highly influential in terms of a person’s self-expression. When John Lydon becomes Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols in 1975, his progressed ascendant conjoins his natal Mars. Safety pins and liberty spikes anyone? Mars is undoubtedly the punkest planet.
Mars by progression can also indicate a departure. When Michael Jordan’s progressed ascendant reached his natal Mars in 1998, he retired from basketball on a high. Interestingly, he returns to the court when his progressed MC enters Taurus in 2001. However, he does so with a completely different ambition: he plans to donate all of his earnings to charity. He ultimately retires in 2003.
While we are on the topic of Mars and ascendants, you might find it interesting that Margaret Thatcher becomes “The Iron Lady” when her progressed Mars reaches her ascendant. Indeed, Mars rules iron.
Georgia Rep. Stacey Abrams began her political career in 2006 when her progressed MC reached the second degree of Aries. In 2018, her progressed ascendant shifted into the very first degree of Leo; while she did not win the Georgia gubernatorial race, she famously contested the results due to systemic voting barriers. This was a launchpad moment for Stacey, who proceeded to make it her mission to register thousands of marginalized voters and grow a loyal following. Stacey was in the running for Governor again this year. While she did not secure the victory, I like the looks of her progressed Sun applying within 2° to a conjunction natal Jupiter. I suspect that her progressed Leo ascendant will continue to shine.
Actor Danny Trejo dramatically changed his life when he got out of prison in 1969. He became a substance abuse counselor and began working as an extra on film sets in the early 1980’s (progressed ascendant conjunct natal Saturn, 1983). Eventually, he began snagging small typecast roles as prisoners and boxers. As his progressed ascendant shifted from Gemini to Cancer in 1989, he began landing bigger roles and was finally able to support himself as an actor. Suddenly he was living a completely different life. He reported feeling “uncomfortable” around the highly reputed actors he worked with (progressed descendant shifting from Sagittarius into respectable Capricorn). One particular role he played as a prisoner in 1993’s Blood In, Blood Out, he had a distinctively Cancerian emotional experience while essentially reenacting his own experiences in San Quentin – ironically from the very same prison cell in which he’d been previously confined. What an existential full circle moment to experience as he neared his progressed full moon!
Many folks on Astro Twitter reported that their progressed ascendant changing signs coincided with reaching a significant threshold, which shifted their outlook on life and subsequentially, their personal expression. Progressed ascendants moving into Scorpio seem to manifest as becoming more private, while progressed ascendants moving into Sagittarius revealed a new desire to share wisdom and opinions previously protected. Several folks reported that their ascendant shifting signs by progression indeed influenced their career direction too. This is beautifully exemplified in our prior Stacey Abrams example. One commentator’s shift from Virgo to Libra coincided with a departure from journalism to a new career in entertainment.
As the ascendant and descendant are part of the same axis, many reported significant relationship developments. Some folks got married, while others experienced a pivotal break-up. Several reported that they came out as LGBTQ when their progressed ascendant and descendant shifted signs; this sort of change would absolutely show up on both sides of the axis! As the ascendant and descendant are so intimately related, often when we change who we are or how we identify, the kinds of relationships we desire and attract subsequentially shift. Likewise, an impactful relationship can also mirror back who we are in unexpected and life shaping ways. Ideally, we like to think we are growing in our partnerships!
The Progressed Descendant
Relationships are another major topic in the astrological consultation. Many people want to know if their relationship will survive a particularly rocky period, or if the fling will go anywhere. A progressed descendant at 29° is very telling. Although I would never explicitly say so (because this decision is your client’s to make on their own time), it almost always indicates a significant ending. I’ve observed the same when a planet in the natal 7th house stations retrograde or direct. One client of mine wanted to know if there was any hope for salvaging their marriage. Mars ruled their 7th house; progressed Mars sat at 29°58’ of Scorpio. While I already knew how over it was, a few months later, my client confirmed that the relationship was indeed over. Considering that progressed Mars may only change signs once in a person’s life, we might judge that this divorce would be a catalyst for major changes in the ways this person approaches relationships moving forward.
Another client of mine inquired about their “situation-ship.” They had been officially broken up for several years but continued to text and hang out regularly. At the time of our session, her progressed descendant sat at 29° Scorpio. Given that she desired more of a commitment from this person, I urged her to have “the talk” with this love interest. May the descendant’s progression into Sagittarius either set her free to experience the kind of commitment she desires – or may it represent a new chapter with her Sagittarian love interest. TBD!
Overall, the progressed angles (and their rulers) do not change signs frequently in a person’s life, but when they do, they show up in a profound, often life-altering way.
Chart References:
Stacey Abrams: 12/9/73; 4:44 pm, Madison WI; AA
Danny Trejo: 5/16/44; 5:18 am, Maywood CA; AA
Michael Jordon: 2/17/63; 1:40 pm, Brooklyn NY; AA
John Lydon: 1/31/56; 3 am, London, England; A
Mary Kate Olsen: 6/13/86; 9:45 am, Van Nuys CA; AA
Ashley Olsen: same^^, 9:43 am
Ronald Reagan: 2/5/11; 4:16 am, Tampico IL; AA
Shirley Temple Black: 4/23/28; 9pm, Santa Monica CA; AA
This article was originally published in NCGR’s Memberletter, Autumn 2022
Catherine Urban (NCGR-PAA IV, ISAR-CAP) With over 12 years of astrological immersion, Catherine’s practice is steeped classical, humanistic, mundane, and horary technique. Specializing in forecasting, Catherine empowers her clients to become alchemists of their own charts, while gaining confidence and clarity on their path. Catherine is a mama, mage and author of Your Astrological Cookbook: The Perfect Recipe for Every Sign. Read more of Catherine’s writings on all platforms @astrocatherine or www.CatherineUrban.com