While most celestial placements in your astrological birth chart illuminate aspects of your inherent personality, there’s one particular component that sheds cosmic light on how you appear to others: the astrological vertex. Unlike many other astro concepts, the vertex isn’t based on a planet or star, but instead an intersection point of two imaginary circles in the cosmos: the ecliptic, which traces the path of the sun from our perspective, and the prime vertical, which divides the celestial sphere into front and back.

This particular intersection plants the astrological vertex deep in the right side of your chart (typically, in the fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth house), where you’ll find it identified by a symbol that looks like “Vx.” Based on what each hemisphere of a birth chart represents, that placement reflects a certain flavor of interaction and connection with other people.

While the left side of your birth chart reflects your core self and the astrological houses that cover individual matters (like the first house of identity and the second house of personal finances), the right side of your chart is where you’ll find the houses that relate to public-facing arenas of life and how you interact with others (like the sixth house of lifestyle and the seventh house of partnerships). As such, your ascendant (aka your rising sign), falls on the left side and reflects the face you show to the world, says astrologer Rachel Lang.

So, it follows that directly opposite that point is its counterpoint, the descendant—and at its essence, the astrological vertex can be interpreted like a secondary or auxiliary descendant, says astrologer Maria Sofia Marmanides. “If the ascendant is you, the descendant is just the opposite,” says Marmanides. “It’s the other person, or the kind of people whom you attract, and their relationships to you, as well as their resources.” Because the vertex acts as a secondary descendant within that right-side hemisphere of the chart, it follows that events triggered by it are related to forces outside of ourselves, she adds.

“The vertex is considered one of those points in our charts signaling events that happen to us through no effort or will of our own.” —Maria Sofia Marmanides, astrologer

“The vertex is considered one of those points in our charts signaling events that happen to us through no effort or will of our own,” says Marmanides. And that’s why fascination with the vertex centers around its connection to destiny, or life occurrences we can’t control. Unlike your regular descendant, which relates to the types of activities, places, and other people you’re drawn to, the vertex (aka an auxiliary descendant) relates to those particular outside elements that we may attract to ourselves without even being aware of it.

How to find your astrological vertex

As mentioned above, your astrological vertex is a point located on the right side, or as Ivana Naskova, a psychic at Nebula, explains, is known as the “fate half” of your natal chart. Because your vertex is contingent on the location of your astrological houses, you’ll need to know your precise birth time, date of birth, and where you were born, then plug in the information into a birth chart generator like this one. Look for the Vx symbol, which will be located, per Naskova, between the 5th and 8th houses. You’ll also have a zodiac sign that rules this house in your chart, which will discern your astrological vertex.

Astrological vertex by sign

Vertex in Aries

Independent and action-forward, “The vertex [in Aries] signifies individualism, taking the lead, and competitiveness,” explains Naskova.

Vertex in Taurus

Since Taurus is associated with material comforts, Naskova says having a vertex in the Earth sign, “represents the luxurious side of life and relationships that cultivate a lavish lifestyle.

Vertex in Gemini

Gemini is chatty and social, and Naskova explains that this vertex “symbolizes the need for deep connections and like-minded relationships.”

Vertex in Cancer

Nurturing and empathetic, a vertex in Cancer, “is associated with laying roots and close, nurturing personal relationships,” says Naskova.

Vertex in Leo

Dealing with all things related to pleasure and creativity, if your vertex is in Leo, “indicates playfulness, unlocking creative potential, and striving for validation in relationships,” Naskova explains.

Vertex in Virgo

Virgo rules order and structure, so having a vertex in this sign, Naskova says, “signifies practical, logical, healthy, productive relationships.”

Vertex in Libra

Because Libra is all about partnerships, balance, and the social sphere, a vertex in the air sign, “represents harmony, longing for peace, and mutual support,” says Naskova.

Vertex in Scorpio

The dark horse of the zodiac can get deep, which is why Naskova says a vertex in this sign, “signals depth, intimacy, and intense shared experiences.”

Vertex in Sagittarius

Since Sagittarius is adventurous and knowledge-seeking, so if you have a vertex in this sign, “you embody adventure, looking at the big picture, and embracing unique experiences through relationships,” explains Naskova.

Vertex in Capricorn

Capricorn is rooted in longevity and discipline and Naskova explains a vertex in this sign “signifies responsibility and building lasting and fulfilling relationships.”

Vertex in Aquarius

As the sign of progress, hope, and community, a vertex in this air sign “signifies sharing a vision, love, and friendship mixed in one,” says Naskova.

Vertex in Pisces

Ruling the imagination and the subconscious, if your vertex is in Pisces, Naskova says you may attribute “empathy and spiritual-based relationships.”

Astrological vertex in the houses

Vertex in the 5th house

The 5th house rules pleasure and matters of the heart. Because of this, if your vertex is located in this hedonistic house, Naskova advises to “expect destined encounters in our pursuits of passion, enjoyment, friendships, or leisure activities.”

Vertex in the 6th house

Ruling day-to-day operations, wellness, and lifestyle, if your vertex falls under the 6th house, you may experience these fated themes to be relevant to your life. “Anticipate destined meetings and fateful encounters in our daily routines and work life,” says Naskova.

Vertex in the 7th house

The 7th house deals with partnerships, harmony, and our social sector. If your vertex is in the 7th house, Naskova explains to expect “destined meetings and fateful encounters in one-on-one connections with clients or professionals.”

Vertex in the 8th house

The 8th house is related to shared resources, secrets, and transitions. “Expect destined meetings and fateful encounters within committed, intimate relationships and partnerships to strengthen wealth and stability,” explains Naskova.

How the astrological vertex is activated

Because the astrological vertex is a rather esoteric and imaginary point (as opposed to a physical planet or asteroid), its energy will not always be active in your life. “The vertex mostly lies dormant in our chart until a natal or transiting planet triggers it,” says Marmanides, generally by creating a particular aspect with it. “It needs something that reflects or holds light against it to activate it,” she adds.

In some cases, that activating force can come from someone else in your space, too. “When you meet someone whose sun, moon, or ascendant conjunct (aka are in the same sign or house as) your vertex, it can become activated,” says Lang. “That relationship can feel fated, and you might feel an instant connection.”

How to interpret your vertex in astrology

Once you’ve identified the house, sign, and degree of your vertex, you can take note of current planetary transits to those regions and any fated happenings that occur during those transits, says Marmanides. “The house placement of your vertex, in particular, can also give you clues as to what kind of fated events you may draw toward you,” says Marmanides.

“The house placement of your vertex, in particular, can also give you clues as to what kind of fated events you may draw toward you.”—Maria Sofia Marmanides, astrologer

Let’s say, for example, your vertex lies in the fifth house of pleasure. “You may find you’re the kind of person who falls in love at first sight and gets easily swept off their feet by a new person,” explains Marmanides. “Or, there could be fated moments in your life around any other fifth-house topic, like children, romance, or sex.”

What your vertex in astrology says about your relationships

Because interpretations of the vertex stem from its connection to people and things outside ourselves, the sign placement of your vertex may also offer insight into auspicious relationships. While it’s admittedly less significant than the placement of your Juno sign for figuring out your relationship style, the sign of your vertex could reflect what others expect of you within a relationship, or the type of person you’ll eventually become in a relationship, says Lang, even if it doesn’t reflect how you currently perceive yourself in that arena.

For example, if your vertex is in Aries, that may mean that a partner views you as someone who will take on a more independent or passionate role in a relationship, while a vertex in Sagittarius could mean you’re destined for an adventurous partnership down the line.

And whenever the vertex is activated in terms of another person coming into your life, it functions as something like a turning point. “Events triggered by the vertex take on a before-and-after quality,” says Marmanides, “meaning there was life before you met this person, and then life after that, with the two periods feeling distinctly different.” So while fate is still quite literally left up to the stars, you may be able to tempt it just a bit with a clearer understanding of where your vertex lies.

What is the anti-vertex in astrology?

Similar to the vertex, the anti-vertex is another point of destiny in your chart. But unlike the vertex, where it discerns fate as it relates to your public-facing life, Naskova says to look at the anti-vertex as a reflection of your inner self. “The anti-vertex is positioned exactly opposite the Vertex point in a person’s birth chart,” says Naskova. “It represents the independent aspects of our journey and the qualities we develop on our own, leading to significant events and experiences in our lives. It shows our deepest wishes, fears, and hidden desires.”

Your astrological anti-vertex encapsulates the lessons and shifts in your inner thoughts and dispositions, which ultimately colors your personal and spiritual development, says Naskova. Remember, the anti-vertex—like the vertex—reflects your inner workings that are out of your control, and it’s important to understand how these two points work together, specifically when understanding “how major life events can shape our future and contribute to our journey of self-discovery,” Naskova explains.

When you can dissect these two points of destiny, you’re able to recognize how the way you see yourself, your self-talk, and the journey of self-discovery impact the fated events that happen in your life and anticipate the path forward.