The Midheaven is the point in space where the ecliptic crosses the Meridian (line of longitude), which passes through the birth of event in the south, marking the 10th house cusp in most house systems (but is reversed in the southern hemisphere).

The Midheaven, or MC (Medium Coeli) is one of the most important angles in the birth chart. It traditionally indicates career, status, aim in life, aspirations, public reputation, and our life goal.

In the Placidus house system, the Midheaven forms the cusp of the 10th house; in the equal house system it can be found in the 9th, 10th or 11th house. The other end of this axis, 'beneath' the earth, is the point known as the IC or Immum Coeli.

Whilst the Midheaven is traditionally thought of as indicating a goal in terms of career or working life, it is not confined to this type of goal, and can indicate very personal or spiritual goals as well.

The individual will identify with and admire the qualities of the astrological sign on the Midheaven. The sign on the cusp of the Midheaven quite often indicates what kind of career, vocation, or reputation in life the native will pursue. It also reflects how an individual reacts to stressful situations.

The Midheaven quite often refers to a parent, quite often the mother, but sometimes the father. The other parent is sometimes represented by the angle at the opposite end, the Immum Coeli, or IC.