The IC through the Signs: Your Home & Family

The Imum Coel (IC) represents the most personal and intimate parts of your life. It's associated with the 4th House of family, encompassing your family relationships, childhood upbringing, what it was like at home, and even ancestral patterns.

In Latin, it translates to "bottom of the sky" and is always found at the bottom of your chart, pointing to your roots, foundation, and the soil in which you were raised.

The IC is always opposite the Midheaven (MC) which represents career. Understanding your IC sign helps you see how your history and upbringing influence your core values and ultimate career path.

Aries IC

You were on your own a lot or had to be quite independent, being strong & self-sufficient was encouraged even when you wanted more nurturing, you experienced conflict, aggression, or just high amounts of activity, you learned the importance of developing your own identity even if it was hard to do so, thus you seek safety by not relying on others and focusing on your own interests. From this soil, you developed your Libra MC to build strong relationships and feel supported by others.

Taurus IC

There was a big focus on money growing up and you learned the importance of having enough and providing for yourself, you also learned the importance of stability which may have been triggered by a big change, being practical was encouraged even at the expense of emotions, thus you seek safety by having a secure home and focusing on practical, daily realities. From this soil, you developed your Scorpio MC to explore the emotional and unknown over the practical.

Gemini IC

There was importance placed on school & education and you learned that knowledge is power, communication was a big theme even if you didn't always feel heard, there may have been frequent changes or disruptions at home which caused you to be more detached, you also found safety in studying, talking to yourself, or just being in your own head. From this soil, you developed your Sag MC to have your voice be heard and channel your love of learning into a personal philosophy.

Cancer IC

There was an emphasis on home & family, you may have had a very close family or felt orphaned and moved around a lot, you learned the value of security and putting down roots, there was a focus on maternal bonds and understanding your heritage, you sought emotional affirmation but didn't always get it, thus you seek safety by being self-protective or focusing more on others. From this soil, you developed your Capricorn MC to express your nurturing side in a more authoritative way.

Leo IC

You cared a lot about living up to certain standards or not disappointing your parents, you may have been the center of attention or looked at in a special way, even if it was a burden, you were very creative and performative as a child, you were praised for doing the “right things” but perhaps not what felt true to you. From this soil, you developed your Aquarius MC to do what is exciting rather than what is popular and to share your creativity in a humanitarian way.

Virgo IC

There was an emphasis on order, cleanliness or health, your upbringing was quite structured and practical, perhaps without room for emotions or creativity, you experienced criticism or perfectionism or picked up on your parent’s worries, you felt a need to help out at a young age, thus you seek safety by organizing things or focusing more on intellect. From this soil, you developed your Pisces MC to express your emotional side and channel your desire for service into creative, soulful work.

Libra IC

There were polarizing experiences such as going through a divorce, having to play peacemaker, or battling between extremes, you were encouraged to be gracious and not necessarily assertive, things were made to look good even if it wasn’t, you learned the value of peace, cooperation, & fairness, thus you seek safety by avoiding conflict or escaping through art and beauty. From this soil, you developed your Aries MC to express your independent side and put yourself first.

Scorpio IC

There were intense experiences in childhood potentially involving wealth, loss, or transformations, you learned the importance of being in control which may have been triggered by feeling powerless, loyalty was highly valued, you felt things deeply but learned to keep them hidden, thus you seek safety by being private and only sharing your true self with a chosen few. From this soil, you developed your Taurus MC to focus on the practical over the emotional and build something for yourself.

Sagittarius IC

You had a very principled or belief-oriented upbringing potentially involving a religion or specific culture, you were exposed to deep ideas and learned that knowledge is power, you may have immigrated, moved around a lot, or just had a lot of changes at home, thus you feel more safe being a nomad, traveling, or focusing on studies. From this soil, you developed your Gemini MC to explore ideas in an open-minded way and be a student rather than a teacher.

Capricorn IC

There was emphasis on achievement and working hard, you learned to be very responsible and may have taken on a lot as a child, there was a focus on paternal bonds and authority figures, your upbringing was quite structured or lacking in emotions, thus you seek safety by compartmentalizing, focusing on work, or showing love through practical actions. From this soil, you developed your Cancer MC to form deeper connections and showcase your nurturing side.

Aquarius IC

You experienced things that were unusual or atypical in childhood, your family may have been unconventional or you felt alienated and didn’t fit in, you were quite independent but still felt a need to put others first, you sought praise & attention but didn’t always get it, thus you seek safety by rebelling, doing your own thing, and being emotionally detached. From this soil, you developed your Leo MC to express your unique talents and individuality and be recognized for who you truly are.

Pisces IC

You experienced things that were confusing, uncertain, or hard to understand and didn't always have structure, there may have been health or addiction issues, you felt a need to be there for others perhaps at your own peril, thus you seek safety by focusing more on others or zoning out through movies, music, gaming, etc. From this soil, you developed your Virgo MC to express your logical side and channel your desire for service into practical work making a real-life difference.