Working with unknown birth times is one of the challenges that astrologers are frequently faced with.  The process of Rectification can often yield considerable insight into the birth time, but can be a lengthy and sometimes tedious process.

One alternative to a full rectification that I've found to be quite useful is the incorporation of midpoints into the analysis of a natal chart of unknown time.

Midpoint -- a point halfway between two other points (equidistant from each); A midpoint between two Planets is said to indicate where their combined energies is strongest --
excerpt from James R. Lewis, The Astrological Encyclopedia

Midpoint Pictures can reinforce suggestions from the natal chart or can suggest areas that are not obvious from the natal chart.  These subtle but powerful indicators can be quite useful even when we don't know the birth time -- we just have to know which ones to use.

Computer programs incorporate various formats for midpoints, but for the purpose of this article I've chosen to use a 90-degree Midpoint Tree from Matrix Software's Win*Star Program.  Other astrological software programs have similar displays and can be used in the same manner.

The notation of a Midpoint Picture is by an equation such as:

Sun = Mars/Uranus (The right side of the equation lists the faster moving Planet first by convention rather than Sun = Uranus/Mars, for example.)

where the Sun is at the Midpoint of Mars and Uranus. 

A 90-Degree Midpoint Tree Display yields the following:

But, in the case of an unknown birth time we don't know the positions of the Moon, Ascendant, and Midheaven since these points change dramatically throughout the course of a 24-hour period.  The other Planets and the N. Node are relatively static during any 24 hour period and can be considered for our analysis.

In order to make sense of the Midpoint Tree, we must eliminate from consideration any Midpoint pictures that include the Moon, Ascendant, or Midheaven.  In this case we are left with 14 of the initial 39 Midpoint pictures:

We can then formulate keyword interpretations based on these remaining Midpoint Pictures such as:

In conclusion, it is to our advantage to incorporate applicable Midpoint Pictures even when we are uncertain of the birth time.  The resultant insight is quickly available and can help us to clarify and enhance the depth of the consultation when a full rectification is not an option.

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