A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S U V W X Y Z

A

Afflicted:

Used to describe a planet that has unfavorably aspects; squares, oppositions, and quincunxes, an ancient term that is still commonly used.

Air Signs:

Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius.

Anaretic degree:

The final degree (29th degree) of any sign, it is also known as the degree of fate.

Angles:

The lines of the chart wheel which lie at 0 degrees (the ascendant), 90 degrees (the I.C.), 180 degrees (the descendant), and 270 degrees (the M.C.). These are major points in a chart and represent Cardinal Qualities.

Angular:

A cardinal point in the horoscope

Angular Houses:

Houses I, IV, VII, and X of the horoscope, which are positioned closest to the charts primary angles; ascendant, nadir, descendant, and Midheaven.

Arabic Parts:

Sensitive points on a chart developed by Arabic astrologers. These are calculated by adding the positions of two factors in the chart (e.g., Moon and Ascendant) and subtracting the position of a third factor. (e.g., Sun).

Aquarian Age:

A time period of 2000 years where the influence of Aquarius is prominent, an age lasts for 2000 years and moves backward through the Zodiac. The Age of Aquarius starts at approximately the new millennium.

Arc:

An angular measurement between two celestial planets or points.

Ascendant:

The zodiac sign appearing on the horizon at the natal time and place of birth. It is also referred to as the Rising Sign, and is placed on the cusp of the first house. Its position by degree of the zodiac is an important factor not yet fully appreciated by many Astrologers'. The rising sign is very important because it is associated with the pattern of our external behavior.

Aspects:

The angular distances between planets, points, or house cusps in the horoscope. The lines drawn between two points and the center of a chart form the angle (in degrees) of the aspect. Specific aspects are the conjunction, sextile, square, trine, quincunx , and opposition. Other less commonly used aspects include; semi-sextile, semisquare, sesquiquadrate, quintile and biquintile.

Asteroids (also called minor planets):

These are thousands of small bodies, located mainly between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. Some Asteroids are outside of this orbit, e.g. Chiron is between the orbits of Saturn and Uranus. The four major Asteroids are Ceres, Juno, Pallas and Vesta.

Archetype:

An original model or prototype, in which anyone who is similar is personifications, representations or copies.

Axis:

There are six axes passing through the wheel of a horoscope. They are: houses 1 and 7--self/other, houses 2 and 8--values/resources, houses 3 and 9 communication/ transportation and travel, houses 4 and 10--heredity axis, houses 5 and 11--personal creativity/community volunteerism, houses 6 and 12--service/solitude. The nature of the planets on these axes can suggest the way an individual integrates into the affairs of the axes.

Astrology:

The study of the influence of celestial bodies on any behavior, activity, or condition on Earth.

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B

Birth Chart:

A "map" detailing the positioning of the planets in the signs at the specific moment of an individual's birth. Using the individual's place, date, and time of birth as the data source to calculate the "map".

Birth data:

The factors needed in order to calculate a birth chart: date of birth, time of birth, and location (latitude and longitude) of birth.

Biquintile:

An aspect created between two planets, corollary points, or cusps that has an arc of 144° 00'

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C

Cadent Houses:

Houses III, VI, IX, and XII of the horoscope

Cardinal:

One of the three modes into which signs are categorized, its signs Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn

Cardinal Signs:

Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn..

Celestial body:

A physical form that exists in space; such as a planet.

Chart Ruler:

The ruler of the chart is normally the planet ruling the first house's (or Ascendant) sign. Some Astrologer's consider that the ruler is the planet closest to the first house cusp, which is very close to the Ascendant. The effects of a Chart Ruler are usually very significant. Additionally, a number of Astrologer's consider that the chart ruler affects our physical appearance.

Composite chart:

Two individual charts that are merged to form one. It shows the relationship between the individuals whose charts are combined.

Conjunction:

An aspect created between two planets, corollary points, or cusps that has an arc of 00° 00'

Constellation:

Groups of stars that have been seen together in people's imaginations to the point that, throughout time, they have been given names, and mythologies have grown up around them. There are generally considered to be 12, even though a few others intrude on the path. Can be seen at night in an arc across the southern sky.

Contraparallel:

An aspect in declination when two planets have (within a 1° orb) the same degree of declination, but one is north and the other is south. Read by most astrologers as similar to an opposition.

Cusp:

The midway point between two signs of the zodiac; also used to refer to the start of a house within the chart wheel. If a planet falls on a house cusp, it needs to be read as influencing both houses. Also refers to the beginning of each Sun sign.

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D

Decanate:

The partitioning of each Sign into three equal parts of 10 degrees each. Each part is known as a decanate; every Sign is composed of 30 degrees.

Decile (semi-quintile):

An aspect created between two planets, corollary points, or cusps that has an arc of 36°00'.

Declination:

The arc of measurement in degrees north or south of the celestial equator.

Degrees:

A circle has 360 degrees, in astrology; degrees are the commonly used unit of measurement.

Descendant:

The opposite point from the ascendant; the cusp of the Seventh House. It describes one's interaction with another.

Detriment:

A planet placed in a sign that is opposite to its sign of rulership. This generally causes a lack of synergy. For example, Mercury rules Gemini and is in detriment in Sagittarius.

Dharma:

The life purpose for what an entity is meant to be.

Direct Motion:

The normal forward motion of a body through the zodiac signs (Aries, Taurus, Gemini, etc.). This is opposite to retrograde motion, in which a planet moves apparently (but not in actuality), backwards.

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E

Earth:

Since a birth chart is a map of the sky drawn from the perspective of we on earth, planet earth does not appear in the birth chart. Used to designate one of the four elements into which the zodiac signs may be categorized. Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn)

Earth Signs:

Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn are the signs of the element Earth.

East Point (also called Equatorial Ascendant):

A sensitive point defined as 90° east of the intersection of the meridian with the ecliptic. Used by some astrologers as an auxiliary Ascendant.

Ecliptic:

The orbit of the earth around the Sun. As a Great Circle projected out into space, it is more properly called the celestial elliptic. If you at the sky at night, over a period of time, you will be able to see the Moon and the planets change their positions along the arc of the southern sky. They are moving through the sings along the ecliptic. A more obvious movement that we all notice is the Sun rising in the east, culminating overhead and then setting in the west. We see all of this from our vantage point on Earth, so even though we and all of the other planets are really orbiting the Sun, we see their apparent motion as around Earth.

Eighth House:

Also known as the House of Sex.

Electional Astrology:

The branch of Astrology that deals with selecting the best time to initiate any given activity or project.

Elements:

Refers to the four ancient elements: fire, earth, air and water.

Eleventh House:

Also known as the House of Friends.

Ephemeris:

An astrologer's reference book which lists the positions (signs) of the planets at exact points each day over a long period. Used to construct birth charts, among many other things.

Equinox:

Means a time of equal day and night. This occurs twice a year and marks the beginning of Spring and Autumn.

Exaltation:

The presence of a planet in a sign that derives a particular type of (usually enhanced) energy and affinity. The manner in which this energy operates depends greatly on the planet and sign involved

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F

Fall:

A planet placed in a sign which is opposite to its sign of exaltation is referred to as its sign of fall. Its properties are out of context with the influence of the sign in which it is placed. Fall planets may be indicators of past-life debts to be repaid.

Feminine Signs:

The Earth and Water Signs, comprised of Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn, and Pisces.

Fifth House:

Also known as the House of Pleasure.

Fire:

Aries, Leo and Sagittarius are the signs of the element Fire.

First House:

Also known as the House of Self.

Fixed:

One of the three modes of signs, Taurus Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius are the Fixed signs

Forecast:

Plotting the movements of the planets to determine upcoming trends.

Fourth House:

Also known as the House of Home.

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G

Generational:

refers to aspects between outer planets that move so slowly that whole age groups will be born with the essentially the same aspects in their birth charts.

Geocentric:

Viewed from the Earth, as if Earth were the center of the Universe. Since a person on Earth sees the Cosmos from an earthly perspective, the birth chart is drawn with that vantage point. We see the sky (and everything else) relative to ourselves- each of us is the center of our own personal Universe.

Glyph:

Means symbol. Each planet and sing has a glyph by which we recognize it, thus giving us a shorthand method of writing it, rather than spelling out the word. Glyphs, since they are since they are single digit, also make planetary tables line up much better in space-saving, neat columns.

Grand Cross:

A configuration in which four planets form mutual squares. It creates much tension.

Grand Trine:

When three planets, generally of the same Element, meet each other to form a triangle. The energy of this configuration is harmonious.

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H

Hard Aspect:

Aspects which create tension and friction. Squares, oppositions, and quincunxes are all hard aspects.

Harmonics:

The astrological study of integral divisions of the circle by integer numbers (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 .... etc.,).

Heliocentric:

Charts using the perspective of the Sun as the center. Earth appears in these charts, instead of the Sun, The further a planet is from the Sun the less its geocentric position varies from its heliocentric one. The inner planets (Mercury and Venus) can vary by as much as 180°.

Horary:

The art of answering questions through astrology. A chart is erected for the time a question is asked and the answer is sought by interpreting the horoscope using the rules of Horary astrology.

Horary Astrology:

The branch of Astrology devoted to answering specific questions by means of a chart drawn up for the time the question is asked.

Horoscope:

In this century, the word "horoscope" has become synonymous with the daily 20-50 word predictions offered in newspapers, magazines, and on the Internet. Actually, a true horoscope is calculated (cast) for precise time (hour and minute of a specific day, month and year) plus precise location (longitude of birth).The original meaning was "search for the hour." It is more often used today with reference to a natal (Radix) chart.

Houses:

The celestial sphere taken as a 360-degree circle divided into twelve sections. These sections are referred to by their numbers, such as "the First House," "the Second House," etc. Houses are generally numbered counterclockwise from the ascendant (starting at the nine o'clock position), with the House which begins at the ascendant known as "the First House." Each House speaks to a particular component of one's life.

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I

I.C.:

Immum Coeli. One of the four major angles of a birth chart; this one falls at the bottom of the chart wheel. It is the start of the Fourth House and is one of the most personal points of the chart.

Ingress:

The entrance of a celestial body into an eclipse.

Intercepted:

A sign that is wholly encompassed within a house but does not appear on the cusp. Intercepts run across the entire polarity axis, so that, if for instance, Taurus is intercepted in House 3, Scorpio will also be intercepted in House 9. Intercepted signs operate in the unconscious; a chart with several planets in intercepted signs will have a powerful creative unconscious if s/he can access it. Accessing is often done when a person is removed from the environment into which s/he came to earth and is given time out to get in touch with the intercepted planet(s) as transits/progressions trigger the intercept.

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J

Julian Calendar:

A calendar introduced in Rome in 46 BC. Established a year of 365 days with every fourth year having 366 days.

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K

Karma:

reactions arising from actions, cause and effect, reaping what you sow, etc. in this or previous lives.

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L

Latitude, Celestial:

The angular distance, in degrees, minutes and seconds, north or south of the ecliptic.

Latitude, Terrestrial:

The angular distance, north or south of the Equator, in degrees, minutes and seconds.

Local Sidereal Time:

The time of birth at the birthplace converted to sidereal (star) time. It is the hour angle of the vernal point(0° Aries).This is the figure from which the house cusps of a horoscope are derived.

Longitude, Celestial:

The distances along the ecliptic, measured in degrees, minutes and seconds, going east from the vernal point (which is defined as 0°), which is determined by the Sun crossing the celestial equator going from south to north.

Longitude, Terrestrial:

The distance measured either east or west, in degrees, minutes and seconds, from the 0° point, which is the Prime Meridian, running through Greenwich, in England.

Lights:

An ancient term used for the Sun and the Moon.

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M

M.C.:

Medium Coeli. One of the four major angles of a birth chart, this one is at the top of the chart wheel. It is the start of the Tenth House, and it addresses public life and reputation.

Masculine Signs:

The Fire and Air Signs, comprised of Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius, and Aquarius

Meridian:

A longitudinal circle, on the celestial sphere, that passes through both celestial poles.

Midheaven:

The highest point above the horizon in an astrological chart; the approximate position of the sun at noon; the cusp of the tenth house; the tenth house as a whole.

Midpoints:

The exact degree and minute halfway between two natal planets (or a planet and an angle). They are more subtle points in the birth chart which can give more information about the nature, timing and possible outcome of transits.

Modes:

Refers to categories of sings by quality of action: cardinal, fixed, and mutable.

Moon signs:

The zodiacal sign in which the moon was in at the moment of birth. The moon rules emotions and thus, the Moon sign reveals much about the native's personality. The Moon sign, Sun sign and ascendant are the three main elements in a birth chart. The Moon sign can be easily found with an ephemeris

Moon's North Node:

Event in which the moon passes through the ecliptic from a southern to a northern latitude.

Moon's South Node:

Event in which the moon passes through the ecliptic from the north to the south.

Moon Wobble:

A stress aspect of the Sun to the Moon's North Node, which lasts about 5 weeks. Can build expectations, sometimes disappointments, but usually just typical craziness.

Mundane Astrology:

The branch of Astrology which deals with places as opposed to people; world events and universal trends are the focal point.

Mundane Parallels:

A condition created when two planets are equally distant from any angle in a chart.

Mutable:

One of the three modes of signs. Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces are Mutable signs

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N

Nadir:

The second of the four major compass points of the horoscope, situated on the meridian near the cusp of the 4th House.

Natal:

Synonymous with "birth." Natal chart and birth chart are terms which can be used interchangeably.

Ninth House:

Also known as the House of Philosophy.

Novile:

A rarely used aspect angle, of 40°. It is said to indicate development, or the ability to digest information necessary for evolutionary growth.

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O

Opposition:

An aspect created between two planets, corollary points, or cusps that has an arc of 180° 00'

Orb:

The space on the chart wheel measured in degrees, between planets and points, by which an aspect may vary from exactness and still remain effective.

Out of Bounds:

Planets which are outside the usual north or south measurement of the celestial equator within which planets rest.

Out-of-Sign:

Also known as a dissociate aspect; addresses the importance of measuring aspects by degree rather than Sign. For example, a conjunction between a planet at 29 degrees Leo and 1 degree Virgo is within a 2 degree orb but not the same Sign. This weakens the aspect.

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P

Parallel:

An aspect in declination where two planets are in the same degree (with an orb of 1°), both north or both south of the celestial equator.

Planets:

As used in Astrology, this refers to the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. Earth is excluded as it is our point of reference. In general, it is a major body which revolves around a Sun in a periodic orbit.

Polarities:

Refers to the division of the 12 signs into two groups.

Progressions:

A method of advancing the planets and points of a natal chart to a particular time after birth. Used to illustrate one's evolution.

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Q

Quadrant:

One of the four quarters, each comprising three houses, within the horoscope. Transiting planets through each quadrant activate certain properties, i.e., Houses 1-3, denotes independent personality growth; Houses 4-6, the home, children, skills, and service; Houses 7-9, partnership, joint investment and publicity; Houses 10-12, soul growth and/or public influence.

Qualities:

The Signs are classified by their Qualities: Cardinal, Fixed, or Mutable. Also referred to as modalities or quadruplicates.

Quincunx:

An aspect created between two planets, corollary points, or cusps that has an arc of 150° 00'

Quindecile:

An aspect created between two planets, corollary points, or cusps that has an arc of 24° 00'

Quintile:

An aspect created between two planets, corollary points, or cusps that has an arc of 72° 00'

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R

Rapt Parallels:

A condition often treated as an aspect, in which two planets are equally distant from the meridian at the point of the Midheaven.

Report:

An interpretation of one's birth chart. Also known as delineation.

Rectification:

A process used to determine the true time of a person's birth based upon events, relationships, and experiences, as well as personality traits that you have or had.

Retrograde:

The term used for a planet which appears to be going backwards in its orbit through the zodiac, from the Earth's prospective. This apparent backward motion occurs when the Earth passes a slower-moving outer planet, or, when a faster-moving inner planet is passed. The outer planets are retrograde over 40% of the time, and can inhibit the planet's energy or cause delay and confusion. Natal retrograde planets can be slower to act and less conscious than direct planets. Retrograde is designated by the symbol R in the horoscope.

Rising Sign:

Also known as the Ascendant. The degree at which the Zodiac rests over the eastern horizon of the birthplace at the moment of one's birth; commonly refers to the Sign which is peering over the horizon at that very moment. A new Sign rises approximately every two hours. The Rising Sign represents one's persona and image to the world. Rising sing- The sing of the zodiac that is rising in the east at the time a person is born.

Ruler:

The assigned planet to a sign based upon its affinity with the sign's qualities. (Also known as Lord of the sign.) For example, Pluto is the Ruler of Scorpio.

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S

Second House:

Also known as the House of Possessions.

Semi - decile:

An aspect created between two planets, corollary points, or cusps that has an arc of 18° 00'

Semi-Sextile:

An aspect created between two planets, corollary points, or cusps that has an arc of 30° 00'

Semi-square:

An aspect created between two planets, corollary points, or cusps that has an arc of 45° 00'

Sesquiquadrate:

An aspect created between two planets, corollary points, or cusps that has an arc of 135° 00'

Seventh House:

Also known as the House of Partnership.

Sextile:

An aspect created between two planets, corollary points, or cusps that has an arc of 60° 00'

Signs:

Twelve equal 30-degree sectors of the ecliptic circle.

Sixth House:

Also known as the House of Health.

Soft:

Aspects that are "softer" in action, and probably will be perceived as less strong, or more passive than the hard aspects. Generally considered to represent themes of ease, and perhaps talent.

Solar Chart:

A generalized chart used to forecast transit trends. It is created by placing the sign being looked at on the eastern horizon (first house). The other eleven signs fall accordingly in each house after that. Example: If transits for Cancers were being looked at Cancer would be on the first house, Leo the second, Virgo the third, etc.

Solar Return:

A horoscope produced for the moment when the Sun returns to the exact degree/minute/ second of celestial longitude which it occupied at birth. This moment will be within a day or two of one's birthday. This solar return horoscope is considered symbolic for the following year.

Solstice:

When the Sun reaches its maximum declination. This occurs twice a year, at the beginning of Summer and Winter.

Square:

An aspect created between two planets, corollary points, or cusps that has an arc of 90° 00'

Stationary:

The period in which a planetary position appears motionless from Earth's perspective, and occurs with the change from retrograde to direct, or direct to retrograde, motion. The Sun and Moon are never stationary.

Stellium:

A meeting of three or more planets or points which usually occurs within one Sign or House and is a focal point of energy.

Succedent Houses:

Houses II, V, VIII, and XI of the horoscope

Sun Sign:

The sign in which the Sun was in at the time of birth. Long over-emphasized, which lead to the misconception that Sun Sign astrology was the sum total of astrology. For the Sun is only one of ten planets in the horoscope or birth chart. It is considered to be the true, inner personality of the individual. The Sun sign, Moon sign and ascendant are the three most important elements in a birth chart to understand the inner person (Sun sign), the outer person (ascendant) and the emotional expression (Moon sign) of the individual.

Synthesis:

The of pulling all the separate themes of a horoscope together, "weighing" them for relative importance, and managing to come up with something that makes senses.

Synastry:

Comparing natal charts to find strengths and weaknesses in the area of compatibility.

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T

T-square:

The configuration formed when two planets in opposition both square the same third planet (and form a "T" in the heavens). This is a challenging focal point for planetary energies.

Tenth House:

Also known as the House of Social Status.

Third House:

Also known as the House of Communication.

Transit:

The movement of a planet over, or in aspect to, a specific point, sign, planet or house cusp in a horoscope. It also refers to the passage of a planet that generates a certain zodiacal influence (e.g., the Sun transits Aries from about March 20 to April 20).

Transpluto:

A hypothetical planet said to orbit beyond Pluto.

Tredecile:

An aspect created between two planets, corollary points, or cusps that has an arc of 108° 00'

Trine:

An aspect created between two planets, corollary points, or cusps that has an arc of 120° 00' or 240° 00'

Triplicity:

Characteristics embodied in the natural elements of fire, earth, water, and air.

Twelfth House:

Also known as the House of the Unconscious.

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U

Uranian Planets:

Eight hypothetical planets (and never observed up to the late 1980's). Their existence was presupposed by Alfred Witte and Friedrich Sieggrun and ephemeredes for their positions exist. These hypothetical planets are called Cupido, Hades, Zeus, Kronos, Apollon, Admetos

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V

Vernal equinox:

The intersection of ecliptic and equator that occurs when the apparent path of the Sun crosses the equator at a northward inoculation. This is the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere, and this point (degree) of the ecliptic is the designated starting point for the signs: 0 degrees Aries.

Void:

The absence of an element in a horoscope. A person void of natal Air planets and no planets in the Air Houses (3, 7, or 11) would recognize the need to take courses on communication, yet often repeated.

Void of Course:

A term describing a planet that does not make a major aspect before changing Signs. It is used primarily with respect to the Moon.

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W

Water Signs:

Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces

Wide Aspect (platic aspect):

An aspect that has an orb of influence that is 02°00' - 08°00' plus or minus an exact arc formation.

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Z

Zenith Area:

Houses 9 and 10 in the horoscope. Natal planets in these houses or aspects to the Midheaven may vibrate as ambitious factors. Transits through this part of the chart may reflect success to a hardworking individual. Friends and loved ones can feel neglected during these transits.

Zodiac:

From the Greek "zodiakos," literally meaning "circle of animals." A band in the heavens divided into twelve Signs, each containing 30 degrees of longitude and acting as the barometer for various human traits.

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