📖 Astrology Glossary
113 terms — search or browse by letter. A living dictionary for the language of the sky.
Age of Aquarius
A popular phrase for a coming era of collective and humanitarian themes; not a precise astronomical switch.
A popular phrase for a coming era of collective and humanitarian themes; not a precise astronomical …
Air
Element of ideas, language, social connection: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius.
Element of ideas, language, social connection: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius.
Angles
The four chart pivots: Ascendant, IC, Descendant, Midheaven — highly sensitive points.
The four chart pivots: Ascendant, IC, Descendant, Midheaven — highly sensitive points.
Applying aspect
An aspect moving toward exactness; intensity is building.
An aspect moving toward exactness; intensity is building.
Archetype
A universal pattern (hero, mother, trickster) used to interpret planetary myths.
A universal pattern (hero, mother, trickster) used to interpret planetary myths.
Ascendant / Rising
Sign and degree on the eastern horizon at birth; sets the First House and first impressions.
Sign and degree on the eastern horizon at birth; sets the First House and first impressions.
Aspect
Angular relationship between planets describing how their themes interact.
Angular relationship between planets describing how their themes interact.
Aspect pattern
A multi-planet configuration such as Grand Trine, T-square, Yod, or Grand Cross.
A multi-planet configuration such as Grand Trine, T-square, Yod, or Grand Cross.
Birth chart / Natal chart
Map of the sky at the exact time and place of birth.
Map of the sky at the exact time and place of birth.
Cardinal
Modality of initiating: Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn.
Modality of initiating: Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn.
Cazimi
A planet within about 17′ of the Sun’s center — traditionally “in the heart of the Sun.”
A planet within about 17′ of the Sun’s center — traditionally “in the heart of the …
Chart ruler
Planet that rules the Rising sign; shows how the life approach seeks expression.
Planet that rules the Rising sign; shows how the life approach seeks expression.
Composite chart
Midpoint chart of two people describing the relationship as a third entity.
Midpoint chart of two people describing the relationship as a third entity.
Conjunction
0° aspect — planetary themes fuse and amplify.
0° aspect — planetary themes fuse and amplify.
Cusp
The beginning degree of a house or the boundary between signs.
The beginning degree of a house or the boundary between signs.
Declination
Distance north/south of the celestial equator; used in parallel aspects.
Distance north/south of the celestial equator; used in parallel aspects.
Descendant
Opposite the Ascendant; Seventh House cusp — partnership axis.
Opposite the Ascendant; Seventh House cusp — partnership axis.
Detriment
Sign opposite a planet’s domicile — expression is more effortful.
Sign opposite a planet’s domicile — expression is more effortful.
Dignity
Traditional ranking of planetary comfort in signs (domicile, exaltation, detriment, fall).
Traditional ranking of planetary comfort in signs (domicile, exaltation, detriment, fall).
Earth
Element of embodiment and results: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn.
Element of embodiment and results: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn.
Eclipse
New or Full Moon near the lunar nodes; high-signal timing windows.
New or Full Moon near the lunar nodes; high-signal timing windows.
Ecliptic
The apparent path of the Sun; the zodiac is measured along it.
The apparent path of the Sun; the zodiac is measured along it.
Element
Fire, Earth, Air, or Water — mode of expressing a sign.
Fire, Earth, Air, or Water — mode of expressing a sign.
Empty house
A house with no natal planets; not “broken,” often quieter until transits.
A house with no natal planets; not “broken,” often quieter until transits.
Ephemeris
Table of planetary positions over time.
Table of planetary positions over time.
Exaltation
Sign where a planet is traditionally especially strong.
Sign where a planet is traditionally especially strong.
Fall
Sign opposite exaltation — planet works against its usual grain.
Sign opposite exaltation — planet works against its usual grain.
Fire
Element of spirit and initiative: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius.
Element of spirit and initiative: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius.
Fixed
Modality of sustaining: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius.
Modality of sustaining: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius.
Grand Cross
Four planets in mutual squares and oppositions — high tension and drive.
Four planets in mutual squares and oppositions — high tension and drive.
Grand Trine
Three planets in trine — ease and talent that still needs intention.
Three planets in trine — ease and talent that still needs intention.
House
One of twelve life areas (identity, resources, mind, home, etc.).
One of twelve life areas (identity, resources, mind, home, etc.).
House system
Method of dividing houses (Whole Sign, Placidus, Equal, Koch…).
Method of dividing houses (Whole Sign, Placidus, Equal, Koch…).
IC (Imum Coeli)
Bottom angle; roots, private life, emotional foundation.
Bottom angle; roots, private life, emotional foundation.
Inconjunct / Quincunx
150° aspect — adjustment between dissimilar needs.
150° aspect — adjustment between dissimilar needs.
Intercepted sign
A sign contained within a house without ruling a cusp (in quadrant systems).
A sign contained within a house without ruling a cusp (in quadrant systems).
Kite
Grand Trine with a fourth planet opposing one point — focused release of talent.
Grand Trine with a fourth planet opposing one point — focused release of talent.
Lights / Luminaries
The Sun and Moon.
The Sun and Moon.
Lunar Nodes
North and South Node axis — growth edge and defaults.
North and South Node axis — growth edge and defaults.
MC (Midheaven)
Top angle; vocation, public role, reputation.
Top angle; vocation, public role, reputation.
Modality
Cardinal, Fixed, or Mutable quality of a sign.
Cardinal, Fixed, or Mutable quality of a sign.
Mutable
Modality of adapting: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces.
Modality of adapting: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces.
Natal
Of the birth chart.
Of the birth chart.
Opposition
180° aspect — polarity and awareness through the other.
180° aspect — polarity and awareness through the other.
Orb
Allowed degrees of separation for an aspect to count as active.
Allowed degrees of separation for an aspect to count as active.
Outer planets
Uranus, Neptune, Pluto — generational and transformative.
Uranus, Neptune, Pluto — generational and transformative.
Parallel
Aspect by declination rather than longitude.
Aspect by declination rather than longitude.
Part of Fortune
Arabic Lot related to prosperity and embodied ease.
Arabic Lot related to prosperity and embodied ease.
Progressions
Symbolic advancement of the chart (e.g. one day = one year).
Symbolic advancement of the chart (e.g. one day = one year).
Reception
Planets in each other’s signs — mutual support.
Planets in each other’s signs — mutual support.
Retrograde
Apparent backward motion; theme turns inward or revisits.
Apparent backward motion; theme turns inward or revisits.
Rising sign
See Ascendant.
See Ascendant.
Ruler / Rulership
Planet associated with a sign; modern and traditional lists differ slightly.
Planet associated with a sign; modern and traditional lists differ slightly.
Sabian symbols
Degree-by-degree symbolic images for the 360° of the zodiac.
Degree-by-degree symbolic images for the 360° of the zodiac.
Separating aspect
Aspect moving away from exactness — integrating after a peak.
Aspect moving away from exactness — integrating after a peak.
Sextile
60° aspect — opportunity and cooperation.
60° aspect — opportunity and cooperation.
Solar return
Chart for the Sun’s return to natal degree each year.
Chart for the Sun’s return to natal degree each year.
Square
90° aspect — friction that builds skill.
90° aspect — friction that builds skill.
Stellium
Cluster of several planets in one sign or house.
Cluster of several planets in one sign or house.
Synastry
Comparison of two charts for relationship dynamics.
Comparison of two charts for relationship dynamics.
Transit
Moving planet aspecting a natal point — current sky weather.
Moving planet aspecting a natal point — current sky weather.
Trine
120° aspect — flow and natural gift.
120° aspect — flow and natural gift.
Tropical zodiac
Season-based zodiac starting at the spring equinox.
Season-based zodiac starting at the spring equinox.
Sidereal zodiac
Star-based zodiac used in many Jyotish systems.
Star-based zodiac used in many Jyotish systems.
Water
Element of feeling and depth: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces.
Element of feeling and depth: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces.
Whole Sign
House system where the Rising sign is the entire First House.
House system where the Rising sign is the entire First House.
Yod
Two quincunxes to a focal planet — purpose under pressure; “finger of God.”
Two quincunxes to a focal planet — purpose under pressure; “finger of God.”
Void of course Moon
Moon makes no more major aspects before changing signs — a quieter window in electional work.
Moon makes no more major aspects before changing signs — a quieter window in electional work.
Station
Planet appearing to stop before turning retrograde or direct — concentrated theme.
Planet appearing to stop before turning retrograde or direct — concentrated theme.
Orbital node
Crossing of a body’s path with the ecliptic (as with lunar nodes).
Crossing of a body’s path with the ecliptic (as with lunar nodes).
Arabic Parts / Lots
Calculated points such as Part of Fortune from planetary formulas.
Calculated points such as Part of Fortune from planetary formulas.
Chiron
Centaur body linked with wound, teaching, and the gift that grows from pain.
Centaur body linked with wound, teaching, and the gift that grows from pain.
Ceres / Pallas / Juno / Vesta
Asteroids used for nurture, strategy, partnership, and devotion themes.
Asteroids used for nurture, strategy, partnership, and devotion themes.
Midpoint
Degree halfway between two planets; used in refined techniques.
Degree halfway between two planets; used in refined techniques.
Heliocentric
Sun-centered charting; less common in psychological astrology.
Sun-centered charting; less common in psychological astrology.
Geocentric
Earth-centered charting — standard for natal work.
Earth-centered charting — standard for natal work.
Essential dignity
Strength by sign placement (domicile, exaltation, etc.).
Strength by sign placement (domicile, exaltation, etc.).
Accidental dignity
Strength by house, motion, or condition (e.g. angular, direct).
Strength by house, motion, or condition (e.g. angular, direct).
Sect
Day/night chart condition in traditional astrology (diurnal vs nocturnal).
Day/night chart condition in traditional astrology (diurnal vs nocturnal).
Almuten
Planet with most dignity at a degree — traditional technique.
Planet with most dignity at a degree — traditional technique.
Profections
Annual timing technique advancing one house per year.
Annual timing technique advancing one house per year.
Firdaria
Traditional planetary period system.
Traditional planetary period system.
Decan / Face
10° subdivisions of each sign with planetary sub-rulers.
10° subdivisions of each sign with planetary sub-rulers.
Term / Bound
Irregular degree segments with planetary rulers in traditional systems.
Irregular degree segments with planetary rulers in traditional systems.
Antiscia
Mirror degrees across the cancer–capricorn axis.
Mirror degrees across the cancer–capricorn axis.
Contra-antiscia
Mirror degrees across the aries–libra axis.
Mirror degrees across the aries–libra axis.
Out of bounds
Planet beyond the Sun’s maximum declination — wild-card expression.
Planet beyond the Sun’s maximum declination — wild-card expression.
Mutual reception
Two planets in each other’s signs — alliance.
Two planets in each other’s signs — alliance.
Translation of light
A fast planet aspects two others in sequence, linking their themes.
A fast planet aspects two others in sequence, linking their themes.
Collection of light
A slow planet receives aspects from two others, binding them.
A slow planet receives aspects from two others, binding them.
Combust
Planet very close to the Sun — overwhelmed by solar glare in traditional view.
Planet very close to the Sun — overwhelmed by solar glare in traditional view.
Under the beams
Planet within roughly 15° of the Sun — less visible symbolically.
Planet within roughly 15° of the Sun — less visible symbolically.
Hayz
Traditional condition of a planet in its preferred sect and hemisphere.
Traditional condition of a planet in its preferred sect and hemisphere.
Peregrine
Planet with no essential dignity in its degree — free agent, for better or worse.
Planet with no essential dignity in its degree — free agent, for better or worse.
Triplicity
Elemental grouping of signs sharing the same element.
Elemental grouping of signs sharing the same element.
Quadrant
Angular, succedent, or cadent house classification.
Angular, succedent, or cadent house classification.
Angular house
1st, 4th, 7th, 10th — highly expressive.
1st, 4th, 7th, 10th — highly expressive.
Succedent house
2nd, 5th, 8th, 11th — stabilizing.
2nd, 5th, 8th, 11th — stabilizing.
Cadent house
3rd, 6th, 9th, 12th — distributing and processing.
3rd, 6th, 9th, 12th — distributing and processing.
Electional astrology
Choosing times for actions based on the sky.
Choosing times for actions based on the sky.
Horary astrology
Answering a question from a chart cast for the moment it is asked.
Answering a question from a chart cast for the moment it is asked.
Mundane astrology
Charts for nations, events, and collective weather.
Charts for nations, events, and collective weather.
Psychological astrology
Chart as map of psyche and development rather than fixed fate.
Chart as map of psyche and development rather than fixed fate.
Evolutionary astrology
Nodes and Pluto framed as soul-growth curriculum.
Nodes and Pluto framed as soul-growth curriculum.
Hellenistic astrology
Greco-Roman techniques revived in modern practice.
Greco-Roman techniques revived in modern practice.
Jyotish
Indian astrological tradition, often sidereal.
Indian astrological tradition, often sidereal.
Mesopotamian astrology
Early omen and planetary traditions of the ancient Near East.
Early omen and planetary traditions of the ancient Near East.
Oracular
Reading used for guidance and reflection rather than rigid prediction.
Reading used for guidance and reflection rather than rigid prediction.
Rectification
Estimating unknown birth time from life events.
Estimating unknown birth time from life events.
Relocation chart
Natal planets recalculated for a different geographic location.
Natal planets recalculated for a different geographic location.
Astrocartography
Mapping planetary lines across the globe for place emphasis.
Mapping planetary lines across the globe for place emphasis.
Harmonics
Charts based on dividing the circle (e.g. 5th harmonic) for specialized themes.
Charts based on dividing the circle (e.g. 5th harmonic) for specialized themes.
Draconic chart
Chart shifted so the North Node is 0° Aries — nodal reference frame.
Chart shifted so the North Node is 0° Aries — nodal reference frame.
