Glossary
of Terms | Symbols | Planets | Aspects
Glossary
of Astrological Terms
Air: One of the four astrological Elements. Relates to the
mind, thinking and ideas; also to the qualities of air such as
changeability and unpredictable patterns.
Angles: The top, bottom, left and right points of a chart
wheel. The four angles of a chart are known as the Ascendant
(leftmost part of the wheel), Descendant (rightmost part of a chart
wheel), Midheaven (top) and Nadir (bottom.) A planet near one of
these points is said to be angular. The term 'angle' is also used to
denote the size in degrees of a planetary aspect. A trine, for
instance, can also be referred to as an 'angle of 120 degrees.'
Angular: In close proximity to the angles of a chart. See
Angles above.
Applying: When the distance between two Planets in aspect is
narrowing towards an exact aspect, the aspect is said to apply, or it
is an applying aspect. This term can be used in regard to natal, as
well as transiting and progressed charts, for one can be born at a
time when one planet is applying to another planet in aspect. See Separating.
Ascendant (Asc or AC): The leftmost part of a chart wheel,
indicating the sign and degree of the Eastern horizon. This sign of
the ascendant is also known as the Rising sign. This is one of the
four angles of a chart wheel which are considered sensitive points.
Aspect: The angular separation between two bodies, measured
along a circle of 360 degrees. The most used aspects are set at
increments of 30 degrees (30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 degrees). The
different aspects describe ways in which the energies of the two
bodies will interact with each other. More info
on Aspects
Asteroid: Any one of the thousands of bodies in space ranging
in size from large boulders to miles in diameter which orbit the sun
in a region known as the asteroid belt. The asteroid belt lies
between the orbits of mars and Jupiter. To date, over two thousand of
these bodies have been identified and catalogued. The largest
asteroids are Chiron, Astraea, Juno, Vesta, Pallas and Ceres.
Astrological Chart: Any chart calculated for a specific time
and place. A Natal chart is calculated for the time and place of a
person's birth: A transiting chart calculates the transiting position
of the Planets for a specific time and place (such as an specific
event). A Progressed chart calculates the position of the Planets at
a specific time and place according to the rules of progression.
Astrological Sign: A segment of the heavens, or portion of the
sky in which a zodiacal constellation resides. There are 12 Signs of
the Zodiac. The astrological signs can be thought of as the wedges of
an orange, which, taken as a whole, consitute the stellar sphere.
Benefics: An term originating from an 'old school of thought'
in astrology which refers collectively to the Sun, Venus, and
Jupiter. In traditional Predictive Astrology, these planets were
thought to bring "good luck".
Birth Data: The personal information required to calculate a
Natal chart; the year, month, day, exact time, and geographical
location of a person's birth.
Cardinal: One of the three modalities (see also Fixed and
Mutable) assigned to the zodiac signs. The cardinal signs in
astrology are Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. The cardinal
modalitiy defines the basic quality of these signs as enterprising or goal-oriented.
Chart Ruler: The most influencial, or powerful, planet in an
astrology chart. What consitutes the most influencial planet can vary
from astrologer to astrologer. To some, the planet that rules the
Sign of the Ascendant is the Chart Ruler. To others, it is the planet
which rules the Midheaven. To still others, it is the most prominent
planet by configuration or angularity. However it is determined, the
chart ruler establishes the most defining characteristics of the
chart, and it strongly affects all other parts of the chart.
Chiron: A planetoid discovered in 1977 between the orbits of
Saturn and Uranus. When Chiron was first discovered, it was thought
to be the tenth planet of our solar system. When it became apparent,
however, that Chiron did not support an atmosphere, it was downgraded
to a planetoid or large asteroid. In a chart, Chiron shows where you
may best show your mastery or expertise, or how you heal or benefit
others through your knowledge and past experience.
Configuration: Generally, it refers to the pattern or layout
of the planets in a chart wheel. Specifically, a configuration is a
pattern created by aspecting Planets. The main configuations are:
Stellium, Grand Trine, Grand Cross, T-Square and Yod. These patterns
point to major issues, talents, and challenges within one's nature.
Contra-parallel: A minor aspect formed by two planets having
the same degree of declination from the ecliptic but on opposite
sides, i.e., one at north declination, the other at south
declination. See also parallel.
Cusp: The dividing point between either zodiac signs or
houses. If a person is born 'on the cusp,' it is at a time when the
sun is close to the beginning or close to the end of a zodiac sign. A
house cusp is the dividing point between houses, shown as one of the
lines which radiates out from the center of the chart.
Daily Motion: Each Planet moves at a different speed through
the sky and each has an average amount of movement per day. The daily
motion of the sun, for instance is one degree; the daily motion of
Saturn is 2 minutes; Mars, 32 minutes; the Moon, 12 degrees, and so on.
Debility: A term referring to a planet being in the sign
opposite its rulership (detriment) or in the sign opposite its
exaltation (fall). A planet which is in debility is said to express
the weaker aspects of the sign. See also Dignity.
Declination: The number of degrees a body is North or South of
the Ecliptic.
Descendant: The rightmost point in a chart wheel, opposite to
the Ascendant, also known as the seventh house cusp. As with the
other angles of a chart, the Descendant is a sensitive point.
Transits or progressions over the Descendant can indicate major life events.
Detriment: A planet is 'in detriment' when it is in the sign
oposite its rulership. A planet in detriment is said to express its
weaker aspects. However, in a modern, sensitive approach to
astrology, the 'bad' connotation of a detriment may be disregarded.
Dignity: A term referring to a planet being in the sign of its
rulership or exaltation. A planet which is in dignity, or dignified,
is said to express the most positive aspects of the sign. See also Debility.
Earth: One of the four elements. Earth symbolizes security,
the edifices and sytems of society which instill a sense of
permanence or reality.
Ecliptic: An imaginary plane or disk which radiates out from
the equatorial region of the sun into space. The exact tilt of the
disk is determined by drawing an imaginary line from the center of
the sun to the center of the earth.
Element: A basic characteristic or quality in astrological
interpretation given to the signs of the zodiac. The astrological
Elements are: Earth, Air, Water and Fire.
Equinox: The culminating point of spring or autumn. At the
spring equinox, the earth's north pole is midway between the winter
and summer solstices and entering into the warming trend of summer.
At the autumnal equinox, the earth's noth pole is midway between the
winter and summer solstices and entering into the cooling period of winter.
Exaltation: A planet is 'in exaltation' or 'exalted' when it
is in the sign best suited to its nature. The signs in which the
planets are exalted have been ascertained by astrologers over a
course of many years. Pluto is exalted in Leo, for example, because
the Plutonian themes of power and influence are expressed most
constructively in the sign Leo.
Fall: A planet is 'in its fall' when it is in the sign oposite
its rulership. A planet in its fall is said to express its weaker
aspects. In a modern, sensitive approach to astrology, the 'bad'
connotation of a fall may be disregarded.
Fire: One of the four elements. Fire symbolizes energy,
enthusiasm and volatility.
Fixed: One of the three modalities (see also Cardinal and
Mutable) assigned to the zodiac signs. The fixed signs in astrology
are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. The fixed modalitiy defines
the basic quality of these signs as unchanging or unyielding to
outside influences.
Geographical Coordinates: The longitude and latitude of a
geographical location, necessary to construct a chart.
Geocentric: Meaning literally "earth-centered."
Relates to the positions of the planets and asteroids as viewed from
the earth, that is, as if the earth were at the center of the solar
system. See also heliocentric. More info on Geocentric.
Glyph: An astrological symbol used to represent a sign of the
Zodiac, a planet, aspect or asteroid. More info
on Symbols.
Grand Cross: An aspect configuration in which four planets
form four squares and two oppositions in the chart, thus creating the
shape of a cross. This configuration gives ambition and drive but may
also lead to compulsions. This configuration is most associated with
the ability to accomplish, especially if in the cardinal signs.
Grand Trine: An aspect configuration in which three planets
are trine each other, usually in the same element, thus forming the
shape of a triangle. This configuration may indicate 'good fortune
without effort.' If there are few stress indicators in the overall
chart, there may be a tendency to take the path of least resistance
rather than to develop inner potentials.
Heliocentric: Literally meaning "sun-centered." A
term used to signify the positions of the planets and asteroids as
viewed from the Sun. More info on Heliocentric.
House: A division of the chart wheel, representing about
one-twelfth of the total chart. The setup of the houses in one's
chart is determined by the positions of the Midheaven and Ascendant.
From these two points, the rest of the house cusps are calculated.
The houses of the chart represent the twelve main departments of
life. The house system is actually a personalized version of the
zodiac superimposed over the actual zodiac. The overlay of the house
and signs systems creates a framework of influences unique to each individual.
IC: Abbreviation used to designate the Nadir, the bottom of a
chart wheel or fourth house cusp. From the Latin, Imun Coeli, it
means literally, "bottom of the heavens."
Kite: An aspect configuration where a Planet opposes one of
the Planets in a Grand Trine. This opposing Planet can be a focusing
point or channel for the Grand Trine energies.
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