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Glossary of Terms
| Symbols
| Planets
| Aspects
Glossary
of Astrological Terms
Malifics: Term to represent Mars and Saturn collectively. The
'old school' of predictive astrology considered these planets to be
bad luck. A more modern approach insists that if one works with the
energies of these planets, much benefit can be gained. If one 'lets
himself slide,' the energies of these planets may manifest as bad
luck, health problems, accidents, etc.
MC: Abbreviation used to designate the Midheaven, the top of a
chart wheel or tenth house cusp. From the Latin, Medium Coeli, it
means literally, "middle of the heavens."
Midheaven (MC): The topmost point in a chart wheel, also known
as the tenth house cusp. In a natal chart, the Midheaven is the point
in the heavens directly overhead at the time of birth. As with the
other angles of a chart, the Midheaven is a sensitive point. Transits
or progressions over the Midheaven can indicate major life events.
Modality or Mode: A designation representing one of three
basic qualities of the zodiac signs. The three modalities or modes in
astrology are Cardinal, Fixed and Mutable.
Moon's nodes: A term used to illustrate the axial tilt of the
moon, or the direction in which the axis of the moon is pointing.
Every rotating body has a 'wobble.' Much like a spinning top winding
down, the axis of the spinning body moves to form a small circle at
the north and south poles. Over an 18 year period, the nodes (or
north and south poles) make one complete cycle through the signs of
the zodiac. The position of the north node shows where one can
receive greatest benefit or where one is most likely to succeed. The
position of the south node reveals innate abilities and tendencies,
but also where one can stagnate or be unfulfilled.
Mutable: One of the three modalities (see also Cardinal and
Fixed) assigned to the zodiac signs. The mutable signs in astrology
are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces. The mutable modalitiy
defines the basic quality of these signs as adaptable or changeable.
Mutual Reception: When each of two planets is in the sign
ruled by the other, a relationship is formed between the two that
acts like a conjunction. For example, if Mercury (ruler of Gemini) is
in Sagittarius, and Jupiter (ruler of Sagittarius) is in Gemini, the
two planets are drawn together by virtue of their shared meanings,
leading to beneficial effect.
Nadir (IC): The bottom of the chart or fourth house cusp
Natal Chart: An Astrological chart calculated for the time,
date, and geographical location of a specific person.
Native: A term used by astrologers to refer to the person for
whom a chart is drawn.
Nodes of the moon: See Moon's Nodes
Orb: The number of degrees from exact allowed for an aspect.
For most planets, an orb of 6 derees is allowed. For the sun and
moon, an orb of 10 degrees may be allowed.
Parallel: A minor aspect formed by two planets having the same
degree of declination from the ecliptic while also being on the same
side of the ecliptic, i.e., both north declination or both south
declination. See also contra-parallel.
Part of Fortune: The Part of Fortune has emerged as perhaps
the most meaningful of the Arabic Parts of which there are 32, and
has become a fixture in most natal charts. It is a mathematical
calculation based on the positions of Sun, Moon and Ascendant. It is
a destiny aspect showing the life activities which will bring the
greatest good fortune or personal satisfaction.
Planet: Refers to one of the planets in our solar system. In
astrology, the sun and moon are also considered 'planets.' More
info on Planets
Planetary Position: The position by sign, degree and house, of
a planet in an astrological chart.
Precession of the Equinoxes: A term used to describe the
gradual movement caused by the wobble of the earth on its axis. The
gradual turning of the earth's poles, much like that of a spinning
top as it winds down, causes the seasons of the year to begin
slightly earlier each year. Thus the exact moments of Spring and
Autmnal equinoxes each year occurs a few minutes earlier than the
year before. This gradual movement which takes 25,800 years to
complete its cycle, causes the ages. (We are now in the Age of Aquarius.)
Progression: A theory of planetary movement which states that
the planets in a person's natal chart move very slowly over a
lifetime. A person still retains his or her natal chart, but the
progressed chart is superimposed over the natal to reveal movement
which influences major life events and circumstances. There are two
types of progression. In Primary Progression, one degree is
added to each planet's natal position for each year of real time. In Secondary
Progression, one day's planetary movement equals one year of
real time. Example: If the moon moves 12 degrees per day in real
time, by progression, it moves 12 degrees per year.
Quadrant: One quarter of a chart wheel. The circle of the 360
degree chart is divided into four quadrants. Each quadrant represents
an arena of experience. The lower left quadrant relates to the self,
personal development and identity. The lower right relates to ideas
and accomplishment, how you express yourself, creatively or
otherwise. The upper right quadrant relates to social awareness and
relationships. The upper left quadrant relates to spirituality and
one's sense of mission.
Quadruplicity: Same as Astrological Element. See Element.
Relocation Chart: The computation of a chart for a given time,
using a different (relocated) logitude and latitude. Used if one
lives in a different place than the birthplace.
Retrograde: A planet's backward movement as seen from the
earth based on the fact that the earth is not the center of the solar
system. Retrograde is notated in a chart by an "Rx" after
the planet, sign, and degree. The retrograde movement of a planets
initiates a three stage process: direct movement over a point,
retrograde (or backward) movement over the same point, and direct
motion for the final time. In the first stage, a native is confronted
with a situation or problem; in the second, the native is compelled
to solve the problem; in the third stage, the native finds final resolution.
Ruler: Each sign of the zodiac and each of the 12 houses is
associated with a specific planet, and is said to be ruled by that
planet. Every sign and every house in a chart has a planetary ruler. More
info on Rulers
Secondary Progressions: See Progressions.
Separating: When the distance between two Planets in aspect is
widening away from exact aspect, it is said to be a separating
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 separating from another planet in aspect. See Applying:
Sidereal Zodiac: The measuring system in which a Planet is
measured in relationship to a background of fixed stars. See Zodiac:
Solar Arc: An angular distance between the Natal Sun and the
secondary progressed Sun that is used for a technique called solar
arc directions.
Solstice: The culminating point of winter or summer. At the
winter solstice, the earth's north pole is at its maximum distance
from the sun, causing winter in the northern hemisphere and summer in
the southern hemisphere. At the summer solstice, the eath's noth pole
is tilted to closest proximity to the sun, causing summer.
Stellium: An aspect configuration where at least 5 planets are
located within the same Sign, indicating a strong area of focus in
the chart. In a house stellium, at least 5 planets are in one house
of an astrological chart.
Symbols: The glyphs and abbreviations used to symbolized
planets, signs, chart points and asteroids. See table
of Astrological Symbols.
Synastry: The comparison of 2 or more charts which shows the
aspects created between the planets of one chart and the planets of
the other chart(s). Synastry is often used in the charts of two
people in order to understand relationships.
Transiting Planets: Transits refer to the day-to-day positions
of the planets. These positions may be superimposed onto the natal
chart to provide information on current happenings or predictions.
T-Square: A configuration of planets in which two opposing
planets are squared by a third planet. The third or squaring planet
may be key in resolving the problems or challenges brough about by
the opposition.
Triplicity: Same as mode or modality. See Modes.
Tropical Zodiac: The measuring system in which planetary
longitudes are measured against the point in the sky where the Sun is
on the first day of Spring. This is the system most used in Western
Astrology. This is the system which uses the dates for each of the
Astrological Signs that are listed in The signs of the Zodiac chapter.
Water Sign: One of the four elements. Water symbolizes
emotion, flow and the interrelationship of all things.
Yod: A planetary configuration consisting of two planets
making an aspect of 150 degrees on both sides of a third planet. The
yod is sometimes called "the finger of God" aspect,
indicating that a person may have a special mission or purpose in life.
Zodiac or zodiac belt: The pathway in the heavens through
which the planets pass in their orbits. Because no planet has a
declination greater than 8 degrees north or south of the ecliptic,
the movements of the planets are restricted to a zone or belt in the
sky known as the zodiac.
Tropical Zodiac: The measuring system in which planetary
longitudes are measured against the point in the sky where the Sun is
on the first day of Spring. This is the system most used in chart calculation.
Sidereal Zodiac: The measuring system in which the position of
a planetary body is determined by its relationship to the background
of fixed stars.
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