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GLOSSARY OF TERMS | SYMBOLS | PLANETS | ASPECTS

Astrological Symbols

One of the most useful tips for learning astrological signs, symbols and their meanings is to categorize all the different influences in astrology under the twelve signs of the zodiac. This is a valid approach, because each zodiac sign possesses the same qualities as its corresponding house and ruling planet. The sign Aries, for instance, is the same type of influence as that exerted by the first house of a horoscope and by its ruling planet Mars. The main difference between them is that signs and houses are passive in their influence while planets are active. A zodiac sign has universal significance; a house has personal significance to an individual; a planet acts within them both to produce effects.

SIGN

HOUSE

RULER

ELEMENT/
MODALITY


KEYWORDS


Aries

1


Mars

FIRE
CARDINAL

Beginnings, Original, Physical Force, Identity, Head, Face
Positive: Pioneering, Original, Enterprising, Courageous, Direct. Negative: Selfish, Brash, Impulsive, Pugnacious, Impatient


Taurus

2


Venus

EARTH
FIXED

Money, Security, Bulk, Values, Permanence, Neck
Positive: Patient, Reliable, Enduring, Stable, Trustworthy, Affectionate. Negative: Stubborn, Greedy, Possessive, Lazy, Inflexible.


Gemini

3


Mercury

AIR
MUTABLE

Communication, Ideas, Concepts, Lungs, Nerves
Positive: Intellectual, Adaptable, Versatile, Witty, Lively, Amusing. Negative: Changeable, Restless, Cunning, Deceitful, Nervous.


Cancer

4


Moon

WATER
CARDINAL

Emotions, Home, Mother, Female, Stomach
Positive: Kind, Sensitive, Maternal/Paternal Instinct, Imaginative, Patriotic. Negative: Over-emotional, Moody, Worrisome, Cantankerous, Abrasive.


Leo

5


Sun

FIRE
FIXED

Leadership, Talents, Ego, Children, Drama, Heart
Positive: Magnanimous, Generous, Creative, Enthusiastic, Dynamic. Negative: Pompous, Conceited, Bullying, Snobbish, Intolerant, Melodramatic.


Virgo

6


Mercury

EARTH
MUTABLE

Health, Work, Service, Analysis, Intestines
Positive: Discriminating, Analytical, Practical, Meticulous, Modest, Clean. Negative: Critical, Fussy, Overly Fastidious, Picky.


Libra

7


Venus

AIR
CARDINAL

Love, Marriage, Balance, Beauty, Peace, Kidneys
Positive: Charming, Harmonious, Romantic, Diplomatic, Sociable, Artistic. Negative: Indecisive, Frivolous, Flirtatious, Acquiescent, Procrastinating.


Scorpio

8


Pluto

WATER
FIXED

Sex, Intimacy, Intensity, Truth, Death, Taxes
Positive: Loyal, True to Beliefs, Persistent, Determined, Passionate. Negative: Jealous, Resentful, Obstinate, Secretive, Suspicious.


Sagittarius

9


Jupiter

FIRE
MUTABLE

Law, Philosophy, Travel, Social Consciousness
Positive: Jovial, Optimistic, Frank, Scrupulous, Sense of Humor. Negative: Tactless, Restless, Blindly Optimistic, Irresponsible, Capricious.


Capricorn

10


Saturn

EARTH
CARDINAL

Career, Restriction, Structure, Enforcement, Knees
Positive: Cautious, Ambitious, Prudent, Shrewd, Patient, Disciplined. Negative: Pessimistic, Rigid, Over-exacting, Controlling, Unemotional.


Aquarius

11


Uranus

AIR
FIXED

Friends, Masses, Occult, Media, Shins, Ankles
Positive: Humanitarian, Friendly, Progressive, Inventive, Experimental. Negative: Eccentric, Rebellious, Unpredictable, Contrary, Unconventional


Pisces

12


Neptune

WATER
MUTABLE

Spirituality, Psychism, Creativity, Illusion, Feet
Positive: Humble, Compassionate, Sympathetic, Unworldly, Intuitive. Negative: Vague, Careless, Weak-willed, Indecisive, Confused, Unable to Cope.

Other Symbols used in chart notation

Asc
Ascendant

The leftmost point of the chart wheel. Also called the Rising Sign. The Ascendant is one of the main influences in any chart, because it determines the house placement for the entire chart. It indicates how persons see themselves, not necessarily how other people see them. The Ascendant confers personality traits of the zodiac sign it occupies.

MC
Midheaven

The topmost point of the chart wheel. Abbreviation for the Latin Medium Coeli, meaning literally, 'middle of the heavens.' It indicates the point of the zodiac directly above an individual at the time of birth. The Midheaven shows where you will tend to be successful in life or the types of activities which will bring the greatest success.


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.


North Node

The North Node indicates the degree of the zodiac towards which the north pole of the Moon is pointing, as a result of the lunar axial tilt. Positive in influence, The North Node is a direction pointer, indicating the direction in consciousness toward which a person should be moving or the activities which will bring lasting results.


South Node

The South Node indicates the degree of the zodiac towards which the south pole of the Moon is pointing. It is always opposite, or 180° from, the North Node. A limiting influence, The South Node shows where an individual may suffer a setback or indicates those activities which turn out to be dead ends.

Major Aspects

Aspect

Difference in Degrees

Meaning


Conjunction

A conjunction occurs when one planet lines up with another planet (or influence) on the same degree of the zodiac. A conjunction is the most positive of the aspects, bringing emphasis and good fortune in the areas of life indicated by the planets (or influences) themselves, and the signs and houses which they occupy.


Square

90°

A square occurs when one planets is 90° away from, or at a right angle to, another planet or influence. This is generally a stressful aspect bringing blockage, delay or obstacle to the areas of life indicated by the planets (or influences) themselves, and the signs and houses which they occupy.


Trine

120°

A trine occurs when one planet is 120°, or one-third of the wheel, away from another planet or influence. This is a positive aspect, providing harmony or an 'open doorway' in the areas of life indicated by the planets (or influences) themselves, and the signs and houses which they occupy.


Opposition

180°

An opposition occurs when one planet is 180° away from, or in opposition to, another planet or influence. This is a usually a stressful aspect, presenting a challenge or difficulty to the individual. The nature of the difficulty is shown by the planets, signs and houses involved.

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