Glossary of Astrological Terms

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A Glossary of Astrological Terms

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Air: One of the four Elements. See Study Guide Symbols of Astrology and elements chart. Applying: When the distance between two Planets in aspect is narrowing towards an exact
aspect, the aspect is said to be an applying aspect. This is easier to explain using an example: Note that the chart in Planets in Aspect the aspect named opposition is defined as planets in a relationship (value) of 180 degrees from each other with an orb of influence of 7. That means that if two planets are 180 degrees plus or minus 7 degrees from each other they would be interpreted as being in opposition, ie, they are close enough to exact to influence each other in the manner of an opposition. An orb of 179 degrees would be moving toward [applying aspect] the exact aspect value of 180 degrees and an orb of 182 degrees would be moving away from [separating aspect] the exact orb of 180 degrees. This is further complicated by the fact that various astrologers may use a slightly different orb of influence then the ones noted in this chart.

Ascendant: Follow the horizontal line on the natal chart wheel to the left where it intersects
with the wheel. The Zodiacal Sign located here on the Cusp of the first House is the Rising Sign, and this sign and its number of degrees is called the Ascendant. It represents your way of expressing yourself in action. This is one of the four main horoscope angles of the chart wheel, which are considered sensative points. These four angles are located at the very leftmost point (Ascendant), the very rightmost point (Descendant) , the top (Midheaven or MC), and the bottom (Nadar or IC [Imum Coli]) of the chart wheel.

Aspect Configurations: Patterns of aspected Planets, such as a Stellium, Grand Trine,

Grand Cross, T-Square, or Yod. These patterns point to major issues, talents, and challenges within one's nature.

Aspect: The angular separation between two bodies, measured along a great circle, is
termed Aspect. Each one of a set of specific number of degrees has an Astrological name and symbol and describes a way in which the energies of the two bodies influence each other. In additions, certain groups of aspects have specific names (Stellium, Grand Trine, Grand Cross, T-Square, Yod, etc.). Whole books have been written on this subject alone. See Planets in Aspect. Also see Applying:

Asteroids: The effects of the Asteroids have been studied, much as the effects of the
Planets, and they may well be the remains of an exploded planet. Ceres, Pallas, Juno, and Vesta were the first four asteroids discovered, but there are hundreds. This vastly complicates learning astrology, so we will simply introduce the concept here and there are many books available if you wish to study them in depth.

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 Transit chart calculates the position of the Planets at a specific time and place (such as an specific event). A Progressed chart calculates the position of the Planets at specific time and place and places these "progressed" positions of the Planets within the Natal chart. This gives valuable information on how the present positions of the Planets are affecting any person's unique natural patterns. The intent
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of this guide is to present the basic concepts of Astrology, so we shall only mention that there are several different methods of progressing a chart. See Progression:

Astrological Sign: There are 12 Signs of the Zodiac. Benefics: An old term applied to the Planets Sun, Venus, and Jupiter by traditional
Predictive Astrology; 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: The four basic Elements (Fire, Earth, Air, and Water) can each act in one of three
basic ways, or Modes (Cardinal, Fixed, or Mutable). In addition to the above links, the Study Guide Signs of the Zodiac, Houses, and Planetary Rulers shows the Mode and Element of each sign. This seems very complicated at first, but once you have grasped the concept the symbolic language of Astrology can be experienced as an elegant language! Each single symbol or glyph carries so much information.

Chart Ruler: The Planet that rules the Sign on the Ascendant of your Natal chart is called
the Chart Ruler and its placement in your chart strongly affects all other parts of the chart.

Chiron: A minor Planet discovered in 1977, Chiron is located between the orbits of Saturn
and Uranus. It appears to be associated with expanding consciousness and powers of healing.

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 Saturn is 2 degrees; Mars, 32 degrees; Moon, 12 degrees; Sun, Venus, and Mercury, 1 degree.

Descendant: The point in a natal chart opposite to the Ascendant. See Horoscope Angles: Declination: The number of degrees a body is North or South of the Equator is its
declination. Parallels are aspects in declination, and the effect is considered to be similar to a conjunction.

Detriment: (see below, Dignity:) Dignity: A Planet's dignity basically refers to the strength of its position in the chart. A
Planet is strong, or said to be Dignified, when in a sign that it rules: (See chart Signs of the Zodiac: Houses and Planetary Rulers.) It is said to be exalted when in specific signs, or to be in its fall or detriment when in other certain signs. The origins of the principles are lost in antiquity, and thought by some astrologers to be obsolete. This is beyond what we want to study now, but it helps to understand the terms when they appear in something you are reading.

Element: See Study Guide: Elements: Fire, Earth, Air, Water Fixed: The four basic Elements (Fire, Earth, Air, and Water) can each act in one of three
basic ways, or Modes (Cardinal, Fixed, or Mutable). In addition to the above links, the Study Guide Signs of the Zodiac, Houses, and Planetary Rulers shows the Mode and Element of
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each sign.

Geographical Coordinates: The geographical coordinates, the longitude and latitude of a

geographical location, are necessary to construct a chart and may be found in an Atlas.

Geocentric Planets: As seen from the center of the planet. Glyph: An astrological symbol. Throughout this booklet you will see the glyphs for the
signs of the Zodiac, for the Planets, and for aspects.

Grand Cross: An aspect configuration in which four planets form four squares and two
oppositions in the chart. This configuration shows inner power and strength, and where and what will intensely challenge them to be developed.

Grand Trine: An aspect configuration in which three planets are trine each other, usually
in the same element. This configuration indicates an easy energy, "good luck" without effort. If no other aspect challenges here, there may be an inclination to move on one's charm or luck rather than to develop inner potentials.

Heliocentric Planets: As seen from the center of the Sun. Horoscope Angles: There are four main horoscope angles in the chart wheel, which are
considered sensative points. These four angles are located at the very leftmost point (Ascendant), the very rightmost point (Descendant) , the top (Midheaven or MC), and the bottom (Nadar or IC [Imum Coli]) of the chart wheel.

House: see Symbols of Astrology and The Twelve Houses. House System: The band of sky in which the Planets move is called the Zodiac. The
Zodiac is divided into 12 signs, each of which contains 30 degrees (1/12th of a circle). Each sign represents a specific energy pattern and has a corresponding House. The House represents the field of experience, the arena, in which the energy pattern of the Sign acts in your life. Each House has a Planet which is its natural ruler and your Natal chart will have your own planet that rules each sign. Now we complicate this a little more: There are several methods of calculating houses. The methods are named after the inventors of the system. Some of the most used house systems are; Koch; Campanus; Placidus; Equal; Porphrey; and Meridan.

IC: See Nadir: Kite: An aspect configuration where a Planet opposes one of the Planets in a Grand Trine.
This opposing Planet can supply the challenge and the channel for the Grand Trine energies.

Malifics: Old time predictive astrology considered Mars and Saturn to be bad luck. If you
do not work with the insistant energy of these Planets, the friction caused by your resistance can be felt in your life as pain, bad luck, etc., but it's as much the lack of awareness that causes the problem as it is the energy pattern itself.

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Midheaven (MC): One of the four mundane points in the chart, the midheaven is located
at the highest point overhead; the cusp of the 10th house. See Horoscope Angles:

Mutable: The four basic Elements (Fire, Earth, Air, and Water) can each act in one of three
basic ways, or Modes (Cardinal, Fixed, or Mutable). In addition to the above links, the Study Guide Signs of the Zodiac, Houses, and Planetary Rulers shows the Mode and Element of each sign.

Mutual Reception: When each of two Planets is in the Sign ruled by the other, a
relationship is formed that acts much like a conjunction. (example; The sun [ruled by Leo] is in Cancer and the Moon [ruled by Cancer] is in Leo.)

Nadir (IC or Imum Coli): Cusp of the 4th house. This is one of the horoscope angles.
The IC is thought to be a transformation point in the chart. See Horoscope Angles:

Natal Chart: An Astrological chart calculated for the time, date, and geographical location
of a specific person.

Native: A term sometimes used by astrologers to refer to the person for whom a reading is
being given.

Node: The location of the nodes can be calculated for each planet, but in practice the term
usually refers to the North and South nodes of the Moon. The Location of the nodes of the moon give information about our life's work. The North Node represents the ideals toward which we are moving, and the South node represents the gifts we bring from the past; the things that we already know how to do well.

Nonogen: A minor aspect. See Planets in Aspect.

Orb: The number of degrees from exact allowed for an aspect. See Planets in Aspect. Also see Applying:

Part of Fortune: A calculated point in space said to indicate, by House placement, where a
person's talents lie.

Planet: See The Planets. Planet Positions: The Sign and House position of a Planet within an astrological chart. Progression: The Natal horoscope reveals the energy patterns imprinted on us at the time
of birth. There are several methods by which the planetary positions are moved (progressed) forward (or backward) in time, and their energy patterns can be seen to activate Natal patterns. This Technique shows inner growth potentials. PRIMARY PROGRESSION: One degree is added to the natal Planet's position for each year of real time. SECONDARY PROGRESSION: One day's planetary movement equals one year of real time.

Quadrant: The circle of the 360 degree chart is divided into four quadrants. Each quadrant
represents an arena of experience. First equals intuition, second equals emotion or feelings, third equals sensation and fourth equals thinking.
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Relocation: The computation of a chart for a given time, using a different (relocated)
logitude and latitude. (For example: if one lives in a different place than the birthplace.)

Retrograde Planets: When a Planet appears to move backward as seen from the earth it is
said to be retrograde. This will be marked on a Natal Chart, for example, by a R after the Planet, sign, and degrees notation. The energy patterns of a retrograde Planet tend to be experienced more on an internal level than those experienced by direct movement.

Ruler: Each Sign of the Zodiac and each of the 12 Houses are associated with a specific
Planetary energy, and is said to be ruled by that Planet. The Planet that rules the sign on the Ascendant is called the Chart Ruler.

Secondary Progressions: See Progressions. Separating: When the distance between two Planets in aspect is widening away from the
exact, it is said to be a separating 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.

Stellium: An aspect configuration where at least 4 planets are located within 8 degrees of
the next Planet, and in the same Sign, indicating a strong area of focus in the chart.

Sun/Moon Angle: If you find the significance of this, please e-mail it to me! Synastry: The art of chart comparison between 2 people in order to understand
relationships.

Transiting Planets: Transits refer to the current position of the planets. These positions
relative to the Natal placement of Planets give information about what energy patterns in the Natal Chart are now being activated.

T-Square: A configuration of Planets in aspect; two opposing Planets are square a third
Planet. All are usually in the same mode. This configuration indicates a high degree of motivation and ability to achieve, and a difficulty staying balanced. The focal point of the aspect holds the key to what issues are involved.

Triplicity: See Study Guide: Symbols of Astrology. 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.

Uranian Astrology: A system of Astrology that uses sensitive points in the chart to
understand the horoscope. In addition to the traditional sensitive points (Sun, Moon, Planets,
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understand the horoscope. In addition to the traditional sensitive points (Sun, Moon, Planets, Ascendant, Moon's Nodes), this system also uses the Transneptunian Planets, midpoints, and a 90 degree wheel. The Transneptunian Planets are; Cupido, Hades, Zeus, Kronos, Appollon, Vulcanus, and Poseidon. This system appears to be particularly effective in Medical Astrology.

Vertex: An experimental horoscope angle, or sensitive point. As the horizon divides the
chart into up and down, the vertex divides it into back and front.

Water Sign: One of the four elements. See Study Guide: Elements: Fire, Earth, Air, Water . Zodiac: The band of sky in which the Planets move is called the Zodiac. The Zodiac is
divided into 12 signs, each of which contains 30 degrees (1/12th of a circle). There are two Zodiac systems, the Tropical Zodiac and the Sidereal 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 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. Sidereal Zodiac: The measuring system in which a Planet is measured in relationship to a background of fixed stars. Comments, suggestions, corrections, and requests for clarification are most welcome. Joyce Moss moss5@mindspring.com

Interesting Links || Astrodienst on-line Free On-line Natal Chart || || The StoryTeller's Page ||

Introduction to Astrology
|| Introduction || Symbols of Astrology || The Natal Chart || Sun, Moon, Ascendant || The Planets || || Signs of the Zodiac || Houses || Aspects || Signs, Glyphs, Elements, Modes ||

Study Guides:
|| Signs of the Zodiac, Houses, Planetary Rulers || Elements: Fire, Earth, Air, Water || || Modes: Cardinal, Fixed, Mutable || Sample Chart || Glossary ||

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