Ascendant

A chart made up of the midpoints between the planets from two people's birth charts, for the purpose of relationship analysis. This technique is a recent invention, not found in traditional astrology.

Conjunction (Conjunct)

Degree

The zodiac is divided into 360 equal degrees, which are themselves divided into twelve signs of thirty degrees each. One degree contains 60 minutes and each minute contains 60 seconds of longitudinal arc.

Earth Element

One of the four astrological elements. A feminine element, it stands for materiality, solidity, matters to do with security and so on. The other elements are, Fire, Air and Water.

Earth Signs

Taurus (fixed), Virgo (mutable), Capricorn (cardinal).

Eclipse

Solar and Lunar eclipses are important keys to political and social events. They are also significant in natal and progressed horoscopes. An eclipse happens when the Sun, Earth and Moon align so that, in a solar eclipse, the body of the Moon obscures the body of the Sun and in a lunar eclipse, the body of the Earth obscures the Moon. In each case the Sun's light is obstructed, causing the eclipse.

Eighth House

Election

Chart cast to ascertain the most auspicious time for important events, such as marriages, moving house and so on. Used in Horary Astrology.

Eleventh House

The eleventh chart segment. Governs friendships, hopes and wishes, personal goals, associations, group aspirations, cooperation, bettering the community and humanitarianism

Ephemeris

Tables of planetary places used to find their positions in the horoscope. Now widely available in computerized form.

Fiery Element

One of the four astrological elements. A masculine element, it stands for action, positivity, matters to do with spirituality and so on. The other elements are Water, Air and Earth.

Fifth House

The fifth segment of a chart. It represents recreation, creativity, hobbies, gambling, risks, children, love affairs and the extension of the self through children or love relationships.

Fire Signs

Aries (cardinal), Leo (fixed), Sagittarius (mutable).

First House

Fixed Signs

Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius.

Fourth House

Fourth segment of an astrological chart. It represents the end of matters, religious and philosophical beliefs, the home, real estate and the querent's father (though in modern astrology can also represent the mother, or parental influnce in general).

Grand Cross

Two sets of oppositions at right angles to each other. An aspect representing very difficult energy. It creates frustration, anger, stress, intensity and the feeling of always being on a treadmill. It promotes self-growth and endurance.

Grand Trine

Three planets spaced 120° apart around the chart. A fortunate aspect representing very easy energy. It nourishes the continuous use of natural talents and abilities, is an area of comfort, and can assist life in being either positive or negative.

Horary Astrology

A branch of astrology dealing with questions regarding any important matter. A chart is erected for the time when the querent's mind is most strongly focused on the matter in question.

Horoscope

A chart of the heavens cast for a particular moment in time, as reflected at a particular place on the Earth's surface. The construction and interpretation of the horoscope is the basis of astrological practice.

Hours, Planetary

The hours of the day are ruled by planets in their order from Saturn inward to the Moon.

House

One of twelve divisions of the heavens as seen from the Earth. Each house has a particular field of reference to events on Earth, or in the querent's life.

Impedited

A planet is impeded in its natural action when afflicted, especially by malefics.

Imum Coeli (IC)

The fourth house cusp. The Lower Heaven, or Nadir. The north point of the horoscope.

Inconjunct Quincunx

An aspect of 150°, creating stress, unhappiness and sorrow. The aspect has a 6th or 8th house effect, depending on whether the swifter planet is applying or separating from the opposition to the slower.

Ingress

Entry of a planet into a sign. Usually the Sun's ingress into the four cardinal signs.

Intercepted

When a sign is fully enclosed between the cusps of a house without actually being on either cusp it is described as being intercepted. This only appears in charts; signs are never intercepted in the zodiac.

Jupiter

The king of the gods, a planet symbolising matters to do with the law, religion, authority, the higher mind and so on. Ruler of Sagittarius and Pisces. Exalted in Cancer. The greater benefic.

Latitude (Celestial)

Measurement of distance of any planet or star north or south of the ecliptic. The Sun never has any latitude.

Latitude (Terrestrial)

Degree of distance of any place north or south of the Earth's equator.

Leo

This regal sign is the fifth sign of the zodiac. Ruled by the Sun. The exaltation of Pluto. Leo's symbol is the lion.

Libra

The seventh sign of the zodiac, Libra is the sign most concerned with relationships. Cardinal and Airy. Ruled by Venus. The exaltation of Saturn. Libra's symbol is the scales, or balance

Mars

The planet of action! This masculine planet rules Aries and Scorpio and is exalted in Capricorn.

Medium Coeli (MC)

Mid-heaven, or meridien. The Southern point of the chart.

Mercury

A fast moving planet never more than 28° from the Sun. This planet, neither masculine, nor feminine but convertible, rules Gemini and Virgo and is exalted in Virgo.

Meridien

A great circle projected onto the celestial sphere, which encompasses the north and south points on the horizon and the zenith, which is directly above the observer.

Moon

The Earth's satellite. The Moon is classed as a planet ("wanderer") in astrology and represents matters to do with women, the mother, the public, the emotions and so on. A feminine planet, she rules Cancer and is exalted in Taurus. Several other planets have recently been determined by astronomers to have moons, but these are not generally considered in astrology.

Mutable Signs

Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces.

Mutual Reception

See Reception.

Natal Chart

Horoscope drawn for the Nativity. Birth Chart.

Neptune

One of the outer, trans-personal planets. Rules Pisces with Jupiter, Exalted in Cancer.

Ninth House

The ninth chart segment, governing higher learning, religious education, long distance travel, lawyers, legal affairs and publishing.

Nodes

The point in the zodiac where a planet passes from southern into northern lattitude is called the North Node and vice versa. The motion of the Moon's Node is retrograde, about 3' per day (see Dragon's Head). The north node is called the ascending, the south the descending node. Neither the Sun nor the Earth have nodes.

Opposition

An adverse aspect of 180 degrees.

Orb

An aspect between planets or sensitive points is usually allowed some inexactitude, which is called its orb of influence. Major aspects are allowed a greater orb than minor ones. For example, a conjunction is usually allowed an orb of 8 degrees, whereas an semi-sextile would only be allowed an orb of 2 degrees of arc. The Moon is usually allowed more orb than other planets, while faster planets are allowed more orb than slower ones. Greater orb is allowed in natal astrology than in mundane, where timing is more critical.

Parallel Aspect (Zodiacal)

Planets having equal distance in declination on the same side of the equator. A similar effect to the conjunction. Contra-parallel is the equal distance in declination on opposite sides of the equator and is similar in effect to the opposition aspect.

Perihelion

The place in a planet's orbit which is nearest to the Sun. See Aphelion.

Pisces

The twelfth sign of the zodiac. Mutable water. Ruled by Jupiter and Neptune. Exaltation of Venus. Pisces' symbol comprises a brace of fishes..

Pluto

The furthest known planet from the Sun. Rules Scorpio with Mars. Exalted in Leo.

Progressed Horoscope

A chart calculated for as many days after birth as there are years in the life of the querent.

Quintile

Somewhat favourable aspect of 72 degrees. One fifth of the zodiac, its influence is associated with 5th house matters..

Reception

Planets in each other's dignities act as though in good aspect to each other. When in each other's debilities, planets act as though in adverse aspect to each other. Especially important when comparing nativities of two people.

Rising Sign (Ascendant)

The sign and degree on the cusp of the First House. A planet is said to be ascending when between the fourth and tenth cusps.

Retrograde

Apparent backward motion of a planet through the zodiac. Sun and Moon are never retrograde.

Sagittarius

The ninth sign of the zodiac. Mutable and fiery. Ruled by Jupiter. Emblem: The Archer, or Centaur.

Saturn

The planet symbolizing matters to do with karma, responsibility, age and so on. Ruler of Capricorn and Aquarius. Exalted in Libra. The greater malefic.

Saturn Return

A twenty-nine year cycle, representing a time in life when we feel frustrated, angry, sad, confused, tired and insecure. A time when we become aware that we must accept responsibility for our actions.

Scorpio

The eighth sign of the zodiac. Scorpio, the Scorpion, is a fixed water sign. It is traditionally ruled by Mars and modern astrologers have designated Pluto as its co-ruler.

Seventh House

The seventh segment of an astrological chart. It governs marriage, business partnerships, harmony, disharmony and open enemies.

Sextile

A benefic aspect of 60 degrees.

Sixth House

The sixth area of an astrological chart. It is an area of health, helping others, daily activities and the continuous harvesting or planting of positive and negative experiences

Solar Return

A chart constructed for the moment when the Sun returns to the degree and minute of its longitude at nativity (because of the Sun's irregular apparent motion, it seldom returns at the same time as birth). A solar return chart using the latitude of the present residence for construction of House Cusps indicates the course of events during the ensuing year. The transits of planets over these chart factors is used to time and date the events indicated. The solar return should be compared with the nativity and the progressed chart to make the most informed judgement.

Sun

The Sun, central power source of our solar system. The masculine Sun stands for the individuality in the nativity. He rules Leo and is exalted in Aries.

Sun Signs

The twelve traditional signs of the zodiac. The Sun Sign is the sign through which the Sun is passing at a given moment, such as the moment of birth.

Taurus

The second sign of the zodiac. Fixed and earthy. Ruled by Venus. Emblem: The Bull.

Third House

The third chart segment. Governs communications, education, memory, siblings, local travel and mentality.

Transit

A planet's movement (subsequent to birth) over or in aspect to factors in the natal or progressed chart, or in aspect to other transiting factors.

Trine

Major favourable aspect of 120 degrees.

Triplicity

An equilateral triangle superimposed on an astrological chart, each point indicating signs of the same element. There are four triplicities, representing the elements of fire, earth, air and water.

Tropical Signs

Cancer and Capricorn.

Twelfth House

The twelfth chart segment. Governs self-undoing, institutions, secret enemies, hidden weaknesses, bondage, anxieties, limitations, confinement, dreams, and the subconscious

Uranus

Formerly known as Herschel, after its discoverer, this planet was not discovered until 1781. It has been deemed to rule Aquarius and have its exaltation in Scorpio. It stands for unexpected disruptions and sudden catastrophes. Esoterically, it calls forth the genius in the character of the native.

Venus

The evening and morning star, a planet symbolising matters to do with love, affection, the arts and so on. Ruler of Taurus and Libra. Exalted in Pisces. The lesser benefic.

Vernal Equinox

Vertex

Point used by astrologers in the 70's, representing the inner life of the ascendant. Calculated by inverting the degree of the Ascendant (ie calculating the degree of the ascendant as if the native were born in the opposite hemisphere and calling this point the Vertex).

Virgo

The sixth sign of the zodiac. Mutable and earthy. Ruled by Mercury. Emblem: The Virgin with a sheaf of wheat.

Water Element

One of the four astrological elements. A feminine element, it stands for emotion, feeling, matters to do with intuition and so on. The other elements are, Fire, Air and Earth.

Water Signs

Cancer (cardinal), Scorpio (fixed), Pisces (mutable)

Zodiac

The "circle of animals". A zone or belt through which the planets move. Around 15 to 18 degrees wide, it is divided into 12 signs, each of 30 degrees longitude.

Zodiacal Aspects

Aspects in the zodiac, measured by sign and degree. See Aspects.