Welcome to the glossary. Here you will find some of the terms that you will come across in your astrological reading.
Ascendant (rising sign)-- The degree and sign of the zodiac that was visible at the eastern horizon at the time of birth. The cusp of the First House. The Ascendant reflects the individual's personality and physical characteristics and their outward approach to life.
Aspects-- Relationships between points in the chart, which indicate areas of harmony, challenge, strain, ease, and/or power. They are angles measured from the center of the chart. Aspects are classified as major (Conjunction, Trine, Sextile, Opposition, Square) and minor (Semisextile, Semisquare, Sesquisquare, Quincunx)
Astrology-- (From the Greek, meaning "science of the stars") The art and science of studying the celestial bodies and their cyclical motion, and determining their influence on human character, behavior, experience, and events.
Birth Chart -- (Also known as a natal chart.) A diagram of the heavens that charts the position of the celestial bodies as they appeared at the time of an individual's birth.
Conjunction -- This is the blending of planetary energy. This is the most powerful aspect and will generally combine the energy of the planets involved. Excellent harmony and intensity is the result.
Cusp --
The point at which a sign of the zodiac begins. Persons are said to be "born on the cusp" when their birth times fall at or near the beginning or end of an astrological sign. Cusp-born people often exhibit characteristics of both their Sun sign and the previous or following sign.
The point or line in a horoscope that makes the beginning of a house.
Duality-- One of the classifications under which signs of the zodiac are grouped. A sign's duality is either masculine or feminine. In astrology, masculine signs are outer-directed, energetic, strong through action; feminine signs are receptive, magnetic, strong through inner resources.
Elements-- Four designations of principal characteristics of all matter and life.
Fire signs--Energetic, active, impulse. In astrology, fire signifies energy, aggressiveness, enthusiasm, and impulsiveness. The fire signs are Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius. Earth signs--Practical, dependable, conservative. In astrology, earth signifies practicality, conservatism, stability, and materialism. The earth signs are Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. Air signs--Mental, versatile,detached. In astrology, air signifies intellect, reason, and communication. The air signs are Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius. Water signs--Emotional, imaginative, impressionable. In astrology, water signifies emotion, imagination, sensitivity, and spirituality. The water signs are Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces.
Equinoxes-- (From the Latin, meaning "equal night") The two points during the year when the path of the Sun (the ecliptic) crosses the celestial equator, and day and night are of equal length.
The vernal equinox (spring) occurs when the Sun enters the sign of Aries; at that point the center of the Sun intersects the celestial equator as the Sun moves from the southern hemisphere into the northern hemisphere. The autumnal equinox (fall) occurs when the Sun enters the sign of Libra; at that point the center of the Sun intersects the celestial equator as the Sun moves from the northern hemisphere into the southern hemisphere.
Houses-- The twelve divisions of a horoscope/birth chart/natal chart that represent different categories or areas of life.
First House of Self Second House of Money and Possessions Third House of Communication Fourth House of Beginnings and Home Life Fifth House of Pleasure, Creativity, and Sex Sixth House of Service and Health Seventh House of Partnership and Marriage Eighth House of Death and Regeneration Ninth House of Mental Exploration and Long-Distance Travel Tenth House of Career and Public Speaking Eleventh House of Friends and of Hopes and Wishes Twelfth House of Secrets, Sorrows, and Self-Undoing
Midheaven--The degree and sign of the zodiac that was in the highest point of the sky at the birth time. The Midheaven is on the ecliptic, and is at the point where the meridian intersects the ecliptic. The meridian is a great circle that intersects the north and south poles, and also is directly overhead at the place of birth.
Modes (or qualities)-- Three ways in which individuals express themselves through their thoughts and actions.
Cardinal--Assertive, ambitious, impatient. In astrology, the cardinal quality signifies action, initiative, leadership, and outgoing activity. The cardinal signs are Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn. The Sun's entrance into these four signs marks the beginning of the four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Fixed--Stable, consistent, patient. In astrology, the fixed quality signifies persistence, singlemindedness, determination, and resourcefulness. The fixed signs are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius. Mutable (Common)--Adaptable, responsive, restless. In astrology, the mutable quality signifies adaptability, versatility, openness to change, and flexibility. The mutable signs are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces.
Nodes-- The two points, north and south, where the orbit of the Moon or any of the planets intersects the ecliptic (the path of the Sun). Nodes usually refer to the Moon's nodes, called lunar nodes.
Opposition -- (Major Aspect) This is a powerful aspect that will put the planets at odds with each other and produce difficulties. Often the expression of one planet results in the obstruction of the other and vice versa. This is the conflict and compliment aspect.
Quadrant-- (From the Latin word quadrans, meaning "a fourth") One of the four quarters of the horoscope circle. Each quadrant of the horoscope contains three houses. In a birth chart, a preponderance of planets in any of the four quadrants has specific meanings and interpretations, depending on whish quadrants are heavily populated.
Retrograde motion-- The apparent change in direction of a planet (usually appearing backward). Retrograde motion, as perceived from the Earth, occurs because of the relative speed of the Earth and other planets, and because of their positions relative to each other. The Sun and Moon are never retrograde.
Ruler (Also known as ruling planet)--
The planet that has dominion over a specific astrological sign.
Aries ruled by Mars Taurus ruled by Venus Gemini ruled by Mercury Cancer ruled by the Moon Leo ruled by the Sun Virgo ruled by Mercury Libra ruled by Venus Scorpio ruled by Pluto (traditionally ruled by Mars) Sagittarius ruled by Jupiter Capricorn ruled by Saturn Aquarius ruled by Uranus (traditionally ruled by Saturn) Pisces ruled by Neptune (traditionally ruled by Jupiter)
In a birth chart, the planet that rules the Rising sign (Ascendant) is said to be the ruling planet of the chart.
Solar Chart-- A horoscope in which the Sun sign is also considered to be the Rising sign (Ascendant). This horoscope is used when the birth time is unknown. In a solar chart the Sun sign also becomes the First House, and thus the houses placed around the chart are known as solar houses.
Solstices-- (From the Latin words sol, meaning "Sun" and sistere, meaning "to stand still") The two points during the year when the Sun is at its farthest distance from the celestial equator. Upon reaching these points the Sun appears to stand still.
The summer solstice occurs when the Sun enters the sign of Cancer, and this is the longest day of the year. The winter solstice occurs when the Sun enters the sign of Capricorn, and this is the shortest day of the year.
Square -- This is a tense relationship that brings planetary energy into conflict. It is said to be problematic or difficult, but highly active and exciting.
Trine -- This is a strong harmonious relationship between two planets. It is said to be favorable, relaxed and satisfied.
