Astrological terms explained Pt 1 A-G
Affliction
A planet is afflicted when it is unfavourably aspected.
Air signs
One of the 4 classical elements, representing the traits of rational thinking, communication and relating to others. The air signs are Gemini, Libra, Aquarius. See triplicities.
Air Signs:
Gemini, Libra, Aquarius. The signs associated with intellect, ideas, thought, sociability, extroversion, aspirations, communication, and high places.
Almanac
A book containing astrological and astronomical data, and usually predictions and analyses of people or politics.
Angle
The word refers to the four angles of a chart which form a cross within it: the points being the Ascendant, Descendant, Midheaven and Imum Coeli.
Apparent motion
The Sun does not rise above the horizon: the Earth turns so that it appears to do so. Similarly, the Sun does not really travel through the signs, but it stands still; it is the Earth as it travels round the Sun that causes the phenomenon. The Sun's motion is apparent, not real.
Arc
Any part of a circle, measured around its circumference.
Aquarian Age
A time period of 2000 years where the influence of Aquarius is prominent. An age lasts for 2000 years and moves backward through the Zodiac. The Age of Aquarius starts at approximately the new millennium.
Ascendant or Rising Sign
The degree of the zodiac rising over the eastern horizon at the moment of birth. Each degree takes some four minutes to
rise.
Ascension, long and short
Because the ecliptic and the equator are not parallel, some signs rise more quickly than others. Those that rise slowly (Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus and Gemini) are known as signs of short ascension, the others as signs of long ascension. (In southern latitudes these are reversed.)
Aspects
The angular relationships, measured in degrees of arc, between indicators in a Natal Chart. These indicators may include planets, house cusps, asteroids, fixed stars, or various mathematically-calculated points along the belt of the Zodiac. One planet is in aspect to another when there is a specific number of degrees between them, measured around the circumference of the birth chart. When they are 90° apart, for instance, they are said to be in square aspect. Other aspects include the trine (120°), the sextile (60°), the opposition (180°), the semi-square (45°), the sesquare or sesquiquadrate, (135°), the semi-sextile (30°) and the quincunx (150°). Planets arc in conjunction when they occupy the same, or almost the same, degree.
Astrology
The study of the influence on life on Earth of the other bodies in the solar system.
Astrological twins
Two people who share strong astrological factors, having been born at the same time, and in the same place.
Astronomy
The science of measuring the movements of planets and stars, and investigating their physical nature.
Balsamic Phase
When a more quickly orbiting planet trails a planet with a slower orbit and appears to "catch up" with the slower body, and the planets are within 45 degrees of one another in their orbital cycles, astrologers say that the faster moving planet is in its Balsamic Phase. Deals with your dedication to your destiny
Benefic
An archaic expression meaning "favourable": ancient astrologers would have said, for instance, that Jupiter was the "greater benefic" andVeiius the "lesser benefic".The word "malefic" was used to describe "unfavourable" planets.
Big Aspect
Any aspect between the slow moving planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Chiron, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto). These aspects are generally quite potent and influential, especially if they are multi-contact affairs. These energies often act on an unconscious level
Birth chart
A diagram showing the precise position of all the planets at the time of birth. The mother of the new child, looking up at the sky at such a moment, could use the birth chart as a map to show where each planet is -apart, of course, from those below the horizon, which are also shown. The traditional \vord for the birth chart is the horoscope.
Birth time
The precise time of birth, accurate to the minute.
Cardinal signs
The cardinal expression of an element is the initial or beginning phase of that element, its most straightforward or direct expression. It is usually simple and unencumbered, forceful, enthusiastic (though with little "staying power"), a pure representation of an energy-in-itself. The cardinal signs are Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. See quadniplicities.
Cardinal Signs
Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn. The signs of this quality are associated with action and the ability and desire to initiate action.
Combust
A planet is said to be "combust" when it is very near the Sun in the birth chart: the ancient theory was that the planet then lost some of its force.
Composite chart
Two individual charts which are merged to form one. It shows the relationship between the individuals whose charts are combined.
Conception
There have been attempts to draw up birth charts for the moment of conception. It is in the first few hours after conception that, medically, many physical characteristics arc formed, and so it may be at that time that a physical astrological influence will be at work. However, it is impossible except under microscopic medical scrutiny to discover the precise time of conception - which is often considerably after coitus. Conception charts are, therefore, impracticable.
Configuration
An aspect involving three or more planets.
Conjunction
The placement of two celestial bodies in the same sign at the same degree of the Zodiac. If the planets involved are benefic, or one benefic and one malefic, the effect of the conjunction is usually favorable, but if both planets are malefic, the effect is usually difficult.
Constellations
Those clusters of stars which inhabit the universe, 12 of which have become important in astrology as marking the 12 segments of the sky which form the zodiac.
Cusp
The cusp of an astrological sign or house is the line dividing it from its neighbour. The cusp of the first house is marked by the Ascendant; the others follow around the circle of the birth chart, reading anti-clockwise. Similarly, the cusp of Aries is marked by the first degree of that sign.
Decan/Decanate
Each sign is a 30° segment of the zodiacal circle, and is itself divided into three decans which measure 10° each.
Declination
The distance of a planet north or south of the celestial equator.
Degree
A degree is 1/360 of a circle. In Astrology, degrees are the commonly-used unit of measurement.
Descendant
The opposite point of the birth chart to the Ascendant - and the cusp of the seventh house.
Direct
The motion of a planet that appears to be moving forward in the sky, advancing along the belt of the Zodiac in the order of the twelve signs.
Earth signs
One of the 4 classical elements, representing the traits of sensuality, concreteness, practicality and an orientation towards the material plane. The earth signs are Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn See triplicities.
Ecliptic
The imaginary or apparent motion of the Sun around the Earth.
Elements
The 4 elements represent 4 typical manifestations of "energy" that show up as distinct kinds of experiences on the physical plane and 4 qualities of psycho-spiritual abilities. These 4 elements go by the names Fire, Earth, Air and Water. See triplidties.
Eighth House
The segment of the Natal Chart which is eighth counterclockwise from the First House cusp or Ascendant. Associated with wealth, unearned income, matters that are hidden, death, surgery, the dream consciousness, and psychic and psychological insight. It's also associated with the sign Scorpio.
Elements
Fire, Earth, Air, Water. Designations from ancient alchemy that reflect the basic nature of the sign: Fire = energy; Earth = practicality; Air - intellect; Water = emotion. Also called the Triplicities.
Elevation
The planet nearest the Midheaven is said to be elevated; astronomically, the elevation marks the distance of a planet above the horizon - its altitude.
Eleventh House
The eleventh segment of the Natal Chart, counted counterclockwise from the Ascendant. Associated with friends, hopes, goals, and wishes and with the sign Aquarius.
Ephemeris
An ephemcris shows the precise daily position of the Sun and planets. Annual ephemerides are published; some books include listings for every day of a half-century. Ephcrnerides are now available on computers. No astrologer can work without them.
Equator
The imaginary line drawn around the Earth, dividing it into northern and southern hemispheres. When this line is extended into space, it is called the celestial equator.
Equinox
Means a time of equal day and night. This occurs twice a year and marks the beginning of Spring and Autumn.
Esoteric astrology
The study of the secret, symbolic meaning of planets and signs.
Feminine signs
Traditionally, Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn and Pisces are known as feminine signs; the other signs being masculine. Similarly, feminine signs are referred to as negative, and the masculine signs as positive.
Fire signs
One of the 4 classical elements, representing spirit, intuition, vitality and inspiration. The fire signs are Aries, Leo, Sagittarius.
See triplicities.
Fifth House
The fifth segment of the Natal Chart, counted counterclockwise from the Ascendant. Associated with children, love, creativity, close friends, and self-expression and the sign Leo.
Fire Signs
Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. Signs belonging to this Element represent a fiery nature.
First House
Also known as the House of Self. It describes the outer personality. It is the image we project to the world, our mask.
Fixed Signs
Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius. The signs of this quality are associated with stability, strength, perseverance, and loyalty.
Fixed stars
The traditional influences of the fixed stars are becoming increasingly used by many renowned astrologers. See also stars.
Forecast
Some astrologers use the word "forecast" to define their suggestions about coming trends in clients' lives. The definition is accurate: events are not predicted, possibilities are forecast - as in weather forecasting
Fourth House
The fourth segment of the Natal Chart, counted counterclockwise from the Ascendant. Associated with emotion, the home, the mother, family, land and property and with the sign Cancer.
Free will
Free will remains paramount to astrologers, as it does to most other people. Those people who claim that the astrological theory contests the doctrine of free will are ignorant of the present state of the science and its modern practitioners.
Geocentric
The convention that the Earth, rather than the Sun, is at the centre of the solar system.This is a convenience only: no astrologer believes it to be true, but it is necessary to the astrological theory - just as, for a baby born on Mars, a birth chart would have to show that planet as the centre of the system. The true picture of the solar system, with the Sun at the centre, is heliocentric.
Glyph
A shorthand symbol for refering to a planet, zodiac sign, aspect or other astrological concept
Grand Cross
A group of 4 or more planets in a cross shaped pattern, where planets are either directly opposite each other along the zodiac (oppositions) or 90 degrees apart (squares). A very dynamic, but stressful pattern that often "runs away" from the person unless they have some way of grounding the energy.
Grand Hexagram
A group of 6 or more planets that lie 60 degrees apart in a 6 pointed star pattern (similar to a Star of David design). Very dynamic and full of great opportunity, if you are willing to put in the needed effort and can handle this higher volatile energy. The energy has a tendency to run away with you, making it difficult to control.
Grand Quintile
A very rare pattern of 5 or more planets separted by 72 degree aspects (quintiles) that lie in a 5 pointed star design. Rather quirky and creative energies that defy classification in good/bad terms.
Grand Trine
When three planets, generally of the same Element, meet each other to form a triangle. The energy of this configuration is harmonious.
Great Year
The Earth's motion involves a slow "wobble", which results in its pole moving backwards through the zodiac, passing from one sign to another every 2,500 years or so. These periods are known as the Great Ages or, more precisely, the Great Months. The period during which the pole makes a complete circle is known as the Great Year.