℞
Affliction
A condition where a planet is under stress, usually due to difficult aspects (like squares or oppositions) from malefic planets (Mars, Saturn) or being in a difficult house.
Reviewed for clarity • May 202688 terms across 25 letters
Astrology Glossary
A fast, accurate, beginner-friendly reference for birth chart terms, zodiac language, aspects, planetary conditions, and forecasting techniques.
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A
Letter A
8 visible terms
Planetary States
♈
Air Signs
The element representing intellect, communication, and social connection. The Air signs are Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius.
♈
Angular Houses
The 1st, 4th, 7th, and 10th houses of a chart. These are considered the most powerful houses where planetary energy manifests most visibly.
△
Applying Aspect
An aspect where the faster-moving planet is approaching the exact degree of the aspect with a slower planet.
ASC
Ascendant (Rising Sign)
The zodiac sign that was rising on the eastern horizon at the exact time and place of birth. It represents the persona, physical body, and first impressions.
△
Aspect
The geometric angle formed between two planets or points in a birth chart (e.g., 0°, 60°, 90°, 120°, 180°).
☉
Asteroids
Small celestial bodies used in modern astrology to add nuance to chart interpretation. Major asteroids include Chiron, Ceres, Pallas, Juno, and Vesta.
✦
Astrology
The study of the movements and relative positions of celestial bodies interpreted as having an influence on human affairs and the natural world.
B
Letter B
4 visible terms
℞
Benefic
Planets traditionally associated with positive, expansive, or harmonious influence. Jupiter (Greater Benefic) and Venus (Lesser Benefic) are the primary benefics.
✦
Big Three
A modern term referring to the Sun sign, Moon sign, and Rising sign (Ascendant) as the core pillars of personality.
◎
Birth Chart (Natal Chart)
A map of the sky at the exact moment and location of a person's birth. It serves as a blueprint for their potential, personality, and life path.
☽
Black Moon Lilith
A mathematical point (not a physical body) representing the apogee of the Moon's orbit. It symbolizes raw, primal feminine energy, rebellion, and taboo.
C
Letter C
8 visible terms
♈
Cadent Houses
The 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th houses. These follow Succedent houses and are traditionally seen as areas of mental processing and preparation.
♈
Cardinal Signs
The signs that initiate the seasons: Aries (Spring), Cancer (Summer), Libra (Autumn), and Capricorn (Winter).
✦
Chart Ruler
The planet that rules the Ascendant sign. It is considered the most personal planet in the chart and a primary influence on the life path.
☉
Chiron
A comet/minor planet known as the "Wounded Healer." It represents our deepest spiritual wound and the potential to heal others through our own healing journey.
℞
Combust
A condition where a planet is within 8-10 degrees of the Sun. The planet is said to be "burnt up" or overpowered by the Sun's brilliance.
◎
Composite Chart
A chart created by calculating the midpoints between two people's planetary positions. It represents the relationship itself as a third entity.
☌
Conjunction
A major aspect where two planets are approximately 0° apart (in the same sign). Their energies blend and fuse together.
♈
Cusp
The dividing line between two houses or signs. A planet "on the cusp" is very close to the beginning of the next house or sign.
D
Letter D
5 visible terms
♈
Decan
A subdivision of a zodiac sign. Each sign spans 30 degrees and is divided into three 10-degree decans, each having a sub-ruler.
DC
Descendant (DC)
The point directly opposite the Ascendant on the western horizon. It marks the cusp of the 7th House of partnerships.
℞
Detriment
A planet located in the sign opposite the one it rules (e.g., Mars in Libra). It is considered to be in a challenging position.
℞
Direct Motion
The normal forward movement of a planet through the zodiac degrees (counter-clockwise).
℞
Domicile
The sign(s) a planet rules (e.g., Moon in Cancer). A planet in domicile is at home, strong, and stable.
E
Letter E
5 visible terms
♈
Earth Signs
The element representing practicality, stability, and material reality. The Earth signs are Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn.
☉
Eclipse
A powerful lunation occurring near the Lunar Nodes. Solar Eclipses are supercharged New Moons; Lunar Eclipses are supercharged Full Moons.
✦
Elements
The four fundamental energies of the zodiac: Fire, Earth, Air, and Water. Each sign belongs to one element.
☍
Ephemeris
A table of values that gives the positions of astronomical objects in the sky at a given time.
℞
Exaltation
A sign where a planet functions exceptionally well, often better than in its own home sign (e.g., Moon in Taurus).
F
Letter F
3 visible terms
℞
Fall
The sign opposite a planet's exaltation. The planet is considered weak or uncomfortable here (e.g., Moon in Scorpio).
♈
Fire Signs
The element representing passion, energy, and inspiration. The Fire signs are Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius.
♈
Fixed Signs
The signs falling in the middle of seasons: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius.
G
Letter G
3 visible terms
△
Grand Cross
A rare aspect pattern involving four planets in a cross shape, all square to each other and in opposition pairs.
△
Grand Trine
A harmonious aspect pattern where three planets form an equilateral triangle, all 120° apart (trine) to each other.
✦
Glyph
The symbol used to represent a planet, sign, or aspect in astrology (e.g., ♈ for Aries, ♄ for Saturn).
H
Letter H
2 visible terms
△
Hard Aspects
Aspects that create tension and friction: the Square (90°) and Opposition (180°). Conjunctions can also be hard depending on the planets.
♈
Houses
The 12 divisions of the sky in a birth chart, each representing a specific area of life (e.g., career, home, relationships).
I
Letter I
4 visible terms
IC
Imum Coeli (IC)
The point opposite the Midheaven, representing the lowest point in the chart and the cusp of the 4th House.
☍
Ingress
The moment a planet enters a new zodiac sign.
☉
Inner Planets
The faster-moving personal bodies used in astrology: Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Mars.
♈
Intercepted Sign
A sign that is completely contained within a house and does not appear on any house cusp (common in Placidus house system at high latitudes).
J
Letter J
2 visible terms
☉
Juno
One of the major asteroids, associated with marriage, commitment, and long-term partnership.
♃
Jupiter
The planet of expansion, growth, luck, philosophy, and higher learning. It is the traditional ruler of Sagittarius and Pisces.
K
Letter K
1 visible term
△
Kite
An aspect pattern formed by a Grand Trine with a fourth planet opposing one of the three, creating a kite shape.
L
Letter L
2 visible terms
☉
Luminary
A term referring collectively to the Sun and the Moon. Unlike other planets, they emit or reflect light directly.
✦
Lunar Nodes
The North Node and South Node. Mathematical points where the Moon's orbit intersects the Ecliptic.
M
Letter M
7 visible terms
℞
Malefic
Planets traditionally associated with challenge, restriction, or difficulty. Saturn (Greater Malefic) and Mars (Lesser Malefic) are the primary malefics.
♂
Mars
The planet of action, desire, aggression, and energy. Ruler of Aries and traditional ruler of Scorpio.
☿
Mercury
The planet of communication, intellect, logic, and travel. Ruler of Gemini and Virgo.
MC
Midheaven (MC)
The highest point in the chart (Medium Coeli), representing career, public reputation, and life goals. Cusp of the 10th House.
✦
Modality
The classification of signs into three modes of expression: Cardinal (initiating), Fixed (sustaining), and Mutable (adapting).
☽
Moon
The luminary representing emotions, instincts, the subconscious, and the mother. Ruler of Cancer.
♈
Mutable Signs
The signs ending the seasons: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces.
N
Letter N
3 visible terms
◎
Natal Chart
See Birth Chart.
♆
Neptune
The planet of dreams, illusion, spirituality, and the unconscious. Modern ruler of Pisces.
☊
North Node
The point of destiny and spiritual growth. See Lunar Nodes.
O
Letter O
3 visible terms
☍
Opposition
A hard aspect where two planets are 180° apart. It creates a "tug-of-war" dynamic requiring balance and compromise.
☍
Orb
The allowance of degrees from exactness for an aspect to be considered valid. (e.g., a square at 88° is within a 2° orb of 90°).
☉
Outer Planets
The slow-moving generational planets: Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.
P
Letter P
4 visible terms
⊕
Part of Fortune
An Arabic Part calculated from the positions of the Sun, Moon, and Ascendant. It represents worldly success and prosperity.
♇
Pluto
The planet of transformation, power, death, and rebirth. Modern ruler of Scorpio.
✦
Polarity
The division of signs into active/yang polarity (Fire and Air) and receptive/yin polarity (Earth and Water).
☍
Progression
A predictive technique where the chart is moved forward symbolically (usually "day for a year") to show internal evolution.
Q
Letter Q
1 visible term
△
Quincunx (Inconjunct)
An aspect of 150°. It connects signs that have nothing in common (different element and modality), creating awkwardness and a need for adjustment.
R
Letter R
3 visible terms
℞
Retrograde
An apparent backward motion of a planet from the perspective of Earth. It turns the planet's energy inward.
ASC
Rising Sign
See Ascendant.
✦
Ruler
The planet that governs a specific sign or house (e.g., Mars rules Aries).
S
Letter S
10 visible terms
♄
Saturn
The planet of structure, time, limitation, karma, and responsibility. Ruler of Capricorn and traditional ruler of Aquarius.
♄
Saturn Return
A major life transit occurring around ages 29, 58, and 87, when Saturn returns to its natal position. It marks a period of maturation and reckoning.
⚹
Sextile
A soft aspect of 60°. It represents opportunity and potential that needs some effort to be realized.
✦
Sidereal Astrology
A system of astrology (common in Vedic astrology) based on the actual constellations, differing from the Western Tropical zodiac by about 24 degrees.
☋
South Node
The point of past karma and innate talents. See Lunar Nodes.
□
Square
A hard aspect of 90°. It represents internal conflict, tension, and obstacles that force action and change.
△
Stellium
A cluster of three or more planets in a single sign or house. It creates an intense focus of energy in that area.
♈
Succedent Houses
The 2nd, 5th, 8th, and 11th houses. They follow Angular houses and represent stability and resources.
☉
Sun
The central luminary representing the ego, core identity, vitality, and life purpose. Ruler of Leo.
☍
Synastry
The comparison of two birth charts to analyze relationship compatibility and dynamics.
T
Letter T
3 visible terms
☍
Transit
The current position of a planet in the sky and how it interacts with a natal chart.
△
Trine
A soft aspect of 120°. It represents flow, harmony, and ease. Energy flows effortlessly between the planets.
□
T-Square
An aspect pattern involving two planets in opposition, both square to a third planet (the focal point).
U
Letter U
1 visible term
♅
Uranus
The planet of rebellion, innovation, sudden change, and awakening. Modern ruler of Aquarius.
V
Letter V
3 visible terms
♀
Venus
The planet of love, beauty, values, money, and harmony. Ruler of Taurus and Libra.
☍
Vertex
A theoretical point in the chart often called the "Gate of Destiny." It relates to fated encounters and events.
℞
Void of Course
A period when the Moon makes no further major aspects to other planets before leaving its current sign.
W
Letter W
1 visible term
♈
Water Signs
The element representing emotion, intuition, and depth. The Water signs are Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces.
Y
Letter Y
1 visible term
△
Yod
An aspect pattern also known as the "Finger of God." It involves two planets in sextile, both quincunx to a third planet.
Z
Letter Z
1 visible term
✦
Zodiac
The belt of the heavens divided into 12 equal signs of 30 degrees each, through which the Sun, Moon, and planets appear to move.