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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Definitions blend modern Western astrology with clearly marked traditional concepts. Interpretations are educational and symbolic, not medical, legal, or financial advice.

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A

Letter A

8 visible terms

℞

Affliction

Planetary States

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.

♈︎

Air Signs

Signs & Houses

The element representing intellect, communication, and social connection. The Air signs are Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius.

♈︎

Angular Houses

Signs & 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

Aspects

An aspect where the faster-moving planet is approaching the exact degree of the aspect with a slower planet.

ASC

Ascendant (Rising Sign)

Signs & Houses

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

Aspects

The geometric angle formed between two planets or points in a birth chart (e.g., 0°, 60°, 90°, 120°, 180°).

☉

Asteroids

Celestial Bodies

Small celestial bodies used in modern astrology to add nuance to chart interpretation. Major asteroids include Chiron, Ceres, Pallas, Juno, and Vesta.

✦

Astrology

Concepts

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

Planetary States

Planets traditionally associated with positive, expansive, or harmonious influence. Jupiter (Greater Benefic) and Venus (Lesser Benefic) are the primary benefics.

✦

Big Three

Concepts

A modern term referring to the Sun sign, Moon sign, and Rising sign (Ascendant) as the core pillars of personality.

◎

Birth Chart (Natal Chart)

Charts

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

Celestial Bodies

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

Signs & 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

Signs & Houses

The signs that initiate the seasons: Aries (Spring), Cancer (Summer), Libra (Autumn), and Capricorn (Winter).

✦

Chart Ruler

Concepts

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

Celestial Bodies

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

Planetary States

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

Charts

A chart created by calculating the midpoints between two people's planetary positions. It represents the relationship itself as a third entity.

☌

Conjunction

Aspects

A major aspect where two planets are approximately 0° apart (in the same sign). Their energies blend and fuse together.

♈︎

Cusp

Signs & Houses

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

Signs & Houses

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)

Signs & Houses

The point directly opposite the Ascendant on the western horizon. It marks the cusp of the 7th House of partnerships.

℞

Detriment

Planetary States

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

Planetary States

The normal forward movement of a planet through the zodiac degrees (counter-clockwise).

℞

Domicile

Planetary States

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

Signs & Houses

The element representing practicality, stability, and material reality. The Earth signs are Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn.

☉

Eclipse

Celestial Bodies

A powerful lunation occurring near the Lunar Nodes. Solar Eclipses are supercharged New Moons; Lunar Eclipses are supercharged Full Moons.

✦

Elements

Concepts

The four fundamental energies of the zodiac: Fire, Earth, Air, and Water. Each sign belongs to one element.

☍

Ephemeris

Techniques

A table of values that gives the positions of astronomical objects in the sky at a given time.

℞

Exaltation

Planetary States

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

Planetary States

The sign opposite a planet's exaltation. The planet is considered weak or uncomfortable here (e.g., Moon in Scorpio).

♈︎

Fire Signs

Signs & Houses

The element representing passion, energy, and inspiration. The Fire signs are Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius.

♈︎

Fixed Signs

Signs & Houses

The signs falling in the middle of seasons: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius.

G

Letter G

3 visible terms

△

Grand Cross

Aspects

A rare aspect pattern involving four planets in a cross shape, all square to each other and in opposition pairs.

△

Grand Trine

Aspects

A harmonious aspect pattern where three planets form an equilateral triangle, all 120° apart (trine) to each other.

✦

Glyph

Concepts

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

Aspects that create tension and friction: the Square (90°) and Opposition (180°). Conjunctions can also be hard depending on the planets.

♈︎

Houses

Signs & 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)

Signs & Houses

The point opposite the Midheaven, representing the lowest point in the chart and the cusp of the 4th House.

☍

Ingress

Techniques

The moment a planet enters a new zodiac sign.

☉

Inner Planets

Celestial Bodies

The faster-moving personal bodies used in astrology: Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Mars.

♈︎

Intercepted Sign

Signs & Houses

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

Celestial Bodies

One of the major asteroids, associated with marriage, commitment, and long-term partnership.

♃

Jupiter

Celestial Bodies

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

Aspects

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

Celestial Bodies

A term referring collectively to the Sun and the Moon. Unlike other planets, they emit or reflect light directly.

✦

Lunar Nodes

Concepts

The North Node and South Node. Mathematical points where the Moon's orbit intersects the Ecliptic.

M

Letter M

7 visible terms

℞

Malefic

Planetary States

Planets traditionally associated with challenge, restriction, or difficulty. Saturn (Greater Malefic) and Mars (Lesser Malefic) are the primary malefics.

♂

Mars

Celestial Bodies

The planet of action, desire, aggression, and energy. Ruler of Aries and traditional ruler of Scorpio.

☿

Mercury

Celestial Bodies

The planet of communication, intellect, logic, and travel. Ruler of Gemini and Virgo.

MC

Midheaven (MC)

Signs & Houses

The highest point in the chart (Medium Coeli), representing career, public reputation, and life goals. Cusp of the 10th House.

✦

Modality

Concepts

The classification of signs into three modes of expression: Cardinal (initiating), Fixed (sustaining), and Mutable (adapting).

☽

Moon

Celestial Bodies

The luminary representing emotions, instincts, the subconscious, and the mother. Ruler of Cancer.

♈︎

Mutable Signs

Signs & Houses

The signs ending the seasons: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces.

N

Letter N

3 visible terms

◎

Natal Chart

Charts

See Birth Chart.

♆

Neptune

Celestial Bodies

The planet of dreams, illusion, spirituality, and the unconscious. Modern ruler of Pisces.

☊

North Node

Concepts

The point of destiny and spiritual growth. See Lunar Nodes.

O

Letter O

3 visible terms

☍

Opposition

Aspects

A hard aspect where two planets are 180° apart. It creates a "tug-of-war" dynamic requiring balance and compromise.

☍

Orb

Techniques

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

Celestial Bodies

The slow-moving generational planets: Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.

P

Letter P

4 visible terms

⊕

Part of Fortune

Techniques

An Arabic Part calculated from the positions of the Sun, Moon, and Ascendant. It represents worldly success and prosperity.

♇

Pluto

Celestial Bodies

The planet of transformation, power, death, and rebirth. Modern ruler of Scorpio.

✦

Polarity

Concepts

The division of signs into active/yang polarity (Fire and Air) and receptive/yin polarity (Earth and Water).

☍

Progression

Techniques

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)

Aspects

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

Planetary States

An apparent backward motion of a planet from the perspective of Earth. It turns the planet's energy inward.

ASC

Rising Sign

Signs & Houses

See Ascendant.

✦

Ruler

Concepts

The planet that governs a specific sign or house (e.g., Mars rules Aries).

S

Letter S

10 visible terms

♄

Saturn

Celestial Bodies

The planet of structure, time, limitation, karma, and responsibility. Ruler of Capricorn and traditional ruler of Aquarius.

♄

Saturn Return

Techniques

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

Aspects

A soft aspect of 60°. It represents opportunity and potential that needs some effort to be realized.

✦

Sidereal Astrology

Concepts

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

Concepts

The point of past karma and innate talents. See Lunar Nodes.

□

Square

Aspects

A hard aspect of 90°. It represents internal conflict, tension, and obstacles that force action and change.

△

Stellium

Aspects

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

Signs & Houses

The 2nd, 5th, 8th, and 11th houses. They follow Angular houses and represent stability and resources.

☉

Sun

Celestial Bodies

The central luminary representing the ego, core identity, vitality, and life purpose. Ruler of Leo.

☍

Synastry

Techniques

The comparison of two birth charts to analyze relationship compatibility and dynamics.

T

Letter T

3 visible terms

☍

Transit

Techniques

The current position of a planet in the sky and how it interacts with a natal chart.

△

Trine

Aspects

A soft aspect of 120°. It represents flow, harmony, and ease. Energy flows effortlessly between the planets.

□

T-Square

Aspects

An aspect pattern involving two planets in opposition, both square to a third planet (the focal point).

U

Letter U

1 visible term

♅

Uranus

Celestial Bodies

The planet of rebellion, innovation, sudden change, and awakening. Modern ruler of Aquarius.

V

Letter V

3 visible terms

♀

Venus

Celestial Bodies

The planet of love, beauty, values, money, and harmony. Ruler of Taurus and Libra.

☍

Vertex

Techniques

A theoretical point in the chart often called the "Gate of Destiny." It relates to fated encounters and events.

℞

Void of Course

Planetary States

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

Signs & Houses

The element representing emotion, intuition, and depth. The Water signs are Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces.

Y

Letter Y

1 visible term

△

Yod

Aspects

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

Concepts

The belt of the heavens divided into 12 equal signs of 30 degrees each, through which the Sun, Moon, and planets appear to move.