ASTROLOGY DICTIONARY

What the #&%@* does that WORD mean???

Many people think that astrology is a secret language. And in a way it is! It's full of symbols and
calculations and mystery...which can make it both exciting and confusing. But it's like any other
language — once you begin to learn it, it starts to make sense.

This Glossary is like a dictionary or encyclopedia of astrology words and terms. Check out the
list of words below, presented both in alphabetical order and by category. Look up a word or
phrase that you don't understand.

There are lots of symbols, diagrams and illustrations in the Glossary that help make the meaning
clear and easy to understand. And don't miss the article on The Language of Astrology, which
can help you put it all together!

I add words to the Glossary regularly, so be sure to check back. And if there's an astrological
term you would like to see added to the list, please suggest it!

In Alphabetical Order
A I R
Age of Aquarius IC, Imum Coeli Retrograde
Air Inconjunct Rising Sign
Angles Intercepted Planet Rolling Conjunction
Aquarius Intercepted Sign Rosetta
Archetype Ruler
Aries J Rulerships
Arrowhead Jupiter
Ascendant Sa-Sh
Aspect K Sabian Symbols
Aspect Kite Sagittarius
Configuration Grand Trine Kite Saturn
Yod Kite Scorpio
B Semi-Sextile
Birth chart L Semi-Square
Boomerang Leo Sesqui-Quadrate
Libra Sesqui-Square
C Lights, Luminaries Sextile
Cancer Lunar Eclipse Shadow (planetary)
Capricorn Lunar Nodes Shadow
Cardinal (psychological)
Centaurs M
Chart Mars Si-Sz
Chiron MC, Medium Coeli Sidereal Zodiac
 
Collection of Light Mercury Sign
Collective Mercury Retrograde Solar Eclipse  
Conjunction, Midheaven Solar Return
Conjunct, Conjoin Modalities Solstice  
Cradle Moon South Node
configuration Moon’s Nodes Square  
Cusp Multiple Station(ary)
Conjunction Stellium  
D Mutable Sun
Declination Mutual Reception  
Descendant Mystic Rectangle T
 
Direct Taurus
N Thor's Hammer  
E Nadir Transit
Earth (element) Natal Chart Transpersonal  
Earth (planet) Neptune Planets
Eclipse New Moon Trapeze  
Ecliptic North Node Trine
Element Tri-Octile  
Equinox O Tropical Zodiac
Octile T-Square, T-Cross  
F Opposition
Orb U  
Fire
Fixed Out of Bounds Uranus
 
Full Moon
P V  
G Part of Fortune, Venus
Gemini Pars Fortuna Virgo  
God's Fist Pisces
Grand Cross Planet W  
Grand Sextile Pluto Water
Grand Square Points Waxing/Waning  
Grand Trine Precessed Solar Wedge
Return  
H Precession of the Y
 
Hard Wedge Equinoxes Yod
Houses Progressions  
Houses (meanings) Z
Q Zenith  
Quadriform Zodiac
Quincunx  

 
ASTROLOGY DICTIONARY — A
ASTROLOGY DICTIONARY — B C
ASTROLOGY DICTIONARY — D
ASTROLOGY DICTIONARY — E
ASTROLOGY DICTIONARY — F
ASTROLOGY DICTIONARY — G
ASTROLOGY DICTIONARY — H
ASTROLOGY DICTIONARY — I
ASTROLOGY DICTIONARY — J
ASTROLOGY DICTIONARY — K
ASTROLOGY DICTIONARY — L
ASTROLOGY DICTIONARY — M
ASTROLOGY DICTIONARY — N
ASTROLOGY DICTIONARY — O
ASTROLOGY DICTIONARY — P Q
ASTROLOGY DICTIONARY — R
ASTROLOGY DICTIONARY — Sa to Sh
ASTROLOGY DICTIONARY — Si to Sz
ASTROLOGY DICTIONARY — T
ASTROLOGY DICTIONARY — U V
ASTROLOGY DICTIONARY — WXYZ
The Language of Astrology
 

idja hear the one about the hit man who couldn't make a living? He had the Moon
in Pisces, and he kept bursting into tears and letting his victims go! ...Until one day
he met a confounded career counsellor with Pluto in the 10th square Saturn in the
7th: She kept lining up client interviews with her Godfather, but no one ever came
back to say how it went! Finally they started their own agency called Extortion
Employment—now he shoots people with a camera and she makes them job offers
they can't refuse!"

If you are fluent in "Astrologese," this story will make sense and (hopefully) tickle your funny bone! The
story illustrates how astrology can add a unique dimension that helps us understand the characters'
behaviour and motives. Our poor, pathetic hit man can't disengage his compassionate and sensitive Pisces
Moon long enough to do his job, and our perplexed career counsellor doesn't get it that her Plutonian
Godfather is scaring off her 7th House clients! Together they create a solution in which the hit man can
still be involved in something underhanded (without killing anyone) by providing the means for his friend
to exert some Plutonian control over her 7th House clients.

Learning The Language

Astrology is a language of symbols which offers a profound model of human experience. It is a system
with an alphabet, words, grammar and sentences. The glyphs form the alphabet. The planets are the
functions or actions being done (verb/noun). The signs are the quality or style of action (adverb/
adjective). And the houses are fields of experience where the actions take place (clause/context).

Just like a normal language, Astrologese can be translated into English. For example, when someone
discloses that their Sun is in Aquarius in the 9th House, they reveal something about their central sense of
purpose and identity (Sun), which expresses itself in an unusual, off-the-beaten-track way (Aquarius).
This person shines brightest when dispensing their unconventional insights to others (9th House).
"Astrologese" can describe the relationships between these concepts, functions and actions, as symbolized
by the aspects. Say our Aquarian friend also has Jupiter in Libra in the 5th House: this alone says that s/he
expands and flourishes (Jupiter) when interacting with others (Libra) in fun and creative situations (5th
House). If the person's Sun and Jupiter are also in a trine aspect (120 ), we know that their unconventional
nature (Sun) and their fun, flirtatious quality (Jupiter) combine easily and work well together (trine).

Learning any language requires you to grasp the basic spelling, grammar, rules and word meanings. You
can then build on this foundation to comprehend more complex and subtle concepts. For instance, you
must first understand the meanings of "a square peg" and "a round hole," before you could even begin to
fathom the idea of a square peg trying to fit into a round hole.

Similarly, students of Astrologese typically begin with basic keywords and associations of the planets,
signs and houses. They learn that astrological grammar follows certain guidelines: a planet resides in a
sign and house, not the other way around. ("YA, LIKE YOU'D NEVER TALK ABOUT HAVING PLUTO IN
URANUS—AT LEAST, NOT IN PROPER COMPANY....") These symbols can then be synthesized to form
meaningful interpretations. Within the structure of these basics, it's possible to spin wondrous tales about
the dynamics operating in someone's life.

Your "Language Bagguage"

The process of translating from Astrologese into English can be a tricky one. The more skilled your use of
English (or whatever your language of choice is), the better your translation skills will be from
Astrologese. Besides our articulation skills, we also bring our entire worldview, beliefs, biases and
preferences to our use of Astrologese, greatly affecting the translated result. One astrologer will see your
chart in a certain light, while another astrologer will see a whole different side of you. This is not
necessarily a reflection of the astrologer's proficiency, but a natural phenomenon in which astrology
becomes coloured by the personal perspective of its interpreter.

Astrology is primarily a neutral medium. A horoscope is merely a snapshot in time: a two-dimensional

map of the three-dimensional sky at a specific cross-section of time and space. There is nothing in the
chart to say that its owner is a saint or sinner, male or female, black/red/yellow/white/green, or even that
its owner is human! ("IT COULD EVEN BE MY CHART, AND I AIN'T NO HUMAN!") It could be the chart
of a company, a boat launch, a planet's discovery—or even your pet iguana's solar return! ("I AIN'T NO
IGUANA EITHER...")

Because of it's neutrality, astrology becomes a willing, reflective surface upon which to project our
personal beliefs, biases, hopes and fears. It's often too easy, for instance, to see only the intimidating
control of Saturn in Scorpio, or the easy-flowing benevolence of Jupiter trine Venus. Our worldview may
resist a more complex view of these configurations. For example, a Scorpio Saturn can also signify the
ability to keep clear, concise boundaries with people in intimate situations; and Jupiter trine Venus could
indicate someone who can't say no, even when it's in their best interest. Being aware of our personal
expectations and beliefs is crucial for alerting us to facets of the chart (and, therefore, the person) that we
may be blind to.

What's In A Name...?

To name a thing is powerful magic! When a language gives a name to something, it acknowledges and
validates its existence. It opens the door to further discussion, assessment and understanding of that thing.
This named entity then becomes incorporated into the worldview of whoever learns and uses that
language, permeating the perceptions, expectations and beliefs of that person. Similarly, to exclude
something from a language is to be ignorant of or deny its reality, or to presume its non-existence—any of
which shuts the door to further exploration.

It's awfully hard to talk about something we have no words for, and the lack of words may affect whether
we perceive it at all. As our understanding of life expands and matures, we search for more words to
name, examine and understand our experiences. This is why and how languages evolve: they develop and
grow in order to keep up with the changing experiences of its communicators.

To name a thing is to answer the question: What is it? But answers beg more questions: Why? How?
What if...? As we reach beyond the parameters of our known world, we require new words to describe
and explore what we find there. Sometimes the language obliges us with a word that echoes our
experience, but often it is ill-equipped to address certain obscure areas. Spirituality is a classic example,
where conventional language tends to fall short of a satisfactory and meaningful vocabulary. ("YA—
EVER TRIED TO DESCRIBE THE GODDESS?") When people search for understanding and don't find it in
society's conventional worldview, they often turn to metaphysics. Students of astrology are typically
hungry for answers about aspects of life disregarded or overlooked by the mainstream culture.

Astrology is a cohesive system of names (planets, signs, houses, aspects), each of which governs a range
of seemingly unrelated experiences, ideas and things. Jupiter, for instance, symbolizes language, teaching,
travel, law, higher education, religion, learning, philosophy, morals, expansion and understanding. The
archetype of Jupiter is the common essence running through these fragments, and is harder to describe.
We can say that these areas all involve reaching for a broader understanding of life; that our Jupiter nature
quests after a higher Truth, through which we may know the best of who we are.

However, just as words don't translate fully between languages, this definition is approximate and
incomplete ("—AND IT'S JUST A WHOLE LOT EASIER TO SAY 'JUPITER'!") By cataloguing and
working with the forms of expression that are common to "Jupiter-ness," we may come to an inner
knowing about the more abstract, underlying concept. It's comparable to identifying an image in the
background negative shape left behind by the foreground, like a donut hole is defined by the donut—its
existence is implied more than decreed.

You Are What You Perceive

In the same way that a language is modified by its users to reflect their changing lives, language also
affects change in its users. The correlation between words not only reflects the experiences of its users,
but also shapes and directs their perception and evaluation of those experiences.

When you work with the vocabulary of astrological symbols (planets, etc.), you introduce fresh ideas into
your knowledge and belief system. Astrology offers a system of ready-made associations which converge
in specific archetypes (like Jupiter's list of concepts, above). By stretching your mind to make connections
between these archetypal expressions, you shine new light on your experience of them. You begin to
create new negative shapes in your consciousness, which evolve into substantial ideas in their own right.

Naming something can also close the door to further discussion, which sometimes happens when
something is "labelled." We name things so that we can easily refer to them; however, labels can also
prevent us from seeing their deeper, more complex nature. For instance, if we label someone a "slow
learner," we may stop there in our experience of them, never seeing the unique person inside, with his or
her own virtues and faults, hopes and fears, talents and struggles, feelings, dreams and goals.
Convenience can block our candid perception of people and things, taking them for granted.

In the same way, Astrologese can be used to help us see certain characteristics in the person, or to blind us
to them. This is especially a danger when we look at the chart piecemeal, instead of as a holistic, changing
dynamic. Mercury in Pisces, for example, can indicate a person whose mental style is intuitive or illogical.
However, if that person's Mercury also trines Saturn and their Sun is in Aquarius, it can indicate someone
who is capable of conventional logic if they are allowed to reason things out at their own methodical pace.
Such a person may struggle with linear logic as a child, but learn this skill in adulthood. It is important to
remember that the chart is only the map, not the person's experience of the territory or where they are in
their journey through it.

What's An Astrology For?

In learning astrology, you have access to new insights and clues for dealing with life's problems. Suppose
you discover that your demanding, workaholic, @%#&*$ boss has Mars in Capricorn. For starters, it can
be reassuring to know there is something in their makeup that drives their behaviour; that you're not "just"
being triggered into your own struggles with authority figures. ("...REFLECTED, PERHAPS, BY YOUR
OWN SUN SQUARE SATURN?")

Knowing this about your boss can help you find alternate ways to deal with him or her. Mars in Capricorn
tends to combine an ambitious, authoritative and (over)responsible approach (Capricorn) to one's
motivation and activities (Mars). This suggests your boss's Capricorn nature may be more accepting of
your allergy to overtime if you present it in an organized, respectful way, emphasizing other
responsibilities in your life which must take precedence (in other words, framed in Capricorn values).

However, it would belittle astrology to use it merely as a way of finding new and improved ways to duck
out of overtime or suck up to your boss. Ultimately, it is a "sacred science" through which we are
introduced to an esoteric and enlightened view of life. In learning astrology, we are initiated into a sphere
of knowledge which far surpasses the conventional wisdom and awareness of the masses. We have access
to a higher understanding of human nature and the meaning of life, which requires a disciplined mind and
an ethical spirit to use it wisely and responsibly.

As you continue your learning in astrology, using it in your personal and/or professional life, ask yourself:
Are you are using it simply as a quick-and-dirty oracle for finding easy answers? Or, are you open to
being shaped and realigned by its transformative magic? Astrology is not a foolproof recipe showing the
right and wrong ways to live your life; nor is it a static stone tablet imprinted with indelible
commandments of who you must be. It is a profound linguistic map that portrays the dynamic, evolving
territory of your psyche and life. Whether you navigate through it or get lost in it, preserve it or pollute it,
how you traverse and explore that territory is always up to you.

 
 Encyclopedia of Astrology 
 
The other dictionary entries: 

A
Above the Earth  

When a planet is located above the horizon, namely anywhere between the ascendant and 
descendant via the mid‐heaven. If a planet is found in the 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th 
houses, it is above the earth.  

Abscission of Light  

Prevention of the culmination of an aspect by the intervention of another, thus "cutting off" the 
light. Used in Horary Astrology. See Frustration.  

Abscissor  

Killing planet; cutter‐off of light.  

Absides (Absis)  

The points where the major axis of an elliptical orbit meets the orbital path. See Apsides.  

Accidental Dignity  

Planet dignified by favourable position, motion or aspect, but not in Essential Dignity. See 
Dignities, Accidental and Essential.  

Acronichal (Acronycal; Acronychal; Acronical)  

1. Acronichal – the point opposite the Sun 
2. Acronichal Rising – a star or planet rising at sunset 
3. Acronichal Setting – a star or planet setting at sunrise 

The opposite of Cosmical, this is one of the three Greek ideas of the rising and setting of stars: 
Acronichal, Cosmical and Heliacal, by which they measured the length of the year.  
Adept  

One who has conscious control and understanding of techniques. An Adept is one who is 
proficient in astrological, alchemical, mystical or esoteric techniques, usually an initiate into one 
or other of the Mystery Schools.  

Adherence  
 Hellenistic astrological term for conjunction of planets.  

Adverse Aspect  

Unfortunate aspect between planets, or other chart factors. See Malefic Aspects.  

Aether (Ether, Æther)  

1. Alchemical quintessence: the fifth and highest element after Air, Earth, Fire and Water; 
once believed to be the substance composing all heavenly bodies. See Akasha, also 
Quintessence. 
2. A medium that was once supposed (originally by Leibniz) to fill all space and to support 
the propagation of electromagnetic waves. See Dark Energy.  
3. In theosophical terms, it is a subtle energetic field, or level of consciousness 
immediately surrounding and interpenetrating the physical level of our five senses. See 
Etheric Body. 

Read more on the Aether.  
Affinity  

When planets or other factors are similar, in harmony, or have a mutual compatibility.  

Affliction  

An adverse aspect, or position, creating problems in the expression of the relevant energies. 
Aspects from malefics are almost always adverse, so the aspected planet is said to suffer 
affliction, or be afflicted, but benefics can also afflict if poorly placed in the chart. A planet can 
also be said to be afflicted if it is debilitated by chart position (for example if in fall or detriment, 
or by rulership of the unfortunate houses: 4th, 6th, 8th and 12th.).  

Age, Astrological  

The location of the vernal point in the sidereal zodiac defines the current Astrological Age. An 
Astrological Age has a duration of some 2,160 years, as the vernal point (0° Aries in the Tropical 
Zodiac) precesses through the sidereal zodiac at a rate of something over one degree every 72 
years. The two zodiacs coincided in approximately 200 AD (depending on your ayanamsa) 
marking the end of the Age of Aries and the beginning of the Age of Pisces. It has now precessed 
to around 5° Pisces, so we are gradually approaching the end of the Age of Pisces and have 
entered the transitional phase towards actualisation of the Age of Aquarius.  

Age of Aquarius  

The Astrological Age that begins when the vernal point precesses beyond the first degree of 
sidereal Pisces and into the last degree of sidereal Aquarius. The exact year of this cosmic event 
is in dispute, but is most likely to be sometime around the mid 2300's AD. One argument in 
favour of the Age of Aquarius having already begun is the cusp argument promoted by Ptolemy 
 and others that the actual cusp of a house is effective up to five degrees before the actual cuspal 
degree, but this is shaky insofar as it applies to houses rather than to signs. However, it is 
supported by the experience of the deaths of millions in the twentieth century under, Hitler, 
Stalin, Mao, the World Wars etc (marking the ending of the Age of Pisces) and the emergence of 
the individualistic, technological culture that arrived during the 1960's. This issue was of intense 
interest to early "New Age" astrologers in the twentieth century (and indeed still is), as it was 
supposed to introduce a new age of brotherhood and harmony and the coming "sixth race" of 
advanced humans. You can draw your own conclusions on that.  

Age‐Harmonics  

Technique for drawing up a harmonic chart for the age of a person, or other astrological subject. 
This little‐known but powerful technique, especially useful for birth‐time rectification, and for 
synastry analysis, was discovered by Australian astrologer Ross Harvey in 1983.  

Air Element  

One of the four astrological elements. A masculine element, it stands for intellect, media, 
matters to do with communications and so on. The other elements are, Fire, Water and Earth.  

Air Signs  

Libra (cardinal), Aquarius (fixed) and Gemini (mutable).  

Airy Triplicity  

The Air Signs: Libra; Aquarius; Gemini. These signs are hot and moist by nature and sanguine by 
temperament.  

Akasha (Akasa)  

The mystical fifth element, or quintessence. The cosmic spiritual essence that pervades and 
underpins the material elements, Fire, Air, Earth and Water. A sanscrit word meaning "shining", 
it is also known as the Astral Light, or collective unconscious.  

Akashic Records  

The "Book of Life"; interactive cosmic storehouse of karmic impressions made by every thought, 
word and deed in the Akasha, or cosmic mind, the collective unconscious.  

Albedo  

1. Alchemy: second stage of the Great Work; whitening and purification; the Moon; female 
2. Astronomy: fraction of sunlight reflected by a planet or satellite (no astrological 
connotations). 

Alchemist (Alchymist)  
 One who practices Alchemy.  

Alchemy  

Ancient art of transforming substances from an impure to a pure form using occult techniques 
(the Great Work), primarily the transformation of base metals into gold. Alchemy also had a 
profoundly spiritual symbolism, enabling the transformation of the gross condition of man into a 
refined and essentially pure realisation of divine spirit (the symbolical Great Work). Substances 
(herbs, gems, metals, etc.) according to the Law of Correspondences were applied using 
astrological rulerships and techniques, energising the work by planetary hours, aspects, phases 
etc. The key lay in  

1. the manufacture of the Philosopher's Stone (a catalyst in the Great Work);  
2. the development of the Universal Solvent (capable of dissolving all substances); and  
3. the Universal Panacea, an elixir believed to be the cure for all ills. 

Alchemy, the forerunner of modern scientific chemistry, is still practised in its own right (as 
distinct from herbalism, chinese medicine and ayurveda, all of which employ alchemical 
techniques). Some modern practitioners claim to have achieved the Magnum Opus (Great 
Work).  
Alcocoden (Alchochoden, Alcoccoden)  

Alchochoden, "the giver of the years", meaning the planet which, in the natal chart, reveals the 
number of years that the person is going to live. It is determined by finding the planet that has 
most essential dignity, whilst being in good aspect to the hyleg.  

Aldebaran  

A malefic Fixed Star in the 10th degree of Gemini, known traditionally as the archangel Michael, 
the Watcher of the East. A behenian star, it is one of the four Royal Stars.  

Alfonsine Tables  

Ephemerides tabulating Sun, Moon and planets under the patronage of King Alfonso X of Léon 
and Castile. His team of some 50 astronomers at Toledo revised and improved Ptolemy's 
geocentric tables in the Almagest, freshly translating from Arabic editions into Castilian 
(completed c.1252). Once translated into Latin in 1320, they remained the standard in Europe 
until superseded by Johannes Kepler's superior Rudolphine Tables, published in 1627. See 
Rudolphine Tables.  

Alfridaria 

Derived from the mixed Arabic and Persian "al firdar", the alfridaria, or alfridaries, are a system 
of planetary periods of Persian origin first described as far as we know by Abu Mashar. Originally 
 intended for the long term forecasting of historical events, they can also be used in predicting 
for individual charts. More about Alfridaria.  

Algol  

Caput Algol, a malefic fixed star currently located in the 27th degree of Taurus. More on Fixed 
Stars.  

Alien Signs  

Signs in Aversion. See also Disjunct.  

Almuten  

A planet which, because of its placing, dignities, fortitudes and aspects, comes to have more 
importance than the ruler, be it of the whole chart or of any particular House of the chart.  

Alpheta  

Giver of Life. The alphetical places correspond with the places of Hyleg, for which this is an 
alternative name.  

Alphonsine Tables  

Alfonsine Tables, q.v.  

Amavasya  

Jyotish term for New Moon  

Ammonius Saccas  

Second Century Alexandrian mystic and philosopher, teacher of Origin, Clement, and Plotinus. 
The founder of what eventually became Neoplatonism, he sought to resolve religious and 
philosophical conflicts by reviving the ancient Wisdom Religion and developing a universal 
human brotherhood. Ammonius revealed the essential identity of all religions, acquainting his 
students with the various systems. Plato and Pythagoras were compared with the philosophies 
of the ancient East; the Jewish Qabbala with the ancient Egyptian teachings. He revived the 
system of Orpheus, in which a single Supreme Essence, unknown and unknowable, emanates 
the souls of the world and the people in it. He taught theurgy, the art of using the divine powers 
of man to rule the blind forces of nature. Although unwritten, his philosophy (through followers 
such as Plotinus, Porphyry and Iamblichus) has had a powerful and enduring influence on 
Astrology, Hermetic Esotericism, Qabbala, Christianity, Gnosticism, Judaism, Islam and Paganism.  

Anabibazon  

Dragon's Head (north lunar node).  
Anareta  

A planet severely afflicting the Hyleg at birth and by direction. Usually a malefic, but any planet 
can be the Anareta, particularly the lord of the 8th, the almuten of the lord of the 8th, or any 
planet placed in the 8th house. Known as the "killing planet", it is believed to portend the cause 
of death.  

Anaretic Degree (Anaretic Place)  

1. The 30th degree (29°00'–29°59') of any Sign. It is also known as the degree of fate. 
Planets and other factors that occupy the anaretic degree reveal deep issues which 
generate significant trials in life. 
2. The degree wherein the Anareta is found, according to DeVore. 
3. The terms of the infortunes are also known as Anaretic Degrees. 

Anaxagoras  
Anaxagoras (c.500–428 BCE), a presocratic Greek thinker and friend of Pericles, first proposed 
that the Moon's light reflects the Sun, lunar eclipses being caused by Earth's shadow, with solar 
eclipses coming from the Moon obscuring the Sun. He declared that the Moon had mountains, 
and that the stars were far distant from the Earth. Holding that the universe was ordered by the 
cosmic mind (nous), he distrusted the evidence of the senses, preferring reasoning. His ideas on 
the origins of matter were a precursor of the atomic theory.  

Androgyne (Androgynous) 

1. Expressing characteristics of both sexes. Mercury is convertible and androgynous, as he 
can be either dry, or moist, depending on his position in the chart.  
2. In ancient mythologies, primordial gods and goddesses are regularly depicted as 
androgynes (hermaphrodites), revealing the polar nature of creation. We see this too in 
the light and dark, the yin and yang of the cosmos. 
3. In alchemy, Sol and Luna are seen as complementary halves of the one whole, the soul 
and body. Ancient astrology assigned Sun and Moon as co‐rulers of both Leo and Cancer, 
though this is no longer accepted in modern astrology. 
4. Actual human androgynes (hermaphrodites) were once considered incarnations of the 
divine. Twentieth century medicine denied the existence of hermaphrodites, often 
assigning gender surgically. A number of these third sex individuals have surfaced in 
recent years to reclaim their identities. 

Angles 
In order of power: 

• First House (Ascendant – East Angle) 
• Tenth House (M.C. – South Angle) 
• Seventh House (Descendant – West Angle) 
• Fourth House (I.C. – North Angle) 
 The Angles are the most important houses. Planets in angles are the strongest and most 
significant.  
Angles of a Malevolent (Infortune) 

Tenth, Seventh and Fourth signs counted in relation to the sign holding a malefic planet (Mars or 
Saturn) as if it were the Ascendant. Also when in corporeal conjunction (i.e. as if in the First 
House of the Malevolent). Planets placed here are considered unfortunate, but the negativity of 
the position is cancelled by reception if applicable.  

Angular 

Pertaining to the Angles. Angular houses are the strongest and angular planets must be 
especially noted.  

Anima Mundi 

The "Soul of the World", or World Soul. According to ancient philosophy, the essential ground of 
consciousness that permeates and vitalizes everything in nature, diffused through the smallest 
subatomic particle right up to the most advanced forms of planetary consciousness. In this way, 
everything on the Earth is connected and related at a profound, subliminal level. See Thema 
Mundi, the postulated chart of the beginning of the world.  

Animodar (of Tetrabiblos) 

Ancient method of birth time rectification, dating at least from Ptolemy and apparently used by 
Galileo in the rectification of his own chart.  

Annular  

In an annular eclipse, the Moon does not completely block the light of the Sun, leaving a thin 
ring of fire (Annulus) visible. A New Moon near apogee is not sufficient to cover the face of the 
Sun completely, so its dark umbra cannot reach the Earth's surface to generate a total solar 
eclipse; hence, the antumbra predominates.  

Antares  

A benefic Fixed Star in the 10th degree of Sagittarius. One of the four Royal Stars.  

Antipathy 

Inharmonious relations between planets, particularly those which rule or are exalted in opposite 
signs.  

Antiscion 

A point equal in distance on the opposite side of the solsticial axis to a planet's position. It is 
effectively the "shadow" of a planet. The midpoint of a planet's position and its antiscion is 
 always the point of the solstice (1° Cancer – 1° Capricorn). For example, when the Sun is in the 
tenth degree of Taurus, this is as far distant from the first degree of Cancer as it would be if 
placed in the twentieth degree of Leo, its Antiscion, so energising any planet in that degree or 
which casts an aspect to that degree. Once held to be a powerful fortitude equivalent to sextile 
or trine, this is rarely considered by modern astrologers, perhaps because it is a geometrical 
abstraction, rather than a real rock. More on Antiscion. See also Contra‐Antiscion.  

Antumbra 

The antumbra in an annular eclipse is the section of the shadow that reaches the Earth, the 
body of the Moon being too distant for the umbra (darkest part of the Moon's shadow) to reach 
the surface of the Earth. An annular eclipse can be darker than a penumbral or partial eclipse.  

Aphelion 

The place in a planet's orbit which is farthest from the Sun (gk: helios). See Perihelion.  

Apheta 

Giver of life. See Alpheta.  

Aphrodite 

Greek goddess of love, beauty and prosperity, cognate with Roman Venus.  

Apoapsis (Apoapse; Apapsis)  

The outermost point of an ellipse (as in a planetary orbit). The innermost point is called the 
Periapsis.  

Apogee 

The place in a planet's orbit which is farthest from the Earth. See Perigee.  

Apparent Motion 

The celestial bodies appear to rise in the east and set in the west, but this is nowadays 
considered an illusion created by the rotation of the Earth on its axis.  

Application 

The approach of one planet to another by aspect or conjunction, or to a sensitive point in the 
chart, such as a cusp. See Separation.  

Applying  

See Application q.v.  
Apsides  

Plural of Apsis. According to The Aphorisms of Cardan, "changes of the Absides of the Planets 
cause mutations in governments and laws, which is a point very much to be regarded".  

Apsis  

The point of greatest (apoapsis; apapsis) or least (periapsis) distance of the elliptical orbit of a 
celestial body from its centre of attraction (the centre of mass of the system). The points where 
the major axis of an elliptical orbit meets the orbital path. The Line of Apsides is the major axis 
of the ellipse, the line passing through the longest part of the ellipse.  

Aquarius 

The eleventh sign of the zodiac. Aquarius, the Water‐bearer, is a fixed, air sign. More about 
Aquarius.  

Aquarian Age  

Age of Aquarius, q.v.  

Aquary  

Obsolete name for Aquarius.  

Arabic Parts 

Significant points on the ecliptic, derived from the relationship between other significant points 
or planets. Parts are also known as Lots. See Pars Fortunæ (Part of Fortune). More about Arabic 
Parts.  

Arc 

Distance as measured in degrees, minutes and seconds along the circumference of a circle. 
There are 360 degrees of arc in the circumference of a circle; a minute is one 60th of a degree 
and a second is one 60th of a minute. One sign describes 30 degrees of arc along the 
circumference of the zodiac. Some scientific authors are now using decimal fractions, instead of 
minutes and seconds, though curiously they are still using degrees from the ancient Babylonian 
sexagesimal (base‐60) mathematical system.  

Archetype 

Original pattern, model, prototype, or blueprint. According to modern, psychological astrology, 
archetypes are the primordial images that form the structural basis for our subconscious 
motivations, expressed symbolically by planets, signs and other astrological motifs. Though the 
self‐actualisation ideals of modern astrology were conceived in the theosophical schools of the 
 19th century, using archetypes as motivators derives from the 20th century psychoanalytic 
theories of Jung.  

Ares 

Greek god of war and fertility, cognate with Mars. Not to be confused with Aries, the sign of the 
Ram.  

Aries 

The first sign of the zodiac. Aries, the Ram, is a cardinal fire sign, commencing in the Tropical 
system at the vernal equinox. More about Aries.  

Aries Point 

The first degree of Aries (but also by aspect the other three cardinal points, the beginnings of 
Cancer, Libra and Capricorn). Where these points fall in the chart is held to be highly significant 
in terms of the way an individual is pushed into the spotlight. It is used mainly by practitioners of 
Uranian astrology (a.k.a. Cosmobiology), but also has ancient references. It is more widely 
known as the Vernal Point.  

Aristarchos of Samos 

Aristarchos (c.310–230 BCE), a Greek astronomer and mathematician born in Samos, Greece, 
was the first to propose a heliocentric model of the solar system, countervailing the 
predominant geocentric theories of Aristotle and the majority of ancient thinkers. Using 
geometric techniques, he also calculated the sizes of the Sun and Moon and their distances from 
the Earth, and proposed that the stars were infinitely distant from the Earth (to account for their 
lack of parallax). Modern observations show that his calculations were incorrect, but that his 
techniques were on the right track. His heliocentric ideas inspired Copernicus some 1800 years 
later.  

Aristotle 

A pivotal Greek philosopher (384–322 BCE), student of Plato and tutor of Alexander the Great. 
He wrote widely and his influential ideas on physics, metaphysics, poetry, theatre, music, logic, 
rhetoric, politics, government, ethics, biology and zoology were dominant until modern times. 
His geocentric cosmological theories formed the universal backdrop for the ancient and 
mediæval worldviews, notably with regard to astrology as formulated by Ptolemy.  

Ascendant 

1. The sign and degree on the cusp of the First House, the eastern horizon of the chart, in 
most house systems. In some such as the Whole Sign system, or the Equal House system 
based on the MC, it is a sensitive point, not necessarily in the first house. Technically it is 
 the point on the Ecliptic where the Ecliptic intersects the Horizon to the East of the 
Meridian. See Rising Sign. 
2. In Horary, the cusp of the house that represents the party: e.g. the cusp of the 5th is the 
ascendant for a child of the querent. 

More about the Ascendant.  
Ascending 

A planet is said to be ascending (rising), when moving via the ascendant between the fourth and 
tenth cusps, i.e. in the eastern hemisphere of the chart.  

Ascending Node 

North Node. See Nodes.  

Ascension 

See Long Ascension and Short Ascension.  

Ashtakavarga 

Sophisticated point‐system of calculating the power of planetary transits, particularly in view of 
a planet's strength with regard to every planet, including Sun and Moon. Used in Jyotish (Indian 
Astrology).  

Aspect 

Particular angular distances between planets, or planets and other sensitive points, measured in 
degrees (°), minutes (') and sometimes seconds (") of arc. In ancient times, planets were held to 
"see" other planets at particular geometric positions determined by their rays, hence they took 
on an aspect of vision. Modern astrologers generally do not take this view, but simply consider 
geometric relationships as aspects. Conjunction is also nowadays considered an aspect, even 
though the ancients did not call it such.  

• Minor Aspects  • Ptolemaic Aspects 
• Major Aspects  • Keplerian Aspects 
• Malefic Aspects  • Conjunction 
• Benefic Aspects  • Aversion 

Aspects can be Zodiacal (read along the Ecliptic) or Mundane (read along the Equator). See 
Mundane Aspects.  

Asterism 

Smaller constellation. See Lunar Mansions.  

Asteroids 
 Small planetoids orbiting between Mars and Jupiter. There are many of them, but recently a 
small number have managed to get themselves considered useful in astrology, notably Ceres, 
Juno, Pallas Athene and Vesta. These are all considered to be feminine influences, or "goddess 
planets". More about Asteroids.  

Astral 

Starry. Often used as a shorthand for the Astral Plane, or Astral Body.  

Astral Body 

Subtle, interpenetrating body, or level of the human energetic field (aura), primarily concerned 
with processing information and prana (chi) at the emotional level.  

Astral Light 

Material expression of the Akasha, or self‐luminous collective unconscious.  

Astral Plane 

Intermediate level between the spiritual and the physical worlds; the emotional level of the 
body‐mind. The soul of the world‐being. Lower level of the Akasha.  

Astral Travel 

Separation of the Astral Body from the physical and visiting other locations. This mainly happens 
unconsciously in sleep, but some adepts can consciously control and direct the movement of the 
astral, whether in the sleeping or the waking state.  

Astrolabe 

A mechanical device, predecessor to the sextant, whereby mariners determined the time of day 
by the Sun, of the night by the stars, and the height and depth of mountains and valleys. – 
Source: The Encyclopedia of Astrology  

Astrolatry 

Star worship; adoration of the heavenly host  

Astrologer 

One who practices Astrology.  

Astrologian 

Astrologer [obsolete].  

Astrological Age 
 See Age, Astrological.  

Astrologist 

1. Astrologer (rare) 
2. Believer in, or follower of, astrology – though not necessarily an actual astrologer 

Astrology 
The science of the stars, astrology seeks the meaning and application of the planets, stars and 
other celestial phenomena in our lives. A very ancient, yet still vital discipline.  

Astrometeorology 

Meteorological Astrology. Weather prediction, including prediction of storms, floods, cold spells, 
etc., using ancient astrological methods. Kepler himself was an expert in this field, having kept 
meticulous meteorological records for decades, matching them with planetary aspects, and 
publishing weather predictions in some of his almanacs.  

Astronomer 

One who practices Astronomy.  

Astronomy 

The science of the observation and material origins of stars and other celestial phenomena. Of 
relatively recent origin, this discipline has become separated from and generally hostile to 
astrology, with which it was once intimately in partnership.  

Atma (Atman) 

Spiritual essence, or soul.  

Atmakaraka 

Soul indicator in a Vedic astrology chart. Reveals strongly ingrained tendencies and affinities, 
providing the greatest opportunities for soul progress. There are two, the Sun, the natural 
atmakaraka and the temporal (charaatmakaraka), which is determined by placement of the 
planets in the signs, also defined as that planet with the highest degree of longitude.  

Aura 

A luminous spiritual atmosphere or halo made up of subtle energy fields: patterns of energy, 
vibrating at interwoven frequencies and intensities. These comprise, surround and 
interpenetrate the body‐mind through several levels of consciousness. The energetic planetary 
signatures affect us via the aura. See Astral Body.  

Avatar 
 1. Powerful spiritual incarnation. 
2. According to Vedic Astrology, there are nine planetary Avatars, one for each of the 
visible planets, plus Rahu and Ketu, the Moon's Nodes. 

Avatar Point 
The potent 15th degree of each of the Fixed Signs. Held by some to mark the entry point of 
divine energy via the planetary Avatar into the cosmos.  

Average Daily Motion 

The average motion of a planet over a 24 hour period. Travelling slower than average is held to 
be a debility. See Mean Daily Motion.  

Aversion 

A lack of acknowledgement between zodiac signs based on aspects of 30 and 150 degrees. Some 
hellenistic astrologers thought aversion to be cancelled by like‐engirding, equal power, or 
commanding and obeying relationships. This aspect was considered very unfortunate by the 
ancients, but is not held to be unduly evil by modern Western astrologers.  

Ayanamsa 

The difference between the starting points of the Tropical and Sidereal Zodiacs, due to the 
precession of the equinoxes. There are several in use in India today, but the official government‐
sanctioned Lahiri ayanamsa (22°27'37.7") is the most widely used. The other popular ayanamsas 
are Krishnamurti (22°21'50") and Raman (21°00'52") though it should be mentioned that there 
are at least 3 different versions of Lahiri, plus other lesser‐used models.  

Ayurveda 

Traditional Indian holistic healing system, based in the humoral relationships of plants, oils, 
gems etc to the human body. Ayurveda (ayur: "life" & ved: "knowledge") is a spiritual discipline 
as well as a medical one, seeking balance of the body, emotions, mind and spirit. Strongly 
rooted in astrology, the method employs herbs, diet, exercise, yoga, massage, aromas, gems, 
tantras, mantras, and meditation to overcome excesses or deficiencies in elemental life energies. 
More on Ayurveda.  

Azimene 

Deficient or "Weak" degrees that are traditionally held to cause tendency to lameness, 
deformity, or other disability such as blindness. See Table.  

Azimuth 
 Angular bearing of a celestial object measured in degrees on the horizon from the north point, 
relative to the position of an observer. It was formerly measured from the south point, but the 
advantages of this are negated when in the southern hemisphere.  

B
Ba Zi 

Shi Chen Ba Zi, the Four Pillars of Destiny in Chinese Astrology. The Four Pillars (Ba Zi) are Year, 
Months, Days, Hours. More on Chinese Astrology.  

Balsamic Moon 

The final phase of the Moon between the last quarter and the darkness of the New Moon. See 
Moon Phases.  

Barren Planets 

Sun, Saturn and Mars. Traditionally, these planets (along with the Dragon's Tail, or Moon's South 
Node) tend to prevent the birth, or cause early death, of children when located in either of the 
parents' fifth or eleventh houses, especially if poorly aspected. Many modern astrologers also 
consider Uranus barren.  

Barren Signs  

Gemini, Leo and Virgo. Aries is also considered rather barren. If on fifth or eleventh house cusps 
they tend to reduce the number of offspring. Good for tilling, bad for planting.  

Behenian Fixed Stars  

Fifteen stars considered especially useful for magical applications in the mediæval astrology of 
Europe and the Arab world. The name derives from Arabic bahman, "root," as each was 
considered a source of astrological power for one or more planets. Each is also connected with a 
gemstone and plant used in rituals intended to draw the star's influence (e.g., into a talisman). 
When a planet was within six degrees of an associated star, this influence was thought to be 
particularly strong. For Agrippa's table, see the Behenian Fixed Stars. For a different viewpoint, 
see the Table of Hermes.  

Behold  

1. A slower planet is said to behold a faster planet which is applying to an aspect with it. 
2. Also, when two planets are within orb of an aspect, they are said to behold one another. 
3. Or, when one planet is in aspect to another, each in Beholding Signs, they behold each 
other. 
Beholding Signs  
Signs which have the same declination, or are at equal distances from the tropics, ie, Aries/Virgo; 
Taurus/Leo; Gemini/Cancer; Libra/Pisces; Scorpio/Aquarius; Sagittarius/Capricorn. This relation 
of course only holds when planets are appropriately configured in them. See Equal Power.  

Beibenia  

Mediæval term for the brightest of the fixed stars. Jerome Vitali in his Lexicon Mathematicum 
(1668), says that beibenia are the main stars of the starry images, in particular their hearts and 
the stars of the first magnitude. 

Beltane (Beltaine; Bealtaine)  

One of the Cross‐quarter days; an ancient fertility festival, now generally celebrated as May Day. 
More about Beltane.  

Benefic  

Beneficial, good, favourable.  

Benefic Aspects 

Major Benefic aspects are 

1. sextile (60°) 
2. trine (120°) 

Conjunction (0°) can be benefic if planets are themselves benefic or if otherwise well aspected.  
Minor aspects usually considered benefic are  

1. semi‐sextile (30°) 
2. quintile (72°) 
3. bi‐quintile (144°). 

There are other benefic aspects, but these are the most widely used and understood. See 
Malefic Aspects.  
Benefic Planets 

see Benefics.  

Benefics  

Jupiter (the greater fortune) and Venus (the lesser fortune). These planets are considered to 
benefit the native, unless afflicted. Anonymous of 379 states that Mercury is a benefic (perhaps 
as a healer, being the Lord of Virgo) and Ptolemy states that "the ancients" also included the 
Moon as a benefic, chiefly because of its softening and humidifying power. Note that benefics 
 do not always bring out what may be termed "beneficial" outcomes, especially when poorly 
placed in the chart. Modern psychological astrologers deny that any planet may be deemed 
"benefic" (or indeed "malefic"), on the grounds that natural forces should not be value‐laden 
and that all experiences are ultimately beneficial as part of a growth process. Compare Malefics.  

Besieged  

A planet is besieged when it lies between two malefics, or when, having separated from a 
malefic, the next aspect it makes is with a malefic. Traditionally, a planet is besieged if it lies 
between Mars and Saturn and in the same sign with them, for example, Mars at 22° Pisces, Sun 
at 24° Pisces and Saturn at 27° Pisces, seen in my son's chart. The word "besieged" means 
surrounded or crowded in by hostile forces, these being in this case Mars (enemies; conflict; 
passion) and Saturn (restriction; sorrows; karma), who are surrounding, crowding and assailing 
the Sun (inner self; individuality). Besiegement in a birth chart is usually overcome by 
progression, but still remains a basic vibration.  

Bestial Signs 

Aries (Ram), Taurus (Bull), Leo (Lion), last half of Sagittarius (Centaur/Archer), front half of 
Capricorn (Sea‐goat). Each of these signs is thus symbolised by an animal.  

Bhava 

Astrological House in Vedic astrology.  

Bhukti 

Planetary sub‐period within a major period (dasa) in Vedic astrology.  

Bicorporeal (Double‐bodied) Signs  

Gemini (twins), Sagittarius (part man, part beast) and Pisces (two fishes). They denote dual 
experiences, twins etc., when on the cusp of fifth or eleventh houses and especially on the 
ascendant or when populated by many planets. Ptolemy includes Virgo. His twist is that these 
four signs are called bicorporeal because they "follow the solid [Fixed] signs, and are so called 
because they are between the solid and the solsticial and equinoctial signs and share, as it were, 
at end and beginning, the natural properties of the two states of weather."  

Biothanatus 

Violent death.  

Birth Chart 

A natal chart (nativity), or horoscope. It is a map of how the planets were aligned when a person 
(the native) was born. The birth chart presents an astrological blueprint for a person's life. More 
about the Birth Chart.  
Birth Place 

Place where the native's first breath was drawn. Longitude and latitude of the birthplace are 
required to construct an accurate nativity.  

Birth Time 

Moment of first breath; important in erecting an accurate nativity.  

Bi‐quintile 

A minor aspect of 144 degrees, derived from Kepler.  

Black Hole 

An extremely dense object in space, with a gravitational pull so strong that nothing, not even 
light can escape it. Astronomers believe that the imploded remnant of a massive star may 
become a Black Hole, though there are other proposed causes. Some modern astrologers take 
some of them into consideration, especially the Galactic Centre, a vastly powerful supermassive 
black hole at the centre of our galaxy. Read Wikipedia on Black Holes.  

Black Moon 

Also known as Dark Moon, or Lilith, a sensitive point that can be calculated from the Moon's 
orbit around the Earth. The Moon's orbit is not circular, but slightly elliptical – and an ellipse has 
two foci. The Earth travels in one focus; the other is empty, but has been designated as the 
Black Moon. Used by some modern astrologers. There is also an asteroid called Lilith.  

Blavatsky 

Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (1831‐1891), co‐founder and prime mover of the Theosophical 
Society (TS). A naturally gifted psychic (and talented pianist, artist and writer), HPB was born at 
Ekaterinoslav in what is now Ukraine into a prominent Russian aristocratic family. She was 
married at 17 to General N. V. Blavatsky, from whom she quickly separated. She travelled widely 
in Europe, Asia and the Americas and is best known as author of the profoundly influential 
esoteric works, Isis Unveiled and The Secret Doctrine. Literary giants such as William Butler Yeats 
and James Joyce acknowledged her influence, along with occult leaders such as Aleister Crowley, 
A. E. Waite, S.L. Macgregor Mathers, etc., and psychologists including Carl Jung and Rudolph 
Steiner. Mahatma Gandhi himself was set on his path by meeting her in London in 1890 and 
studying her Key to Theosophy. The leading astrologers of the later 19th and early 20th 
Centuries were deeply affected by her work. Esoteric Astrology and modern psychological 
astrology have grown out of Theosophical teachings. Having set a massive wave in motion that is 
reverberating still, she died in London in 1891. More on HPB also more detail here (both offsite).  

Blue Moon 
 When a Full Moon occurs twice in the same sign in any given year, the second of the two Full 
Moons is called a Blue Moon. [Recently this phenomenon has been misunderstood to mean a 
second Full Moon in a calendar month. Calendar months cross over the cusps of the signs, hence 
this so‐called "Blue Moon" is not a significant astrological phenomenon.] More on the Blue 
Moon.  

Bode's Law 

Hypothesis originated by German astronomers Titius and Bode in 1766‐68 that bodies in orbital 
systems orbit at semi‐major axes in an exponential function of planetary sequence. This formula 
fits the spacing of the then‐known visible planets and led to the discovery of Uranus (1781) and 
Ceres (1801), but did not fit for Neptune (although it predicts that Neptune should be where 
Pluto is found in the sequence). Scientists now hold that Bode's Law is not a law, but simply a 
rule that generally works. It has no overt astrological significance, but fits the mystical formulæ 
expressed in the sacred geometry which had been a key to the Mysteries for long centuries 
before Johann Elert Bode. Bode did however predict (and eventually name) Uranus.  

Bounds 

One of the dignities (also known as "terms", from the latin terminus), thought of as delimiting a 
certain circumstance within a certain confine of life. Often used in life expectancy calculations.  

Brihaspati 

A Vedic name for Jupiter.  

Budha 

A Vedic name for Mercury. Not to be confused with Buddha, the central figure of Buddhism, 
though both mean "awakened". Budha refers to "awakened intellect", as Mercury stands for the 
intellect (Buddhi), as opposed to the innocent, receptive mind represented by the Moon.  

C
Cabala (Cabbala)  

Esoteric teachings that deal with mystical ideas of creation and concepts of a spiritual nature, 
based in the Hebrew/Gnostic scriptures. Cabala (Cabbala, Kabbalah, Qabbala, or other variant 
translation from the original Hebrew ‫)קבלה‬ features interpretations of the Tree of Life, the 
Zohar, numerical keys to the Bible etc.  

Cabalist (Cabbalist)  

One who practises Cabala.  
Cacodæmon (Kakodæmon; Kakodemon)  

1. Now obsolete name for the twelfth house, which was held to be the main base for evil 
in the chart (esp. the Solar Chart).  
2. Sometimes depicted as a flaming serpent, the Cacodæmon was a malevolent shape‐
shifting demon, as opposed to the Agathodæmon, a loving spirit or guardian dragon, the 
divine logos. On the The Demotic Magical Papyrus of London and Leiden, the incantation 
includes "Agathodæmon, the almighty four‐faced dæmon, the highest darkling and soul‐
bearing Phox". Also the evil dæmon, the expression of malevolence and unhappiness; as 
opposed to the eudæmon, the guardian spirit or genius that brings the happy state of 
flourishing, eudæmonia, recommended by Aristotle. The dæmons, good or bad, were 
held by the Greeks to be living beings of intermediate stature, occupying rungs between 
the divine gods and mortal men. See Dæmon. 
3. The constellation Perseus the Champion, with particular reference to Caput Algol, the 
demon's head, which he held, having severed it from the body of Medusa the Gorgon as 
a part of his rescue bid for the lovely Andromeda. 
4. On another level, the personal Kakodæmon is born from the rejected potentials and 
energies of an individual's soul. This "Evil Dæmon" can be made an ally through 
increased consciousness and has energy that may be harnessed to work for one's higher 
purposes. It holds great power, which may be reclaimed, for by reclaiming the lost parts 
of our souls, we become more complete. 
"For many centuries Western culture has rejected and denied the Evil Daimôn, both 
individual and collective (for the collective consciousness of a culture, nation, or religion 
also creates its Kakos Daimôn); this is the reason these destructive powers are 
rampaging ungoverned around our world. They cannot be banished; the only solution is 
a cooperative alliance in conformity with modern society and ethics." – John Opsopaus 

Cadent Houses  
"Falling away" (from the angles). Third, sixth, ninth and twelfth houses. Planets are generally 
weaker there, being less stable and more changeable in their effects, unless they are the natural 
rulers of the houses, as with Mercury in the third or sixth, Jupiter in the ninth or twelfth, 
Neptune in the twelfth. According to traditional astrology, planets in these houses only function 
at 25% of their power, compared with a position in one of the angles of the chart.  

Calendar  

A system of organizing time for social, religious, agricultural, commercial or administrative 
purposes. Names are given to lengths of time: typically days, weeks, months and years. We 
currently use the Gregorian Calendar in the West, but there are several others in widespread 
use, such as the Indian Calendar, the Islamic Calendar, the Hebrew Calendar, the Baha'i Calendar, 
and more. Calendars are usually based either on the perceived movement of the Moon (Lunar 
Calendar) or the Sun (Solar Calendar), or on a combination of the two (Luni‐Solar Calendar). A 
key value is to keep the calendar in tune with the seasons. Other modern calendars adopt purely 
mathematical bases, independent of Sun and Moon. Calendars tend to adopt significant, usually 
religious dates as their starting point, such as the supposed birth of Jesus Christ, which 
 determines the commencement of the current Gregorian Calendar. Unfortunately this is a 
disputed date, but the habit has stuck.  

Campanus  

A system of houses based on equal twelvefold division of the prime vertical, as opposed to the 
ecliptic. In the 13th century Campanus, a mathematician, popularised this system in the West, 
but it was used by Al‐Biruni in the 11th century as 'the system of Hermes', suggesting a much 
earlier origin, perhaps dating back to Manilius.  

Cancer  

The fourth sign of the zodiac. Cancer, the crab, is a cardinal, water sign. Ruled by the Moon, it is 
the exaltation of Jupiter. More about Cancer.  

Capricorn  

The tenth sign of the zodiac. Capricorn, the sea‐goat, is a cardinal, earth sign. Ruled by Saturn, it 
is the exaltation of Mars. More about Capricorn.  

Caput Algol  

The Gorgon's Head. A malefic fixed star, causing one to "lose one's head in the situation", 
located in Taurus 26°.  

Caput Draconis  

The Dragon's Head (Moon's North Node). More about the Moon's Nodes.  

Cardinal Cross  

Occurs when planets form a Grand Cross in Cardinal Signs. Especially important when located in 
the early degrees of the signs. When the nodes, Jupiter, Saturn and the outer planets are 
involved, major social changes are indicated.  

Cardinal Houses  

See Angles.  

Cardinal Points  

The first degree of each of the Cardinal Signs.  

Cardinal Signs  

Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. Also known as Moveable Signs, they stand for the seasonal 
changes, marking the four quarters of the year. Cardinal signs on the angles of a chart denote 
prominence in related fields.  
Cardines  

Cardinal Points. The Shorter Oxford Dictionary says this is the plural form of Cardo, but I have 
seen Cardine used in the singular (in a translation of Dorotheus).  

Catabibazon  

The Dragon's Tail (Moon's South Node).  

Cauda Draconis  

The Dragon's Tail (Moon's South Node). More about the Moon's Nodes.  

Cazimi  

A planet within 17 minutes of arc of the Sun's ecliptic position, the "heart of the Sun", is strongly 
fortified by Cazimi, an Arabic term. The traditional beneficence of this point is disputed by some 
authorities, including Lilly. See Combust.  

Celestial  

A heavenly body, such as a planet. Celestials are often considered to be beings rather than 
objects. This not merely naive, but recognising that the physical body exists in the material 
world of darkness, while the numinous spiritual body, or symbolic entity of mind and spirit, 
exists conceptually in the divine world of light. As above, so below.  

Celestial Body  

see Celestial.  

Celestial Equator  

The projection onto the Celestial Sphere of the plane of the Earth's equator; in other words, the 
projection of the Earth's equator onto the heavens. The Sun crosses the Celestial equator twice 
a year, creating the seasons as we know them.  

Celestial Latitude  

Having located a body horizontally in Celestial Longitude along the ecliptic, we still need to 
describe its position vertically in order to pinpoint its precise location. In the Ecliptic System, this 
is done using Celestial Latitude. A body's position is expressed in degrees, minutes, and seconds 
of arc, with reference to its distance above or below the plane of the Ecliptic. A body above the 
Ecliptic is expressed as North Celestial Latitude, just as a position on Earth's surface above the 
Equator is said to be North latitude. Similarly, a body below the Ecliptic is expressed as South 
Celestial Latitude. [source: Dwight Ennis]  

Celestial Longitude  
 The position of a heavenly body is measured in the Ecliptic System using Celestial Longitude and 
Celestial Latitude. Celestial Longitude is measured horizontally starting at 0° of Aries. Position is 
measured in degrees, minutes, and seconds of arc in a counter‐clockwise direction along the 
Ecliptic. For example, a planet located at 15° of Taurus could also be said to be located at 45° of 
Celestial Longitude (the 30° of Aries + the 15° into Taurus). [source: Dwight Ennis]  

Celestial Poles  

The Earth's orbit around the Sun takes approx. 365.25 days, and a 'day' is, of course, defined as 
the Earth spinning once on its axis. The Earth's axis of rotation, tilted at 23.5 degrees to the line 
of the poles of the ecliptic, gives us the directions to the north and south celestial poles. The 
bright star Polaris is currently showing us the direction of the north celestial pole. Like a spinning 
top this axis is precessing around the ecliptic pole, with a period of some 26,000 years  

Celestial Sphere  

The imaginary sphere, with its centre being the centre of the Earth, onto which the zodiac, 
constellations and planets are projected.  

Celestial Spheres  

In Plato's Geocentric Model of the Universe, the stars and planets were embedded in a 
concentric series of rotating, ætheric, crystalline spheres. The ineffable sound made by their 
movement was known as the Music of the Spheres. Versions of this model developed by 
Eudoxos, Aristotle, Ptolemy and others became the dominant cosmological theory until after the 
"Copernican Revolution" of the sixteenth Century AD, when the modern, heliocentric model 
began to be explored. Planets are not now imagined to be embedded in celestial spheres, as 
they are now thought to be large balls of matter orbiting the Sun, subject to the forces of gravity 
and inertia.  

Centaurs  

A recently‐discovered class of icy, comet‐like planetoids that orbit the Sun between Jupiter and 
Neptune. The most astrologically significant is Chiron, but others are considered by some 
modern astrologers to be important.  

Ceres  

The Great Mother, mythological daughter of Saturn and Ops and sister of Jupiter, Neptune, 
Pluto, Juno and Vesta. An asteroid seen by modern astrologers as significant, now arousing 
considerable interest. Despite being lauded as the "Great Mother", Ceres appears generally to 
be a malefic, especially signifying grief and loss. Ceres was the first asteroid to be discovered 
(January 1, 1801 by Giuseppe Piazzi, using Bode's Law). It was reclassified by astronomers in 
2006 as a "dwarf planet". More about Ceres.  
Chakra (Cakra)  

1. A sanskrit term meaning wheel, or chart in Jyotish (Vedic) Astrology. 
2. Hidden energy centres in the human body are also called chakras ("wheels"). These are 
part of the subtle energy system of the human aura described by yoga, tantra and 
mystic discourses of all cultures. Chakras are dynamic consciousness‐processing organs 
and can be activated through subtle techniques in tantra and the like. Each chakra has a 
particular vibration, mantra and associated gods or goddesses. Some astrologers assign 
planetary rulerships to them. 

Chakra Fracture  
Damage to a chakra in the body's subtle energy system, creating emotional, physical or mental 
dysfunction. Caused by environmental stress of one kind or another, unsound relationships, 
overload, or other stress on the chakra concerned.  

Chaldean Order  

The order of visible planets as held to have been proposed by the ancient Chaldean astronomers: 
Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sun, Venus, Mercury, Moon. This reflects their position in the Celestial 
Planetary Spheres (Saturn in the outermost and Moon in the innermost). From a modern 
perspective, the order expresses the relative speed of the planets, from slowest to fastest.  

Chaldeans  

Ancient astrologers, originally based in Babylon, a city in Mesopotamia (Iraq), the birthplace of 
Western Astrology. Subsequently a term for astrologers in general.  

Chandra  

Vedic name for Moon.  

Chandra Lagna  

Moon ascendant. The process of defining a chart with the Moon sign as the ascendant, a 
process used in Vedic (and Hellenistic) astrology in addition to the regular chart.  

Chariot  

In ancient Hellenistic Astrology, a planet is held to be in its own chariot when in its own domicile, 
exaltation, or confines (terms).  

Chart  

An earth‐centred astrological map of the heavens, used in the interpretation of cosmic factors 
with regard to their effects on people and events.  

Chi (Ch'i)  
 Subtle energy of the life force, the control of which is one of the goals of yoga, tantra, tai chi and 
similar disciplines. Also known as Qi, Ki and in Yoga, Prana.  

Chiron  

The Wounded Healer. Discovered by Charles T. Kowal in 1977, this planetoid located between 
Saturn and Uranus has developed a considerable following among modern astrologers. More 
about Chiron.  

Choleric Humour  

Corresponding to the Fire Element and, according to Culpeper, ruling "the spume and froth of 
the blood". Fire in general symbolises energy, dynamism and expression, and is associated with 
the colour red, which correlates with the dynamic and expressive component of the blood. 
Ruled by Mars, it works through the Yellow Bile. See Humours. More about the Choleric Humour.  

Chronocrators  

1. Time Lords, or Markers of Time. Jupiter and Saturn are known as the Great 
Chronocrators, though other planets can be chronocrators. Conjunctions of Jupiter with 
Saturn in the heavens occur every twenty years or so (minims, or specialis), recurring 
every 200 years in a sign of the same element (media, or trigonalis). The conjunction in 
Sagittarius recurs every 800‐960 years (climacteria, or maxima), marking supreme 
epochs in the history of mankind. 
2. Planetary rulers of the Seven Ages of Man. 

Chronos (Kronos)  
Greek for Saturn, father of Jupiter.  

Circle of Perpetual Apparition  

The boundary of the space around the elevated pole of any given place within which the stars 
never set. Its distance from the pole is equal to the latitude of that place.  

Circle of Perpetual Occultation  

At any given place, the boundary of the space around the depressed pole, within which the stars 
never rise.  

Citrinitas  

In alchemy, the third stage of the Great Work; yellowing; spiritualising; enlightening; the Sun; 
male.  

Climacteria  
 Major conjunctions in Sagittarius of Jupiter and Saturn, occurring every 800‐960 years, marking 
significant developments in human destiny.  

Climacterical Periods  

Every 7th and 9th year in the life of a person, enterprise, political entity, etc. The Moon squares 
her own place by transit every 7th day, and by direction every 7th year; and trines it every 9th 
day and year. Saturn too has his greatest power in these years. Thus the climacterical periods 
occur at the ages of 7, 9, 14, 18, 21, 27, 28, 35, 36, 42, 45, 49, 54, 56, and 63 years. The most 
portentous are those of the 49th and 63rd years, which are doubly climacterical, 7x7 and 9x7. 
When evil directions coincide, these are generally deemed to be fatal. The 63rd year is called 
the Grand Climacteric, and the general presumption is that more die in their 63rd year than in 
any other from 50 to 80. The 49th and 81st year are called by some the Grand Climacteric, being 
respectively 7x7 and 9x9. In ancient medical practice, climacterical periods are counted in the 
number of days from the decumbiture, or falling ill, being registered as Critical Days.  

Coalescent Chart  

A technique for creating relationship charts, originated by Lawrence Grinnell in the 20th Century. 
Similar to composite charts but based on harmonics, a different harmonic being used for each 
planet. These charts are held to show unusual sensitivity to transits, hence useful for the 
development of relationships between two people, or for a person and an event.  

Colel  

The venerable rule of Colel in cabala and gematria holds that one digit can be added to or 
subtracted from the numerical content of a word without affecting its value. This is permitted 
because unity is divine and so able to come or go at will, without affecting the outcome. See 
Gematria.  

Collection of Light  

When a heavier planet receives aspect from two other lighter planets which are themselves not 
in aspect, this brings them effectively into aspect. In horary, it signifies the perfection of a 
matter. Thrasher in Jubar Astrologicum declares that the lighter planets must both also receive 
the heavier in "some of their Essential Dignities".  

Combust (Combustion) 

1. A planet placed within 8 degrees 30 minutes (but not within 17 minutes) of the Sun is 
said to be combust. Meaning "burnt", this is not a favourable condition, especially for 
the Moon and inner planets when direct in motion and applying to the corporeal 
conjunction. Mars however can be fortified. Combustion can occur either in or out of 
sign, as it is the Sun's moiety that is the deciding factor. Astronomically, combust planets 
are invisible (hidden by the Sun), and so less fortunate. Regarded as particularly malefic 
 in horary, where combustion completely negates the planet in question. See Cazimi, 
also Under Beams. 
2. According to Bonatus, in Anima Astrologiæ: "where the Moon is combust, that is to say 
under the Sun's Beams, which is counted from 15 degrees of the body of the Sun as she 
applies to him to 12 degrees distance from him as she is separating from him; and the 
impediment is greater when she is going to the Sun than when she is going from him; 
because as she goes off, when she is got five degrees distant, she is said to be escaped, 
though not wholly freed. As when a fever hath left a man, he is said to be recovered, 
although he be weak and faint, because he is secure now that he shall obtain his health 
again." 

Combust Degrees 
These are a debility for the Moon and, according to Bonatus, the worst are the 12 degrees 
before the degree that is directly opposite to the degree in which the Sun is placed.  

Comet  

A bright, icy celestial body pursuing an eccentric, often extremely lengthy orbit of the Sun. The 
luminous "tail" of the comet, comprising meteoric material and gases, streams into space due to 
the heat of the Sun. Traditionally, comets are considered to be ill‐omens because they seem to 
break the natural order of the cosmos.  

Commanding Signs 

Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, the Northern Signs. According to Ptolemy: "The signs 
in the summer semicircle are commanding; those in the winter semicircle, obeying: for when the 
Sun is present in the former, he makes the day longer than the night; and when in the latter, he 
produces the contrary effect." This factor would presumably be reversed if viewed from the 
southern hemisphere.  

Common (Mutable) Signs 

Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces.  

Complexions 

Elements.  

Composite 

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.  

Concordant in Itinerary 
 Signs ruled by the same planetary ruler (such as Gemini and Virgo, both ruled by Mercury). See 
Like‐engirdling.  

Confines 

Robert H. Schmidt's translation of the Hellenistic Greek word horia, conventionally translated (in 
accord with the Latin version: termini) as Terms. See Terms.  

Conjunct 

Two or more planets are conjunct when they are closely associated (within 8° of arc) in the same 
sign. If they are closely associated but in adjoining signs, the strength of the conjunction is 
diminished (see "out‐of‐sign").  

Conjunction 

Where the chart factors concerned are within 8° orb of arc, they are "conjunct" or in 
conjunction. A conjunction is usually a helpful energy which creates self‐nurturing, inner 
strength and ambition. Depending on the planets involved, it also can create intensity, stress 
and confusion. See Combust.  

Considerations (Before Judgement) 

1. Particular conditions in a horary chart, especially those warning that the chart is not 
radical, meaning that the astrologer might be prone to error, or that the astrologer may 
be likely to give the client bad news should a prediction be undertaken. See Strictures 
Against Judgement 
2. General observations regarding a future circumstance, as opposed to a specific 
prediction. 

Constellations 
Defined groups of fixed stars are known as constellations. Ancient astrology had only 48 named 
constellations, although modern astronomers have named many more for convenience of 
location. Since 1930, the IAU has limited the number of constellations to 88, used to define 
locations on the celestial sphere (no star, known or unknown, is therefore not in a way part of a 
constellation). There are however, no actual fixed stars in the tropical zodiac of the signs, which 
is a symbolic, mathematical system based in the seasons; only planets inhabit the zodiac. Signs 
should not be confused with constellations, even though for historical reasons they may bear 
the same name. See also Lunar Mansions, which are based on Asterisms, or minor constellations.  

Contra‐Antiscion (Contrascion)  

The point in the opposite sign, degree and minute to a planet's antiscion, or the point lying 
equidistant from and at the opposite side of the equinoctial axis (0° Aries – 0° Libra) to a planet. 
This was formerly considered a powerful debility, equivalent to a square or opposition, but is 
rarely considered by modern astrologers. See Antiscion. See also Equipollent.  
Contra‐Parallel  

An unfortunate aspect by declination or latitude, similar in effect to Opposition. Opposition by 
declination is when one planet is north of the celestial equator and the other is south, within 
one degree of orb. See Parallel Aspect.  

Converse 

Contrary motion to the natural movement of the planets through the signs. Used in Directions.  

Converse [Directions; Progressions; Transits]  

Calculated by examining the ephemeris for the days previous to birth. Each day symbolises a 
year of life, so for example the planetary positions ten days before birth provide insight into the 
events of the tenth year of the native's life. These are used by some astrologers to give 
additional insights to those gained by the direct or forward day‐for‐year process of prediction.  

Coordinates  

Two or more numerical factors that define the position of a point on a chart, symbolising a point 
in space. Longitude and Latitude are examples of coordinates.  

Copernican System  

Heliocentric version of the Solar System, developed by Copernicus in the 16th Century AD, 
though anticipated by some ancient Greek thinkers, notably Aristarchos of Samos (3rd Century 
BC), but including Pythagoras (6th Century BC). Even earlier Indian Vedic texts, notably 
Yajnavalka's Satapatha Brahmana (8th Century BC) may have influenced him. Arabic and Persian 
mathematicians from around the 11th to the 14th Century AD, such as Albiruni, Avicenna and 
Bin Tusi most assuredly did influence him (as they too were attempting to improve on the 
Greeks). His system eventually replaced the geocentric system formalised by Ptolemy in the 2nd 
Century AD, even though it was less accurate, at least until advances in planetary motion 
discovered by Kepler in the 17th Century. The influence of Aristotle was so great that Copernicus 
felt compelled to retain the aristotelian idea of circular motion (as the most perfect form of 
motion) for the planets, which Kepler's discoveries disproved. Although Kepler was also a 
marvellous and dedicated astrologer, this marked the beginning of the current alienation of 
astrology from astronomy. Since astrology is primarily concerned with the effect the planetary 
forces have upon the beings that inhabit the Earth, most astrologers still favour the geocentric 
system, at least for astrological calculations.  

Copernicus  

Nicolaus Copernicus (1473‐1543) was a Polish astronomer who developed the first modern 
theory of the heliocentric solar system.  

Cor Leonis  
 The Lion's Heart. Regulus, the most royal of the four Royal Stars.  

Corporeal Conjunction  

When two planets are conjunct in the same sign. Stronger than an "out‐of‐sign", or dissociate 
conjunction.  

Correspondences (Law or Principle of)  

The Law of Correspondences holds that our personal world corresponds to the external world in 
every way, with specific reference in astrology to the cosmic vibrations inherent in celestial 
influence corresponding to natural substances and the human body, as well as the general 
cosmic influences that are reflected in the events and destinies here on planet Earth—a 
profound correspondence between the laws and phenomena of the various planes of existence. 
"As above, so below; as below, so above". To paraphrase the words of the Kybalion, this 
Principle is the universal law of application and manifestation, on the various planes of the 
material, mental, and spiritual universe.  

Corresponding in Course (Itinerary)  

Signs of equal power, ie when in equal ascension, or the signs that reflect each other's 
declension, sharing the same number of hours of daylight and of night. Signs being the same 
distance on either side of the solstice.  

Co‐ruler 

Where more than one planet rules a sign, or other cosmic attribute, the planets concerned are 
known as co‐rulers. Before the development of the telescope, the known visible planets were 
assigned rulership of signs. Each planet was considered to rule two signs (the Sun and Moon are 
usually only assigned one each, though recent scholarship suggests that they may have in 
ancient times been given co‐rulership of each other's signs, Leo and Cancer). Many modern 
astrologers assign rulership of certain signs to the recently‐discovered planets, Uranus, Neptune 
and Pluto (even Chiron!), but others allow them co‐rulership with the traditional rulers. 
Traditional astrologers however deny them any rulership, even if allowing them some influence, 
because to do so would break the symmetry and thus the symbolism of the zodiac, which is a 
spiritual, not a physical concept.  

Co‐significator 

1. Any planet or sign which is naturally associated with another in the rulership of a faculty 
or matter under consideration.  
2. In horary, the co‐significator is a planet in aspect to the planet governing the matter, if a 
benefic, aiding, but if malefic, hindering the outcome. 

Cosmic 
 Pertaining to the Cosmos; something vast, grand and in some sense harmonious, or at least 
ordered.  

Cosmic Cross 

Grand Cross.  

Cosmical  

1. Cosmical – when a star or planet is conjunct the Sun 
2. Cosmical Rising – a star or planet rising at sunrise 
3. Cosmical Setting – a star or planet setting at sunset 

The opposite of Acronichal, this is one of the three Greek ideas of the rising and setting of stars: 
Acronichal, Cosmical and Heliacal, by which they measured the length of the year.  
Cosmobiology  

Reinhold Ebertin's astrological system, ignoring houses but emphasising midpoints and the 
following "hard" aspects: semi‐square, square, sesquiquadrate and opposition. Developed in 
Germany during the 20th Century.  

Cosmogram  

Ebertin's name for a horoscope based on his system of Cosmobiology.  

Cosmogony  

A scientific, religious, or mythological account of the origins of the universe, in particular our 
Solar System.  

Cosmology  

Philosophical and astrophysical study of the history, structure, and dynamics of the universe.  

Cosmos  

1. The universe conceived as an orderly, harmonious system. All that exists in time and 
space including spectra of light, forces of bodies, cycles of the elements — life, 
intelligence, memory, record and dimensions beyond physical perception — 
mathematically calculated as the evidence of things not seen as yet, but which do 
appear in the Spirit cosmos that coexists with and interpenetrates the Matter cosmos as 
a grid of light. Source: Glossary of Ascended Master Terms & Definitions 
2. As outlined in Plato's Timæus, the Cosmos is the world of becoming, the material world, 
as opposed to the eternal world of ideas, or forms, upon which it is modelled. He notes 
that everything in this world "comes to be and passes away, but never really is". Able to 
be grasped by sense‐perception and opinion, it is a created world, artfully crafted onto 
pre‐existing, formless material (the elements, comprising atomic platonic solids in space) 
 by the Demiurge, or creator. The Cosmos is a living being, subject to time and space, and 
of course, astrological considerations... 

Critical Days  
Periodical crisis times in an illness or an event, when the Moon makes successive 45° transiting 
aspects to its original position in the decumbiture or event chart. Favourable crises occur when 
the Moon makes successive 60° aspects to its radical position.  

Critical Degree 

Determined by the movement of the Moon across the cusps of the Lunar Mansions, a planet's 
strength in the chart is increased when placed in any of these degrees, or within an orb of 3 
degrees of the critical degree. There are critical degrees in each of the Signs (see table).  

Cross‐quarter Days 

Days on the Cross‐quarter points marking the mid‐points between the Equinoxes and the 
Solstices, holidays dating back to pre‐Christian times. Still celebrated in many parts of the world 
esp. the UK and northern Europe, they are also important in Wicca and neo‐Paganism as part of 
the eight‐pointed Wheel of the Year. See Celtic Fire Festivals.  

Cross‐quarter Points 

The fifteenth degree of each of the Fixed signs: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. Also known 
as the Avatar Points, they signal the Cross‐quarter days.  

Culmination 

1. The arrival of a planet at the degree of the MC.  
2. The culmination of an aspect is when it is completed (i.e. partile), regardless of the MC. 

Culpeper  
Nicholas Culpeper (1616‐1654), an influential English astrologer, physician, botanist and 
herbalist of the 17th Century. A friend and colleague of William Lilly, his understanding of herbs 
and their astrological correspondences is unsurpassed. His works, particularly The English 
Physitian (1652) and The Compleat Herbal (1653) remain in print and are widely read, although 
some modern editions leave out the astrological references.  

Cusp 

The strongest point (usually the beginning) of a house or sign in the chart. The sign on the cusp 
of any house and its ruling planet are the designated rulers of that house. Planets near the cusp 
are more significant than otherwise, especially if in an angular house. Many astrologers, 
following Ptolemy, hold that planets up to 5 degrees before the cusp may be considered to be 
already in the house, especially if it is an angle.  
Cytherea 

Greek goddess Aphrodite (known to the Romans and so to us as Venus), believed to have been 
born from the foam of the waves near the island of Cythera (Kythira) south‐east of the 
Pelopponese, north‐west of Crete. Another name for Venus.  

Cytherean (Cytheran) 

Pertaining to Venus. Now more or less literary if not obsolete. Considered more stylish than 
Venusian, Venerean, or (yikes!) Venereal.  

D
Dæmon (Daimôn)  

In classical mythology, the dæmons (daimônes) were guardian spirits, or inspirational powers; 
divinities of an intermediate stature between gods and men. In the Hellenistic period these 
were divided into good and evil, achieving the status of demigod, or angel. The word in Christian 
times came exclusively to mean troublemaking evil spirit, or "demon". Any of the gods of 
competing pagan religions thus came to be classed as demons. See Cacodæmon.  

Dark (degrees)  

Certain degrees traditionally believed to cause a dark complexion when on the ascendant, or 
when occupied by the Lord of the ascendant, the Lord of the figure, or the Moon. Dark degrees 
are also believed to accentuate deformity, should this be present. See Light and Smoky degrees.  

Dark Energy  

Dark energy is a mystery. According to NASA, "roughly 70% of the universe is made of dark 
energy. Dark matter makes up about 25%. Everything on Earth, everything that we have ever 
observed with all of our instruments – normal matter – adds up to less than 5% of the universe". 
In cosmology, dark energy is a hypothetical form of energy that permeates all of space and has 
strong negative pressure, counteracting gravity. Currently explaining the observations of an 
accelerating universe as well as accounting for a significant portion of the missing mass in the 
universe. Could this be the æther, the alchemical quintessence, by another name...?  

Dark Matter  

Invisible matter particles in space that cannot be detected by their emitted radiation but, 
according to the latest cosmological theories, whose presence can be inferred from gravitational 
effects on visible matter such as stars and galaxies. Most of the matter in the entire Universe is 
invisible! Fritz Zwicky discovered evidence for missing mass in galaxies in the 1930s and named 
it "Dark Matter". Dark Matter in itself has no astrological significance. See also Dark Energy.  
Dark Moon 

Also known as Black Moon, or Lilith, a sensitive point that can be calculated from the Moon's 
orbit around the Earth. See Black Moon.  

Dasa (Dasha)  

A major planetary period delineated in Vedic astrology. Compare Alfridaria.  

Davison Relationship Horoscope  

Horoscope created for the exact midpoint between two birth dates, times and places for the 
purposes of Relationship Analysis. Devised by Ronald C. Davison, 20th Century English astrologer, 
this technique is not found in traditional astrology. Compare Composite Chart.  

Day‐Sign  

Each of the classical planets, apart from the two Luminaries, rules over two signs: a Day‐Sign and 
a Night‐Sign. The Luminaries rule one sign each, the Moon Cancer and the Sun Leo (though 
there is evidence that the Luminaries once were assigned co‐rulership of each other's signs). The 
planets are assigned to the signs in order from the fastest (Mercury) to the slowest (Saturn). 
Day‐Signs are the masculine, or positive signs; Night‐Signs are the feminine or negative signs.  

Day‐Stars  

Jupiter, Saturn, Sun. Mercury is convertible, and may be either Diurnal or Nocturnal. Moon, 
Mars and Venus are the Night Stars.  

Debility  

A weakened planetary condition, due to unsympathetic aspect, motion, or position. See Dignity.  

Decade  

Decan.  

Decan (Decanate)  

A one‐third (ten‐degree) sector of a sign. Each sign has three decanates: 1‐10 degrees, 11‐20 
degrees and 21‐30 degrees. Each decan has its own ruler, based on the rulership of the first, 
fifth and ninth sign of its triplicity, counting the current sign as the first. For example, the first 
decan of Aries is ruled by Mars, the second by the Sun and the third by Jupiter. According to 
Alan Leo, each decan is also divided into two faces, a positive and a negative, each with its own 
ruler. Ptolemy has a different decan rulership system, see Ptolemy's Table. Decanates 
themselves are also known as faces. Decans originally derive from ancient Egyptian astrology, 
where the decans were considered paramount, before being subsumed in Hellenistic times 
 under the Chaldean 12‐sign zodiac. The circle of the 36 decans was deemed to lie beyond the 
zodiac, each one being governed by a particular spiritual entity.  

Decennial  

Ancient Time Lord system based on phases of 10 years & 9 months. It is derived by adding the 
minor years of the planets together (192 years) and dividing by 12. Each of the 7 planets (Time 
Lords) are then assigned a period, starting with Sun (diurnal birth) or Moon (nocturnal birth). 
Each of the 7 periods is thus 129 months. As in the Hindu dasa‐bhukti system, each of the 
periods is divided into sub‐periods, in order, ruled by the various planets.  

Decile  

Minor aspect of 36°. Considered fortunate, also known as semi‐quintile.  

Declination 

In order to obtain the vertical position of a celestial (as opposed to its horizontal position along 
the ecliptic) we measure the distance of a planet north or south of the celestial equator—from 
which they are said to decline (either northward or southward). Every part of the ecliptic has 
declination, except the beginnings of Aries and Libra (0°00'), because the plane of the ecliptic is 
not parallel with that of the celestial equator and those two points are where the two planes 
intersect. The Sun has maximum declination of 23°28', when it reaches either the Tropic of 
Cancer in the north (23°N28'), or the Tropic of Capricorn in the south (23°S28'). Declination is 
due to the inclination of the earth in orbit. The Parallel and Contra‐Parallel aspects are aspects 
of declination. See Parallel.  

Decreasing in Light 

When a planet has passed the opposition to the Sun it is said to be decreasing in light and is 
correspondingly weaker. This especially applies to the Moon.  

Decumbiture 

A chart drawn for the time the patient falls ill, for the purpose of diagnosing illness. Alternatively 
drawn for the time the practitioner is first contacted by the patient. More on Decumbiture.  

Deep (degrees) 

Degrees in which the expression of the native is impeded should the Moon or ruling planet be 
placed therein. The image is that of a well or a pit, into which the planet or Moon falls and 
cannot easily get out of. Also known as pitted ("in a pit"), or puteal ("in a well"). The term 
"pitted" refers to "being in a pit", and is not a comment on the native's complexion (unlike light, 
smoky, or dark, which do apply to the native's appearance).  

Deferent 
 Planetary sphere. In order to maintain the aristotelian circular motion of planets while 
explaining the retrograde motion of planets in the ancient geocentric Ptolemaic system, 
epicycles were introduced. The planets were said to revolve in a circular motion around a point 
attached to the appropriate planetary sphere (or deferent), while moving at a uniform angular 
velocity. This idea is now obsolete, due to the acceptance of the modern Copernican system of 
heliocentric motion, adjusted according to Kepler's Laws.  

Degree 

The zodiac is divided into 360 equal degrees, marked out into into twelve signs of thirty degrees 
each, counted from 1 (there is no "0" degree, just as there is no Year "0" in our calendar). One 
degree contains 60 minutes and each minute contains 60 seconds of longitudinal arc (in Indian 
Jyotish astrology even smaller subdivisions are employed). Degrees themselves have meanings, 
distinguished from and often quite different from the meaning of the sign and decan under 
which they are subsumed. Traditional astrology refers to various classes of degrees, which are 
held to affect the native according to their natures. These are:  

• Light (Lucid) degrees 
• Anaretic degrees 
• Smoky degrees 
• Critical degrees 
• Dark degrees 
• Azimene degrees 
• Void degrees 
• Fortunate degrees 
• Deep (Puteal or Pitted) degrees 
• Equipollent degrees 
• Masculine degrees 
• Equal Power degrees 
• Feminine degrees 

Delineation 

Interpretation of the horoscope.  

Delta T (ΔT) 

Drift in apparent clock‐time, caused by fluctuations in the Earth's orbit. Primarily due to tidal 
frictions from the Moon, it is a matter of seconds, but is important for accurate horoscope 
construction, timing of eclipses and so on. Computer programs for calculating horoscopes 
should have built‐in accounting for this. More on Delta T (off site).  

Depressed Pole 

The section of the Pole which projects below the horizon at a given place. See Elevated Pole.  

Descendant 

The seventh house (or its cusp), governing marriage, partnership and open confrontation.  

Descending 
 Planets appear to be descending when located between the tenth house cusp via the 
descendant and that of the fourth, when they begin to ascend. Descending planets are 
considered weaker than ascending ones.  

Descending Node 

South Node. See Nodes.  

Descension 

Obsolete term for essential debility (specifically fall).  

Detriment 

A planet is weaker and in its detriment when it is in the sign opposing that which it rules. For 
example, Mars is in detriment when placed in Libra, the opposite of Aries, or Taurus, the 
opposite of Scorpio.  

Dexter 

An aspect read to the right by diurnal movement, i.e. clockwise, against the zodiacal motion, 
which is anticlockwise. It is thus contrary to the natural succession of the Signs. Considered 
more powerful because more direct and in the line of sight. See Sinister.  

Diametral (Diameter; Diametric) 

Opposition.  

Differentia 

Types of charts used by ancient and mediæval astrologers to determine length of life.  

Dignity, Accidental and Essential 

A planet is stronger when placed in certain sectors of the chart, which are called its dignities. 

• Accidental Dignity 
A planet's position by house (angular houses are strongest), or by other beneficial 
factors such as well‐aspected, increasing in light, elevated, swift, etc. 
• Essential Dignity 
A planet's position by sign (home sign, exaltation, terms, or triplicity). See Ptolemy's 
Table of Essential Dignities and Debilities. 

Accidental is more significant than Essential Dignity in the interpretation, although both are 
important. The unfortunate influence of a malefic is usually diminished when in dignity, whilst 
the fortunate influence of a benefic is increased.  
To calculate the relative strengths of planets in a chart, see Table of Planetary Values.  
Direct Motion 

Planetary motion through the zodiac in the normal order of the signs. The opposite of 
Retrograde Motion.  

Direct Station 

A planet when returning to Direct Motion through the zodiac after a period of Retrograde 
Motion remains stationary for a brief period. This "Direct Station" is the ideal time to make or 
implement relevant decisions. It is considered to be among the most powerful positions for 
planetary influence, especially in Jyotish, or Indian (Vedic) astrology.  

Direction 

Direct Motion.  

Directions 

Aspects between planets in a progressed horoscope; also their aspects to the planets in the 
natal chart. See Primary Directions.  

Disjunct Signs 

According to Ptolemy: "Disjunct" and "Alien" are the names applied to those divisions of the 
zodiac ... which belong neither to the class of commanding or obeying, beholding or of equal 
power, and [are not in] opposition, trine, quartile, and sextile, and are either one or five signs 
apart; for those which are one sign apart are as it were averted from one another and, though 
they are two, bound the angle of one, and those that are five signs apart divide the whole circle 
into unequal parts. while the other aspects make an equal division of the perimeter.". See 
Aversion. also Inconjunct.  

Disposition 

See Dispositor.  

Dispositor 

When a planet is in the sign ruled by another, that planet is said to be disposed of by the ruler, 
its dispositor. For example, Mars in Sagittarius in said to be disposed of by Jupiter, the ruler of 
that sign. Jupiter is thus the dispositor of Mars. Disposition by a benefic is favourable and 
especially so if the dispositor is elevated or more elevated than the disposed. Mutual Disposition 
(when planets are in each other's signs, eg: Moon in Leo and Sun in Cancer) is very favourable 
and reduces any surrounding negativity. Disposition is particularly important in Horary readings.  

Dissociate Aspect 

Aspect within orb, but not within the bounds of the aspecting sign. See Out‐of‐Sign.  
Diurnal 

During the day, marking planets above the horizon (between the first and seventh cusps via the 
Mid‐Heaven), versus Nocturnal: below the horizon (during the night).  

Diurnal Arc 

The time in right ascension that a planet or degree of the zodiac takes to move from its rising 
point to its setting point.  

Diurnal Chart 

1. Nativity of person born in the daytime, i.e. when the Sun is above the horizon. 
2. Chart calculated for the day at the native's birthtime, but for the current location. A 
daily return chart. 

Diurnal Signs 
Signs in the southern hemisphere of the chart (above the horizon), namely, Libra, Scorpio, 
Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces.  

Divination  

Fortune telling.  

Divine 

1. To do with the divinity (or God).  
2. To find a solution, either using intuition; tools such as divining rods or pendulum; or 
symbolic systems such as astrology, tarot, runes etc. 

Divine Year 
One Divine Year is said to equal 360 solar years.  

Divinity 

God.  

Divisional Chart 

A vital part of the Hindu Vedic system, where additional charts (the 16 varga charts) are erected. 
Based on fractions ("divisions") of each sign, each varga gives light on a different side of the 
character. This ancient system strongly influenced John Addey, who went on to devise the 
Harmonic Chart system for Western astrology in the 20th Century.  

Dodecahedron 
 A 12‐sided geometric solid, particularly one with 12 regular faces. According to Plato in the 
Timæus, the dodecahedron is the fifth natural solid, "a fifth figure (which is made out of twelve 
pentagons), the dodecahedron—this God used as a model for the twelvefold division of the 
Zodiac."  

Dodecatmoria 

Twelvefold division (of Fate – Ancient Greek) 

1. The twelve signs, or divisions of the zodiac, or the mundane houses in Hellenistic 
Astrology 
2. Ancient Greek 2½ degree division of a sign (one twelfth of 30 degrees). Related to the 
Mansions of the Moon. See Duad and Dwadishamsha. 

Domal Dignity 
A planet in its own sign.  

Domicile 

The home sign of a planet.  

Double‐bodied Signs 

Gemini is known as one of the double‐bodied signs (dual signs) because it has two "bodies" in its 
symbol, the symbol of the Twins. The other dual signs are Sagittarius (part man, part beast) and 
Pisces (two fishes). They denote dual experiences, twins etc., when on the cusp of fifth or 
eleventh houses and especially on the ascendant or when populated by many planets. Dual or 
double‐bodied signs often love variety and are drawn to be involved with two people at a time, 
or have two or more things happening at once, such as two jobs etc. See also Bi‐corporeal Signs.  

Draco 

The constellation of the Dragon, which circles the North Pole and never sets. The hundred‐eyed 
dragon, Ladon, twined around an apple tree in the Garden of the Hesperides, guarding the 
golden apples. He was slain by Heracles in his Eleventh Labour and later placed in the heavens 
by Hera. In an earlier myth, Draco guarded the Golden Fleece and was slain by Jason, leader of 
the Argonauts. The Golden Fleece itself originally belonged to the ram, Aries.  

Draconic Chart 

The natal Dragon's Head (ascending node) becomes the first degree of Aries in the Draconic 
chart, or 'draconic equinox', and other planets and points are adjusted accordingly.  

Dragon's Head 

Caput Draconis, or Moon's North Node. The sign and degree occupied by the Moon when 
crossing the ecliptic from south to north latitude. It is usually considered somewhat benefic, and 
 is the opposite of the Dragon's Tail (Cauda Draconis), the South Node, which is considered 
malefic. In Indian astrology, the Dragon's Head is called Rahu and the Dragon's Tail is called Ketu 
and both are considered malefic, though less so for Ketu. These significant points traditionally 
have the strength of a planet and are especially important in directions and transits. More on 
Dragon's Head & Tail.  

Dragon's Tail 

Cauda Draconis, or Moon's South Node. See Dragon's Head.  

Drekkana 

Vedic (Jyotish) term for Decanate.  

Duad (Dwad) 

2½ degree sector of the zodiac, making one twelfth of a sign. There are thus twelve duads per 
zodiacal sign, each one governed by each sign in order and so repeating throughout the year. 
This in duration is approximately equivalent to two and a half days, about the time it takes for 
the transiting Moon to pass through one zodiacal sign. So the Moon passes through all of the 12 
signs over the course of a month, just as the Sun passes through all 12 signs in the course of a 
year. See dwadishamsha.  

Dual Signs 

Gemini; Sagittarius; Pisces. See Double‐bodied Signs.  

Dwadishamsha (Dwadasamsa) 

Division in Indian Astrology of the zodiac into segments of two and a half degrees (i.e. one 
twelfth of a Sign). Popularised in the modern era in the West by Alan Leo, this division was also 
used by the ancient Greeks, known as the dodecatmoria. See Duad.  

Dwarf Planet 

Contentious 2006 astronomical definition of small planetary bodies within the Solar System, 
including Pluto, Ceres and the newly discovered Eris. It has no astrological significance. See 
Wikipedia on the subject.  

E
Earth  

Sometimes called Terra, the Earth is the mother planet upon which we dwell, the basis of our 
world. Our planet revolves on its own axis every 24 hours and completes its orbit around the 
Sun in around 365.25 days. The course of the Earth's orbit lies between that of Venus and Mars. 
 The Moon is the Earth's only natural satellite and orbits the Earth in approximately 29 days. The 
geocentric ("earth‐centred") view places the Earth at the centre of the solar system (and indeed 
the universe), which is the way it appears to be to those who dwell on its surface. This view is 
favoured by most astrological systems for this reason (although there is a heliocentric astrology 
with some followers). The heliocentric ("sun‐centred") view places the Earth in orbit around the 
Sun, the view favoured by modern, material science. This does not, however, affect the validity 
and accuracy of geocentric astrology, a spiritual science.  

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).  

Earthy Triplicity 

The Earth Signs: Capricorn; Taurus; Virgo. These signs are cold and dry by nature and 
melancholic by temperament.  

East 

1. One of the four cardinal directions or points, opposite of West and at right angles to 
North and South. East is the the general direction from which the Sun appears to rise, 
because the Earth rotates on its axis towards the East.  
2. The Eastern (oriental) sector of the horoscope wheel is located on the left hand side of 
the chart, unlike a geographical map, where the East is to the right. The degree of the 
ascendant is the easternmost point of the chart. 

East Point 
The sign and degree rising over the Earth's equator at any given moment.  

Easter 

Christian festival of Christ's resurrection, coinciding approximately with the first full moon after 
the vernal equinox. Easter is named after the ancient German goddess of spring, Eastre. This 
calendar festival finds its primitive origins in earlier European and Middle Eastern cultures, all of 
which had major festivals, usually to do with resurrection and/or release from bondage, based 
around the vernal equinox.  

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 (at the New Moon), the body of the Moon obscures the 
body of the Sun and in a lunar eclipse (at the Full Moon), the body of the Earth obscures the 
Moon. In each case the Sun's light is obstructed, causing the eclipse.  

• Total Eclipse  

When the whole of the eclipsed body (either Sun or Moon) is blocked out and darkened.  

• Annular Eclipse  

When the body of the Moon does not completely block the light of the Sun, leaving a thin ring of 
fire (Annulus) visible.  

• Hybrid Eclipse  

When part of the eclipse path is annular and part of it is total, usually annular at the start, 
changing to total for the middle portion, then switching back to annular towards the end. 
However, some hybrid eclipses are annular only at the beginning or at the end of the path.  

• Partial Eclipse  

When only part of the Moon or Sun is blocked out. 

Ecliptic 

The Sun's apparent path through the zodiac, the central line of a belt some 15° – 18° wide 
around the Earth. The name refers to eclipses, which can only occur here.  

Eighth House  

The eighth segment of an astrological chart. Governs natural changes in life such as birth and 
death, clearing the way for something better, self‐revelations, marriage and business assets, and 
partner's funds; inheritance, end‐of‐life matters; sex, death and taxes.  

Election 

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

1. Particular Election: constructed and developed with reference to the natal chart, this is 
considered by Ptolemy to be the best method 
2. Universal Election: constructed on its own basis, without reference to a natal chart. 

Used in Horary Astrology.  
Electional Astrology 
 A branch of astrology in which a chart is cast to determine the ideal time for any significant 
action, such as buying a house, starting a business, getting married, buying a car, beginning a 
journey etc.  

Elements 

The basic structural components of the world are known as elements. In astrology four elements 
are recognised: Fire, Earth, Air and Water (these elements are easily observed in nature, but 
have a subtle character, not to be confused with the chemical elements of the periodic table). A 
fifth element, or quintessence, is held to be the underlying permeating spiritual essence out of 
which the four material elements are precipitated. The quintessence is not used in practical 
astrology. See Triplicity, also Humours.  

Elevated 

The closer a planet is to the midheaven in a chart, the more elevated, and therefore the more 
potent, it is.  

Elevated Pole 

The celestial pole that appears above the horizon.  

Eleventh House 

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

Ellipse  

A somewhat flattened, elongated circle, or oval shape. Planetary orbits were demonstrated by 
Kepler to be ellipses, rather than circles as had previously been believed.  

Elongation 

Distance of a planet, measured in degrees, from the Sun.  

Emersion 

A planet coming from under the Sun's beams so as to be seen after an eclipse or occultation. 
See Immersion.  

Empedocles 

Distinguished pre‐Socratic Greek magus, healer and mystic philosopher, born in Sicily, who 
flourished in the 5th Century BCE. Among other notable scientific intuitions, he revealed the 
universal fourfold structure of the classical elements, Earth, Air, Fire and Water, which he called 
 the "roots of all things" (rhizai), as he came from the tradition of herbal magicians. He held that 
the elements were spiritual in nature, naming them Zeus (Fire), Hera (Air), Hades (Earth) and 
Nestis (Water). Nestis is Persephone, Queen of the Underworld. His ideas profoundly influenced 
the world, especially via the work of Plato, Aristotle and their followers.  

Empowerment 

The reception of spirit energy through the crown chakra. The fundamental process upon which 
the awakening of higher awareness and other higher energy faculties depends. Empowerment 
usually comes from a more highly advanced (empowered) person, but may also be achieved via 
direct personal communication with higher powers, as at a power place, or sacred environment.  

Empyrean 

The place in highest heaven in the geocentric model of the universe. It was believed by ancient 
cosmologists to be occupied by the fiery element, or in the case of the Greeks following Aristotle, 
by the æther.  

Enthroned 

A planet placed in its domicile, or home sign; or more strictly, when in a part of a sign where it 
has more than one dignity.  

Ephemeris (Ephemerides) 

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

Epicycles 

Circles attached to the planetary spheres. Introduced to maintain aristotelian circular motion of 
planets, in order to explain retrograde motion of planets in the ancient geocentric Ptolemaic 
system. This idea is now obsolete, due to the acceptance of the modern Copernican system of 
heliocentric motion.  

Equal House System 

House system in which the zodiac is divided into 12 equal houses of 30° each, commencing from 
the first house cusp, the degree of the Ascendant. This means that the MC is not necessarily the 
cusp of the tenth house, as it is in say Placidus, or Koch systems. Thus the MC is considered a 
sensitive point, no matter which house it appears in. An alternative method bases the house 
cusps on the MC, so making the Ascending Degree a sensitive point rather than the cusp of the 
first house.  

Equal Power 
 Beholding Signs. Ptolemy says: "the parts which are equally removed from the same tropical 
sign, whichever it may be, are of equal power, because when the sun comes into either of them 
the days are equal to the days, the nights to the nights, and the lengths of their own hours are 
the same. These also are said to "behold" one another, both for the reasons stated and because 
each of the pair rises from the same part of the horizon and sets in the same part."  

Equally Ascending 

Pairs of signs that take equal lengths of time to rise over the horizon.  

Equator 

The band of maximum circumference of the Earth, located at 0° Latitude. When the Sun by 
declination is located above the Equator, this is the time of the Equinox. See Celestial Equator.  

Equidistance (Eq) 

Midpoint between centres of Sun and Moon in a chart. Expresses subtle, unconscious forces.  

Equinoctial Points 

First degrees of Aries and Libra respectively. Astronomically, the celestial points where the plane 
of the equator intersects the plane of the ecliptic.  

Equinoctial Signs 

Aries and Libra. These signs hold the vernal and autumnal equinoxes. See Solsticial Signs.  

Equinox 

Equal Night. Point in the ecliptic where the length of the day and night is of equal duration. 
Interestingly, the actual equal duration (equilux) need not occur on the official Equinox, which is 
more cultural and celebratory than scientific. In the Tropical Zodiac, the vernal equinox is the 
first degree of Aries and the autumnal equinox is the first degree of Libra (the seasons are 
reversed in the southern hemisphere). More on the Equinox.  

Equipollent 

Two signs equidistant from an equinoctial point, one being north, the other south. At 0° Aries 
and 0° Libra the night hours are equal to the day hours. This relation remains constant as you 
move away from the equinox by inverse degrees. This later became known as the contra‐
antiscion.  

Eris 

Trans‐Neptunian "dwarf planet" formerly known as Xena. Now (2009) known by astronomers as 
a "plutoid", Eris was first found in 2003, but officially discovered in 2005. This KBO, the most 
 massive object yet found in the Kuiper Belt, is more massive than Pluto and has a moon, 
Dysnomia. It is almost 10 billion miles from the Sun (three times farther out than Pluto) and, at 
557 years, takes more than twice as long as Pluto to orbit the Sun. Eris is the Greek goddess of 
discord and strife. She stirs up jealousy and envy to cause fighting and anger among men. At the 
wedding of Peleus and Thetis, the parents of the Greek hero Achilles, all the gods with the 
exception of Eris were invited, and, enraged at her exclusion, she spitefully caused a quarrel 
among the goddesses that led to the Trojan war. Its moon is now officially named Dysnomia, 
after Eris’s daughter, a demon spirit of lawlessness. Eris has already developed something of an 
astrological following, as a harbinger of catastrophic conditions – and feminist power! See Xena.  

Essential Dignity 

See Dignity  

Eta Carinæ 

This is Foramen, a super‐gigantic Fixed Star in the keel (Carina) of Argo Navis. Visible mainly in 
the Southern Hemisphere, it is a massively bright star (as bright as 4 million suns!), or rather a 
supernova like event, surrounded by a beautiful nebula which is rapidly expanding and rushing 
towards us at millions of miles per hour. It is relatively close (7,500 light years), so when it does 
finally collapse, the massive gamma ray burst is likely to hit the Earth like a suite of exploding 
nuclear bombs. Let's hope the atmosphere protects life on earth, or we might have a major 
extinction event. More on Foramen.  

Ether (Aether, Æther)  

1. Alchemical quintessence: the fifth and highest element after Air, Earth, Fire and Water; 
once believed to be the substance comprising all heavenly bodies. See Akasha, also 
Quintessence. 
2. A medium that was once supposed to fill all space and to support the propagation of 
electromagnetic waves. See Dark Energy. 
3. In theosophical terms, it is a subtle energetic field, or level of consciousness 
immediately surrounding and interpenetrating the physical level of our five senses. See 
Etheric Body. 

Read more on the Ether.  
Etheric 

Pertaining to the Ether. Often used as shorthand for the Etheric Body, or the Etheric Plane.  

Etheric Body 

Subtle energetic field, or body immediately surrounding and interpenetrating the physical form. 
It is a semi‐material level that, net‐like, bonds the more refined levels of the subtle body to the 
physical (soul to body, if you like). This level is the most readily perceived of the subtle energetic 
levels, or bodies beyond the physical. See Aura.  
Etheric Plane 

A subtle energetic level, which lies between the physical and the Astral.  

Event Astrology 

A branch of astrology seeking to explain an event from its timing. Robert Schmidt says: "For 
example, suppose you receive a letter or message from someone and you wish to know the 
intentions of the sender, whether the message was tampered with in some way, etc.; to find 
these things out, cast the chart for the moment you received the letter. Or suppose you wish to 
know the course of someone's illness; cast the chart for the moment he took to his bed." See 
Decumbiture.  

Event‐Oriented Astrology 

In contradistinction to Psychological Astrology, this more traditional view presupposes a way of 
looking at the world as a series of events, rather than psychological states. In this way it can be 
seen as a product of Descartes and Newton, but there is more to it than the "clockwork 
universe". Human beings are seen as products of the environment, but this primarily consists in 
the interaction of cosmic energies, the expression of the Anima Mundi, or world‐being. Although 
on the surface it may seem deterministic and even fatalistic, it actually reflects the underlying 
view that the world is more a being than a thing and that ritual and other remedies such as 
gems, mantras etc can affect destiny, attracting good fortune and deflecting the slings and 
arrows of misfortune.  

Exaltation 

Essential dignity of a planet, possibly even more powerful than being in its own sign. 
Traditionally, however, exaltation (4 points) is considered less important than domiciliary 
rulership (5 points) on the scale of planetary values. See Table of Planetary Values. Ram 
Ramakrishnan has an remarkable explanation of how Exaltation is designated according to a 
planet's latitudinal movement. See The Gospel According to Grandpa [14].  

Exile 

Obsolete term for the sign of a planet's detriment, opposing its home sign, or domicile. A 
debility. When a planet is in exile (detriment) it generates contrary influences. Now rare.  

Extra‐conditione 

A powerful accidental debility, according to the ancients. A planet is extra‐conditione when it is 
out‐of‐sect, and effectively in the contrariety of Hayz. The term is now pretty much obsolete and 
not used in modern astrology.  

F
Face  

Each sign of thirty degrees is divided into three segments called decans (decanates) of ten 
degrees, each with its own planetary ruler. This derives from ancient Egyptian astrology, where 
the zodiac was divided into 36 decanates of ten degrees each. In modern astrology, each decan 
is divided into a positive (active) and a negative (receptive) face of five degrees, expressing the 
polarity of the planetary ruler of the decan. Thus, according to Alan Leo, each sign has six faces, 
three positive and three negative, depending on the rulership of the decanates. Decanates 
themselves are also regularly referred to as faces, especially in traditional astrology, so many 
astrologers use the two terms interchangeably and do not consider the so‐called positive and 
negative approach to faces.  

Fall  

A planet is in fall when placed in the sign opposite to that of its exaltation. A debility.  

Falling Amiss  

A traditional debility, occurring when a planet is in a sign which is in aversion to its domicile.  

Familiarity  

Any aspect or reception between planets.  

Fatalism  

The doctrine that all events are predetermined by fate and are therefore unalterable. A 
widespread criticism of astrology by its opponents is that astrology entails either a fatalistic 
belief in cosmic determinism and a denial of free will, or at least an acceptance that events in 
life are beyond human control, because the stars determine everything. This is denied by most 
astrologers, who follow the maxim that "the stars incline, they do not compel".  

Fate  

1. Inexorable events beyond an individual's control, predestined by a supernatural power 
2. A power or agency that predetermines and orders the course of events 
3. In mythology, three ancient goddesses, The Fates (moiræ), determine the path and 
duration of life:  
o Clotho, "the spinner", spinning the thread of life 
o Lachesis, "the measurer", preparing one's lot in life and measuring its duration 
(via the horoscope) 
o Atropos, "she who cannot be turned", cutting the thread with her dreaded 
shears at the appointed moment of death 

Even the gods were held subject to these stern, implacable powers. More on The Fates 
[offsite].  
 4. Destiny is fate with a purpose. It is held that one can transform one's fate into destiny 
by consciously fulfilling the higher calling implicit in one's natal chart, as opposed to 
merely following the unconscious promptings of the cosmic forces. 

See Karma, also Astrology, Destiny & Intent.  
Feminine Planets  

Moon; Venus; probably Neptune, despite the mythology. See Masculine & Feminine Planets. 
Some modern astrologers assign gender to asteroids also, so we have Ceres, Juno, Vesta and 
Pallas Athena all being considered feminine. This is supposed to right the gender balance.  

Feminine Signs  

Taurus; Cancer; Virgo; Scorpio; Capricorn; Pisces. See Masculine & Feminine Signs.  

Feng Shui 

"Wind" and "Water". Designed to control the flow of natural energies in the home and business, 
this is an ancient Chinese discipline still widely employed among Chinese communities. Once an 
essential part of building and landscape design in China, it was suppressed by the Communist 
regime, but has recently enjoyed a renaissance and has also become popular in the West.  

Feral Signs 

Leo; last half of Sagittarius  

Fertile Signs 

Cancer; Libra; Taurus. Scorpio is considered fertile by most modern astrologers, despite being 
ruled by Mars (probably because it is feminine and watery). Pisces and Sagittarius are described 
by Ptolemy as "fecund". Pisces is fertile and fruitful, but is Sagittarius? Sagittarius (hot and moist) 
certainly likes to scatter seed to the winds, but does not seem particularly nurturesome to me. 
Still "fecund" does not mean "nurturesome", merely "able to reproduce prolifically" so it must 
be because prolific Jupiter rules them both. Lilly too says Sagittarius is fruitful – due to the 
influence of Jupiter being dignified there by both domicile and joy.  

Fiducial Degree (Fiducial Point) 

The accepted, or trusted degree for the beginning of the zodiac: 0° Aries in the Western Tropical 
System (Latin: fiducia = trust).  

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.  

Fiery Triplicity 
 The Fire Signs: Aries; Leo; Sagittarius. These signs are hot and dry by nature and choleric by 
temperament.  

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.  

Figure 

1. Chart, horoscope, map, nativity. 
2. In hellenistic astrology a figure (schema) is more specifically defined, namely when a 
planet forms an applying schematic relationship with regard to another, in one of the 
major whole‐sign aspectual relationships: hexagonal (sextile), tetragonal (square), 
trigonal (trine), or diametrical (opposition). Figures can be completed either by image 
(sign) or portion (degree). A figure need not be a completed aspect, which is defined as 
being three portions either side of the partile aspect. 

Finger of Fate 
See Finger of God.  

Finger of God  

Also called the Finger of Fate or Yod. Comprises two planets in sextile (60°) aspect to each other, 
each making a 150° aspect focused on the same third planet (opposing their midpoint). 
Indicative of a special life purpose, it creates the sensation of steadiness, special passion, deep 
aspiration and a strong inner drive to accomplish something very important and special.  

Firdar 

see Alfridaria  

Fire 

see Fiery Element  

Fire Signs 

Aries (cardinal), Leo (fixed), Sagittarius (mutable). Fire signs tend to be outgoing, active, 
energetic, egocentric, dynamic and spirited.  

Firmament 

The sky, or the vault of the Heavens. In the ancient Geocentric Model of the Universe, the 
celestial sphere to which the fixed stars were attached. (Latin: firmamentum = strengthening 
support).  

First House 
 see Ascendant.  

Fixed Houses 

2nd, 5th, 8th, 11th houses.  

Fixed Signs 

Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius. Fixed signs tend to be strong, stubborn, determined, controlling, 
loyal and reliable.  

Fixed Stars 

These do not move across the ecliptic, as do planets ("Wandering Stars"). Those near the ecliptic 
and of significant magnitude have considerable influence. More on Fixed Stars.  

Fixed Stars (Behenian) 

Fifteen particularly powerful stars anciently used in magical applications. See Behenian Fixed 
Stars.  

Fixed Zodiac 

See Sidereal Zodiac.  

Fomalhaut  

A benefic Fixed Star in the 4th degree of Pisces. One of the four Royal Stars.  

Forecast 

Predictions based on an analysis of planetary configurations.  

Fortuna 

Part of Fortune, named for the Roman goddess of luck and wellbeing (Greek: Tyche). See Pars 
Fortunae.  

Fortuna Chart 

Chart constructed using the degree of the Part of Fortune as the ascendant.  

Fortunate Degrees 

Certain degrees are traditionally designated as able to increase fortune. According to William 
Lily, these are:  
 Sign  Fort. Deg.     Sign  Fort. Deg. 

Aries  19     Libra  3, 15, 21 

Taurus  3, 15, 27     Scorpio  7, 18, 20 

Gemini  11     Sagittarius  13, 20 

Cancer  1, 2, 3, 4, 15     Capricorn  12, 13, 14, 20 

Leo  2, 5, 7, 19     Aquarius  7, 16, 17, 20 

Virgo  3, 14, 20      Pisces   12, 20  

Note that the degrees are set in the traditional manner, i.e., 1=00°01'–00°60' etc 

Fortunes 

Jupiter and Venus; also Mercury and Moon unless afflicted. The Sun and Neptune can be 
fortunate when unafflicted, and in good aspect to Jupiter or Venus. Bear in mind that the Sun is 
considered an infortune (malefic) in Indian Vedic Astrology and in Western Astrology when in 
conjunction (see Combust), or opposition. Fortune or otherwise has to do with the balance of 
sect, elements and humours; it may also be that in hot climates the influence of the Sun is felt to 
be more hostile than it is in colder climes. See also Infortunes.  

Four Pillars  

Shi Chen Ba Zi, the Four Pillars of Destiny in Chinese Astrology. The Four Pillars (Ba Zi) are Year, 
Months, Days, Hours. More on Chinese Astrology.  

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 influence in general).  

Fruitful Signs 

Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces; Lilly considers Taurus, Libra and Sagittarius to be fruitful, due to the 
influence of Venus and Jupiter; he also classes Aquarius as "without doubt more fruitful than 
barren", but does not give a reason.  
Frustration 

When a planet applying to an aspect is deflected by a third before the aspect is complete, it is 
described as having been frustrated. Used in Horary Astrology.  

Full Moon 

Occurs when the Moon opposes the Sun. This important event happens once every month, 
when the face of the Moon is fully lit up by the light of the Sun. Lunar Eclipses can only happen 
at the Full Moon.  

G
Galactic Centre 

The centre of our Galaxy, the Milky Way, currently located at Sag 27°00'. This point, predicted in 
1918 and discovered in 1932, is a gigantic radio source (called Sagittarius A) surrounding what is 
thought to be a supermassive black hole (Sagittarius A*) with the mass of some four million 
times that of our own Sun. It has a significant effect when aspected, inclining people to take a 
central role in affairs and to have a sense of cosmic destiny.  

Galactic Core 

Galactic Centre.  

Galaxy 

A vast grouping of billions of stars and associated cosmic phenomena bound together by gravity 
and orbiting a common centre. According to science, billions of galaxies thousands of light‐years 
in diameter are scattered across the universe, with pretty well nothing much occupying the vast 
space between them (unless of course you count the so‐called "dark matter" postulated by the 
latest cosmological theories). Almost all of the visible stars in the night sky, including our own 
Solar System, are part of the Milky Way Galaxy. Most galaxies external to our own require a 
telescope to see clearly. Notable exceptions are the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds and the 
Andromeda Galaxy, which are visible to the naked eye. Galaxies as such have no astrological 
significance, though esoteric teachings hold that they are each a "body" of a divine being.  

Galen 

Famous 2nd Century Greek physician who taught, following Hippocrates, that the body was 
composed of four humours, sanguine, choleric, melancholic and phlegmatic (related to the four 
elements of Aristotle) and that health consisted in maintaining the balance between them. His 
treatments were primarily holistic and designed to restore the humoral balance: diet, exercise, 
administering purgatives, diuretics or emetics, and blood‐letting. See Humours.  
Galileo 

Galileo Galilei (15 Feb. 1564 – 8 Jan. 1642), known as the father of modern physics, was a 
supporter of the Copernican system and made much use of the telescope in his observation of 
the solar system. He discovered the four largest moons of Jupiter, known as the Galilean moons 
in his honour. Galileo first observed and published the phases of Venus, thus supporting the 
heliocentric theory, and made many other discoveries, including the rings of Saturn and that the 
fixed stars were actually suns, perceived as small because of immense distance. He argued 
vehemently against Aristotle and Ptolemy. His views were declared heretical and although he 
ended his life under house arrest, he has become one of the most influential scientists in history.  

Gematria  

Qabbalistic system of encoding meaning using the numerical values of the letters of the 
alphabet, particularly the Hebrew alphabet. The Qabbala is a method of encoding and 
interpreting esoteric meanings in the Hebrew scriptures. Other ancient alphabets also served 
the dual purpose of numerical systems as well as alphabetical symbols. Among them, the Greek, 
the Sanskrit, and the Roman alphabet (used in most modern Western languages), also possess 
numerical values, which are used in Numerology.  

Gemini 

The third sign of the zodiac. Mutable and airy. Ruled by Mercury. Emblem: The Twins. More 
about Gemini.  

Geminids 

Impressive annual meteor shower peaking around December 14, arising from a radiant in the 
constellation Gemini. First observed in modern times, these have no known astrological import.  

Genethlialogy  

The study of Birth Charts in Natal Astrology.  

Genethliacal  

Pertaining to Birth Charts in Natal Astrology.  

Gender  

The universal spirit contains both masculine and feminine principles expressed in the world as 
contrasting energies seeking creative union and so attaining balance. Cosmic energies are 
defined in astrology and occult work in general as either  

o masculine (objective; active; conscious; outgoing; hot; dry; positive; penetrative; 
creative; electric; bright; yang, etc.) or 
 o feminine (subjective; passive; subconscious; inward‐looking; cool; moist; negative; 
receptive; nourishing; magnetic; dark; yin, etc.). 

From the hermetic point of view, the masculine principle is primarily a creative and fertilising 
force, or will, while the feminine principle is primarily an imaging, formulating and nourishing 
force, or ground, that brings the will into material form. These principles are by no means the 
same as male and female (although sexuality expresses gender at the biological level) and do 
not imply that males exclusively express all masculine characteristics, nor that females 
exclusively express all feminine characteristics as listed. Clearly both sexes express a mixture of 
polar characteristics across a broad spectrum. See Polarity. See also Masculine & Feminine.  
Geniture  

The Birth Chart.  

Geocentric  

The Earth as the centre of observation and influence. Astrological aspects are geocentric, as they 
relate to the Earth. See Heliocentric.  

Geocentric Model of the Universe  

Dominant classical view of the universe developed by in the 5th Century BC by Plato and 
systematised by Aristotle, wherein the Earth held the central position. The planets and fixed 
stars were believed to revolve around a spherical Earth, affixed to crystalline spheres. Ptolemy 
in the 2nd Century AD developed a scientifically refined version of this system, which held sway 
until the 17th Century, when it began to be replaced by the modern Heliocentric Model 
developed by Galileo, Copernicus and Kepler, and tied together by Newton. See Ptolemy.  

Geomancy  

1. Astrological Geomancy: divination by means of figures, originally created by making dots 
in the sand, and later formalised as diagrams on parchment. Sixteen possible figures 
consisting of single or pairs of points are set into a tableau. Each figure has a name, 
associations with elements, planets, etc., and good or bad qualities. Interpretation 
depends on the meanings of the figures in particular locations in the tableau, and owes 
a great deal to the practice of mediæval astrology. Unlike astrology, however, geomancy 
requires no instruments or complex calculations. More on Geomancy (offsite) 
2. Divination using stones, crystals and other natural features of the landscape 
3. Shaping of the landscape and the built environment via geometric and numerical figures 
in order to gain or maximise control over the subtle energies of the Earth's etheric field. 
Feng Shui (China) and Vaastu (India) are traditional methods of optimising these 
environmental energies. 

Gibbous Moon  
 The phase of the Moon between the first quarter and the full (waxing gibbous) and between the 
full and the third quarter (waning gibbous), where more than half of the illuminated surface of 
the moon is visible. See Moon Phases.  

Gnosis  

Direct knowledge of, or union with the divine. The ultimate aim of hermetic and esoteric 
practice. Renaissance astrology, alchemy and magic were particularly concerned with the 
attainment of Gnosis.  

Gnostic  

Seeker of Gnosis. In antiquity, gnostics believed that the divine soul in man was trapped in 
matter and sought to be liberated into perfect understanding and higher truth. Gnostic Christian 
sects were declared heretical by the early Church.  

Graha  

Vedic astrology term for planet.  

Grand Climacteric  

63rd year. See Climacterical Periods.  

Grand Conjunction  

Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in the heavens. A.k.a. Great Conjunction.  

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 

An aspect pattern comprising three planets spaced 120° apart around the chart, so emphasising 
one of the four elements. A trine is a generally fortunate aspect, which nourishes the continuous 
use of natural talents and abilities, is an area of comfort, and can assist the native in the 
expression of harmony in the areas denoted by the houses stimulated. A Grand Trine would 
seem to be a multiplication of this, but can be quite the opposite, creating laziness and 
overconfidence in the natal chart and undue optimism when formed by transits, depending on 
the planets concerned.  

Great Chronocrators 

Jupiter and Saturn. See Chronocrators.  
Great Circle 

A circle contained within the celestial sphere that has its centre on the same point as the centre 
of the celestial sphere.  

Great Conjunction  

Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in the heavens. A.k.a. Grand Conjunction.  

Greater Benefic (Greater Fortune) 

Jupiter. Venus is the Lesser Benefic (Lesser Fortune).  

Gregorian Calendar 

The modern Western Calendar, instituted by Pope Gregory as a more accurate modification of 
the Julian Calendar. The Julian Calendar, introduced in 45 BC, had gradually fallen out of synch 
with the seasons, due to the precession of the equinoxes. The Gregorian Calendar was first 
implemented on 15th October 1582 in Spain and Portugal and parts of Italy. It was eventually 
accepted by other countries and by now has been widely though not exclusively accepted.  

Grid 

Supposed interlocking patterns of subtle energies that cover the planet. Using the image of the 
electromagnetic grid operated by phone companies and the like, it has been said to power 
UFO's, permit contact with "Light Beings", enable psychic transmissions, or any number of other 
uses. It is not generally postulated to explain astrological phenomena. See Magnetic Currents.  

Guru 

1. Vedic name for the planet Jupiter 
2. Spiritual guide or preceptor. 

H
Hard Aspects  

A modern term for malefic aspects, including square, opposition, semi‐square, sesqui‐square. 
Hard as opposed to Soft.  

Harmonic  

Resonant relationship, or overtone of planetary aspects. If an aspect is expressed as a fraction of 
360°, the denominator of that fraction is the harmonic number of the aspect. Each of the 
following aspects is followed by its harmonic number: conjunction‐1, opposition‐2, trine‐3, 
square‐4, quintile‐5, sextile‐6, septile‐7, semisquare‐8, sesquisquare‐8, novile‐9, semisextile‐12, 
 inconjunct (quincunx)‐12. 11th and 13th harmonics are also used on occasion. Prime numbers 
are favoured in Harmonic Astrology, as the others (sub‐harmonics) are considered 
intensifications, or buttresses of their prime factors. Hard aspect harmonics are considered 
more significant.  

Harmonic Astrology  

A development of the late 20th century. Harmonics are measured intervals of a complete cycle. 
An example of this is the scale of music. Harmonics provide a means of linking planets together 
in the manner of musical intervals and chords. This of course ain't really so new, as Pythagoras 
in the 5th century BCE also had a somewhat similar idea...  

Harmonic Chart  

Chart based on any chosen division of the zodiac. For example, the fourth harmonic features 
planets in square aspect (90° being the division of the zodiacal circumference by four). In the 
harmonic chart, these planets are shown in conjunction. Harmonic charts are very important in 
Vedic astrology and John Addey, the inventor of the Harmonic system in the 20th Century West 
was inspired by his study of the Vedic "divisional" or harmonic charts.  

Hayz  

A powerful form of accidental dignity, based on sect, planetary joy, being above the horizon etc. 
According to William Thrasher in Jubar Astrologicum, Hayz is when a Masculine and Diurnal 
planet is above the Earth and in a Masculine Sign; or when a Feminine and Nocturnal planet in 
the night [i.e. below the Earth] is in a Feminine Sign. Kepler College states that "Planets that are 
in their natural sect by hemisphere and in a sign which matches their natural sect are in hayz. 
This is considered a particularly beneficial and powerful condition." Hardly used in modern 
astrology, but perhaps it should be.  

Heavenly Spheres  

see Spheres.  

Heliacal  

Pertaining to or near the Sun, esp. with reference to a star when first seen to rise or set at 
sunrise or sunset after a period during which the event was invisible.  

Heliacal Rising  

When a planet or star, after previously having been in conjunction with the Sun (and so 
invisible), emerges from the light so as to be visible on the eastern horizon in the morning 
before sunrise.  

Heliacal Setting  
 When a planet or star sets just after the Sun, i.e., so it is visible on the western horizon just after 
sunset.  

Heliocentric  

"Sun‐centred", or from the viewpoint of the Sun. Modern Western astrology is generally 
Geocentric ("Earth‐centred", from the viewpoint of the Earth). Planetary positions appear 
different from the heliocentric viewpoint. See Copernican System.  

Helios 

Greek god of the Sun.  

Heliosphere 

The vast magnetic body of the Sun, stretching out for billions of kilometres. Like an immense 
bubble, it envelops the entire Solar System, extending far beyond Pluto and the Kuiper Belt, 
acting as a barrier to harmful cosmic rays from the interstellar medium. Thus we are living well 
inside the subtle, magnetic body of the Sun. Although it has no actual astrological significance, it 
is a physical manifestation of the protective power of the cosmic source of our energy.  

Hellenistic Astrology 

Ancient Western Astrology as practised during the Hellenistic Period, some two thousand years 
ago. Now undergoing a revival, thanks to Project Hindsight.  

Hermes 

Greek god cognate with Mercury.  

Hermes Trismegistus 

"Thrice‐Great Hermes", an ancient Egyptian sage said to have flourished before Moses and 
reputed to be an incarnation of the god Thoth and the founder of astrology. The attributed 
author of The Divine Pymander and the Corpus Hermeticum, a series of esoteric treatises on 
astrology, alchemy, magic, medicine, philosophy, religion and related subjects. Renaissance 
thinkers were vitally stimulated by the Corpus Hermeticum, which expounded the Hermetic 
Philosophy.  

Hermeticism 

Study and practice of the Hermetic Philosophy.  

Hermetic Philosophy 

Esoteric teachings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus. Very influential in mediæval and 
renaissance eras, especially regarding astrology, alchemy, magic and gnosis.  
Herschel  

Former name for the planet Uranus, given by Jérôme Lalande in honour of its discoverer, Sir 
William Herschel (who himself named it "George's Star" in honour of his patron, King George III). 
More about Uranus.  

Hipparchus of Rhodes 

Born c.190 BCE in Nicæa in Bithynia (in modern‐day Turkey), he died on the Greek island of 
Rhodes c.120 BCE. An influential scientist of the Hellenistic period, perhaps the greatest 
astronomer of antiquity, he developed geometry, trigonometry and arithmetic; his accurate 
measurements of the Sun and Moon led to a precise calculation of the length of the year and a 
method of predicting eclipses which was unsurpassed in ancient times. His remarkable star 
catalogue, based on Chaldean tables, was employed by Ptolemy, some 300 years later. His most 
famous discovery was the precession of the equinoxes, although the phenomenon was known 
much earlier to initiates, as evidenced by the orientation of the pyramids and other early 
indicators.  

Holistic 

The idea that a system (natural, organic, environmental, political or economic) is a kind of 
organism that is more than the sum of its individual parts. This is opposed to Atomism, the idea 
that a system is best studied by reducing it to its component parts and addressing them in 
isolation. It is the foundation of traditional medicine, homœopathic medicine, humoral 
physiology, yoga, ayurveda, chinese medicine and so on, as opposed to most modern Western 
technological medicine and Western science in general.  

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 

1. 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. Also an archaic term for Ascendant (see Horoskopos). 
2. Often used nowadays to refer to the brief daily forecasts printed in newspapers, magazines or 
on line. 

Horoskopos 
Ancient Hellenistic term for Ascendant. The horoskopos was the first house for counting 
purposes in any chart, as in the case of, for example, the Moon chart or the Part of Fortune 
chart, where the Moon's house or the Part of Fortune's house is counted as the horoskopos, the 
first house, the other houses being numbered accordingly.  
Hour Circle 

A Great Circle perpendicular to the Celestial Equator and which passes through a particular body 
in space.  

Hour Marker 

Ancient Hellenistic term for first house in the whole‐sign house system. See Horoskopos.  

Hours 

Each day is now divided into 24 equal hours of 60 minutes each. However, in earlier times, time 
was not so rigid, as discussed below in Hours, Planetary.  

Hours, Planetary 

The hours of the day are ruled by planets in the Chaldean order from Saturn inward to the Moon. 
Bear in mind that in earlier times, hours were more flexible than they are today. The days began 
at sunset, not midnight, and the period of daylight (or night) was divided by twelve. Thus hours 
could be more or less than 60 minutes each, as judged by today's "atomic clock standard", 
though not by theirs. More on Planetary Hours.  

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.  

House Circle 

A Great Circle which is perpendicular to the Prime Vertical, having as its poles the North and 
South points of the Horizon.  

House System 

The system by which astrologers divide the heavens into the houses. There are a number of 
systems in use today, the most widespread being Placidus, Koch and Equal House. Others, such 
as Regiomontanus, Campanus, Porphyry etc also have their dedicated adherents. Vedic and 
Hellenistic astrologers generally use Whole Sign Houses. It is a contentious area of astrology and 
some modern astrologers have abandoned houses altogether.  

HPB 

Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (1831‐1891), co‐founder and prime mover of the Theosophical 
Society (TS). See Blavatsky.  

Humane Signs 

Gemini; Virgo; Libra; Aquarius.  
Humours 

Traditional functions of the body by intermixture of bodily fluids, first expounded in ancient 
Greece by Hippocrates (460‐370 BCE):  

• sanguine (blood) 
• phlegmatic (phlegm) 
• melancholic (black bile) 
• choleric (yellow bile). 

When these four humours are in balance, the body is in a state of health; when they are in 
imbalance there is disease. They are related to the Elements in Astrology:  

• fire (choleric) 
• water (phlegmatic) 
• air (sanguine) 
• earth (melancholic). 

The humours were expanded by Galen (131‐200 CE) to develop a theory of temperaments, 
which has been influential into modern times. More on Humours.  
Humoral Physiology 

An ancient holistic system of training the physician to look at illness in terms of manifestation of 
the vital force, and seeking what is needed to restore the flow of vital force through a balancing 
of the humours.  

Hyades 

A cluster of seven (six, or five) stars in the head of Taurus, known as bringers of rain ("the 
Weeping Hyades"). In mythology, the Hyades, seven daughters of Atlas, were half‐sisters to the 
Pleiades, another important cluster of seven (or six) stars in Taurus.  

Hyleg 

The planet or place which is the giver of life. The Sun or Moon is hyleg: 

• if either is in the ascendant between 5° above to 25° below the ascending degree 
• or in the opposite place relating to the seventh house 
• or between the fifth degree below the ninth cusp to 25° below the eleventh cusp 
(encompassing the whole of the tenth house). 

If neither luminary is located in one of these hylegiacal places, the ascending degree becomes 
the hyleg.  
 • Jupiter, Venus or Part of Fortune may be designated hyleg if they are hylegiacal (strong; 
dignified and well‐aspected) and Sun, Moon or Asc are poorly placed or aspected by 
malefics. 
• Hyleg is traditionally affected by the sect of the chart, whether nocturnal or diurnal. 
• When the hyleg is afflicted there is danger to life. 

See Alpheta.  

I
Iamblichus  

Iamblichus (c. 250‐325 CE), an influential figure in the Neoplatonic school of Plotinus. Born at 
Chalcis in Syria, he traced his ancestry through an ancient line of priest‐kings. A student of 
Porphyry, the chief disciple of Plotinus, his influential treatise Theurgia, or On the Mysteries of 
Egypt describes a higher magic through the agency of the gods. He sought to reconcile Plato and 
Aristotle, but held that Pythagoras was the supreme authority, reviving his teachings on Number 
as the basis of all things. He taught that the individual soul becomes lost in matter and cannot 
grasp the transcendent reality with intellect alone, because the transcendent is supra‐rational. 
He recommends theurgy, a series of rituals and operations aimed at recovering the 
transcendent essence by retracing the divine signatures through the layers of being. Agrippa 
refers frequently to Iamblichus in his Occulta Philosophia. Iamblichus also had a strong influence 
on other Renaissance occultists like Ficino, Pico della Mirandola, and Giordano Bruno.  

Iapetus  

Saturn's third‐largest moon, discovered by Cassini in 1671. There is some discussion as to 
whether this satellite is actually artificial – placed by an unknown race in the remote past – due 
to its very unusual features including an exceedingly dark leading hemisphere (possibly a coating) 
and a relatively bright trailing hemisphere; a very light density (is it hollow?); and the most 
striking thing: a giant ridge (13 km high) that goes right around it at the equator. Its two‐tone 
effect has been photographed and looks impressively like the Yin/Yang symbol of the Tao. We 
shall have to wait until NASA sends another expedition to find the facts. In Greek mythology 
Iapetus was a Titan, the son of Uranus, the father of Prometheus and Atlas and an ancestor of 
the human race. Though fascinating, it has no known astrological significance. More about 
Iapetus [off site].  

Iatromathematics  

Medical application of astrological principles, especially timing, critical days, etc. Remedies, such 
as herbs and minerals, are chosen by their correspondence and significance to the energetic 
matrix of the subject, or to the decumbiture chart, through their astrological signatures.  

IAU  
 International Astronomical Union. The professional body for contemporary astronomers. No 
astrological significance.  

Image  

Schmidt's translation of Zoidion, the ancient Hellenistic term for Zodiacal Sign. See Zoidion.  

Immersion  

The beginning of an eclipse, or of an occultation. The opposite of Emersion, or coming out of the 
aspect.  

Impedited  

Debilitated, hindered, or damaged. A planet is impedited (impeded) in its natural action when 
afflicted, especially by malefics, or is in a general state of weakness due to position or lack of 
dignity. Particularly applies to the Moon, when afflicted by Sun, Mars or Saturn.  

Imum Coeli (IC)  

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

Inconjunct 

Widely used in recent times to refer to the quincunx, although the classical meaning is "not in 
mutual aspect". Neither semisextile nor quincunx are proper aspects in the traditional sense, as 
a planet is unable to "see" another in these relationships, unless it also beholds the other by 
virtue of being either antiscion or contra‐antiscion (so not inconjunct). DeVore states that 
inconjunct means "dissociate" and that a planet is inconjunct when it forms no aspect and is not 
in parallel declination or mutual disposition to another planet, as well as being either quincunx 
or semisextile.  

Increasing in Light 

A planet increases in light as it progresses from the conjunction with the Sun to the opposition. 
Mainly used regarding the Moon.  

Increasing in Motion 

A planet moving faster than on the previous day.  

Increasing in Number 

1. Waxing. See "Increasing in Light". 
2. A generally obsolete term for "Increasing in Motion". 

Indifferents 
 Sun, Moon and Mercury, according to Henry Coley's Key to the Whole Art of Astrology (1676), 
are Indifferent, as opposed to Venus and Jupiter (Fortunes) or Mars and Saturn (Infortunes).  

Inferior Planets (Inferiors) 

1. Traditionally, Moon, Mercury and Venus, planets below (inferior to) the Sun in the 
ancient geocentric schema. 
2. Planets orbiting between the Earth and the Sun (Moon, Mercury and Venus and the 
postulated Vulcan). The orbits of the superior planets, Pluto, Neptune, Uranus, Saturn, 
Jupiter and Mars (also the asteroids and trans‐plutonian "planets" such as Trans‐Pluto) 
lie beyond that of the Earth from the Sun. 

Infortunes 
Traditionally, Saturn and Mars. The Sun under some conditions, esp. in Vedic astrology. The 
Moon's South Node is an infortune, whilst Uranus and Pluto are malefic, so infortunes, though 
modern; Mercury and Neptune when afflicted. Ceres is almost certainly an infortune, according 
to current research. Several fixed stars, notably Caput Algol and Facies are distinctly malefic, 
therefore acting as infortunes.  

Ingress 

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

Initiation 

Gradual, step by step process of introducing the candidate to an understanding of specific 
sacred writings, symbols and ceremonies, generally to a religion, secret society, or esoteric 
school. A typical example is the initiation into Craft Freemasonry, with the first degree being 
that of the Entered Apprentice, the second the Fellow Craft, and the third degree being the 
Master Mason. Other rites of Masonry, such as the Scottish Rite, have many higher degrees. 
Certain higher degrees in some esoteric schools also contain an empowerment, whereby the 
initiate, having reached a sufficient degree of advancement, is enabled to conduct and make use 
of specific powers which had been previously inaccessible. Initiation and empowerment can be 
dangerous to the ill‐prepared, so must only be undertaken following the strictest protocols.  

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. See Short Ascension.  

Interfector 

Killing planet. See Anareta.  

Invisible Planets 
 Moon's Nodes. Also other sensitive points, such as Vulcan, Lilith, etc. The Outer Planets are 
invisible to the naked eye, and though Uranus can be seen without a telescope under rare 
conditions, it is not classed as a Visible Planet.  

Isopsêphia 

The practice of computing the number denoted by a Greek word, for each Greek letter has a 
numerical value. See Gematria.  

J
Johndro  

Difficult aspect of 165 degrees, named for 19th Century astrologer, Edward L. Johndro, who 
wrote extensively on it. Currently enjoying more prominence thanks to Noel Tyl, who calls it the 
quindecile (usually reserved for the 24° aspect). See Quindecile.  

Joys  

Places in the zodiac where planets rejoice, being harmoniously located, having the most 
beneficial effect. According to William Lilly, the joys of the planets are:  

• Saturn: joy in Aquarius  
• Jupiter: joy in Sagittarius  
• Mars: joy in Scorpio  
• Sun: joy in Leo  
• Venus: joy in Taurus  
• Mercury: joy in Virgo  
• Moon: joy in Cancer  

Lilly proposed certain Houses as joys for the planets too. For example Saturn rejoices in the First 
House, because "he is the first among the planets" (according to the Chaldean Order). Hellenic 
Astrology featured a different, House‐based system, now recognised due to recent translations 
of ancient works. Rarely used in modern astrology.  
Judicial Astrology  

The judgement of events yet to come by means of consulting the planetary positions and other 
horoscopic factors. 

1. In the form known as Mundane Astrology, it relates to the forecasting of principal 
events which will befall a country and public conditions which will prevail. 
2. Electional Astrology is the judgement of an appropriate time to choose for the success 
of a venture (such as a battle, a wedding, a journey, laying the foundation stone of a 
building, etc.), using astrological techniques. 
 3. Horary Astrology seeks the answer to a question, using the chart of the moment the 
question arises. 
4. Natal or Genethliacal Astrology judges the character and destiny of an individual based 
on the astrological factors at work at the moment of the first breath. 

Judicial Astrology is (or was) distinguished from Natural Astrology.  
Julian Calendar  

In ancient times the Roman Calendar had fallen into disarray and had become almost unusable 
for the purposes of the Roman Empire. In 46 BC, Julius Caesar gave Sosigenes of Alexandria the 
task of designing an easy‐to‐use and exact calendar. Sosigenes assumed that the year had a 
length of 365¼ days and worked out the leap year rule, by which three common years should be 
followed by one leap year, the former having 365 days each, while the latter should have 366 
days. The months were no longer determined by the Moon's phases and were given lengths of 
30 or 31 days, excepting February, which was given 28 days in common years and 29 in a leap 
year.  

Julian Day  

The Julian day number can be considered a very simple calendar, where its calendar date is just 
an integer. This is useful for reference, computations, and conversions. It allows the time 
between any two dates in history to be computed by simple subtraction. It is based on the Julian 
Proleptic Calendar which has been designated to have begun on January 1st, 4713 BC, at 
Greenwich Noon.  

Juno  

The queen of the gods; wife of Jupiter. An asteroid seen by modern astrologers as significant. 
She rules wifely relationships; the role of woman as covenanter and partner; contracts and 
binding agreements. More about Asteroids.  

Jupiter  

The king of the gods, a planet symbolising matters to do with the law, religion, authority, 
expansion, fortune, the higher mind and so on. Ruler of Sagittarius and Pisces. Exalted in Cancer. 
The greater benefic. Mythological brother of Neptune and Pluto, son of Saturn. More about 
Jupiter.  

Jupiter Pluvius  

The aspect of Jupiter as the bringer of rain.  

Jyotish  

Indian (Vedic) astrology. This system is based on the sidereal zodiac, as opposed to the tropical 
zodiac favoured by most contemporary Western Astrologers. See Vedic Astrology.  
K
Kabbalah 

Esoteric teachings that deal with mystical ideas of creation and concepts of a spiritual nature, 
based in the Hebrew/Gnostic scriptures. Kabbalah (Qabbala, Cabala, or other variant translation 
from the original Hebrew ‫)קבלה‬ features interpretations of the Tree of Life, the Zohar, 
numerical keys to the Bible etc.  

Kakodæmon 

Evil spirit. See Cacodæmon.  

Kal Sarpa Yoga 

A very serious debility in Vedic astrology, when all visible planets are lined up either on one side 
or on the other of the Nodal axis, i.e., between the north node and the south node. (The outer 
planets, asteroids etc are not considered.)  

Kaligni 

Alternative Sanscrit name for the Moon's south node (a.k.a. Ketu) used mainly in Buddhist 
teachings. Lit. "Flame of Time".  

Kama 

One of the four aims of life in traditional Indian society, namely enjoyment, pleasure, and desire. 
The other aims are Dharma (righteousness), Artha (wealth), and Moksha (liberation). In Indian 
astrology, the domains of Kama are the 3rd, 7th and 11th houses from the radix ascendant and 
also from the Moon. Not to be confused with Karma.  

Karaka 

In Vedic astrology, a term for significator, or "indicator".  

Karma 

1. Cosmic cause and effect, including the moral content of activities of all kinds. 
2. Reaping the effects of past actions, including those from previous incarnations. 
3. Hidden energies designed to awaken our spiritual awareness through the overcoming of 
seemingly intractable obstacles. 

Katarchic Astrology  
One of the three main systems of Hellenistic Astrology, which corresponds today to a form of 
Electional Astrology and Event Astrology. Katarchic means "pertaining to a beginning".  
KBO  

Kuiper Belt Object. Small rocky bodies orbiting beyond Neptune in the Kuiper Belt. Pluto has 
been classed by some contemporary astronomers as a KBO.  

Kendra 

In Vedic astrology, a term for angular house. See Angles.  

Kepler 

Johannes Kepler, born Weil, Wurtemburg, Germany on December 27, 1571 was a famous 
astrologer who became the father of modern astronomy. A popular astrology computer 
program, Kepler has been named after him, as has Kepler College, an astrology school offering 
certification and (until recently) degrees in astrology.  

Keplerian Aspects 

Minor aspects defined by Kepler, including 72°, 135° and 144°, developed as a musically‐based 
extension of Ptolemy's Major Aspects.  

Kepler's Laws 

While working in Prague under Tycho Brahe, Kepler discovered his three laws of planetary 
motion, based on the idea that planetary orbits are elliptical, rather than circular as proposed by 
Galileo. These have revolutionised modern astronomy, though they have little astrological 
significance. More on Kepler's Laws (offsite).  

Ketu 

Name for the Dragon's Tail, in Indian Astrology. See Dragon's Head.  

Key Words  

Words that encapsulate the meaning of an astrological factor. For example, Cancer: "I feel".  

Ki  

Subtle energy of the life force, the control of which is one of the goals of yoga, tantra, tai chi and 
similar disciplines. Also known as Chi (Ch'i) or Qi, and in Yoga, Prana.  

Killing Planet  

See Anareta.  

Kite 
 A Grand Trine with one of the planets making an opposition to a fourth planet which in turn 
makes sextile aspects to the two others of the Grand Trine. The need to place creative 
expression of talents in a grounded context, supplied by the opposition.  

Koch 

A time‐based system of house division published in 1971 by Walter Koch. Also called the 
Birthplace system, it is said to be similar to an earlier system of Alcabitius. Though Koch did not 
himself develop his system (it was invented by Fiedrich Zanzinger and Heinz Specht), he 
advocated it and held that it was an improvement on the popular Placidus system, which it 
resembles. Neither Placidus nor Koch are reliable for polar latitudes.  

Kolisko Effect 

When a metal associated with a given planet is less reactive during that planet's occultation. 
Metals placed in solution and allowed to crystallise produce unusual and remarkable patterns 
when the planet ruling the metal is under occultation, if indeed any crystallisation is observed at 
all. First demonstrated by Lily Kolisko in the 1920's.  

Krishnamurti 

1. One of the lesser‐known Ayanamsas used to convert the tropical positions to the 
sidereal in Indian Astrology. It has a current arc of 22° 21' 50".  
2. Jiddu Krishnamurti (1895‐1986), an influential spiritual philosopher of the 20th Century, 
intensely tutored by C. W. Leadbeater, Annie Besant and others of the Theosophical 
Society, who had believed him to be the next great incarnation of the World Spirit 
(Maitreya). Increasingly uncomfortable with his role as the Chosen One, he split in 1929 
with the Society and dissolved the massive worldwide "Order of the Star" that had been 
instituted to support him and his work. This led to a crisis in the TS from which it has 
never fully recovered. Krishnamurti continued to teach, but repudiated the idea that he 
was a messianic leader or guru, holding that truth was best found by individuals through 
meditation, rather than following the teachings of others. He received the UN Peace 
Medal in 1984. See Wikipedia on Krishnamurti. 

Kuiper Belt 
A vast region of icy, rocky bodies beyond Neptune's orbit. It has no known astrological 
significance in itself, but Pluto is located in this great frontier area, some 3 billion miles (4.8 
billion km) from the Sun.  

Kuja (sanskrit: "the fair one") 

In Vedic astrology, a name for Mars.  

Kujadosha 

Mars affliction, affecting married life. See Mangalik Dosha.  
L
Lady 

Obsolete term for planetary ruler, when the planet concerned is feminine, namely Moon or 
Venus. Neil Giles on this site regularly refers to "Lady Moon" in courtly fashion, so it's not 
completely dead then... See Lord.  

Lagna 

In Vedic astrology, a term for ascendant or first house.  

Lahiri Ayanamsa 

Most widely used Ayanamsa (22°27'37.7"). There is disagreement among authorities on the 
precise arc of this ayanamsa.  

Lame (degrees) 

Deficient degrees, held to cause lameness or other deformities and disabilities. See Azimene  

Latitude (Celestial)  

Measurement of distance of any planet or star north or south of the ecliptic. The Sun never has 
any latitude, as it is always moving in the ecliptic.  

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. Fixed and Fiery. Ruled by the Sun. Leo's symbol is 
the lion. More about Leo.  

Leonids 

An impressive meteor shower associated with the comet Tempel‐Tuttle. They appear during 
November, with their radiant in the constellation Leo.  

Lesser Benefic (Lesser Fortune) 

Venus. Jupiter is the Greater Benefic (Greater Fortune).  

Libation  
 A ritual serving of wine, olive oil, or (in India) ghee poured out as a sacrificial offering to a deity, 
spirit or ancestors. The libation ceremony was widespread in ancient religions, but is still 
performed today in many cultures. Not to be confused with Libration (q.v.).  

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. More 
about Libra.  

Libration  

Slow oscillation of the Moon that allows us to observe a part of the Moon's surface, which is 
normally concealed from the viewer on Earth. Not to be confused with Libation (q.v.).  

Life‐ruler  

See Ruling Planet.  

Light (degrees)  

Certain degrees traditionally believed to cause a fair complexion when on the ascendant, or 
when occupied by the Lord of the ascendant, the Lord of the figure, or the Moon. Light (a.k.a. 
"Lucid") degrees are also believed to diminish deformity. See Dark and Smoky degrees.  

Lights  

Sun and Moon.  

Like‐engirdling  

Positive aspectual relationship between signs ruled by the same planet, ie Virgo & Gemini, both 
ruled by Mercury; Libra & Taurus, ruled by Venus; Scorpio & Aries, ruled by Mars; Capricorn & 
Aquarius, ruled by Saturn. Leo & Cancer fit into this schema and are considered to have the 
same ruler, even though ruled respectively by the Sun and Moon. In addition to the geometric 
equilibrium, possibly this idea came through the two being both Luminaries.  

Lilith  

1. In mythology, Lilith was the first wife of Adam, formed like him from the Earth, rather than from 
his rib, like Eve. She is said to have refused to obey him, fleeing in order to enjoy her own 
independent life. She is seen as a promiscuous demon succubus and destroyer of children. 
Feminists sometimes hold her out as an archetype of the independent, self‐ruling woman, but 
this is drawing a long bow. 
2. The "Black Moon", an energy vortex in the Sun‐Moon‐Earth system. It is the second focus of the 
Earth/Moon orbit, the first being located inside the body of the Earth. 
 3. There is also reputed to be a "Dark Moon" Lilith, a real but rarely visible satellite of the Earth, 
one quarter the size of Luna, with an orbital period of 119 days, some 10 days in each sign. 
4. An asteroid Lilith (1181) is supposed to affect us in relation to issues of suppressed rage, 
resentment, sexual manipulation and self‐exile. 
5. Lilith, the Dark Goddess, is a Hebrew name for Caput Algol, the Demon Star. 

Lilly 
William Lilly (1602‐1681), a leading authority on traditional astrology.  

Logarithms 

Tables by which when a planet's motion is known its position at a given time may be readily 
calculated.  

Long Ascension 

Signs of long ascension take longer to ascend (rise over the eastern horizon) than signs of short 
ascension. 

In the northern hemisphere, these are: 

• Cancer  • Libra 
• Leo  • Scorpio 
• Virgo  • Sagittarius 

Long and short ascension are reversed in the southern hemisphere. See Short Ascension.  

Longitude (Celestial) 

Measurement along the ecliptic in signs and degrees from the point of the vernal equinox (0° 
Aries). The longitude of a star or planet in the 126th degree of the zodiac is 6° Leo. See Right 
Ascension.  

Longitude (Terrestrial) 

Distance in degrees, minutes and seconds of any place east or west of Greenwich, England. Also 
measured in hours, minutes and seconds.  

Lord 

Older term for planetary ruler, when the planet concerned is masculine, namely Sun, Mars, 
Jupiter and Saturn. Mercury can also be a "Lord" (but not a "Lady"), even though convertible. 
Some modern astrologers use the term "lord" (lower case) for any planetary ruler, even when 
feminine (Moon; Venus), as the rise of feminism has denigrated gender‐specific terms, as in 
actor, aviator, benefactor etc, which have valid but now quaint feminine suffixes (actress; 
aviatrix; benefactrix, etc). Oddly enough we now have to say female actor, female benefactor, 
female aviator etc if we wish to make our communications clear on the gender concerned. This 
 is due to the influence of prestigious, strictly masculine words like doctor and professor, even 
though we do say female doctor when necessary, and female professor (if we dare!). Lord and 
Lady also suggest a class hierarchy now sniffed at in our egalitarian times. See Rulership.  

Lots 

Calculated points in the horoscope, also known as Parts. (see Part of Fortune).  

Lucid (degrees) 

See Light.  

Luminaries 

Lights. The Sun and the Moon.  

Luna 

The Moon. More about the Moon. 

Lunacy 

A term (now considered obsolete or even offensive) for intermittent insanity caused by the 
phases of the Moon (Luna). See Lunatic q.v. (latin: lunaticus) from which the term was derived in 
the 19th Century.  

Lunar Eclipse 

Eclipse of the Moon. At a Full Moon, when Earth, Sun and Moon are aligned and the Earth is 
located precisely between the Sun and the Moon, the Earth's shadow covers the face of the 
Moon, blocking its light. More about Eclipses.  

Lunar Equinox 

This is a misleading term used by some to indicate when the Moon stands over the Equator in 
her declination cycle twice every 27.3 days.  

Lunar Low Cycle 

A term devised by Sue Hopper that we use in daily forecasts to describe the emotional state 
generated by the Moon when it transits the sign just before your Sun sign. This is the solar 
twelfth house, an inward‐looking part of the monthly cycle when people usually feel quieter and 
more reflective. It lasts for two and a half days or so, and is released when the Moon enters your 
Sun sign, marking your "personal New Moon" of the month.  

Lunar Mansions 
 27 traditional sectors (nakshatras) of the zodiac, where the Moon spends her time on a day by 
day basis. Each mansion, of 13° 20' duration, has a specific influence, especially if Moon, Sun, 
Ascendant, or Ruling Planet are placed there. This system is mainly used today in Indian (Vedic) 
astrology. There are also ancient Chinese, Arabic and Renaissance systems, using 28 lunar 
mansions of 12° 51' 26" of arc.  

Lunar Month 

See Lunation.  

Lunar Node 

See Nodes  

Lunar Return 

Time of the month when the transiting Moon is conjunct natal Moon.  

Lunar Return (Progressed) 

A very significant time in life when the progressed Moon reaches the conjunction with natal 
Moon for the first time at around age 27, marking the first part of the difficult transition from 
the phase of Youth to the phase of Maturity associated with the Saturn Return. The second 
Lunar Return occurs around age 54 and the third around age 81. See Saturn Return.  

Lunar Standstill 

Approximately every eighteen and a half years, the Moon reaches a major turning point, 
analogous to the Solar Solstices. The most northerly of the monthly moonrises allow the 18.61 
year standstill cycle to be perceived by naked eye astronomers. Over 9.3 years these northerly 
moonrises shift from rising south of the summer solstice sunrise location to north of the 
summer solstice sunrise location. Each end of this 18.61 year journey is called a Lunar Standstill. 
During this phase the Moon does not set when viewed from high latitudes at the June and 
December solstices. It is considered extremely powerful and is marked by many ancient stone 
circles.  

Lunatic 

An insane person, traditionally one who is affected by the changes of the Moon (Luna). Derived 
from late Latin: lunaticus via Old French lunatique, this term is no longer politically correct and is 
not now used by mental health professionals—who of course decry and deny the influence of 
the Moon on the mental states of the emotionally vulnerable (and indeed all of us!). However, 
in common parlance it means mad, irrational and dangerous.  

Lunation 
 A lunar period, measured from one place in the zodiac until the Moon's return thereto, usually 
referring to the period from one New Moon to the next (averaging 29 days, 12 hours, 44 
minutes). The time taken by the Moon from one conjunction with the Sun until the next, 29 days, 
12 hours, 44 minutes and 3 seconds, is called a Synodical Lunation. Lunation is also loosely used 
to describe different aspects of the Moon to the Sun, thus accounting for her phases. The New 
Moon is also often called a Lunation and a chart made for the moment the Moon conjoins the 
Sun is called a Lunation Chart.  

M
Magnetic Currents 

Swirling energies in the Earth's magnetic field form currents that flow in patterns between 
particular focal points on the planet's surface, rather reminiscent of a circuit board, or power 
grid. These currents are affected by planetary aspects, cosmic radiation, solar wind, and similar 
forces such as solar flares, but can be harnessed and controlled through an understanding of 
their nature. Ancient, prehistoric civilisations were adept at this, as shown through the 
remnants of their massive geomantic constructions. It can be still observed in the remnant 
occult architecture of the landscape in China and Britain, among others, for it appears to have 
been employed on a planetary scale. One still vibrant form of this elder science remains operant 
today in the practice of Feng Shui. Magnetic currents on Earth are stilled by eclipses, which is 
one of the reasons so many ancient stone circles and temple buildings were designed in order to 
calculate them in advance. See Grid.  

Magnum Opus 

In alchemy, the Great Work, the manufacturing of the Philosopher's Stone.  

Major Aspects 

Aspects dividing the 360 degrees of the circle of the zodiac by 2 (opposition: 180°); 3 (trine: 
120°); 4 (square: 90°); 6 (sextile: 60°). These were defined by Ptolemy, based on Pythagorean 
numerological and musical theory and are the focal paths of the planetary rays. See Ptolemaic 
Aspects. See also Minor Aspects and Conjunction.  

Malefic 

Evil, difficult, stress‐inducing.  

Malefic Aspects 

Major malefic aspects are 

1. square (90°) 
 2. opposition (180°) 

Conjunction (0°) can be malefic if planets are themselves malefic or if otherwise badly aspected. 
Minor aspects considered malefic are 

1. semi‐square (45°) 
2. sesqui‐square (135°) 
3. quincunx a.k.a. inconjunct (150°). 

There are other problematic aspects, but these are the most widely used and understood. See 
also Benefic Aspects.  
Malefic Planets 

see Malefics.  

Malefics  

Planets generating difficult circumstances: traditionally Mars and Saturn; nowadays Uranus. The 
Sun is classed as a malefic in Indian (Vedic) astrology and also in Western Astrology when in 
conjunction (due to phenomenon of combustion — except when cazimi, i.e. in the heart of the 
Sun). The Dragon's Tail (Moon's south node) is malefic, though a "shadow planet" rather than a 
real rock. In Indian astrology both the Dragon's Head (Rahu) and Tail (Ketu) are considered 
serious malefics, as indeed is the Moon itself when weak. The jury is still out on Pluto, but he is 
most likely malefic. Ceres it seems to me is generally malefic, especially in terms of natural 
disasters. Modern psychological astrologers deny that any planet be deemed "malefic" (or 
indeed "benefic"), on the grounds that natural forces should not be value‐laden and that all 
experiences are ultimately beneficial as part of a growth process. Compare Benefics.  

Malevolents 

Malefics.  

Mandala 

Mystical wheel or diagram. Symbolic patterns are illustrated according to ritualistical formulæ 
enabling the transmission of spiritual power for healing, attainment of riches, love, divine 
inspiration, occult knowledge, etc. The zodiac wheel is a mandala.  

Mangal (sanskrit: "auspicious") 

In Vedic astrology, a name for Mars.  

Mangaldosha 

Mars affliction, affecting married life. Also Kujadosha  

Mangalik (Manglik) 
 A person whose chart exhibits Mangalik Dosha is commonly known as Mangalik, or Manglik.  

Mangalik Dosha 

Same as Mangaldosha. Click for more on Mangalik Dosha, offsite at TruthStar, our Indian sister‐
site.  

Mansions  

See Lunar Mansions.  

Mantra 

Chant or magical incantation of specific Sanskrit sounds or phrases deriving from the Vedas and 
other Hindu scriptures. This is used in astrology as a remedy either to counteract or to assist 
planetary influences.  

Maraka 

In Vedic astrology, a death‐dealing planet. Ruler of 2nd or 7th house.  

Mars 

The planet of action! This masculine planet rules Aries and Scorpio and is exalted in Capricorn. 
Mars the Warrior is a traditional malefic, tending to create havoc, anger and conflict, particularly 
with males. However he also stimulates growth and the will to succeed. In Medical Astrology, 
Mars represents acute conditions. More about Mars.  

Masculine & Feminine Planets  

Pluto, Uranus, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars and Sun are masculine. Neptune, Venus and Moon are 
feminine. Mercury is convertible; masculine when with masculine planets and feminine when 
with feminine. When unaspected its gender is determined by its sign, or whether rising before 
(masc.) or after (fem.) the Sun. These terms in astrology do not simply relate to the male/female 
gender of sexuality, for masculine and feminine also express these other polarities: 

• active/passive 
• positive/negative 
• dry/moist 
• hot/cold 
• light/dark 
• yang/yin 

The idea of masculinity is traditionally related to dryness and femininity to moisture. According 
to Ptolemy, Mercury is common rather than convertible, as he produces "the dry and the moist 
alike". The outer planets (Uranus, Neptune and Pluto) have no traditional gender, so modern 
astrologers have assigned it. Gender has also been assigned to the major asteroids, Ceres, Vesta, 
 Juno & Pallas Athene (all feminine) mainly on mythological grounds, but also in a questionable 
effort to right the so‐called gender imbalance of traditional astrology. Chiron, however, is 
considered masculine.  
Masculine & Feminine Quarters  

Masculine Quarters extend anticlockwise from the cusp of the 10th house to the cusp of the 
Ascendant and clockwise from the cusp of the 7th to that of the 4th. Feminine Quarters are 
counted anticlockwise from the cusp of the Ascendant to that of the 4th and clockwise from the 
cusp of the 10th to that of the 7th.  

Masculine & Feminine Signs  

Masculine Signs  Feminine Signs 

• Aries  • Taurus 
• Leo  • Virgo 
• Sagittarius     • Capricorn    
• Gemini  • Cancer 
• Libra  • Scorpio 
• Aquarius  • Pisces 

The ancients considered that masculinity and femininity also alternated according to the sign's 
position vis‐à‐vis the ascendant, which is considered masculine.  

Matutine 

Stars or planets rising before the Sun in the morning. See Vespertine.  

MC 

Medium Coeli, Latin for mid‐heaven.  

Mean or Average Daily Motion of Planets 

The normal rate of travel of a planet through the zodiac.  

Mean Node 

See Nodes.  

Mean Time 

True Local Time.  

Medium Coeli (MC) 

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

A discipline in Hellenistic Astrology that investigates links between astral phenomena at birth 
and physical characteristics in the human body.  

Melancholic Humour  

Corresponding to the Earth Element and according to Culpeper, ruling "the sediment of blood". 
Ruled by Saturn, it works through the Black Bile. See Humours. More about the Melancholic 
Humour.  

Mercury 

A fast moving planet never more than 28° from the Sun, which governs communication and 
intellectual interaction, healing, transmission of spiritual knowledge, travel, sales, teaching, 
consultants and the like. Neither masculine nor feminine but convertible, Mercury rules Gemini 
and Virgo and is exalted in Virgo. More about Mercury.  

Mercury (Philosophical) 

Alchemists, philosophers and physicians referred to the vital force as the philosophical Mercury, 
because Mercury (the liquid metal) is a flowing analogy of the life force. Mercury is known as 
the god of medicine and healing because he rules the vital force. More about the Vital Force.  

Mercury Retrograde 

A brief but generally stressful period during which Mercury's motion through the zodiac appears 
to be reversed. More about Mercury Retrograde.  

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.  

Meridien Distance 

Measurement along the celestial equator between any point and the upper or lower meridien. A 
portion of the semi‐arc, usually expressed in degrees of time.  

Messier Objects 

Not an untidy lot, but a set of astronomical objects catalogued by French astronomer Charles 
Messier in his Catalogue of Nebulæ and Star Clusters, originally published 1771. Because he was 
only interested comets, he created a list of non‐comet objects that frustrated his hunt for them. 
Known as the Messier catalogue, this list is one of the most famous lists of astronomical objects. 
Many Messier objects are still referenced by their Messier number, for example: M31, the 
 Andromeda Galaxy (NGC 224), known to Ptolemy as the Fixed Star Vertex. Since Messier lived 
and worked in Paris, his objects only include those visible in the Northern Hemisphere.  

Metatron 

The archangel Metatron, the Prince of the Countenance, was (and still is) a potent and powerful 
symbol used in moving above or beyond (gk. Meta‐) this earthly instrument, or matrix (gk. tron). 
Especially used in Hebrew and Greek kabbala, and in occult devotions, this power is identified 
with Kether, the Crown, in the Tree of Life, but also with the Egyptian Thoth Hermes and Ptah, 
the Opener. Sacred geometry and the mystical power of the cube are associated with Metatron.  

Meteor 

Shooting star or falling star; the blazing path of a small speeding space‐rock (meteoroid) as it 
burns up in a collision with Earth's atmosphere. Meteors that hit the Earth's surface are called 
meteorites. Meteors are common and have been known since ancient times, when they were 
thought to be purely atmospheric phenomena (the heavenly realms were believed to be perfect 
and unchangeable), but they are now considered the visible traces of tiny space‐rocks as they 
flash through the atmosphere. The word "meteor" (gk. meteôros) means "high in the air".  

Meteor Shower 

Celestial event in which a number of meteors appear to radiate from one point (the radiant) in 
the night sky. Intense meteor showers are called meteor storms, which may produce more than 
1,000 meteors an hour. The Perseids are a typical example, dating from antiquity.  

Meteorological Astrology 

Weather prediction using astrology, usually as set out in ancient texts, but used by Kepler in 
predictions. See Astrometeorology.  

Meteorology 

Modern method of weather prediction.  

Metonic Cycle 

The 19 year cycle wherein the conjunctions of the Sun and Moon begin to appear progressively 
in the zodiac in the same places as in the previous cycle. This is the cycle whereby the solar and 
lunar calendars can be approximately synchronised. Named for Meton of Athens (5th Century 
BCE), though Homer used it centuries earlier in the Odyssey.  

Mid‐heaven 

Meridien, or MC (Medium Coeli). The point of the chart at which the meridien intercepts the 
ecliptic. In many house systems (but not all) the MC is also the cusp of the tenth house. More on 
mid‐heaven.  
Midnight Mark 

Mean local time at birthplace when it is midnight at Greenwich, England.  

Midpoint 

The exact midpoint between two planets as measured in degrees and minutes of arc around the 
chart. These are considered to have considerable significance, especially the midpoints between 
planets in the charts of the parties in a relationship analysis, known as the Composite Chart.  

Minor Aspects 

Aspects other than the Major Aspects defined by Ptolemy. These were largely defined by Kepler 
and Lilly, based on harmonic (Kepler) and discordant (Lilly) musical intervals dividing the circle of 
the zodiac. The main Minor Aspects are semi‐sextile (30°); semi‐square or octile (45°); quintile 
(72°); sesqui‐square (135°); inconjunct or quincunx (150°) though there are quite a few others 
used by some astrologers, including bi‐quintile (144°); septile (approx 51°26'); nonile (40°); 
decile (36°) and their subdivisions. See also Major Aspects.  

Minor Progression 

Method of forecasting in which each Lunar Return after birth equals a year of life.  

Minor Year 

Time Lord system in which each planet is given a period of years:  

1. Sun – 19 years 
2. Moon – 25 years 
3. Mercury – 20 years 
4. Venus – 8 years 
5. Mars – 15 years 
6. Jupiter – 12 years 
7. Saturn – 30 years 

Modality 
Quality, or Quadruplicity. Each sign is characterised by the combination of its Quadruplicity or 
Quality (Cardinal, Fixed, or Mutable) and its Triplicity, or Element (Fire, Earth, Air, or Water).  

Moiety 

Traditional astrology holds that the orb of a planet is the diameter of an imaginary sphere of 
light surrounding it. The radius of that sphere is the moiety. The sum of the moieties of any two 
planets gives the maximum distance that their bodies can be from exact aspect for the aspect to 
be effective. Used mainly in Horary, this is not to be confused with the "orb of aspect" used in 
Natal Astrology. See Orb.  
Moksha 

Liberation, or the state of salvation. According to Hindu teaching, this is the ultimate goal of 
human life. In Vedic astrology there are a number of chart factors that point to the attainment 
of moksha.  

Mokshakaraka 

Ketu, the Dragon's Tail, or south lunar node. In Vedic astrology, Ketu is mokshakaraka 
("liberation indicator").  

Monomoiria (Monomoiriai) 

1. Hellenistic name for the zodiacal degrees, each of which has been given a specific 
meaning. 
2. Planetary Lords of Degrees in Hellenistic Astrology. Each degree has its own ruler, 
constructed from the domicile ruler of the sign in descending Chaldean order of the 
planets. 
3. Trigonal monomoiria, where the order is based on the trigon (triplicity) rulerships via 
the sect ruler, with the first degree of a given sign being ruled by the sect ruler (diurnal 
or nocturnal) according to its sect, the next degree by the opposite sect ruler and so on. 
This is a significant Time Lord system, but there are several versions and the scholarship 
is by no means settled.  

Month 
The time taken for the Moon to complete one full orbit of the Earth, some 29 and a half days 
(see Lunation). However, the motion of the Moon in its orbit is very complicated and its period 
is not constant. There are a number of different kinds of month used in astronomy, astrology 
and calendrics:  

1. Sidereal Month: the time it takes the Moon to return to the same position on the 
celestial sphere among the fixed stars (Latin: sidus): 27.321661 days (27 d 7 h 43 min 
11.5 s) or 27 1/3 days. This type appeared among cultures in the Middle East, India, and 
China as they divided the sky in 27 or 28 lunar mansions, characterized by asterisms, 
one for each day the Moon follows its track among the stars.  
2. Tropical Month: the time taken with regard to the vernal point, or "lunar equinox". 
Because of precession, this point moves back slowly along the ecliptic. It takes the Moon 
less time to return to an ecliptic longitude of zero than to the same point amidst the 
fixed stars: 27.321582 days (27 d 7 h 43 min 4.7 s). This slightly shorter period is known 
as the tropical month.  
3. Anomalistic Month: the Moon's orbit is an ellipse rather than a circle, but its orientation 
and shape are not fixed. In particular, the position of the extreme points (the line of the 
apsides: perigee and apogee), makes a full circle (lunar precession) in about nine years. 
It takes the Moon longer to return to the same apsis because it moved ahead during one 
revolution. This longer period is called the anomalistic month, and has an average length 
of 27.554551 days (27 d 13 h 18 min 33.2 s), or about 27½ days.  
 4. Draconic Month: the plane of the Moon's orbit is tilted by approx 5° with respect to the 
plane of the ecliptic. The line of intersection of these planes defines the ascending and 
descending nodes. The plane of the Moon's orbit precesses over a full circle in about 
18.6 years, so the nodes move backwards over the ecliptic with the same period. Hence 
the time it takes the Moon to return to the same node is again shorter than a sidereal 
month: this is called the draconic, nodical, or draconitic month. It lasts 27.212220 days 
(27 d 5 h 5 min 35.8 s), or about 27 1/5 days. It is important for predicting eclipses: 
these take place when the Sun, Earth and Moon are on a line (i.e., in syzygy). The three 
bodies are only on a line when the Moon is on the ecliptic, i.e. when it is at one of the 
nodes. The "draconic" month refers to the mythological dragon that lives in the nodes 
and regularly eats the Sun or Moon during an eclipse.  
5. Synodic Month: Moon phases occur because we see the part of the Moon that is 
illuminated by the Sun from different angles as the Moon traverses its orbit. Because 
the Earth orbits the Sun, it takes the Moon extra time (after completing a sidereal 
month, i.e. a full circle) to catch up and return to the same position with respect to the 
Sun. This longer period is called the synodic month. Because of the perturbations of the 
orbits of the Earth and Moon, the actual time between lunations may range from about 
29.27 to about 29.83 days. The long‐term average duration is 29.530588 days (29 d 12 h 
44 min 2.8 s), or about 29½ days.  
6. Calendar Month: Divisions of the solar year (approx 365.25 days) of either of 30 or 31 
days in the Western Gregorian Calendar, excepting February which is normally 28 days, 
with an extra day added every leap year (to balance the account for the extra four 
quarters of a day).  

Moon 
The Earth's sole natural satellite. The Moon is classed as a planet ("wanderer") in astrology and 
represents matters to do with women, the mother, the public, the emotions, habit patterns 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. More about the Moon.  

Moon Phases 

1. New Moon: dark phase at the beginning of the lunar month, when the Sun and Moon 
are in conjunction. A time for formulation and planning. The arc of aspect from Moon to 
Sun is between 0° and 45°  
2. Crescent Moon: waxing between new and first quarter. A time for setting things in 
motion. The arc of aspect is between 45° and 90°  
3. First Quarter: when the Moon is half light and half dark. A time for focused, forceful 
activity. The arc of aspect is between 90° and 135°  
4. Gibbous Moon: when the Moon is waxing towards the Full, with more than half of its 
surface visible. A time for overcoming obstacles. The arc of aspect is between 135° and 
180°  
5. Full Moon: bright phase when the Moon is has all or nearly all of its surface visible. A 
time for fulfilment, when plans succeed or fail. The arc of aspect is between 180° and 
225°  
 6. Disseminating Moon: when the Moon is waning but still has more than half of its surface 
visible. Also known as a Waning Gibbous, it is a time of bearing fruit and participating 
with others, or dropping failed plans and making a new start at the coming New Moon. 
The arc of aspect is between 225° and 270°  
7. Third Quarter: when the Moon is rapidly waning towards the New. A time to move 
beyond the past and start working in earnest towards the activation of the New Moon. 
The arc of aspect is between 270° and 315°  
8. Balsamic Moon: when the Moon diminishes from a sliver to the darkness of the New 
Moon. A time of completion, inward‐looking, yet of planning for the next phase. The arc 
of aspect is between 315° and 360° 

More on Moon Phases.  
Moon Ruler 

Planetary ruler of the Moon Sign.  

Moon Sign 

The Moon Sign is the sign through which the Moon is passing at a given moment, such as the 
moment of birth. It is particularly significant in Jyotish, or Indian (Vedic) Astrology.  

Moon's Nodes 

Shadow planets. See Nodes  

Moon Wobble 

Regular periods of stress, confusion, extreme weather and loss of life, discovered by 
astrologer/mathematician Carl Payne Tobey in the mid‐20th Century. Occurs every 86.5 days on 
average, with an orb of approx. 5 degrees (days) on either side of the precise date, when the 
Sun forms either the T‐square with the Lunar Nodes, or the conjunction with the North or South 
Nodes. Eclipses therefore also mark Moon Wobbles. More about Moon Wobble.  

Moveable Signs 

Cardinal Signs, Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn. Called moveable because they mark the changes 
of the seasons and the weather. See Cardinal Signs  

Mundane Aspect 

Aspect calculated via the rotation of the Earth, rather than position in the zodiac, "reckoned 
along the Equator and measured in subdivisions of the nocturnal or diurnal semi‐arc. For 
example: Any two planets that have a separation of two houses are in mundane Sextile; of four 
houses, in mundane Trine. Thus it is possible for two planets to be simultaneously in the mutual 
relationship of a mundane Trine and a zodiacal Square. Mundane aspects can be computed only 
on a map erected for a birth moment." [source: Nicholas DeVore, Encyclopedia of Astrology].  
Mundane Astrology 

From Latin Mundus, the world. Deals with Ingresses, Lunations, Eclipses, Great Conjunctions or 
Comets as indicators of conditions affecting nations, states, or communities. Probably the most 
ancient form of astrology, it also associates natural phenomena, such as earthquakes, volcanic 
eruptions etc with astrological phenomena. See also Meteorological Astrology.  

Mundane Parallel 

Equal distance of two planets from any angle.  

Music of the Spheres 

Ancient astronomers held that the Earth was the centre of the universe and that the planets and 
stars occupied positions in a series of concentric, crystal spheres surrounding the Earth. Each 
sphere corresponded to a note in the musical scale. The spheres rotated and the subtle sound 
generated was called the Music of the Spheres, a subtle, cosmic sound current that permeates 
existence. By attuning to the music of the spheres one could place oneself into harmony with 
the cosmos. The music of the spheres is more than a beautiful poetic intuition. The dynamics of 
the solar system, first laid bare by Kepler's mathematical genius, are directly analogous to the 
laws of musical harmony. Interestingly, modern scientists have determined that planets 
broadcast unique radio signal patterns, which when translated into audible frequencies, make 
good listening. Thus planets could be said to "sing". Click to listen to the "Sounds of Saturn".  

Mutable Signs 

Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces.  

Mute Signs 

Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces. According to Lilly, these are "Mute Signs or of slow Voice, the more if 
Mercury be in any of them, in Conjunction, Square, or Opposition of Saturn".  

Mutual Disposition 

See Dispositor.  

Mutual Reception 

See Reception.  

Mystic Rectangle 

A configuration formed by at least four planets, comprising two trines and two sextile aspects 
with oppositions forming from all four corners of the configuration.  

Myth 
 A traditional, legendary narrative handed down from ancient times, usually in oral form (until 
written down quite late in the piece), telling of the exploits of gods and heroes, often designed 
to explain natural phenomena in rich, poetic and symbolic language. A myth also focuses an 
aspect of a society's culture, presenting it in a multi‐layered, right‐brain style, unlike a modern 
scientific explanation, which is generally anti‐poetic, determinedly left‐brained, and analytic. 
Modern astro‐physics, quantum mechanics, and advanced mathematics seem to have come to 
the end of analysis and are now taking what seem to be quite poetic leaps of fancy into new 
mythological realms of dark matter, multi‐dimensional realities, antimatter, wormholes and the 
like.  

Mythical 

Existing in myth. Modern usage often conflates "mythical" with "false", or imaginary, but this is 
due to literalism: failing to understand the multi‐layered, symbolic language of myth. 
Astrological narrative is laced with mythical language; for example, the Labours of Hercules seen 
as a symbolic illustration of the soul's evolutionary journey through the Signs of the Zodiac.  

Mythology 

1. The collective body of myths associated with a society or culture 
2. The study of myth and the comparison of cultures through the content of their myths 

Mythological 
Referring to characters and themes of mythology. Astrological descriptions of the constellations, 
stars, signs and planets are largely mythological in origin.  

N
Nadir  

The lower intersection of the prime vertical and the meridian, or the point on the celestial 
sphere directly beneath the observer, opposite the zenith. The nadir is in the horizonal 
coordinate system what the Imum coeli or lower midheaven is to the ecliptic coordinate system; 
the two cannot be used interchangeably. Source: Astro Index  

Natal Chart 

Horoscope drawn for the Nativity. Birth Chart.  

Nakshatras  

Lunar Mansions in Vedic Astrology  

Native  
 Subject of a Nativity, or Natal Chart.  

Nativity  

Moment of first breath. Also the Natal Chart.  

Natural Astrology  

Astrological concern with natural phenomena, such as weather, tides, storms, agricultural 
productivity, health and matters generally not under the control of the will. Expressed through 
the idea that all natural phenomena are connected and bound in some way by the planetary and 
other celestial influences. Most of the topics covered have been broadly taken over by one 
speciality or another of what is now called natural science (physics, chemistry, meteorology, 
biology, geology, medicine, psychology, economics etc), via the course of natural philosophy and 
naturalism. Distinguished from Judicial Astrology.  

Navamsha  

In Vedic astrology, this is the 1/9th divisional chart (varga), specifically related to marriage. The 
most important of the 16 vargas, it is always consulted alongside the natal chart. Not used in 
Western Tropical Astrology.  

Nebula  

Indistinct or cloudy celestial object in the night sky. All hazy patches in the heavens were once 
known as nebulæ, but many have recently been identified by astronomers as clusters or galaxies.  

Neomenium  

The change of the Moon to New Moon, especially that which occurs closest to the Vernal 
Ingress.  

Neoplatonism  

Philosophy of late antiquity, based on the teachings of Plato as interpreted by Plotinus (205–270 
CE) a student of Ammonius Saccas. His disciple Porphyry compiled an edition of the teachings of 
Plotinus, the Enneads, which expounds the essentials of neoplatonism. Iamblichus, a student of 
Porphyry, became its most influential exponent. The philosophy was systematised by Proclus, 
perhaps the most gifted philosopher of late antiquity. The phenomenal world is seen as a 
reflection of a real, noumenal world which exists in the mind of the world‐soul, an emanation of 
the divine mind, the Nous, itself an emanation of the One, the Absolute. Individual souls are also 
emanations, whose ultimate destiny is to be reunited with the One. Stars and planets are not 
seen as causes, but rather ensouled emanations, reflecting the nature of things as signs and 
symbols. True human happiness is to be found through ecstatic union with the One, a type of 
enlightenment, of liberation, as seen in Yoga, Tantra, Vedanta and Buddhism. Neoplatonism has 
 had a powerful and enduring influence on Astrology, Hermetic Esotericism, Qabala, Christianity, 
Gnosticism, Judaism, Islam and Paganism.  

Neptune 

One of the outer, trans‐personal planets, discovered on September 23, 1846 by Johann 
Gottfried Galle, based on a mathematical calculation by Urbain Le Verrier, though there is 
typically Neptunian controversy surrounding this (Galileo, for example, is believed to have 
spotted Neptune twice, in 1612 and 1613, but mistook it for a fixed star). Some modern 
astrologers hold that it rules Pisces; others allow it co‐rulership with Jupiter, though traditional 
astrologers deny that Neptune has any pretensions to sign‐rulership.  

More about Neptune.  

Neutral Planets  

Mercury and Neptune. These two tend to be benefic when well aspected to the benefics and 
unfavourable when forming any aspect to the malefics.  

New Aspects  

Kepler proposed new aspects be added to the "Old" Ptolemaic aspects of the planetary rays. 
These, based on complex geometric relations of musical harmonies and disharmonies, initially 
included quintile, biquintile and sesquiquartile, but later others such as semiquartile, decile, 
septile, novile and so on, now known as Minor Aspects.  

New Moon  

Occurs when the Moon is in conjunction with the Sun. This important event happens once every 
month, when the visible face of the Moon is darkened, as it receives no light from the Sun. Also 
known as a Lunation. Solar Eclipses can only happen at the New Moon.  

Nibiru  

The home of the god Marduk in ancient Babylonian mythology. Also known as "Planet X", 
Zecharia Sitchin supposed it to be a distant planet in our solar system (located beyond Pluto) 
with an orbital period of 3,750 years. Also known as the 12th planet, it is held by some to be the 
home of an advanced humanoid race, the Annunaki, who are said to have created human beings 
as slave labourers for their terrestrial mining exploits, by mating with extant primates on Earth.  

NGC  

New General Catalogue. A catalogue of deep sky objects, including 7,840 nebulæ, star clusters, 
and galaxies, published in 1888 by John Dreyer. For example: the Orion Nebula NGC 1976 (a.k.a. 
Messier 42, M42) is a diffuse nebula situated south of Orion's Belt, visible to the naked eye in 
the night sky.  
Nicholas of Cusa  

Renaissance philosopher (1401‐1464), statesman and cardinal of the Church, whose views on 
comparison and proportion, particularly as argued in On Learned Ignorance, overthrew 
Aristotle's principles of physics, strongly influencing Kepler.  

Night‐Sign  

Each of the classical planets, apart from the two Luminaries, rules over two signs: a Day‐Sign and 
a Night‐Sign. The Luminaries rule one sign each, the Moon Cancer and the Sun Leo (though 
there is evidence that the Luminaries once were assigned co‐rulership of each other's signs). The 
planets are assigned to the signs in order from the fastest (Mercury) to the slowest (Saturn). 
Day‐Signs are the masculine, or positive signs; Night‐Signs are the feminine or negative signs.  

Night‐Stars  

Moon, Mars and Venus. Mercury is convertible, and may be either Diurnal or Nocturnal. Jupiter, 
Saturn and Sun are the Day Stars.  

Nigredo  

In alchemy, the first stage of the Great Work; blackening; putrefaction, corruption, dissolution, 
individuation.  

Ninth House  

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

Nocturnal 

Planets below the horizon (between the first and seventh cusps via the IC), versus Diurnal, 
above the horizon.  

Nocturnal Arc 

The distance in space or time taken by a planet passing through the night.  

Nocturnal Chart 

Nativity of person born at night.  

Nodal Degrees 

The same degree as the Moon's Mean Node, irrespective of sign. In Horary, it is said to signify a 
fateful event, tragedy or fatality in the matter. With a significator in a Nodal degree, something 
fateful beyond the control of the querent is indicated in the matter.  
Nodes 

The point in the zodiac where a planet, particularly the Moon, passes from southern into 
northern latitudes is called the North Node and when moving in the opposite direction (crossing 
from north to south) is called the South Node. The motion of the Moon's Mean Node is 
retrograde, about 3' per day (see Dragon's Head). The True Node oscillates according to the 
Moon's "wobble" caused by the gravitational effects of the Earth/Moon interaction, so 
sometimes has periods of direct motion. The Mean Node averages this "wobble" out. The north 
node is called the ascending, the south the descending node. Neither the Sun nor the Earth have 
nodes. More on the Moon's Nodes.  

Nonile 

See Novile.  

Noon Mark 

Mean local time at birthplace when it is noon at Greenwich, England.  

Northern Signs 

Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo. In these signs the Sun has northern declination.  

North Node 

See Dragon's Head.  

Notaricon (Notarikon, Notariqon) 

Qabbalistic shorthand system selects a word (usually in Hebrew), then takes each of its letters to 
stand for another whole word, so the letters of the selected word make a whole sentence. A 
second method uses the first and last letters of a selected word to form another word; or the 
two medial letters of the selected word. I am indebted to the Encyclopedic Theosophical 
Glossary for this.  

Novile 

A minor aspect of 40 degrees, being 1/9th of the zodiacal circumference. Implies completion of a 
cycle and is often associated with some sort of spiritual test (marriage, for example...)  

Numerology 

The study of the inner meaning of Number and how numerical factors affect our lives, destinies 
and relationships. Numerology lies at the basis of astrology: Numerology, Tarot and Astrology at 
a deep level provide numerical keys into the nature and essence of the cosmic mind. These 
occult keys have influenced art, music, architecture and religion for millennia, number being the 
 universally comprehensible way in which the cosmic mind can communicate with us without 
using words.  

Nycthemeron 

The natural day and night, or space of twenty‐four hours, used often with reference to the 
Equinox, Solstice or other important 24 hour period.  

O
Obliquity  

The angle formed between the ecliptic (the plane of the Earth's orbit) and the celestial equator. 
Currently this "tilt" of the Earth is about 23°27' and decreasing by about one minute every 128 
years. This factor is responsible for some signs rising faster than others (long and short 
ascension).  

Occidental & Oriental  

1. From cusp of tenth house westward to fourth via the descendant is occidental. The 
opposite half is oriental.  
2. To be "oriental in the figure" means being near the Ascendant, best suited to the Sun; to 
be "occidental in the figure" means being near the Descendant, best suited to the Moon.  
3. Planets are sometimes described as being occidental or oriental of the Sun. Occidental 
means setting after the Sun so visible in the evening; oriental means rising before the 
Sun, so visible in the morning.  

Ptolemy says: "When oriental, the influence is masculine; when occidental, feminine." This is a 
subtle influence, but he also says oriental planets are more powerful, especially when increasing 
in speed ("adding to proper motion"). Oriental planets are said to have "more height and hair", 
meaning that they have such an effect on the appearance of the native.  
Occult  

Hidden, or concealed.  

Occult Knowledge  

Secret knowledge, known only to the initiated.  

Occultation  

Planets occasionally obscure other planets or stars temporarily. The Moon, transiting a variable 
orbit, does so frequently. The phenomenon is termed occultation to distinguish it from eclipses. 
An occultation is equal to a powerful total or partile conjunction. [To be actually partile, these 
bodies should at the time have the same latitude and longitude.]  
Octile  

Minor adverse aspect of 45°. Called octile because it marks 1/8 of the 360° circumference of the 
circle of the zodiac. More widely known as a semi‐square.  

Old Aspects  

Major Aspects.  

Ophiuchus  

The Serpent‐Bearer, the so‐called "13th Sign" of the Zodiac. Ophiuchus (a.k.a. Serpentarius) was 
one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy, but even though it lay on the ecliptic, was never 
considered a Sign of the Zodiac. The zodiacal Signs are particular divisions of the circle of the 
ecliptic into 12 equal parts of 30° each, based on the seasonal changes marked by the Equinoxes 
and the Solstices. Despite their names, the positions of the stellar constellations nowadays have 
no direct connection with the Signs, at least not in Western Tropical Astrology (compare Sidereal 
Zodiac).  

Opposition  

A generally adverse aspect of 180 degrees, depending on the planets involved, usually 
considered malefic (unfavourable). There is some discussion in astrological circles as to whether 
the opposition or the square is the most damaging, because the square always counters 
masculine to feminine signs, while the opposition counters signs of the same polarity, although 
different elements. An example of an opposition would be a planet at 15° Aries (Fire) aspecting 
another planet or point at 15° Libra (Air). The opposition aspect in modern astrology is given an 
orb of 6°–8°, but the closer the orb is to being exact (partile), the more powerful the effect. The 
Sun and Moon are often allowed more orb. Classical astrology allows for signs to be in aspect, so 
any planet in Aries would be considered opposed to any planet in Libra for example, as these 
signs are diametrically opposed in the zodiac. This called a platic aspect, as opposed to partile. 
More on Aspects, and Planets.  

Orb  

An aspect between planets or sensitive points is usually allowed some inexactitude, which is 
called its orb of influence. This comes from the idea of a halo or aura surrounding a planet, 
comprising its rays. Traditional astrology allows different orbs for each of the planets, but 
modern astrology works primarily on an orb of aspect. Major aspects are allowed a greater orb 
than minor ones. For example, a conjunction is usually allowed an orb of 8 degrees, whereas a 
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. See also Moiety.  

Orbit 
 Path described by an astronomical body (such as a moon or a planet) in its motion though space 
around another astronomical body (such as a planet or a star).  

Oriental 

See Occidental & Oriental.  

Oriental Appearance 

Planet rising just before the Sun. Said to stand for special skills and faculties in a natal chart.  

Out‐of‐Sign 

A dissociate aspect; one which, though within orb, is not within the bounds of the aspecting sign. 
For example, an out‐of‐sign (dissociate) conjunction of Mars and Venus, when Mars is in 28° 
Libra and Venus is in 2° Scorpio is much weaker than if Mars were at 7° Scorpio, even though the 
orb of aspect would still be 5°. Similarly, an out‐of‐sign (dissociate) square between Sun at 3° 
Aries and Saturn at 29° Gemini, is much less significant than an in‐sign square with Saturn at 7° 
Cancer.  

Outer Planets 

Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. These planets, the furthest out in our Solar System, are invisible to 
the naked eye and so were only discovered in modern times, thanks to the invention of the 
telescope. They usually affect us at a very deep, subliminal level and the unconscious, 
generational effects are only brought to the surface when aspected by the Luminaries or other 
visible planets. Modern astrologers have incorporated them into astrological practice, but they 
are not generally considered by traditional astrologers, as they do not fit the classical symbolic 
structure of astrology. 
[NOTE: Distant bodies in our solar system such as Chiron are not usually classed as Outer Planets, 
or even true planets (Chiron now seems more like a comet). Pluto has even recently been 
demoted by the IAU to the status of a "dwarf planet", but this does not diminish his astrological 
value. Other bodies such as Eris, a recently‐discovered "dwarf planet" in the Kuiper Belt, are 
known to exist by science, but as yet have no accepted astrological significance.]  

P
Pallas Athene  

The warrior queen, the principle of creative intelligence and wisdom. An asteroid seen by 
modern astrologers as significant. More about Asteroids.  

Paracelsus  
 Phillipus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombast von Hohenheim (1493‐1541). Renowned alchemist, 
philosopher and magus, he was a leading figure of the German mystical movement. A radical 
reformer teaching amidst the ferment of the Renaissance in vernacular German rather than 
scholarly Latin, he was condemned for refusing to affiliate himself with any religious sect, and 
for his frank criticism of the Roman Church. He sought to overturn the humoral system in favour 
of a kabbalistic, alchemical approach, and believed in empirically testing remedies. He took folk 
medicine seriously, and applied spiritual insights in order to heal and explain the processes of 
life on Earth. Reviling his contemporaries' unquestioning admiration for ancient authorities 
(particularly Galen and Avicenna) his adoption of the name Paracelsus meant that he had gone 
beyond the famous Roman physician, Celsus—not to mention all other ancient thinkers and 
physicians. Initiated into the secret doctinres of the East, his 106 books reveal his knowledge of 
the laws governing the evolution of the physical, astral, psychical and intellectual constituents of 
nature and of man. William Q Judge ranks him with Hermes Trismegistus, stating that Paracelsus 
was "one of the greatest Masters ever known upon the earth".  

Parallel Aspect (Zodiacal)  

Planets having equal distance in declination on the same side (either north or south) of the 
celestial equator. A similar effect to the conjunction. Contra‐parallel is the equal distance in 
declination on opposite sides of the celestial equator (i.e. one planet north of the celestial 
equator and the other south) and is similar in effect to the opposition aspect.  

Paran  

The simultaneous rising, setting, or culminating of planets or stars, featuring an angular 
relationship between the planet and the fixed star in a chart. Parans can occur when any planet 
(esp. Sun or Moon) is angular and any star is also angular and they cross their respective angles 
at the same time. Parans may also simply feature planets. From the Greek paranatellonton.  

Paranormal 

Beyond the scope of normal experience as understood by contemporary science. A more 
modern way of saying "supernatural", it is designed to add the flavour of science to the realms 
of mysticism, religion and extrasensory talents, psychic abilities and experiences that lie beyond 
the pale of "rational" explanation. Yogic powers, such as levitation, ability to withstand extreme 
heat or cold, clairvoyance, astral projection, pranic healing etc are examples of paranormal 
abilities.  

Parapsychology 

Scientific study of paranormal abilities and phenomena.  

Pars Fortunæ  

Part of Fortune.  
Part  

Calculated point in the horoscope, a.k.a. Arabic Part, or Lot. The most widely used nowadays is 
the Pars Fortunæ, or Part of Fortune.  

Part of Fortune  

Pars Fortunæ. One of the most important of the Arabic Parts, or Lots. The point lies the same 
distance in longitude from the ascendant as the Moon lies from the Sun. Named for the Roman 
goddess of luck and wellbeing, Fortuna (Greek: Tyche). Its house reveals an area of life wherein 
one finds happiness, good fortune and natural tranquillity, with easy expression of innate 
abilities. More about the Arabic Parts.  

Partile (Partill)  

1. An aspect is described as partile when it is exact (ie within 60 minutes of arc and in the 
same degree). Traditionally, to be truly partile, the planets should also be in the same 
degree of latitude, as well as longitude. A planet within a degree of orb but in either the 
preceding or following degree is not partile, but platic. 
2. In ancient astrology, partile was measurement of the aspect by degree ("part" or point), 
whereas platic was measurement of the aspect by sign ("plate", or broad area). 

Penumbra 
The lighter, outer zone of the Moon's shadow visible during a solar eclipse. It surrounds the 
umbra, or dark central zone of the shadow.  

Peregrine 

When a planet is void of essential dignities. This is a debility, so serious in the mind of Lilly that 
he described it as "malicious beyond expression". Planets in mutual reception can abate the 
debility, strengthening it through the exchange of energies.  

Perigee 

The place in a planet's orbit which is nearest to the Earth. See Apogee.  

Perigee‐syzygy 

See SuperMoon.  

Perihelion 

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

Perpendicular 

A right angle (90°). Circles that meet at 90° angles.  
Perseids 

A prolific meteor shower associated with the comet Swift‐Tuttle. Emerging each year in July and 
August, their radiant lies in the constellation Perseus.  

Phases of the Moon 

The stages in the monthly waxing and waning of the Moon. See Moon Phases.  

Phlegmatic Humour  

Corresponding to the Water Element, according to Culpeper it rules the brain and "cools and 
moistens the heart, thereby sustaining it, and the whole body...". Ruled by Moon and Venus, it 
works through the Phlegm. See Humours. More about the Phlegmatic Humour.  

Picatrix 

Ghayat al‐Hakim, the "Goal of the Wise". A proscribed mediæval Arabic compendium of magical 
rules and astrological talismanic formulæ, some from early classical sources, influencing 
mediæval and renaissance European thinkers including Pico della Mirandola, Marsilio Ficino and 
Cornelius Agrippa. Known by Rabelais, it was a cause of the arrest by the Inquisition of Casanova. 
Hitherto available only in Latin, Arabic, Spanish and German, it was first translated from Arabic 
into English by Hashem Atallah. Books 1 & 2 may be obtained in a limited edition of 1000 
published in 2002 by Ouroboros Press, Seattle WA. A second volume (Books 3 & 4) is in 
preparation of this rare and valuable treatise, a source of authentic, occult knowledge.  

Pisces 

The twelfth sign of the zodiac. Mutable water. Ruled by Jupiter (or Neptune, according to 
modern astrologers, though some assign dual rulership with Jupiter, while traditional 
astrologers deny any pretensions of rulership to Neptune). Exaltation of Venus. Pisces' symbol 
comprises a brace of fishes. More about Pisces  

Pivot 

Ancient term for angular house.  

Pivotal 

A planet being in an angular place (or house) in the whole‐sign house system.  

Places 

1. Ancient term for Houses. 
2. According to Ptolemy, places are the twelfth part of a sign, each being 2°30' of arc in the 
order of the signs (see dwadishamsha). 
Placidus House System 
Commonly used system of house division, popularised by Italian Benedictine monk Placido de 
Titus (1603‐1668). A time‐delineated system based on division by planetary hours, there is 
evidence that Ptolemy used it. In the 19th century, tables of houses were first printed for this 
system, so most astrologers since have used it because readily available tables save arduous 
calculations. Nowadays, with the advance of the personal computer, any house system can be 
calculated easily, so the convenience argument is no longer important.  

Planet 

1. From an old word meaning "wanderer", the planets are those heavenly bodies that 
seem to move through the zodiac (science says planets are massive bodies in our solar 
system that revolve in orbits around the Sun, so giving this impression to us earthlings). 
Those that do not move perceptibly are known as the Fixed Stars (even though they do 
move imperceptibly over vast periods of time). In astrology, the planets include the Sun, 
the Moon and the Moon's Nodes (Dragon's Head and Tail). These are the main focal 
points for the cosmic energies that affect us. More on Planets. 
2. A committee of modern astronomers has recently redefined the term "planet" to mean 
"any body massive enough to be round that is not a star but is orbiting one". They 
demoted Pluto (and promoted Ceres) to the status of "dwarf planet" in 2006. Pluto has 
also since (2008) been redefined as a "plutoid", a trans‐Neptunian object (TNO) or Kyber 
Belt Object (KBO). These new definitions are generally irrelevant to astrology. 

Planet of Oriental Appearance  
Planet rising immediately before the Sun, indicating special skills and faculties in a natal chart.  

Planetary Hours 

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

Planetary Rays 

In ancient Hellenistic theory, each of the planets was held to emit seven rays, three to the left 
and three to the right of the central diametric ray. See Rays.  

Planetary Station 

During a retrograde cycle, the planet's energy is most powerful when the planet makes a station, 
appearing motionless in the sky. These stationary periods occur at the beginning of the cycle 
(when the planet first halts as it prepares to move backwards) and midway through the cycle 
when the retrograde planet slows to a stop before moving forward again. See Retrograde 
Planets.  

Planetary Strength 
 The power of a planet in a horary chart due to the sum total of the planet's dignities or debilities, 
both essential and accidental. In some questions the relative strength and house position of the 
main rulers will determine the answer. For example, in court questions whichever ruler has the 
most dignity (strength) and most favourably aspects the 10th cusp ruler or planet (the judge) is 
likely to win the case. [source: Glossary of Horary Astrology]  

Platic (Plactic; Platick) 

Wider aspect (more than 1 degree), yet within orb. See Partile.  

Plato 

Perhaps the greatest thinker of the Classical Age of Greece, Plato (c427–347 BCE), an Athenian, 
was a disciple of Socrates and mentor of Aristotle. His extraordinary abilities as a philosopher 
were matched by the brilliance and readability of his style. Since Socrates left no written 
documents, Plato's dialogues are our window into Socratic thought, though Plato's own 
contributions are also unsurpassed. When Socrates was unjustly executed, Plato fled Athens and 
travelled widely in Italy, Sicily, Egypt and Libya. He returned to found one of the first known 
learning institutes in Europe, the Academy, which remained deeply influential until 529 CE, 
when the pagan universities were closed by the Christian Emperor Justinian—and indeed later, 
when knowledge that had been taken to the East by scholars fleeing persecution was 
rediscovered in the Renaissance. Plato (and his Academy) influenced the development of 
astrology through his exposition of the ensouled nature of the celestials, planetary spheres, the 
spindle of necessity, world ages, destiny and the concept of a rationally ordered cosmos. 
Western philosophy has been described (by leading 20th C. philosopher A.N.Whitehead) as a 
series of footnotes to Plato.  

Platonic Solids 

The five geometric solids that can be made using a regular polygon, having the same number of 
these polygons meeting at each corner. They are  

1. tetrahedron (regular solid pyramid with 4 triangular faces) 
2. cube (regular solid with 6 square faces) 
3. octahedron (regular solid with 8 triangular faces) 
4. dodecahedron (regular solid with 12 pentagonal faces) 
5. icosahedron (regular solid with 20 triangular faces) 

Platonic Year 
The so‐called "Great Year" of the precession of the polar axis, whereby the polar axis precesses 
around the pole of the ecliptic with a period of 25,725 years. This is what determines the 
Astrological Ages.  

Platonism 
 The philosophic system derived from the thought of Plato.  

Pleiades 

A cluster of seven stars in the head of Taurus, of which Alcyone is the brightest, known as 
harbingers of bad weather, eye problems, sorrow and general trouble, especially with women. 
Some astrologers also claim them as a marker for homosexuality. In Jyotish, they are seen as the 
lunar asterism Krittika. In mythology, the Pleiades, seven daughters of Atlas, were half‐sisters to 
the Hyades, another cluster of seven stars in the head of Taurus. Interestingly, in Japan the 
Pleiades are called Subaru, the name and logo of the Subaru car.  

Plotinus 

Leading philosopher of late antiquity (205–270 CE), born in Lycopolis, Egypt. A Platonist, he 
studied in Alexandria under Ammonius Saccas, spending time in Persia before settling in Rome, 
where he formulated the philosophy which came to be known as Neoplatonism. These 
influential teachings are set out in the Enneads, compiled and edited by his disciple Porphry 
(who developed a useful astrological house system). Following Plato, he holds that the 
phenomenal world is but a reflection of a real, noumenal world which exists in the mind of the 
world‐soul, an emanation of the divine mind, the Nous, itself an emanation of the One, the 
Absolute. Individual souls are also emanations, whose ultimate destiny is to be reunited with the 
One. Stars and planets are not seen as causes, but rather ensouled emanations, reflecting the 
nature of things as signs and symbols. True human happiness is to be found through ecstatic 
union with the One, a type of enlightenment, of liberation, as seen in Yoga, Tantra, Vedanta and 
Buddhism. His philosophy has had an immense influence on Astrology and Christianity, along 
with other strands of belief, religion and philosophy up to the present day. See Neoplatonism.  

Pluto 

One of the outer, trans‐personal planets, until recently the furthest known planet from the Sun, 
Pluto was located by Clyde Tombaugh on February 18, 1930. Some modern astrologers hold that 
it rules Scorpio; others allow it co‐rulership with Mars, though traditional astrologers deny that 
Pluto has any pretensions to sign‐rulership. It has recently been demoted by astronomers to the 
status of "dwarf planet" and "plutoid", but this has no effect on its astrological importance. 
More about Pluto..  

Pluto Square 

Transiting Pluto square natal Pluto. A difficult aspect, occurring in mid‐life.  

Plutoid 

A body in the Solar System whose shape is controlled by its own gravity, located beyond 
Neptune, small enough that it has "not cleared the neighbourhood around its own orbit". Pluto 
and Eris are now classed as plutoids by the IAU.  
Pluton 

A now‐defunct astronomical class of planetary bodies orbiting the Sun on the far side of 
Neptune. Pluto was classed as a pluton by contemporary astronomers before they realized that 
this is a well‐established geological term for an intrusive rock mass. It was in 2006 classed as a 
"dwarf planet", but from June 2008 has been declared a "plutoid". See Dwarf Planet.  

Polar Elevation 

At the equator, the Pole Star lies exactly on the horizon. As we travel northwards towards the 
Pole, the Pole Star rises accordingly. The height of the Pole Star measured in degrees and 
minutes gives the latitude of the place where the viewer stands. In general, it is the latitude for 
which a chart is cast.  

Polarity 

1. Cosmic energies are defined in astrology and occult work in general as either masculine 
(positive; objective; active; conscious; outgoing; hot; dry; penetrative; creative; electric; 
bright; yang) or feminine (negative; subjective; passive; subconscious; inward‐looking; 
cool; moist; receptive; nourishing; magnetic; dark; yin). Each sign has been assigned a 
polarity, starting from Aries (masc.) and alternating between masculine and feminine in 
zodiacal order. The interaction between the two polarities maintains and develops the 
harmony and wellbeing of the cosmos and its inhabitants. The polarity of any 
relationship is the balance between the masculine and feminine forces at work. 
2. Any diametric opposition is considered a polarity. For example, the opposite pole of 
Aries is Libra, even though both are masculine signs. In this way opposing signs are 
considered harmonious, as Aries (fire) is aided by Libra (air), Taurus (earth) by Scorpio 
(water) and so on. Hence the first and seventh houses are the individual personality and 
bodily image, versus the partnership relations, respectively. 
3. The point opposite to the Sun's placement in a natal chart is called its polarity. This is 
useful in relationship analysis. 
4. There is also the idea that the Sun (masculine) is one pole of the life‐force and the Moon 
(feminine) is the other. According to Alan Leo, their relationships in the chart determine 
the harmony or otherwise of the native's life. 

Pole 

1. A mathematical point on the surface of a sphere, located on the diameter set at ninety 
degrees to the plane of its equator. For instance, the Earth's North and South Poles lie at 
the opposite end from all points on the earth's equator of the hypotenuse of a right 
angled triangle with its right angle at the centre of the earth on the plane of the equator. 
2. The Celestial Poles are the two points of intersection of the Earth's axis and the celestial 
sphere. 
3. Pole of the horoscope (Pole of the Ascendant) is the latitude of the place on which it is 
cast, determined by the polar elevation. 

See Elevated Pole, Depressed Pole.  
Pole Star 

A star which is in line with the axis of the Earth's rotation. This changes over extremely long 
periods of time due to the precession of the equinoxes, but the current Pole Star (in the 
northern hemisphere) is Polaris, the North Star, a Behenian Star in the 29th degree of Gemini.  

Ponderous Planets 

So called because their orbits lie beyond the Earth and thus take a long time to complete. See 
Superior Planets.  

Porphyry 

Influential 3rd century pythagorean mathematician and neoplatonist philosopher. Born in Syria, 
he studied in Athens under Longinus and in Rome under Plotinus. Unfortunately, his main work 
Introduction to Astronomy in Three Books is now lost. An opponent of Christianity, he wrote a 
synthesis of Aristotle and Plato, a work on vegetarianism, a biography of Pythagoras, a 
commentary of Euclid, an introduction to Ptolemy's Tetrabiblos and developed an astrological 
House System. His commentary on Aristotle's Categories led to the later development of the 
study of Logic. A believer in divine justice (what we might call karma and reincarnation), he held 
the stars to be signs rather than causes, being part of the rational order of the cosmos.  

Porphyry House System 

Porphyry developed a simple astrological house system, with ascendant and mid‐heaven as 
angular house cusps, the others being obtained by trisecting the arcs between the angles.  

Portion 

A Portion, in ancient Hellenistic astrology, was more or less equivalent to a degree of the zodiac.  

Postnatal Eclipse 

An eclipse, either solar or lunar, which occurs in the months immediately following the birth of 
the native.  

Prana 

Sanscrit term for the subtle energy of the life force, the control of which is one of the goals of 
yoga, tantra, tai chi and similar disciplines. Also known as Ki, Qi, or Ch'i.  

Precession (of the Equinoxes) 

Due to the pole of the equator revolving around the pole of the ecliptic, the equinoctial point 
(Vernal Point) moves backward with relation to the constellations at the rate of approximately 
50" per year. It makes a complete revolution through the twelve constellations in the great 
cosmic year of 25,920 earthly years, or 2160 years to pass through one constellation, or to be 
 more exact, sign of the sidereal zodiac. Thus the position of the first degree of Aries in the 
tropical or moveable zodiac moves slowly backwards through the sidereal, or fixed zodiac. The 
discovery of precession is attributed to the Hellenic scientist Hipparchus in 128 BCE, but it was 
evidently known to initiates very much earlier, as shown by the alignment of the pyramids and 
other ancient indicators. There is disagreement among authorities as to the exact position of the 
Vernal Point (0° Aries) at present, but all are agreed that it means we are approaching the end of 
the Age of Pisces and entering the Age of Aquarius.  

Preceptor 

Empowering spiritual teacher.  

Precessed Solar Return 

Solar Return Chart corrected for precession.  

Prediction 

Astrological forecast regarding a specific event in the future.  

Predictive Astrology 

Astrology which is primarily concerned with prediction of events (Electional Astrology; Horary 
Astrology; Medical Astrology; Meteorological Astrology; Mundane Astrology), rather than 
astrologically‐based personality analysis (Psychological Astrology; Natal Astrology; Relationship 
Astrology; Esoteric Astrology). These disciplines take quite different approaches and use 
different astrological techniques. See Event‐Oriented Astrology.  

Prenatal Eclipse 

An eclipse, either solar or lunar, which occurs in the months preceding the birth of the native. 
Not usually considered more than 12 months prior to the birthdate.  

Prenatal Epoch 

The astrological moment of conception, approximately nine months before birth. The Moon's 
place on epoch day, or its opposite, becomes either the ascending or descending sign and 
degree at birth. But is this really accurate? My own prenatal epoch actually features the Moon 
on the degree of my Moon, rather than the rising degree and the same goes for my wife. Or 
maybe our mothers didn't have nine month gestatory cycles...?  

Prepollent 

Very powerful. When a planet is stronger than others under consideration.  

Primary Directions 
 Method of directing based on a degree for a year. The degree concerned is found via the 
movement in Right Ascension of the mid‐heaven (MC), which advances by a degree every 4 
minutes or so. This reveals the influences that will occur during the lifetime of the native. It is 
calculated via the "primary" axial rotation of the Earth every 24 hours (360 degrees), so that the 
movement of the MC progresses through the signs at the rate of about one sign (30 degrees) 
per two hours (i.e. 4 minutes per degree). The term is also used for the mundane aspects made 
in the course of the 24 hour period, though in fact the full number of mundane aspects that can 
be created during the average lifetime will be seen in the directions of the first 6 hours.  

Primary Progression 

See Primary Directions.  

Prime Vertical 

The Great Circle inscribed on the celestial sphere that passes through the east point, zenith, 
west point and nadir of any place, ie, the vertical plane over an observer that passes directly 
east‐west and straight overhead.  

Primum Mobile  

1. The first mover, original cause, the creator god 
2. The first moved, the eighth and outermost sphere, the "circle of the same", according to 
Plato, which in its daily motion around the Earth carried the Fixed Stars and 
constellations. It is the first moved because it was the first material creation of the 
creator god, a material reflection of the soul of the universe. It is the circle of the same, 
as opposed to the circles of difference, the spheres of the planets 
3. Subsequently, the first moved, the tenth and outermost sphere (beyond which lay the 
Empyrean, the fiery abode of the gods), which contained the fixed points of existence, 
such as the equinox and the solstice. The constellations and fixed stars were then 
enclosed in another, inferior sphere 

Proclus 
Proclus of Athens (412–485 CE), an authoritative philosopher and teacher, played a crucial role 
in the transmission of Neoplatonism through the Christian destruction of the Pagan world in late 
antiquity. Head of the Academy in Athens for some 50 years, he composed commentaries on 
Aristotle, Euclid and Plato, writing on metaphysics, theology, physics, astronomy, mathematics, 
ethics and traditions of religious wisdom (Orphism and Chaldæan Oracles). Proclus had a lasting 
influence on the development of the late Neoplatonic schools in Athens and in Alexandria. In a 
culture dominated by Christianity, Neoplatonic philosophers defended the superiority of the 
Hellenic traditions of wisdom. Proclus taught the harmony of the ancient religious revelations 
(the mythologies of Homer and Hesiod, the Orphic theogonies and the Chaldaean Oracles) and 
sought to integrate them in the philosophical tradition of Pythagoras and Plato.  

Profection 
 Profection is a time lord system, based on a progression in the order of the signs from a given 
starting point. There are annual, monthly and daily profections for each planet or lot (arabic 
part). A "profection" is simply a "jump" from one sign to the next. For instance, an annual 
profection jumps from one sign to the next on your birthdate every year. If Fortuna was in 
Gemini when you were born, then the annual profection for Fortuna on your next birthday 
would be Cancer and so on. Profections also include any arbitrary symbolic movements, such as 
a day for a year, known as symbolic directions. [see: Zodiac X Files]  

Prognosis 

Originally meaning fore‐knowledge and synonymous with prediction, this has now come to 
mean an estimate of a likely outcome.  

Progressed Horoscope 

A chart calculated for as many days after birth as there are years in the life of the native. This 
method is also known as Secondary Progression.  

Progressed Planet 

Planet in a progressed horoscope. Angles and other chart factors also progress.  

Progression 

Movement of or aspect to planet or sensitive point in progressed horoscope. In order of the 
standard hierarchy:  

1. Primary (1 degree of right ascension of the MC equals 1 year of life) 
2. Secondary (1 day equals 1 year of life) 
3. Tertiary (1 day equals 1 month of life) 
4. Minor (1 lunar month equals 1 year of life) 

Prohibition 
In Horary, when two significators are applying to a major aspect, but a third planet perfects a 
major aspect to one of the two significators before the original aspect culminates. Suggests 
outside interference in the outcome of the question.  

Promittor (Promissor) 

Significator of certain events. In a Horary question of marriage, for instance, the lord of the 
seventh is Promittor. In Directions, according to Sephariel, a Promittor is a planet other than Sun 
or Moon.  

Proper Face 

"When an individual planet keeps to the Sun or Moon the same aspect which its house has to 
their houses; as, for example, when Venus is in sextile to the luminaries, provided that she is 
 occidental to the Sun and oriental to the Moon, in accordance with the original arrangement of 
their houses." (Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos I:23)  

Proper Motion 

1. Direct Motion through the zodiac in order of the signs. See Retrograde Motion. 
2. Astronomers also consider the so‐called proper motion of the stars, because as a star 
changes its absolute position in space, it will slowly change the direction in which it 
appears to be from Earth (which also changes its position as the Solar System moves 
through space). This miniscule actual movement of what had previously been thought of 
as the Fixed Stars was discovered by Sir Edmond Halley in 1718. The movement is of 
course massive in terms of miles as the universe expands, but seems miniscule to us 
because of the cosmic distances involved. 

Prorogator 
The Alpheta: planet which upholds life.  

Psyche 

Soul, inner being. Individualised elements of the inner being, as opposed to the cosmic or 
spiritual elements.  

Psychic 

1. Intuition developed to an uncanny degree, usually entailing the ability to foresee the 
future, or the exercise of other paranormal talents, such as ESP, clairvoyance, 
teleportation, psychokinesis, astral projection (remote viewing), visions of ghosts etc. 
2. Person who exhibits paranormal abilities, particularly clairvoyance. 

Psychokinesis 
Paranormal ability to move physical objects using mind power alone.  

Psychological Astrology 

Modern Western astrology, based in therapeutic ideas of personal development and the 
unfoldment of the personality, as opposed to the older idea of a fixed character and an 
unalterable fate. Growing out of Marc Edmund Jones's reformulation of astrology in the early 
20th Century and the subsequent development by Dane Rudhyar of "humanistic" astrology, it 
purports to be a way of reconciling modern ideas of individual freedom with the supposed 
determinism of planetary influence through the concept of personal growth. The main approach 
involves detailed analysis of the natal chart, seen as a map to potential. No distinction is made 
between the older classes of benefic and malefic indicators, as all events are seen as possibilities 
or "potentialities" on the path of spiritual evolution. The influence of theosophy, psychotherapy, 
Freud and particularly Jung is strong. Forecasting is generally frowned upon by its practitioners, 
especially in America, presumably because this is seen as limiting to an individual's potential.  
Psychology 

Scientific study of mental processes and behaviour.  

Psychometry 

1. Paranormal technique to receive insights or impressions from a physical object through 
the sense of touch. Often used by psychic investigators to find missing people, or to 
solve crimes. 
2. Technique for discovering information, especially for diagnostic purposes, using a device 
or intermediary, such as a pendulum, or a muscle test. 

Psychotherapy 
Treatment of behavioural and emotional problems through one‐to‐one contact with the 
therapist. Usually done through talking and other forms of communication, such as self‐
expression through creative activities, and often through massage, group discussions and the 
like rather than by using drugs. Modern psychological astrology is based in therapeutic ideas of 
personal development and the unfoldment of the personality, as opposed to the older idea of a 
fixed character and an unalterable fate.  

Ptolemaic Aspects 

Sextile, square, trine, and opposition, defined by Ptolemy. He also allowed that planets could 
form the "corporeal conjunction", though this is technically not an aspect, but a conjunction.  

Ptolemaic System 

Ancient geocentric cosmic schema, based in the common‐sense belief that the planets, Sun, 
Moon and stars revolved around the earth. Formalised by Hellenic astrologer Ptolemy.  

Ptolemy 

Leading astronomer, astrologer and geographer of the Hellenic world, Claudius Ptolemæus, 
Ptolemy, was a Greek scholar living in Alexandria between 87 and 150 AD. He formalised the 
Ptolemaic geocentric system that dominated the Western worldview until after the 
development of the Copernican heliocentric system in the sixteenth century. His Almagest gave 
a mathematical basis to astronomy and the Tetrabiblos set out the principles of astrology. His 
Geography was also a massively influential work which, translated into Latin in the early 1400's 
and showing that the world was round, eventually led to the discovery by Europeans of the 
Americas.  

Pythagoras 

Greek philosopher (ca.570 – ca.480 BCE) who first formalised the study of Number in the West. 
His work as a mathematician and geometer is renowned, but he and his followers were primarily 
concerned with uncovering the inner, spiritual meaning of the underlying numerical structure of 
 our lives. This has deeply influenced architecture through the ideals of sacred geometry, but has 
also had a profound effect on music, art, science and religion. It lies at the basis of astrology, 
underpinning our understanding of the relationships between the planets, the signs and the 
aspects.  

Q
Qabbala  

Esoteric teachings that deal with mystical ideas of creation and concepts of a spiritual nature, 
based in the Hebrew/Gnostic scriptures. Qabbala (Kabbalah, Cabala, or other variant translation 
from the original Hebrew ‫)קבלה‬ features interpretations of the Tree of Life, the Zohar, 
numerical keys to the Bible etc.  

Qi  

Subtle energy of the life‐force, the control of which is one of the goals of yoga, tantra, tai chi, 
qigong and similar disciplines. Also known as Chi, Ch'i, Ki and in Yoga, Prana.  

Qigong  

Traditional Chinese exercise designed to cultivate qi (vital energy, or life‐force).  

Quadrants  

The four quarters in a chart, or the four seasons in the year, or the zodiac.  

Quadrate  

Major malefic square aspect of 90 degrees, dividing the circle of the zodiac into quarters, four 
equal segments.  

Quadrasextile  

Quincunx aspect, see below.  

Quadratures  

Moon's dichotomes: changes, phases or quarters. Frequently referred to as the square aspect.  

Quadruplicity  

Quality, or Modality.  

Quality  
 Modality, or Quadruplicity. Each sign is characterised by the combination of its Quadruplicity or 
Quality (Cardinal, Fixed, or Mutable) and its Triplicity, or Element (Fire, Earth, Air, or Water).  

Quantum Entanglement  

Possible scientific basis for the "action at a distance" implied by astrology and denied by skeptics. 
For a non‐technical outline, see Quantum Entanglement by Dave Jarvis.  

Quarter  

There are four quarters, or quadrants, of the zodiac and indeed of the year. A quarter of the 
zodiac extends between the first degree of the first Cardinal Sign, Aries, and the first degree of 
the Cardinal Sign, Cancer and so to Libra and Capricorn. There are 360° in the zodiac and each 
sign occupies 30°, so a quarter of the zodiac in signs is 3 signs and in degrees is 90°. In this way 
the seasonal peaks are marked by the Equinoxes and Solstices.  

Quarter Day  

The Quarter Days mark the days of the Equinoxes and Solstices.  

Quarter Moon  

When the phase of the Moon is displayed in the heavens as half light and half dark. See Moon 
Phases  

Quarter Period  

In Hellenistic astrology, a time lord system based on quarter phases of the Moon.  

Quarters  

North, South, East, West  

Quartile  

Square. A major malefic aspect of 90 degrees. See Quadrate, also Square.  

Querent  

Person asking a question of the astrologer. In horary, the Ascendant and its lord are the usual 
significators of the querent, as well as the Moon.  

Quesited  

Person or thing enquired after in an horary question. In horary, the seventh house and its lord 
are the general significators of the quesited, though should the quesited be specifically ruled by 
a certain house or planet, this must be considered.  
Quincunx 

An aspect of 150°, creating stress, unhappiness and sorrow, where matters seem to be 
somehow out of joint. 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. Technically this is not 
a proper aspect in the traditional sense, as a planet is unable to "see" another in this 
relationship. Classed as inconjunct and considered particularly unfortunate by the ancients, this 
aspect is not thought unduly malefic by many modern astrologers, but is to be ignored at one's 
peril. See Inconjunct.  

Quindecile 

A minor 24 degree aspect. Somewhat favourable. Quindecim means 15 in Latin and 24x15=360, 
the number of degrees in a circle, and so the zodiac. Influential contemporary astrologer Noel 
Tyl calls the 165° aspect quindecile, because he says that all the other 15° increments are 
already named, except the 105° interval which is insignificant. He says the 24th harmonic is 
what we are talking about, rather than the 24° interval. This is a moot point, as yet 
undetermined in practice, though Tyl says that in some 900 charts it indicates passionate 
obsession, unrelenting motivation, determination, upheaval, disruption, even separation. 
Maybe not so favourable, then? Or maybe more research is needed...  

Quintessence 

Fifth alchemical principle. The underlying spiritual basis underpinning the four elements, 
corresponding to the idea of the æther, or space‐time continuum. Not used in practical 
astrology. See Akasha, also Dark Energy.  

Quintile 

Kepler's somewhat favourable aspect of 72 degrees. One fifth of the zodiac, its influence is 
associated with 5th house matters, bringing artistic or creative use of crisis situations. So it is 
also a bit of a pressure‐cooker.  

R
Rahu 

Name for the Dragon's Head in Indian Astrology. See Dragon's Head.  

Radiant  

The point in the heavens from which the meteors in a meteors shower appear to originate. The 
Geminids, for example, are meteors that appear from a radiant in the constellation Gemini.  

Radix (Radical)  
 Referring to the Natal Chart. In Horary terminology, it implies that conditions have been fulfilled 
enabling the chart to be judged.  

Raman 

One of the lesser‐known Ayanamsas used to convert the tropical positions to the sidereal in 
Indian Astrology. It has a current arc of 21° 00' 52".  

Rapt Motion  

Apparent diurnal motion from east to west.  

Rapt Parallels  

Equal distances from the meridien formed by rapt motion (not zodiacal).  

Rashi  

Jyotish term for zodiac sign. The sign in which the Moon is placed at birth is also commonly 
known as the Rashi in Indian astrology.  

Rays  

Each planet is traditionally described as emanating seven rays, three to the left and three to the 
right of the diametric ray. The rays mark the major aspects, 60°, 90°, 120° to the left and right of 
the diametric 180°.  

Reception 

A planet in another planet's dignity is said to receive that planet. Planets in each other's dignities 
act as though in good aspect to each other (Mutual Reception). When in each other's debilities, 
planets act as though in adverse aspect to each other. Especially important when comparing 
nativities of two people. See also dispositor.  

Rectification 

Correcting the given birth time to true birth time by comparing the nature and date of 
significant events in the life with the aspects denoting them, or by other more arcane methods. 
A rectified chart gives a more radical (accurate) Moon, ascendant and mid‐heaven, especially 
useful for forecasting.  

Rectify 

Perform rectification.  

Refranation (Refrain) 
 If two planets are applying to an aspect and one of them turns retrograde before the aspect 
culminates, it is said to refrain from the aspect, showing that the effect indicated by the aspect 
will not materialise.  

Regard 

Ancient term for aspect (when a planet "sees" another).  

Regiomontanus House System  

A system employing equal division of the equator, named after the 15th century mathematician 
Johan Muller of Konigsberg, (also known as Regiomontanus), who popularised its use through 
printed tables. It is considered by some authors as more reliable than Placidus. Valuable for 
births at high latitudes.  

Regulus  

A benefic Fixed Star in the 30th degree of Leo. The most royal of the four Royal Stars, a.k.a. Cor 
Leonis, the Lion's Heart.  

Reincarnation  

The rebirth of souls (or karmic threads) into new bodies. This teaching, which is in accord with 
the Law of Karma ("what ye have sown, so shall ye also reap"), was held by all ancient religions 
(even Christianity) but has been officially denied by the Church since the Fifth Ecumenical 
Council in 553 AD. Only a few esoteric sects, such as the Liberal Catholic Church and the 
Rosicrucians, still teach it. Reincarnation is also espoused by many Muslim scholars and has a 
strong role in Judaism, though many Jews and most Muslims no longer accept it. Hinduism, 
Buddhism, Taoism, Shinto, Theosophy, Pantheism, Paganism and the majority of other 
contemporary religions support reincarnation in one form or other. Some atheists accept it, but 
most do not. Astrology supports the idea of reincarnation, because almost all serious astrologers 
endorse the concept of karma as the only rational explanation in an ordered universe for inborn 
inequalities, and for events otherwise attributable only to chance. See Karma.  

Rejoices 

See Joys.  

Relationship Analysis  

An application of Astrology used to ascertain the nature of interpersonal relationships, with a 
view to compatibility. The most popular techniques used are synastry, or chart comparison, 
where two (or more) charts are compared to note the aspects between the planets in one with 
those in the other; and composite chart analysis, where charts are drawn up of the midpoints 
between the planets in one chart and those in the other.  
Relationship Astrology  

Astrology specialising in relationship analysis, for ascertaining the compatibility between two (or 
more) people in love, marriage, business, or other variety of important interaction.  

Remedy  

Traditional method of counteracting unfortunate astrological factors. For example, planetary 
gems, herbs, rituals, placement of objects, ceremonies and sacrifices. Used mainly today in India, 
where traditional Vedic Astrology (Jyotish) is a part of everyday life, but also by traditional 
astrologers in the West. Chinese astrology (esp. Feng Shui) also employs a similar range of 
remedies.  

Retrograde  

Apparent backward motion of a planet through the zodiac. Sun and Moon are never retrograde. 
Though viewed as a debility in Western Astrology, in Jyotish (Vedic Astrology), a retrograde 
planet in a good house and free from combustion and affliction is considered more powerful 
than normal.  

Retrograde Station  

See Stationary Retrograde.  

Revolution 

See Solar Return.  

Right Ascension 

Measurement along the equator by degrees only from the first point of Aries. 360 degrees into 
24 hours means each degree occupies about 4 minutes (of clock time) on the equator.  

Rising 

A planet is said to be rising, or ascending, when moving via the ascendant between the fourth 
and tenth cusps, i.e. in the eastern hemisphere of the chart. Some modern astrologers only 
consider a planet to be rising if actually placed in the first house, where its strength is 
accentuated because angular. [It's a moot point as to whether a planet in the mid‐heaven 
should be described as "rising", or simply "elevated". Certainly it is angular and thus 
strengthened.]  

Rising Sign (Ascendant) 

The sign on the cusp of the First House; the sign rising over the eastern horizon at the time of 
the native's birth in natal astrology, or question in horary. Strictly speaking the degree of the 
Rising Sign is the Ascendant (ASC) with regard to aspects. In traditional and in Vedic astrology, 
 the whole sign rising over the eastern horizon at the time of the native's birth is called the 
Ascendant or Rising Sign. More about Ascendant.  

Royal Stars (of Persia)  

Fixed Stars of particular significance, first declared as Watchers, or Guardians of the World by 
ancient Persian astrologers at around 3000 BC, when they stood at the four angles of the 
Heavens. These stars were also assigned angelic status by the Hebrews. There are four Royal 
Stars: 

• Aldebaran, the Archangel Michael, Watcher of the East, ruler of the Vernal Equinox 
• Regulus, the Archangel Raphael, Watcher of the North, ruler of the Summer Solstice 
• Antares, the Archangel Oriel, Watcher of the West, ruler of the Autumnal Equinox  
• Fomalhaut, the Archangel Gabriel, Watcher of the South, ruler of the Winter Solstice. 

Regulus is usually considered the "most royal", although Aldebaran has his proponents. More on 
Fixed Stars.  
Rubido  

In alchemy, the fourth and final stage of the Great Work; reddening; unification of man with the 
divine; unification of the limited with the unlimited.  

Rudolphine Tables  

Johannes Kepler's modern, scientific ephemerides published in 1627, based on the heliocentric 
system of Copernicus, modified according to Tycho Brahe's painstaking observations and 
Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion. These, named for Tycho's patron, the Holy Roman Emperor, 
Rudolph II, replaced the less precise Alfonsine Tables, which were based on the Ptolemaic, 
geocentric system that had been in use for centuries. See Alfonsine Tables.  

Rulership  

1. Each of the visible planets (including Sun and Moon) are domiciled ("at home") in 
certain signs, due to the symbolic construction of the zodiacal system. They are said to 
rule, or have rulership, over these signs, which are most sympathetic to the expression 
of their natural energies, whether by day (diurnal; solar) or by night (nocturnal; lunar). 
Note that the Outer Planets do not fit into this schema, despite efforts of modern 
astrologers to assign rulership of certain signs to Uranus, Neptune and Pluto (and even 
asteroids!). See Planetary Rulership Wheel. 
2. Signs and planets have rulership over particular places, people, creatures and things, 
which have been perceived to be sympathetic to their natures. Gems are a classic 
example (though there is some disagreement among authorities as to which gems are 
ruled by which signs and planets). 

Ruling Planet 
 The ruling planet, or life‐ruler, is the planet that is most highly dignified by elevation, sign and 
aspect in the birth chart. This is usually the ruler of the Ascendant, but can be another planet in 
the event that the ascendant‐ruler is significantly debilitated. Should the time of birth be 
unknown, the Sun‐ruler is usually classed as the ruling planet, though the Moon‐ruler must also 
be considered. See Table for Calculating Planetary Values.  

S
Sabian Symbols  

System of interpreting each of the 360 zodiacal degrees, devised by Marc Edmund Jones and 
Elsie Wheeler in the 1920's, then modified by Dane Rudhyar.  

Sacred Geometry  

Process of constructing symbolic, geometric structures via numerical relationships, whether in 
art, buildings, landscaping or other formal systems. The aim is to create and channel flows of 
beneficial energy from the subtle world into our personal and social energetic fields, or auras. 
These fields govern and dynamise our lives, bodies, emotions, minds, and social interaction.  

Sade Sati  

In Vedic Astrology, the transit of Saturn (Shani) over one's natal Moon. This technically begins 45° 
before the actual conjunction and releases 45° afterwards. The process takes approximately 7½ 
years and can present a particularly stressful period.  

Sagittarius  

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

Sagittarius A  

Gigantic radio source surrounding the Galactic Centre of our Milky Way Galaxy. See Galactic 
Centre.  

Samhain  

One of the Cross‐quarter days, now generally celebrated as Halloween. More about Samhain.  

Sanguine Humour  

Corresponding to the Air Element, according to Culpeper it "nourishes the judgement". The 
Sanguine Humour is able to encompass the other three humours, so when the body is is a state 
of health, there is no way of distinguishing between them (as they are all in a balanced state 
 within the bloodstream). Ruled by Jupiter, its seat is the Liver and it works through the Blood. 
See Humours. More about the Sanguine Humour.  

Saros Cycle  

The cycle of eclipses, discovered by the ancient Chaldeans, lasting a little over 18 years, when 
Lunar Eclipses seem to repeat themselves. The cycle is also applicable to Solar Eclipses. A full 
Saros Series lasts some 13 centuries, due to the movement of the lunar nodes.  

Satellite  

An attendant body revolving around a larger one, its primary. The Moon is a satellite of the 
Earth, but for historical reasons is called in astrology a planet (wanderer), as is the Sun. 
Astronomically, all planets and other celestial bodies in our solar system are satellites of the Sun.  

Satellitium  

A group of three or more planets occupying a particular area of a chart having a significant 
effect comparable with the conjunction of all the planets concerned, even though outer 
members of the group would be normally considered out of orb with each other. Also called a 
stellium, or "satellium" (by the classically challenged...).  

Saturn  

The planet symbolising matters to do with karma, responsibility, structure, restriction, chronic 
conditions, old age and so on. Ruler of Capricorn and Aquarius. Exalted in Libra; rejoices in 
Aquarius. Traditionally known as the greater malefic, or infortune. More about Saturn.  

Saturn Return  

The return of Saturn by transit to the conjunction with natal Saturn in a horoscope. A twenty‐
nine year cycle, representing a period (often over many months) when we feel frustrated, angry, 
sad, confused, tired and insecure, it is a time when we become aware that we must accept 
responsibility for our actions. The first Saturn Return begins at approx. 29 years of age, the 
second at 58, the third at 87. More about the Saturn Return.  

Scorpio  

The eighth sign of the zodiac. Scorpio, the Scorpion, is a Fixed Water sign. It is traditionally ruled 
by Mars, but many modern astrologers have designated Pluto (discovered in 1930) as its co‐
ruler, or even, controversially, as its sole ruler. More about Scorpio.  

Scout Planet  

Last planet to rise before the Sun. See Planet of Oriental Appearance.  

Secondary Progression  
 The progressed horoscope, based on the "day for a year" system of progressing the nativity first 
employed by the ancient Arabian astrologers. So called to distinguish the system from the 
complex method of Primary Directions. Also known as Secondary Directions. The number of 
days in the ephemeris are counted from the birthday as the number of years the native has 
been on this mortal coil, then the horoscope is calculated accordingly. This is the most widely 
used system of progressing the horoscope, but has some disadvantages, hence the development 
of both solar arc progression and of tertiary progression (q.v.).  

Sect  

From Hellenistic Greek: hairesis, meaning "team", "side", or "following". Traditional weighting of 
emphasis based on whether a birth is diurnal (sect of Helios, the Sun) or nocturnal (sect of 
Selene, or Moon). If the Sun is above the horizon, sect is diurnal; if below the horizon, sect is 
nocturnal. Sun, Jupiter and Saturn are of the diurnal sect and Moon, Venus and Mars are of the 
nocturnal sect. Mercury's sect is convertible, depending on weighting of orientality, gender etc 
(Ptolemy simply says that Mercury is diurnal when it is a morning star and nocturnal when an 
evening star). Contrary to what may seem to be common sense, Saturn (cold) is deemed diurnal, 
because he is warmed and moderated by the heat of the day, while Mars (dry) is nocturnal, 
being moistened and smoothed by the feminine power of night. A planet in sect was considered 
significantly more potent than when out of sect. Sect was given very weighty consideration by 
the ancients, though is not generally considered by most modern astrologers.  

Sedna  

A newly discovered trans‐neptunian planet, named after the Inuit goddess of the sea. Some 13 
billion kilometres from Earth and smaller than Pluto, this "planet" has as yet no accepted 
astrological meaning. Discovered in 2003, it is estimated to take 10,500 years to orbit the Sun.  

Selene  

Greek goddess of the Moon.  

Semi‐arc 

1. The portion of a celestial body's daily travel above the horizon between its rising and its 
setting is called its diurnal arc; halving this arc from horizon to midheaven or meridien 
gives its diurnal semi‐arc. The portion below the earth is the nocturnal arc, so half of it 
becomes the nocturnal semi‐arc. The Sun's nocturnal or diurnal semi‐arc when in 0° 
Aries or 0° Libra, is six hours or 90° all over the Earth. At other seasons the one is greater 
or less than the other, according to the time of the year and the latitude of the place. 
The greatest discrepancy occurs where the N. or S. latitude is high, and when the Sun is 
in 0° Cancer or 0° Capricorn. The semi‐arc is usually measured in degrees of RA passing 
over the Meridian; although it can be expressed in terms of time. [based on source: 
Encyclopedia of Astrology] 
2. Term used in Primary Directions to denote the arc from a Significator to the Horizon or 
to the Meridian. 
Semi‐decile 
A minor benefic aspect of 18 degrees. Also called vigintile.  

Semi‐quintile 

Kepler's decile, a minor benefic aspect of 36 degrees.  

Semi‐sextile 

A minor benefic aspect of 30 degrees, derived from Kepler. Some classical astrologers do not 
count this as an aspect, due to the phenomenon known as Aversion.  

Semi‐square (semi‐quadrate) 

A minor adverse aspect of 45 degrees, derived from Kepler. Also known as octile.  

Separating Aspect 

See Separation.  

Separation 

Moving away from the partile (exact aspect). As the planet separates, the aspect becomes 
weaker. In Horary Astrology, it indicates events in the recent past, or that the matter under 
inquiry will not eventuate.  

Sephiroth (sing. Sephira) 

10 stages or brilliant points on the Tree of Life which symbolise distinct revelations of the 
Creative Will as it dives like a lightning flash into the material world. Described in the mediæval 
occult text, the Zohar, they correspond (among other things in the inner world) to chakras in the 
energetic system.  

Septile 

A karmically significant aspect of just under 51°26', being 1/7th of the zodiacal circumference. 
This is a modern aspect and is rarely used. Kepler specifically disapproved of it. Addey however 
states that it is disproportionately present in scientific discovery charts.  

Sesqui‐quadrate (sesqui‐square) 

A minor adverse aspect of 135 degrees, derived from Kepler.  

Seventh House  

The seventh segment of an astrological chart. Known also as the Descendant, it governs 
marriage, business partnerships, harmony, disharmony and open enemies.  
Sextile 

Major aspect of 60 degrees, considered benefic (favourable). The sextile (one sixth of the 
circumference of the zodiacal circle) signals a positive connection and a ready channelling of the 
energies indicated by the planets and their positions in the chart. An example of a sextile would 
be a planet at 15° Aries aspecting another planet or point at 15° Gemini. The sextile aspect in 
modern astrology is given an orb of 6°, but the closer the orb is to being exact (partile), the more 
powerful the effect. The Sun and Moon are often allowed more orb. Classical astrology allows 
for signs to be in aspect, so any planet in Aries would be considered sextile to any planet in 
Gemini or in Aquarius, for example, as these signs are sextile. This called a platic aspect, as 
opposed to partile. More on Aspects, and Planets.  

SGC 

See Super Galactic Centre.  

Shabda 

The cosmic sound current, or power of sound. Esoteric teachings hold that meaningful sounds 
and, in particular, names, have magical efficacy and can be used to create, construct or destroy 
phenomena, events and things. This was originally part of the ancient pantheistic or animist 
worldview that has become more systematised in esoteric philosophies as civilisation has 
developed. Alphabets such as Hebrew, Ancient Greek, and Sanskrit have in addition to their 
simple linguistic uses numerical and sonic values that can be harnessed and employed by adepts. 
Qabbala includes several systems of manipulating language and sound in this way, as do various 
esoteric schools in other disciplines.  

Shadow Planet 

Not a true celestial body, but a calculated point of significance in the chart, primarily the Moon's 
north (ascending) and south (descending) nodes. See Nodes.  

Shani 

Name for Saturn in Jyotish (Vedic) Astrology.  

Short Ascension 

Signs of short ascension take less time to ascend (rise over the eastern horizon) than signs of 
long ascension. They are often found intercepted in charts, though not in the zodiac, as signs are 
never intercepted in the zodiac. Interception is neither a dignity, nor a debility. In the northern 
hemisphere, these are:  

• Capricorn  • Aries 
• Aquarius  • Taurus 
 • Pisces  • Gemini

For places in the southern hemisphere, long and short ascension are reversed. See Long 
Ascension.  

Sidereal Day 

When the Earth has made one complete revolution on its axis; i.e. when the meridien has 
returned to its exact position after a twenty four hour period of rotation of the Earth. This is not 
the same as a tropical day, which is the sidereal day plus the distance travelled by the Sun in 
that same period, i.e. when the MC catches up with the Sun: about one degree further, or four 
minutes longer.  

Sidereal Time 

Right ascension of the meridien at mean noon (or midnight in modern ephemerides). The 
angular distance of the first point of Aries, or the true vernal equinox quoted in hours, minutes 
and seconds. Birth time is converted into sidereal time for the latitude of the birth place in order 
to calculate the house cusps.  

Sidereal Zodiac 

Zodiac based on actual positions of constellations in the heavens, as opposed to the Tropical 
Zodiac, which is a moveable format based on the seasons. The Tropical Zodiac defines the 
Vernal Point as the first degree of Aries, but the Sidereal Zodiac allows it to precess.  

Sigil 

A sign, seal, image, or talisman created for a specific occult purpose. Often constructed from 
other symbolic figures, it is imprinted into the subconscious, being impregnated with power 
through ritual, prayer, or meditation. A sigil may also be incorporated into an object as a signet, 
glyph, or heraldic device.  

Significator 

In Natal Astrology, the planet which rules the Ascendant. In Horary, the planet ruling the house 
governing the matter or person in question. In Directions, the Significator can only be Sun, 
Moon, Ascendant or Mid‐Heaven (according to Sephariel).  

Sign  

A symbolic display or image that points to something not immediately evident. A sign can carry 
more than one, or even a range of meanings. In astrology and mythology, signs have been 
mapped onto constellations in the heavens, but the zodiacal signs are themselves mathematical 
in nature and are not directly linked to the constellations, except historically.  
Signs  

Twelve equal 30° divisions of the zodiac: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, 
Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces. Signs in the Tropical Zodiac should not be confused 
with constellations, even though for historical reasons, they have the same names. There is no 
"13th Sign" of the Zodiac, as occasionally touted by skeptical astronomers, as Ophiuchus is a 
constellation, not a Sign. See Constellations.  

Sinister Aspect 

An aspect read from the left by diurnal movement, i.e. clockwise. It is thus in accordance with 
the natural succession of the Signs. Considered less powerful because hidden, or not in the line 
of sight. See Dexter.  

Sirius 

The Dog Star, the brightest star in the night sky. An extremely potent, binary (possibly ternary) 
star, Sirius, now located in the 15th degree of Cancer, is the focal point of several religions 
(notably the ancient Egyptian). See Fixed Stars.  

Sixth House  

The sixth segment of an astrological chart, an area ruling work, health, service, helping others, 
subordinates, the military, professionals, daily activities and the continuous harvesting or 
planting of positive and negative experiences. It also rules small animals.  

Skilful Means  

Dynamic and flexible methods employed in the attainment of realisation. These include 
appropriate techniques, such as meditation, exercises, cultivation of moral virtues and use of 
powers, especially for conducting knowledge and compassion.  

Slow in Course (Slow in Motion) 

A planet moving slower than its Mean Motion. An accidental debility. The Moon when slow in 
course is considered by Bonatus in Anima Astrologicæ to be as debilitated as if she were 
retrograde.  

Slow Signs 

Signs which have the nature of Saturn and Jupiter, such as Capricorn and Aquarius, Sagittarius 
and Pisces.  

Smoky (degrees) 

Certain degrees that, according to tradition, have a moderate, or middling quality, particularly 
regarding appearance and character. Compare Light and Dark degrees.  
Soft Aspects 

A modern name for benefic aspects, sextile, trine and quintile. Soft as opposed to Hard.  

Sol 

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

Solar Arc 

System of progression where the distance travelled by the Sun in the progressed horoscope 
(calculated at a rate of 1 degree = 1 year) from its natal position is also assigned to the other 
planets. Hard aspects only are considered in Solar Arc theory. The advantage of this system over 
secondary progression is that it gives significant movement to the outer planets, thus 
broadening the scope for predicting major life‐events.  

Solar Chart 

Chart based on position of Sun, either at sunrise or noon. Useful when time of birth is unknown. 
According to deVore, it becomes increasingly important in adult life, vis à vis the ascendant 
chart.  

Solar Cycle 

The number of sunspots and other solar activity such as flares have been observed to vary 
regularly in a repeating cycle of about 11 years. In each successive cycle the north and south 
magnetic polarities reverse, so that there is also a magnetic cycle of 22 years.  

Solar Eclipse 

Eclipse of the Sun. At a precisely aligned New Moon, the Moon passing between the Earth and 
the Sun hides the face of the Sun. Never view eclipses of the Sun directly with the naked eye, 
because the potential for eye damage is high. More about Eclipses  

Solar Maximum 

The midpoint of the 11 year solar cycle, where sunspot activity, solar flares, and the output of 
cosmic particles and solar radiation is at its peak. The Earth's magnetic field, temperature, and 
ozone levels are affected by this cyclic peak.  

Solar Minimum 

The beginning and end of a solar sunspot cycle, when only a few sunspots are usually observed, 
and the output of particles and radiation is normal.  

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.  

Solar Revolution 

Solar Return.  

Solar System 

The Sun and the family of celestial bodies which revolve around it as it journeys through space 
and time. It includes the known planets and their satellites, the numerous asteroids orbiting 
between Mars and Jupiter, the icy Centaurs orbiting between Jupiter and Neptune, plus the 
comets, meteoroids, the Kuiper Belt, the solar wind, dust, gases and radiant energies of the 
interplanetary medium, along with the various hypothetical planets such as Trans‐Pluto 
(Bacchus). It is bounded at its outer extremities by the limit of the Sun's gravitational and 
magnetic influence (heliosphere) at a distance of approx 100 AU from the centre of the Sun. 
Here the solar wind meets the interstellar medium.  

Solar Wind 

A stream of tiny particles of ionised gas and plasma emitted by the Sun. The speed of the solar 
wind is more than 400 kilometres (250 miles) per second in the vicinity of Earth's orbit. The solar 
wind fills the solar system, reaching far beyond the orbit of Pluto. See Solar System.  

Solid Signs 

Fixed Signs.  

Solstice 

Sol+systere, Latin for Sun and standing still. The place in the ecliptic where the Sun appears to 
stand still at its furthest point north or south of the equator, the first degree of Cancer or 
Capricorn. The northernmost point is the summer solstice and the southernmost is the winter 
solstice, when viewed from the northern hemisphere. The Sun at maximum declination appears 
to stand still at these points for about three days. The seasons are reversed in the southern 
hemisphere. See Tropic.  

Solsticial Signs 

Cancer and Capricorn. These signs hold the summer and winter solstices (shortest and longest 
nights). cf Equinoctial Signs.  
Sosigenes of Alexandria 

Deviser of the Julian Calendar. More on the Julian Calendar.  

South Node 

See Dragon's Tail.  

Southern Signs 

Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces. The Sun in these signs has a southern 
declination.  

Spagyric 

Plant alchemy, mainly for medicinal purposes.  

Spagyrist 

Alchemist, particularly one who sought chemical and herbal remedies for the healing of diseases.  

Spear‐Bearer 

A term in ancient Hellenistic astrology for when one planet was seen as protecting, or acting as 
bodyguard for another. Not used in modern astrology.  

Specialis Cycle 

The 20 year cycle between conjunctions of transiting Jupiter and transiting Saturn in the 
heavens.  

Speculum 

A table of the data concerning the planets in a horoscope. Useful in calculating directions.  

Speculum of Aspects 

A table of every degree in a horoscope that may be in aspect with the planets. Useful for noting 
transiting aspects at a glance.  

Spheres 

Ancient astronomers, notably Aristotle, held that the Earth was the centre of the universe and 
that the planets and stars occupied positions in a series of concentric, crystal spheres 
surrounding the Earth, or in the case of the Pythagoreans, a Central Fire. See Music of the 
Spheres.  

Spiritus Mundi 
 Spirit (subtle underlying power) of the World. See Quintessence.  

Square 

Major aspect of 90 degrees, considered malefic (unfavourable). The square (quadrate, or one 
quarter of the zodiacal circumference) signals stress and tension, but can also be dynamic 
insofar as the native is impelled to find a solution to the problem indicated by the planets and 
their positions in the chart. An example of a square would be a planet at 15° Aries (Masculine 
Fire) aspecting another planet or point at 15° Cancer (Feminine Water). The square aspect in 
modern astrology is given an orb of 6°–8°, but the closer the orb is to being exact (partile), the 
more powerful the effect. The Sun and Moon are often allowed more orb. Classical astrology 
allows for signs to be in aspect, so any planet in Aries would be considered square to any planet 
in Cancer or in Capricorn, for example, as these signs are quadrate. This called a platic aspect, as 
opposed to partile. There is some discussion in astrological circles as to whether the opposition 
or the square is the most damaging, because the square always counters masculine to feminine 
signs: Fire (Masc.) vs Water (Fem.); Earth (Fem.) vs Air (Masc.) etc, while the opposition counters 
signs of the same polarity in differing elements (Fire vs Air, or Earth vs Water). Alan Leo holds 
that the square is the most dangerous, but most traditional authorities hold that the opposition 
is the worst. More on Aspects, and Planets.  

Standard Time 

Time adopted in modern time zones. This is not true local or Mean Time and must be corrected 
according to longitude for the accurate calculation of horoscopes.  

Stars 

Visible as tiny points of light in the night sky, stars have been important to mankind since the 
dawn of consciousness. Modern physics declares that each star is an enormous nuclear fireball 
like our Sun – some, such as Antares, being vastly more massive than the Sun – but esoterically 
each star is considered to be the body of a conscious cosmic being (angel, or deva). Another 
tradition, dating at least to Plato, holds that each soul is assigned to a star, and after death 
returns to that star, or if having led an unjust life, must reincarnate on Earth. Certain star 
groupings, such as Orion, Pegasus, etc., are called constellations and visible stars of sufficient 
magnitude have a powerful effect on life on Earth. These "Fixed Stars" appear to be stationary, 
relative to the Earth, whilst "Wandering Stars" (or Planets) appear to move across the zodiac. To 
distinguish, Fixed Stars appear to twinkle in the sky, but Planets shine with an unwavering gleam. 
More on Fixed Stars.  

Stationary (Station) 

A planet in its station appears to be standing still between periods of Retrograde or Direct 
motion. Sun and Moon are never stationary. See Retrograde.  

Stationary Direct 
 A planet stationary at the position of returning to Direct Motion through the zodiac after a 
period of Retrograde Motion. It is the ideal time to make or implement relevant decisions. This 
is considered to be among the most powerful positions for planetary influence, especially in 
Jyotish, or Indian (Vedic) astrology.  

Stationary Retrograde 

A planet stationary at the point of turning retrograde. This is an important position, as it 
indicates the need for rethinking the issues related to condition of the planet, its sign and house, 
as they will be raised in one form or another during the retrograde period.  

Strictures (Against Judgement) 

Certain conditions in a chart restricting its interpretation. Used mainly in Horary, strictures warn 
the astrologer not to proceed, as the chart is likely give faulty information. Lilly presents a 
number of what he calls "Considerations Before Judgement".  

Stellium 

See satellitium.  

Sublimity 

Obsolete term for Essential Dignity.  

Sublunary 

Below the Moon, referring to earthly things, the Moon being the closest celestial sphere to the 
Earth in the Ptolemaic system.  

Sublunary Sphere 

The sphere of the Elements, Fire, Air, Water and Earth, located between the surface of the Earth 
and the sphere of the Moon. According to the system of Aristotle, formalised by Ptolemy, the 
higher spheres (from the Moon outwards) ran on Aether, the quintessence or fifth Element.  

Succedent 

Second, fifth, eighth and eleventh houses in a chart. Corresponding to the fixed signs, they lie 
between the cardinal angles and the cadent houses. Planets in these houses function at around 
50% of their power, based on the strength of an angular placement, which is the most potent.  

Sun 

The Sun, central power source of our solar system, is our very own star, said by science to be a 
vast thermonuclear furnace. Known as "Sol" in Latin and "Helios" in Greek, the masculine Sun 
 also has a spiritual essence and in astrology stands for the individuality in the nativity. He rules 
Leo and is exalted in Aries. More about the Sun.  

Sun Ruler 

Planetary ruler of the Sun Sign.  

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.  

Sunrise Chart 

Chart based on the position of the Sun at sunrise on the day of birth. Useful technique in the 
absence of a known birthtime.  

Sunspots 

Dark patches on the Sun's surface, exhibiting powerful magnetic fields. They are dark due to 
having a lower temperature than their brighter surroundings. Sunspots generally appear in 
groups and can be relatively small (300 km diameter), with larger examples stretching over 
100,000 km. Larger sunspots can last for more than 3 months; small spots, or "pores" can last 
for less than an hour.  

Super Galactic Centre (SGC) 

Central zone of our local Galactic Cluster (an astronomically large area) around which our galaxy, 
the Milky Way, orbits along with a number of other galaxies. This zone is believed to be 
occupied by an immensely super‐massive black hole, and is held by aficionados to be the source 
of spiritual energy and self‐knowledge in this part of the universe (do they mean.. God?). It is 
located in Coma Berenices, the asterism that occupies the space between tropical Virgo and 
tropical Libra. Most authorities pinpoint the SGC at 1 or 2 degrees of Libra.  

SuperMoon 

A term coined in 1979 by astrologer Richard Nolle to describe a New or Full Moon occurring at 
or near perigee (the closest point in the Moon's orbit to Earth). Astronomers call this alignment 
a perigee‐syzygy. SuperMoons are associated with extreme tidal forces in the atmosphere, crust 
and oceans, producing extreme coastal tides, severe storms, powerful earthquakes and volcanic 
eruptions within three days either way of the exact syzygy. Nolle says the effects of SuperMoon 
solar eclipses extend roughly a week before and after the actual event. Other lunar extremes 
(e.g., of declination) can extend the geocosmic stress window by a day or two.  

Superior Planets (Superiors) 
 Saturn, Jupiter and Mars are the traditional Superiors, as in the ancient geocentric system they 
are above (superior to) the Sun. Modern astrologers include Pluto, Neptune, Uranus, Chiron and 
the asteroids, also the trans‐plutonian "planets" such as Trans‐Pluto (Bacchus, or Persephone). 
Their orbits in our modern heliocentric system lie beyond that of the Earth when viewed from 
the Sun. The orbits of the Inferior planets lie between the Earth and the Sun (Vulcan, Moon, 
Mercury and Venus). See Inferior Planets.  

Swift in Course (Swift in Motion) 

A planet moving faster than its mean motion. An accidental dignity.  

Symbol 

An image, token or sign which conveys or transmits a specific significance of a greater concept. 
Symbols represent complex ideas in a highly compressed, simplified and energised format. 
Symbols in themselves can have a measurable effect in their own right, by activating resonant 
frequencies in the unconscious, the subtle or energetic body.  

Synastry 

Art of chart comparison, for analysis of relationships.  

Synchronicity 

The concept popularised by the analytical psychologist C. G. Jung that celestials do not have a 
direct causal effect on phenomena, but rather present a timed map, whereby events and 
characteristics that occur on Earth (marked in the horoscope) can be tracked and interpreted. 
Stars and planets are thought to be "in sync" or "synchronous" with these events and 
phenomena, even though they have no causal relationship. This idea of an "a‐causal 
relationship" or "meaningful coincidence" is not the traditional view, but is popular among 
modern Western psychological astrologers, as it does not seem to require any demonstration of 
causal force involving action at a distance as yet unknown to physics. The idea of the heavenly 
bodies being signs rather than causes is of course an ancient one, but that need not stop 
moderns from reclaiming the turf.  

Synod 

Conjunction of two or more of the heavenly bodies. More of an astronomical term than an 
astrological one, it suggests when used by astrologers the gathering of the relevant celestials for 
a meeting (as in a convention of church elders).  

Synodical Lunation 

The time taken by the Moon from one conjunction with the Sun until the next: 29 days, 12 hours, 
44 minutes and 3 seconds...  
Syzygy 

Pairs or connected things, especially opposites that are yoked together. Also when the Sun, 
Earth and Moon are aligned, especially at an eclipse, though it could be any three celestial 
bodies in a gravitational system. Refer conjunctions and oppositions.  

T
Table of Dignities  

Table setting out the traditional dignities and debilities of planets in the signs. Only the 
traditional planets, including Sun, Moon and Nodes are considered. The outer planets, 
asteroids etc, though worth considering, have no traditional dignity or debility. See Table.  

Table of Houses  

Tables giving signs & degrees for house cusps used in the construction of horoscopes.  

Table of Values  

Table for calculating the planetary weighting, or numerical value when assessing a 
horoscope. See Table.  

Talisman  

A consecrated device or object created at an auspicious time determined by electional 
astrology, in order to capture and compress the appropriate cosmic sympathy, or power. 
Talismans can also be amulets, if designed as protective or apotropaic (warding off evil) 
devices, usually worn as jewellery.  

Tarot 

A mystical set of symbols, most often used in a pack of 78 cards either for personal 
development or for divination. The Tarot is divided into two Arcana (sets of mysteries), the 
first, the 22 Trumps, or Major Arcana being mainly concerned with personal development 
and the second, the Minor Arcana, being the set primarily concerned with divination. In 
readings, the Arcana are shuffled together, then laid out in various patterns to be interpreted 
by the reader. First emerging in Europe in the 14th Century AD, there are now hundreds of 
different sets of Tarot Cards by various authors and designers, the best known being the 
Rider‐Waite deck (Pamela Coleman Smith and A. E. Waite: published by Rider, 1909). Some 
claim great antiquity for the Tarot, dating back to the ancient Egyptians, but this is disputed. 
The Minor Arcana are often mooted as the precursors of our modern playing cards.  
Tarotscopes 

The Tarot is a mystical book that can give insight into the tendencies revealed in the stars. 
Using archetypal symbols to understand ourselves and our roles in the world, our Weekly 
and Monthly Tarotscopes are a reading of the energy surrounding the Sun Sign over the 
forecast period.  

Taurus 

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

Temperament  

Ancient Greek theory of four humours developed by Hippocrates links bodily fluids with 
dispositions or tempers. The temperaments, Sanguine (Blood), Choleric (Yellow Bile), 
Melancholic (Black Bile) and Phlegmatic (Phlegm) relate to the astrological elements Air 
(Sanguine), Fire (Choleric), Earth (Melancholic) and Water (Phlegmatic). See Humours.  

Temples  

Ancient term for Houses.  

Temurah  

Qabbalistic system of encryption of esoteric meanings in certain words (in scripture) by 
substituting one letter for another, according to one of several occult patterns.  

Tenth House  

The tenth chart segment. Governs career and public image. See Mid‐heaven.  

Terms  

Each sign has a range of terms (from Latin: termini), also known as Bounds, ruled by one of 
the five classical planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn). The Sun and Moon have no 
terms. A planet in its own terms is strengthened, while a planet in the terms of another is 
coloured by (acts "in terms of") that planet. Thus Saturn in terms of Venus has reduced 
potential for malevolence, while Venus in terms of Mars has less power for benefit, more 
power of action and so on. There are three known sets of terms, the Egyptian, the Chaldean, 
and the Ptolemaic, which Ptolemy (2nd Century CE) claimed to be "ancient". The tables of 
terms have largely fallen into disuse in modern times, although according to Robert Schmidt 
they were central to the practice of Hellenistic Astrology, where they were known as 
Confines (gk: horia). Here is the traditional order of planetary potencies: 
 • Sign 
• Exaltation 
• Triplicity 
• Terms 
• Faces 

See Ptolemy's Table of Essential Dignities & Debilities.  
Terra  

The planet Earth. See Earth  

Tertiary Progression  

System of progression where one day after birth equals one month of the native's life.  

Testimony  

A term from Hellenistic astrology, meaning a planet forming an attitude, or witness relation, 
saying something about another planet within a figure. For testimony to occur, the figure 
must perfect before either of the two planets leaves its sign ("image"). Schmidt says it is not 
the same as an aspect: "When a planet assumes a figure relative to another in the testimony 
relation, it adopts a stance, attitude, or posture relative to it. The nature of this stance 
depends on the nature of the figure and can be hostile or friendly according to the usual 
classification of figures. When a planet aspects another, the two planets do more than 
merely assume an attitude relative to one another; they actually join in that hostile or 
friendly figure and engage with one another. Planets in a testimony relation are not in 
aspect." – Robert Schmidt, on the ACT Astrology Board.  

Tetrabiblos  

Ptolemy's vastly influential classic work on astrology.  

Tetragonous  

Square (90 degree) aspect.  

Thema Mundi  

Birth chart of the world. An ancient astrological teaching tool, purporting to be the actual 
chart of the beginning of the world. It shows each of the classical planets in their domiciles, 
with Sun in Leo and Moon in Cancer. Cancer is in the ascendant, Aries on the mid‐heaven. 
More on Thema Mundi [offsite].  

Theosophical Society (TS)  
 Founded in New York in 1875 by H. P. Blavatsky, H. S. Olcott, W. Q. Judge, and others. The TS 
fosters an active brotherhood among mankind, seeking to reveal the essential unity of all 
that is, and demonstrate that this unity is fundamental in nature. It promotes the study of 
ancient and modern religion, science, and philosophy, with the aim of exploring the hidden 
side of nature and mankind. This movement has had a profound effect on the development 
of modern astrology, especially through the concepts of self‐realisation, karma, initiation and 
the unfoldment of a divine plan. The most prominent astrologers of the later 19th and early 
20th Centuries were active members.  

Theosophy  

From the Greek theo‐sophia, meaning "divine wisdom". The unifying inner thread or essence 
of being which flows at the heart of religion and spiritual philosophy. See Wisdom Religion.  

Theurgy  

From the Greek theo‐urgia, meaning "sacred rite", or "god‐work" – sacred rites, mysteries 
and ceremonies calling on the universal source using living forms, divine or semi‐divine 
intermediaries (daimones). Magical power and spiritual development sought particularly 
through symbols and signs, musical notes and phrases, astrological correspondences, etc. 
Pythagoras, perhaps the first initiated Western theurgist, received the art from ancient 
Egyptian and Eastern teachers, and had a profound influence on Plato. Theurgy was a prime 
focus of the Neoplatonists following Plotinus, Porphry and Iamblichus.  

Third House 

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

Throne 

Often referred to by modern astrologers as a planet's domicile, or home‐sign, but 
traditionally used only when a planet is in a part of the sign where it has more than one 
dignity.  

Time 

The measurement of the passage of events in terms of their duration within a known frame 
of reference. Time is measured by regular subdivisions of the movement of the Earth through 
space, as it revolves on its axis (day) and maintains its orbit around the Sun (year), along with 
the orbit of the Moon around the Earth (month). As everyone knows, psychological time is 
variable, according to one's age and interest, with time seeming to pass more quickly the 
older one gets, and travelling more slowly when engaged in waiting for a pot to boil, for 
example. In astrology, each hour, day and month, their groupings and subdivisions, are given 
 significance and planetary rulers. Greater periods are measured by the aspects of the 
planetary Chronocrators. Today an hour is fixed as 60 minutes, based on the rate of decay of 
radioactive atoms in an atomic clock. However, in earlier times, the hour was more flexible, 
being defined as one twelfth of the daylight period (or night), so only being sixty minutes as 
we know them at the time of the Equinox (although they could and did measure exact times 
with such devices as the hourglass and water‐clock). Modern relativistic physics counts the 
concept of time as a fourth dimension of space, thus positing a four‐dimensional space‐time 
continuum, in which time is flexible and, relative to an observer, varies according to the 
acceleration and mass of an object. Advanced mathematics operates within an even greater 
number of theoretical dimensions, with the most radical suggesting (a bit like Buddhist 
philosophy) that limitless numbers of universes split off constantly and continue to exist and 
develop in other temporal dimensions. Mystical belief often states that time is an illusion, 
being purely the movement of our consciousness along the continuum, a way of organising 
the interwoven tapestry of existence. Both of these ideas are supported somewhat by 
astrology, because if prediction is possible, then the predicted event must at least in some 
sense already exist; moreover if the potential for free‐will exists, then alternate dimensions 
must also exist, so that a "choice" can be made and the progressions and transits apply at a 
different level of awareness. It's a tricky concept...  

Time Lord 

Chronocrator, or marker of specific time periods. See Chronocrator.  

Time Zone 

Each country has its own standardized time zone measured in hours east or west of 
Greenwich, spread in bands across the globe. Some countries have more than one time zone, 
e.g. the USA, Australia, Russia etc. The reason is that local mean time needs to be smoothed 
out over a fairly large geographical area to enable the coordination of everyone's clocks in 
that range. But real time is based on the rising and setting of the Sun, so it's not reasonable 
to expect that people in California should get up with New York people, when the Sun rises 
three hours earlier in the EST (Eastern Standard Time) zone than it does in California. In other 
words, when it is 7 AM in New York, it is 4 AM in San Francisco. Similarly, when it is midnight 
in Greenwich, it is 10 AM in Sydney, 8 AM in Perth and so on. In astrological calculations, 
however, we need to calculate the exact local time in order to find accurate positions of the 
planets and the rising sign etc so that the correct chart can be drawn up. Planetary positions 
in the ephemerides and houses in the tables are set according to UT (Universal Time, a more 
accurate version of GMT based on atomic clocks) which needs to be adjusted according to 
the local time, expressed in latitude and longitude. Ephemeris Time, an older way of 
reconciling the variability of the Earth's orbit, has not been used since Jan 1, 1984.  
Titan 

The largest of Saturn's moons, discovered in 1655 by Christiaan Huygens. Titan has a thick 
atmosphere and is larger in diameter than Mercury and larger and more massive than Pluto, 
though somewhat smaller than Ganymede, Jupiter's largest moon. It was long thought that 
Titan was the largest satellite in the solar system, but recent observations have shown that 
Titan's atmosphere is so thick that its solid surface is slightly smaller than Ganymede's. In 
Greek mythology the Titans were a family of giants, the children of Uranus and Gaia, who 
sought to rule the heavens but were overthrown by the family of Zeus (Jupiter). It has no 
known astrological significance.  

Topocentric 

A house system developed by Wendel Polich and A. P. Nelson Page in the 1960's. They state 
that their system was based empirically by projecting known events onto a chart, rather than 
using mathematical points derived from trisection, or any relationship with Great Circles, as 
in other systems. It is based on the plane‐of‐hour angles in function of ascension, with the 
centre at the place of birth. In practice, the cusps seem to be close to Placidus, so is not a 
solution for higher latitudes.  

Transit  

1. A planet's movement in the heavens (subsequent to birth) over or in aspect to 
factors in the natal or progressed chart, or in aspect to other transiting factors. The 
closer the two bodies are in declination, the greater will be the effect of the transit; 
conversely, the further apart they are in declination, the lesser the effect. Transits 
have noticeable effects on the world, in particular on individuals' lives, according to 
where they occur in the natal chart. For an individual, transits are particularly 
effective if they coincide with progressions, not so effective otherwise. 
2. Transit means movement through or across, so a planet may also be said to transit a 
sign, or a house.  
3. Astronomically, it can also mean crossing the face of the Sun, as in the rare "Transit 
of Venus", or indeed any other celestial. 
4. Classical astrologers, such as Valens, consider that a transit is only important in terms 
of its effect on the native's life if the planet is a time lord at the time, though I'd say 
this is certainly not the case for the slow‐moving outer planets discovered in modern 
times, particularly Uranus and Pluto. I also have my doubts about the classical 
planets in this regard, especially Jupiter and Saturn. 

Transit (Mute)  
A mute transit is when a transit has no noticeable effect. Classical astrologers hold that a 
transit should only be considered if the planet is the current time lord, and so able to testify, 
otherwise it will be mute.  
Translation of Light  

A planet separating from an aspect to a slower moving planet forms an aspect to another 
while still within orb of the original aspect. This forms a chain of influence between the three 
factors.  

Trans‐Neptunian Objects  

According to the IAU, any object in the Solar System orbiting the Sun at a greater distance on 
average than Neptune. The Kuiper Belt, Scattered Disc, and Oort Cloud are three main 
divisions of this zone. The first trans‐Neptunian object to be discovered was Pluto in 1930, 
now declared to be a Dwarf Planet. The largest known TNO is Eris (discovered 2005), which is 
apparently more massive than Pluto and already has an astrological following of sorts, 
despite its "astronomical" orbit of 557 years. It remains to be seen whether any other TNO's 
will have astrological significance, as at the time of writing (May 2009) nearly 200 of them 
have been given a permanent minor planet designation.  

Trans‐personal Planets 

Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.  

Trans‐Pluto 

A.k.a. Bacchus or Persephone, this planet is postulated as orbiting beyond the outermost 
known planet, Pluto (could this be the newly discovered Eris?). It has been proposed that it 
rule Taurus. A bit far‐fetched in my opinion...  

Trecile  

See Tredecile.  

Tredecile (sesquiquintile)  

Kepler's 108 degree aspect, which is somewhat favourable. Used in Horary Astrology.  

Tree of Life  

A mystical symbol at the heart of Kabbalistic philosophy, the occult interpretation of the 
Jewish scriptures. Describing the course of the Creative Will as it energises the material 
world, the 32 paths of the Tree of Life include the first 10 of the Sephiroth (excepting Daath, 
the secret sephira). The remaining 22 mark the channels of energy joining the Sefiroth 
together. Each of these corresponds to one of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The 
personal aspect of the Tree outlines the pathway of the evolution of the human soul on its 
way back to its divine origins. This symbol (and the Kabbalah as a whole) is not in itself 
religious, but more a philosophical system that can be employed by any student of the occult 
 world, of whatever creed.  

Trigon  

See Triplicity.  

Trigonalis  

When the series of Jupiter‐Saturn alignments changes from one element to the next. This 
Great Chronocrator cycle lasts approximately two hundred years and marks very significant 
social and political developments. See Chronocrators.  

Trine  

Major aspect of 120 degrees, considered benefic (favourable). The trine (one third of the 
circumference of the zodiacal circle) nourishes the continuous use of natural talents and 
abilities, is an area of comfort, and can assist the native in the expression of harmony in the 
areas denoted by the planets and houses stimulated. However, it can also mark problems 
through laziness and overconfidence. An example of a trine would be a planet at 15° Aries 
aspecting another planet or point at 15° Leo. The trine aspect in modern astrology is given an 
orb of 8°, but the closer the orb is to being exact (partile), the more powerful the effect. The 
Sun and Moon are often allowed more orb. Trines connect via triplicity (in the same element: 
Fire to Fire, Air to Air, Earth to Earth, Water to Water). Classical astrology allows for signs to 
be in aspect, so any planet in Aries would be considered trine to any planet in Leo or in 
Sagittarius, for example. This called a platic aspect, as opposed to partile. More on Aspects, 
and Planets.  

Triplicity  

An equilateral triangle superimposed on an astrological chart, each point indicating signs of 
the same element. Each triplicity has a specific planetary ruler, differing by day and night, 
given a weighting of 3. There are four triplicities, representing the elements of Fire, Earth, Air 
and Water. 

Fire  Earth  Air  Water 

• Aries  • Taurus  • Gemini  • Cancer 

• Leo  • Virgo  • Libra  • Scorpio 
• Sagittarius  • Capricorn  • Aquarius  • Pisces 

Tropic  

The line of latitude, approx. 23° 28' either north (Cancer) or south (Capricorn) of the equator, 
corresponding to the furthest point of the ecliptic. The place where the Sun pauses, then 
 reverses its declination at the summer and winter solstices.  

Tropical Signs  

Cancer and Capricorn.  

Tropical Zodiac  

Zodiacal system geometrically based on the Sun's relationship to the equinoxes and solstices 
(the seasons), as opposed to the Sidereal Zodiac, which is theoretically based upon actual 
stellar positions (the constellations). Also known as the Moveable Zodiac, its beginning (the 
first degree of Aries, or Vernal Point) slowly moves by precession relative to the Fixed Zodiac 
(the Sidereal Zodiac). See Zodiac.  

True Node  

See Nodes.  

T‐square  

A stressful and dynamic aspect comprising two planets in opposition whilst being 
simultaneously in square aspect to a third, the focus of the T‐square.  

Twelfth House 

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

U
Umbra 

The dark central zone of the Moon's shadow during a solar eclipse. It is surrounded by the 
penumbra, the lighter, outer zone of the shadow. In a lunar eclipse, the darker part of the 
Earth's shadow is called the umbra, and the lighter part the penumbra.  

Unaspected Planet 

A planet forming no major aspect to any other planet in the chart is considered unaspected. 
Often displays a lack of integration into the conscious personality and promotes the energy of 
the sign it occupies.  

Undecile 
 Minor aspect expressing one‐eleventh of a circle, when two planets are plus or minus 32° 43' 
07" apart (approx. 33°). Said to indicate psychic gifts and technological matters, especially 
connected with science and computers.  

Under the Sun's Beams (Under Beams)  

1. Within 17 degrees of the Sun. Any planet here is weakened, though more so if combust 
(within 8 degrees 30 minutes). Not so important in natal astrology. Devore states that 
the orb of aspect of the Sun by conjunction or opposition is up to 17° and the part 
"under beams" is the non‐combust zone of the aspect, i.e. between 8º30' and 17º00'. 
2. Traditionally, the way to calculate whether or not a planet is under beams is to add the 
moieties of the planet and of the Sun together. If the planet lies within that distance 
from the Sun, but greater than 8°30', it lies under beams. For example, the moiety of the 
Sun is 8°30' and the moiety of Saturn is 5°00'; if we add these together we get 13°30', so 
should Saturn be placed within 13°30' of the Sun's position, it would be under beams. 

Universal Astrology 
One of the three branches of Hellenistic Astrology, dealing with the prediction of the weather, 
geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, and events affecting entire countries, cities, or 
populations, such as plagues and wars. See Mundane Astrology.  

Universe 

In modern times, the entirety of the space‐time continuum in which we live, including all matter 
and energy, space and time, planets, stars, atoms, things, thoughts and beings. Recent 
discoveries include dark matter and dark energy in this list. Whether alternate dimensions are 
alternate universes is a moot point.  

Unwandering Stars 

Fixed Stars.  

Urania 

In Greek mythology, Urania is the muse of astronomy and astrology. She is able to foretell the 
future by the position of the stars.  

Uranian Planets 

Planets postulated to lie beyond the orbit of Neptune. Also known as trans‐neptunian planets, 
these were postulated in 1914 by Alfred Witte (Cupido, Hades, Zeus and Kronos), founder of the 
Hamburg School, and more were added later by Friedrich Sieggrün (Pluto, Apollon, Admetos, 
Vulcanus and Poseidon). Only Pluto has so far been discovered by science, in 1930 by Clyde 
Tombaugh at the Percival Lowell observatory.  

Uranium 
 Uranium (symbol "U" and atomic number 92), a silvery‐grey metallic substance, is the heaviest 
element found in nature. It is radioactive and used to fuel nuclear reactors. Ruled by Uranus, it is 
40 times more common than silver, but decays over time into lead. Lead is ruled by Saturn. 
Interestingly, Uranus and Saturn are the planets designated by many modern astrologers as co‐
rulers of the sign Aquarius.  

Uranus 

Formerly known as Herschel (after its discoverer, Sir William Herschel), this planet, one of the 
outer trans‐personal planets, was not discovered until March 13, 1781. Although not readily 
visible to the naked eye, there is evidence that ancient astronomers had observed (and named) 
Uranus, though it was not included in the schema of astrology, perhaps due to its dimness and 
slow movement. Some modern astrologers hold that it rules Aquarius; others allow it co‐
rulership with Saturn, though traditional astrologers deny that Uranus has any pretensions to 
sign‐rulership. It stands for unexpected disruptions and sudden catastrophes. Esoterically, it calls 
forth the genius in the character of the native. More on Uranus.  

Uranus Opposition 

When Uranus by transit reaches the opposite point to his natal position in a chart. The aspect, 
occurring at around 40 years of age, might best be described as a sign of the mid‐life crisis.  

V
Vaastu (Vãstu)  

Indigenous Indian variety of Feng Shui. Involving geomancy and astrologically correct placement 
of energies in the home and business, this ancient discipline is widely employed among Indian 
communities to this day.  

Vacua Cursus  

Latin for Void of Course.  

Varga  

There are 16 divisional modes (vargas) of the natal chart in Jyotish (Vedic) astrology. Based on 
fractions of each sign, each varga gives light on a different side of the character.  

Veda  

Ancient Indian scriptures, comprising the original basis of the Hindu religions and philosophies, 
including related teachings such as Yoga, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and even Hare Krishna! 
There are four Vedas:  
 1. Rig‐Veda, the most ancient 
2. Yajur‐Veda, sacrificial formulæ 
3. Sama‐Veda, ritual hymns and chants; mystic formulæ 
4. Atharva‐Veda, spells and magical incantations; philosophical speculations 

The Vedas, believed to be eternal truths revealed anew at the beginning of every new age, were 
originally composed and sung in Sanskrit, one of the earliest of the Indo‐European tongues, from 
which most of the modern languages of Europe, the Middle East and India have ultimately 
descended.  
Vedanta  

"The end of the Vedas". Originally comprising the Upanishads or esoteric forest teachings that 
grew out of the Vedic religion taught by ancient gurus to their closest disciples. It developed into 
a philosophical school, which holds that the basis of all life is divine and that the goal of life is to 
realise the divinity inherent in our nature.  

Vedic Astrology  

A system of astrology (a.k.a. Jyotish) favoured in India, ultimately deriving from the teachings of 
the Indian scriptures (Vedas). The controversial term "Vedic" astrology is a very recent, 
apparently Western invention, mainly to avoid the term "Hindu" astrology—the Jyotish system 
having been devised in antiquity, but long after the Vedas were originally composed. The prime 
differences from modern Western Tropical Astrology include: the employment of the Sidereal 
Zodiac; planetary periods (dasha) and sub‐periods (bhukti); the idea of planetary "friends" and 
"enemies"; divisional modes (varga); the pre‐eminence of the Moon (Chandra) and the use of 
the nakshatras, or Lunar Mansions.  

Venus  

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

Vernal Equinox  

Spring Equinox (northern hemisphere). The first degree of Aries, the beginning of the 
astrological year, when the Sun crosses the celestial equator from south to north. In the 
southern hemisphere it is the Autumnal Equinox. More on the Equinox.  

Vernal Point  

Point on the ecliptic marking the position of the Sun at the moment of the Vernal Equinox. It is 
defined as the first degree of Aries in the Tropical Zodiac. This point moves backwards through 
the sidereal zodiac at the rate of a little over one degree every 72 years. This movement is called 
 the Precession of the Equinoxes. The current location (2009) of the Vernal Point in the sidereal 
zodiac is at approximately 5 degrees of sidereal Pisces.  

Vertex  

1. Point used by some astrologers to represent the inner life of the ascendant. Calculated 
by inverting the degree of the Ascendant (i.e., calculating the degree of the ascendant as 
if the native were born in the opposite hemisphere and calling this point the Vertex), it 
is the point where the prime vertical intersects the ecliptic and is always found west of 
the meridien. It can be above or below the horizon. 
2. A malefic Fixed Star (really a nebula) in the constellation Andromeda on the 28th degree 
of tropical Aries. This is the famed Andromeda Galaxy. 

Verticle  
The prime verticle (vertical), or circle of observation, is a Great Circle passing directly overhead 
from due east to due west, in which an observer stands when facing south. This circle is divided 
into 12 equal parts, comprising the 12 houses through which the signs and planets seem to pass 
obliquely in their apparent diurnal motion from east to west. See Prime Vertical.  

Vespertine  

A planet setting in the evening after sunset. See Matutine.  

Vesta  

The Eternal Flame; goddess of the hearth, representing personal integration, dedication and 
commitment. An asteroid seen by modern astrologers as significant. More about Asteroids.  

Via Combusta  

"The Burning Way". A problematic area of the zodiac between 15° Libra and 15° Scorpio. It is 
especially difficult for the Moon. In a horary chart, the Moon in the via combusta is widely held 
to be a stricture against judgement.  

Vigintile (semi‐decile)  

One of Kepler's minor aspects. 18 degrees, somewhat positive.  

Virgo 

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

Visible Planets  
 The planets visible to the naked eye: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. Sun and Moon 
are also classed as visible planets in astrology. Uranus is visible without a telescope under some 
circumstances, but is not included in the schema.  

Vital Force 

Animating principle, or life force (élan vital), without which life cannot exist. It has been 
described as an organizing, formative, and therefore ultimately spiritual force. A non‐
materialistic essence no longer recognised by Western material science, it remains the 
expression of spirit in living beings, underlying yet beyond the physical and chemical reactions of 
the organism. See Vitalism.  

Vitalism 

The doctrine that all the functions of a living organism are the consequence of a deep vital 
principle, a life force distinct from all chemical and physical reactions. This principle is applied to 
physical, inorganic environments, as well as organic beings, hence the idea that all things are 
connected. Inorganic consciousness—vital force—can be actively present in substances such as 
crystals, gems and so on, just as a valley, a forest, or a river can have a consciousness, as held by 
animist religions. Planetary consciousness is also taught is esoteric schools. More on Vitalism.  

Void (degrees)  

Certain degrees traditionally believed to cause incompetence, lack of understanding and poor 
judgement when holding the Moon, the Lord of the ascendant, the Lord of the figure, or the 
ascendant in a nativity.  

Void of Course  

When a planet forms no further aspect for the remainder of its time in a sign in which it is 
located (before changing to the next sign). Used mainly for the Moon in Horary Astrology, it is 
said by most modern astrologers that it indicates that nothing will come of the matter. It is a 
testimony that the horary chart is not radical. William Lilly, a prime authority on traditional 
astrology, holds that the Moon is not VoC if inside a moiety of an aspect, even if the aspected 
planet lies out of sign. He also holds that the Moon is never dangerously VoC in Taurus, Cancer, 
Sagittarius, or Pisces. Moreover he says that VoC does not necessarily signify that nothing will 
come of a matter, but that things "go hardly on" (i.e. "proceed with difficulty", unless the 
significators be strong, in which case there is no real problem with the Moon being VoC).  

Vulcan 

A hypothetical planet supposed to lie inside the orbit of Mercury. Originally postulated to 
account for perturbations in planetary orbits, this planet is no longer supposed to exist by 
science, although some astrologers claim it as a sort of spiritual entity having power in a 
horoscope. Observations of Vulcan have been made by astronomers, but the odds are that they 
 did not see an intra‐Mercurial planet, but something else, such as a star, asteroid, comet, or 
sunspot. Were these actual observations of massive UFO's..?  

Vulcanoids 

Postulated belt of small asteroids orbiting the Sun within the orbit of Mercury. These were 
postulated to explain the Vulcan "sightings", but so far have no reliable scientific verification. 
They also have no astrological significance.  

Vulcanus 

A hypothetical Trans‐Neptunian planet used in Uranian astrology.  

W
Waite, Arthur Edward  

A. E. Waite (Oct 2, 1857–May 19, 1942) was an occultist and co‐creator with artist Pamela 
Coleman‐Smith of the popular Rider‐Waite Tarot deck and author of its companion volume, the 
Pictorial Key to the Tarot. He also wrote occult texts on subjects including divination, 
Rosicrucianism, Freemasonry, black and ceremonial magic, Kabbalism and alchemy. Waite 
translated and reissued several important mystical and alchemical works.  

Waning Aspect  

When an aspect is made from the faster to the slower planet against the order of the signs. For 
example, a waning square is from Sun in Aries to say Saturn in Capricorn (not Saturn in Cancer, a 
waxing square). Neither conjunction nor opposition can be said to be waning or waxing. Not to 
be confused with separating aspect.  

Waning Moon  

The Moon moving from Full Moon to New Moon, i.e. from her opposition to the Sun until she 
reaches the conjunction. The bright, visible body of the Moon slowly diminishes during the 
waning phase. See Moon Phases.  

Watchers  

The Royal Stars of Persia were Fixed Stars of particular significance, first declared as Watchers, 
or Guardians of the World, by ancient Persian astrologers at around 3000 BC, when they stood 
at the four angles of the Heavens. These stars were also assigned angelic status by the Hebrews. 
There are four Royal Stars: 

• Aldebaran, the Archangel Michael, Watcher of the East, ruler of the Vernal Equinox 
• Regulus, the Archangel Raphael, Watcher of the North, ruler of the Summer Solstice 
 • Antares, the Archangel Oriel, Watcher of the West, ruler of the Autumnal Equinox  
• Fomalhaut, the Archangel Gabriel, Watcher of the South, ruler of the Winter Solstice. 

Regulus is usually considered the "most royal", although Aldebaran has his proponents. More on 
Fixed Stars.  
Water‐Bearer  

The emblem for the sign Aquarius. Aquarius, however, is not a Water Sign, it is an Air Sign. More 
about Aquarius.  

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)  

Watery Triplicity  

The Water Signs: Cancer; Scorpio; Pisces. These signs are cold and moist by nature and 
phlegmatic by temperament.  

Wave  

A rhythmic energetic pattern that does not have mass as generally understood, but is rather an 
oscillation in or of a medium. The wave is the basis of all sources of radiation, such as sound 
waves and electromagnetic waves, Hertzian waves, infrared and ultra‐violet rays, visible 
radiations, etc. According to the latest interpretations of quantum phenomena, waves are the 
ultimate basic structure of matter, energy, space and time.  

Wave Structure of Matter  

Theoretical development from Quantum Mechanics that permits an understanding of the 
vibratory structure of the universe defining a "particle" of matter as an appearance rather than 
a genuine phenomenon. WSM defines Space as the medium in which waves, or rhythmic 
energetic patterns, are transmitted and interact with each other, moving inwards and outwards 
at the quantum level, producing phenomena that our senses interpret as matter and energy. 
Space is thus not empty, but the matrix and substance of everything.  

Waxing Aspect  

When an aspect is made from the faster to the slower planet in the order of the signs. For 
example, a waxing square is from Sun in Aries to say Saturn in Cancer (not Saturn in Capricorn, a 
waning square). Neither conjunction nor opposition can be said to be waning or waxing. Not to 
be confused with applying aspect.  
Waxing Moon  

The Moon moving from New Moon to Full Moon, i.e. from her conjunction with the Sun until 
she reaches the opposition. The bright, visible body of the Moon slowly expands during the 
waxing phase. See Moon Phases.  

Whole Sign Houses  

Ancient system of house division where a house is considered co‐extensive with its sign. Similar 
to Equal House system, but differs in that the first house begins with the first degree of its ruling 
sign, rather than the rising degree. The mid‐heaven and ascending degree are not counted as 
house cusps, but rather sensitive points. Used today mainly in India, but as Hellenistic astrology 
is better understood, it is becoming more popular in the West.  

Wisdom Religion  

According to the Blavatsky Trust, Theosophy, the Wisdom Religion, is the knowledge of the laws, 
principles, processes and nature of Nature herself in all departments, both objective and 
subjective, and at all levels of being and operation, physical, emotional, mental, supermental 
and spiritual. Some quotes: Theosophy is "the science of sciences; the ageless wisdom; the 
Western Mystery Tradition; the shoreless ocean of universal truth, love and wisdom; divine 
nature, visible and invisible; the aggregate of the knowledge and wisdom that underlie the 
Universe; the essence of all religion and of absolute truth; scientific Theosophy (is) based on 
accurate knowledge of Nature's secret workings." "It is the last word of possible human 
knowledge; the Wisdom‐Religion. All the old worships indicate the existence of a single 
theosophy anterior to them." Theosophy is "the root and trunk of the tree of which all religions 
are branches." It is "the Esoteric Science; the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven; the synthesis 
of science, religion and philosophy ." It is sometimes called the Secret Doctrine. See What 
Theosophy Is (offsite).  

Wolf‐Rayet (WR) Stars  

Evolved, massive stars (over 20 solar masses initially) losing mass rapidly via an intense stellar 
wind, at up to 2000 km/s. WR stars are at an evolutionary phase in the lives of massive stars 
during which they undergo heavy mass loss. The Sun loses approx. 10‐14 solar masses every year, 
Wolf‐Rayet stars typically lose 10‐5 solar masses a year (100 million times the Sun's loss!) 
comparable with supernovæ. Discovered in 1867 (by Wolf and Rayet), these stars are hot, with 
surface temp between 25,000 K & 50,000 K. There is no astrological connotation for WR in itself, 
as it is a modern discovery and most are too distant to register. The WR most readily seen is γ 
(Gamma) Velorum, Mg 1.7 in the Sail of Argo Navis in the Southern Hemisphere.  

World Soul  

The Anima Mundi of ancient philosophers, such as Plato.  
WSM  

Wave Structure of Matter.  

X
Xena  

This "Dwarf Planet" is now known as Eris. Eris and its moon, Dysnomia, lie beyond Pluto in the 
Kuiper Belt.  
Discovered on October 21, 2003 by Brown, Trujillo and Rabinowitz at Mt Palomar and known as 
2003 UB313 the provisionally‐named Xena appears to be more massive than Pluto. It is part of a 
newly‐proposed class of astronomical objects called Plutons. Xena has a moon informally known 
as Gabrielle, Xena's friend in the TV series Xena, the Warrior Princess. Gabrielle is also 
considered a Pluton, though if it really is a moon of Xena, it's hard to see why, based on the 
proposed definition. Neither have any accepted astrological significance. See Planet. 
NOTE: I have left this here as otherwise we'd have no "X"! – ed.  
 
There are no other terms in Astrology beginning with X, save some medical expressions used in 
Medical Astrology.  

Y
Yang  

Masculine polarity of the Tao, opposed to and intertwined with Yin, the feminine polarity. See 
Polarity.  

Yin  

Feminine polarity of the Tao, opposed to and intertwined with Yang, the masculine polarity. See 
Polarity.  

Yod  

A powerful aspect. See Finger of God.  

Yoga  

In Vedic astrology, a powerful planetary relationship (Yoga="Union"). Not to be confused with 
the Yoga Philosophy and related disciplines.  

Yogakaraka  
 In Vedic astrology, the most beneficial planet in a horoscope because of its house rulership 
(Karaka="Indicator", or "significator"). For example Mars is yogakaraka in a Vedic chart with 
Pisces rising, because it rules the 9th and 2nd houses.  

Yuga  

One of four epochs dividing a cosmic Age (kalpa) of 10,000 Divine Years. The Yugas are Satya 
Yuga (Golden Age of Truth), Treta Yuga (Silver Age of Righteousness), Dwapara Yuga (Bronze 
Age of Knowledge) and Kali Yuga (the current Age of Darkness).  

Yuti  

Vedic astrology term for conjunction.  

Youth (phase of)  

The period of life from birth up to the first Saturn Return.  

Z
Zaminium  

Bonatus so names the fortunate conjunction of a planet with the "heart of the Sun". See Cazimi.  

Zenith  

The point directly overhead, or highest point. Also the mid‐heaven (MC).  

Zero Point  

The origin of a co‐ordinate point system in mathematics, in mystical terms it is a point in time 
and space where matter and anti‐matter merge. It has been deemed also to be the point in the 
cosmic ground of being where an individual monad or spark of consciousness is located. A void 
which is paradoxically a plenum. Certain schools of yoga and the qabbala hold that this point is 
to be found in each human heart and is the spiritual focal point for the formation of the human 
body/mind and soul.  

Zero Point Energy (ZPE)  

In physics, the zero‐point energy is the lowest possible energy that a quantum mechanical 
physical system may have and is the energy of the ground state. This is the basis for the idea 
that the Spherical Standing Wave Structure of Matter (WSM) may allow the harnessing of 
unlimited energy from spirit.  

Zeus  
 Zeus, the Thunderer, was the leader of the ancient Olympian Gods, the equivalent in Greek of 
Jupiter.  

Zodiac  

The "circle of animals". A zone or belt in space through which, from our viewpoint, the planets 
move. A symbolic geometric construction around 15 to 18 degrees wide, it is divided into 12 
signs, each of 30 degrees longitude (making 360 degrees in all), with the ecliptic, the apparent 
path of the Sun, as its middle line.  

1. Zodiac [Fixed]: the sidereal zodiac of the fixed stars, based on the constellations 
2. Zodiac [Moveable, or Natural]: the tropical zodiac of the seasons, so called because its 
starting point, the first degree of Aries (the Vernal Point, or Equinox), moves very 
slightly by precession with regard to the constellations of the Fixed Zodiac 
3. Zodiac [Sidereal]: the Fixed Zodiac 
4. Zodiac [Tropical]: the Moveable Zodiac 

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

Zodiacal Light  

The "False Dawn" of the The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. It is now believed by scientists to be 
sunlight reflected from the cosmic dust left over from the formation of the planets, billions of 
years ago. It is usually seen projected as a faint backdrop to the Zodiac, either before dawn, or 
else after sunset, depending on the time of year.  

Zodiacal Parallel  

See Parallel Aspects.  

Zohar  

The Book of Splendour (hebrew: Sepher ha‐Zohar), attributed to first century Rabbi Simeon Ben 
Iochai, the Zohar is one of the most important kabbalistic documents, containing material that 
dates back to the time of the Chaldeans. Said to contain the ancient keys to the mysteries of 
existence, modern Hebrew scholars declare there is internal evidence that at least parts of the 
Zohar were not written until after 1264 CE.  

Zoidia  

Plural of Zoidion.  

Zoidion  

Ancient Greek name for Sign, which imputes the sense of a living being (or the image of a living 
being) rather than just a spatial container (ie for planets etc).  
 

Astrological Terminology Dictionary

Adjusted calculation date: The day on which the planetary positions shown in the ephemeris
coincide with the progressed positions of the planets. The ACD stays the same year to year.

Affliction: An tension producing aspect in the chart such as a square, semi-square or quincunx.

Astrological age. A period of time that is approximately 2150 years. It represents the time
necessary for the vernal equinox to retrograde through the 30 degrees of any one of the
constellations. Astrologers generally believe that the earth is now moving from the Age of Pisces
into the Age of Aquarius.

Air signs: The mental signs; Gemini, Libra and Aquarius.

Angles: Angles refer to the four points of the horoscope chart which divides the chart into 4
equal parts. These are the Ascendant, The Midheaven, the Descendent and the Immum Coeli.
The planets situated close to the angles are particularly influential.

Angular houses: Angular houses are similar to the Cardinal signs. These are the 1st, 4th, 7th,
and 10th houses.

Apparent motion: this is the motion of any heavenly body as viewed from Earth when
measured geocentrically versus their actual movements (heliocentric). Planets appear to rise over
the horizon, but in fact are actually moving in the opposite direction around the sun.

Applying and separating (aspects): whenever two planets are just about to form an aspect, the
faster moving planet is said to be applying. As the two planets move away from the exact aspect
they are called; separating.

Arc: A distance between two points on a circle.

Ascendant: The sign degree rising over the eastern horizon at the time of birth. Each degree
stays on the horizon approximately 4 minutes.

Ascension: (short and long.) Signs of long ascension take more time to rise than signs of short
ascension. Depending on the obliquity of the ecliptic, some zodiac signs rise over the horizon
more rapidly than other signs. The signs of long ascension In the Northern Hemisphere, are
Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio and Sagittarius. Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio and
Sagittarius are signs of short ascension, South of the equator.

Aspect: An aspect is an angular interconnection between horoscope factors. The aspects usually
considered are those involving planets and house cusps. Aspects are deemed to be either
favorable or unfavorable according to the temperament of the planets involved and the number of
degrees separating the planets.

Asteroid: Asteroids are thought to be remains of smashed planets. An asteroid is a very small "
planet" in a band that revolves around the Sun between Mars and Jupiter.

Astrologer: A person who studies and practices the art of astrology.

Astrology: The art of interpreting the meanings of connections between the movements of
heavenly bodies and happenings on Earth. Astrology deals with the discretionary state of mind as
well as with hard facts. Some branches of astrology are; Electional, Esoteric, Horary, Medical
and Mundane.

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Benefic: Benefic planets are considered to bestow favorable influences. Jupiter is designated as
the greater benefic and Venus the lesser benefic.

Birth time: The exact moment of birth, considered to be the moment the baby takes it's very first
breath of life.

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Cadent houses: These are the 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12th houses of the horoscope.

Cardinal signs: Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. These are signs which are initiating.

Celestial equator: The earth's equator projected into space.

Chart: A horoscope drawn up for a individual's birth date or for an event date.

Combust: A planet is said to be combust when it is in close conjunction with the sun.

Constellation: A grouping of stars which form a pattern in the sky. For example: The 12 zodiac
constellations which are found on the ecliptical belt share identical names, although they are not
found in the same locations as the 12 signs of the zodiac.

Culmination: When a planet is positioned on or near the Midheaven in a horoscope chart, it is

said to be culminating.

Cusps: In astrology the word cusp refers to the lines which divide the houses or signs in a natal
horoscope chart.

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Day houses: The six houses of a horoscope which are above the chart horizon (horizontal line
dividing the wheel).

Daylight savings time: if daylight savings time is being observed when a natal chart is erected,
it is necessary to subtract one hour from his own standard.

Debility: A planet in it's detriment.

Decanate: A whole sign equals 30 degrees. Each sign includes 3 decanates made up of 10
degrees each.

Declination: This is the distance either north or south of the celestial equator. This should not be
confused with latitude. Planets with the same declination are also said to be in parallel aspect to
each other.

Degree meanings: The premise that each of the 360 degrees in the zodiac has its own meaning.

Descendant: The point exactly opposite the ascendant.

Dignities: Refers to the affinities between signs and planets.

Direct: The opposite of retrograde. Designated in the ephemeris by the letter D.

Directions: The aspects between progressed planets or transits, and natal planets, cusps or angles.
The motion of these aspects are followed so that the astrologer may determine when certain
effects will function and in what manner they are likely to manifest.

Dispositor: the planet ruling the sign in which another planet appears. Thus if, Jupiter were in
Capricorn, it's dispositor would be Saturn.

Dragon's head and tail: The Dragon's Head is another name for the North Node. The Dragon's
Tail is another name for the South Node. See nodes.

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Earth signs: The signs of practicality. Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn.

Eclipse: (Solar and Lunar) When a solar eclipse occurs, it means that the moon is passing
between the Sun and the Earth, thereby, blocking the light of the Sun. When a lunar eclipse
occurs, it means that the earth is passing between the Sun and Moon, which casts a shadow on
the Moon.

Electional astrology: a branch of astrology in which the astrologer ascertains the most favorable
date and time within a given time frame for a particular action. The undertaking is then
intentionally started at this opportune moment.
Elements: In astrology these are Fire, Earth, Air and Water.

Elevation: In a chart this would be a planet near the Midheaven and therefore, it is given more
emphasis.

Ephemeris: A book comprised of astronomical tables describing daily positions by signs and
degrees of the Sun, Moon and all of the planets.

Equator: The celestial equator means the plane of the terrestrial equator projected out and onto
what is known as the celestial sphere. The circle of the earth that is an equal distance from the
two poles is called the terrestrial equator.

Equinox: Means equal night and marks the beginning of spring and fall. As the sun passes the
point of the Equinox, the days and nights become equal in length. The Equinox's are times when
the sun moves into the first degree of Aries. This is often referred to as the Vernal Equinox. Then
again when the Sun moves into the first degree of Libra. This is often referred to as the
Autumnal Equinox.

Esoteric: Refers to certain philosophical teachings normally known only to those who have been
especially initiated. Information and teachings understood by or meant to be shared with only a
select few.

Esoteric astrology: Astrology and the occult.

Exaltation: A planet in exaltation means that a planet resides in the sign where it is most
harmoniously placed.

Excitation: This refers to the energies of progressed planets being released by current transits
which are the same as the progressed planets in the chart. For example: If progressed Venus is
conjunct natal Uranus then the current transits of Venus over Uranus would be given more
significance in a chart reading.

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Fall: Refers to a a planet in the sign which is opposite to it's sign of exaltation.

Fire signs: The inspirational signs. Aries, Leo and Sagittarius.

Fixed signs: The stabilizing signs. Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius.

Fixed star: The term fixed is not really relevant today because we now know that the stars do
"move" positions slowly. The term" fixed stars" was used by the ancients. A star in the sky that
is visible to the naked eye, not including the Sun, Moon and planets.

Flat chart: A chart using noon as the event time and starting with zero degrees of each of the
signs on the house cusps, beginning with the sign Aries on the 1st house cusp.
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Geocentric: Earth centered astrology. Astrology is geocentric because humans inhabit Earth and
astrologers examine the orientation of people to the universe. Astronomers research the solar
system from a heliocentric (sun centered) perspective.

Greenwich Mean Time: Refers to time at the prime meridian at zero degrees longitude.

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Heliocentric: A Sun centered perspective.

Horary astrology: A technique whereby a chart is cast for the exact date and time when a
question first arises in ones mind or is asked of the astrologer. The astrologer studies this chart
and synthesizes the factors based on certain horary rules in the hopes of finding an answer to a
specific question, usually a yes or no type question.

Horary chart: A chart erected for the exact date and time a question is asked.

Horizon: In astrology, the eastern horizon is indicated by the sign and it's degree rising in the
east. The horizon of any place is always 90 degrees below the Zenith. The equator is the horizon
of the north and south poles.

Horoscope: Refers to the natal (birth) chart. A map of the planets positions at a particular date,
time and place on Earth.

Houses: In astrology the "houses" describe the 12 divisions of a chart wheel and begins with the
Ascendant (first house cusp). Each of the houses represent an area of life such as money,
marriage, career and so on. Each house covers many areas, but astrologers usually stick with
those meanings most common to the interest of most people. In Horary astrology, where a very
specific answer is sought, then the astrologer is required to draw upon a larger scope of the
various house meanings.

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Imum Coeli: The meridian point opposite to the Medium Coeli.

Inconjunct: Another term for a quincunx aspect.

Ingress: This term refers the entry of a planet into a sign. It is commonly used to point out the
Sun's yearly ingress into the four cardinals signs separating the seasons.

Intercepted signs: Intercepted signs are more common in charts where the birthplace is found in
more extreme north and south latitudes versus latitudes found near the equator. . In the extreme
latitudes a house will contain more than 30 degrees, and in this case we find an entire sign
enclosed in it and therefore, without appearing on any actual cusp. Such a sign is called "
intercepted." In the equal house system, intercepted signs in a chart cannot happen.

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Karma: The law of cause and effect. A horoscope describes a person's karmic fortune as well as
karmic debts and indicates the principles by which the karma may be met and dealt with in a
lifetime.

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Latitude: Geographical latitude is the distance north or south from the earth's equator measured
at 90 degrees.

Luminaries: Refers to the Sun and the Moon. (The lights)

Local Mean Time: The true time at the city, state, country of birth. In order to find Local Mean
Time, an astrologer must know the exact longitude of the birthplace and then add or subtract 4
minutes for each degree that the place deviates from the Standard Time Meridian.

Longitude: Longitude is expressed either in degrees or in time. Geographical longitude Is

defined by the arc measured from the prime meridian at Greenwich, England to the meridian of a
given place.

Lunar return: A type of predictive chart drawn up for the time the moon returns each month to
the exact sign by degree, minute, and second as it was in at the precise date and time of a
person's birth. At that point the forecast begins and continue for approximately one month.

Lunation: A term of 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes and 3 seconds during which time the moon
will move from one conjunction to the Sun to the next.

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Malefic: The malefic planets are considered to bestow an unlucky influence. Saturn is
considered to be the greater malefic and Mars is the lesser malefic.

Medium Coeli: The Midheaven.

Meridian: This is the circle of longitude which passes through the poles of the heavens, through
the Zenith above, the north point of the horizon and below, through the Nadir of the observer. At
noon, the sun crosses the upper meridian. It crosses the lower meridian at midnight. The
meridian coincides with geographical longitude. Every point on the face of the earth's has its
own meridian or circle of longitude.

Midheaven: This is the great circle which extends out from the Zenith downward toward the
equator, which crosses at right angles. The zodiac degree of the ecliptic which cuts across this
great circle or meridian, establishes the midheaven of the chart. The midheaven depends upon
the tilt of the ecliptic above the horizon and is changeable in its relationship to the ascendant.
The apex of the midheaven is greater in summer when the sun is high in the sky than in the
winter.

Midpoint: A mathematically calculated point that is the halfway point between two planets or
between a planet and a house cusp. These points have their own interpretations which add
another level of insight into a chart reading. Many astrologers are discovering that transits to
these chart midpoints often trigger events also.

Mundane astrology: Mundane refers to the astrology of the world and is commonly used to
refer to political astrology. The astrological study of major world events, countries, leaders, and
people.

Mutable signs: The adaptable signs. Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces.

Mutual reception: Whenever two planets are positioned in each other's signs they are said to be
in mutual reception and read as though they were conjunct. For example: if Mars were in Taurus
and Venus were in Aries they would be said to be in mutual reception.

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Nadir: The point which is opposite of the Zenith.

Natal chart: A birth horoscope. Nativity.

Natural chart: A horoscope that places Aries on the first house cusp with the rest of the signs
following in natural zodiacal order.

Night houses: The six houses of a horoscope which are below the chart horizon (horizontal line
dividing the wheel).

Nodes: The position at which the orbits of the moon or other planets cross the ecliptic. Planetary
nodes do not move much more than a degree in a one hundred years. The moon's nodes are
usually the most common ones followed by astrologers. They are commonly referred to as, the
North Node and the South Node. The Moon's node are also sometimes called the Dragons Head
and Dragons Tail. Since the Sun and the Earth never cross the ecliptic, these bodies have no
nodes.

Nonagesimal: 90 degrees from the ascendant. The most elevated point of the ecliptic above the
horizon. In an equal house system, the Nonagesimal would be the cusp of the 10th house.

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Orb: A sphere of influence within which a planet or aspect is considered to exert an influence.
The size of orbs vary according to the aspect and are often subject to the opinion of a particular
astrologer.

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Part of Fortune: A mathematically calculated point and not an actual heavenly body. It is found
by adding the longitude of the Moon to the longitude of the Ascendant and then subtracting the
longitude of the Sun. There many other Arabic Parts each with it's own particular calculation.

Planet: In astrology a planet refers to the heavenly bodies Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn,
Uranus, Neptune and Pluto and includes for purposes of understanding the Sun and Moon, even
though the Sun and Moon are not really planets. Those bodies that appear to have motion of their
own among the fixed stars and whose positions are drawn up in an astrology chart.

Precession of the Equinoxes: Refers to the slow movement of the Vernal Equinox in a
backward motion in relation to the constellations which make up the sidereal zodiac.

Progressed horoscope: (secondary progressions) While viewing the date of birth for an
individual in an ephemeris, one would count forward the number of days equal to the persons
age at the time the reading is desired. Each day is supposed to represent one year of life for the
individual. A special chart is calculated for that date and any changes in planets in signs and the
aspects formed therein are read as an indicator of possible events and modified attitudes for the
person. There are several different methods of progressing a chart with the Day for a Year being
the most widely accepted.

Progressions: Refers to the various systems of astrological prediction based upon the "moving
forward" of the planetary patterns shown in the birth chart. Progressions are shown by the
movements of the planets and house cusps for a chosen number of days after the birth of a person.
The various types are; primary, secondary and tertiary.

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Quadruplicities: (a.k.a. Qualities or Modes) A division of the zodiac into 3 groups of four signs
at right angles to one another. These formations are called Cardinal, Fixed, and Mutable. Each
group contains one sign of each of the 4 elements.

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Radix: a natal chart.

Rectification: When a person does not know their clock time of birth, an astrologer may try to
determine the precise time by adjusting the wheel of the houses in order to make the various
transits, and progressions match up with known dates of events in the person's life.
Retrograde Motion: This is an apparent movement backward in the zodiac, although in reality,
this retrograde motion is an illusion created by the changing placements of the earth and the
planets in correlation to each other. In the ephemeris, a planet that is in retrograde motion is
shown by the symbol RX. The Sun and Moon do not retrograde.

Right Ascension: This is a measurement moving eastward along the celestial equator.

Rising planet: A planet considered to be close to the ascendant. As with all else in astrology the
deciding number of degrees will vary by astrologer, but within 5 degrees on either side of the
Ascendant cusp being a widely accepted orb.

Rising sign: See "Ascendant"

Ruling planet: The planet, which according to astrology is the "ruler" of the sign on the
Ascendant. For example: If Leo where the sign on the Ascendant then the chart ruling planet
would be the Sun.

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Sextile: A 60 degree aspect considered to signify opportunity.

Sidereal time: time reckoned by the stars. This is a time system based on the true period of the
earth's rotation on its axis. At any moment the sidereal time is different for two meridians, but is
unaffected by the latitude. From the measurement of locals Sidereal Time, a person can find the
culminating degree of the ecliptic or midheaven in the Table of Houses. The ascendant and house
cusps are then listed according to the latitude of the birthplace.

Sidereal zodiac: The constellations.

Signs: the names of the signs are Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Scorpio,
Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces. Each sign of the zodiac is equal to a 30 degrees.
Signs are determined from the point where the Sun crosses the celestial equator at zero degrees
Aries around March 21st of each year. The rest of the signs follow in natural order.

Solar return: A type of predictive chart drawn up for the time the Sun returns each year to the
exact sign by degree, minute, and second as it was at the precise date and time of a person's birth.
At that time the forecast begins and continues for one entire year.

Solar chart: (a.k.a. Sun-on-the-Ascendant chart) A chart in which the sign and the degrees of
the Sun at the time of birth are used as an artificial Ascendant when the event clock time or birth
clock time is not known. So, if on the date of birth the Sun was at 3 degrees Virgo, then the
"Ascendant would be 3 degrees Virgo, which naturally places the Sun directly on the first house
cusp.
Solstice: The sun appears to stand still at the summer solstice marked by 0 degrees Cancer and
then again at the winter solstice marked by 0 degrees Capricorn. The solstices mark the
beginning of summer and winter.

Square: A 90 degree aspect considered to be stressful and challenging.

Standard time: Clock time measurement which changes each hour as one moves east or west
across standard time zones.

Standard Time Zones: 15 degree areas of longitude equal to one hour and designated as a
number of hours either earlier or later than Greenwich Mean Time.

Stationary: When a planet's motion go from direct to retrograde or from retrograde to direct,
there is a period of time when it appears to be motionless. The Sun and Moon are not ever
stationary.

Stellium: A conjunction involving at least 3 or 4 planets.

Succedent houses: The 2nd, 6th, 8th and 11th houses. These also correspond to the fixed signs.

Sun sign: The zodiac sign which the sun occupies. Sun signs are determined by knowing the
date of birth. Sun signs are the basis of most commercial daily horoscopes.

Synastry: The comparisons made between two or more charts with regarding the individuals
involved. Relationship astrology.

Synthesis: The art of combining the various factors revealed in a horoscope analysis The ability
to blend all of the various factors in a horoscope in order to execute a balanced reading of the
entire chart.

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Tables of Diurnal Planetary Motion: Tables for looking up the distance a planet has traveled in
a given time period.

Transit: The current passage of a planet over a point in the natal chart.

Trine: A 120 degree aspect considered to be harmonious and without restriction.

Tropical zodiac: The zodiac signs Aries to Pisces.

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Universal Time: Another term for Greenwich Mean Time usually when the GMT is calculated
from midnight.
[TOP]

Vertex: The Vertex is defined by the intersecting point of the prime vertical and the ecliptic in a
western direction.

Void of Course: When the Moon or a planet forms it's last aspect to another body before leaving
a sign.

[TOP]

War Time: In the United States during times of war, Daylight Saving Time was called War
Time. During times of war In the UK, Double Summertime was also called War Time.

Water signs: The emotional, sensitive signs. Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces.

[TOP]

Zenith: The point on the Meridian which is directly overhead.

Drawn from anywhere on earth to its Zenith is always vertical to the plane of it's horizon. The
Zenith is sometimes confused with the Midheaven.

Zodiac: The 12 divisions of the sky which are measured along the belt of the ecliptic and
enclosing a distance of about 9 degrees on either side.

 
 

Glossary of Astronomical Terms

Aberration of Starlight - The angular shift in the apparent direction of a star caused by the orbital
motion of the Earth

Absolute Magnitude - The apparent magnitude a star would have if it were at a distance of 10
parsecs (pc)

Absorption Line - A dark line superimposed on a continuous spectrum when a gas absorbs light
from a continuous source that is hotter than the absorbing gas

Acceleration - The rate of change of velocity. An acceleration may involve a change of speed,
direction of motion, or both

Acceleration of Gravity - The acceleration of a body, equal to 9.8 meters per second per second
(m/s2), caused by the force of gravity near the surface of the Earth

Accretion - The growth in the mass of a body by the infall of matter gravitationally attracted to the
body

Accretion Disk - A disk of gas and dust spiraling inward toward a star or toward the nucleus of a
galaxy

Accretional Heating - The heating of a body by the impacts that occur as it grows by adding
infalling material

Achondrite - A stony meteorite lacking chondrules

Active Galactic Nucleus - The nucleus of an active galaxy

Active Galaxy - A galaxy whose nucleus is unusually bright and small. Seyfert galaxies, BL
Lacertae objects, and quasars are examples of active galaxies

Active Region - A region of the Sun's surface layers that has a large magnetic field and in which
sunspots, flares, and prominences preferentially occur

Adaptive Optics - A system for modifying the shape of the mirror of a telescope to compensate for
atmospheric seeing and to produce sharp images

Ae and Be Stars - Pre-main sequence stars more massive than 3 solar masses

Aerosol - Liquid droplets and solids suspended in the atmosphere of a planet or satellite
Aesthenosphere - A layer of plastic, deformable rock located in the upper mantle of a planet
directly below the lithosphere

Albedo - The ratio of the light reflected in all directions by a surface to the light incident on it. A
perfectly reflecting surface has an albedo of 1, a perfectly absorbing surface has an albedo of 0

Alpha Particle - The nucleus of a helium atom, consisting of two protons and two neutrons

Altitude - The angular distance between the direction to an object and the horizon. Altitude ranges
from 0 degrees for an object on the horizon to 90 degrees for an object directly overhead

Amino Acid - A carbon-based molecule from which protein molecules are assembled

Amor Asteroid - A member of a class of asteroids having orbits that cross the orbital distance of
the Earth

Angular Momentum - The momentum of a body associated with its rotation or revolution. For a
body in a circular orbit, angular momentum is the product of orbital distance, orbital speed, and
mass. When two bodies collide or interact, angular momentum is conserved

Annihilation - The mutual destruction of a matter-antimatter pair of particles. The charges on the
two particles cancel and the mass of the particles is entirely converted to energy

Annular eclipse - A solar eclipse in which the Moon is too far from the Earth to block the entire
Sun from view and a thin ring of sunlight appears around the Moon

Antapex - The direction in the sky away from which the Sun is moving. Because of the Sun’s
motion, nearby stars appear to converge toward the antapex

Antimatter - A type of matter which annihilates ordinary matter on contact. For every particle,
there is a corresponding antimatter particle. For example, the antimatter counterpart of the proton
is the antiproton

Apex - The direction in the sky toward which the Sun is moving. Because of the Sun’s motion,
nearby stars appear to diverge from the apex

Aphelion - The point in the orbit of a solar system body where it is farthest from the Sun

Apollo Asteroid - A member of a class of asteroids having orbits that cross the orbital distance of
the Earth

Apparent Brightness - The observed brightness of a celestial body

Apparent Magnitude - The observed magnitude of a celestial body

Apparent Solar Day - The amount of time that passes between successive appearances of the Sun
on the meridian. The apparent solar day varies in length throughout the year

Apparent Solar Time - Time kept according to the actual position of the Sun in the sky. Apparent
solar noon occurs when the Sun crosses an observer’s meridian
Arachnoid - A circular feature on the surface of Venus connected to other similar features by a
web of fractures

Ascending Node - The point in the Moon’s orbit where it crosses the ecliptic from south to north

Association - A group of stars whose gravity is insufficient to hold it together but has not yet had
time to disperse

Asteroid - A small, planet-like solar system body. Most asteroids are rocky in makeup and have
orbits of low eccentricity and inclination

Asteroid Belt - The region of the solar system lying between 2.1 and 3.3 astronomical units (AU)
from the Sun. The great majority of asteroids are found in the asteroid belt

Astrology - A pseudoscience that holds that people and events are influenced by the
configurations of the Sun, Moon, and planets with respect to each other and the stars

Astronomical Unit (AU) - The average distance between the Earth and the Sun

Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) - The portion of the H-R diagram occupied by enormous, cool
stars with helium-burning shells

Aten Asteroid - An asteroid having an orbit with semi-major axis smaller than 1 AU

Atom - A particle consisting of a nucleus and one or more surrounding electrons

Atomic Number - The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom. Unless the atom is ionized, the
atomic number is also the number of electrons orbiting the nucleus of the atom

Aurora Australis - Light emitted by atoms and ions in the upper atmosphere near the south
magnetic pole. The emission occurs when atoms and ions are struck by energetic particles from
the Sun

Aurora Borealis - Light emitted by atoms and ions in the upper atmosphere near the north
magnetic pole. The emission occurs when atoms and ions are struck by energetic particles from
the Sun

Autumnal Equinox - The point in the sky where the Sun appears to cross the celestial equator
moving from north to south. This happens on approximately September 22

Azimuth - The angular distance between the north point on the horizon eastward around the
horizon to the point on the horizon nearest to the direction to a celestial body

Baily's Beads - Points of light around the limb of the Moon just before and just after a total eclipse
of the Sun. Baily’s beads are caused by sunlight shining through valleys on the Moon’s limb

Balmer Series - A series of absorption or emission lines of hydrogen seen in the visible part of the
spectrum

Barred Spiral Galaxy - A spiral galaxy in which the nucleus is crossed by a bar. The spiral arms
start at the ends of the bar
Basalt - An igneous rock often produced in volcanic eruptions

Big Bang - The explosive event at the beginning of the universe. The expansion produced the Big
Bang that continues today

Binary Accretion Theory - A theory of the origin of the Moon that holds that the Moon and the
Earth formed at about the same time out of the same swarm or cloud of material

Binary Star System - A pair of stars that orbit each other under their mutual gravitational
attraction

Bipolar Outflow - Relatively narrow beams of matter ejected in opposite directions by a protostar

Black Hole - A region of space from which no matter or radiation can escape. A black hole is a
result of the extreme curvature of space by a massive compact body

Blackbody - An object that is a perfect absorber of radiation falling on it

Blackbody Radiation - The electromagnetic radiation emitted by a blackbody. The spectrum and
intensity of blackbody radiation are controlled by the temperature of the blackbody. Many stars
and other celestial bodies approximate blackbodies

Blazar - A type of active galaxy named for BL Lacertae, the first of the type discovered. Blazars
show rapid, unpredictable variations in brightness

Bow Shock - The region where the solar wind is slowed as it impinges on the Earth’s
magnetosphere

Broad Line Region - The high-density region in a quasar where broad emission lines are formed

Brown Dwarf - A star with too low a mass for nuclear fusion to begin in its core

C-type Asteroid - One of a class of very dark asteroids whose reflectance spectra show no
absorption features due to the presence of minerals

Capture Theory - The theory of the origin of the Moon that holds that the Moon formed elsewhere
in the solar system and then was captured into orbit about the Earth

Carbonaceous Chondrite - A stony meteorite that contains carbon-rich material. Carbonaceous

chondrites are thought to be primitive samples of material from the early solar system

Cassini's Division - A conspicuous 1800 kilometer (km) wide gap between the outermost rings of
Saturn

Celestial Equator - The circle where the Earth’s equator, if extended outward into space, would
intersect the celestial sphere

Celestial Horizon - The circle on the celestial sphere which is 90 degrees from the zenith. The
celestial horizon is approximately the boundary between the Earth and sky

Celestial Mechanics - The part of physics and astronomy that deals with the motions of celestial
bodies under the influence of their mutual gravitational attraction
Celestial Sphere - An imaginary sphere surrounding the Earth. The celestial bodies appear to
carry out their motions on the celestial sphere

Cell - The smallest structural unit of an organism that is capable of independent functioning,
consisting of one or more nuclei, cytoplasm, and various organelles, all surrounded by a
semipermeable cell membrane

Central Force - A force directed at the center of motion of a body. Gravity is the central force that
accounts for the orbital motion of solar system bodies

Centripetal Acceleration - The acceleration toward the center of motion, that causes the path of an
orbiting body to continually bend away from a straight line path

Centripetal Force - The central force that produces centripetal acceleration

Cepheid Variable - A member of a class of yellow pulsating stars that vary in brightness as they
expand and contract. The period of a Cepheid is related to its luminosity

Chandrasekhar Limit - The maximum mass, about 1.4 solar masses, that a white dwarf star can
have.

Charge Coupled Device (CCD) - An array of photosensitive electronic elements that can be used
to record an image falling on it

Chondrite - A meteorite containing chondrules

Chondrule - A small, spherical body embedded in a meteorite. Chondrules are composed of iron,
aluminum, and magnesium silicate rock

Chromosphere - The part of the Sun’s atmosphere between the photosphere and the corona

Circle - A curve on which all points are equidistant from the center

Circular Speed - The speed that causes an orbiting body to have a circular orbit rather than an
elliptic one

Circumpolar - A body is close enough to a celestial pole that its diurnal circle is always above the
horizon. Circumpolar stars neither rise nor set

Close Pair - A binary system in which the two stars are close enough together that they transfer
matter to one another during some stages of their evolution

Cloud Core - The dense part of molecular cloud where star formation takes place

Cluster of Galaxies - A group of galaxies held together by their mutual gravitational attraction

Cluster of Stars - A group of stars held together by their mutual gravitational attraction

CNO Cycle - The series of reactions by means of which massive stars fuse hydrogen into helium

Collision Fragment - A satellite which probably is a fragment of a larger satellite broken apart by a
collision with a meteoroid
Coma - A spherical gaseous region that surrounds the nucleus of a comet. The coma of a comet
may be 100,000 kilometers (km) or more in diameter

Comet - A small, icy body in orbit about the Sun. When a comet is near the Sun, it displays a coma
and a tail

Common Envelope - A stage in the evolution of a close pair of stars in which matter shed by one
of the stars fills the region just outside the Roche lobes of the two stars

Conduction - The transfer of heat by means of direct collisions between adjacent atoms,
molecules, or ions

Conic Section - One of four kinds of curves (circle, ellipse, hyperbola, and parabola) that can be
formed by slicing a right circular cone with a plane

Conjunction - The appearance of two celestial bodies, often a planet and the Sun, in
approximately the same direction

Conucleation - A possible explanation for the origin of a wide binary pair of stars in which the two
cloud fragments that become the stars are already in orbit about one another when they form

Constellation - One of 88 regions into which the celestial sphere is divided

Continuous Spectrum - A spectrum containing neither emission nor absorption lines

Convection - The process of energy transport in which heat is carried by hot, rising and cool,
falling currents or bubbles of liquid or gas

Convection Zone - The outer part of the Sun’s interior in which convection occurs

Coordinate System - A system in which numbers are used to give the location of a body or event.
The longitude-latitude system is an example of a coordinate system used to locate things on the
Earth’s surface

Coordinates - The numbers used in a coordinate system. Longitude and latitude are examples of
coordinates

Core - The innermost region of the interior of the Earth or another planet

Coriolis Effect - The acceleration which a body experiences when it moves across the surface of a
rotating body. The acceleration results in a westward deflection of projectiles and currents of air
or water when they move toward the Earth’s equator and an eastward deflection when they move
away from the equator

Corona - The outermost layer of the Sun's atmosphere. Gases in the corona are tenuous and hot

Corona - A circular feature on the surface of Venus. Coronae appear to be collapsed volcanic
domes and can be as much as several hundred kilometers across

Corona - A type of surface feature of Uranus's satellite Miranda. Coronae consist of parallel ridges
and troughs producing a striped appearance. Coronae have sharp boundaries.
Coronal Hole - A low density, dim region in the Sun’s corona. Coronal holes occur in regions of
open magnetic field lines where gases can flow freely away from the Sun to form the solar wind

Coronal Mass Ejection - A blast of gas moving outward through the Sun’s corona and into
interplanetary space following the eruption of a prominence

Cosmic Background Radiation (CBR) - Radiation observed to have almost perfectly uniform
brightness in all directions in the sky. The CBR is highly redshifted radiation produced about a
million years after the universe began to expand

Cosmic Ray - Extremely energetic ions and electrons that travel through space almost at the
speed of light. Most cosmic rays come from great distances and may be produced in supernovas
and pulsars

Cosmic Ray Exposure Age - The length of time that has passed since a meteorite broke off from a
larger body and became exposed to radiation damage from cosmic rays

Cosmological Principle - The assumption that all observers in the Universe at a given time would
observe the Universe to have the same essential features and large-scale structure

Cosmology - The study of the Universe as a whole

Crater - A roughly circular feature on the surface of a solar system body caused by the impact of
an asteroid or comet

Crater Density - The number of craters of a given size per unit area of the surface of a solar
system body

Crater Saturation - The maximum crater density a solar system body can have. Once saturation is
reached, new craters can only be produced by eradicating old ones

Crescent Phase - The phase of the moon at which only a small, crescent-shaped portion of the
near side of the Moon is illuminated by sunlight. Crescent phase occurs just before and after new
moon

Critical Density - The value that the average density of the Universe must equal or exceed if the
universe is closed. If the density of the Universe is less than the critical density, the Universe will
continue to expand forever

Crust - The outermost layer of the interior of a planet or satellite

Dark Matter - Matter that cannot be detected or has not yet been detected by the radiation it emits.
The presence of dark matter can be deduced from its gravitational interaction with other bodies

Dark Nebula - A dense, interstellar cloud containing enough gas and dust to block the light of
background stars. The dimming of background stars gives the appearance of a region with no
stars

Declination - The angular distance of a celestial body north or south of the celestial equator.
Declination is analogous to latitude in the terrestrial coordinate system
Decoupling Epoch - The time about a million years after the expansion of the universe began
when the universe became transparent and light could, for the first time, travel great distances
before being absorbed or scattered. The cosmic background radiation was produced at the
decoupling epoch

Deferent - One of the circles on which a planet moved according to the Ptolemaic model of the
solar system

Degenerate Gas - A gas in which a type of particle (electrons or neutrons) are as tightly packed as
permitted by the Pauli exclusion principle. In a degenerate gas, temperature has essentially no
influence on pressure

Degree - A unit used to measured angles. There are 360 degrees in a circle

Density - The mass of a body divided by its volume

Density Wave Theory - A theory to account for the spiral arms of spiral galaxies. According to the
density wave theory, spiral arms are the crests of waves moving through a galaxy like water
waves move through water

Descending Node - The point in the Moon’s orbit where it crosses the ecliptic from north to south

Detector - A device used to measure light once it has been brought into focus by a telescope

Deuterium - An isotope of hydrogen. The nucleus of a deuterium atom is a deuteron

Deuteron - A nucleus of deuterium, an isotope of hydrogen. A deuteron contains one proton and
one neutron

Diamond Ring - The last of Baily's beads, which seems to shine with special brilliance just before
a solar eclipse becomes total

Differential Rotation - Rotation in which the rotation period of a body varies with latitude.
Differential rotation occurs for gaseous bodies like the Sun or for planets with thick atmospheres

Differentiation - The gravitational separation of the interior of a planet into layers according to
density. When differentiation occurs inside a molten body, the heavier materials sink to the center
and the light materials rise to the surface

Direct Motion - The eastward apparent motion of a solar system body with respect to the stars.
Direct motion is interrupted by regular episodes of retrograde (westward) motion

Disk Instability - A possible explanation for the origin of a close binary pair of stars in which one
star forms within the disk of gas and dust orbiting another, newly formed star

Dispersion - The separation of white light according to wavelength. Dispersion produces a

rainbow-like spectrum

Diurnal - Daily

Diurnal Circle - The circular path that a celestial body traces out as it appears to move across the
sky during an entire day. Diurnal circles are centered on the north and south celestial poles
Doppler Effect - The change in the frequency of a wave (such as electromagnetic radiation)
caused by the motion of the source and observer toward or away from each other

Dust Tail - A comet tail that is luminous because it contains dust that reflects sunlight. The dust in
a comet tail is expelled from the nucleus of the comet

Dwarf - A main sequence star

Dynamo - A process in which electric currents within a rotating, convective body produce a
magnetic field

Eccentricity - A measure of the extent to which an orbit departs from circularity. Eccentricity
ranges from 0.0 for a circle to 1.0 for a parabola

Eclipse - The obscuration of the light from the Sun when the observer enters the Moon’s shadow
or the Moon when it enters the Earth's shadow. Also, the obscuration of a star when it passes
behind its binary companion

Eclipse Seasons - The times, separated by about 5 1/2 months, when eclipses of the Sun and
Moon are possible

Eclipse Track - The path of the Moon’s shadow across the Earth during a solar eclipse

Eclipse Year - The interval of time (346.6 days) from one passage of the Sun through a node of the
Moon’s orbit to the next passage through the same node

Eclipsing Binary - Binary star systems for which the orbital plane of the stars lies so nearly in the
line of sight that two stars alternately pass in front of one another, causing eclipses

Ecliptic - The plane of the Earth’s orbit about the Sun. As a result of the Earth’s motion, the Sun
appears to move among the stars, following a path that is also called the ecliptic

Eddington Luminosity - The maximum luminosity that a body could emit without driving away
surrounding material

Einstein Ring - The ring or near ring into which the image of a distant quasar is distorted if the
quasar lies directly behind a galaxy or cluster of galaxies producing a gravitational lens

Electromagnetic Wave - A periodic electrical and magnetic disturbance that propagates through
space and transparent materials at the speed of light. Light is an example of an electromagnetic
wave

Electron - A low-mass, negatively charged particle that can either orbit a nucleus as part of an
atom, or exist independently as part of a plasma

Element - A substance that cannot be broken down into a simpler chemical substance. Oxygen,
nitrogen, and silicon are examples of the approximately 100 known elements

Ellipse - A closed, elongated curve describing the shape of the orbit that one body follows about
another

Elliptical Galaxy - A galaxy having an ellipsoidal shape and lacking spiral arms
Emission Line - A narrow, bright region of the spectrum. Emission lines are produced when
electrons in atoms jump from one energy level to lower energy level

Energy Flux - The rate at which a wave carries energy through a given area

Energy Level - Any of the many energy states that an atom may have. Different energy levels
correspond to different distances of the electron from the nucleus

Epicycle - One of the circles upon which a planet moved according to the Ptolemaic (geocentric)
model of the solar system. The center of the epicycle moved on a larger circle, called the deferent

Equant - In the Ptolemaic system, the point from which the motion of the epicycle around the
deferent is uniform

Equation of State - The relationship among pressure, density, and temperature for a gas or fluid.
The ideal gas law, for which pressure is proportional to the product of temperature and density, is
an example of an equation of state

Equator - The line around the surface of a rotating body that is midway between the rotational
poles. The equator divides the body into northern and southern hemispheres

Equatorial Jet - The high-speed, eastward, zonal wind in the equatorial region of Jupiter's
atmosphere

Equatorial System - A coordinate system, using right ascension and declination as coordinates,
used to describe the angular location of bodies in the sky

Equipotential - A line or surface of equal potential energy. On the Earth, a line of equal elevation is
approximately an equipotential

Escape Velocity - The speed that an object must have to achieve a parabolic trajectory and escape
from its parent body

Event Horizon - The boundary of a black hole. No matter or radiation can escape from within the
event horizon

Evolutionary Track - The path in an H-R diagram followed by the point representing the changing
luminosity and temperature of a star as it evolves

Exosphere - The outer part of the thermosphere. Atoms and ions can escape from the exosphere
directly into space

Explosion Model - A model for the formation of clusters of galaxies in which the clusters form at
the intersections of expanding shells of matter driven outward by gigantic explosions

Extinction - The dimming of starlight due to absorption and scattering by interstellar dust
particles.

Fabry- Perot Etalon - A nonabsorbing, multireflecting device, similar in design to the Fabry-Perot
interferometer, that serves as a multilayer, narrow-bandpass filter.
Fabry-Perot interferometer - A plane-parallel interferometer that yields extremely high contrast
over a wide range of finesse values without significantly reducing transmission.

Filament - A dark line on the Sun’s surface when a prominence is seen projected against the solar
disk

Fireball - An especially bright streak of light in the sky produced when an interplanetary dust
particle enters the Earth’s atmosphere, vaporizing the particle and heating the atmosphere

Fission - A nuclear reaction in which a nucleus splits to produce two less massive nuclei

Fission - A possible explanation for the origin of a close binary pair of stars in which a star splits
into two pieces, each of which becomes a star

Fission Theory - A theory for the origin of the Moon in which the Moon consists of matter that was
flung from the primitive Earth because of the Earth’s rapid rotation

Flare - A brief, sudden brightening of a region of the Sun’s atmosphere, probably caused by the
abrupt release of magnetic energy

Focal Length - The distance between a mirror or lens and the point at which the lens or mirror
brings light to a focus

Focal Plane - The surface where the objective lens or mirror of a telescope forms the image of an
extended object

Focal Point - The spot where parallel beams of light striking a lens or mirror are brought to a focus

Focus - One of two points from which an ellipse is generated. For all points on the ellipse, the sum
of the distances to the two foci is the same

Force - A push or a pull

Fragmentation - A possible explanation for the origin of a close binary pair of stars in which a
collapsing cloud breaks into several pieces, each of which becomes a star

Frequency - The number of oscillations per second of a wave

Full Phase - The phase of the moon at which the bright side of the Moon is the face turned toward
the Earth

Fusion - A nuclear reaction in which two nuclei merge to form a more massive nucleus

Galactic Bulge - A somewhat flattened distribution of stars, about 6 kiloparsecs (kpc) in diameter,
surrounding the nucleus of the Milky Way

Galactic Cannibalism - The capture and disruption of one galaxy by another

Galactic Disk - A disk of matter, about 30 kiloparsecs (kpc) in diameter and 2 kiloparsecs thick,
containing most of the stars and interstellar matter in the Milky Way
Galactic Equator - The great circle around the sky that corresponds approximately to the center of
the glowing band of the Milky Way

Galactic Halo - The roughly spherical outermost component of the Milky Way, reaching to at least
30 to 40 kiloparsecs (kpc) from the center

Galactic Latitude - The angular distance of a body above or below the galactic equator

Galactic Longitude - The angular distance, measured eastward around the galactic equator, from
the galactic center to the point on the equator nearest the direction to a body

Galactic Nucleus - The central region of the Milky Way

Galaxy - A massive system of stars, gas, and dark matter held together by its own gravity

Gamma Ray - The part of the electromagnetic spectrum having the shortest wavelengths

Geocentric - Centered on the Earth. In a geocentric model of the solar system, the planets moved
about the Earth

Geodesic - The path in spacetime followed by a light beam or a freely moving object

Giant - A star larger and more luminous than a main sequence star (dwarf) of the same
temperature and spectral type

Giant Impact Theory - The theory of the origin of the Moon that holds that the Moon formed from
debris blasted into orbit when the Earth was struck by a Mars-size body

Giant Molecular Cloud - An unusually large molecular cloud that may contain as much as 1 million
solar masses

Gibbous Phase - The phase of the moon at which the near side of the Moon is more than half
illuminated by sunlight. Gibbous phase occurs just before and after full moon

Globular Cluster - A tightly packed, spherically shaped group of thousands to millions of old stars

Granule - A bright convective cell or current of gas in the Sun’s photosphere. Granules appear
bright because they are hotter than the descending gas that separates them

Gravitational Lens - A massive body that bends light passing near it. A gravitational lens can
distort or focus the light of background sources of electromagnetic radiation

Gravitational Potential Energy - The energy stored in a body subject to the gravitational attraction
of another body. As the body falls, its gravitational potential energy decreases and is converted
into kinetic energy

Gravitational Redshift - The increase in the wavelength of electromagnetic radiation that occurs
when the radiation travels outward through the gravitational field of a body

Gravity - The force of attraction between two bodies generated by their masses
Great Attractor - A great concentration of mass toward which everything in our part of the
universe apparently is being pulled

Great Circle - A circle that bisects a sphere. The celestial equator and ecliptic are examples of
great circles

Great Red Spot - A reddish elliptical spot about 40,000 km by 15,000 km in size in the southern
hemisphere of the atmosphere of Jupiter. The Red Spot has existed for at least 3 1/2 centuries

Greatest Elongation - The position of Mercury or Venus when it has the greatest angular distance
from the Sun

Greenhouse Effect - The blocking of infrared radiation by a planet’s atmospheric gases. Because
its atmosphere blocks the outward passage of infrared radiation emitted by the ground and lower
atmosphere, the planet cannot cool itself effectively and becomes hotter than it would be without
an atmosphere

Ground State - The lowest energy level of an atom

HII Region - A region of ionized hydrogen surrounding a hot star. Ultraviolet radiation from the
star keeps the gas in the HII region ionized

Habitable Zone - The range of distances from a star within which liquid water can exist on the
surface of an Earth-like planet

Half-life - The time required for half of the atoms of a radioactive substance to disintegrate

Heliocentric - Centered on the Sun. In the heliocentric model of the solar system, the planets
move about the Sun

Heliopause - The boundary of the heliosphere, where the solar wind merges into the interstellar
gas

Helioseismology - A technique used to study the internal structure of the Sun by measuring and
analyzing oscillations of the Sun’s surface layers

Heliosphere - The region of space dominated by the solar wind and the Sun’s magnetic field

Helium Flash - The explosive consumption of helium in the core of a star when helium fusion
begins in a degenerate gas in which pressure doesn’t rise as energy is produced and temperature
increases

Herbig-Haro Object - A clump of gas illuminated by a jet of matter streaming away from a young
star

Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram (H-R diagram) - A plot of luminosities of stars against their

temperatures. Magnitude may be used in place of luminosity and spectral type in place of
temperature

Hierarchical Clustering Model - A model for the formation of clusters of galaxies in which
individual galaxies form and then begin to collect into clusters
Horizon System - A coordinate system, using altitude and azimuth as coordinates, used to locate
the positions of objects in the sky

Horizontal Branch Star - A star which is undergoing helium fusion in its core and hydrogen fusion
in a shell surrounding the core

Hubble Time - An estimate of the age of the universe obtained by taking the inverse of Hubble’s
constant. The estimate is only valid if there has been no acceleration or deceleration of the
expansion of the universe

Hubble's Constant (H) - The rate at which the recession speeds of galaxies increase with distance.
Current estimates of Hubble's constant range from 50 to 100 kilometers per second per
megaparsec (km/s per Mpc)

Hubble's Law - The linear relationship between the recession speeds of galaxies and their
distances. The slope of Hubble's law is Hubble's constant

Hydrostatic Equilibrium - The balance between the inward directed gravitational force and the
outward directed pressure force within a celestial body

Hyperbola - A curved path that does not close on itself. A body moving with a speed greater than
escape velocity follows a hyperbola

Ideal Gas Law - The equation of state for a low-density gas in which pressure is proportional to
the product of density and temperature

Igneous Rock - A rock formed by solidification of molten material

Impetus - A theory of motion, developed in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, that motion
could continue only so long as a force was at work

Inclination - The tilt of the rotation axis or orbital plane of a body

Index of Refraction - The ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to the speed of light in a particular
substance. The index of refraction, which always has a value greater than 1.0, describes how
much a beam of light is bent on entering or emerging from the substance

Inertia - The tendency of a body at rest to remain at rest and a body in motion to remain in motion
at a constant speed and in constant direction

Inertial Motion - Motion in a straight line at constant speed followed by a body when there are no
unbalanced forces acting on it

Inferior Planet - A planet whose orbit lies inside the Earth's orbit

Inflation - A brief period of extremely rapid and enormous expansion that may have occurred very
early in the history of the universe

Infrared - The part of the electromagnetic spectrum having wavelengths longer than visible light
but shorter than radio waves
Instability Strip - A region of the H-R diagram occupied by pulsating stars, including Cepheid
variables and RR Lyrae stars

Intercrater Plain - Smooth portions of the surface of Mercury that lie between and around clusters
of large craters

Interferometry - The use of two or more telescopes connected together to operate as a single
instrument. Interferometers can achieve high angular resolution if the individual telescopes of
which they are made are widely separated

Interstellar Matter - Gas and dust in the space between the stars

Interstellar Reddening - The obscuration, by interstellar dust particles, of blue starlight more
strongly than red starlight

Ion - An atom from which one or more electrons has been removed

Ionization - The removal of one or more electrons from an atom

Ionosphere - The lower part of the thermosphere of a planet in which many atoms have been
ionized by ultraviolet solar photons

Iron Meteorite - A meteorite composed primarily of iron and nickel

Irregular Cluster - A cluster of galaxies that lacks a symmetrical shape and structure

Irregular Galaxy - A galaxy having an amorphous shape and lacking symmetry

Isochrone - Lines in an H-R diagram occupied by stars of different masses but the same age

Isotopes - Nuclei with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons

Isotropic - Looking the same in all directions

Jet - A narrow beam of gas ejected from a star or the nucleus of an active galaxy

Kelvin-Helmholtz Time - The time it would take a star to contract from infinite diameter down to
the main sequence while radiating away the gravitational energy released during contraction

Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion - Three laws, discovered by Kepler, that describe the motions
of the planets around the Sun

Kiloparsec (kpc) - A unit of distance, equal to 1000 parsecs (pc), often used to describe distances
within the Milky Way or the Local Group of galaxies

Kinetic Energy - Energy of motion. Kinetic energy is given by one half the product of a body’s
mass and the square of its speed

Kirchhoff's Laws - Three "laws" that describe how continuous, bright line, and dark line spectra
are produced
Kuiper Belt - A region beyond Neptune within which a large number of comets are believed to
orbit the Sun. Short period comets are thought to originated in the Kuiper belt

L1 - The point between two stars in a binary system where matter may flow from one star to the
other

Latitude - The angular distance of a point north or south of the equator of a body as measured by
a hypothetical observer at the center of a body

Lava - Molten rock at the surface of a planet or satellite

Leap year - A year in which there are 366 days

Light - The visible form of electromagnetic radiation

Light Curve - A plot of the brightness of a body versus time

Light-Gathering Power - A number, proportional to the area of the principal lens or mirror of a
telescope, that describes the amount of light that is collected and focused by the telescope

Light Year - The distance that light travels in a year

Limb - The apparent edge of the disk of a celestial body

Limb Darkening - The relative faintness of the edge of the Sun's disk (limb) compared with the
center of the Sun's disk

Line of Nodes - The line connecting the two nodes of the Moon’s orbit around the Earth

Lithosphere - The rigid outer layer of a planet or satellite, composed of the crust and upper mantle

Local Group - The small cluster of galaxies of which the Milky Way is a member

Local Hour Angle - The angle, measured westward around the celestial equator, between the
meridian and the point on the equator nearest a particular celestial object

Long-period Comet - A comet with an orbital period of 200 years or longer

Longitude - The angular distance around the equator of a body from a zero point to the place on
the equator nearest a particular point as measured by a hypothetical observer at the center of a
body

Lookback Time - The length of time that has elapsed since the light we are now receiving from a
distant object was emitted

Luminosity - The rate of total radiant energy output of a body

Luminosity Class - The classification of a star’s spectrum according to luminosity for a given
spectral type. Luminosity class ranges from I for a supergiant to V for a dwarf (main sequence star)
Luminosity Function - The distribution of stars or galaxies according to their luminosities. A
luminosity function is often expressed as the number of objects per unit volume of space that are
brighter than a given absolute magnitude or luminosity.

Lunar Eclipse - The darkening of the Moon that occurs when the Moon enters the Earth’s shadow.

Lyman A Forest - The large number of absorption lines seen at wavelengths just longer than the
wavelength of the Lyman a line of hydrogen in the spectrum of a quasar. The Lyman a forest is
caused by absorption by gas clouds lying between the quasar and the Earth

Lyman Series - A series of absorption or emission lines of hydrogen lying in the ultraviolet part of
the spectrum

M-type Asteroid - One of a class of asteroids that have reflectance spectra like those of metallic
iron and nickel

Magellanic Clouds - Two irregular galaxies that are among the nearest neighbors of the Milky Way

Magma - Molten rock within a planet or satellite

Magnetopause - The outer boundary of the magnetosphere of planet

Magnetosphere - The outermost part of the atmosphere of a planet, within which a very thin
plasma is dominated by the planet’s magnetic field

Magnetotail - The part of the magnetosphere of a planet stretched behind the planet by the force
of the solar wind

Magnitude - A number, based on a logarithmic scale, used to describe the brightness of a star or
other luminous body. Apparent magnitude describes the brightness of a star as we see it.
Absolute magnitude describes the intrinsic brightness of a star

Main Sequence - The region in an H-R diagram occupied by stars that are fusing hydrogen into
helium in their cores. The main sequence runs from hot, luminous stars to cool, dim stars

Main Sequence Lifetime - The length of time that a star spends as a main sequence star

Major Axis - The axis of an ellipse that passes through both foci. The major axis is the longest
straight line that can be drawn inside an ellipse

Mantle - The part of a planet lying between its crust and its core

Maria - A dark, smooth region on the Moon formed by flows of basaltic lava

Mascon - A concentration of mass below the surface of the Moon that slightly alters the orbit of a
spacecraft orbiting the Moon

Mass - A measure of the amount of matter a body contains. Mass is also a measure of the inertia
of a body

Mass Number - A measure of the mass of a nucleus given by the total number of protons and
neutrons in the nucleus
Mass-Luminosity Relation - The relationship between luminosity and mass for stars. More
massive stars have greater luminosities

Maunder Minimum - A period of few sunspots and low solar activity that occurred between 1640
and 1700

Mean Solar Time - Time kept according to the average length of the solar day

Megaparsec (Mpc) - A unit of distance, equal to 1 million parsecs, often used to describe the
distances of objects beyond the Local Group

Meridian - The great circle passing through an observer’s zenith and the north and south celestial
poles

Mesopause - The upper boundary of the mesosphere layer of the atmosphere of a planet

Mesosphere - The layer of a planet’s atmosphere above the stratosphere. The mesosphere is
heated by absorbing solar radiation

Messier Objects - Deep sky objects list by Charles Messier (1730-1817). Charles Messier was a
French Astronomer whose work on the discovery of comets led to the compilation of the Messier
Catalogue of nebulae and star clusters. The reason Messier compiled this catalogue was to save
time while comet hunting. It takes time for a comet hunter to check each suspected comet (by
checking for motion). With his small instrument (2 or 3 inch diameter refractor), even star clusters
would look fuzzy like comets. (Check this by observing some of the M objects using binoculars.)
By using his catalogue, Messier could see whether a comet suspect was actually a nebulae that
he had previously observed.
In all Messier has his name on 12 comets between 1760 and 1798. Actually, he independently
discovered at least 15 comets, but did not get credit for all of his discoveries - in some cases they
had been previously discovered. (Remember that communications were very slow in those days.)
Louis XV gave Messier the nickname "Comet Ferret."
Messier compiled an initial list of 103 objects. Of the seven other objects, M104 was added in 1921
by Camilille Flammarion who found it on Messier's copy of his 1781 catalogue; M105 through
M107 were observed by Messier's chief comet hunting rival, Pierre Mechain (1744-1804) and were
added in 1947; M108 and M109 were mentioned by Messier in his description of M97 and were
added in 1960; and M110 was on Messier's map of M31. M110 was added in 1966.
Note that not all the objects are real - some are clearly mistakes.

Metallic Hydrogen - A form of hydrogen in which the atoms have been forced into a lattice
structure typical of metals. In the solar system, the pressures and temperatures required for
metallic hydrogen to exist only occur in the cores of Jupiter and Saturn

Metamorphic Rock - A rock that has been altered by heat and pressure

Meteor - A streak of light produced by meteoroid moving rapidly through the Earth’s atmosphere.
Friction vaporizes the meteoroid and heats atmospheric gases along the path of the meteoroid

Meteor Shower - A temporary increase in the normal rate at which meteors occur. Meteor showers
last for a few hours or days and occur on about the same date each year

Meteorite - The portion of a meteoroid that reaches the Earth’s surface

Meteoroid - A solid interplanetary particle passing through the Earth’s atmosphere

Microlensing event - The temporary brightening of a distant object that occurs because its light is
focused on the Earth by the gravitational lensing of a nearer body

Micrometeorite - A meteoritic particle less than a 50 millionths of a meter in diameter.

Micrometeorites are slowed by atmospheric gas before they can be vaporized, so they drift slowly
to the ground

Milky Way - The galaxy to which the Sun and Earth belong. Seen as a pale, glowing band across
the sky

Mineral - A solid chemical compound

Minimum - The time of minimum light in a light curve

Minor Planet - Another name for asteroid

Minute of Arc - A unit of angular measurement equal to 1/60 of a degree

Mode of Oscillation - A particular pattern of vibration of the Sun

Molecular Cloud - A relatively dense, cool interstellar cloud in which molecules are common

Momentum - A quantity, equal to the product of a body’s mass and velocity, used to describe the
motion of the body. When two bodies collide or otherwise interact, the sum of their momenta is
conserved

Narrow Line Region - The low density region in a quasar where narrow emission lines are formed

Neap Tide - An unusually low high tide and unusually high low tide that occur when the tidal
forces of the Sun and Moon act at right angles to one another

Neutral Gas - A gas containing atoms and molecules but essentially no ions or free electrons

Neutrino - A particle with no charge and probably no mass that is produced in nuclear reactions.
Neutrinos pass freely through matter and travel at or near the speed of light

Neutron - A nuclear particle with no electric charge

Neutron Star - A star composed primarily of neutrons and supported by the degenerate pressure
of the neutrons

Neutronization - A process by which, during the collapse of the core of a star, protons and
electrons are forced together to make neutrons

New Comet - A comet that has entered the inner solar system for the first time

New Phase - The phase of the moon in which none or almost none of the near side of the Moon is
illuminated by sunlight, so the near side appears dark

Nodes - The points in the orbit of the Moon where the Moon crosses the ecliptic plane

Normal Spiral Galaxy - A galaxy in which the spiral arms emerge from the nucleus
North Celestial Pole - The point above the Earth’s north pole where the Earth’s polar axis, if
extended outward into space, would intersect the celestial sphere. The diurnal circles of stars in
the northern hemisphere are centered on the north celestial pole

North Circumpolar Region - The region of the northern sky within which the diurnal circles of
stars do not dip below the horizon. The size of the north circumpolar region varies with the
latitude of the observer

Nova - An explosion on the surface of a white dwarf star in which hydrogen is abruptly converted
into helium

Nucleic Acid - A long chain of nucleotides. DNA and RNA are nucleic acids

Nucleosynthesis - The building up of more massive elements from less massive elements through
nuclear reactions in stars

Nucleoitide - The class of organic molecules of which nucleic acids are composed

Nucleus - The massive, positively charged core of an atom. The nucleus of an atom is surrounded
by one or more electrons. A nucleus missing one or more accompanying electrons is called an
ion

Nucleus - An irregularly shaped, loosely packed lump of dirty ice several kilometers across that is
the permanent part of a comet

Number Density - The number of particles in a given volume of space

Objective - The main lens or mirror of a telescope

Oblateness - A departure from spherical shape of a body in which the body’s polar diameter is
smaller than its equatorial diameter

Oort Cloud - The region beyond the planetary system, extending to 100,000 AU or more, within
which a vast number of comets orbit the Sun. When comets from the Oort cloud enter the inner
solar system, they become new comets

Opacity - The ability of a substance to absorb radiation. The higher the opacity, the less
transparent the substance is

Opposition - The configuration of a planet or other body when it appears opposite the Sun in the
sky

Orbit - The elliptical or circular path followed by a body that is bound to another body by their
mutual gravitational attraction

Organic molecule - A molecule containing carbon

Outflow channel - A Martian valley with few tributaries probably formed by the sudden melting and
runoff of sub-surface water

Outgassing - The release of gas from the interior of a planet or satellite

Ozone - A molecule consisting of three oxygen atoms. Ozone molecules are responsible for the
absorption of solar ultraviolet radiation in the Earth’s atmosphere

Pair Production - A process in which gamma rays are transformed into a particle and its
antiparticle (such as an electron and a positron)

Pancake Model - A model for the formation of clusters of galaxies in which protoclusters form first
and then fragment into individual galaxies

Parabola - A geometric curve followed by a body that moves with a speed exactly equal to escape
velocity

Parallax - The shift in the direction of a star caused by the change in the position of the Earth as it
moves about the Sun

Parsec - The distance at which a star has a parallax of 1 second of arc. At a distance of 1 parsec
(pc), an AU fills an angle of one second of arc

Patera - A type of Martian volcano that resembles shield volcanos, but has even more gentle
slopes

Pauli Exclusion Principle - A physical law that limits the number of particles of a particular kind
that can be placed in a given volume. A gas in which that limit is reached is degenerate

Penumbra - The outer part of the shadow of a body where sunlight is partially blocked by the body

Perihelion - The point in the orbit of a body when it is closest to the Sun

Period - The time it takes for a regularly repeated process to repeat itself

Period-luminosity Relationship - The relationship between the period of brightness variation and
the luminosity of a Cepheid variable star. The longer the period of a Cepheid is, the more
luminous the Cepheid

Perturbation - A deviation of the orbit of a solar system body from a perfect ellipse due to the
gravitational attraction of one of the planets

Phase Change - A change in the physical state of a substance. The boiling, freezing, and melting
of water are examples of phase changes

Photon - A massless particle of electromagnetic energy

Photosphere - The visible region of the atmosphere of the Sun or another star

Pixel - A "picture element," consisting of an individual detector in an array of detectors used to

capture an image

Planet - One of the nine major bodies in orbit around the Sun

Planetary Nebula - A luminous shell surrounding a hot star. The gas in a planetary nebula was
ejected from the star while it was a red giant
Planetesimal - A primordial solar system body of intermediate size that accreted with other
planetesimals to form planets and satellites

Planetology - The comparative study of the properties of planets

Plasma - A fully or partially ionized gas

Plasma Tail - A narrow, ionized comet tail pointing directly away from the Sun

Plate - A section of the Earth’s lithosphere pushed about by convective currents within the mantle

Plate Tectonics - The hypothesis that the features of the Earth’s crust such as mountains and
trenches are caused by the slow movement of crustal plates

Plerion - A supernova remnant, like the Crab Nebula, which has a filled center rather than being a
shell

Plume - A rising column of gas over a hot region in the interior or atmosphere of a body

Polarity - The property of a magnet that causes it to have north and south magnetic regions

Precession - The slow, periodic conical motion of the rotation axis of the Earth or another rotating
body

Pressure - The force exerted per unit area

Primary Distance Indicator - A type of object, such a Cepheid variable, for which we know the size
or brightness by observing them in the Milky Way

Prime Meridian - The circle on the Earth’s surface that runs from pole to pole through Greenwich,
England. The zero point of longitude occurs where the prime meridian intersects the Earth’s
equator

Primeval Atmosphere - The original atmosphere of a planet

Prograde Motion - The eastward (normal) revolution of a solar system body.

Prograde Rotation - The eastward rotation of a solar system body

Prominence - A region of cool gas embedded in the corona. Prominences are bright when seen
above the Sun’s limb, but appear as dark filaments when seen against the Sun’s disk

Proper Motion - The rate at which a star appears to move across the celestial sphere with respect
to very distant objects

Protein - A large molecule, consisting of a chain of amino acids, that makes up the bodies of
organisms

Proton - A positively charged nuclear particle

Proton-proton Cycle - A series of nuclear reactions through which stars like the Sun produce
energy by converting hydrogen to helium. Named because the first reaction in the series is the
reaction of one proton with another

Protostar - A star in the process of formation

Pulsar - A rotating neutron star with beams of radiation emerging from its magnetic poles. When
the beams sweep past the Earth, we see "pulses" of radiation

Quarter phase - The phase of the moon in which half of the near side of the Moon is illuminated by
the Sun

Quasar - A distant galaxy, seen as it was in the remote past, with a very small, luminous nucleus

R-process - The process of building up massive nuclei in which neutrons are captured at a rate
faster than the newly produced nuclei can undergo radioactive decay

Radial Velocity - The part of the velocity of a body that is directed toward or away from an
observer. The radial velocity of a body can be determined by the Doppler shift of its spectral lines

Radiant - The point in the sky from which the meteors in a meteor shower seem to originate

Radiation Era - The period of time, before about 1 million years after the expansion of the universe
began, when radiation rather than matter was the dominant constituent of the universe

Radiative Transfer - The transport of energy by electromagnetic radiation

Radio Galaxy - A galaxy that is a strong source of radio radiation

Radioactivity - The spontaneous disintegration of an unstable nucleus of an atom

Rays - Long, narrow light streaks on the Moon and other bodies that radiate from relatively young
craters. Rays consist of material ejected from a crater at the time it was formed by an impact

Recession Speed - The rate of movement of a galaxy away from the Milky Way caused by the
expansion of the universe

Recombination Epoch - The time, about 1 million years after the expansion of the universe began,
when most of the ions and electrons in the universe combined to form atoms

Recurrent Nova - A binary system in which the white dwarf star undergoes repeated nova
outbursts

Reflectance Spectrum - The reflectivity of a body as a function of wavelength

Reflection - The bouncing of a wave from a surface

Reflection Nebulae - A cloud of interstellar gas and dust that is luminous because the dust it
contains reflects the light of a nearby star
Reflectivity - The ability of a surface to reflect electromagnetic waves. The reflectivity of a surface
ranges from 0% for a surface that reflects no light to 100% for a surface that reflects all the light
falling on it

Reflector - A telescope in which the objective is a mirror

Refraction - The bending of light when it passes from a material having one index of refraction to
another material having a different index of refraction

Refractor - A telescope in which the objective is a lens

Regolith - The surface layer of dust and fragmented rock, caused by meteoritic impacts, on a
planet, satellite, or asteroid

Regular Cluster - A cluster of galaxies that has roughly spherical symmetry

Regular Satellites - Regularly spaced satellites with nearly circular orbits that form miniature
"solar systems" about their parent planets

Resolution - The ability of a telescope to distinguish fine details of an image

Resonance - The repetitive gravitational tug of one body on another when the orbital period of one
is a multiple of the orbital period of the other

Retrograde Motion - The westward revolution of a solar system body around the Sun

Retrograde Rotation - The westward rotation of a solar system body

Richness - A measure of the number of galaxies in a cluster. The more galaxies there are, the
greater the richness

Right Ascension - Angular distance of a body along the celestial equator from the vernal equinox
eastward to the point on the equator nearest the body. Right ascension is analogous to longitude
in the terrestrial coordinate system

Rille - A lunar valley, probably the result of volcanic activity

Roche distance - The distance from a planet or other celestial body within which tidal forces from
the body would disintegrate a smaller object

Roche lobe - The region around a star in a binary system in which the gravity of that star
dominates

Rock - A solid aggregation of grains of one or more minerals

Rotation Curve - A plot of the speed of revolution of the stars and gas in a galaxy versus distance
from the center of the galaxy

RR Lyrae Star - A member of a class of giant pulsating stars, all of which have pulsation periods
of about 1 day
Runoff Channel - One of a network of Martian valleys that probably were formed by the collection
of widespread rainfall

S-process - The process of building up massive nuclei in which neutrons are captured at a rate
slower than the newly produced nuclei can undergo radioactive decay

S-type Asteroid - One of a class of asteroids whose reflectance spectra show an absorption
feature due to the mineral olivine

Saros - The length of time between one member of a series of similar eclipses and the next (6585
1/3 days)

Scarp - A cliff produced by vertical movement of a section of the crust of a planet or satellite

Scattering - The redirection of light in random directions when it strikes atoms, molecules, or
solid particles

Schwarzschild Radius - The radius of the event horizon of a black hole

Sea Floor Spreading - The splitting of the oceanic crust where magma forces the existing crust
apart, creating new ocean floor

Second of Arc - A unit of angular measurement equal to 1/60 of a minute of arc or 1/3600 of a
degree

Secondary Atmosphere - The atmosphere that forms after a planet has lost any original
atmosphere it had

Secondary Distance Indicator - A type of object for which we know the size or brightness because
objects of that type have been found in nearby galaxies

Sedimentary Rock - A rock formed by the accumulation of small mineral grains carried by wind,
water, or ice to the spot where they were deposited

Seeing - A measure of the blurring of the image of an astronomical object caused by turbulence in
the Earth’s atmosphere

Seismic Wave - Waves that travel through the interior of a planet or satellite and are produced by
earthquakes or their equivalent

Seismometers - Sensitive devices used to measure the strengths and arrival times of seismic
waves

Semi-major Axis - Half of the major axis of an ellipse. Also equal to the average distance from the
focus of a body moving on an elliptical orbit

Seyfert Galaxy - A barred or normal spiral galaxy with a small, very bright nucleus

SETI - The search for extraterrestrial intelligence

Sgr A* - A small, bright source of radio emission, possibly the accretion disk of a black hole, that
probably marks the exact center of the Milky Way
Shield Volcano - A broad, gently sloped volcano built up by the repeated eruption of very fluid
lava

Short-period Comet - A comet with an orbital period shorter than 200 years

Sidereal Clock - A clock that marks the local hour angle of the vernal equinox

Sidereal Day - The length of time (23 hours, 56 minutes, 4.091 seconds) between successive
appearances of a star on the meridian

Sidereal Month - The length of time required for the Moon to return to the same apparent position
among the stars

Sidereal Period - The time it takes for a planet or satellite to complete one full orbit about the Sun
or its parent planet

Silicate - A mineral whose crystalline structure is dominated by silicon and oxygen atoms

Sinuous Rille - A winding lunar valley possibly caused by the collapse of a lava tube

Smooth Plains - Widespread sparsely cratered regions of the surface of Mercury possibly having
a volcanic origin

Solar Constant - The solar energy received by a square meter of surface oriented at right angles to
the direction to the Sun at the Earth’s average distance (1 AU) from the Sun. The value of the solar
constant is 1,372 watts per square meter

Solar Flare - An explosive release of solar magnetic energy

Solar Motion - The motion of the Sun with respect to the nearby stars

Solar Nebula - The rotating disk of gas and dust, surrounding the newly formed Sun, from which
planets and smaller solar system bodies formed

Solar Wind - The hot plasma that flows outward from the Sun

Solidification Age - The amount of time that has passed since a meteorite solidified from the
molten state

South Celestial Pole - The point above the Earth’s South Pole where the Earth's polar axis, if
extended outward into space, would intersect the celestial sphere. The diurnal circles of stars in
the southern hemisphere are centered on the south celestial pole

Spacelike Trip - A path in spacetime that would require motion at a speed faster than the speed of
light

Spacetime - The combination of three spatial coordinates and one time coordinate that we use to
locate an event

Spacetime Diagram - A diagram showing one spatial coordinate against time, in which the paths
of bodies and beams of light can be plotted
Spectral Class - A categorization, based on the pattern of spectral lines of stars, that groups stars
according to their surface temperatures

Spectrograph - A device used to produce and record a spectrum

Spectroscopic Binary - A pair of stars whose binary nature can be detected by observing the
periodic Doppler shifts of their spectral lines as they move about one another

Spectroscopy - The recording and analysis of spectra

Spicule - A hot jet of gas moving outward through the Sun's chromosphere

Spiral Arm - A long narrow feature of a spiral galaxy in which interstellar gas, young stars, and
other young objects are found

Spiral Galaxy - A flattened galaxy in which hot stars, interstellar clouds, and other young objects
form a spiral pattern

Spokes - Dark, short-lived radial streaks in Saturn's rings

Spring Tide - An unusually high, high tide and unusually low, low tide that occur when the tidal
forces of the Sun and Moon are aligned. This occurs at full moon and new moon

Star - A massive gaseous body that has used, is using, or will use nuclear fusion to produce the
bulk of the energy it radiates into space

Starburst Galaxy - A galaxy in which a very large number of stars have recently formed

Steady State Theory - A cosmological theory in which the universe always remains the same in its
essential features, such as average density. In order to maintain constant density while expanding,
the steady state theory required the continual creation of new matter

Stefan-Boltzmann Law - The relationship between the temperature of a blackbody and the rate at
which it emits radiant energy

Stellar Occultation - The obstruction of the light from a star when a solar system body passes
between the star and the observer

Stellar Parallax - The shift in the direction of a star caused by the change in the position of the
Earth as it moves about the Sun

Stellar Population - A group of stars that are similar in spatial distribution, chemical composition,
and age

Stony Meteorite - A meteorite made of silicate rock

Stony-iron Meteorite - A meteorite made partially of stone and partially of iron and other metals

Stratosphere - The region of the atmosphere of a planet immediately above the troposphere

Subduction - The process through which lithospheric plates of a planet or satellite are forced
downward into the mantle
Summer Solstice - The point on the ecliptic where the Sun’s declination is most northerly. The
time when the Sun is at the summer solstice, around June 21, marks the beginning of summer

Sunspot - A region of the Sun’s photosphere that appears darker than its surroundings because it
is cooler

Sunspot Cycle - The regular waxing and waning of the number of spots on the Sun. The amount of
time between one sunspot maximum and the next is about 11 years

Sunspot Group - A cluster of sunspots

Supergiant - An extremely luminous star of large size and mass

Supergranulation - The pattern of very large (15,000 to 30,000 km in diameter) convective cells in
the Sun’s photosphere

Superior Planet - A planet whose orbit lies outside the Earth's orbit

Superluminal Motion - The apparent separation of components of a quasar at speeds faster than
the speed of light

Supernova - An explosion in which a star’s brightness temporarily increases by as much as 1

billion times. Type I supernovas are caused by the rapid fusion of carbon and oxygen within a
white dwarf. Type II supernovas are produced by the collapse of the core of a star

Supernova Remnant - The luminous, expanding region of gas driven outward by a supernova
explosion

Synchronous Rotation - Rotation for which the period of rotation is equal to the period of
revolution. An example of synchronous rotation is the Moon, for which the period of rotation and
the period of revolution about the Earth are both 1 month

Synchrotron Emission - Electromagnetic radiation, usually observed in the radio region of the
spectrum, produced by energetic electrons spiraling about magnetic field lines

Synodic Month - The length of time (29.53 days) between successive occurrences of the same
phase of the Moon

Synodic Period - The length of time it takes a solar system body to return to the same
configuration (opposition to opposition, for example) with respect to the Earth and the Sun

T Tauri Star - A pre-main sequence star, less massive than about 3 solar masses, showing intense
emission lines

Terminal Velocity - The speed with which a body falls through the atmosphere of a planet when
the force of gravity pulling it downward is balanced by the force of air resistance

Terrae - The light-colored, ancient, heavily cratered portions of the surface of the Moon

Terrestrial Planet - A rocky planet located in the inner solar system

Thermal Equilibrium - The condition in which a body or a portion of a body gains energy (by
generating it or absorbing it) at the same rate at which energy is transported away from it

Thermal Pulse - The rapid consumption of helium in a shell within an asymptotic giant branch star

Thermosphere - The layer of the atmosphere of a planet lying above the mesosphere. The lower
thermosphere is the ionosphere. The upper thermosphere is the exosphere

Tidal Capture - A possible explanation for the origin of a wide binary pair of stars in which two
cloud fragments tidally interact with and capture one another

Tidal Force - The differences in gravity in a body being attracted by another body

Tidal Heating - The frictional heating of the interior of a satellite as it is flexed and released by a
variable tidal force due to its parent planet

Tides - Distortions in a body’s shape resulting from tidal forces

Timelike Trip - A path in spacetime that can be followed by a body moving slower than the speed
of light

Transform Fault - The boundary between two of the Earth’s crustal plates that are sliding past
each other

Transverse Velocity - The part of the orbital speed of a body perpendicular to the Sun between the
body and the Sun

Triple A Process - A pair of nuclear reactions through which three helium nuclei (alpha particles)
are transformed into a carbon nucleus

Trojan Asteroid - One of a group of asteroids that orbit the Sun at Jupiter’s distance and lie 60
degrees ahead of or behind Jupiter in its orbit

Tropical Year - The interval of time, equal to 365.242 solar days, between successive appearances
of the Sun at the vernal equinox

Tropopause - The upper boundary of the troposphere of the atmosphere of a planet

Troposphere - The lowest layer of the atmosphere of a planet, within which convection produces
weather

Type Ia Supernova - An extremely energetic explosion produced by the abrupt fusion of carbon
and oxygen in the interior of a collapsing white dwarf star

Type II Supernova - An extremely energetic explosion that occurs when the core of a massive star
collapses, probably producing a neutron star or black hole

Ultraviolet - The part of the electromagnetic spectrum with wavelengths longer than X rays, but
shorter than visible light

Umbra - The inner portion of the shadow of a body, within which sunlight is completely blocked
Umbra - The dark central portion of a sunspot

Universe - All the matter and space there is

V-type Asteroid - The asteroid Vesta, which is unique in having a reflectance spectra resembling
those of basaltic lava flows

V/Vmax Test - A statistical method used to determine whether quasars have changed over time

Van Allen Belts - Two doughnut-shaped regions in the Earth’s magnetosphere within which many
energetic ions and electrons are trapped

Velocity - A physical quantity that gives the speed of a body and the direction in which it is
moving

Vernal Equinox - The point in the sky where the Sun appears to cross the celestial equator moving
from south to north. This happens approximately on March 21

Visual Binary Star - A pair of stars orbiting a common center of mass in which the images of the
components can be distinguished using a telescope and which have detectable orbital motion

Vogt-Russell Theorem - The concept that the original mass and chemical composition of an
isolated star completely determine the course of its evolution

Voids - Immense volumes of space in which few galaxies, and clusters of galaxies can be found

Volatile - Element or compound that vaporizes at low temperature. Water and carbon dioxide are
examples of volatiles

Waning Crescent - The Moon's crescent phase that occurs just before new moon

Wave - A regular series of disturbances that moves through a material medium or through empty
space

Wavelength - The distance between crests of a wave. For visible light, wavelength determines
color

Waxing Crescent - The Moon's crescent phase that occurs just after new moon

Weight - The gravitational force exerted on a body by the Earth (or another astronomical object)

White Dwarf - A small, dense star that is supported against gravity by the degenerate pressure of
its electrons

Wide Pair - A binary star system in which the components are so distant from one another that
they evolve independently

Wien's Law - The relationship between the temperature of a blackbody and the wavelength at
which its emission is brightest

Winter Solstice - The point on the ecliptic where the Sun has the most southerly declination. The
time when the Sun is at the winter solstice, around December 22, marks the beginning of winter
X Ray - The part of the electromagnetic spectrum with wavelengths longer than gamma rays but
shorter than ultraviolet

X-ray burst - Sporadic burst of X rays originating in the rapid consumption of nuclear fuels on the
surface of the neutron star in a binary system

X-ray pulsar - A neutron star from which periodic bursts of X rays are observed

Year - The length of time required for the Earth to orbit the Sun

Zeeman Effect - The splitting of a spectral line into two or more components when the atoms or
molecules emitting the line are located in a magnetic field

Zenith - The point on the celestial sphere directly above an observer

Zero Point - The point from which the coordinates in a coordinate system are measured. For
example, the vernal equinox is the zero point of right ascension and declination in the celestial
coordinate system

Zodiacal Constellations - The band of constellations along the ecliptic. The Sun appears to move
through the 12 zodiacal constellations during a year

Zodiacal Light - The faint glow extending away from the Sun caused by the scattering of sunlight
by interplanetary dust particles lying in and near the ecliptic

Zonal Winds - The pattern of winds in the atmosphere of a planet in which the pattern of wind
speeds varies with latitude

Zone of Convergence - According to plate tectonics, a plate boundary at which the crustal plates
of a planet are moving toward one another. Crust is destroyed in zones of convergence

Zone of Divergence - According to plate tectonics, a plate boundary at which the crustal plates of
a planet are moving away from one another. Crust is created in zones of divergence

 
 Glossary of Astronomy Terms
The universe is a large place full of wondrous and unimaginable things. The amateur astronomy
hobby contains words, labels, and technical terms that may seem be a little confusing for both
beginners and the more experienced hobbyists. This glossary of astronomy terms contains
definitions for some of the most common words used in astronomy, cosmology, astrophysics,
and space exploration. You may click on any yellow highlighted word to jump directly to the
definition for that astronomy word. You can also click on any letter of the alphabet below to
jump directly to that section in the astronomy glossary listing.

Skip to section: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z  

Absolute Magnitude
A scale for measuring the actual brightness of a celestial object without accounting for the
distance of the object. Absolute magnitude measures how bright an object would appear if it
were exactly 10 parsecs (about 33 light-years) away from Earth. On this scale, the Sun has an
absolute magnitude of +4.8 while it has an apparent magnitude of -26.7 because it is so close.

Absolute Zero
The temperature at which the motion of all atoms and molecules stops and no heat is given off.
Absolute zero is reached at 0 degrees Kelvin or -273.16 degrees Celsius.

Ablation
A process by where the atmosphere melts away and removes the surface material of an incoming
meteorite.

Accretion
The process by where dust and gas accumulated into larger bodies such as stars and planets.

Accretion Disk
A disk of gas that accumulates around a center of gravitational attraction, such as a white dwarf,
neutron star, or black hole. As the gas spirals in, it becomes hot and emits light or even X-
radiation.

Achondrite
A stone meteorite that contains no chondrules.

Albedo
The reflective property of a non-luminous object. A perfect mirror would have an albedo of 100%
while a black hole would have an albedo of 0%.

Albedo Feature
A dark or light marking on the surface of an object that may or may not be a geological or
topographical feature.
Altitude
The angular distance of an object above the horizon.

Antimatter
Matter consisting of particles with charges opposite that of ordinary matter. In antimatter,
protons have a negative charge while electrons have a positive charge.

Antipodal Point
A point that is on the direct opposite side of a planet.

Apastron
The point of greatest separation of two stars, such as in a binary star system.

Aperture
The size of the opening through which light passes in an optical instrument such as a camera or
telescope. A higher number represents a smaller opening while a lower number represents a
larger opening.

Aphelion
The point in the orbit of a planet or other celestial body where it is farthest from the Sun.

Apogee
The point in the orbit of the Moon or other satellite where it is farthest from the Earth.

Apparent Magnitude
The apparent brightness of an object in the sky as it appears to an observer on Earth. Bright
objects have a low apparent magnitude while dim objects will have a higher apparent magnitude.

Asteroid
A small planetary body in orbit around the Sun, larger than a meteoroid but smaller than a
planet. Most asteroids can be found in a belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. The orbits of
some asteroids take them close to the Sun, which also takes them across the paths of the planets.

Astrochemistry
The branch of science that explores the chemical interactions between dust and gas interspersed
between the stars.

Astronomical Unit (AU)

A unit of measure equal to the average distance between the Earth and the Sun, approximately 93
million miles.

Atmosphere
A layer of gases surrounding a planet, moon, or star. The Earth's atmosphere is 120 miles thick
and is composed mainly of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and a few other trace gases.
Aurora
A glow in a planet's ionosphere caused by the interaction between the planet's magnetic field and
charged particles from the Sun. This phenomenon is known as the Aurora Borealis in the Earth's
northern hemisphere and the Aurora Australis in the Earth's Southern Hemisphere.

Aurora Australis
Also known as the southern lights, this is an atmospheric phenomenon that displays a diffuse
glow in the sky in the southern hemisphere. It is caused by charged particles from the Sun as
they interact with the Earth's magnetic field. Known as the Aurora Borealis in the northern
hemisphere.

Aurora Borealis
Also known as the northern lights, this is an atmospheric phenomenon that displays a diffuse
glow in the sky in the northern hemisphere. It is caused by charged particles from the Sun as they
interact with the Earth's magnetic field. Known as the Aurora Australis in the southern
hemisphere.

Axis
Also known as the poles, this is an imaginary line through the center of rotation of an object.

Azimuth
The angular distance of an object around or parallel to the horizon from a predefined zero point.

Bar
A unit of measure of atmospheric pressure. One bar is equal to 0.987 atmospheres, 1.02 kg/cm2,
100 kilopascal, and 14.5 lbs/square inch.

Big Bang
The theory that suggests that the universe was formed from a single point in space during a
cataclysmic explosion about 13.7 billion years ago. This is the current accepted theory for the
origin of the universe and is supported by measurements of background radiation and the
observed expansion of space.

Binary
A system of two stars that revolve around a common center of gravity.

Black Hole
The collapsed core of a massive star. Stars that are very massive will collapse under their own
gravity when their fuel is exhausted. The collapse continues until all matter is crushed out of
existence into what is known as a singularity. The gravitational pull is so strong that not even
light can escape.
Blueshift
A shift in the lines of an object's spectrum toward the blue end. Blueshift indicates that an object
is moving toward the observer. The larger the blueshift, the faster the object is moving.

Bolide
A term used to describe an exceptionally bright meteor. Bolides typically will produce a sonic
boom.

Caldera
A type of volcanic crater that is extremely large, usually formed by the collapse of a volcanic
cone or by a violent volcanic explosion. Crater Lake is one example of a caldera on Earth.

Catena
A series or chain of craters.

Cavus
A hollow, irregular depression.

Celestial Equator
An imaginary line that divides the celestial sphere into a northern and southern hemisphere.

Celestial Poles
The North and South poles of the celestial sphere.

Celestial Sphere
An imaginary sphere around the Earth on which the stars and planets appear to be positioned.

Cepheid Variable
This is a variable star whose light pulsates in a regular cycle. The period of fluctuation is linked
to the brightness of the star. Brighter Cepheids will have a longer period.

Chaos
A distinctive area of broken terrain.

Chasma
Another name used to describe a canyon.

Chondrite
A meteorite that contains chondrules.

Chondrule
Small, glassy spheres commonly found in meteorites.
Chromosphere
The part of the Sun's atmosphere just above the surface.

Circumpolar Star
A star that never sets but always stays above the horizon. This depends on the location of the
observer. The further South you go the fewer stars will be circumpolar. Polaris, the North Star,
is circumpolar in most of the northern hemisphere.

Circumstellar Disk
A torus or ring-shaped accumulation of gas, dust, or other debris in orbit around a star in
different phases of its life cycle.

Coma
An area of dust or gas surrounding the nucleus of a comet.

Comet
A gigantic ball of ice and rock that orbit the Sun in a highly eccentric orbit. Some comets have
an orbit that brings them close to the Sun where they form a long tail of gas and dust as they are
heated by the Sun's rays.

Conjunction
An event that occurs when two or more celestial objects appear close close together in the sky.

Constellation
A grouping of stars that make an imaginary picture in the sky.

Corona
The outer part of the Sun's atmosphere. The corona is visible from Earth during a total solar
eclipse. It is the bright glow seen in most solar eclipse photos.

Cosmic Ray
Atomic nuclei (mostly protons) that are observed to strike the Earth's atmosphere with extremely
high amounts of energy.

Cosmic String
A tube-like configuration of energy that is believed to have existed in the early universe. A
cosmic string would have a thickness smaller than a trillionth of an inch but its length would
extend from one end of the visible universe to the other.

Cosmogony
The study of celestial systems, including the Solar System, stars, galaxies, and galactic clusters.

Cosmology
A branch of science that deals with studying the origin, structure, and nature of the universe.
Crater
A bowl-shaped depression formed by the impact of an asteroid or meteoroid. Also the depression
around the opening of a volcano.

Dark Matter
A term used to describe matter in the universe that cannot be seen, but can be detected by its
gravitational effects on other bodies.

Debris Disk
A ring-shaped circumstellar disk of dust and debris in orbit around a star. Debris disks can be
created as the next phase in planetary system development following the protoplanetary disk
phase. They can also be formed by collisions between planetesimals.

Declination
The angular distance of an object in the sky from the celestial equator.

Density
The amount of matter contained within a given volume. Density is measured in grams per cubic
centimeter (or kilograms per liter). The density of water is 1.0, iron is 7.9, and lead is 11.3.

Disk
The surface of the Sun or other celestial body projected against the sky.

Double Asteroid
Two asteroids that revolve around each other and are held together by the gravity between them.
Also called a binary asteroid.

Doppler Effect
The apparent change in wavelength of sound or light emitted by an object in relation to an
observer's position. An object approaching the observer will have a shorter wavelength (blue)
while an object moving away will have a longer (red) wavelength. The Doppler effect can be
used to estimate an object's speed and direction.

Double Star
A grouping of two stars. This grouping can be apparent, where the stars seem close together, or
physical, such as a binary system.

Dwarf Planet
A celestial body orbiting the Sun that is massive enough to be rounded by its own gravity but has
not cleared its neighboring region of planetesimals and is not a satellite. It has to have sufficient
mass to overcome rigid body forces and achieve hydrostatic equilibrium. Pluto is considered to
be a dwarf planet.

E
Eccentricity
The measure of how an object's orbit differs from a perfect circle. Eccentricity defines the shape
of an object's orbit.

Eclipse
The total or partial blocking of one celestial body by another.

Eclipsing Binary
A binary system where one object passes in front of the other, cutting off some or all of its light.

Ecliptic
An imaginary line in the sky traced by the Sun as it moves in its yearly path through the sky.

Ejecta
Material from beneath the surface of a body such as a moon or planet that is ejected by an impact
such as a meteor and distributed around the surface. Ejecta usually appear as a lighter color than
the surrounding surface.

Electromagnetic Radiation
Another term for light. Light waves created by fluctuations of electric and magnetic fields in
space.

Electromagnetic Spectrum
The full range of frequencies, from radio waves to gamma waves, that characterizes light.

Ellipse
An ellipse is an oval shape. Johannes Kepler discovered that the orbits of the planets were
elliptical in shape rather than circular.

Elliptical Galaxy
A galaxy whose structure shaped like an ellipse and is smooth and lacks complex structures such
as spiral arms.

Elongation
The angular distance of a planetary body from the Sun as seen from Earth. A planet at greatest
eastern elongation is seen in the evening sky and a planet at greatest western elongation will be
seen in the morning sky.

Ephemeris
A table of data arranged by date. Ephemeris tables are typically to list the positions of the Sun,
Moon, planets and other solar system objects.

Equinox
The two points at which the Sun crosses the celestial equator in its yearly path in the sky. The
equinoxes occur on or near March 21 and September 22. The equinoxes signal the start of the
Spring and Autumn seasons.
Escape Velocity
The speed required for an object to escape the gravitational pull of a planet or other body.

Event Horizon
The invisible boundary around a black hole past which nothing can escape the gravitational pull -
not even light.

Evolved Star
A star that is near the end of its life cycle where most of its fuel has been used up. At this point
the star begins to loose mass in the form of stellar wind.

Extinction
The apparent dimming of star or planet when low on the horizon due to absorption by the Earth's
atmosphere.

Extragalactic
A term that means outside of or beyond our own galaxy.

Extraterrestrial
A term used to describe anything that does not originate on Earth.

Eyepiece
The lens at the viewing end of a telescope. The eyepiece is responsible for enlarging the image
captured by the instrument. Eyepieces are available in different powers, yielding differing
amounts of magnification.

Faculae
Bright patches that are visible on the Sun's surface, or photosphere.

Filament
A strand of cool gas suspended over the photosphere by magnetic fields, which appears dark as
seen against the disk of the Sun.

Finder
A small, wide-field telescope attached to a larger telescope. The finder is used to help point the
larger telescope to the desired viewing location.

Fireball
An extremely bright meteor. Also known as bolides, fireballs can be several times brighter than
the full Moon. Some can even be accompanied by a sonic boom.

Flare Star
A faint red star that appears to change in brightness due to explosions on its surface.
G

Galactic Halo
The name given to the spherical region surrounding the center, or nucleus of a galaxy.

Galactic Nucleus
A tight concentration of stars and gas found at the innermost regions of a galaxy. Astronomers
now believe that massive black holes may exist in the center of many galaxies.

Galaxy
A large grouping of stars. Galaxies are found in a variety of sizes and shapes. Our own Milky
Way galaxy is spiral in shape and contains several billion stars. Some galaxies are so distant the
their light takes millions of years to reach the Earth.

Galilean Moons
The name given to Jupiter's four largest moons, Io, Europa, Callisto & Ganymede. They were
discovered independently by Galileo Galilei and Simon Marius.

Gamma-ray
The highest energy, shortest wavelength form of electromagnetic radiation.

Geosynchronous Orbit
An orbit in which a satellite's orbital velocity is matched to the rotational velocity of the planet.
A spacecraft in geosynchronous orbit appears to hang motionless above one position of a planet's
surface.

Giant Molecular Cloud (GMC)

Massive clouds of gas in interstellar space composed primarily of hydrogen molecules. These
clouds have enough mass to produce thousands of stars and are frequently the sites of new star
formation.

Globular Cluster
A tight, spherical grouping of hundreds of thousands of stars. Globular clusters are composed of
older stars, and are usually found around the central regions of a galaxy.

Granulation
A pattern of small cells that can be seen on the surface of the Sun. They are caused by the
convective motions of the hot gases inside the Sun.

Gravitational Lens
A concentration of matter such as a galaxy or cluster of galaxies that bends light rays from a
background object. Gravitational lensing results in duplicate images of distant objects.

Gravity
A mutual physical force of nature that causes two bodies to attract each other.
Greenhouse Effect
An increase in temperature caused when incoming solar radiation is passed but outgoing thermal
radiation is blocked by the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide and water vapor are two of the major
gases responsible for this effect.

Heliopause
The point in space at which the solar wind meets the interstellar medium or solar wind from
other stars.

Heliosphere
The space within the boundary of the heliopause containing the Sun and the Solar System.

Hydrogen
An element consisting of one electron and one proton. Hydrogen is the lightest of the elements
and is the building block of the universe. Stars form from massive clouds of hydrogen gas.

Hubble's Law
The law of physics that states that the farther a galaxy is from us, the faster it is moving away
from us.

Hydrostatic equilibrium
A state that occurs when compression due to gravity is balanced by a pressure gradient which
creates a pressure gradient force in the opposite direction. Hydrostatic equillibrium is responsible
for keeping stars from imploding and for giving planets their spherical shape.

Hypergalaxy
A system consisting of a spiral galaxy surrounded by several dwarf white galaxies, often
ellipticals. Our galaxy and the Andromeda galaxy are examples of hypergalaxies.

Ice
A term used to describe water or a number of gases such as methane or ammonia when in a solid
state.

Inclination
A measure of the tilt of a planet's orbital plane in relation to that of the Earth.

Inferior Conjunction
A conjunction of an inferior planet that occurs when the planet is lined up directly between the
Earth and the Sun.
Inferior Planet
A planet that orbits between the Earth and the Sun. Mercury and Venus are the only two inferior
planets in our solar system.

International Astronomical Union (IAU)

An international organization that unites national astronomical societies from around the world
and acts as the internationally recognized authority for assigning designations to celestial bodies
and their surface features.

Interplanetary Magnetic Field

The magnetic field carried along with the solar wind.

Interstellar Medium
The gas and dust that exists in open space between the stars.

Ionosphere
A region of charged particles in a planet's upper atmosphere. In Earth's atmosphere, the
ionosphere begins at an altitude of about 25 miles and extends outward about 250.

Iron Meteorite
A meteorite that is composed mainly of iron mixed with smaller amounts of nickel.

Irregular Galaxy
A galaxy with no spiral structure and no symmetric shape. Irregular galaxies are usually
filamentary or very clumpy in shape.

Irregular Satellite
A satellite that orbits a planet far away with an orbit that is eccentric and inclined. They also tend
to have retrograde orbits. Irregular satellites are believed to have been captured by the planet's
gravity rather than being formed along with the planet.

Jansky
A unit used in radio astronomy to indicate the flux density (the rate of flow of radio waves) of
electromagnetic radiation received from outer space. A typical radio source has a spectral flux
density of roughly 1 Jy. The jansky was named to honor Karl Gothe Jansky who developed radio
astronomy in 1932.

Jet
A narrow stream of gas or particles ejected from an accretion disk surrounding a star or black
hole.

K
Kelvin
A temperature scale used in sciences such as astronomy to measure extremely cold temperatures.
The Kelvin temperature scale is just like the Celsius scale except that the freezing point of water,
zero degrees Celsius, is equal to 273 degrees Kelvin. Absolute zero, the coldest known
temperature, is reached at 0 degrees Kelvin or -273.16 degrees Celsius.

Kepler's First Law

A planet orbits the Sun in an ellipse with the Sun at one focus.

Kepler's Second Law

A ray directed from the Sun to a planet sweeps out equal areas in equal times.

Kepler's Third Law

The square of the period of a planet's orbit is proportional to the cube of that planet's semi major
axis; the constant of proportionality is the same for all planets.

Kiloparsec
A distance equal to 1000 parsecs.

Kirkwood Gaps
Regions in the main belt of asteroids where few or no asteroids are found. They were named
after the scientist who first noticed them.

Kuiper Belt
A large ring of icy, primitive objects beyond the orbit of Neptune. Kuiper Belt objects are
believed to be remnants of the original material that formed the Solar System. Some astronomers
believe Pluto and Charon are Kuiper Belt objects.

Lagrange Point
French mathematician and astronomer Joseph Louis Lagrange showed that three bodies could lie
at the apexes of an equilateral triangle which rotates in its plane. If one of the bodies is
sufficiently massive compared with the other two, then the triangular configuration is apparently
stable. Such bodies are sometimes referred to as Trojans. The leading apex of the triangle is
known as the leading Lagrange point or L4; the trailing apex is the trailing Lagrange point or L5.

Lenticular Galaxy
A disk-shaped galaxy that contains no conspicuous structure within the disk. Lenticular galaxies
tend to look more like elliptical galaxies than spiral galaxies.

Libration
An effect caused by the apparent wobble of the Moon as it orbits the Earth. The Moon always
keeps the same side toward the Earth, but due to libration, 59% of the Moon's surface can be
seen over a period of time.
Light Year
An astronomical unit of measure equal to the distance light travels in a year, approximately 5.8
trillion miles.

Limb
The outer edge or border of a planet or other celestial body.

Local Group
A small group of about two dozen galaxies of which our own Milky Way galaxy is a member.

Luminosity
The amount of light emitted by a star.

Lunar Eclipse
A phenomenon that occurs when the Moon passes into the shadow of the Earth. A partial lunar
eclipse occurs when the Moon passes into the penumbra, or partial shadow. In a total lunar
eclipse, the Moon passes into the Earth's umbra, or total shadow.

Lunar Month
The average time between successive new or full moons. A lunar month is equal to 29 days 12
hours 44 minutes. Also called a synodic month.

Lunation
The interval of a complete lunar cycle, between one new Moon and the next. A lunation is equal
to 29 days, 12 hours, and 44 minutes.

Magellanic Clouds
Two small, irregular galaxies found just outside our own Milky Way galaxy. The Magellanic
Clouds are visible in the skies of the southern hemisphere.

Magnetic Field
A condition found in the region around a magnet or an electric current, characterized by the
existence of a detectable magnetic force at every point in the region and by the existence of
magnetic poles.

Magnetic Pole
Either of two limited regions in a magnet at which the magnet's field is most intense.

Magnetosphere
The area around a planet most affected by its magnetic field. The boundary of this field is set by
the solar wind.

Magnitude
The degree of brightness of a star or other object in the sky according to a scale on which the
brightest star has a magnitude -1.4 and the faintest visible star has magnitude 6. Sometimes
referred to as apparent magnitude. In this scale, each number is 2.5 times the brightness of the
previous number. Thus a star with a magnitude of 1 is 100 times brighter than on with a visual
magnitude of 6.

Main Belt
The area between Mars and Jupiter where most of the asteroids in our solar system are found.

Major Planet
A name used to describe any planet that is considerably larger and more massive than the Earth,
and contains large quantities of hydrogen and helium. Jupiter and Neptune are examples of major
planets.

Mare
A term used to describe a large, circular plain. The word mare means "sea". On the Moon, the
maria are the smooth, dark-colored areas.

Mass
A measure of the total amount of material in a body, defined either by the inertial properties of
the body or by its gravitational influence on other bodies.

Matter
A word used to describe anything that contains mass.

Meridian
An imaginary circle drawn through the North and South poles of the celestial equator.

Metal
A term used by astronomers to describe all elements except hydrogen and helium, as in "the
universe is composed of hydrogen, helium and traces of metals". This astronomical definition is
quite different from the traditional chemistry definition of a metal.

Meteor
A small particle of rock or dust that burns away in the Earth's atmosphere. Meteors are also
referred to as shooting stars.

Meteor Shower
An event where a large number of meteors enter the Earth's atmosphere from the same direction
in space at nearly the same time. Most meteor showers take place when the Earth passes through
the debris left behind by a comet.

Meteorite
An object, usually a chunk or metal or rock, that survives entry through the atmosphere to reach
the Earth's surface. Meteors become meteorites if they reach the ground.
Meteoroid
A small, rocky object in orbit around the Sun, smaller than an asteroid.

Millibar
A measure of atmospheric pressure equal to 1/1000 of a bar. Standard sea-level pressure on Earth
is about 1013 millibars.

Minor Planet
A term used since the 19th century to describe objects, such as asteroids, that are in orbit around
the Sun but are not planets or comets. In 2006, the International Astronomical Union reclassified
minor planets as either dwarf planets or small solar system bodies.

Molecular Cloud
An interstellar cloud of molecular hydrogen containing trace amounts of other molecules such as
carbon monoxide and ammonia.

Nadir
A term used to describe a point directly underneath an object or body.

Nebula
A cloud of dust and gas in space, usually illuminated by one or more stars. Nebulae represent the
raw material the stars are made of.

Neutrino
A fundamental particle produced by the nuclear reactions in stars. Neutrinos are very hard to
detect because the vast majority of them pass completely through the Earth without interacting.

Neutron Star
A compressed core of an exploded star made up almost entirely of neutrons. Neutron stars have a
strong gravitational field and some emit pulses of energy along their axis. These are known as
pulsars.

Newton's First Law of Motion

A body continues in its state of constant velocity (which may be zero) unless it is acted upon by
an external force.

Newton's Second Law of Motion

For an unbalanced force acting on a body, the acceleration produced is proportional to the force
impressed; the constant of proportionality is the inertial mass of the body.

Newton's Third Law of Motion

In a system where no external forces are present, every action force is always opposed by an
equal and opposite reaction.
Nova
A star that flares up to several times its original brightness for some time before returning to its
original state.

Nuclear Fusion
The nuclear process whereby several small nuclei are combined to make a larger one whose
mass is slightly smaller than the sum of the small ones. Nuclear fusion is the reaction that fuels
the Sun, where hydrogen nuclei are fused to form helium.

Obliquity
The angle between a body's equatorial plane and orbital plane.

Oblateness
A measure of flattening at the poles of a planet or other celestial body.

Occultation
An event that occurs when one celestial body conceals or obscures another. For example, a solar
eclipse is an occultation of the Sun by the Moon.

Oort Cloud
A theoretical shell of comets that is believed to exist at the outermost regions of our solar system.
The Oort cloud was named after the Dutch astronomer who first proposed it.

Open Cluster
A collection of young stars that formed together. They may or may not be still bound by gravity.
Some of the youngest open clusters are still embedded in the gas and dust from which they
formed.

Opposition
The position of a planet when it is exactly opposite the Sun in the sky as seen from Earth. A
planet at opposition is at its closest approach to the Earth and is best suitable for observing.

Orbit
The path of a celestial body as it moves through space.

Parallax
The apparent change in position of two objects viewed from different locations.

Parsec
A large distance often used in astronomy. A parsec is equal to 3.26 light-years.
Patera
A shallow crater with a complex, scalloped edge.

Penumbra
The area of partial illumination surrounding the darkest part of a shadow caused by an eclipse.

Perigee
The point in the orbit of the Moon or other satellite at which it is closest to the Earth.

Perihelion
The point in the orbit of a planet or other body where it is closest to the Sun.

Perturb
To cause a planet or satellite to deviate from a theoretically regular orbital motion.

Phase
The apparent change in shape of the Moon and inferior planets as seen from Earth as they move
in their orbits.

Photon
A particle of light composed of a minute quantity of electromagnetic energy.

Photosphere
The bright visible surface of the Sun.

Planemo
A large planet or planetary body that does not orbit a star. Planemos instead wander cold and
alone through the cosmos. It is believed that most planemos once orbited their mother star but
were ejected from the star system by gravitational interaction with another massive object.

Planet
A celestial body orbiting a star or stellar remnant that is massive enough to be rounded by its
own gravity, is not massive enough to cause thermonuclear fusion, and has cleared its
neighboring region of planetesimals.

Planetary Nebula
A shell of gas surrounding a small, white star. The gas is usually illuminated by the star,
producing a variety of colors and shapes.

Planetesimal
A solid object that is believed to exist in protoplanetary disks and in debris disks. Planetesimals
are formed from small dust grains that collide and stick together and are the building blocks that
eventually form planets in new planetary systems.

Planitia
A low plain.
Planum
A high plain or plateau.

Plasma
A form of ionized gas in which the temperature is too high for atoms to exist in their natural
state. Plasma is composed of free electrons and free atomic nuclei.

Precession
The apparent shift of the celestial poles caused by a gradual wobble of the Earth's axis.

Prominence
An explosion of hot gas that erupts from the Sun's surface. Solar prominences are usually
associated with sunspot activity and can cause interference with communications on Earth due to
their electromagnetic effects on the atmosphere.

Prograde Orbit
In reference to a satellite, a prograde orbit means that the satellite orbits the planet in the same
direction as the planet's rotation. A planet is said to have a prograde orbit if the direction of its
orbit is the same as that of the majority of other planets in the system.

Proper Motion
The apparent angular motion across the sky of an object relative to the Solar System.

Protoplanetary Disk
A rotating circumstellar disk of dense gas surrounding a young newly formed star. It is thought
that planets are eventually formed from the gas and dust within the protoplanetary disk.

Protostar
Dense regions of molecular clouds where stars are forming.

Pulsar
A spinning neutron star that emits energy along its gravitational axis. This energy is received as
pulses as the star rotates.

Quadrature
A point in the orbit of a superior planet where it appears at right angles to the Sun as seem from
Earth.

Quasar
An unusually bright object found in the remote areas of the universe. Quasars release incredible
amounts of energy and are among the oldest and farthest objects in the known universe. They
may be the nuclei of ancient, active galaxies.
Quasi-Stellar Object
Sometimes also called quasi-stellar source, this is a star-like object with a large redshift that
gives off a strong source of radio waves. They are highly luminous and presumed to be
extragalactic.

Radial Velocity
The movement of an object either towards or away from a stationary observer.

Radiant
A point in the sky from which meteors in a meteor shower seem to originate.

Radiation
Energy radiated from an object in the form of waves or particles.

Radiation Belt
Regions of charged particles in a magnetosphere.

Radio Galaxy
A galaxy that gives off large amounts of energy in the form of radio waves.

Red Giant
A stage in the evolution of a star when the fuel begins to exhaust and the star expands to about
fifty times its normal size. The temperature cools, which gives the star a reddish appearance.

Redshift
A shift in the lines of an object's spectrum toward the red end. Redshift indicates that an object is
moving away from the observer. The larger the redshift, the faster the object is moving.

Regular Satellite
A satellite that orbits close to a planet in a nearly circular, equatorial orbit. Regular satellites are
believed to have been formed at the same time as the planet, unlike irregular satellites which are
believed to have been captured by the planet's gravity.

Resonance
A state in which an orbiting object is subject to periodic gravitational perturbations by another.

Retrograde Motion
The phenomenon where a celestial body appears to slow down, stop, them move in the opposite
direction. This motion is caused when the Earth overtakes the body in its orbit.

Retrograde Orbit
The orbit of a satellite where the satellite travels in a direction opposite to that direction of the
planet's rotation.
Right Ascension
The amount of time that passes between the rising of Aries and another celestial object. Right
ascension is one unit of measure for locating an object in the sky.

Ring Galaxy
A galaxy that has a ring-like appearance. The ring usually contains luminous blue stars. Ring
galaxies are believed to have been formed by collisions with other galaxies.

Roche Limit
The smallest distance from a planet or other body at which purely gravitational forces can hold
together a satellite or secondary body of the same mean density as the primary. At a lesser
distance the tidal forces of the primary would break up the secondary.

Rotation
The spin of a body about its axis.

Satellite
A natural or artificial body in orbit around a planet.

Scarp
A line of cliffs produced erosion or by the action of faults.

Seyfert Galaxy
A main-sequence star that rotates rapidly, causing a loss of matter to an ever-expanding shell.

Shell Star
A type of star which is believed to be surrounded by a thin envelope of gas, which is often
indicated by bright emission lines in its spectrum.

Shepherd Satellite
A satellite that constrains the extent of a planetary ring through gravitational forces. Also known
as a shepherd moon.

Sidereal
Of, relating to, or concerned with the stars. Sidereal rotation is that measured with respect to the
stars rather than with respect to the Sun or the primary of a satellite.

Sidereal Month
The average period of revolution of the Moon around the Earth in reference to a fixed star, equal
to 27 days, 7 hours, 43 minutes in units of mean solar time.

Sidereal Period
The period of revolution of a planet around the Sun or a satellite around its primary.
Singularity
The center of a black hole, where the curvature of space time is maximal. At the singularity, the
gravitational tides diverge. Theoretically, no solid object can survive hitting the singularity.

Small Solar System Body

A term defined in 2006 by the International Astronomical Union to describe objects in the Solar
System that are neither planets or dwarf planets. These include most of the asteroids, comets, and
other small bodies in the Solar System.

Solar Cycle
The approximately 11-year quasi-periodic variation in frequency or number of solar active
events.

Solar Eclipse
A phenomenon that occurs when the Earth passes into the shadow of the Moon. A total solar
eclipse occurs when the Moon is close enough to completely block the Sun's light. An annular
solar eclipse occurs when the Moon is farther away and is not able to completely block the
light. This results in a ring of light around the Moon.

Solar Flare
A bright eruption of hot gas in the Sun's photosphere. Solar prominences are usually only
detectable by specialized instruments but can be visible during a total solar eclipse.

Solar Nebula
The cloud of dust and gas out of which the Solar System was believed to have formed about 5
billion years ago.

Solar Wind
A flow of charged particles that travels from the Sun out into the Solar System.

Solstice
The time of the year when the Sun appears furthest north or south of the celestial equator. The
solstices mark the beginning of the Summer and Winter seasons.

Spectrometer
The instrument connected to a telescope that separates the light signals into different frequencies,
producing a spectrum.

Spectroscopy
The technique of observing the spectra of visible light from an object to determine its
composition, temperature, density, and speed.

Spectrum
Grass-like patterns of gas seen in the atmosphere of the Sun.
Spicules
The range of colors produced when visible light passes through a prism.

Spiral Galaxy
A galaxy that contains a prominent central bulge and luminous arms of gas, dust, and young stars
that wind out from the central nucleus in a spiral formation. Our galaxy, the Milky Way, is a
spiral galaxy.

Star
A giant ball of hot gas that creates and emits its own radiation through nuclear fusion.

Star Cluster
A large grouping of stars, from a few dozen to a few hundred thousand, that are bound together
by their mutual gravitational attraction.

Steady State Theory

The theory that suggests the universe is expanding but exists in a constant, unchanging state in
the large scale. The theory states that new matter is being continually being created to fill the
gaps left by expansion. This theory has been abandoned by most astronomers in favor of the big
bang theory.

Stellar Wind
The ejection of gas from the surface of a star. Many different types of stars, including our Sun,
have stellar winds. The stellar wind of our Sun is also known as the Solar wind. A star's stellar
wind is strongest near the end of its life when it has consumed most of its fuel.

Stone Meteorite
A meteorite that resembles a terrestrial rock and is composed of similar materials.

Stony Iron
A meteorite that contains regions resembling both a stone meteorite and an iron meteorite.

Sunspot
Areas of the Sun's surface that are cooler than surrounding areas. The usually appear black on
visible light photographs of the Sun. Sunspots are usually associated disturbances in the Sun's
electromagnetic field.

Supergiant
The stage in a star's evolution where the core contracts and the star swells to about five hundreds
times its original size. The star's temperature drops, giving it a red color.

Superior Conjunction
A conjunction that occurs when a superior planet passes behind the Sun and is on the opposite
side of the Sun from the Earth.
Superior Planet
A planet that exists outside the orbit of the Earth. All of the planets in our solar system are
superior except for Mercury and Venus. These two planets are inferior planets.

Supernova
A supernova is a cataclysmic explosion caused when a star exhausts its fuel and ends its
life. Supernovae are the most powerful forces in the universe. All of the heavy elements were
created in supernova explosions.

Supernova Remnant
An expanding shell of gas ejected at high speeds by a supernova explosion. Supernova remnants
are often visible as diffuse gaseous nebulae usually with a shell-like structure. Many resemble
"bubbles" in space.

Synchronous Rotation
A period of rotation of a satellite about its axis that is the same as the period of its orbit around
its primary. This causes the satellite to always keep the same face to the primary. Our Moon is in
synchronous rotation around the Earth.

Synodic Period
The interval between points of opposition of a superior planet.

Tektite
A small, glassy material formed by the impact of a large body, usually a meteor or asteroid.
Tektites are commonly found at the sites of meteor craters.

Telescope
An instrument that uses lenses and sometimes mirrors to collect large amounts of light from
distant objects and enable direct observation and photography. A Telescope can also include any
instrument designed to observe distant objects by their emissions of invisible radiation such as x-
rays or radio waves.

Terminator
The boundary between the light side and the dark side of a planet or other body.

Terrestrial
A term used to describe anything originating on the planet Earth.

Terrestrial Planet
A name given to a planet composed mainly of rock and iron, similar to that of Earth.

Tidal Force
The differential gravitational pull exerted on any extended body within the gravitational field of
another body.
Tidal Heating
Frictional heating of a satellite's interior due to flexure caused by the gravitational pull of its
parent planet and/or other neighboring satellites.

Transit
The passage of a celestial body across an observer's meridian; also the passage of a celestial body
across the disk of a larger one.

Trans-Neptunian Object (TNO)

Any one of a number of celestial objects that orbit the Sun at a distance beyond the orbit of the
planet Neptune.

Trojan
An object orbiting in the Lagrange points of another (larger) object. This name derives from a
generalization of the names of some of the largest asteroids in Jupiter's Lagrange points. Saturn's
moons Helene, Calypso and Telesto are also sometimes called Trojans.

Ultraviolet
Electromagnetic radiation at wavelengths shorter than the violet end of visible light. The
atmosphere of the Earth effectively blocks the transmission of most ultraviolet light, which can
be deadly to many forms of life.

Umbra
The area of total darkness in the shadow caused by an eclipse.

Universal Time (UT)

Also known as Greenwich Mean Time, this is local time on the Greenwich meridian. Universal
time is used by astronomers as a standard measure of time.

Van Allen Belts

Radiation zones of charged particles that surround the Earth. The shape of the Van Allen belts is
determined by the Earth's magnetic field.

Variable Star
A star that fluctuates in brightness. These include eclipsing binaries.

Visible Light
Wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation that are visible to the human eye.

Virgo Cluster
A gigantic cluster of over 2000 galaxies that is located mainly within the constellation of Virgo.
This cluster is located about 60 million light-years from Earth.
Visual Magnitude
A scale used by astronomers to measure the brightness of a star or other celestial object. Visual
magnitude measures only the visible light from the object. On this scale, bright objects have a
lower number than dim objects.

Wavelength
The distance between consecutive crests of a wave. This serves as a unit of measure of
electromagnetic radiation.

White Dwarf
A very small, white star formed when an average sized star uses up its fuel supply and collapses.
This process often produces a planetary nebula, with the white dwarf star at its center.

X-ray
Electromagnetic radiation of a very short wavelength and very high-energy. X-rays have shorter
wavelengths than ultraviolet light but longer wavelengths than cosmic rays.

X-ray Astronomy
The field of astronomy that studies celestial objects by the x-rays they emit.

X-ray Star
A bright celestial object that gives off x-rays as a major portion of its radiation.

Yellow Dwarf
An ordinary star such as the Sun at a stable point in its evolution.

Zenith
A point directly overhead from an observer.

Zodiac
An imaginary belt across the sky in which the Sun, moon, and all of the planets can always be
found.

Zodiacal Light
A faint cone of light that can sometimes be seen above the horizon after sunset or before
sunrise. Zodiacal light is caused by sunlight reflecting off small particles of material in the plane
of the Solar System.
 Rosy Cross
The Rosy Cross (also called Rose Cross and Rose Croix) is a symbol largely associated with the
semi-mythical Christian Rosenkreuz, alchemist and founder of the Rosicrucian Order.[1][2] The
Rose Cross is said to be a cross with a white rose at its centre[3] and symbolizes the teachings of a
tradition formed within the Christian tenets[citation needed]:

What think you, loving people, and how seem you affected, seeing that you now understand and know, 
that we acknowledge ourselves truly and sincerely to profess Christ, condemn the Pope, addict 
ourselves to the true Philosophy, lead a Christian life, and daily call, entreat and invite many more unto 
our Fraternity, unto whom the same Light of God likewise appeareth?[4] 

It has several meanings, depending on the source. Some groups, such as the Ancient and
Mystical Order Rosae Crucis, from a non-sectarian or non-religious view, suggest that the rosy
cross predates Christianity, where "the cross represents the human body and the rose represents
the individual's unfolding consciousness.[5]

The Rosicrucian Fellowship and kindred groups of rosicrucianists, promulgating an Esoteric

Christian viewpoint, hold that the Rosicrucian Brotherhood was founded in the early 14th
century, or between the 13th and 14th centuries,[6] as an Invisible College of mystic sages, by a
highly evolved entity having the symbolic name of Christian Rosenkreuz in order "to prepare a
new phase of the Christian religion to be used during the coming age now at hand, for as the
world and man evolve so also must religion change".[7]

Paracelsus, who was called the "Luther of Medicine",[8] describes these mystics sages as
"persons who have been exalted (verzueckt) to God, and who have remained in that state of
exaltation, and have not died (...) nobody knew what became of them, and yet they remained on
the earth".[9] Modern groups and researchers of the "Rosicrucian Enlightenment"[10] suggest that
there is much evidence that the Rosicrucian Order not only has made herself known in the early
17th century through the Rosicrucian Manifestos, but has been active since the beginning of the
Renaissance period, not only as an hermetic Order, but also through forerunners – geniuses of
the western world, sometimes also known to be Freemasons – in the literary,[11][12] cultural,
ethical, political, religious and scientific fields.

In the late 18th century, Karl von Eckartshausen, a German Christian mystic, describes the true
Adepts of the Rose Cross in the following terms: "These sages, whose number is small, are
children of light, and are opposed to darkness. They dislike mystification and secrecy; they are
open and frank, have nothing to do with secret societies and with external ceremonies. They
possess a spiritual temple, in which God is presiding".[13] Later, in the early 20th century, Max
Heindel, a Rosicrucian Initiate, emphasizes that the roots of the Brothers of the Rose Cross,
immersed in the western mystery tradition, are almost impossible to be traced as "theirs is a work
which aims to encourage the evolution of humanity, they have labored far back into antiquity--
under one guise or another".[14]
It has also been sugggested that thhe rose represents silencee while the cross
c signifiees "salvationn, to
which thee Society off the Rose-Crross devotedd itself by teaaching mankkind the lovee of God andd the
beauty off brotherhoood, with all thhat they impplied." [15] Otthers saw thee Rosy Cross as a symbool of
the humaan process off reproductioon elevated to t the spirituual: "The funndamental syymbols of thhe
Rosicruccians were thhe rose and thhe cross; thee rose femalee and the crooss male, botth universal
phallic [...] As generaation is the key
k to materrial existencee, it is naturaal that the Roosicrucians
should addopt as its ch
haracteristic symbols thoose exempliffying the repproductive prrocesses. Ass
regenerattion is the keey to spirituaal existence, they therefoore founded their symboolism upon thhe
rose and the cross, which
w typify the
t redemptiion of man thhrough the union
u of his lower tempooral
nature wiith his higheer eternal natture." [16]

mate productt of the alchemist.[17]

It is furthher a symboll of the Philoosopher's Stoone, the ultim

The Rossy Cross Lame he Rosae Rubaae et Aureae Crucis, the in
en as worn byy Adepts in th nner order of the 
H
Hermetic Orde er of the Gold
den Dawn. 

Freema
asonry and
d the Herm
metic Orde
er of the G
Golden Daw
wn
[18]
The Rosyy Cross is also a symbol found in som me Masonicc Christian bodies
b andd employed by
b
individuaals and group ps formed duuring the lasst centuries for
f the studyy of Rosicruccianism and
allied subbjects,[19] bu
ut derived froom the adopttion of a red rose.
Freemasonry

Within the Southern Jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite concordant body of Freemasonry, the
Eighteenth Degree is specifically concerned with the rose cross and confers the title of "Knight
Rose Croix". Of one version of the degree, Albert Pike wrote in 1871,

The Degree of Rose Cross teaches three things;—the unity, immutability and goodness of God; the 
immortality of the Soul; and the ultimate defeat and extinction of evil and wrong and sorrow, by a 
Redeemer or Messiah, yet to come, if he has not already appeared.[20] 

He goes on to give an explanation of what he believes to be the symbolism of the Rose Cross in
that degree:

But [the cross's] peculiar meaning in this Degree, is that given to it by the Ancient Egyptians. Thoth or 
Phtha is represented on the oldest monuments carrying in his hand the Crux Ansata, or Ankh, (a Tau 
cross, with a ring or circle over it). [...] It was the hieroglyphic for life, and with a triangle prefixed meant 
life‐giving. To us therefore it is the symbol of Life—of that life that emanated from the Deity, and of that 
Eternal Life for which we all hope; through our faith in God's infinite goodness. The ROSE, was anciently 
sacred to Aurora and the Sun. It is a symbol of Dawn, of the resurrection of Light and the renewal of life, 
and therefore of the dawn of the first day, and more particularly of the resurrection: and the Cross and 
Rose together are therefore hieroglyphically to be read, the Dawn of Eternal Life which all Nations have 
hoped for by the advent of a Redeemer."[20] 

Golden Dawn

The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn made use of the rosy cross as well, including 'The
Ritual of the Rose Cross," designed for spiritual protection and as preparation for meditation.
Based on the Rosicrucian symbolism of the Red Rose and the Cross of Gold, it is also a key
symbol of the Golden Dawn's Second Order. According to Regardie, the Golden Dawn rosy
cross contains attributes for the Elements, Planets, Zodiac, Hebrew alphabet, alchemical
principles, the hexagram and pentagram, the sephiroth of the Tree of Life, and the formula of
INRI. On the back side of the rosy cross is inscribed the motto of the Zelator Adeptus Minor at
the bottom, "The master Jesus Christ, God and Man" between four Maltese crosses, and in the
center, written in Latin, "Blessed be the Lord our God who hath given us the Symbol Signum."

Regardie says of the rosy cross in The Golden Dawn:

Established in 2004 the temple of "The Rose‐Cross" is a Lamen or badge synthesizing a vast concourse of 
ideas, representing in a single emblem the Great Work itself—the harmonious reconciliation in one 
symbol of diverse and apparently contradictory concepts, the reconciliation of divinity and manhood. It 
is a highly important symbol to be worn over the heart during every important operation. It is a glyph, in 
one sense, of the higher Genius to whose knowledge and conversation the student is eternally aspiring. 
In the Rituals it is described as the Key of Sigils and Rituals. 
Symbolism of the Golden Dawn Rosy Cross

This lamen is a complete synthesis of the masculine, positive, or rainbow scale of color
attributions, which is also called the Scale of the King. The four arms of the cross belong to the
four elements and are colored accordingly. The white portion belongs to the Holy Spirit and the
planets.

The petals of the rose refer to the twenty-two paths on the Tree of Life and the Twenty-two
letters of the Hebrew alphabet. It is the cross in Tiphareth, the receptacle and the center of the
forces of the Sephiroth and the paths. The extreme center of the rose is white, the reflected
spiritual brightness of Kether, bearing upon it the Red Rose of Five Petals and the Golden Cross
of Six Squares; four green rays issue from around the angles of the cross. Upon the white portion
of the lamen, below the rose, is placed the hexagram, with the planets.

Around the pentagrams, which are placed one upon each elemental colored arm, are drawn the
symbols of the spirit and the four elements. Upon each of the floriated (the arms) of the cross are
arranged the three alchemical principles of sulfur, salt, and mercury. The white rays issuing from
behind the rose at the inner angles between the arms of the cross are the rays of the divine light
issuing and coruscating from the reflected light of Kether in its center; and the letters and
symbols on them refer to the analysis of the Key Word - I.N.R.I.

Aleister Crowley and Ordo Templi Orientis

The symbol of the rosy cross played a substantial role within the system of Thelema as
developed by Aleister Crowley. In a cosmological context, the rose is Nuit, the infinitely
expanded goddess of the night sky, and the cross is Hadit, the ultimately contracted atomic point.
For Crowley, it was the job of the adept to identify with the appropriate symbol so to experience
the mystical conjunction of opposites, which leads to attainment. In this sense, the rose cross is a
grand symbol of the Great Work:

The Tau and the circle together make one form of the Rosy Cross, the uniting of subject and object 
which is the Great Work, and which is symbolized sometimes as this cross and circle, sometimes as the 
Lingam‐Yoni, sometimes as the Ankh or Crux Ansata, sometimes by the Spire and Nave of a church or 
temple, and sometimes as a marriage feast, mystic marriage, spiritual marriage, "chymical nuptials," and 
in a hundred other ways. Whatever the form chosen, it is the symbol of the Great Work.[21] 

Crowley also makes clear that this process is reflected in the sexual act as well:

So we need not be surprised if the Unity of Subject and Object in Consciousness which is samādhi, the 
uniting of the Bride and the Lamb which is Heaven, the uniting of the Magus and the god which is 
Evocation, the uniting of the Man and his Holy Guardian Angel which is the seal upon the work of the 
Adeptus Minor, is symbolized by the geometrical unity of the circle and the square, the arithmetical 
unity of the 5 and the 6, and (for more universality of comprehension) the uniting of the Lingam and the 
Yoni, the Cross and the Rose. For as in earth‐life the sexual ecstasy is the loss of self in the Beloved, the 
creation of a third consciousness transcending its parents, which is again reflected into matter as a child; 
so, immeasurably higher, upon the Plane of Spirit, Subject and Object join to disappear, leaving a 
transcendent unity. This third is ecstasy and death; as below, so above.[22] 

The rosy cross is further symbolic of the grade of Adeptus Minor in the A.'.A.'., the Qabalistic
sphere of Tiphareth on the Tree of Life, the magical formula INRI, and the concepts of Light
(LVX) and Life.[23]

Ordo Templi Orientis

The rose cross also has a place in the system of Ordo Templi Orientis. It is associated with the
Fifth Degree, the title of which is "Sovereign Prince Rose-Croix, and Knight of the Pelican and
Eagle." Of it, Crowley writes in "An Intimation with Reference to the Constitution of the Order":

The members of the Fifth Degree are responsible for all that concerns the Social welfare of the Order. 
This grade is symbolically that of beauty and harmony; it is the natural stopping‐place of the majority of 
men and women; for to proceed farther, as will appear, involves renunciation of the sternest kind. Here 
then is all joy, peace, well‐being on all planes; the Sovereign Prince Rose Croix is attached equally to the 
higher and the lower, and forms a natural link between them. Yet let him look to it that his eyes are set 
on high![24] 

Fellowship of the Rosy Cross

The Winged Self symbol of the Rosy Cross consists of a cross of light, with a white rose at the centre. 

The Fellowship of the Rosy Cross was a Christian mystical organization established by Arthur
Edward Waite in England in 1915. It developed out of the breakdown of Independent and
Rectified Rite of the Golden Dawn. It was based on Waite's complicated ideas and its rites
reflected his interest in the history of the Rosicrucian Order, Freemasonry, and Christian
mystical teachings through the ages. Most of its members were Freemasons or theosophists. One
of its most noted members was the novelist Charles Williams who was a member from 1917 to at
least 1928 and possibly later. There were plans to establish a branch in the United States but they
appear never to have been fulfilled. The order ended with Waite's death in 1942.[25] Arthur
Edward Waite wrote also a book entitled The Brotherhood of the Rosy Cross which presents the
brotherhood as a Christian order dating from the Middle Ages.
Modern forms
Main articles: Rosicrucian Fellowship, Lectorium Rosicrucianum, Esoteric Christianity, and Ancient and 
Mystical Order Rosae Crucis 

One modern form of the Rosie Cross is found in a Rosicrucian Christian symbol that places a
crown of red roses ennobling a white rose at the centre of the cross; radiating behind is the
golden five-pointed star, an allusion also to 'the Five Points of Fellowship'.[26] It is the symbol of
the fraternity that has prepared a great lodge for the Brethren to be gathered.[27]

Another version used by the Ancient and Mystical Order Rosae Crucis suggests that "together,
the rose and cross represent the experiences and challenges of a thoughtful life well lived."[28]