Glossary of Astrological Terms

Ascendant

We observe day and night when the World rotates once every 24 hours on its axis. It is because of this rotation that the Sun, the Moon, and the planets appear to be rising and setting. The zodiac is a set belt (imaginary, but spiritually very real) around the Planet. If the Earth rotates, the various signs of the zodiac appear to the viewer to rise on the horizon. During a 24-hour cycle, any sign of the zodiac can travel through this horizon point at one time or another. The symbol at the point of the horizon at any given moment is called the Ascendant, or the rising sign. The Ascendant is a symbol that signifies the self-image, body, and self-concept of an individual – the personal ego, as opposed to the moral ego, shown by the Sun sign of a person.

Aspects

Aspects are the angular interactions between planets, the way that one planet affects or impacts another. If a planet has a harmonious feature (connection) to another, it appears to stimulate the planet in a beneficial and helpful way. When, however, another world has a traumatic component, this disrupts the natural impact of that planet.

Astrological Qualities

There are three astrological characteristics: cardinal, set and mutable. Any of the 12 zodiac signs falls into one of these three groups.

Cardinal Signs

Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn

The cardinal attribute is an aggressive, initiatory theory. People born under the four signs are fantastic at beginning new ventures.

Fixed Signs

Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius

Set qualities include consistency, persistence, stamina and excellence. People born under these four signs are good to see it though.

Mutable Signs

Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces

The variable consistency is adaptability, changeability and balance. Many born under the four signs are imaginative, if not necessarily realistic.

Direct Motion

As the planets travel along into the zodiac – as they generally do – they are assumed to be moving 'directly.'

Grand Square

The Grand Square varies from the regular Square (usually two planets divided by 90 degrees) in which four or more planets are involved. When you look at the pattern in the map, you'll see the entire square. This, while exhausting, typically signifies a new manifestation of life. There's a lot of effort and balance involved in the case.

Grand Trine

The Grand Trinity varies from the usual Trinity (where two planets are 120 degrees apart) in that three or more planets are involved. If you look at this phenomenon in a map, it takes the shape of a complete triangle – the Grand Trinity. Usually (but not always) this happens in one of the four elements: fire, earth, air or water. Thus, the particular aspect in which this happens will be illuminated. The Grand Trine in Water is not the same as the Grand Trine in Air or Flames, and so on. It's a quite blessed and happy aspect, and very unusual.

Houses

There are 12 zodiac signs and 12 houses of knowledge. The 12 indicators are the forms of personalities and the manner in which the world shows itself; the 12 houses indicate 'where' this phrase takes place in your life. Per house has a different area of interest. A house can become strong and important – a house of influence – in various ways: whether it includes the Sun, the Moon or the ruler of the chart; if it contains more than one planet; or if the ruler of that house gets extraordinary stimulus from other planets.

1st House

Personal Image and Sensual Delights

2nd House

Money/Finance

3rd House

Communication and Intellectual Interests

4th House

Home and Family

5th House

Children, Fun, Games, Creativity, Speculations and Love Affairs

6th House

Health and Work

7th House

Love, Marriage and Social Activities

8th House

Transformation and Regeneration

9th House

Religion, Foreign Travel, Higher Education and Philosophy

10th House

Career

11th House

Friends, Group Activities and Fondest Wishes

12th House

Spirituality

Karma

Karma is the law of cause and effect that regulates all phenomena. We are just where we find ourselves because of karma – because of the acts we have carried out in the past. The world is such a balanced instrument that every behavior automatically sets the corrective powers in motion – karma.

Long-term Planets

Planets that take a long time to pass across a symbol indicate long-term patterns in a given field of life. They are critical for projecting the long-term view of things. Since these planets remain in one sign for too long, there are times in the year where they will be replaced by faster-moving (short-term) planets, further stimulating and enhancing the value of a given house.

Jupiter

stays in a sign for about 1 year

Saturn

2½ years

Uranus

7 years

Neptune

14 years

Pluto

15 to 30 years

Lunar

Relating to the Moon. See also ‘Phases of the Moon’, below.

Natal

Literally means ‘birth’. In astrology this term is used to distinguish between planetary positions that occurred at the time of a person’s birth (natal) and those that are current (transiting). For example, Natal Sun refers to where the Sun was when you were born; transiting Sun refers to where the Sun’s position is currently at any given moment – which usually doesn’t coincide with your birth, or Natal, Sun.

Out of Bounds

Saturn

2½ years

Uranus

7 years

Neptune

14 years

Pluto

15 to 30 years

Lunar

Relating to the Moon. See also ‘Phases of the Moon’, below.

Out of Bounds

Planets pass around the zodiac at varying angles compared to the celestial equator (if you were to draw an imaginary stretch of the Earth's equator out into the world, you would have an example of this celestial equator). The Sun – as the most influential and strong influence in the solar system – is a common indicator used by astrologers. The Sun is never more than 23 degrees north or south of the celestial equator. At the winter solstice, the Sun approaches its full southern orbit angle (declination); at the summer solstice, it reaches its maximum northern angle. Any time a planet exceeds this Solar limit – and often planets do – it is considered to be 'out of bounds.' This indicates that the earth crosses or passes through a mysterious territory – beyond the boundaries permitted by the Sun, the ruler of the Solar System. In this situation, the world becomes more marked and exceeds its jurisdiction, becoming an important factor in the prediction.

Phases of the Moon

During the full Moon, the Moon appears to be shrinking in height (as viewed from Earth), steadily getting smaller until it is practically invisible to the naked eye – at the time of the next new Moon. This is also the fading period of the Moon, or the waning moon.

Since the new Moon, the Moon steadily grows in size (as perceived from Earth) until it reaches its maximum size at the time of the full Moon. This time is called the waxing phase of the Moon or the waxing phase of the Moon.

Retrogrades

The planets are traveling around the Sun at varying speeds. Mercury and Venus are traveling even quicker than Earth, while Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are moving more slowly. There are moments where, relative to the Earth, the planets seem to be moving backwards. In fact, they're still heading forward, but relative to our Earth vantage point, they seem to be going backwards across the zodiac for a period of time. This is termed 'retrograde' motion which appears to weaken the natural effect of the earth.

Short-term Planets

Fast-moving planets are moving so rapidly through an indication that their impacts are usually of a short-term kind. They represent the immediate, day-to-day patterns of the horoscope.

Moon

stays in a sign for only 2½ days

Mercury

20 to 30 days

Sun

30 days

Venus

approximately 1 month

Mars

approximately 2 months

T-square

The T-square differs from the Grand Square in that it's not a complete square. If you look at the pattern in the table, it shows as 'half a full rectangle,' resembling the T-square tools used by architects and designers. If you split the entire square in two, diagonally, you've got a T-square. Most astrologers think this more stressful than the Grand Square, for it causes uncertainty that is impossible to overcome. T-squares bear with them learning opportunities.

Transits