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From Evangeline Adams' horary technique in which an Ascendant is determined according to the time and date of the questions, and the querent's natal horoscope is rotated according to this new or accidental Ascendant in order to make horary deductions from the natal chart.

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terms list

accidental Ascendant

accidental dignity

A planet that occupies its house of natural rulership or falls within 5° of an angle is said to be accidentally dignified. The term is also applied to planets in angular houses and to the most elevated planets in a horoscope. See also elevated planets, dignity.

acronical place

From the Greek akronychos, at sunset. The position occupied by a planet when it is opposite the Sun.

adjusted calculation date

The day on which the planetary position shown in an Ephemeris coincide with the progressed positions of the planets. The adjusted calculation date (also called the artificial birthday) remains the same from year to year.

Admetos

Sixth symbolic planet used in Uranian astrology.

advantage, line of

An imaginary axis that connects the third decan of the third and ninth houses. The Moon's North Node east of this axis is thought to be in a favorable or advantageous position.

affinity

A mutual attraction or innate congeniality.

affliction

A term from traditional astrology used to describe adverse aspects, especially those formed by malefics.

age, astrological (great month)

A period of about 2,150 years, or one-twelfth of the Great Year of approximately 25,800 years. It represents the time required for the vernal equinox to retrograde through the thirty-degree arc of one constellation. According to many astrologers, the Earth is now moving from the Piscean Age into the Aquarian Age.

air signs

Gemini, Libra and Aquarius, traditionally associated with the air element and members of the air triplicity. These signs indicate free-flowing expression of areas of communication ant the intellect.

Akashic records

The memory of nature. Akashic is a Sanskrit term referring to the etheric substratum of the universe. A permanent record of every event, sound, sight, or thought that has occurred during the history of creation is stamped upon this electro-spiritual substance.

Anareta

From the Greek, literally destroyer. Applied to a malefic that occupies an anaretic place and afflicts the Hyleg; believed by ancients to be life-destructive.

anaretic place

the final degree (between 29° and 30°) of any sign, also called the degree of fate. Planets and house cusps that occupy anaretic degrees indicate fundamental issues with which one must deal.

Anaxagoras

Greek 500-428 B.C., studied in Egypt and thought the Sun went under a flat Earth each night.

angles

The Ascendant, Descendant, Midheaven and Imum Coeli; the four cardinal points in a horoscope.

angular houses

The first, fourth, seventh and tenth houses. In a quadrant system (unequal house), the angles form the cusps of these houses. The experiential focus of these house is initiatory and dynamic. They are also referred to as cardinal house because they are ruled naturally by cardinal signs and express cardinal qualities.

Animoder of Tetrabiblos

A method of birth time rectification, now obsolete, presented by Ptolemy. Sometimes refered to as the Sunrise Indicator.

antipathy

Inharmonious relations between planets, which rule or are exalted in opposite signs. Also, conflict between the natal horoscope of two people corresponding with the aversion they feel for each other.

antiscia

From the Greek, literally shadows on the other side, opposite shadows; mirror or reflection points. A degree and its antiscion are equidistant from a particular reference point such as the MC-IC or summer-winter solstice axis. The use of antiscia is common to Uranian Astrology.

aphelion

The point in a planet's orbit that is most distant from the Sun.

Apheta, also Alpheta

Literally, the giver of life; A well aspected benefic that occupies an aphetic (hylegiacal) place in the horoscope, said to have life-preserving qualities. Afflictions to the Apheta were believed by ancients to reduce vitality and endanger life. Synonymous with Hyleg, Apheta was called Almochoden or Alcohoden by ancient Arabic astrologers.

aphetic places, alphetical places

Those parts of a horoscope from 5° above the Ascendant to 25° below, from 5° below the Descendant to 25° above, and from 5° preceding the ninth house cusp to the middle of the eleventh house. Benefics that occupy these areas are said to be life supportive. Also called hylegiacal places.

apogee

The point in a planet's orbit that is most distant from Earth.

Apollon

The fifth symbolic planet used in Uranian astrology.

apparent motion

The motion of a heavenly body as seen from earth. Thus, people refer to "Sunrise" when, in fact, it is the Earth which moves. Planet seem to rise over the Ascendant although they are actually traveling in the opposite direction around the Sun.

applying aspect

One in which the significator (the faster moving of two planets involved) is moving toward partile (exactness) as opposed to a separating aspect in which the significator is moving away from partile.

approaching aspect

An aspect in which the significator is moving toward the promittor in natural order of the zodiac (direction from significator to promittor is counterclockwise in a natal horoscope). An approaching aspect is thought to have an outward, socially-oriented significance as opposed to a departing aspect.

Aquarian Age

The Great Year that begins around the turn of the twenty-first century and lasts for two thousand years. Universal developments of an Aquarian nature are expected to take place during this era.

Arabian Parts

Developed during the Middle Ages in Arabia, each part derived from three points in a horoscope, indicates a sensitive point that relates the three factors involved.

arc

In astrology, the curved path of a stellar body and the angular measurement of this path.

articulate signs

Signs that symbolize speaking facility, namely Gemini, Virgo, Libra, Sagittarius and Aquarius.

artificial birthday

See adjusted calculation date.

Ascendant

The degree of the zodiac rising over the eastern horizon of the birthplace at the moment of birth. This degree forms the first house cusp of a horoscope and is of great personal significance in the character and life of the individual.

ascending node

The zodiacal point at which a planet crosses the ecliptic from south to north. Also called the north node.

ascending planet

Any planet in the eastern section of a horoscope is ascending, i.e., moving toward the Midheaven. The term is usually reserved for those planets in the fourth quadrant (rising from Ascendant to Midheaven).

ascension (long and short)

Due to the obliquity of the ecliptic, some sings rise over the horizon faster than others. Signs of long ascension require more time to rise than signs of short ascension. In the northern hemisphere, the signs of long ascension are Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, and Sagittarius. South of the equator, these are signs of short ascension.

aspect

The angular relationship between two planets or a planet and angle or sensitive point. Zodiacal aspects are based upon zodiacal longitude; parallels and contraparallels are based on declination, the position of points of interest relative to the celestial equator. Zodiacal aspects are also called harmonics.

aspect pattern

Particular combinations of aspects that form special planetary configurations.

Assurbanipal

(669-625 B.C.) King of Assyria. Astrological records found in tablets that once formed part of his library. It is stated by Diodorus Siculus (time of Cæsar and Augustus) that the Babylonian priests observed the position of certain stars in order to cast horoscopes, and that they interpreted dreams and derived omens from the movements of birds and from eclipses and earthquakes.

asteroids

Small planets (planetoids) or pieces of planets, most of which are found in the Asteroid Belt, that part of space between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. Astrological researchers are currently interested in five asteroids: Ceres, Juno, Pallas (Pallas Athena), Vesta and the recently descovered (1977) Chiron.

astral twins, astro-twins

Two persons who may be unrelated and born at different times and in different places whose horoscopes are very nearly alike. This term is sometimes applied to persons whose Sun, Moon and Ascendant coincide zodically even though other planets occupy different positions in the two horoscope.

astroanalyst

The astrological equivalent of a psychoanalyst.

astrolabe

An ancient instrument employed for measuring the angular position of Sun and stars, used also to project the celestial sphere on the plane of the equator.

astrologer

One who practices astrology; a professional spook. Syn. weirdo; charlatan.

astrologian

One who teaches astrology.

astrologist

A non-professional who believes in or studies but does not necessarily practice astrology.

astrology

The science of relationships as measured by correlations between the movements of celestial bodies and circumstances and events on earth. The art of interpreting the meanings of these relationships. Astrology is a "soft science" which deals with subjective states of mind as well as with objective facts. Some branches of astrology are : electional, esoteric, genethliacal, horary, medical, meteorological, and mundane.

athazer

A term applied by the ancients to the Moon when it forms an exact conjunction, semi-square, square, quincunx or opposition with the Sun or is separated from the sun by 12° or 160°.

aura

A subtle quality or atmosphere emanating form a living being, object, or place.

ayanamsa

From the Hindu ayana, the arc that describes the increasing gap between the tropical and sidereal zodiacs. The ayanamsa, which changes continually at the rate of approximately 50" a year, is currently about 24°. To convert tropical measurements (based upon the Sun's Aries ingress) to sidereal measurements (based upon constellations, fixed stars) the appropriate ayanamsa is subtracted from the tropical position.

balsamic Moon

The Moon less than 45° behind the natal Sun according to natural zodiacal order. A natal balsamic Moon is associated with one's commitment to destiny.

barren signs

Gemini, Leo and Virgo, traditionally associated with infertility. Aries, Sagittarius and Aquarius are considered semi-barren.

benefic

Said of planets and aspects considered to be positive or helpful influences. Traditionally, Jupiter is the Greater Benefic and Venus is the Lesser Benefic; the Sun, Moon and Mercury are moderately benefic. All harmonious aspects are benific.

Berossos

(280 B.C.) Babylonian. a priest of Baal. He founded a school of astrology on the Island of Cos.

beseiged

Said of a planet placed between two malefics. Energies of a beseiged planet are thought to be restricted.

bestial signs

Aries, Taurus, Leo and Capricorn; so designated because they are symbolized traditionally as animals. Also called quadrupedian (four-footed) and inarticulate (animals have voices but lack the power of speech). Speech impediments and superfluous body hair are associated with these signs.

bicorporeal signs

Gemini, Sagittarius and Pisces. Also called double-bodied and double signs, they are associated with twins and dual experiences.

bi-quintile

A minor benefic aspect, separating distance 144°, based on the fifth harmonic (multiples of 72°, a quintile, which is 1/5 of 360°).

birthtime

The moment of first breath of a new born.

bi-septile

A minor hard aspect, separating distance roughly 103° (102° 51' 26"), based on the seventh harmonic (multiples of a septile, 51 1/7°, which is 1/7 of 360°.

Bowl

One of the seven horoscope patterns identified by the late Marc Edmund Jones according to the picture formed by planetary distribution in a horoscope. All ten planets placed in approximately one-half of a horoscope indicate the Bowl. Interpretation focuses on self-containment directed toward the area of horoscope placement.

Bucket

The planetary arrangement formed by nine planets occupying approximately one-half of a horoscope with one planet roughly opposing the group that is a focal point of action (bucket handle) for planetary energies. Identified by the late Marc Edmund Jones.

Bundle

According to the late Marc Edmund Jones, a tightly-packed planetary arrangement in which all ten planets are confined in a horoscope to the space of a trine (120°). The Bundle is descriptive of narrowness, uniqueness, specialization in the area of horoscope occupation.

cadent houses

From the Latin cadere, to fall; houses three, six, nine and twelve fall behind angular houses. Ruled naturally by mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces, respectively), they are also called mutable houses. The experiential mode of activity of these houses is naturally dispersive, adaptive and versatile, which may not be the reality depending upon the signs and planets in the horoscope that influence them.

Campanus

Thirteenth century astrologer and mathematician who devised the house system that bears his name, which divides the prime vertical into equal 30° arcs.

Caput Draconis

From the Latin, literally dragon's head; an older term for the Moon's North Node.

cardinal signs

Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn, which fall naturally at the cardinal points in a horoscope; east, north, west, and south, respectively, points indicated by the angles. Cardinal signs are associated naturally with the angular (cardinal) houses; the first, fourth, seventh, and tenth. Interpretation focuses on initiatory, active, dynamic qualities. Less commonly referred to as the movable signs

cataclysmic planet

Uranus, which combines both magnetic and electric qualities and thus produces sudden upheavals.

Cauda Draconis

From the Latin, literally dragon's tail; synonymous with the Moon's south node.

cazimi, also casimi

From the Arabic center of the solar disc. A planet that forms a conjunction with the Sun within 30' of partile is said to be cazimi, literally "burnt up" by the Sun. The Sun, representing the ego, engulfs the energies of a cazimi planet.

celestial equator

The extension of Earth's equator into space, perpendicular to Earth's axis.

celestial sphere

The conceptualization of the infinite heavens as a sphere revolving around Earth, based upon the part of the skies visible from a point on Earth.

Ceres

The first asteroid to be discovered (1801), named after the Roman goddess of agriculture. Ceres is thought to indicate productive areas in a natal horoscope.

chart

A horoscope.

Chiron

The most recently discovered asteroid of astrological interest, discovered by astronomer Charles Kowal, Hale Observatories, in 1977.

climacterial periods

Years in life, which are multiples of seven or nine based on the Moon's progression and Saturn's transiting cycle. The progressed Moon squares its natal position approximately every seven years and trines it every nine. Transiting Saturn follows a similar cycle relative to its natal position. Thus, climacterial periods are ages seven, nine, fourteen, eighteen, etc. Primary climacterial periods are the forty-ninth, sixty-third, and eighty-first years (doubly climacterial: 7 x 7, 7 x 9, 9 x 9). The sixty-third year is known as the Grand Climacteric and, if aspects in the natal horoscope confirm, is considered a year when life may be endangered.

combust

A planet that forms a conjunction with the Sun within orb of between 31' to 3° is said to be combust. The energy of a combust planet is integrated with that of the Sun in such a way that the planet does not operate independently.

comet

From the Latin cometa, literally hair of the head, figuratively, tail of a comet. A bright star-like heavenly body, composed of masses of tiny particles and gases, which follows an eccentric orbit of the Sun that for some comets can take thousands of years to complete. Most comets form luminous "tails", bits of meteroic material and gases that stream off into space, when they near the Sun.

common signs

Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces, synonymous with mutable signs. See also mutable signs.

composite chart

A single horoscope made up from two or more natal charts by averaging house cusps and planetary positions of the natal charts. A composite chart gives insight into the relationship that exists between the persons whose natal charts are combined.

conjunction

The aspect formed when two planets occupy position close together in the zodiac, usually within 8° orb; the first harmonic.

consciousness

Any entity's innate capacity for relationships. The sentient principle in all substance. The soul of the universe.

constellation

From the Latin constellation, set with stars. A group of fixed stars.

contraparallel

The angular relationship between two planets that occupy the same degree (within 1° orb) and opposite direction of declination, one north of the celestial equator and the other south. Interpretational focus is similar to that of an opposition but less forceful. See also declination.

converse

Measurements, which follow the reverse order of the natural zodiac, used primarily to direct or progress a horoscope backward in time. Converse directions are interpreted by some astrologers as relating to the year after birth that corresponds to the year before birth for with they are calculated. Others believe that converse directions reveal karmic and inherited psychological needs that relate to the corresponding progressed horoscope.

Copernicus

An astronomer born in Polish Prussia credited with developing the theory (sixteenth century) that Earth is a moving planet that revolves around the Sun, a contradiction to Ptolemy's theory (second century) that the Earth is the center of the universe and fixed in space. In his book, Concerning the revolutions of the Celestial Sphere (1543), Copernicus discussed apparent motions of heavenly bodies as observed from Earth in relation to actual celestial motions.

co-ruler

Prior to the discovery of Uranus, the Sun and Moon were believed to rule one sign each and the other five planets then known to humankind (Mercury through Saturn) to rule two signs each. When the three outermost planets were discovered, they became co-rulers of the signs Aquarius (Uranus), Pisces (Neptune) and Scorpio (Pluto), along with the traditional rulers, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars respectively. Modern studies seem to indicate that the new co-rulers are primary rulers of the signs with which they are associated and may be sole rulers, in which case, two other planets, one linked to Libra (or Taurus) and the other to Virgo, may await discovery, thus eliminating dual rulership.

cosmecology (cosmic ecology)

The science that considers Earth in its relationship to celestial phenomena.

cosmic cross

An old term for a T-square, sometimes applied to a grand square (grand cross).

cosmobiology

an astrological system developed by Reinhold Ebertin (Germany, twentieth century) that emphasized midpoints and the following hard aspects: semi-square, square, sesquiquadrate and opposition. The angles are inserted in a cosmogram (Ebertin's term for his type of horoscope), to show the quadrature of the chart; houses are not used.

critical degree

0°, 13°, and 26° in cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn), 9° and 21° in fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius), 4° and 17° in mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces). These degrees, based on the Hindu technique of Lunar Mansions (subdivisions of the zodiac according to the Moon's average daily motion, approximately 13°), are thought to strengthen the influence of planets, angles or sensitive points that occupy them.

culmination

A term used to describe a planet's arrival at the Midheaven (natally or by progression or transit); also used to indicate the completion of an aspect by progression, i.e., when a platic aspect reaches partile, it culminates.

Cupido

The first symbolic planet used in Uranian astrology. See also Uranian astrology.

cusp, cusp line

The line that separates the house and indicates the beginning of a house. See also house cusp.

cycle

A planet's zodiacal period; the time it takes a planet to make on complete transit (revolution) of a horoscope.

daylight saving time

The practice of advaning the clock one hour in the spring of the year. Significant in the erection of natal charts as it requires that one hour be subjected from the standard time when daylight saving time is in effect.

debilitated, debility

a term applied to a planet that occupies its sign of detriment or fall.

decan, decanate

Based on the subdivision of a sign into three parts of 10° each. Each decan of a sign expresses subtle differences that distinguish it from the other two decans as described by its planetary sub-ruler, which operates in conjunction with the natural planetary ruler of the sign. The first decan of a sign (0° to 10°) is sub-ruled by the natural ruler of the sign; the second decan (10° to 20°) is sub-ruled by the ruler of the next sign in the zodiac that belongs to the same triplicity; the third decan (20° to 30°) is sub-ruled by the ruler of the remaining sign in that triplicity.

decile

A mildly benefic aspect with a separation of 36°, also called a semi-quintile; the tenth harmonic.

declination

The term that describes the distance in degrees a planet lies north or south of the celestial equator. The maximum declination of the Sun is reached at the Tropic of Cancer (north declination) and Tropic of Capricorn (south), 23°27'. Planets that occupy the same degree and direction of declination are parallel; those that occupy the same numerical degree but lie in opposite directions relative to the celestial equator are in contaparallel.

decreasing in light

Term applied to the waning Moon as its image (as observed from Earth) decreases from the full to the new Moon.

departing aspect

An aspect in which the direction from significator to promittor is backward in the zodiac (clockwise in a horoscope). A departing aspect is given a subjective and, esoterically, a fatalistic connotation.

derivative house

A system that describes the affairs of a house as they relate to another, assuming that one of the houses of interest is the first. For example, the second house to the third, actually the fourth house in the natal chart, describes financial affairs (a second house matter) of the brothers and sisters (a third house matter). The fourth house, which rules family interests, also represents the partner's career and reputation since it is the tenth from the seventh, which is associated with one's business or marital partner.

Descendant

Point opposite the Ascendant and cusp of the seventh house; it describes one's interreation with others.

detriment

Said of a planet that occupies the sign opposite its sign of natural rulership (dignity). a planet in detriment is thought to be at disadvantage.

dexter aspect

From the Latin to the right. An old term now replaced by approaching aspect. See also approaching aspect.

dignity

The sign that a planet rules naturally is its sign of dignity. A planet is essentially dignified when it occupies its natural sign of dignity or its sign of exaltation; it is accidentally dignified when placed in its natural house. It is in domal dignity when in its own sign.

direct motion

Motion that follows the natural order of signs. Proceeding in the order of the signs. In the Ephemeris, the beginning of direct motion after a period of retrograde motion, is marked by the letter D.

directions

A term synonymous with progression. See Progressions.

disjunct

Another name for the quincunx aspect. See quincunx.

dispositor

The planet that rules the sign another planet occupies. For example, Mercury in Taurus is disposited by Venus, the natural planetary ruler of Taurus. A dispositor influences the action of the planet it disposits.

dissociate aspect

An aspect within orb but out of sign. For example, a conjunction between a planet in 29° Capricorn and one in 0° Aquarius is within 1° orb but not in the same sign; therefore, it is a dissociate conjunction. A trine between a planet in 27° Aries and one in 2° Virgo is within 5° orb but the two planets are not in the same triplicity; the trine is dissociate. Dissociation disperses and thus weakens the strength or focus of an aspect.

diurnal

From the Latin diurnus, daily. Refers to the southern (upper) hemisphere of a horoscope, the "day" section of a horoscope, that part of the heavens that appears above the Earth's horizon.

diurnal arc

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

diurnal signs

Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces, signs whose natural positions are in the diurnal or southern hemisphere of a horoscope.

domal dignity

See dignity.

double signs, double-bodied signs

Synonymous with bicorporeal signs; Gemini, Sagittarius, and Pisces. See also bicorporeal signs.

dragon's head

An ancient term for the Moon's North Node, derived from the Latin caput draconis.

dragon's tail

An ancient term for the Moon's South Node, derived fro the Latin cauda draconis.

duad, dwadasama, also dwadachamsha

A twelve-fold subdivision of the signs(each composed of 2 1/2°) developed by Hindu astrologers. The first duad of each sign is sub-ruled by the natural planetary ruler of the sign; the second duad is sub-ruled by the ruler of next sign in the zodiac and so on. These "signs within a sign," by virtue of their planetary rulers, account for subtle shadings of expression found in different degrees of the same sign.

earth signs

Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn, which belong to the earth triplicity, symbolizing "earth" qualities such as stability, solidarity and practicality.

East Point

The equatorial Ascendant; i.e., the sign and degree rising over the eastern horizon at Earth's equator at any given time; the point at which Earth's equator intersects the ecliptic.

easy aspect

See harmonious aspects.

eclipse

An occultation, commonly used in reference to a darkening of the Sun or Moon. Solar eclipses occur at the times of those new Moons when the Moon, Sun and Earth are aligned so that the Moon blocks the Sun (totally or partially) from Earth's view. Lunar eclipses occur at certain full Moons during which the Sun, Earth and Moon are so aligned that Earth blocks the Sun's light from the Moon, and the Moon is invisible to earthlings.

ecliptic

The apparent path of the Sun as it "travels" around Earth during the course of a year; actually, Earth's orbit around the Sun.

electional astrology, elections

A system by which one determines the most advantageous time to carry out a specific action (marriage, travel, business) by first erecting a suitable horoscope and working "backward" to calculate the time that is appropriate to the chosen horoscope.

elements

Ancients believed that the universe consisted of four primary elements, air, earth, fire and water from which the triplicities (also called elements), a four-fold division of the zodiac, are derived. Signs belonging to the same triplicity exhibit similar qualities symbolized by the element with which they are associated.

elevated planet

A planet placed high in a horoscope. The most elevated is the planet closest to the Midheaven; it is considered strong by position and accidentally dignified.

elongation

The distance of a planet from the Sun, as viewed from Earth. The maximum elongation for the inferior planets is 28° for Mercury, and 48° for Venus. Mercury can therefore only form a conjunction and semi-sextile to the Sun; Venus can onlly form a conjunction, semi-sextile, or semi-square to the Sun. Aphelion is the maximum elongation of a planet, while perihelion is the minimum elongation of a planet. See also aphelion, perihelion.

embolism lunation

The Moon's position when the natal lunar phase angle (relative position between Moon and sun in a natal horoscope) is repeated. it is believed that women can conceive during the time each month that the natal lunar phase angle recurs.

ephemeris (plural: ephemerides)

An almanac that lists the zodiacal positions of the planets and other astronomical data.

Equal House horoscope

One in which twelve equal houses are derived by taking successive arcs of 30° each, beginning with the Ascendant and completing the zodiac circle. An alternate method bases the house cusps on the Midheaven rather than the Ascendant.

equator

The plane perpendicular to Earth's polar axis, which divides Earth into two hemispheres, north and south. The extension of this plane into space forms the celestial equator.

equatorial arcs

A method of progressing house cusps, based upon the Earth's rotation, in which one year of life corresponds to the passage of 1° right ascension over the meridian, approximately four minutes of time. This method, little used in modern times, is called primary directions (progressions) to distinguish it from secondary progressions, the "day for a year" system of progressing a natal horoscope.

equinox

From the Latin aequinoctium, equal night; occurs when the center of the Sun is directly over Earth's equator. the Sun crosses the equator twice each year, once at the vernal equinox when it enters 0° Aries and again at the autumnal equinox when it enters 0° Libra. The days and nights are of equal duration all over the world on equinoctial dates. The vernal equinox occurs on the first day of spring, the autumnal equinox on the first day of autumn.

esoteric astrology

A study that deals with the human spirit and hidden nature as opposed to exoteric astrology, which deals with human characteristics and life on Earth. Reincarnation, karma, the aura, one's reason for being and the part human life plays in the ultimate scheme of the cosmic, universal or spiritual are among topics investigated in terms of astrological symbolism.

essential dignity

A planet's sign of natural rulership or exaltation. See also dignity, exalted.

event chart

A horoscope drawn up according to the date, time and location of a particular happening, interpreted to gain insight into influences surrounding the event and an outlook for possible developments stemming from that event.

exalted

The term used to describe a planet that is placed in its sign of exaltation, the sign, other than its one of dignity (natural rulership), in which it functions most smoothly because of the harmonious relationship between planet and sign.

exoteric astrology

any branch of astrology that studies observable events and characteristics such as natal astrology, mundane astrology, etc., as distinguished from esoteric astrology, which studies the unknown or occult aspects of humanity.

extra-Saturnian planets

The three planets not visible to the naked eye that orbit outside the planet Sauturn, namely: Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.

face

An obsolete term meaning the division of each sign into six equal parts of 5° each.

fall

The sign opposite a planet's sign of exaltation; a planet in "fall" is debilitated or weakened.

familiarity

Any kind of aspect or reception between two planets.

feminine signs

Earth and water signs. Feminine characteristics do not refer to sex or gender; they are associated with receptivity. Synonymous with negative signs.

fertile signs

See fertility.

fertility

A classification of the signs based on their susposed productivity. Fertile signs, Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces are said to be good for planting when occupied by the Moon, and are indicators of offspring when occupying the cusps of the fifth or eleventh houses. Semi-fertile or moderately fruitful signs are Taurus, Libra, and Capricorn. Barren or sterile are Aries, Gemini, Leo, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Aquarius. The barren signs are good for cultivation when occupied by the Moon, and are indicators of not having children when occupying the cusps of the fifth or eleventh houses.

Finger of God

An ambiguous term used variously to indicate the handle in a bucket formation or the yod, a configuration consisting of two planets in sextile and each quincunx to the same third planet. the yod is associated with karma. See also shaping, yod.

fire signs

Aries, Leo and Sagittarius, signs which belong to the fire triplicity, associated with the element, fire. Fire signs symbolize fiery characteristics (ardor, spirit, spontaneity).

fixed signs

Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius, which are related to a fixed or stable mode of expression. Fixed signs are associated naturally with succedent houses: the second, fifth, eighth and eleventh respectively.

fixed stars

Stars which, because of their great distance from Earth, appear to be motionless or fixed in space although in actuality they are not.

flat chart

Alternate term for natural chart. See natural chart.

focal point

Any point in a horoscope where several influences converge or disperse, such as the position of the squared planet in a T-square formation, the action point in a yod, the handle of a bucket, etc. See also T-square.

Fortuna

From the Latin fortuna, fortune. Interchangeable with Part of Fortune.

fortunes

Another term for the benific planets. See benefic.

fruitful signs

The water signs: Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces, which are associated with fertility.

frustration

An alternate term for Abscission. See abscission.

full Moon

That point in the lunar cycle when the Moon exactly opposes the Sun; begins the waning phase.

galaxy

One of the billions of huge cosmic systems, each composed of innumerable stars, planets, etc. Members of a galaxy revolve as a unit around a common point in space. Our solar system is part of the Milky Way galaxy.

genethliacal astrology

An old term for natal astrology. See also natal astrology.

geniture

From the Latin, birth or origin; used in astrology to refer to a birth or a natal horoscope. See also natal astrology.

geocentric

Measured or viewed in relation to Earth as the reference or observation point; Earth-centered measurements.

gibbous Moon

The Moon approaching the full Moon, more than 135° and less than 180° ahead of the Sun. A natal gibbous Moon indicates that self-analysis is an important factor in motivation.

grand cross, grand square

An aspect configuration in which four planets, each in a different sign of the same quadruplicity, form mutual squares. Much tension is generated among planets forming this pattern. If signs are mixed (aspects within orb but not in signs of the same quadruplicity), the impact associated with a grand square is somewhat diminished.

grand trine

The aspect pattern formed when three planets, each in a different sign of the same triplicity (air, earth, fire or water), trine each other. A grand trine permits smooth flow of energies among the planets involved in accordance with the triplicity occupied. A dissociate grand trine, one in which the three planets fall within orb to form mutual trines but do not occupy the same triplicity, supplements ease of planetary expression but lacks the cohesiveness of a grand trine formed between planets occupying one triplicity.

great circle

A circle described on the surface of a sphere (Earth, for example) so that its plane passes through the center of the sphere.

Great Year

The astrological ear based on the time it takes Earth's axis to complete on revolution around the pole of the ecliptic, about twenty-five thousand years. A Great Year is divided into twelve "months" of about two thousand years duration. See also Precession.

Greater Benefic

A term reserved for the planet Jupiter which, according to ancient beliefs, was responsible for life's greatest blessings.

Greater Malefic

A term applied to Saturn, the planet ancients believed to generate the evils in life.

Gregorian calendar

The calendar now used internationally, devised by Pope Gregory in the 1580s to replace the Julian calendar, which by then had accumulated a ten-day discrepancy with the solar year. Most, but not all, countries accepted the Pope's calendar by the 1700s (Great Britain, 1752). Russia did not change until 1918 and Turkey in 1928. Astrologers working with older dates should determine whether they are based on the Julian calendar, designated Old Style or OS, or on the Gregorian calendar, designated New Style or NS.

Hades

The second symbolic planet used in Uranian astrology. See also Uranian astrology.

Halley's Comet

Named for the English astronomer, Edmund Halley, who correctly predicted, in 1682, the comet's return in 1759. One of the most brilliant comets viewed from Earth, it reappears approximately every seventy-seven years.

half-sum

an alternate term for mid-point, the point in the zodiac that lies exactly midway between two planets.

hard aspects

Aspects that stimulate action or tension and induce motivation. All hard aspects are disharmonious to some extent except the conjunction and parallel, whose influence depends largely upon the natures of the planets involved; that is, planetary energies do not merge smoothly when two planets form a hard aspect such as the semi-square, square, opposition or sesquiquadrate.

harmonics

The term for zodiacal aspects that describe the energy levels or vibrational frequencies associated with aspects. An aspect, derived from the division of a circle (360°) by a whole number, and its multiples share the same frequency and therefore operate at similar energy levels. For example, division of 360° by four yields 90°, a square. The square is a fourth harmonic aspect as are its multiple, 180° (opposition) and 270°. Several harmonics may merge in a single aspect. The square is a multiple of the semi-square (45°), an eighth harmonic aspect; the square's primary harmonic is four (sometimes written 1/4) and its sub-harmonic is eight (2/8, second of the eighth harmonic). The opposition's primary harmonic is two (1/2 x 360°= 180°); its sub-harmonics are four (2/4, second in the series of fourth harmonics), six (3/6, third of the sixth harmonic), eight (4/8, fourth of the eighth harmonic), etc.

harmonious aspect

Aspects in which the planets involved are mutually supportive; their energies operate together comfortably and productively. The sextile and trine are major harmonious aspects; also called easy aspects.

heavy planets

A term used to refer to the slower-moving whose influece is considered more serious ("heavier") than the other planets. They are: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.

heliocentric

Measurements based upon the Sun as the central point of reference or observation; Sun-centered.

Herschel

The original name for the planet Uranus, which was discovered in 1781 by the British astronomer Sir William Herschel.

higher octave planets

The three outermost planets, which symbolize the higher or spiritual level of expression in contrast to the lower or physical level symbolized by the inner planets with which they are linked. Uranus, the higher octave of Mercury, objective intellectualism. Neptune, linked to Venus, expresses spiritual love; Pluto, the higher octave of Mars, is associated with spiritual evolvement; Mars with physical development.

horary astrology

Derived from the Latin hora, hour. The branch of astrology devoted to answering specific question by means of a horoscope drawn up for the time a question is asked.

horizon

The visible juncture of Earth and the sky, represented in a horoscope by the Ascendant-Descendant axis.

house

One of the twelve mathematically derived sections (houses) of a horoscope, each of which represents a particular area of life. The size of a house and the zodiacal degree that appears on its cusp depend upon the house system used.

house cusp

The zodiacal degree at which a house begins.

Houses, Table of

A reference book that lists house cusps according to the local sidereal time and location of birth. A table is applicable to the particular house system for which it is devised.

human signs

Signs that exhibit human qualities such as sparse body hair: Gemini, Virgo, the first 15° of Sagittarius and Aquarius. Some authorities include Libra and all of Sagittarius in this group, thereby equating articulate with human signs. See also articulate signs.

humanistic astrology

Person-centered astrology as opposed to event-oriented.

Hyleg

Interchangeable with Apheta. See Apheta.

hylegiacal place

Synonymous with aphetic places. See aphetic places.

Imum Coeli

From the Latin, literally bottom of the heavens; the zodiacal point opposite the Medium Coeli (Midheaven, MC). The Imum Coeli is one of the angles and forms the fourth house cusp in an unequal house system. Abbreviated IC.

inarticulate signs A

ries, Taurus, Leo and Capricorn, signs pictured as animals that have voices but lack the power of speech, symbolizing an inability to communicate. See also bestial signs, quadrupedian signs.

inconjunct

A minor hard aspect, 150°, synonymous with quincunx. See quincunx.

increasing light

Term applied to the waxing Moon as it moves from the position of new Moon to full Moon and the visible portion grows larger.

individual houses

Houses one, five and nine, all ruled by natural fire signs. The common function of these houses is oriented toward the self. As a group, they form the Trinity of Life.

inferior planets

Venus and Mercury, so called because their orbits are smaller (closer to the Sun) than Earth's.

infortunes

Another term for malefics. See malefic.

ingress signs

The equinoctial (Aries and Libra) and solsticial signs (Cancer and Capricorn), the cardinal signs that coincide with the beginning of the seasons each year. These signs symbolize beginnings and initiatory action in a horoscope. See also cardinal signs.

inharmonious aspects

Aspects in which planetary energies do not combine smoothly, mainly the semi-square, square, sesquiquadrate, quincunx, and opposition; also called difficult aspects. See also hard aspects.

inner planets

The Sun and those planets whose orbits lie between the Sun and Asteroid Belt, namely Mercury, Venus, Moon and Mars. Alternatively termed minor planets.

intercepted sign

A sign that does not appear on a house cusp but is wholly contained within a house.

Juno

The third asteroid discovered in the early 1800s named after the Roman goddess, Juno, wife of Jupiter; associated with marriage.

karma

The end result of the law of cause and effect in relation to the totality of one's actions in one of the successive states of existence, viewed as a preparatory phase for the next state.

Kepler, Johannes

One of the founders of modern astronomy who discovered the three basic laws of planetary motion, among them that planetary orbits are elliptical. He introduced several minor aspects including the bi-quintile (144°), tredecile (108°), quintile (fifth harmonic, 72°), decile or semi-quintile (36°), quindecile (24°), and the semidecile or vigintile (18°).

Key Cycle

Sidney K. Bennett's system of solar returns, published under the pseudonym of Wynn; his system accounts for the one-quarter-day difference between a calendar year and a natural year.

Koch, Dr. Walter

The German astrologer who developed the Koch or Birthplace system of houses.

Kronos

The fourth symbolic planet used in Uranian astrology. See also Uranian astrology.

lame degrees

See mutilated degrees.

latitude, celestial

Angular distance measured north or south of the plane of the ecliptic.

latitude, geographic

Angular distance measured on Earth north or south of the equator.

Leo, Alan (Allen, William Frederick) (1860-1917)

Known professionally as Alan Leo, a dedicated English astrologer and prolific writer who is credited as the father of modern astrology.

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