Astrology Glossary

Houses 1, 4, 7, and 10—the most powerful houses, beginning at the Ascendant, IC, Descendant, and MC.

The sign rising on the eastern horizon at your birth. Also called the Rising sign. Determines your 1st house and how you appear to others.

The angular relationship between two planets, determining how they interact. Major aspects include conjunction, opposition, trine, square, and sextile.

Your Sun sign, Moon sign, and Rising sign together. The three most important placements that form your core personality.

A map of the sky at the exact moment and location of your birth, showing the positions of planets in signs and houses. Also called a natal chart.

A modality representing initiation and leadership. Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn) begin each season.

A chart created by finding the midpoints between two people's charts, representing the relationship itself as an entity.

An aspect where two planets are at the same degree (0°). The energies merge and intensify each other.

The point directly opposite the Ascendant, marking the 7th house cusp. Represents partnerships and "the other."

One of four fundamental energies (Fire, Earth, Air, Water) that characterize each sign. Signs of the same element share core traits.

A modality representing stability and persistence. Fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius) fall in mid-season.

Originally meaning "hour watcher," now commonly refers to astrological forecasts or the birth chart itself.

One of 12 divisions of the birth chart representing different areas of life. Houses show WHERE planetary energies manifest.

The dividing line between houses, marked by the degree and sign where each house begins.

The Imum Coeli, the lowest point of the chart. Represents home, family, roots, and private self. The 4th house cusp.

The planet of expansion, luck, growth, philosophy, and meaning. Shows where you find abundance.

Represents action, drive, assertion, passion, and how you pursue your desires and handle conflict.

Governs communication, thinking, learning, and how you process and share information.

The MC (Medium Coeli), the highest point in the chart. Represents career, public image, and life direction. The 10th house cusp.

One of three qualities (Cardinal, Fixed, Mutable) that describe how signs take action. Also called quadruplicity.

Represents your emotional nature, instincts, subconscious patterns, and what you need to feel safe and nurtured.

A modality representing adaptability and change. Mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces) end each season.

Another term for birth chart. A snapshot of the celestial positions at your birth moment.

Planet of dreams, spirituality, imagination, and transcendence. Can also represent illusion and confusion.

An aspect where two planets are 180° apart. Creates tension and awareness through polarity.

The allowable deviation from an exact aspect. A 5° orb means the aspect counts if within 5 degrees of exact.

Planet of transformation, power, death and rebirth. Represents profound psychological change.

A predictive technique where one day after birth equals one year of life. Shows internal psychological evolution.

The apparent backward motion of a planet from Earth's perspective. Associated with review, delays, and internalization.

Another term for Ascendant. The zodiac sign that was rising on the eastern horizon at your exact birth moment.

The planet of structure, discipline, limitations, and mastery. Shows where you face challenges that build strength.

When transiting Saturn returns to its natal position, around ages 29-30 and 58-60. A major maturation milestone.

An aspect where two planets are 60° apart. Harmonious but requires effort to activate its potential.

A chart cast for the exact moment the Sun returns to its natal position each year, indicating themes for the coming year.

An aspect where two planets are 90° apart. Creates tension and challenge that drives growth.

Represents your core identity, ego, life purpose, and conscious self. The most essential part of who you are.

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

The current position of a planet as it moves through the sky and makes aspects to your natal chart.

An aspect where two planets are 120° apart. Harmonious and flowing, representing natural talent.

Planet of revolution, innovation, sudden change, and awakening. Represents your unique genius.

Rules love, beauty, values, pleasure, and attraction. Shows how you approach relationships and what you find beautiful.

The period when the Moon makes no major aspects before leaving its current sign. Traditionally unfavorable for starting new things.

The 360-degree belt of sky divided into 12 equal signs through which the Sun, Moon, and planets appear to travel.