Astrological Term Definitions For Horoscopes

Astrological Terms to Help You Understand Our Horoscope Readings at Palm Reader:

Affliction. An outdated term that describes either a difficult aspect (i.e. Squared or Opposition), or a placement of a planet or angle in a sign that does not suit it, (i.e. Mars in Pisces). Also describes a relationship with a “Malefic”, such as Saturn.

Air Signs. Aquarius, Gemini, or Libra. These signs are generally associated with the air. The air signs are usually connected with communication and the intellect.

Angles. Refers to the Major angles in a chart. Includes: the Ascendant or Rising Sign, the Descendant, which is opposite the Ascendant, the Med Coeli or Midheaven, and Immum Coeli, which is opposite the Med Coeli.

Angular Houses. The first, fourth, seventh, and tenth houses. These houses are generally connected with the Cardinal signs and Cardinal Qualities.

Ascendant. The point of the zodiac which falls on the eastern horizon at the time of your birth. This is the same as the first house cusp and describes your personality and character and how you relate to your world.

Aspect. An angular relationship between two planets, angles,etc. These relationships are based on harmonics or multiples. The major aspects are Conjunct, Trine, Sextile Squared, and Opposition, though there are many intermediate minor aspects. The first three aspects are generally considered to be beneficial and the last two considered to be difficult,though the more difficult aspects can act as teachers and help you to learn and grow.

Astrologer. A professional who practices astrology.

Benefic. Planets and aspects which were thought to give positive influences. Traditionally Jupiter and Venus are the two Major Benefics in that order, though Mercury and the Moon are also considered Benefic. Conjunct, Sextile, and Trine aspects are also considered Benefic.

Cadent. The third, sixth, ninth and twelfth houses. These are ruled by Mutable Signs, and are generally associated with the Mutable Qualities.

Campanus. Thirteenth century mathematician and astrologer who devised the Campanus House System.

Cardinal Signs. The signs Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. These fall at the Cardinal Points of the Zodiac, with Aries beginning at the “Vernal Equinox” or first point of Spring, used a the beginning of the Zodiac. These signs are generally associated with action and beginnings. They are also associated with initiatory and dynamic actions.

Conjunction. An aspect formed when two angles or planets are at roughly the same angle (usually within 8 degrees).

Critical degrees. 0, 13, and 26 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. 9, and 21 degrees in Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. Also 4 and 17 degrees in Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces. Comes from the Hindus. Thought to be a sensitive point which strengthens the power of the sign.

Cusp. A line dividing the houses or signs. When dealing with signs it represents a grey area where the individual may be affected by both signs.

Decan, Decanates. A division of the signs into 10 degrees each, each of which is subtly different from one another due to the different rulers involved.

Descendant. The angle which is exactly across from the Ascendant. It is the cusp of the seventh house. Your descendant relates to your marriage and partnership and interaction with others. This is also the Seventh House Cusp.

Earth Signs. The signs Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn. These signs represent “Earthly” qualities such as stability, responsibility, and practicality.

East Point. The angle which is rising over the eastern horizon at the earth’s equator at any time. Occasionally used for Compatibility analysis.

Easy Aspect. A harmonious aspect such as Conjunct, Trine, or Sextile.

Ecliptic. The apparent path that the sun would take if it actually rotated around the earth.

Elements. Air, Water, Earth and Fire.

Equal House System. The system that takes the first house being the Ascendant and dividing the remaining 11 houses into equal 30 degree slices. The M-House system starts with the Med Coeli or Midheaven being the cusp of the 10th house and dividing the other 11 houses as equal 30 degree slices.

Feminine Signs. Earth and water signs. Feminine refers to receptivity, not gender.

Fire Signs. Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius. These signs are considered to be fiery, passionate, and spontaneous.

Fixed Signs. Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius. These signs are associated with fixed and stable emotional characteristics.

Flat Chart. A chart in which the first house is set at 0 degrees Aries. Frequently used when the birth time and therefore the Ascendant is not known.

Greater Benefic. Jupiter. Assumed to bring your major blessings.

Greater Malefic. Saturn. Assumed to be the cause of evil in your life.

Hard Aspects. Inharmonious aspects. Generally considered to be Squared, and Opposition, and others. Aspects when the energies to not always help.

Harmonious Aspects. Conjunct, Sextile, and Trine. Also referred to as Easy aspects.

House. A section of the zodiac, mathematically defined, which represents a particular area of life.

Immum Coeli. The bottom of the heavens. The fourth house cusp. in an non-equal or Quadrant house system. Represents The family relations and home life.

Intercepted Sign. A sign which does not fall exactly on a house cusp, but lies between.

Koch. Dr. Walter Koch, a German astrologer who founded the Koch House System or Birthplace House System.

Malefic. An old term used to refer to planets or aspects thought to cause harm. It usually refers to the planet Saturn and Mars. Minor Malefics are also Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.

Masculine Signs. Air and Fire Signs. Those signs are suggested to manifest aggressiveness, sometimes referred to as Positive signs.

Medium Coeli, Med. Coeli, MC. The Midheaven. taken to be the point directly overhead in the chart. In an unequal chart it is the cusp of the tenth house. This describe your career and public ambitions as well as your relations with superiors

Mutable Signs. The Signs Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces. Signs associated with adaptability and flexibility.

Node. The point of interception between a planet’s orbit and the ecliptic.

Opposition. An aspect representing an angular difference of 180 degrees or a situation where two planets are directly across a chart from each other. Generally causes difficulty and discord.

Orb. The difference between an exact aspect and the actual aspect. It also describes the maximum difference where an aspect still takes place.

Part of Fortune. Arabian part most commonly used by astrologers. found by subtracting Sun’s position from the sum of Ascendant and Moon positions in degrees. Suggests fortunate circumstances.

Placidus. Spanish Monk, Placidus de Tito, 17th century. Founder of the Placidus House System. Most commonly used house system today.

Planet. From Greek “planetes” or the wanderer. Describes any body which appears, from the Earth to move.

Progressions. Term used for advancing planets and house cusps from birth to a second point in time. Usually 1 day for each year of life.

Rectification. Correction for inexact birth-time.

Regiomontanus. German Astrologer 15th century who devised the Regiomontanus House System.

Relative Houses. Houses 3, 7, and 11. Associated with the Air Signs.

Retrograde Motion. Apparent Backward Motion, thought to cause difficulty in a person’s chart.

Rising Sign. Another word for Ascendant.

Sextile. An aspect with a difference of 60 degrees. A generally helpful and ‘Positive’ aspect.

Sidereal Time. Time in relation to the fixed stars, rather than clock time.

Sidereal Zodiac. A zodiac based on the placement of the stars, not the Vernal Equinox.

Signs. Division of the zodiac into twelve equal divisions, related to the constellations.

Square. Aspect with a difference of 90 degrees. Generally causes difficulty and discord.

Succedent Houses. Houses 2, 5, 8 and 11. Associated with the Fixed Signs.

Temporal Houses. Houses 2, 6, 10. Usually associated with the Earth Signs.

Terminal Houses. Houses 4, 8, and 12. Associated with the Water Signs.

Transit. Aspects or angles between, the position on any given day and the positions on a person’s birth chart.

Trine. An aspect with a difference of 120 degrees. A generally helpful and ‘Positive’ aspect.

Tropical Zodiac. Zodiac that follows the path of the Sun. The First point of Aries corresponds with the Vernal Equinox, not an actual star position.

Vertex. A point in the Western section of the Zodiac which indicates the intersection of the Prime Vertical and the Ecliptic. Sometimes associated with fate and wish fulfillment.

Water Signs. Signs Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. Signs which represent receptivity, sensitivity, and the emotions.

Zodiac. From the Greek “zodiakos”, meaning circle of animals.