This glossary provides concise and clear definitions of key astrological terms, including planets, signs, aspects, and houses. Astrology is an incredibly complex field that goes beyond the Sun sign information you may be used to reading about. Common Astrology Terms Explained:
- Natal Chart: Map of where planets were during birth.
- Ascendant: Sign on eastern horizon at time of birth.
- House: Twelve divisions representing areas of life.
- New to astrology? Find out the basic terms, signs, and their meanings.
Terms (ὅρια, literally “boundaries”) are subdivisions of the zodiacal signs comprising whole numbers of degrees. Each of the five planets (and, in some systems, the Sun or both the Sun and Moon) is assigned the astrological lordship of one Term in each sign.
Acronychal (rising) at the beginning of night, i.e., at sunset; opposite the sun in the zodiac. Ahargaṇa (day count from a given epoch) is another term used in astrology.
Astrocartography, Big Three Chart ruler, Cusp Decan, and Descendant are some of the terms used in astrology. Glyphs refer to the symbols that represent the planets, zodiac signs, and other celestial bodies in an astrological chart. Astrologers often use specialized words, terms, and phrases to describe specific astrological phenomena and conditions.
In summary, this glossary provides a comprehensive guide to astrology terms and jargon, covering topics such as ascension, aspect, house, glyph, and more.
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What does the term zodiac refer to?
The zodiac is an imaginary belt in the heavens divided into 12 star groups or signs. It includes the paths of most planets and is a figure showing the signs of the zodiac. Recent examples on the web include the lunation, which doubles as a lunar eclipse in Pisces, the twelfth and last zodiac sign on the wheel, and the polarity of Virgo. The zodiac is also a concept in politics, with political candidates dealing with the never-ending zodiac of rubber-chicken dinners and meet and greets.
The zodiac is also a topic of interest in the Bachelorette Season 21 cast, with Jennifer Culp giving her final rose to Devin in the finale and getting engaged. The moon travels through the entire zodiac, moving through Aries, Taurus, and Gemini twice at the beginning and end of the season.
What are the terms bounds?
The term “Terms” comes from the Latin word “termini” and is divided into five inequal sections called “bounds” ruled by traditional non-light planets such as Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. The section of a sign determines which planet is its “Terms ruler”. There are three systems of Terms: the Egyptian, the Chaldean, and the ancient Ptolemaic system. Each system has different ways of dividing the degrees of each sign into Terms.
The Terms ruler has an influence over planets within it, strengthening a planet in its own Terms while coloring it in terms of another planet. For example, Venus’s terms are enhanced, while Saturn’s terms have reduced benefits and Mars’ terms have less power to manifest its normal benefits. Saturn in Venus’ terms is softened, less harsh, and less likely to manifest malevolence.
What is the luckiest aspect in astrology?
Trines are favorable aspects in astrology, occurring between planets approximately four zodiac signs apart (or 120 degrees). These planets are usually situated in the same element (fire, earth, air, or water) and create a gentle union distinguished by ease and fluidity. When they sync, these planets understand each other, allowing for easy movement with little external effort. However, too much trining can lead to problems, such as laziness and complacency.
The most notorious aspect is the square, which occurs between planets approximately three zodiac signs apart (or form 90-degree angle in the sky from our vantage point). These planets are usually situated within the same modality (cardinal signs), fixed signs, and mutable signs. Squares are considered hard aspects, creating tension and dividing intentions, leading to emotional or logistical roadblocks. Despite this friction, squares always catalyze action. They are considered motion-oriented, enabling us to easily identify issues and address them rather than sweeping them under the rug.
For example, when Mars (all about spontaneous motivation) and Saturn (all about rules and regulations) square, we may feel that our passions are being dampened by our responsibilities. However, this aspect also creates an opportunity to slow down and become a true master at our craft through refinement, hard work, and strategic planning.
To identify the zodiac signs that are always squaring each other, use the following list: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius (fire), Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn (earth), Gemini, Libra, Aquarius (air), Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces (water).
What are the terms and bounds in astrology?
In astrology, the bounds or terms are a subdivision of the zodiac into five unequal regions that are assigned to each of the five traditional planets. No subdivisions are assigned to the luminaries. ( 3 ) The bounds may be traced back to as early as the middle of the first century on papyrus horoscopes. While the logic behind the creation of the bounds and interpretations of the earliest horoscopes they are featured on are unknown, ( 4 ) they are now an important element of traditional astrology, being used as a form of essential dignity and being implemented in different concepts and techniques such as reception, primary directions, and length of life techniques.
The Egyptian bounds are one of the most commonly used models to organize the subdivisions of the zodiac, especially during the Hellenistic period. Astrologers such as Valens, ( 5 ) Firmicus, ( 6 ) and Paulus ( 7 ) used this model. Despite being named “Egyptian,” these systems of bounds appear to have originated in ancient Babylonia. ( 4 ) ( 8 )
The Ptolemaic bounds are another model to organize the subdivisions of the zodiac that was favored by scholar Claudius Ptolemy. Ptolemy acknowledged that the Egyptian bounds were the most commonly accepted but claimed they did not “preserve the consistency either of the order or of the individual quantity.” ( 9 ) He then suggests the Chaldean as an alternate model for organizing the bounds. Ptolemy did not create this model; rather, he came across it in an ancient manuscript and adopted it for his own use, claiming “we have come upon an ancient manuscript, much damaged, which contains a natural and consistent explanation of their order and number, and at the same time the degrees reported in the aforesaid nativities and the numbers given in the summations were found to agree with the tabulation of the ancients.” ( 9 ) This model seems to have gained more popularization during the middle ages and astrologers such as Lilly used this model. ( 10 )
What is the 1st rarest zodiac?
Ophiuchus, the ‘Serpent-bearer’, is sometimes suggested in sidereal astrology as a 13th astrological sign in addition to the 12 signs of the tropical zodiac. The constellation Ophiuchus is located behind the Sun from November 29 to December 18. The idea of a 13-sign zodiac originated in 1970 with Steven Schmidt’s suggestion of a 14-sign zodiac, including Cetus as a sign. Walter Berg and Mark Yazaki promulgated a 13-sign zodiac in 1995, which gained popularity in Japan, where Ophiuchus is known as Hebitsukai-za.
However, in sidereal and tropical astrology, a 12-sign zodiac is based on dividing the ecliptic into 12 equal parts, rather than the IAU constellation boundaries. Astrological signs do not correspond to their namesakes, especially in the tropical system where divisions are fixed relative to the equinox.
What are the terms in astrology?
In astrology, the term “Terms” (ὅρια, literally “boundaries”) refers to the subdivisions of the zodiacal signs, comprising whole numbers of degrees. Each of the five planets (and, in some systems, the Sun or both the Sun and Moon) is assigned the astrological lordship of one Term in each sign.
What is a term in astrology?
In astrology, the term “terms” refers to subdivisions of zodiacal signs with degrees. In some astrological systems, these terms are used to assign astrological lordship to each of the five planets or the Sun or both. In other systems, they are used to assign lordship to both the Sun and the planets.
What is the best way to define the term horoscope?
A horoscope is a diagram of the relative positions of planets and signs of the zodiac at a specific time, used by astrologers to infer individual character and personality traits and foretell life events. It is also used as an astrological forecast. Recent examples on the web include a celebrity astrologer, Kyle Thomas, who writes PEOPLE’s weekly horoscopes, and a celebrity astrologer known for cosmic guidance for celebrities, business executives, and influential influencers.
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘horoscope’. Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Feedback is welcome for these examples.
What does the term astrology refer to?
Astrology is a method of predicting mundane events based on the assumption that celestial bodies, particularly planets and stars, determine or indicate changes in the sublunar world. The theoretical basis for this assumption is historically from Hellenistic philosophy, which distinguishes astrology from celestial omina (omens) first categorized and cataloged in ancient Mesopotamia. Astrologers initially presupposed a geocentric universe with planets and stars rotating in orbits with Earth’s center.
Later, Aristotelian physics principles were adopted, dividing the eternal, circular motions of the heavenly element from the limited, linear motions of the four sublunar elements: fire, air, water, and earth.
Special relations were believed to exist between celestial bodies and their motions, configurations, and processes of generation and decay. These relations were sometimes considered so complex that no human mind could completely grasp them, making astrologers easily excused for errors. Platonic astrologers believed in divine intervention in natural processes through celestial influences upon Earth.
The role of the divine in astrological theory varies considerably. In its most rigorous aspect, astrology postulates a totally mechanistic universe, denying the possibility of intervention and free will. This has been vigorously attacked by orthodox Christianity and Islam. However, some astrologers, such as Bardesanes, believe that the motions of the stars govern only the elemental world, leaving the soul free to choose between good and evil.
Man’s ultimate goal is to attain emancipation from an astrologically dominated material world. Some astrologers, like Harranians and Hindus, regard the planets themselves as potent deities whose decrees can be changed through supplication and liturgy.
What does Islam say about astrology?
The earliest Islamic stance against astrology can be traced back to individuals such as Abd al-Jabbar and Abu Ma’shar al-Balkhi, who sought to justify the causal influence of celestial beings on terrestrial life forms. Historical texts like Kitab al-Daraj provide evidence of the presence of astrology in early Islam. However, even before these individuals, historians and theologians like Al Hashimi sought to justify the role of astrology in influencing Islamic adherents’ religion.
Al Hashimi, through philosophers like Masha Allah, explored the possibility of the influence of stars on one’s morality and religion in general. He cited Masha Allah’s idea that the Islamic prophet Muhammad’s birth was a result of a coming together of celestial objects, essentially pointing to the inherent birth of Muhammad as a result of astrological events. Both Masha Allah and Al Hashimi draw upon similarities but draw upon their inherent stance in pointing to the planets, stars, and other celestial beings as the primary means by which divine rule is exercised, i. e., how God emanates control over all life forms.
Early Muslims relied on the sun and moon to determine important things such as the direction of Mecca, fasting times for Ramadan, and the beginning and end of each month. They used astrology and the position of the planets to predict the health and well-being of individuals, with eclipses in Libra, Aquarius, or Gemini being predictions of worldwide plagues, and comets or shooting stars being predictions of famine and sickness.
Many interpretations of the Quran point to astrology as that which goes against the fundamental principles preached by the Islamic religious tradition. Astrology ultimately points to the role of celestial beings in influencing terrestrial life and the everyday lives of individuals, ultimately hindering their destiny. Various excerpts from the Quran are interpreted to disprove this theory, with the Quran in Surah Al-Jinn suggesting that any such presence of extraterrestrial influence on mankind is not plausible and is therefore haram (forbidden) in Islam.
The Hadith, a reference to the instructions and practices of Muhammad, encourages adherents of the Islamic faith to embody the concept of astrology. Muhammad made various claims regarding the legality/illegality of astrology with regards to the Islamic religious tradition, such as the belief that rain is a bounty bestowed only by Allah (God). The Hadith makes specific mention to the stars, suggesting that those who suggest rain originates as a result of a star are a disbeliever in Me (Allah).
This works to fundamentally embody the concept of astrology and the consequent belief in the idea that celestial beings have an influence on anything other than what enshrined in the Quran and Hadith as shirk (blasphemy), leading one to leave the fold of the religion.
What is the rarest pattern in astrology?
The Grand Cross, or Grand Square, is a rare natal chart aspect in astrology where four personal planets are separated by 90 degrees on the birth chart, forming a square shape and cross. Each of the four elements of astrology is represented in this cross, with all signs sharing the same modality. The Grand Cross’s energy is conflicting due to the tense and oppositional square aspect, which can create difficulties for the native. This is particularly relevant for those in the Angular, Cadent, or Succedent Houses, as squares and oppositions can create difficulties in finding love.
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