Abscission

(classical) A term in traditional astrology describing an early death or removal; historically used in natal mortality assessments.

Acronycal

Relating to an astronomical configuration when a celestial body rises at sunset and sets at sunrise; often referenced in timing events.

Air

One of the four astrological elements (Air, Fire, Earth, Water); associated with intellect, communication, and social connection.

Al Biruni

A prominent medieval Persian scholar whose works influenced astronomy and astrology; referenced in classical astrological studies.

Alchocoden

A traditional Arabic term used in medieval astrology for certain planetary calculations and influences.

Almuten

A classical technical term for the planet considered to have the strongest rulership in a specific chart location or degree.

Altitude

The angle of a celestial body above the horizon; used in observational astronomy and some predictive techniques.

Anareta

A classical indicator of death or critical affliction in a nativity; used in traditional mortality analysis.

Angular

Describes planets or points near the chart angles (Ascendant, Midheaven, Descendant, Imum Coeli) and thus more influential in a chart.

Animodar

A classical concept referring to the animating or dominant planet in certain chart calculations.

Antiscia

Mirror points across the solstice axis—pairs of degrees that are astrologically symmetrical and considered to have a hidden affinity.

Apogee

The point in an orbit where a satellite (like the Moon) is farthest from Earth; relevant in lunar and eclipse calculations.

Application

When two planets are moving toward an exact aspect; an applying aspect often indicates developing influence or events.

Aquarius

The eleventh sign of the zodiac, associated with innovation, communities, and fixed-air qualities.

Aries

The first zodiac sign, associated with initiation, leadership, and cardinal-fire energy.

Ascendant

The zodiac sign rising on the eastern horizon at birth; a primary indicator of self, appearance, and chart outward persona. (Also: rising sign)

Aspect

An angular relationship between planets (conjunction, opposition, trine, square, sextile, etc.) that shapes how planetary energies interact.

Astrocartography

A mapping technique that shows how planetary lines fall across the Earth, used to find locational astrology influences and favored places.

Astrolabe

An ancient astronomical instrument used historically for determining celestial positions and aiding astrological charts.

Aversion

A technical term (classical) describing planets that avoid direct face-to-face aspect intercourse; used in traditional aspect theory.

Azimene

A degree classification in traditional astrology marking special or critical degrees with historical interpretive value.

Benefic

A planet traditionally considered beneficial (e.g., Venus, Jupiter) whose placements are often associated with ease, luck, or harmony.

Besieged

A classical term indicating a planet surrounded by hostile aspects or placements, weakening its influence.

Bi-corporeal

Describes zodiac signs that are represented by creatures with two bodies or forms; used in traditional symbolism.

Cancer

The fourth zodiac sign, associated with home, family, emotional sensitivity, and cardinal-water qualities.

Cardinal

One of astrology’s modalities (Cardinal, Fixed, Mutable) indicating initiative, leadership, and season-changing energy.

Cazimi

When a planet is within roughly 17 arc-minutes of the Sun’s exact longitude; traditionally considered empowered or 'in the heart of the Sun.'

Celestial

Relating to the heavens or astronomical bodies; commonly used in phrases like 'celestial events' or 'celestial mechanics'.

Chaldean

Historically tied to ancient Near Eastern astrology and the Chaldean order used in traditional planetary sequencing.

Choleric

A classical temperament associated with heat, ambition, and quick action; part of the four-humor system used in astrological temperament theory.

Collection

(chart technique) The idea of grouped planetary influences or aggregated chart factors forming an interpretive whole.

Combust

A planet so close to the Sun that its visibility and classical influence are considered weakened or 'burned' by the Sun's rays.

Comet

A transient celestial object—historically viewed as an omen—whose appearances have been interpreted astrologically across cultures.

Conjunction

An aspect where two planets share the same zodiacal degree; often signifies blending or intensifying of their energies.

Constellation

The actual star pattern behind zodiac signs; notable for fixed stars and their historical astrological significance.

Contra-antiscion

A technical variant of antiscia relationships with mirror-point symmetry used in classic techniques.

Critical

Critical degrees are specific zodiacal degrees historically considered especially sensitive or potent in chart analysis.

Culmination

When a planet reaches its highest point (culminates) in the sky—related to Midheaven and peak visibility.

Cusp

The boundary between two adjacent houses or signs in a horoscope; often noted when a planet resides near a house cusp.

Debility

A general term indicating a planet’s weakened or challenged state by placement, aspect, or condition.

Declination

A celestial coordinate north or south of the celestial equator; used in certain aspect and paran analyses.

Decumbiture

A traditional astrological technique historically used for medical or bedside charts about a person's illness or death.

Detriment

A sign placement opposite a planet’s domicile; traditionally seen as weakening that planet’s natural expression.

Dexter

A classical aspect term indicating aspects from the east or right side in traditional astrology (dexter vs sinister distinctions).

Dignity

A planet's strength or aptitude in a chart based on rulerships, exaltations, terms, and faces (essential dignity).

Direct

When a planet moves forward in zodiacal longitude (not retrograde); direct motion often relates to forward movement in an issue.

Dispositor

The planet that rules the sign occupied by another planet; important in chain-of-rulership interpretations.

Dissociate

A term used where planets have no essential aspectual relationship, appearing disengaged in chart interpretation.

Diurnal

Referring to daytime charts or factors active in daylight; diurnal vs nocturnal sect is important in traditional technique.

Eclipse

A solar or lunar event where Sun and Moon align—key moments in forecasting, transit emphasis, and collective cycles.

Electional

A branch of astrology focused on selecting optimal times (elections) to start events like weddings or launches.

Elevation

How high a planet appears above the horizon; used in visibility and some predictive methods.

Emplacement

The placement of a planet or point in a particular house, sign, or degree with interpretive weight.

Ephemeris

A tabulated table of planetary positions by date; essential for castings and transit tracking (search: ephemeris 2025 positions).

Equinox

The two annual moments when day and night are roughly equal; used as seasonal anchors in astrological calendars.

Exaltation

A dignity where a planet is considered particularly strong or functional in a specific sign (its exaltation sign).

Fall

The sign opposite a planet’s exaltation where it traditionally functions poorly or is weakened.

Fire

An astrological element (Fire, Earth, Air, Water) associated with creativity, will, and energy.

Fixed

A modality indicating stability, persistence, and consolidating energy in the zodiac (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius).

Frustration

A practical descriptive keyword for blocked or resisted planetary expression in modern astrological interpretation.

Full Moon

A lunar phase when the Moon is opposite the Sun and fully illuminated; associated with culmination, release, and peak emotions.

Gemini

The third zodiac sign, associated with communication, learning, and mutable-air characteristics.

Horoscope

A chart or forecast showing planetary positions at a given time; commonly used to refer to daily or natal horoscopes.

House

One of twelve divisions of the chart representing life areas (identity, finances, communication, home, etc.).

Hyleg

A classical natal point used in traditional timing and life-span calculations, often tied to vitality.

Illumination

The state of being lit by the Sun (lunar illumination) or the metaphorical light planets bring to topics in interpretation.

Imum Coeli

The lowest point in the chart (IC) representing roots, home, and private life; opposite the Midheaven.

Inconjunct

Also called quincunx; an aspect of 150° indicating adjustment, tension, or the need for integration between planets.

Inferior

In classical terms, an inner planet relative to Earth (e.g., Mercury and Venus when they orbit closer than Earth to the Sun).

Infortunes

Traditional malefic or harmful factors in a chart historically associated with difficulty or challenge.

Ingress

The moment a planet enters a new sign; ingress charts mark new cycles and seasonal shifts.

Intercepted

Signs that do not appear on any house cusp in certain house systems; intercepted signs can indicate hidden or delayed themes.

Joy

Planetary joys are classical allocations of planets to houses where they are said to find comfort and expression.

Katarche

A term related to initial timing charts or beginnings; used in electional and horary timing methods.

Latitude

Celestial latitude measures a body’s distance north or south of the ecliptic; relevant for occult and fixed-star work.

Leo

The fifth zodiac sign associated with creativity, self-expression, and fixed-fire qualities.

Libra

The seventh zodiac sign associated with partnership, balance, and cardinal-air characteristics.

Light

In astrology 'light' can mean planetary visibility or metaphorical clarity in a chart; used in traditional translation of light.

Longitude

Celestial longitude along the ecliptic; primary coordinate for zodiacal positions and transit calculations.

Lord

Short for 'lord of' (lord of the house or sign), referring to a planetary ruler in traditional rulership systems.

Lot

Also called Arabic Part (Part of Fortune, etc.); a calculated point representing a specific functional area in a chart.

Luminary

A term for the Sun or Moon, often called the chart’s primary lights or luminaries.

Lunar Mansions

Traditional divisions of the ecliptic (lunar mansions or nakshatras) used in timing and moon-based astrology.

Lunar Phases

The sequence of Moon phases (new, waxing, full, waning) that shape emotional cycles and timing.

Lunation

A single lunar cycle from New Moon to New Moon; used in timing and monthly forecasting.

Malefic

A planet traditionally considered challenging (e.g., Saturn, Mars) often associated with tests, limits, or friction.

Mars Return

When transiting Mars returns to its natal degree, highlighting a cycle of energy, action, and assertiveness.

Midheaven

The Midheaven (MC) marks career, reputation, and public image; it’s the highest point in the chart.

Mutable

A modality denoting adaptability, changeability, and transition (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces).

Mutual Reception

When two planets are in each other’s signs, creating mutual support and a strengthened relational link.

Nativity

A natal chart or birth horoscope; the map of planetary positions at the moment of birth.

Nocturnal

Related to night charts or energies; nocturnal sect emphasizes Moon and night-associated factors.

Nodes

The lunar nodes (North Node and South Node) point to karmic direction, growth path, and past patterns.

Opposition

An aspect of 180° where planets face each other, often manifesting as polarity, balance, or external tension.

Oriental

A classical term for planets that rise before the Sun (oriental) and their relative visibility or timing.

Part of Fortune

An Arabic Part representing a calculated point associated with fortune, health, or pragmatic outcomes in a chart.

Peregrine

A planet described as peregrine lacks essential dignity and is seen as wandering or unsupported in classical interpretation.

Perfection

In aspect theory, a perfect aspect is exact; perfection can also mean the achieving of an indicated result in predictive work.

Phlegmatic

A temperament linked to coolness, steadiness, and calm; part of classical humoral astrology tied to signs and planets.

Pisces

The twelfth zodiac sign, associated with empathy, imagination, and mutable-water qualities.

Placidus

A commonly used house system that divides the chart based on time and the rotation of the Earth.

Platick

A traditional aspect classification or reference to Platonic methods in classical astrological texts.

Post-Shadow

The period after retrograde when a planet’s effects wind down as it regains forward momentum.

Pre-Shadow

The interval before a planet’s apparent retrograde when the planet’s incoming motion begins to slow and topics may revisit.

Ptolemy

The Greco-Roman astronomer-astrologer whose work (e.g., Tetrabiblos) shaped much of classical astrological theory.

Quadrant

One of four chart sectors (quadrants) related to angular houses and broader life-area groupings.

Querent

In horary astrology, the person who asks the question; the querent’s significators are central to interpretation.

Quesited

A horary term (from 'quested') naming the subject or question being asked in a chart.

Quincunx

See Inconjunct — an aspect of 150° signaling adaptation, tension, and the need for adjustment.

Radical

A chart cast for the moment of birth or event (as opposed to a directed or progressed chart); natal charts are radicals.

Reception

When one planet is favorably positioned to receive another by sign or aspect, indicating harmony or support.

Refranation

A technical classical term about planetary visibility and the effect of the Sun's rays on a planet's light.

Retrograde

When a planet appears to move backward in the zodiac from Earth’s perspective; associated with review, delay, or reworking.

Revolution

A term for returns (solar or planetary) that mark cyclical renewals, especially Solar Return charts for the year ahead.

Ruler

The planet that rules a sign or house in traditional rulership systems; useful for tracing themes in a chart.

Sagittarius

The ninth zodiac sign, associated with expansion, philosophy, travel, and mutable-fire energy.

Saturn Return

When transiting Saturn returns to its natal position, marking major maturation, responsibility, or restructuring cycles.

Sect

A classical concept dividing charts into diurnal (day) and nocturnal (night) sects with distinct interpretive rules.

Sextile

A 60° aspect indicating opportunity, ease, and harmonious potential between planets.

Shadow Period

The time before and after a planet’s retrograde where its transit shadow influences events and revisitation themes.

Sidereal

A zodiac system aligned with fixed stars (sidereal zodiac) used mainly in Vedic and some traditional astrology methods.

Solar Arc

A predictive technique where chart points are advanced by the Sun’s annual movement (solar arc direction).

Solar Return

A chart cast for the Sun’s return to its natal degree each year, used to forecast themes for the coming year.

Solstice

The two annual points when the Sun reaches its northernmost or southernmost declination — summer and winter solstices.

Square

A 90° challenging aspect that often indicates friction, conflict, or necessary action between planets.

Stellium

A cluster of three or more planets in a single sign or house emphasizing that area of life strongly.

Succedent

Describes houses that come after angular houses (2, 5, 8, 11) and the steady, supporting functions they represent.

Superior

Refers to planets orbiting outside Earth’s orbit (e.g., Mars, Jupiter) in classical terms; often contrasted with inferior.

Synastry

A relationship technique comparing two natal charts to analyze compatibility and dynamic interactions.

Syzygy

The alignment of three bodies (commonly Sun-Earth-Moon) used to describe lunations and eclipses.

Taurus

The second zodiac sign, associated with values, stability, and fixed-earth qualities.

Temperament

An ancient theory linking humors to personality types (sanguine, choleric, phlegmatic, melancholic) in astrological character work.

Tetrabiblos

Ptolemy’s foundational astrological text; a classical reference point for many traditional techniques.

Time Lords

Traditional timing techniques (e.g., planetary periods) used to identify likely life themes during set intervals.

Transit

A current planetary position moving across the sky relative to the natal chart affecting present-day influences.

Translation of Light

A classical technique where light (influence) moves from one planet to another via aspect or reception.

Trine

A 120° flowing aspect indicating harmony, talent, or natural ease between planets.

Triplicity

A classical dignity system grouping signs by element (Fire, Earth, Air, Water) and assigning planetary rulers for day/night.

Tropical

The tropical zodiac used in Western astrology, tied to Earth’s seasons rather than fixed stars.

Turning

A timing or predictive term referring to when a planet reaches a pivotal degree or aspect.

Uranus Return

When transiting Uranus returns to its natal degree, often linked to sudden change, liberation, or awakening.

Venus Return

When transiting Venus returns to its natal degree, highlighting shifts in love, aesthetics, or values.

Via Combusta

A classical sensitive zone (about late Libra to early Scorpio) historically associated with affliction or difficulty.

Virgo

The sixth zodiac sign, associated with service, analysis, and mutable-earth qualities.

Void of Course

A Moon condition when it makes no applying major aspects before leaving its sign; often associated with outcomes 'not materializing.'

Water

One of the four elements associated with emotion, depth, and intuition; includes Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces.

Whole Sign

A house system where each sign equals one house; a traditional and increasingly popular method for beginners and traditionalists.

William Lilly

A famous 17th-century English astrologer known for his influential book on horary astrology and practical techniques.

Zodiac

The twelve-sign belt used in astrology mapping the ecliptic into sign sectors; core to natal and predictive interpretation.

Zodiacal Releasing

A Hellenistic timing technique dividing life into kingdom periods to highlight major life themes.