Astrology Glossary
Every term you need to read a birth chart... defined in plain English.
A
Ascendant →
The zodiac sign rising on the eastern horizon at the moment of birth. Also called the Rising sign... it shapes first impressions and how others perceive you.
Aspect
A geometric angle between two planets in a chart. The five major aspects are conjunction (0°), sextile (60°), square (90°), trine (120°), and opposition (180°). Aspects describe how planets interact with each other.
B
Big Three →
Your Sun sign, Moon sign, and Rising sign... the three most important placements in a birth chart that form the foundation of your astrological identity.
Birth Chart →
A map of the sky at the exact moment and location of your birth. Also called a natal chart... it shows the positions of all planets, the signs they occupy, and the houses they fall in.
C
Cardinal Signs
Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn. Cardinal signs initiate action and mark the beginning of each season. They are leaders and starters.
Chiron →
Known as the Wounded Healer... an asteroid that represents your deepest wound and the wisdom that comes from working with it. Its placement shows where you are most vulnerable and most capable of helping others.
Chinese Zodiac →
A 12-year cycle that assigns an animal sign and element to each year. Based on the lunar calendar and rooted in Chinese astrology and philosophy.
Conjunction
An aspect where two planets are at the same degree (0° apart). Conjunctions merge the energies of both planets... intensifying and fusing them into a single expression.
Cusp
The boundary between two signs or two houses. Being "born on the cusp" means your Sun is near the transition point between two signs... but you are always one sign or the other, not both.
D
Detriment
A planet is in detriment when it occupies the sign opposite the one it rules. The planet can still function... but it has to work harder and express itself less naturally.
Dignity
A system for evaluating how comfortably a planet operates in a given sign. The four dignities are rulership (strongest), exaltation (elevated), detriment (uncomfortable), and fall (weakest).
Domicile
When a planet is in the sign it rules... also called rulership. A planet in domicile expresses its energy most naturally and powerfully. Example: the Moon in Cancer.
E
Eclipse
A solar or lunar eclipse that occurs when the Sun, Moon, and Earth align. In astrology, eclipses are powerful turning points that accelerate change... especially near the nodes.
Element
One of four categories that group the 12 zodiac signs: Fire (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius), Earth (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn), Air (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius), and Water (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces).
Exaltation
A planet is exalted when it occupies a sign where its energy is elevated and honored. Example: the Sun is exalted in Aries... it operates with extra strength and clarity there.
F
Fall
A planet is in fall when it occupies the sign opposite its exaltation. This is where the planet feels least supported... though it can still produce profound growth through the challenge.
Fire Signs →
Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius. Fire signs are energetic, passionate, and action-oriented. They lead with spirit and express themselves through boldness and enthusiasm.
Fixed Signs
Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius. Fixed signs sustain and stabilize what cardinal signs start. They are persistent, loyal, and sometimes stubborn.
G
Grand Cross
A pattern formed when four planets are each 90° apart, creating two oppositions and four squares. It represents intense tension and the drive to integrate competing demands.
Grand Trine
A pattern formed when three planets are each 120° apart, forming a triangle. It represents natural talent and flow... energy moves easily but may lack the friction needed for growth.
H
House →
One of 12 sectors in a birth chart, each governing a specific area of life. Houses are determined by birth time and location... they show where planetary energy plays out in your daily experience.
I
IC (Imum Coeli)
The lowest point of the chart... the cusp of the 4th house. It represents your roots, home life, family, and the most private part of who you are.
J
Jupiter →
The planet of expansion, luck, wisdom, and growth. Jupiter shows where life tends to reward you generously and where you seek meaning through philosophy, travel, or higher learning.
M
Mars →
The planet of drive, action, desire, and courage. Mars shows how you assert yourself, pursue what you want, and channel physical energy.
MC (Midheaven)
The highest point of the chart... the cusp of the 10th house. It represents your career, public reputation, and the legacy you are building.
Mercury →
The planet of communication, thinking, and information processing. Mercury shows how you learn, speak, write, and make sense of the world.
Mercury Retrograde →
A period when Mercury appears to move backward in the sky. Communication, technology, and travel may slow down or glitch... an invitation to revisit and revise rather than rush forward.
Modality
One of three categories that describe how signs operate: Cardinal (initiates), Fixed (sustains), and Mutable (adapts). Each element contains one sign of each modality.
Moon →
The celestial body representing your emotional nature, instincts, habits, and subconscious patterns. The Moon shows what you need to feel safe and how you process feelings.
Moon Sign →
The zodiac sign the Moon was in at the time of your birth. It represents your emotional inner world... the part of you that exists beneath the surface.
Mutable Signs
Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces. Mutable signs adapt, distribute, and prepare for change. They are flexible, versatile, and sometimes scattered.
N
Natal Chart →
Another name for a birth chart... a map of the sky at the exact moment of your birth. "Natal" comes from the Latin word for birth.
Neptune →
The planet of dreams, spirituality, imagination, and dissolution. Neptune shows where you seek transcendence... and where illusion and reality may blur.
North Node →
A mathematical point representing the direction of your soul's growth in this lifetime. It points toward unfamiliar qualities you are here to develop... even when they feel uncomfortable.
O
Opposition
An aspect where two planets are 180° apart. Oppositions create tension and awareness through polarity... the challenge is to balance both sides rather than choosing one.
Orb
The allowed margin of error for an aspect. If a trine is exactly 120° but two planets are 118° apart, they are still in a trine if the orb allows 2°. Tighter orbs = stronger aspects.
P
Placidus →
The most commonly used house system in Western astrology. Placidus divides houses based on time rather than space... house cusps are calculated from the birth time and latitude.
Planet →
In astrology, "planet" includes the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto... plus points like the North Node and Chiron. Each represents a different dimension of experience.
Pluto →
The planet of transformation, power, death and rebirth, and the hidden forces that operate beneath conscious awareness. Pluto shows where you must let go so something deeper can emerge.
R
Retrograde →
When a planet appears to move backward through the zodiac from Earth's perspective. Retrograde periods slow things down in that planet's domain... inviting review rather than initiation.
Rising Sign →
The zodiac sign that was rising on the eastern horizon at the exact moment of birth. Also called the Ascendant... it determines how the world sees you and sets the house structure of your entire chart.
Rulership
Each zodiac sign has a planetary ruler that shares its essential nature. Example: Mars rules Aries, Venus rules Taurus and Libra. A planet in its own sign operates with natural ease and strength.
S
Saturn →
The planet of discipline, structure, responsibility, and long-term mastery. Saturn shows where you face challenges that ultimately build your greatest strengths.
Saturn Return
When transiting Saturn returns to the exact position it occupied in your birth chart... around ages 29 and 58. A major life milestone that tests your foundations and marks the transition to a new life chapter.
Sextile
An aspect where two planets are 60° apart. Sextiles represent gentle opportunity and support... the energy flows but requires conscious effort to activate.
Solar Return
The moment each year when the Sun returns to its exact birth position... your birthday, astrologically speaking. A solar return chart can be cast for the year ahead.
South Node
The point opposite the North Node... representing past-life patterns, ingrained habits, and qualities that come naturally but can become crutches if relied on exclusively.
Square
An aspect where two planets are 90° apart. Squares create friction and tension that demands growth... the most challenging aspect but also the most productive for personal development.
Stellium →
Three or more planets in the same sign or house. A stellium concentrates energy and creates intense focus in that area of the chart.
Sun →
The celestial body representing your core identity, ego, vitality, and life purpose. The Sun shows who you are becoming and what energizes you most deeply.
Sun Sign →
The zodiac sign the Sun was in at the time of your birth. The most commonly known placement... but only about 8% of your full chart.
Synastry
The comparison of two birth charts to understand relationship compatibility. Synastry examines how one person's planets interact with another's.
T
Transit
The current position of a planet in the sky and how it interacts with your birth chart. Transits are how astrology becomes dynamic... they describe what's happening now relative to your natal placements.
Trine
An aspect where two planets are 120° apart. Trines represent natural harmony and ease... energy flows effortlessly between the two planets involved.
U
Uranus →
The planet of revolution, innovation, sudden change, and freedom. Uranus shows where you break from convention and where unexpected events catalyze your evolution.
V
Venus →
The planet of love, beauty, pleasure, and values. Venus shows how you attract and relate to others, what you find beautiful, and what brings you joy.
W
Whole Sign Houses
A house system where each sign equals one house, starting from the Ascendant sign. Simpler than Placidus and increasingly popular among modern astrologers.
Z
Zodiac →
The 12-sign system that divides the ecliptic (the Sun's apparent path) into 30° segments. Each sign carries a distinct energy that colors how planets express themselves.
Ready to see these concepts in action?
Generate your free birth chart and see how every term applies to you personally.
Create Your Free Chart