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Astrology glossary

Plain-language definitions for recurring astrology and astronomy terms used across Astrologican.

Explore 30 plain-language definitions. Each explains the term, the convention or calculation behind it, and where measured facts end and interpretation begins.

  1. Angular houseOne of the first, fourth, seventh, or tenth houses, named for its relationship to the chart's principal angles.
  2. AscendantThe zodiac degree rising on the eastern horizon for a specific time and place, used to orient an astrological chart.
  3. AspectA measured angular relationship between two chart points, grouped by astrological conventions and declared tolerances.
  4. Birth chartA chart of calculated celestial positions and angles for a stated birth time and place, interpreted through astrological conventions.
  5. Cadent houseOne of the third, sixth, ninth, or twelfth houses, each preceding an angular house in the chart sequence.
  6. Cardinal signAries, Cancer, Libra, or Capricorn, the four signs traditionally associated with initiating a cycle.
  7. ConjunctionAn aspect centered on 0 degrees in which two chart points occupy nearly the same zodiac longitude.
  8. DescendantThe zodiac degree setting on the western horizon, directly opposite the Ascendant in a chart.
  9. EclipticThe Sun's apparent yearly path on the celestial sphere and the reference line used for zodiac longitude.
  10. ElementOne of four symbolic sign groups in astrology—fire, earth, air, or water—used to organize styles of expression.
  11. EphemerisA table or dataset giving calculated celestial positions and motion for a sequence of times.
  12. Fixed signTaurus, Leo, Scorpio, or Aquarius, the four signs traditionally associated with sustaining a cycle.
  13. HouseOne of twelve chart sectors used in astrology to organize placements by areas of life.
  14. House systemA declared method for calculating or assigning the twelve house boundaries in an astrological chart.
  15. Imum CoeliThe chart angle opposite the Midheaven at the lower intersection of the local meridian and ecliptic, also called the IC.
  16. Lunar nodeEither of the two calculated points where the Moon's orbital plane intersects the ecliptic plane.
  17. MidheavenA chart angle at the upper intersection of the local meridian and ecliptic, also called the Medium Coeli or MC.
  18. ModalityOne of three astrological sign groupings—cardinal, fixed, or mutable—based on position within the zodiac's repeating sequence.
  19. Moon signThe zodiac sign containing the Moon's calculated position at a stated time, used symbolically in astrology.
  20. Mutable signGemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, or Pisces, the four signs traditionally associated with adapting and transition.
  21. OppositionAn aspect centered on 180 degrees between two chart points on opposite sides of the zodiac.
  22. OrbThe allowed difference between a measured angular separation and an aspect's exact target angle.
  23. RetrogradeAn interval when a planet appears to reverse its usual direction against the zodiac from an Earth-based viewpoint.
  24. SextileAn aspect centered on a 60-degree angular separation between two chart points.
  25. SquareAn aspect centered on a 90-degree angular separation between two chart points.
  26. Succedent houseOne of the second, fifth, eighth, or eleventh houses, each following an angular house in the chart sequence.
  27. Sun signThe zodiac sign containing the Sun's calculated apparent position at a stated time.
  28. TransitA calculated moving position or its relationship to a reference chart at a specified time.
  29. TrineAn aspect centered on a 120-degree angular separation between two chart points.
  30. ZodiacA coordinate cycle along the ecliptic divided into twelve equal signs in astrological systems.