29th degree:
See "Anaretic degree."

Afflicted:
Used to describe a planet which is unfavorably aspected; squares, oppositions, and quincunxes. An ancient term which is still commonly used.

Air Signs:
Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius. Signs belonging to this Element represent the intellectual and thought process.

Anaretic degree:
The final degree (29th degree) of any Sign. It is also known as the degree of fate.

Angles:
The lines of the chart wheel which lie at 0 degrees (the ascendant), 90 degrees (the I.C.), 180 degrees (the descendant), and 270 degrees (the M.C.). These are major points in a chart and represent Cardinal Qualities.

Aquarian Age:
A time period of 2000 years where the influence of Aquarius is prominent. An age lasts for 2000 years and moves backward through the Zodiac. The Age of Aquarius starts at approximately the new millennium.

Arc:
An angular measurement between two celestial planets or points.

Ascendant:
(See "Rising Sign." ) We experience day and night because the Earth rotates on its axis once every 24 hours. It is because of this rotation that the Sun, Moon and planets seem to rise and set. The Zodiac is a fixed belt (imaginary, but very real in spiritual terms) around the Earth. As the Earth rotates, the different Signs of the Zodiac seem to the observer to rise on the horizon. During a 24 hour period every Sign of the Zodiac will pass this horizon point at some time or another. The Sign that is at the horizon point at any given time is called the Ascendant or Rising Sign. The Ascendant is the Sign denoting a person's self image, body and self-concept, the personal ego, as opposed to the spiritual ego indicated by a person's Sun Sign.

Aspects:
 Aspects are the angular relationships between planets, the way in which one planet stimulates or influences another. If a planet makes a harmonious aspect (connection) to another, it tends to stimulate that planet in a positive and helpful way. If it makes a stressful aspect to another planet, this disrupts the planet's normal influence.

Astrology:
The study of the influence of celestial bodies on any behavior, activity, or condition on Earth. It is a guide to who we are.

Astrological Qualities:

There are three astrological qualities. Cardinal, fixed and mutable. Each of the 12 Signs of the Zodiac falls into one of these three categories.

 Cardinal Signs: Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn.
The cardinal quality is the active, initiating principle. Those born under these four Signs are good at starting new projects.

Fixed Signs: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius
Fixed qualities include stability, persistence, endurance and perfectionism. People born under these four Signs are good at seeing things through.

Mutable Signs: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces
Mutable qualities are adaptability, changeability and balance. Those born under these four Signs are creative, if not always practical.

Birth Chart (also known as a Chart or Chart wheel):
A "map" detailing the positioning of the planets in the Signs at the specific moment of an individual's birth. The chart is rendered by using the individual's place, date, and time of birth as the data source for this planetary snapshot.

Cardinal Signs:
Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn. This Quality represents initiative.

Celestial body:
A physical form which exists in space; such as a planet.

Composite chart:
Two individual charts which are merged to form one. It shows the relationship between the individuals whose charts are combined.

Configuration:
An aspect involving three or more planets.

Conjunction:
Two or more planets sitting next to each other within an acceptable orb, generally considered within 8 degrees for major aspects. A conjunction gives great strength to the energies of the interacting planets.

Constellation:
A group of visible stars in the same section of the sky.

Cusp:
The midway point between two Signs of the Zodiac; also used to refer to the start of a House within the chart wheel.

Cycle:
A planet's Zodiacal period; the time it takes a planet or point to make one complete revolution in the heavens.

Decanate:
The partitioning of each Sign into three equal parts of 10 degrees each. Each part is known as a decanate; every Sign is composed of 30 degrees.

Declination:
The arc of measurement in degrees north or south of the celestial equator.

Degree:
A degree is 1/360 of a circle. In Astrology, degrees are the commonly-used unit of measurement.

Descendant:
The opposite point from the ascendant; the cusp of the Seventh House. It describes one's interaction with another.

Direct Motion:

 When the planets move forwards through the Zodiac, as they normally do, they are said to be going 'direct'.

Earth Signs:
Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. Signs belonging to this Element represent a practical nature.

Eighth House:
Also known as the House of Sex. It describes shared resources, inheritance, alimony, taxes, and surgery. It is also the House of regeneration, death, and rebirth.

Electional Astrology:
The branch of Astrology which deals with selecting the best time to initiate any given activity or project.

Elements:
A four-fold division of the Zodiac which is comprised of Fire, Earth, Air, and Water. Signs of the same Element share similar characteristics. Also known as Triplicity.

Eleventh House:
Also known as the House of Friends. It describes friendships and acquaintances, as well as hopes and dreams. It rules groups, humanitarianism, and philanthropic attitudes.

Ephemeris:
An almanac which lists the Zodiacal positions of the planets and other astronomical data for a given time period. Plural is ephemerides.

Equinox:
Means a time of equal day and night. This occurs twice a year and marks the beginning of Spring and Autumn.

A-E       F-H           I-P        Q-Z