glossary of terms.
Many newcomers to astrology are understandably confused by astrological jargon.
This page is designed to give a general overview of terms and phrases that are frequently used during astrology readings.
Aspects
Square: Two planets that are approximately 90º apart, typically of the same modality. Represents tension, hard work is required to integrate the planetary energies.
Trine: Two planets that are approximately 120º apart, typically of the same element. Represents ease, harmony, and comfort between planetary energies.
Sextile: Two planets that are approximately 60º apart, typically of the same polarity. Represents easy flow of energy between two planets.
Opposition: Two planets that are approximately 180º apart, of the same polarity and modality. Represents deep tension and reconciliation between planetary energies.
Conjunction: Two planets occupying the same sign within a set number of degrees. These planets will intensify each others energies, and can bring harmony when the placements are constructive.
Stellium: 3+ planets in conjunction with one another, or occupying the same house and sign.
Essential Dignity
Domicile: A planet in domicile is at home in the sign that the planet in question rules. The planetary energy easily flows through the sign expression.
Exaltation: An exalted planet is like the guest of honor at a party, and is “raised up” in a positive manner. The planetary energy filters well through the sign expression.
Detriment: A planet in detriment is in the sign opposite to its domicile. Planets in detriment have a hard time expressing their energy through the sign in which they are placed.
Fall: A planet in fall is in the sign opposite to its exaltation. Planets in fall can vacillate between extremes of the energy they represent, and effort is required to adapt.
Element, Modality, Rulership
Element: There are four elements used in astrology - fire, earth, air, and water. Each represent a different expression of energy. There are three signs of each element.
Fire: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Earth: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Air: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Water: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Modality: There are three modalities used in astrology - cardinal, fixed, and mutable. The cardinal signs initiate action, the fixed signs stabilize, and the mutable signs prepare for change. There are four signs of each modality.
Cardinal: Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn
Fixed: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius
Mutable: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces
Polarity: Often labeled as “masculine” or “feminine” signs, but I use “diurnal” and “nocturnal” to describe these same energies. The active, diurnal signs are fire and air signs, while the receptive, nocturnal signs are the earth and water signs.
Planetary/Sign Rulership: Each sign of the zodiac is ruled by a specific planet. I use traditional rulerships of planets, meaning that the outer, more recently discovered planets are not included in my rulership scheme.
Sect and Planetary Condition
Benefic: A planet with essentially positive indications. The two benefic planets are Venus and Jupiter.
Malefic: A planet with essentially negative indications. The two malefic planets are Mars and Saturn.
Luminary: Though the Sun and the Moon are often called planets in astrology, they are in a class of their own. The luminaries do exactly that: illuminate the most important parts of the chart.
Sect: There are two types of charts: diurnal (born during the day) and nocturnal (born at night). The sect of a given chart will determine which benefic, malefic, and luminary are the most important to the native’s life.