Glossaries Organized by Theme

'Must know' terms of an
Astrologer's notebook:

• Astrologer : Should only refer to a thoroughly trained and experienced practitioner of the art and science of Astrology.
  
  
• Astrology : The art and science of the study of the relationships between people and events on earth, and the cycles, position, aspects, and motion of the Sun, Moon and eight planets along the ecliptic.
  
  Image at right: Stonehenge megaliths near Salisbury, England. Evidence has revealed that one of the functions of the site was to serve as an accurate astronomical clock.
  
  
• Decanate : Signs are divided into thirds. Decanate is the name given to each third of a sign. It comes from the word 'decan' or ruler. The first decan of a sign is governed by its natural ruler. The second and third decans are governed by the rulers of the signs in the same quality, in successive order.
  
  
• Directions, Progressions and Transits : The study and analysis of the continuing motion of the planetary bodies as they relate to the correlating natal or mundane horoscope.
  
  
• Ephemeris : Tables of planetary positions for any place on earth at given times.
  
  
• Horary Astrology : Horoscope cast for an event, for a question, or to determine a favorable time to act, such as in starting a business, getting married.
  
  
• Horoscope, Chart, Nativity, Natal chart or Map :
  A plotting of the geocentric positions of the planetary bodies in relation to earth, as they move through the ecliptic in their annual journey around the sun; and in relation to the daily motion of the earth. They are charted in relation to the place and time of an event, a birth.
  
  Image at right: A sculpted depiction of the zodiac sign Aquarius on the Virgin portal of Amiens cathedral, France.
  
  
• House : One of the twelve divisions of the celestial equator. Similar to the division of the ecliptic or zodiac into signs, and numbered one to twelve counterclockwise from the ascendant.
  
  
• Mundane Astrology : The study of human affairs through the horoscopes of political leaders, historical events, or celestial phenomena.
  
  
• Natal Astrology : Most prevalent branch of Astrology. The charting and interpretation of a horoscope made for the exact time and place of a person's birth.
  
  
• Native or Subject : Refers to the person for whom a horoscope is charted, often referred to in the interpretation of the chart.
  
  
• Planet : Referred in Astrology as any one of the 10 heavenly bodies situated along the ecliptic. The Sun is a star, and the Moon is the Earth's satellite but they too are referred to as planets, for sake of ease of use. The ten planets are in their natural order from the Sun: Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.
  
  Image at right: The planet Saturn. Named for the Greek god Cronus and ruler of the astrological sign Capricorn.
  
  
• Rising Sign, Ascendant, First House : The cusp, the beginning degree, based on the time of day and place of birth of the subject, of the first house, and the first house itself. This house determines a person's public image, the face we show to the world, and how the world sees us. One of the primary points in a chart.
  
  
• Ruler : The planet assigned to one or two of the signs, as Mars to Aries and co-ruler of Scorpio. Also refers to the ruler of an individual chart.
  
  
• Transits : Interpretation of a horoscope by relating the position of the planets today, or for a particular time span to the position of the planets in the birth or mundane chart.
  
  
• Zodiac : The 28° belt that the planets travel within. See "ecliptic," also "Constellation."