Home / Learn
Learn
Astrology Glossary
Short definitions for reading zodiac profiles and birth charts.
Ascendant
The sign rising on the eastern horizon for the chart’s time and location. Also called the rising sign.
Aspect
An angular relationship between two chart placements.
Astrological house
One of twelve divisions used to associate chart placements with areas of life.
Birth chart
A chart calculated for a person’s birth date, time and place. Also called a natal chart.
Cardinal
The mode associated with Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn.
Conjunction
An aspect in which placements are close together in zodiacal longitude.
Cusp
A boundary between signs or the starting edge of a house.
Descendant
The point opposite the Ascendant, at the western horizon.
Element
One of the four sign groups: Fire, Earth, Air and Water.
Ephemeris
A table of celestial positions for a sequence of dates and times.
Fixed
The mode associated with Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius.
Ingress
The moment a placement enters another sign.
Luminaries
The Sun and Moon as a pair in astrological terminology.
Midheaven
A chart angle associated with culmination and, in many interpretations, public life or vocation.
Mutable
The mode associated with Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces.
Natal
Relating to the birth moment or the chart calculated for it.
Opposition
An aspect of approximately 180 degrees.
Retrograde
Apparent backward motion against the background sky as seen from Earth.
Ruler
A planet or luminary traditionally or modernly associated with a sign.
Sextile
An aspect of approximately 60 degrees.
Square
An aspect of approximately 90 degrees.
Synastry
An interpretation based on comparing placements from two charts.
Transit
A current celestial position considered in relation to a chart.
Trine
An aspect of approximately 120 degrees.
Zodiac
The twelve-sign framework used to organize placements around a chart.