The zodiac sign that was rising on the eastern horizon at the exact moment of birth. The Ascendant marks the cusp of the 1st house and represents how others see us, our physical appearance, and our immediate personal style. It changes every two hours.

An angular relationship between two or more planets (or points) in the birth chart, measured in degrees. Major aspects include the conjunction (0°), sextile (60°), square (90°), trine (120°) and opposition (180°). Aspects describe how planetary energies interact.

The 1st, 4th, 7th and 10th houses — the most powerful positions in the chart. Planets in angular houses exert a strong, direct influence on the life.

A map of the sky at the exact moment of a person's birth, calculated for the birth location. It shows the positions of the Sun, Moon and planets in the zodiac signs and houses, and the aspects between them. The birth chart is the foundation of astrology.

The point in space that represents the Moon's orbital apogee (the point farthest from Earth). In astrology, Lilith symbolises the raw, untamed feminine principle, repressed desires and shadow material.

Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn — the four signs that begin each season. Cardinal signs are initiating, dynamic and action-oriented. They represent the impulse to start new things.

The planet that rules the sign on the Ascendant. The chart ruler is considered one of the most important planets in the horoscope, as it acts as a general significator for the life and personality.

A small body orbiting between Saturn and Uranus, discovered in 1977. In astrology, Chiron represents the "wound that does not heal" — a core wound or area of suffering that, when addressed, becomes a source of great wisdom and healing ability.

An aspect formed when two planets occupy the same or nearly the same degree of the zodiac (0° apart, orb usually ±8°). The conjunction merges and intensifies the energies of the planets involved. It can be harmonious or challenging depending on the planets.

The dividing line between two zodiac signs or two houses. The house cusp is the degree at which a house begins. When a planet is on or very near a cusp, it may express qualities of both the sign or house it is leaving and the one it is entering.

A planet's distance north or south of the celestial equator, measured in degrees. Planets at the same declination are said to be "parallel" — an aspect that operates similarly to a conjunction.

The zodiac sign on the cusp of the 7th house — the point directly opposite the Ascendant. The Descendant describes the qualities we seek in partners and the nature of our one-on-one relationships.

A planet is in its detriment when placed in the sign opposite its rulership. For example, Saturn (ruler of Capricorn) is in detriment in Cancer. A planet in detriment may find it harder to express its nature comfortably.

A planet is in dignity (also called "rulership") when it occupies the sign it naturally rules. A dignified planet is considered strong and expresses its qualities easily and purely.

A Solar Eclipse occurs at a New Moon when the Moon passes between the Earth and Sun; a Lunar Eclipse occurs at a Full Moon when Earth's shadow falls on the Moon. Eclipses are considered powerful astrological events that trigger significant changes.

The apparent path of the Sun across the sky as seen from Earth over the course of a year. The zodiac signs are laid out along the ecliptic, each occupying 30° of arc.

The four classical elements — Fire, Earth, Air and Water — each associated with three zodiac signs. Fire: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius. Earth: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn. Air: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius. Water: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces.

A table listing the positions of the planets (and other celestial bodies) for each day of a given time period. Astrologers use ephemerides to calculate birth charts and to track planetary transits.

A planet is exalted in the sign where it expresses its highest potential. For example, Venus is exalted in Pisces. An exalted planet is considered particularly powerful and dignified.

The opposite of exaltation. A planet in fall is in the sign opposite its exaltation and is considered weakened or in an uncomfortable position. For example, Venus is in fall in Virgo.

Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius — the four signs at the height of each season. Fixed signs are determined, stable and resistant to change. They represent consolidation and focus.

Any star (other than our Sun) whose position in the zodiac is noted for its astrological influence. Famous fixed stars include Regulus (Leo), Algol (Taurus) and Spica (Virgo).

A rare chart pattern consisting of four planets in a square formation, creating two pairs of oppositions. The Grand Cross creates intense, multi-directional tension that demands constant balancing effort.

Three planets in trine aspect to each other, forming an equilateral triangle in the chart. The Grand Trine creates a self-contained circuit of harmonious energy and is associated with great natural gifts, though sometimes a tendency toward complacency.

The 12 divisions of the birth chart, each governing a specific area of life. The houses are determined by the time and place of birth. The 1st house rules the self; the 2nd money; the 3rd communication; the 4th home; the 5th creativity; the 6th work and health; the 7th partnerships; the 8th transformation; the 9th philosophy; the 10th career; the 11th groups; the 12th the unconscious.

Latin for "bottom of the sky." The IC is the cusp of the 4th house and represents the lowest point of the chart. It symbolises home, roots, family background and the private inner life.

Another name for the quincunx (150° aspect). Planets in inconjunct aspect share neither element nor modality, creating awkward tension that requires constant adjustment.

A continuous count of days since noon on January 1, 4713 BC. Astronomers and astrologers use Julian Day numbers to make date calculations simpler and more consistent, especially when calculating planetary positions.

A collective term for the Sun and Moon — the two most important "planets" in astrology. The Sun represents the conscious self; the Moon the unconscious.

Latin for "middle of the sky." The MC is the highest point of the chart and the cusp of the 10th house. It represents career, public reputation, life direction and the aspirations we strive toward.

The three modes — Cardinal, Fixed and Mutable — that describe how each zodiac sign expresses its energy. Each mode contains four signs (one from each element).

Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces — the four signs at the end of each season. Mutable signs are adaptable, flexible and change-oriented. They represent transition and synthesis.

See Birth Chart.

The point where the Moon's orbit crosses the ecliptic moving northward. The North Node represents the soul's evolutionary direction — the qualities and experiences we are meant to develop in this lifetime.

An aspect formed when two planets are 180° apart. The opposition creates polarity and tension, often experienced through relationships with others. The challenge is to integrate two opposing principles.

The allowable degree of deviation from the exact angle of an aspect. For example, a conjunction has an orb of ±8°, meaning planets within 8° of each other are considered conjunct. Tighter orbs produce more powerful aspects.

An Arabic part (or lot) calculated from the positions of the Sun, Moon and Ascendant. It represents areas of life where we find joy, luck and natural abundance. The formula (for day charts) is: ASC + Moon - Sun.

The most widely used house system in Western astrology, developed by 17th-century monk Placidus de Titis. The Placidus system divides the sky based on time — how long a degree takes to rise from the horizon to the MC.

A predictive technique in which the chart is "progressed" to simulate future development. Secondary progressions advance the chart one day for each year of life, revealing the slow unfolding of inner potential.

From Earth's perspective, a planet appears to move backward through the zodiac. This is an optical illusion caused by the relative orbital speeds of Earth and the other planets. Retrograde planets are said to turn their energy inward or operate in an unusual, often delayed manner.

See Ascendant.

Each planet rules one or two zodiac signs. The ruler of a sign is the planet most naturally in harmony with that sign's energy. Traditional rulerships: Sun→Leo, Moon→Cancer, Mercury→Gemini/Virgo, Venus→Taurus/Libra, Mars→Aries, Jupiter→Sagittarius, Saturn→Capricorn. Modern additions: Uranus→Aquarius, Neptune→Pisces, Pluto→Scorpio.

An aspect of 60° between two planets. The sextile is a harmonious aspect of opportunity and mental agility. Planets in sextile support each other and create useful connections.

A time-keeping system based on the rotation of Earth relative to the fixed stars (rather than the Sun). Sidereal time is used to calculate house cusps in the birth chart.

The point where the Moon's orbit crosses the ecliptic moving southward. The South Node represents past-life experiences, innate talents, and default patterns we carry into this lifetime — but also what we must release or transcend.

An aspect of 90° between two planets. The square creates tension and challenge, forcing action and growth through friction. Planets in square operate at cross-purposes but can produce extraordinary results when the energy is consciously worked with.

A technique of comparing two birth charts by overlaying them to assess compatibility and the dynamics of a relationship. Aspects between one person's planets and the other's reveal how the two people interact.

A chart pattern consisting of two planets in opposition, both of which are in square aspect to a third planet. The third planet (the "apex") holds the tension of the opposition and acts as a release point and focus of challenge.

The movement of a current planet through the sky in relation to the planets and points in a natal chart. Transits are the most common predictive technique in astrology, describing current and future influences on the life.

An aspect of 120° between two planets in the same element. The trine is the most harmonious aspect, indicating natural talent, ease and flow. Planets in trine cooperate effortlessly.

A calculated point in the chart (the intersection of the prime vertical with the ecliptic in the western hemisphere) associated with fated encounters and significant relationships. Some astrologers treat it as a secondary Descendant.

The belt of sky extending 8–9° on either side of the ecliptic, divided into 12 equal signs of 30° each. The Western (tropical) zodiac is tied to the seasons (beginning at the vernal equinox), while the sidereal zodiac is aligned with the fixed stars.