Reference
astrology glossary
every term you'll encounter — explained without jargon.
A
Ascendant
Another name for your Rising sign — the zodiac sign rising on the eastern horizon at your exact time of birth. It determines your 1st house and the entire house system of your chart.
learn more →Aspect
A geometric angle between two planets in a chart. Major aspects include conjunction (0°), sextile (60°), square (90°), trine (120°), and opposition (180°). Aspects describe how planetary energies interact.
B
Big 3
Your three most important astrological placements: Sun sign (identity), Moon sign (emotions), and Rising sign (outward persona). Together they form the core architecture of your chart.
learn more →Birth Chart
A map of the sky at the exact moment you were born, showing where every planet was positioned relative to the zodiac signs and houses. Also called a natal chart.
learn more →C
Cardinal Signs
Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn — the four signs that begin each season. Cardinal signs are initiators, starters, and natural leaders.
Conjunction
An aspect where two planets are at or near 0° from each other — occupying the same area of the zodiac. Conjunctions merge and amplify the energies of both planets.
Cusp
The boundary between two zodiac signs. Despite popular belief, you cannot be 'born on the cusp' and be both signs — the Sun is in one sign or the other, determined by exact birth time.
D
Descendant
The sign on the cusp of your 7th house — directly opposite your Ascendant. It describes the qualities you seek (and project onto) partners and close relationships.
E
Eclipse
A powerful astrological event where the Sun, Moon, and Earth align. Solar eclipses (New Moon) initiate new beginnings; lunar eclipses (Full Moon) bring culminations and revelations.
learn more →Element
The four elements in astrology: Fire (action), Earth (stability), Air (intellect), Water (emotion). Each zodiac sign belongs to one element, which colors its fundamental nature.
F
Fixed Signs
Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius — the four signs in the middle of each season. Fixed signs are determined, persistent, and resistant to change.
H
House
One of 12 sectors in a birth chart, each governing a specific life area (identity, money, communication, home, etc.). Your Rising sign determines which sign rules each house.
learn more →M
Midheaven (MC)
The sign on the cusp of your 10th house — the highest point of your chart. It represents your career, public reputation, and how the world perceives your professional contributions.
Modality
The three modes of zodiac expression: Cardinal (initiating), Fixed (sustaining), and Mutable (adapting). Each sign has one modality that describes its approach to action.
Moon Sign
The zodiac sign the Moon occupied at your birth. It represents your emotional nature, instincts, needs, and the private self that most people never see.
learn more →Mutable Signs
Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces — the four signs at the end of each season. Mutable signs are adaptable, flexible, and comfortable with change.
N
Natal Chart
Another term for birth chart — the complete map of planetary positions at your moment of birth.
learn more →O
Opposition
An aspect where two planets are approximately 180° apart — on opposite sides of the chart. Oppositions create awareness, polarity, and push-pull dynamics.
R
Retrograde
When a planet appears to move backward from Earth's perspective. In astrology, retrogrades signal periods of review, revisiting, and internal processing rather than forward motion.
learn more →Rising Sign
The zodiac sign rising on the eastern horizon at your exact birth time. It determines first impressions, your physical presence, and sets the house system for your entire chart.
learn more →Ruling Planet
The planet that 'owns' a zodiac sign and amplifies its themes. For example, Mars rules Aries, Venus rules Taurus and Libra, Mercury rules Gemini and Virgo.
S
Sextile
An aspect where two planets are approximately 60° apart. Sextiles represent easy, supportive energy — natural talents and opportunities that flow without much effort.
Square
An aspect where two planets are approximately 90° apart. Squares create tension, challenge, and friction — but also drive growth and development.
Stellium
Three or more planets clustered in the same zodiac sign or house. A stellium concentrates energy in that area, making it a dominant theme in the chart.
Sun Sign
The zodiac sign the Sun occupied at your birth, determined by your birthday. It represents your core identity, ego, and life purpose.
learn more →Synastry
The comparison of two birth charts to analyze relationship dynamics. Synastry examines how one person's planets form aspects with the other's.
learn more →T
Transit
The current position of a planet in the sky relative to your natal chart. Transits describe how current planetary movements activate different areas of your birth chart.
Trine
An aspect where two planets are approximately 120° apart. Trines represent natural harmony and flow — areas where things come easily.
know the terms. now read your chart.