Astrology Glossary

Houses

Also known as: Astrological Houses, The Twelve Houses

Twelve sections of the birth chart that represent different areas of life, from identity to career to relationships.

Aspects

Also known as: Planetary Aspects

The angles formed between planets in a birth chart, showing how different parts of your personality interact.

Planets in Astrology

Also known as: Celestial Bodies, Luminaries and Planets

The Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto — each governing different aspects of life.

Venus Sign

Also known as: Venus Placement

The zodiac sign Venus was in when you were born, revealing how you love, what you find beautiful, and what you value.

Mars Sign

Also known as: Mars Placement

The zodiac sign Mars was in when you were born, revealing how you assert yourself, handle conflict, and pursue desires.

North Node

Also known as: Rahu, True Node

A calculated point in your chart representing your soul's purpose and the life lessons you're meant to learn.

South Node

Also known as: Ketu, Descending Node

The point opposite your North Node, representing innate talents, comfort zones, and patterns you're meant to evolve beyond.

Stellium

Also known as: Planetary Cluster

Three or more planets clustered in the same zodiac sign or house in a birth chart, creating concentrated energy.

Midheaven

Also known as: MC, Medium Coeli

The highest point of your birth chart, representing your public image, career path, and life ambitions.

Rising Sign

Also known as: Ascendant

The zodiac sign that was on the eastern horizon at the exact time you were born.

Sun Sign

Also known as: Star Sign, Zodiac Sign

The zodiac sign determined by the position of the Sun at the time of your birth — your main sign.

Moon Sign

Also known as: Lunar Sign

The zodiac sign the Moon was in at the time of your birth, representing your emotional inner world.

Natal Chart

Also known as: Birth Chart, Astrological Chart

A map of exactly where all the planets were at the precise moment and location of your birth.

Cusp

Also known as: On the Cusp, Cusp Sign

Being born on the boundary between two zodiac signs, often within a day or two of the transition.

Ruling Planet

Also known as: Planetary Ruler, Sign Ruler

The planet that has the most influence over a zodiac sign and shapes its core energy.

Retrograde

Also known as: Rx, Apparent Retrograde Motion

When a planet appears to move backward in the sky from Earth's perspective, often associated with delays and review.

Mercury Retrograde

Also known as: Mercury Rx

A period (roughly 3 times per year) when Mercury appears to move backward, famously linked to communication mishaps.

Transit

Also known as: Planetary Transit

The current movement of planets through the zodiac and how they activate your birth chart.

Saturn Return

A major astrological milestone that happens around ages 29 and 58 when Saturn returns to the position it was in at your birth.

Void of Course Moon

Also known as: VOC Moon

A period when the Moon makes no more major aspects before entering the next sign — traditionally a time to avoid starting new things.

Solar Return

Also known as: Birthday Chart

A chart cast for the exact moment the Sun returns to its natal position each year — essentially your astrological birthday forecast.

Synastry

Also known as: Relationship Astrology, Chart Comparison

The astrological practice of comparing two birth charts to assess relationship compatibility.

Composite Chart

Also known as: Relationship Chart

A single chart created by finding the midpoints between two people's natal charts, representing the relationship itself as its own entity.

Element

Also known as: Triplicity

One of four fundamental energies (Fire, Earth, Air, Water) that each zodiac sign belongs to.

Modality

Also known as: Quality, Quadruplicity

One of three modes of expression (Cardinal, Fixed, Mutable) describing how each sign takes action.

Cardinal Signs

Also known as: Cardinal Modality

Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn — the initiators and leaders of the zodiac.

Fixed Signs

Also known as: Fixed Modality

Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius — the stabilisers and builders of the zodiac.

Mutable Signs

Also known as: Mutable Modality

Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces — the adapters and communicators of the zodiac.

Decan

Also known as: Decanate

Each zodiac sign is divided into three 10-degree sections, adding nuance based on when within the sign you were born.

Zodiac Wheel

Also known as: Zodiac Circle, Ecliptic

The 360-degree circle of the 12 zodiac signs through which the Sun, Moon, and planets appear to travel.