\input tex \twelvepointsanserif \raggedright% \raggedbottom \pretolerance=5000 \tolerance=500 \headline={\hfil\twelvepointsanserif\bf GLOSSARY OF ASTROLOGICAL TERMS\hfil} % \footline={\tenpointsanserif \hbox to 0pt{\bf AstroTek, PO Box 77731\hss}% \hfil$\prec$\enspace\folio\enspace$\succ$\hfil% \hbox to 0pt{\hss San Francisco CA 94107}}% % \def\entry#1{\hskip-4pt{\bf#1:}} % \space{0.75in} \begindoublecolumns % \entry{Affliction} An outdated term that describes either a difficult aspect (i.e. Squared or {\bf Opposition}), or a placement of a planet or angle in a sign that does not suit it, (i.e. Mars in Pisces). Also describes a relationship with a {\bf Malefic}, such as Saturn. \entry{Air Signs} Aquarius, Gemini, or Libra. These signs are generally associated with the air. The air signs are usually connected with communication and the intellect. \entry{Angles} Refers to the Major angles in a chart. Includes: the {\bf Ascendant} or {\bf Rising Sign}, the {\bf Descendant}, which is opposite the Ascendant, the {\bf Medium Coeli} (the Midheaven), and {\bf Immum \penalty-200 Coeli}, which is opposite the Medium Coeli. \entry{Angular Houses} The first, fourth, seventh, and tenth houses. These houses are generally connected with the {\bf Cardinal Signs} and Cardinal Qualities. \entry{Ascendant} The point of the zodiac which falls on the eastern horizon at the time of your birth. This is the same as the first house cusp and describes your personality and character and how you relate to your world. \entry{Aspect} An angular relationship between two planets, angles, etc. These relationships are based on harmonics or multiples. The major aspects are {\bf Conjunct} (see {\bf Conjunction}), {\bf Trine}, {\bf Sextile Squared}, and {\bf Opposition}. These first three are generally considered to be beneficial aspects, the last two considered to be difficult, though the more difficult aspects can act as teachers and help you to learn and grow. \entry{Benefic} Planets and aspects which were thought to give positive influences. Traditionally Jupiter and Venus are the two Major Benefics in that order; Mercury and the Moon are also considered Benefic. \penalty-100 {\bf Conjunct}, {\bf Sextile}, and {\bf Trine} aspects are also considered Benefic. \entry{Cadent} The third, sixth, ninth, and twelfth are the cadent {\bf houses}. These are ruled by {\bf Mutable Signs}, and are generally associated with the Mutable Qualities. \entry{Campanus} Thirteenth century mathematician and astrologer who devised the Campanus House System. \entry{Cardinal Signs} The signs Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. These fall at the Cardinal Points of the Zodiac, with Aries beginning at the {\bf Vernal Equinox} or first point of Spring, used at the beginning of the Zodiac. These signs are generally associated with action and beginnings. They are also associated with initiatory and dynamic actions. \entry{Conjunction} An aspect formed when two angles or planets are at roughly the same angle (usually within 8 degrees); its symbol is $\sigma$. This aspect may be favorable or unfavorable. \entry{Critical degrees} 0, 13, and 26 degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. 9, and 21 degrees in Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. Also 4 and 17 degrees in Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces. Comes from the Hindus. Thought to be a sensitive point which strengthens the power of the sign. \entry{Cusp} A line dividing the houses or signs. When dealing with signs it represents a grey area where the individual may be affected by both signs. \entry{Decan, Decanates} A division of the signs into 10 degrees each, each of which is subtly different from one another due to the different rulers involved. \entry{Descendant} The angle which is exactly across from the {\bf Ascendant}. It is the cusp of the seventh house. Your descendant relates to your marriage and partnership and interaction with others. This is also the Seventh House Cusp. \entry{Earth Signs} The signs Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn. These signs represent ``Earthly'' qualities such as stability, responsibility, and practicality. \entry{East Point} The angle which is rising over the eastern horizon at the earth's equator at any time. Occasionally used for Compatibility analysis. \entry{Easy Aspect} A harmonious aspect such as {\bf Conjunct}, {\bf Trine}, or {\bf Sextile}. \entry{Ecliptic} The apparent path that the sun would take if it actually rotated around the earth. \entry{Elements} Air, Water, Earth and Fire. \entry{Equal House System} The system that takes the first house being the {\bf Ascendant} and dividing the remaining 11 houses into equal 30 degree slices. The M-House system starts with the {\bf Medium Coeli} or Midheaven being the cusp of the 10th house and dividing the other 11 houses as equal 30 degree slices. \entry{Feminine Signs} Earth and water signs. Feminine refers to receptivity, not gender. \entry{Fire Signs} Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius. These signs are considered to be fiery, passionate, and spontaneous. \entry{Fixed Signs} Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius. These signs are associated with fixed and stable emotional characteristics. \entry{Flat Chart} A chart in which the first house is set at 0 degrees Aries. Frequently used when the birth time and therefore the {\bf Ascendant} is not known. \entry{Greater Benefic} Jupiter. Assumed to bring your major blessings. \entry{Greater Malefic} Saturn. Assumed to be the cause of evil in your life. \entry{Greenwich Mean Time} See {\bf Sidereal Time}. \entry{GMT} Stands for {\bf Greenwich Mean Time}. \entry{Hard Aspects} Inharmonious aspects. Generally considered to be {\bf Squared}, {\bf Opposition}, {\bf Quartile}, and others. Aspects where the energies do not always help. \entry{Harmonious Aspects} The {\bf Conjunct}, {\bf Sextile}, and {\bf Trine} aspects. Also referred to as {\bf Easy aspects}. \entry{House} A section of the zodiac, mathematically defined, which represents a particular area of life. \entry{Immum Coeli} The bottom of the heavens, or the fourth house cusp. In an non-equal or Quadrant house system. Represents the family relations and home life. \entry{Intercepted Sign} A sign which does not fall exactly on a house {\bf Cusp}, but lies between. \entry{Koch} Dr. Walter Koch, a German astrologer who founded the Koch House System or Birthplace House System. \entry{Malefic} An old term used to refer to {\bf planets} or {\bf aspects} thought to cause harm. It usually refers to the planet Saturn and Mars. Minor Malefics are also Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. \entry{Masculine Signs} Air and Fire Signs. Those signs are suggested to manifest aggressiveness, sometimes referred to as Positive signs. \entry{Medium Coeli, Med Coeli, MC, Midheaven} Taken to be the point directly overhead in the chart. In an unequal chart it is the cusp of the tenth house. This describe your career and public ambitions as well as your relations with superiors \entry{Mutable Signs} The Signs Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces. Signs associated with adaptability and flexibility. \entry{Node} The point where a planet's orbit intercepts the {\bf ecliptic}. \entry{Opposition} An {\bf aspect} representing an angular difference of 180 degrees. Also a situation where two planets are directly across a chart (6 signs apart) from each other; its symbol on charts is $\infty$. Generally causes difficulty and discord. \entry{Orb} The space within which an aspect is effective. \entry{Part of Fortune} Arabian part most commonly used by astrologers. Found by subtracting Sun's position from the sum of {\bf Ascendant} and Moon positions in degrees. Suggests fortunate circumstances. \entry{Placidus} Spanish Monk, Placidus de Tito, 17th century. founder of the Placidus House System. Most commonly used house system today. \entry{Planet} From Greek ``planetes'' or the wanderer. Describes any celestial body which appears from the Earth to move. \entry{Progressions} Term used for advancing planets and house cusps from birth to a second point in time. Usually 1 day for each year of life. \entry{Quartile} The {\bf aspect} formed when two planets are three signs apart, or 90 degrees. Its symbol is \rlap{$\sqcup$}$\sqcap$). Considered an unfavorable aspect. \entry{Quintile} A favorable {\bf aspect} with a difference of 72 degrees. \entry{Rectification} Correction for inexact birth-time using known events or characteristics of the subject. \entry{Regiomontanus} German Astrologer 15th century who devised the Regiomontanus House System. \entry{Relative Houses} Houses 3, 7, and 11. Associated with the Air Signs. \entry{Retrograde Motion} Apparent backward motion, thought to cause difficulty in a person's chart. \entry{Rising Sign} Another word for {\bf Ascendant}. \entry{Sextile} An {\bf aspect} with a difference of 60 degrees, marked * when two planets are two signs apart on the chart. A generally favorable aspect. \entry{Sidereal Time} Time based upon the rotation of the earth relative to the {\bf vernal equinox}. {\bf Greenwich Mean Time} (GMT) is sidereal time in Greenwich England, the arbitrary basis for all scientific and technical measurements of time. Because the Earth rotates, ``noon'' happens at different times in different places. To make for consistent time measurements, there are 24 agreed-upon time zones, arranged so that ``noon'' is more or less when the sun is overhead. Each time zone represents one hour of time difference (one full revolution is one day); each local time differs from GMT by a fixed number of hours (then there's always Daylight Savings\dots) Sometimes specified as hours before or after GMT. \entry{Sidereal Zodiac} A zodiac based on the placement of the stars, not the {\bf Vernal Equinox}. \entry{Signs} Division of the zodiac into twelve equal divisions, related to the constellations. \entry{Spring Equinox} See {\bf Vernal Equinox}. \entry{Trine} An aspect with a difference of 120 degrees, the symbol for which is $\bigtriangleup$. A generally favorable aspect. \entry{Vernal Equinox} March 22nd (north of the equator); when day and night are equal, and the noontime sun is directly overhead at the equator. The beginning of the yearly cycle. \enddoublecolumns \bye