Astrology Glossary

Tools & Calculation Instruments

30 terms with definitions, classical sources and practice notes.

30 Terms
All Categories

An ancient Greek analog computer from the 1st century BCE; a device for calculating planetary positions and eclipses.

Arabic: Zâtü'l-Halak

An astronomical model and calculation instrument in which the celestial sphere is represented by interlocking rings.

Astro-Mapping Software

Software tools that display astrocartography and locational astrology maps on a world map.

Astro.com Online Tools

A free and professional-level online astrology calculation platform offered by Astrodienst.

Arabic: Usturlâb

An ancient analog calculation device used for calculating celestial body positions.

Astrological Calendar Tools

Calendar tools for tracking planetary transits, retrogrades, eclipses and significant astrological events.

English: History of Astrological Software

A historical overview describing the development process of astrological calculation software from the 1970s to the present.

English: Astrology Software

Computer programs that automate natal chart, horary astrology, electional astrology and transit calculations.

Arabic: ez-Zîc (الزيج) / Persian: Zîg / Latin: Tabulae Astronomicae

Comprehensiand mathematical table collections used for calculating planetary positions in Islamic astronomy.

English: Mariner's Astrolabe

A simplified astrolabe used by sailors for determining latitude; a maritime adaptation of the planispheric astrolabe.

Ephemeris Calculation Methods

Mathematical methods used for calculating the positions of celestial bodies at specific time intervals.

A medieval device that mechanically calculates planetary positions; a pioneer of analog computers.

House System Calculation Tools

Technical tools used for calculating different house systems (Placidus, Koch, Whole Sign etc.).

Latin: Tabulae Domorum / Arabic: Cedâvilu'l-Buyût

Reference tables showing astrological house cusps according to a specific latitude and sidereal time.

Latin: Nocturnus

A chart born with the Sun below the horizon (in houses 1-6); a birth condition where nocturnal sect planets are prominent.

Arabic: Küre-i Semâvî

A spherical map showing the positions of stars and constellations.

Graphic Ephemeris Calculation

A visual ephemeris calculation tool that graphically displays planetary movements along a time axis.

Latin: Horologium Solarium

The astrological time measurement of solar hours and their relationship with planetary hours.

Chart Drawing Techniques

Various drawing and presentation methods used in visually creating astrology charts.

Harmonic Chart Calculator

A tool in the natal chart that forms new chart patterns by multiplying planetary positions by harmonic multiples.

Janus Astrology Software

A versatile professional astrology software offering both traditional and modern techniques.

Kepler Astrological Software

A comprehensive, research-oriented astrology software developed by Cosmic Patterns.

Mobile Astrology Applications

Astrology calculation and interpretation applications used on smartphones and tablets.

Contemporary calculation and interpretation tools such as Solar Fire, Morinus, Astro.com and Time Passages.

Arabic: el-Usturlâb el-Müsattah

The projection of the celestial sphere onto a flat plane; a tool for determining planetary positions, time and direction.

Arabic: Rub'-ı Dâire

A quarter-circle shaped astronomy and timekeeping instrument; a fundamental observational tool of Islamic scholars.

Solar Fire

A comprehensive chart calculation and interpretation software widely used by professional astrologers.

Latin: Instrumenta Horariae / Arabic: Âlâtu'l-İhtiyârât

The collection of traditional and modern tools used for casting and analyzing horary astrology charts.

English: Swiss Ephemeris Calculation Engine

The precise planetary position calculation infrastructure at the foundation of modern astrology software.

Latin: Volvella

A calculation instrument made of rotating paper or parchment discs; used for lunar phases and planetary positions.