Astrology Glossary

Sign Qualities & Classification

38 terms with definitions, classical sources and practice notes.

38 Terms
All Categories
Greek: Anaretikos / Latin: Gradus Anareticus

The 29th degree of a sign; a critical position called 'destructiand degree' in classical astrology.

Greek: Antiscia (plural: Antiskia) / Latin: Antiscia / Arabic: Mazâhir

The hidden connection relationship between symmetric sign pairs according to the summer and winter solstice axis.

Bestial and Human Signs

The classification of signs as bestial or human and the role of this distinction in astrological interpretation.

Greek: Anaphora / Latin: Ascensiones / Arabic: Metâli'

The time required for each sign to rise on the eastern horizon; varies by latitude and is a fundamental calculation parameter in classical astrology.

Latin: Signa Bicorporea / Greek: Disoma / Arabic: Zü'l-Cesedeyni

The mutable signs represented by dual or double figures: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces.

Latin: Signa Communia (Bicorporea) / Arabic: el-Burûcü'l-Müştereke

The four signs at seasonal transitions, characterized by flexibility and duality: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces.

Greek: Dekanos / Latin: Decanatus (Facies) / Arabic: Vech (çoğul: Vücûh)

The system of dividing each sign into three 10-degree sections, with each section governed by a planet.

Mısırca-Greek: Dekan Eikones

The tradition of depicting the zodiac's 36 decans with mythological figures; astrological art of Egyptian origin.

Signa Muta / Aphōna

A traditional sign classification belonging to the water element and associated with restricted speech ability.

Greek: Dodekatemorion / Latin: Dodecatemoria / Arabic: İsnâ Aşeriyyât

The system of creating a micro-zodiac by dividing each sign into 12 equal parts (2.5 degrees each).

Quadrupedal Signs

The special interpretations in horary and natal astrology of signs represented by four-legged animal symbols.

Sanskritçe: Dvādasāṃśa

An Indian-origin subdivision system dividing each sign into 12 sections of 2.5 degrees; identical to dodecatemoria.

Greek: Stoicheion / Latin: Elementum / Arabic: Unsur (çoğul: Anâsır) / Hint: Tattva

The fundamental classification system dividing signs into four groups: fire, earth, air and water.

Greek: Prostassonta / Akounta / Latin: Obedientia / Arabic: el-Âmire ve'l-Mutî'a

The hierarchical relationship between symmetric sign pairs according to the equinox axis.

Greek: Thelyka / Latin: Signa Feminina / Arabic: el-Burûcü'l-Müennese

The six feminine signs consisting of earth and water elements: Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn and Pisces.

Fertile and Barren Signs (Detail)

The use of classifying signs as fertile or barrthe most in fertility, agriculture and horary astrology questions.

Greek: Bleponta / Akouonta

The hidden communication relationship between symmetric signs according to the equinox axis.

Latin: Signa Bestialia / Greek: Tetrapoda

Signs represented by animal figures; also known as four-footed (tetrapod) signs.

Latin: Termini (Fines) / Greek: Horia / Arabic: Hudûd (tekil: Hadd)

A dignity system where each sign is divided into fiand unequal sections, each governed by a different planet.

Latin: Signa Humana

Signs represented by the human figure: Gemini, Virgo, Libra, Aquarius; strong in intellect and will.

Latin: Signa Tropica / Arabic: el-Burûcü'l-Müteharrike

The four signs marking the beginnings of seasons: Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn.

English: Chaldean Decans

The most widely used decan rulership system assigned according to the Chaldean planetary order.

Northern and Southern Signs

The division of zodiac signs into northern (commanding) and southern (obeying) and the astrological significance of this distinction.

Greek: Arsenika / Latin: Signa Masculina / Arabic: el-Burûcü'z-Zükeriyye

Six masculine signs formed from the fire and air elements: Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius and Aquarius.

Latin: Quadruplicitas / Greek: Tropos / Arabic: Rubâ'iyye

The fundamental classification system dividing signs into three groups: cardinal, fixed and mutable.

Greek: Monomoiria / Latin: Gradus Singularis

A micro-rulership system in which each degree of the zodiac is ruled by a separate planet.

Sanskritçe: Navāṃśa (Dokuzuncu Bölüm) / English: Ninth Division

A fundamental divisional chart in Indian astrology dividing each sign into nine sections of 3°20' and known as the marriage chart.

Latin: Gradus Lucidi, Tenebrosi, Fumosi

A classical degree classification system categorizing each degree of the zodiac as bright, dark, smoky or void.

Latin: Signa Firma / Arabic: el-Burûcü's-Sâbite

Four signs corresponding to the middle of seasons with the quality of stability and endurance: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius.

Latin: Signa Vocalia / Muta

The classification of signs as vocal or mute in terms of oratory, music and vocal ability.

Latin: Signa Vocalia / Signa Muta

The classification of signs according to speech, voice and communication capacity; used in communication and confession questions in horary astrology.

English: Whole Sign Concept

The principle of treating an entire 30-degree sign as a single unit; a fundamental concept of Hellenistic astrology.

The phenomenon whereby some signs rise for a longer duration and others for a shorter duration, depending on geographic latitude.

Latin: Signa Fera

Signs of a powerful bestial nature that do not carry a human figure, such as the second half of Leo.

Latin: Signa Fertilia / Sterilia

The classification of signs as fertile or barren in terms of childbearing and productivity.

Latin: Signa Fecunda / Signa Sterilia

The classification of signs by their reproductive and fertility capacity; used in horary astrology for questions about children and pregnancy.

Via Combusta

The zodiacal zone between 15° Libra and 15° Scorpio; considered a debilitating and dangerous area in classical astrology.

Vocal and Mute Signs (Detail)

The detailed application of the vocal and mute sign distinction in horary and natal astrology.