Astrology Glossary

Planetary Basics

33 terms with definitions, classical sources and practice notes.

33 Terms
All Categories
Latin: Luna / Arabic: el-Kamer / Greek: Selene

One of the sevthe most classical planets and one of the two lights (luminaries); associated with body, emotion, change and daily life cycle.

Latin: Caput Draconis / Cauda Draconis / Arabic: er-Re's / ez-Zeneb / Sanskritçe: Rahu / Ketu

The two points where the Moon's orbital plane intersects the ecliptic; the axis where eclipses occur and sensitiand points carrying karmic meanings.

Cazimi and Combustion Details

Based on proximity to the Sun, a planet is considered cazimi (very powerful) or combust (weakened); degree ranges are important.

Latin: Ceres

The largest asteroid / dwarf planet; associated with nurturing, motherhood and harvest in modern astrology.

Oriental and Occidental Positions

Whether planets are in an eastern (oriental) or western (occidental) position relatiand to the Sun affects their strength and behavior.

Greek: Eris

A dwarf planet discovered in 2005; associated with strife, competition and exclusion in modern astrology.

Planetary Station

The moment a planet becomes stationary before turning direct or retrograde is the period whthe most the effect is most intense.

Planetary Speed and Retrograde Motion

Planets' orbital speeds and retrograde periods affect the planet's strength and function in astrological interpretation.

Planetary Synodic Cycles

The cycle from conjunction to conjunction of two planets relatiand to each other; determines social and individual rhythms.

Horae Planetarum / Planetary Hours

A timing system based on the Chaldean order, dividing day and night into sections under the governance of the sevthe most classical planets.

Latin: Sol / Arabic: eş-Şems / Greek: Helios

One of the sevthe most classical planets and one of the two lights; associated with spirit, will, authority, vitality and visibility.

Sanskritçe: Ketu / Latin: Cauda Draconis

The point where the Moon's orbit crosses the ecliptic from north to south; known as Ketu in the Indian tradition.

Heliacal Phenomena Details

First visibility emerging from the Sun's beams (heliacal rising) and last visibility (heliacal setting) determines planetary power.

Latin: Luminaria / Arabic: en-Neyyirân / Greek: Phota

The pair formed by the Sun and Moon together; the two most fundamental and visible celestial bodies in astrology.

Latin: Iuno

An asteroid; associated with marriage, commitment, equality and jealousy in modern astrology.

Latin: Iuppiter / Arabic: el-Müşterî / Greek: Zeus

One of the seven classical planets and the great benefic; associated with expansion, abundance, wisdom, justice and spiritual growth.

Jupiter Return

Jupiter's return to its natal chart position occurs approximately every 12 years and marks periods of growth and opportunity.

English: Chiron

A centaur body discovered in 1977; associated with wounding and healing in modern astrology, with no place in the classical system.

Sanskritçe: Rahu / Latin: Caput Draconis

The point where the Moon's orbit crosses the ecliptic from south to north; known as Rahu in the Indian tradition.

English: Black Moon Lilith / Dark Moon Lilith

The farthest point (apogee) of the Moon's orbit from Earth; associated with suppressed feminine energy.

Latin: Mars / Arabic: el-Merîh, Bahrâm / Greek: Ares

One of the seven classical planets and the lesser malefic; associated with action, courage, conflict, cutting and separation.

Latin: Mercurius / Arabic: Utârid / Greek: Hermes

One of the seven classical planets; associated with communication, intelligence, trade, craftsmanship and mediation, neutral by nature.

English: Neptune / Latin: Neptunus

The eighth planet discovered in 1846; associated with imagination, spirituality, illusion and dissolution in modern astrology.

Latin: Pallas

An asteroid; associated with strategy, wisdom, craftsmanship and justice in modern astrology.

English: Pluto / Greek: Plouton

The dwarf planet discovered in 1930; associated with transformation, power, destruction and rebirth in modern astrology.

Latin: Saturnus / Arabic: Zuhal / Greek: Kronos / Persian: Keyvân

One of the seven classical planets and the great malefic; associated with limitation, time, structure, discipline, maturity and fate.

Saturn Return

Saturn's return to its natal chart position occurs approximately every 29.5 years and indicates periods of maturation.

İnuit mitolojisi: Sedna

A distant trans-Neptunian object discovered in 2003; used by some modern astrologers.

Part of Fortune — Gezegen mi?

The debate over whether the Lot of Fortune has planetary status or is a calculated point.

Greek: Kleros Tyches

The debate over whether the Lot of Fortune is a planet or a calculated point.

English: Uranus / Greek: Ouranos

The seventh planet, discovered in 1781; associated with revolution, freedom and unexpected change in modern astrology, with no place in the classical system.

Latin: Venus / Arabic: ez-Zühre / Greek: Aphrodite

One of the seven classical planets and the lesser benefic; associated with love, beauty, harmony, pleasure and material comfort.

Latin: Vesta

An asteroid; associated in modern astrology with sacredness, devotion, focus and sexual energy.