Astrology glossary

A short list of terms you will meet in the app, grouped by theme.

Chart basics

Natal chart: the map of the sky at the moment and place of your birth.
Transit: the current position of a planet as it passes over your natal chart.
Ephemeris: a table of planet positions by date.
Zodiac: the band of twelve signs around the sky.
Ayanamsa: the offset between the tropical and sidereal zodiacs, about 24 degrees today.
Ascendant: the sign rising on the eastern horizon at birth.
Midheaven (MC): the highest point of the chart, linked with public life and direction.
Descendant (DSC) and IC: the point opposite the Ascendant on the western horizon, and the lowest point of the chart, opposite the Midheaven.
House: one of twelve areas of life in the chart.
Retrograde: when a planet appears to move backward in the sky.

Sign: one of twelve 30-degree sections of the zodiac.
Element: fire, earth, air or water; the basic temperament of a sign.
Modality: cardinal (initiating), fixed (sustaining) or mutable (adapting).
Ruler: the planet traditionally associated with a sign.
Dignity: a planet's standing by the sign it is in: domicile, exaltation, detriment or fall.

Aspect: a meaningful angle between two points in the chart.
Conjunction: planets close together, 0 degrees; their energies blend.
Opposition: planets 180 degrees apart; a push-pull of two sides.
Trine: 120 degrees; easy flow, often taken for granted.
Square: 90 degrees; friction that drives action.
Sextile: 60 degrees; a supportive opportunity.
Quincunx: 150 degrees; two unlike energies asked to adjust.
Orb: how far an aspect may be from exact and still count.
Applying and separating: whether an aspect is getting closer to exact or moving away.

Synastry: comparing two natal charts to see how two people interact.
Composite chart: one chart built from the midpoints of two people’s planets, describing the relationship itself.
Progression: a symbolic technique in which a day after birth stands for a year of life.
Solar return: the chart cast for the moment the Sun returns to its natal place each year.
Lunar node: a point where the Moon’s path crosses the Sun’s path, often linked with life direction.