A
AQUARIUS -The Water Bearer, the well known rebel of the Zodiac, unpredictable and
unconventional. Aquarius brings the heart of winter, although it contains the first
signs of spring. Now the occasional warm day brings early spring fever, a few brave
plants begin to sprout and a few animals begin emerging, some already producing next
year's off-spring. It seems spring is beginning to burst out, right in the middle
of winter! Bucking the trend, breaking the stalemate that's Aquarius. Where you
have Aquarius in your chart you have a knack for the sudden and unexpected. Not
to break the trend just to get a reaction, but to break free from repression, think
'outside the box', accept and embrace the progressive, and find a creative solution
no matter what the problem.
ARIES - The Ram, notoriously hot-tempered, impatient and impulsive. Aries eagerly
ushers in spring each year. The power of life itself is manifesting all around us. The
tender seedlings and newborn animals appearing each spring seem so gentle and fragile,
yet drawing upon sheer will to survive they outlast the lingering harshness of winter. The
first sign of the Zodiac, and the bearer of new life, Aries is the natural leader. With
fierceness going much deeper than temper, this is the fierceness of vitality and
sheer life force. Where ever Aries lies in your chart is where you have this instinctive
ability to fearlessly charge ahead. Not into a battle of words or fists but into
the battle for survival, to enter unfamiliar territory full speed and accept whatever
challenges await you, fueled by the fire of life and a fierce, fiery zest for life.
ASC - See Ascendant
ASCENDANT - Abbreviation Asc. The cusp of the first house in a chart. This point
in the chart is as important as planets. There are aspects and transits to this
point just like there are to a planet. In a birth chart this indicates such things
as physical characteristics, approach to life, and how you present yourself to others.
ASPECT - Aspects measure significant angles between planets and points in a chart.
Aspects are measured in longitude, the position of a planet in the Zodiac's 360 degree
circle.
ASTEROID - Astrology A specialized chart or reading focusing on the position of asteroids
rather than planets.
ASTROLOGER - One who practices astrology.
ASTROLOGICAL - Anything referring to astrology.
B
BENEFIC - A planet or aspect deemed to be 'good'. This is an old term, rarely used
today as most astrologers take the free will approach. It is also inaccurate, because
all planets and aspects have some positive and some negative potentials. There may
be more of an inclination one way or the other, but even that is determined by many
factors not simply 'it's good because it's a sextile' or 'it's bad because Saturn
is involved'. The traditional benefics are Venus and Jupiter.
BIRTH CHART - The chart of the planets, houses, aspects etc. at the moment you were
born, from the perspective of whatever exact location on Earth you were born. Also
called your Natal Chart.
BUSINESS ASTROLOGY - A business has a 'birth chart' the same as a person. For example,
astrology can be used to determine the potentials, most productive managerial and
marketing strategies, or likely results of a merger.
C
CANCER - The Crab, considered shy and withdrawn, emotional and nurturing. Cancer
brings us the dawn of summer. The baby animals are taking their first steps as young
adults, plants begin to bear fruit. The growing, the learning, the preparing now
it all has a purpose. This years young are becoming aware on some level that they
are next year's parents. That is the energy of Cancer, transition, maturing, and
seeking to understand vague inner awareness. Wherever the sign of Cancer falls
in your chart you have the capacity for transforming, maturing, preparing to take
on burdens while still unsure of yourself. Not by being an emotional wreck yourself,
while taking every loser under your wing, but by taking in the big picture, deeply
enough it may rattle you, while instinctively realizing what it means and moving
on to the next phase.
CAPRICORN - The Sea-goat, with a reputation for being cold, calculating, practical,
and driven. Capricorn brings us the harshness of winter. Now in the darkest days
the exploration and novelty of changing season seems gone. Rain and snow soften
seeds, the first step to sprouting while freeze threaten their survival. Animals
battle the elements, seemingly un-phased or stay in their den well prepared and not
emerging. Survival, preparedness, facing the toughest challenges - that's Capricorn. Wherever
it is in your chart you have the skills to survive, strength to march through any
challenge. Not by cold-heartedly making a plan and running over everyone in your
way, but by intuitively sensing 'it is darkest before the dawn' and having the skills
and self discipline to do what you must to prepare and not consider giving up in
the most barren times, for you know if you survive they will pass.
CAPUT DRACONIS - See North Node
CARDINAL SIGN - The cardinal signs are Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn. They
are more inclined towards beginning and growth. Each season of the year begins when
the Sun enters a cardinal sign. See also Triplicity
CAUDA DRACONIS - See South Node
CHALLENGING ASPECT - See Hard Aspect
COMPATIBILITY See Synastry
CONJUNCTION - An aspect of 0 degrees. The conjunction represents two planets at
the same point, a fusion of energy. This can be helpful or unhelpful depending upon
the planets and placement involved, typically some of both. The conjunction usually
represent a new beginning in some way.
CUSP - The cusp is the point where one sign or house ends and the next one begins.
When a planet or point is referred to a ‘on the cusp of …’ the named sign or house
is the one it is entering, not the one it is exiting. For example the 2nd house cusp
in the point where the 1st house ends and the 2nd house begins.
