Astrological meanings

Air
This is one of the four elements that the signs are divided into.  Gemini, Libra and Aquarius are the signs of air.  Air signifies mental functions,  intellect, reason and communication.

Angles
The four cardinal points in a horoscope that mark horizon and meridian.  The four are; ascendant, descendant, midlevel (medium coeli) and nadir (immum coeli).  The angles are the most important in the birth chart.  Planets that are on or near any of the four angles will have major influence on the personality or public image of the individual.

Ascendant  
This is also called the rising sign.  This sign of the zodiac was rising on the eastern horizon at the time of the birth.  It represents the first house.   Planets that are on or near the ascendant will represent strength and power of a persons self.  It represents the real you that the outside world perceives and the immediate impressions you make on others.   It also includes your personality traits, needs and physical characteristics.

Aspects
When two planets are in aspect to each other, they are related by one of several geometric angles between them.  They can either be beneficial or challenging.  Aspects that are considered as major; conjunction, trine, sextile, opposition, square and minor; quincunx, semi square, Sesquisquare and semi-sextile.  

Birth chart
A horoscope chart that is made using the exact time and place of birth.  Some refer to this as the natal chart.

Cardinal sign
The cardinal sign is enterprising and motivated to make changes.  They are Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn.   It is the qualities  of action, initiative, leadership and outgoing activity.

Ceres
It is the first astreroid discovered.  It is associated with the goddess Demeter, the mother of Persephone.

Chiron
It orbit’s the Sun between Saturn and Uranus.  It is represented as the wounded healer and is associated with suffering and healing.

Conjunction of planets
It is when two planets will appear in the same location in the sky at the exact same time.   It occupies the same degree of the zodiac.  A conjunction begins new cycles that reflect the planets involved.

Cusp
It is the separation of the houses from each other.  If a person is born on the cusp it means that their birth fell at or near the beginning or end of an astrological sign.  Cusp born people often can exhibit characteristics of both the signs that they fall near.  

Degree
It is the fraction of 1/360 of the whole.  It is a division of the zodiac that is approx. equal to the distance that the Sun travels in one days time.  With 360 degrees in the zodiac, with 30 degrees in each of the signs.   Each of the degrees are divided into 60 minutes.

Descendant
It is in the western heaven at the time of birth.  It is the opposite of ascendant.  It is located on the cusp of your seventh house.  This is how you channel your energies through partnerships and relationships.  It is your attitude toward marriage and other alliances that include business  partnerships.

Direct motion
It is the normal forward movement that the planets of the zodiac move.  If the planets went backward it would be considered retrograde.  

Duality
It is a classification of which the zodiac is grouped.  It is a duality of masculine or feminine.  The feminine are; Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn and Pisces.   They are receptive, magnetic, strong through inner resources. The masculine are; Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius,  and Aquarius. They are outer directed, energetic and strong through action.

Earth
Is one of the four element.  The Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn are all earth signs.   It signifies practicality, conservatism, stability and materialism.

Elements
There are four elements; fire, earth, air and water.   It describes the temperaments of the Sun signs. The fire sign; Aries, Leo and Sagittarius.  The earth sign; Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn.  The  air sign; Gemini, Libra and Aquarius.  The water sign; Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces.

Fire
Is one of the four elements.  The Aries, Leo and Sagittarius are fire signs.  They are energy, vitality, aggressiveness, enthusiasm and impulsiveness.

Fixed
Is one of the three qualities of the signs of the zodiac.  They are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius.   They are persistence, single-minded, determination, resist change, work to maintain the status quo and resourcefulness.

Grand cross
It is the rarest aspect pattern in a horoscope.  It is the two pairs of planets in opposition, the four planets involved forming a square aspect to each other.  It forms a cross in the birth chart.  It can be the most difficult configuration.  It is often indicating an obsessive, maladjusted personality.  But it also signifies dynamic energy, intensity and force.   It will appear in the birth chart of self-made men and women.

Grand Trine
It is an unusual aspect pattern in a horoscope.  It is where three planets are all in trine to each other ( 120 degrees away from each other)  forming a grand triangle.  It is by nature heavily stresses a particular element; and example fire or water it tends to indicate an imbalance in the chart.  But it also can be very favorable.   It signifies enormous creativity or energy and usually indicates the person will be blessed with luck or success.

Houses
There are twelve houses in the zodiac.  It involves specific areas of life and  stages where the drama of the planets unfolds.  To find out more about each house go to  astrological houses

I.C.        
I.C.  - immum coeli.  Which means in Latin the lowest part of the heavens.  It is the bottom most point of the chart.  It is opposite the Midheaven.  It is the same as the cusp of the fourth house.  It is the approach you take to the home and family.

Inconjunt
It is also the quincunx.  A 150 degree aspect between two planets.  Also between a planet and the ascendant and Midheaven.

Juno
It is the third asteroid that was discovered.  It is named after the Roman goddess Juno, wife of Jupiter.  It is associated with marriage and relationships.

Midheaven
Also known as medium coeli or M.C.   It is a Latin meaning the middle of the heavens.  It is the highest point at the time of birth.  It represents your ambitions and public images. It is the cusp of the tenth house and represents your ambitions, career, social role, ideas  and public image.  Planets that are at or near  the Midheaven will indicate that the person is likely to make a mark on the outside world.

Mutable
It is one of the three modes or qualities.  They are adaptable, versatility, openness to change and flexible.  They are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces.

Natal chart
It is the same as birth chart.

Nodes
It is the two points, north and south where the orbit of the moon or any of the planets intersect the ecliptic.  It usually refers to the moon.  The lunar nodes in the birth chart mark sensitive points.  The north node is the benefits and honors and the south node are strain and adversity.  

Opposition
It is a 180 degree aspect between two planets or between a planet and the ascendant o r Midheaven.  It indicates that the tow planets involved are working against each other.  It is associated with conflict and external problems. But it also can bring in challenge for growth and achievement.  It is because the person must work through their problems and conflicts and gain maturity.

Opposite signs
This is known as the polarity of the zodiac.  It is because they are directly across from each other in the zodiac.

Pallas
The second asteroid discovered.  It is associated with Pallas Athena, the warrior goddess of wisdom and accomplishment.

Personal planets
They are the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus and Mars.  They manifest their energies in the ways we reveal ourself.

Planetary rulers
Each of the planets are in charge of certain signs and shares certain characteristics of each of those signs.

Planets
The planets represent the various energies of a person.  It is one’s mental and emotional nature, desires, vitality, soul, will, consciousness and subconscious as well as the people in ones life.  

Quadrant
One of the four quarters of the horoscope circle.  Each contain three houses.  

Qualities
They are represented by three different characteristics that are associated with the signs.  They are also called the mode.  The cardinal sign begin each season and so they like to begin things.  They are enterprising, active and initiating.  Fixed signs are in the middle of each season and are preservers and keeping things as they are.   They are persistent, determined and resourceful. Mutable signs occur as the season is changing so they are associated with transitions.  They are versatile, adaptable and flexible.

Quincunx
It is an aspect of 150 degrees and indicates a need to adjust in some way.

Retrograde
It is the backward motion of a planet through the zodiac.  The Sun and Moon never retrograde.  

Rising sign
See ascendant

Semi-sextile
Two or more planets in the birth chart are 30 degrees apart.   Considered somewhat favorable.

Semi-square
It is where tow or more planets in the birth chart are 45 degrees apart.  It is considered mildly adverse.

Sesquisquare
It is also known as sesquiquadrate.   Two or more planets at birth are 135 degrees apart.  It is mildly adverse.

Sextile
It is a harmonious 60 degree aspect between two planets.   It is an opportunity for development.

Square
Two or more planets in the birth chart are 90 degrees apart.  It is indicative of conflict or challenge that spurs the person to build character.

Transit
It is the passage of the Sun, Moon or planet through a sign of the zodiac.   They can trigger events in your life and the development shown by progression.  

Trine
Two or more planets in the birth chart are 120 degree apart.  It is the most beneficial and harmonious aspect.  It brings advantage and ease.  

T-square
A highly stressed aspect of two planets in opposition with a third planet square to each of the other two.

Vesta
Is the fourth asteroid discovered.  It is named for the Roman Goddess of the hearth, it is associated with the home.

Void of course
Also known as VOC.  It travels through each sign, the Moon makes aspects of one sort or another to each of the planets.  Between its last major aspect in one sign and its entrance into the next.  When the moon is void of course, its energy is spent and this is time of gestation, research or rest.  If any decisions are needed to be made during this time nothing will come of it.  There can be unexpected problems which can prevent a projects successful completion.

Water
It is one of the four elements.  Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces are water signs.  It signifies emotion, imagination, sensitivity and spirituality.