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Astrology Glossary Aquarius (Jan. 21 - Feb. 18) The eleventh sign of the zodiac. Aquarius' symbol is the water bearer. More about Aquarius   Aries (March 21 - April 20) The first sign of the zodiac. Aries' symbol is the ram. More about Aries ASCENDANT The doorway into the first house in a person's chart. It signifies the rising sign, or where the sun was rising at birth. The first impression given to others, ascendants dominate part of a person's personality. ASPECTS Aspects are planets within specific degrees of each other that create beneficial or negative attitudes, habits and energy. Birth Chart Also called a natal chart. It is an astrological representation of where the planets were aligned when a person was born. A birth chart acts as a blueprint of a person's life. Cancer (June 22 - July 22) The fourth sign of the zodiac. Cancer's symbol is the crab. More about Cancer Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) The tenth sign of the zodiac. Capricorn's symbol is the sea goat. More about Capricorn CONJUNCTION An aspect, it is usually a helpful energy. It creates self-nurturing, inner strength and ambition. It also can create intensity, stress and confusion. DESCENDANT The doorway into the seventh house in a person's chart. It is the area of marriage and business partnerships. Eighth House The eighth area of an astrological chart. It represents natural changes in life such as birth and death, clearing the way for something better, self-revelations, marriage and business assets, and the resources of partnership. Eleventh House The eleventh area of an astrological chart. It represents friendships, hopes and wishes, personal goals, associations, group aspirations, cooperation, bettering the community and humanitarianism. EPHEMERIS A book containing the daily movements of the planets. Fifth House The fifth area of an astrological chart. It represents recreation, creativity, hobbies, gambling, risks, children, love affairs and the extension of the self through children or love relationships.   Finger of Fate An enticing aspect, also called Yod or the Finger of God. Indicative of a special life purpose, it creates the sensation of steadiness, special passion, deep aspiration and a strong inner drive to accomplish something very important and special. Finger of God An enticing aspect, also called the Finger of Fate or Yod. Indicative of a special life purpose, it creates the sensation of steadiness, special passion, deep aspiration and a strong inner drive to accomplish something very important and special. First House The first area of an astrological chart. It represents self-opinion, the first impression one gives to others, and the way a person looks at the world. It is a dominant part of a person's personality. FORECAST To forecast is to analyze planetary movement and make predictions about good times to make decisions, based on the positions of the planets. Fourth House The fourth area of an astrological chart. It represents religious and philosophical beliefs, the home, real estate and the person's non-dominant parent (usually the mother). Gemini (May 21 - June 21) The third sign of the zodiac. Gemini's symbol is the twins. More about Gemini Grand Square An aspect representing very difficult energy. It creates frustration, anger, stress, intensity and the feeling of always being on a treadmill. It promotes self-growth and endurance. Grand Trine An aspect representing very easy energy. It nourishes the continuous use of natural talents and abilities, is an area of comfort, and can assist life in being either positive or negative. HOUSES Twelve areas of a birth chart that represent specific traits and areas of life. An astrologer interprets the planets that lie within houses to forecast events or read a birth chart. INCONJUNCT An aspect, it represents a separating energy. It creates stress, unhappiness and sorrow. JUPITER The planet of abundance and good fortune. It influences Sagittarius, the Archer. Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22) The fifth sign of the zodiac. Leo's symbol is the lion. More about Leo Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 23) The seventh sign of the zodiac. Libra is represented by the scales. More about Libra MARS The planet of physical energy and assertiveness. It influences Aries, the ram. MERCURY The planet of communication and thought. It influences Gemini, the twins, and Virgo, the Virgin. MIDHEAVEN The doorway into the tenth house in an astrological chart. It is the highest point in the chart, and indicates the way each person is spiritually connected to his or her higher self. MOON The moon indiciates emotions and sensitivity. It influences Cancer, the crab. NADIR The doorway into the fourth house in an astrological chart. It represents a person's philosophical or moral foundation. Natal Chart Also called a birth chart. It is an astrological representation of where the planets were aligned when a person was born. A natal chart acts as a blueprint of a person's life. NEPTUNE The planet of spirituality and unconditional love. It influences Pisces, the fish. Ninth House The ninth area of an astrological chart. It represents higher learning, which can include religious education, long distance travel, lawyers, legal affairs and publishing. North Node An area of life that promotes emotional and spiritual growth, undiscovered talents and positive ways of doing things. OPPOSITION An aspect, it is a combative energy. It creates the feeling of being out-of-balance, and can be stressful and frustrating. Opposition exposes a person's internal conflicts. Part of Fortune An area of life where one finds happiness, natural tranquility, innate abilities. It indicates an area wherein the self is easily expressed, such as a born leader or a born artist. Pisces (Feb. 19 - March 20) The twelfth sign of the zodiac. Pisces' symbol are two fish. More about Pisces PLANETS The different heavenly bodies that influence a person's life by their placements in the houses in a birth chart. PLUTO The planet of change and self-control. Pluto influences Scorpio. Pluto Square An aspect representing a difficult time in life which requires the release of naive ideas and habits, negative relationships and sabotaging actions. RETROGRADE The appearance of a planet moving backward. It creates frustration, delays, nervousness and the feeling that the same or a similar experience is being repeated. Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) The ninth sign of the zodiac. Sagittarius' symbol is the centaur-archer. More about Sagittarius SATURN The planet of character building and restrictions. It influences Capricorn, the goat. Saturn Return An aspect that represents a difficult time in life when we feel frustrated, angry, sad, confused, tired and insecure, and a time when we become aware that we are required to accept responsibility for our actions. Scorpio (Oct. 24 - Nov. 21) The eighth sign of the zodiac. Scorpio can be symbolized by the scorpion, eagle, serpent, phoenix or dove. More about Scorpio Second House The second area of an astrological chart. It represents money, financial and spiritual resources, self-esteem. It can indicate the way a person budgets his or her money, personal debt and material resources. Seventh House The seventh area of an astrological chart. It represents marriage, business partnerships, harmony, a person's inner self or partner, and his or her relationship with themselves. SEXTILE An aspect, it contributes positive energy. It creates happiness, an easy-going attitude, enjoyment. This area represents loving energy. It is easy to maintain. SIGNS The twelve astrological classifications: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces. Also referred to as Sun Signs. Sixth House The sixth area of an astrological chart. It is an area of health, helping others, daily activities and the continuous harvesting or planting of positive and negative experiences. South Node It represents thoughts, belief systems or a person's old habits and activities with which a person is not satisfied. This is an area that a person needs to grow from and leave behind. SQUARE An aspect representing harsh energy. It creates conflict, intensity, stress, the feeling of being out-of-balance. It promotes self-growth. The aspect can be negative. SUN The planet representing warmth and energy. It influences Leo, the lion. Taurus (April 20 - May 20) The second sign of the zodiac. Taurus' symbol is the bull. More about Taurus Tenth House The tenth area of an astrological chart. It is an area of a person's reputation, career, achievements, and the person's dominant parent, usually the father. Third House The third area of an astrological chart. It is an area of communication skills, memory, brothers and sisters, local travel and the way a person thinks. TRANSITS The daily movements of the planets. It influences a person's moods or decisions. Transits contribute to personal growth. The daily movements of planets are recorded in an Ephemeris. TRINE An aspect of easy energy. It creates an ease in life, enhances natural talents or abilities, and is an enjoyable area of life. Trines are generally positive. Twelfth House The twelfth area of an astrological chart. It is an area of self-sabotaging thoughts, hidden weaknesses, bondage, anxieties, limitations, confinement, dreams, and the subconscious. URANUS The planet of uniqueness and chaos. Uranus influences Aquarius, the water-bearer. Uranus Opposition An aspect representing a time of spiritual growth, change and self-searching. This is the aspect that contributes to a mid-life crisis. VENUS The planet of money and love. Venus influences Taurus, the bull, and Libra, the scales. Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) The sixth sign of the zodiac. Virgo's symbol is the virgin. More about Virgo YOD An aspect, also called the Finger of Fate or the Finger of God. Indicative of a special life purpose, it creates the sensation of steadiness, special passion, deep aspiration and a strong inner drive to accomplish something very important and special.