GLOSSARY

A Collection of Key Horary Themes

Author's Note: I have included this glossary to make the most important
concepts available in one place. There are many archaic terms in horary
astrology which different authorities define in varying and even contradictory
ways. I have tried to define horary terms as they were originally used by
Ptolemy, Dorotheus, Bonatus, Dariot, Ramsey, Coley, and Lilly.

I am especially grateful to Allen Edwall and C.J. Puotinen for reviewing the
definitions, correcting my errors, and offering other helpful suggestions.
Ideas do change and grow, and a word that had one meaning at the time of
Christ might signify something quite different today. Despite my attempt at
accuracy, it is possible I was unaware of some subtlety or nuance of practice.
If the reader finds an error, I would appreciate a scholarly correction.

ABSCISSION OF LIGHT
(Latin "abscissio" - to cut off). Zadkiel defines abscission as the "cutting
off or preventing of anything shown by one aspect by means of another."
Abscission occurs when, before an aspect between two significators can
perfect, one of the significators first aspects a slower planet, or a faster
planet first aspects one of the significators. In either case the light of the
approaching significator is cut off by the rays of the third planet which
fall, by aspect or conjunction, between the two others which are forming an
aspect. Symbolically abscission may interfere with whatever is promised by the
forming aspect between significators. Synonymous with Frustration.

ACCIDENTAL DIGNITY
A placement which strengthens a planet because of its favorable position,
aspect, or motion in the heavens at a given time and which is not one of the
essential dignities due to zodiac position as described by Ptolemy. Lilly gave
as some examples of accidental dignity: "Direct, swift in Motion, Angular, in
Trine or Sextile with Jupiter or Venus, etc., or in Conjunction with certain
notable fixed stars." See Chapter Nine.

AFFLICTED
A planet is afflicted when it is unfavorably aspected, especially by a
malefic, or unfavorably located in the horoscope. Afflicted planets are
Impedited or Impeded.

AIR SIGNS
Gemini, Libra, Aquarius.

ALGOL
A malefic fixed star at 26o10' Taurus in 2000, associated with beheading,
fires, tragedies, murder, violence, horror, and criminality. See Medusa's
Head.

ALMUTEN
"The Almuten of any house is that planet who has most dignities in the sign
ascending or descending upon the cusp of any house, whereon or from when you
require your judgment" (Lilly, CA, p.49). When the Almuten of a house has
more dignity than the ruler of the house cusp, the Almuten may better
represent the person or matter signified by the house.
"The Almuten of a Figure is that planet who in essential and accidental
dignities is most powerful in the whole scheme of heaven" (Lilly, CA, p. 49).
ANGULAR HOUSES
Houses 1, 4, 7, and 10.

ANTIPATHY
An inharmonious relationship of planets caused by their different natures, by
aspect, or by rulership or exaltation in opposite signs. For example, the Sun
which rules Leo has an antipathy for Saturn which rules the opposite sign
Aquarius.

ANTISCION (SOLSTICE POINT)

The reflection of a planet's position in the Cancer-Capricorn axis. A planet
and its Antiscion always have as their midpoint 0o degrees Cancer or 0o
Capricorn. For example, the antiscion of 9o Capricorn is 21o Sagittarius. The
antiscion and its corresponding planet are equidistant from either solstice
(0o Cancer or 0o Capricorn). The pairs of signs and their antiscion signs are:
Aries/Virgo, Taurus/Leo, Gemini/Cancer, Libra/Pisces, Scorpio/Aquarius, and
Sagittarius/ Capricorn. When one planet lies on the antiscion of another, the
two planets occupy the two points on the Ecliptic where the Sun has the same
declination north or south of the Celestial Equator.

According to Lilly (CA, p. 90), "The Antiscion Signs are those, which are of
the same virtue and are equally distant from the first degree of the two
Tropic signs Cancer and Capricorn, and in which degrees whilst the sun is, the
days and nights are of equal length; by example it will be plain; when the sun
is in the tenth degree of Taurus, he is as far distant from the first degree
of Cancer as when in the twentieth degree of Leo; therefore then the sun is in
the tenth of Taurus, he has his Antiscion to the twentieth of Leo; that is, he
gives virtue or influence to any star or planet that at that time either is in
the same degree by conjunction, or casts any aspect unto it." In this
example, the Sun at 10o Taurus has the same declination it would have if the
Sun were at 20o Leo..

Lilly also wrote, "There are Antiscions, which of the good Planets we think
are equal to a Sextile or a Trine; so are there Contra-antiscions [points
opposite the antiscions], which we find to be of the nature of a Square or
Opposition." What Lilly calls "contra-antiscions" should technically be termed
"contrascions." See also Contrascion.

APPLICATION
The movement of one planet toward another planet, house cusp, or sensitive
point in approaching the formation of an aspect between them. Both planets may
be direct, one direct and the other retrograde, or both retrograde. The faster
planet, regardless of direction of motion, "casts its rays" to aspect the
slower one. Application implies that the two planets are within orb of forming
an exact aspect. See also Separation.

APPLYING ASPECT
An aspect, not yet perfected, in which the planets are within orb and are
approaching the exact angle specified by the aspect. After the aspect has
become exact and the planets "are departed but six minutes distance from each
other" (Lilly, CA, p. 110), the planets begin to Separate. In practice, Lilly
considered the bodies of the planets to occupy about 6 minutes of arc. For
the Sun and the Moon he allowed minutes before or after exactitude for a
"perfect aspect."

ARABIC PART (LOT)

A significant point on the Ecliptic whose position is derived from a
combination of other significant points or planets. For example, the Part of
Fortune is as distant from the Ascendant as the Moon is from the Sun. Pars
Fortuna was considered the "horoscope (Ascendant) of the Moon" because at
sunrise, when the Sun is crossing the Ascendant, the Moon lies on the Part of
Fortune. Many of the Parts are not truly Arabic. The Arab astrologers
elaborated on lists of Parts (Lots) they inherited from ancient Egyptian,
Babylonian and Greek sources. See Chapter 15 for a list of Arabic Parts.

ASCENDANT
The degree of the zodiac on the Ecliptic that is rising over the Eastern
Horizon at the time of birth.

ASCENSION (LONG AND SHORT)

Because of the obliquity of the Ecliptic at approximately 23.5o to the
Equator, some signs lie north and others south of the Equator. When the Earth
rotates, signs of short ascension ascend quickly while signs of long ascension
rise slowly. In the northern hemisphere the signs of long ascension are
Cancer through Sagittarius, and the signs of short ascension are Capricorn
through Gemini. The reverse is true in the southern hemisphere. The chart may
not be radical or fit to judge if less than 3o rise, especially in signs of
short ascension. Lilly believed that the signs of long ascension could
stretch sextiles into squares, and squares into trines. See Chapter 10.

ASPECT
A specific angular relationship between planets, house cusps, or sensitive
points measured in degrees of Ecliptic longitude. The major aspects are
conjunction, sextile, square, trine, and opposition. Dexter aspects are
thrown from preceding signs, sinister aspects from succeeding ones. See
Chapter 8.

AVERAGE DAILY MOTION

The average motion of a planet during a 24 hour period. Traveling slower than
average is a debility. According to Lilly, on average the Moon travels 13o
10' 36'' per day; Mercury, Venus, and Sun all average 0o 59' 8'' per day; Mars
averages 0o 31' 27'' per day; Jupiter averages 0o 04' 59'' per day; and Saturn
averages 0o 02' 1'' per day. See Chapter 8.

BARREN SIGNS
Gemini, Leo, Virgo.

BEHOLD
When two planets are within orb of an aspect, they are said to behold one
another. Lilly gave the example of Saturn at 10o Aries beholding Mars at 7o
Capricorn by dexter square aspect.

BEHOLDING SIGNS
Signs which have the same declination, or are at equal distances from the
tropics, i.e., Aries and Virgo, Taurus and Leo, Gemini and Cancer, Libra and
Pisces, Scorpio and Aquarius, and Sagittarius and Capricorn.

BENEFIC PLANET
A beneficial planet. In horary these are traditionally Venus (the lesser
benefic) and Jupiter (the greater benefic). In addition, the Part of Fortune
and the Moon's North Node are considered benefic as well as several fixed
stars, most notably Regulus and Spica.

BESEIGED
A planet is besieged when it lies between two malefics, or when the last
aspect it completed and the next aspect it will make are to a malefic.
Traditionally a besieged planet lay between Mars and Saturn, and in the same
sign with them.

BESTIAL SIGNS
Aries, Taurus, Leo, last half of Sagittarius.

BICORPOREAL (DOUBLE-BODIED) SIGNS

Gemini, Sagittarius, Pisces.

CADENT HOUSE
Houses 3, 6, 9, and 12. "Falling away" from the angles.

CAPUT ALGOL
See Medussa's Head. A malefic fixed star at 26o10' Taurus in 2000.

CARDINAL SIGNS
Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn, corresponding to the Cardinal Points of a
compass: Aries - East, Cancer - North, Libra - West, and Capricorn - South.

CAZIMI
"In the heart of the Sun" - within 17 minutes of arc of the Sun's Ecliptic
position and therefore corporally joined to the body of the Sun. The sun's
radius on the Celestial Sphere was considered to be 17 minutes of arc.
Traditionally a Cazimi planet is fortified. See Chapter 9.

CELESTIAL EQUATOR
The projection of the Earth's equator onto the Celestial Sphere in the same
plane as the Earth's equator.

CELESTIAL SPHERE
The imaginary sphere whose center is the center of the Earth and on which the
fixed stars, planets, Sun, Moon, and the zodiac are located.

CHALDEAN ORDER OF THE PLANETS

Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sun, Venus, Mercury, Moon.

COLLECTION OF LIGHT
Collection occurs when a slower planet receives aspects from two faster
planets, which are not themselves in aspect. The slower planet collects the
light of the faster planets and symbolizes that the matter can be perfected
through a third person or intermediary described by the slow third planet.
Traditionally each faster planet must receive the collecting planet in one of
their Ptolemaic dignities. In other words, the slow (heavy) collecting planet
must occupy a region of the zodiac where each faster planet has some dignity.
See Chapter 8.

COMBUST
A planet is combust if it lies in the same sign as the Sun beyond the Sun's
body (17') but within the moiety or half-orb (8.5o) of the Sun. Being combust
burns up and thus weakens a planet. Traditionally the Moon is especially
debilitated when combust. Some say the fire planet Mars thrives in the Sun's
light and is exempt from being combust. Shouldn't this be true of the benefic
fire planet Jupiter as well? See Chapter 9.

COMMANDING SIGNS
Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo -- considered more powerful than the
other six signs because they are nearest the Zenith. When the sun travels
through these signs during the spring and summer, the days are longer than the
nights; and everybody knows that light is stronger than darkness. Also called
Northern Signs, they rule the darker Southern Signs. Presumably, when the
observer is south of the Equator, the northern signs would obey and the
southern signs command.

COMMON SIGNS
The Mutable signs: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces.

CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE JUDGMENT

According to Lilly (CA, p. 121), "All the Ancients that have wrote of
Questions, doe give warning to the Astrologer, that before he deliver judgment
he well consider whether the Figure is radical and capable of judgment." Some
modern authors have called these considerations "strictures against judgment"
and regard them as warnings to proceed cautiously. Sometimes such warnings
give relevant information about the question. A fundamental consideration is
that only sincere questions produce valid horary charts.. Some classical
considerations before judgment are:
a) Less than 3o rising: a premature question.
b) More than 27o rising: a post-mature question.
c) Moon in Via Combusta: not safe to judge unless it conjoins Spica.
d) Moon in a late degree, especially in Gemini, Scorpio, or Capricorn: not
safe to judge.
e) Moon Void of Course in Gemini, Scorpio, or Capricorn: not safe to judge.
f) Saturn retrograde in 1st house: Matters will generally not work out well.
g) Saturn in the 7th house: Astrologer's judgment may be impaired.
h) 7th house ruler afflicted: Astrologer will have difficulty answering the
question.
i) Moon Void of Course: Nothing will come of the matter. Lilly writes:
"all manner of matters go hardly on (except the principal significators be
very strong) when the Moon is void of course; yet sometimes she performs if
void of course, if in Taurus, Cancer, Sagittarius, or Pisces" where she is
protected by the benefics Venus and Jupiter.
j) The Ascendant ruler is combust the Sun: The querent is quite worried, and
the astrologer may be working with too little information.

CO-SIGNIFICATORS
Co-rulers. The planet ruling the sign on the cusp of a house is the primary
significator. Planets within that house are co-significators. If a sign is
intercepted in a house, that sign's ruler is a co-significator. The Moon
always co-rules the querent.

CON-SIGNIFICATORS
A sign or planet believed to have an affinity with a mundane house because it
falls in the same numerical order as the house. Not to be confused with
co-significators. The sign of the zodiac naturally paired with a house is its
CON-significator. For example, Aries is the consignificator of the 1st house,
Taurus of the 2nd, etc. The planets taken in Chaldean order (Saturn, Jupiter,
Mars, sun, Venus, Mercury, Moon) are consignificators of the houses falling in
the same sequence. Thus, Saturn is consignificator of houses 1 and 8, Jupiter
of houses 2 and 9, Mars of houses 3 and 10, sun of houses 4 and 11, Venus of
houses 5 and 12, Mercury of house 6, and the Moon of house 7.

CONSTELLATION
A group of stars named after a figure or animal they are considered to
represent. The circle of twelve constellations of the zodiac, as opposed to
signs of the zodiac, constitute the Sidereal zodiac.

CONTRAPARALLEL OF DECLINATION
Two planets form a Contraparallel of Declination when they are equally distant
north or south but on opposite sides of the Celestial Equator.
CONTRASCION (or CONTRA-ANTISCION)
The contrascion of a planet is that point at the same distance from but on the
opposite side of the equinoctal axis, 0o Aries - 0o Libra. The midpoints of a
planet and its contrascion are always 0o Aries and 0o Libra. The contrascion
of a planet is always opposite its Antiscion. In other words, the contrascion
of a planet is the antiscion of the point opposite to the planet on the
ecliptic. When one planet lies on the contrascion of another, the two planets
occupy the two points on the Ecliptic where the sun has equal but opposite
declination. According to Henry Coley, "the Learned do hold an Antiscion to
be equivalent to a sextile or trine Aspect, especially if they were Fortunate
Planets; and a Contrantiscion to be of the nature of a square or opposition."

CRITICAL DAYS
Those days on which the Moon makes successive 45o transiting aspects to its
original position in a chart for an illness or event. Such days are stressful
crisis points for the illness or event. Favorable crises occur when the Moon
makes successive 60o aspects to its radical position. Commonly used in
decumbiture charts.

CRITICAL DEGREE
Degrees of the zodiac that mark the boundaries between Lunar Mansions. Also
the degrees that are at the beginning and ending (0o and 29o) of zodiac signs.
The critical Lunar Mansion degrees are: 0o, 12o51', and 25o43' of Cardinal
signs; 8o34' and 21o26' of Fixed signs; and 4o17' and 17o09' of Mutable signs.
See Chapter 15.

CULMINATION
1) The arrival of a planet at the Midheaven (M.C., upper meridian). Sometimes
called "southing." 2) Culmination also refers to the perfection of an aspect.

CUSP
The boundary between one house and another, or between one sign and another.
The ancients considered a planet within 5o of the cusp of the next house to be
in the next house. According to Lilly (CA, p.33), if a planet "be within
five degrees of the cusp of any house, his virtue shall be assigned to that
house to whose cusp he is nearest." This rule may derive from the heliacal
rising of planets when they are obscured by the Sun's rays, or it may derive
from the notion of house cusps having an orb of influence that extends 5o into
the preceding house. Sometimes aspects to relevant house cusps give useful
information in horary questions.

DAY AND NIGHT TRIPLICITIES

Triplicity Day Ruler Night Ruler
Fire Sun Jupiter
Earth Venus Moon
Air Saturn Mercury
Water Mars Mars

DAY HOUSE
The sign a planet rules by day. Except for the Moon, whose Day House is
Cancer, each planet rules a masculine (odd numbered) sign by day.

DAY RULERS
Sun-Sunday, Moon-Monday, Mars-Tuesday, Mercury-Wednesday, Jupiter-Thursday,
Venus -Friday, Saturn-Saturday.

DEBILITY
A weak or afflicted condition of a planet. Being in Detriment or in Fall are
potent essential debilities.
DECANATE (DECAN)
A division of each sign into three 10o segments. There is a Hindu division of
each sign into three decans ruled by the three signs of the same element.
There is a Chaldean division of each sign into three 10o faces ruled by the
seven classical planets in Chaldean order, starting with Mars ruling the first
Face of Aries. See Chapter 9.

DECREASING IN LIGHT
Waning. Usually said of the Moon as it approaches the Sun in the order of the
signs on its way to a conjunction (New Moon) after leaving its opposition
(Full Moon). When decreasing in light, the Moon forms a series of sinister
aspects to the Sun.

DECLINATION
A measure of angular distance above or below the Celestial Equator.

DECUMBITURE
A lying down due to illness. A chart cast for the time a person first becomes
ill or takes to the sickbed. Horary rules are used to interpret a decumbiture
chart. The Ascendant signifies the sick person. Lilly appears to have regarded
the question, "Whether one absent be dead or alive?" as a variant of a
decumbiture chart when the querent bore no relationship to the missing person.
Lilly says that when the "Querent hath no relation to the party, then the 1st
house, the Lord of that house and the Moon shall signify the absent party."
The 8th house, any planets therein or within 5o of the 8th cusp, show the
death of the missing person. See Chapter 15, Decumbiture of the Dean of
Vienne.

DERIVED HOUSES
A method of renumbering the houses so that the matter or person asked about
becomes the new 1st house and the other houses are numbered in order around
the wheel from the new 1st house. Thus, in a question about a child, the
natural fifth house becomes the child's 1st, the natural sixth house becomes
the child's second house, and so on around the chart. See Chapter 6.

DETRIMENT
A sign opposite the one ruled by a planet. For example, the detriment of the
Moon is Capricorn because the Moon rules the opposite sign Cancer. Being in
detriment weakens a planet and is a debility. A person represented by a planet
in detriment may feel out-classed, be obligated to work, and functions at a
disadvantage.

DEXTER ASPECT
Dexter means "on the right-hand side." A dexter aspect is one in which the
faster planet is waxing, or increasing in light, with respect to the slower
one. The faster (applying) planet is casting its rays to the right (dexter) to
form the aspect because the more ponderous planet lies on the right side of
the applying planet as viewed from the Earth. Lilly says "Dexter Aspects are
contrary to the succession of Signs," that is, the rays of the faster planet
flow clockwise around the wheel to reach the slower planet as viewed from the
Earth. If planets are direct in motion, a dexter aspect forms as a result of
increasing angular distance between them so that the planets are moving toward
an eventual opposition. For example, the Moon in Aries would cast a dexter
square to Jupiter in Capricorn. Ptolemy regarded the 11th house of the Good
Daemon as sextile dexter to (sextile and to the right of) the 1st house.
Dexter aspects are traditionally more potent than sinister ones. Remember
those sketches of an angel sitting on the right shoulder and a devil on the
left one? See Sinister.
DIGNITY
A condition which strengthens a planet's influence. Dignity may be ESSENTIAL
due to an affinity or sympathy of a planet with a particular region of the
zodiac, or ACCIDENTAL due to house position, planetary motion, favorable
aspects, etc. See Chapter 9.

DIRECT MOTION
Movement of a planet in the order of the zodiac signs from Aries to Taurus to
Gemini, etc. Retrograde motion is opposite to direct motion.

DIRECTIONS BY HOUSE
[from art]

DIRECTIONS BY SIGN
Fire: East
Water: North
Air: West
Earth: South

Aries: E Leo: E by N Sagittarius: E

by S
Cancer: N Scorpio: N by E Pisces: N by W
Libra: W Aquarius: W by N Gemini: W by S
Capricorn: S Taurus: S by E Virgo: S by W

DISPOSITOR
The planet which rules the sign or dignity another planet occupies. For
example, if Mars is in Libra, the dispositor of Mars is Venus. In addition, a
planet can Dispose (Receive) another planet through any of its essential
Ptolemaic dignities. Thus, the Sun will dispose by exaltation any planet in
Aries because the Sun is exalted in Aries.

DOMAL DIGNITY
A planet in its home sign has domal dignity.

EARTH SIGNS
Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn.

EAST POINT
The point on the Celestial Equator rising on the Eastern Horizon at birth. The
East Point is the intersection of the Eastern Horizon, Prime Vertical, and
Celestial Equator. The Ascendant is the intersection of the Eastern Horizon
with the Ecliptic.

ECLIPTIC
The Ecliptic is the apparent circular path of the Sun on the Celestial Sphere
in Earth centered astronomy. It receives its name from the fact that
eclipses occur then the Moon is on or near the Ecliptic. This great circle
is inclined at 23.5o to the Celestial Equator, an angle known as the obliquity
of the Ecliptic. The obliquity of the Ecliptic is now decreasing at a rate of
about 48 seconds of arc per century. It will continue to decrease over many
millenia until it reaches 22o54' and then it will again begin to increase.
The Ecliptic crosses the Celestial Equator at two points, the vernal and
autumnal equinoxes, which occur on March 21 and September 23 each year.
Astronomers give the positions of planets in Celestial Longitude along the
Ecliptic east or west of the vernal equinox. Celestial latitude is measured
north and south of the ecliptic. Astrologers divide the Ecliptic into 12
segments of 30 degrees each, the so-called signs of the zodiac.

ELECTIONAL CHART
A horoscope chart cast to determine the best time to take action. Electional
astrology is the reverse application of horary procedures.

ELEMENTS
Fire, Air, Earth, and Water.

EQUINOX
(Equal day and night). The points where the Equator intersects the Ecliptic.
Spring begins at the Vernal Equinox = 0o Aries. Autumn begins at the
Autumnal Equinox = 0o Libra. Aries and Libra are the Equinoctal signs. The
summer (0o Cancer) and winter (0o Capricorn) solstices occur on the ecliptic
halfway between the equinoxes.

ESSENTIAL DIGNITY
A region of the zodiac where a planet has a special affinity and is therefore
more powerful. Essential dignity can occur by ruling sign (domal), exaltation,
triplicity, term, or face (listed in order from strongest to weakest).
Persons represented by planets with domal dignity are usually well-situated
and powerful; by exalted planets, proud, prominent, and unyielding; by planets
in their triplicity, in good circumstances; by planets in their own terms,
respectable but not especially powerful; by planets in their own face, mildly
fortunate. See Chapter 9.

EXACT ASPECT
An aspect is "exact" when the centers of the bodies of the involved planets
are at exactly the angular distance specified by the aspect. An aspect is
"perfect" when the bodies of the two planets overlap each other at the angular
distance specified in the aspect. See Perfect Aspect, Partile, and Platic.

EXALTATION
A sign in which a planet functions well. A form of essential dignity. In
horary, an exalted significator may represent an arrogant person or someone
who thinks quite well of him- or herself. Exaltation is next in power to
dignity by ruling sign.

FACE
The weakest form of essential dignity. Each sign is divided into three 10o
faces, and a different planet has dignity in each face of the sign. See
Decanate.

FALL
A sign opposite the one in which a planet is exalted. A significator in its
fall may indicate an unfortunate, helpless, insolvent, or cruel person. A
planet in its fall may literally refer to a person who has fallen, been
disgraced, or suffered some kind of limitation.

FEMININE PLANETS
Traditionally the Moon and Venus.

FEMININE SIGNS
Water and Earth signs. Starting with Aries as the first sign of the zodiac,
these are the even numbered signs around the wheel. Some authors refer to the
feminine signs as unfortunate or nocturnal.

FIGURE
A horoscopic chart.
FIRE SIGNS
Aries, Leo, Sagittarius.

FIXED SIGNS
Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius.

FIXED STARS
Those stars outside our solar system which appear stationary on the Celestial
Sphere when compared with the wanderings of the Sun, Moon, and planets. Fixed
stars appear to move forward in the tropical zodiac at a rate of about 50
seconds of arc per year, eight minutes every 10 years, or one degree every 72
years. See Chapter 15.

FORTUNES
Benefic planets, especially Venus and Jupiter. Also the Sun and Moon when free
of affliction. The Moon's North Node and Pars Fortuna are considered fortunate
points. Spica and Regulus are potent benefic fixed stars.

FRUSTRATION
Lilly used "frustration" to refer to problems with the operation of a
conjunction: "when a swift Planet would corporally join with a more ponderous,
but before they can come to a Conjunction, the more weighty Planet is joined
to another, and so the Conjunction of the first is frustrated." Frustration
interferes with the perfection of the matter. Many writers consider Abscission
and Frustration to be synonymous so that when a planet is about to form
aspects with two other planets, the aspect that perfects first causes an
abscission of light that frustrates the influence of the second aspect. In
Lilly's definition, a faster planet is about to conjoin a slower one which
happens to conjoin a different planet before the faster one can reach it. See
Chapter 9.

GREAT CIRCLE
A circle either on the surface of the Earth or on the Celestial Sphere whose
plane passes through the center of the Earth. The meridian and the prime
vertical are examples of great circles.

HAYZ
A masculine, diurnal planet above the horizon in a masculine sign by day; or a
feminine, nocturnal planet below the horizon in a feminine sign by night. A
form of fortunate accidental dignity.

HELIACAL RISING
"Rising with the Sun" - occurs when a planet or star, which was hidden by the
Sun's rays, again becomes visible.

HINDRANCE
Any condition that hinders or impedes the functioning of a significator.

HORARY
Latin - "of the hour."

HORIZON
The Visible or Apparent Horizon is a circle which encompasses what the
observer can see on the surface of the Earth. It is the circle formed where
the sky around the observer meets the Earth. The Rational or True Horizon is a
great circle parallel to the visible horizon whose plane goes through the
center of the Earth. The Celestial Horizon is the rational horizon extended
infinitely into space to intersect the Celestial Sphere.
HOUSE
One of the twelve divisions of the zodiac circle in terms of either time or
space. There are many methods of house division. Most start the first house at
the Ascendant and the 10th house at the Midheaven.

HOUSES, FORTUNATE AND UNFORTUNATE

Lilly regarded houses 8, 6, and 12 as unfortunate. A planet was fortunately
placed in the house of its joy or in a house for which it was a
consignificator. He noted that the sun and Mars are never well-placed in the
2nd house, and that Mars and Saturn are unfortunate in the 5th, 7th, and 9th
houses. The sun and Jupiter do well in the 10th house.

HOUSES, STRENGTH (FORCE or VIRTUE) OF

Lilly rank-ordered the houses from strongest (most benefic) to weakest (most
malefic) as follows:
1, 10, 7, 4, 11, 5, 9, 3, 2, 8, 6, 12.

HUMAN SIGNS
Gemini, Virgo, Aquarius, and the first half of Sagittarius.

IMPEDITION
Any factor that weakens a significator. Badly aspected, especially by
malefics. Affliction. Hindrance.

IMUM COELI (IC)

The point on the Ecliptic opposite the Midheaven. The point where the Ecliptic
intersects the meridian below the horizon.

INCONJUNCT
According to Ptolemy, signs that are either one sign or five signs apart,
corresponding to the modern semi-sextile (30o) and quincunx (150o). Inconjunct
signs are also called dissociate signs.

INCREASING IN LIGHT
Waxing. This occurs when the Moon (or a planet) is separating from a
conjunction and moving toward opposition with the Sun and appears to increase
in light as viewed from the Earth. Once the Moon passes its opposition to the
Sun, it appears to decrease in light. To be increasing in light is an
accidental dignity.

INFERIOR PLANETS
Mercury and Venus whose orbits are within that of the Earth. Inferior planets
and the Moon are accidentally dignified when they rise after the Sun, that is,
when occidental of the Sun.

INFORTUNES
Malefics, traditionally Mars and Saturn. The Moon's South Node is an
unfortunate point. Several malefic fixed stars can act as infortunes,
especially Caput Algol at 26o10' Taurus in 2000.

INTERCEPTED
A sign is intercepted when it lies wholly within a single house and does not
occupy the cusp at either end of the house. A planet is intercepted when it
lies in an intercepted sign. In the northern hemisphere the signs of short
ascension (Capricorn through Gemini) are most often intercepted. Being
intercepted may restrict the freedom of a planet to act.

JOY
An ancient form of house rulership which assigned planets to the houses they
most enjoyed occupying. For example, Venus joyed in the love affairs of the
5th house, and Saturn rejoiced in the misery of the 12th. The Moon has joy in
the 3rd house, the Sun in the 9th (some say also in the 10th), Mercury in the
1st, Mars in the 6th, and Jupiter in the 11th.

KOCH HOUSES
A system of house division developed by Dr. Walter Koch and based on dividing
the quarters of the chart formed by the Ascendant and Midheaven axes into
three equal time segments rather than three equal spatial segments as in the
Regiomontanus system. The Koch method is similar to an earlier system of
Alcabitius.

LATITUDE (CELESTIAL)
Celestial Latitude is a measure of angular distance above or below, that is,
north or south of the Ecliptic. Celestial longitude is measured east and west
of 0o Aries, the vernal equinox.

LILLY, WILLIAM
A promient 17th century astrology whose textbook Christian Astrology is the
fundamental reference on horary astrology in the English speaking world. He
was born May 1, 1602 (Julian calendar), which is the equivalent of May 11,
1602 (Gregorian calendar) at 2:08 a.m. in Diseworth, England.

LOCAL TIME
Sun time. The actual time at a location within a time zone. Noon local time
occurs when the Sun crosses the meridian of that location.

LOCATION BY ELEMENT
See Chapter 14. If the ruler of a lost object is in a:
Fire Sign: Middle height, midway up in a room, near a wall, near something
connected with heat or fire.
Earth Sign: Near the Earth, on or under the ground, in the basement, on the
ground floor.
Air Sign: High up in a room, in an upper room, in an attic, on an upper
shelf, near a window.
Water Sign: Low in a room, near water or plumbing, in a bathroom.

LOCATION BY HOUSE TYPE

See Chapter 14. If the ruler of a lost item is in a:
Angular House:
It is nearby, or where the querent spends much time. It will be easy to find.
Succedent House:
It is harder to find and not in its usual place.
Cadent House:
It may be far off, difficult to find, hidden, and may not be found.

LONGITUDE (CELESTIAL)
A measure of angular distance along the 360o of the Ecliptic starting at the
first point of Aries, the vernal equinox.

LORD
The lord of a sign is the planet which rules or governs it.

LOST OBJECTS
Personal possessions (movable versus real estate) are shown by the 2nd house.
The house and sign placement of the 2nd ruler usually give a clue to the
location of the lost object. The Moon rules fugitives and lost items. Venus
rules possessions. The dispositor of Pars Fortuna can also represent one's
belongings. In addition, a particular item may have a natural ruler. The lost
item will usually be found if it's ruler is retrograde and/or applies to a
favorable aspect with the owner's ruler. A Void of Course Moon often means a
lost item will be found. See Directions by house and sign. See Locations
below. Other rules some astrologers use: 1) if both the Sun and Moon are
above the horizon, the querent is likely to get the lost object back, whereas
if both the lights are below the horizon, the chances are not so good; 2) if
the object's significator is Peregrine, the object if recovered is likely to
be damaged or not usable; 3) the significator of the fourth house provides
additional information on misplaced objects.

LUMINARIES (LIGHTS)
The Sun and the Moon.

LUNAR MANSION
One of 28 divisions of the zodiac circle used to designate the Moon's position
on a given day of the 28 day lunar month. The cusps of the Lunar Mansions are
considered critical degrees showing some crisis or critical point in the
matter inquired about. See Chapter 15.

MAJOR ASPECT
Also called PTOLEMAIC ASPECTS. The conjunction - 0o, sextile - 60o, square -
90o, trine - 120o, and opposition - 180o. Application by conjunction, sextile,
or trine without frustration or interference usually brings matters to
completion. The sextile and trine are aspects of harmony, union and agreement.
Squares show obstacles, problems, stress and tension, and warn the querent
against proceeding. Oppositions indicate separation, alienation, pulling
apart, difficulty, and failure. No aspects between significators usually mean
no action will occur in the matter.

MALEFIC
An unfortunate planet, traditionally, Mars and Saturn.
Modern authors often include Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. The Moon's South
Node is a malefic point. There are many malefic fixed stars, especially Caput
Algol at 26o10' Taurus in 2000.

MASCULINE PLANETS
Traditionally the Sun, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.

MASCULINE SIGNS
Air and fire signs. Starting with Aries as the first sign, these are the odd
numbered signs around the zodiac wheel. Some authors refer to the masculine
signs as fortunate or diurnal.

MEAN MOTION
See Average Daily Motion. Planets traveling faster than average are swift in
motion (a dignity); slower than average are slow in motion (a debility). The
mean motions of planets may vary from century to century.

MEDUSA'S HEAD
Caput Algol, a malefic fixed star, representing the Gorgon whose hair
consisted of hissing snakes and who was decapitated by Perseus. Losing one's
head in the matter. At 26o10' Taurus in 2000. Lilly allowed Caput Algol a
moiety of 5o in his scoring system, but modern astrologers tend to use smaller
moieties of about 1o for fixed stars.

MERIDIAN
The great circle passing through the North and South points of the Horizon and
through the zenith of the observer. The Sun lies on the meridian at apparent
Noon.

MIDHEAVEN (MC / MEDIUM COELI)

The point on the Ecliptic which is due South of the location for which a
horoscope chart is cast, and where the Sun is at Noon local mean time. The
point of culmination of the Sun. The highest point on the Ecliptic where is
intersects the meridian. The MC should not be confused with the zenith which
is directly overhead.

MOIETY
Half of the traditional orb of a planet. The orb of a planet is the diameter
of an imaginary sphere of light surrounding the planet. The moiety is the
radius of that sphere. When the sphere of light around one planet is able to
touch the sphere of light around another planet by conjunction or major aspect
so that there is a blending of the light from the two planets, then the aspect
between the planets is considered to be in effect. The sum of the moieties of
the two planets gives the maximum distance the two planet's bodies can be from
exact aspect for the aspect to be effective. Today we call this sum of
moieties the orb of the aspect. See Chapter 8.

MOON
The Moon is important in horary as an universal co-significator of the querent
and of the question. The Moon's position by house and sign frequently shows
where the interest of the querent lies. According to Watters, the Moon rules
function. Barclay says the Moon is "like a verb." It shows action and timing.
When the Moon will apply to no other planet by major aspect while remaining in
its sign, it is Void of Course and there is little the querent can do about
the matter. All the aspects the Moon makes while in its sign in the horary
chart, both before and after the question, show the events in the querent's
life preceding and following the question (whether related to the question or
not).

MOVABLE SIGNS
The Cardinal signs: Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn.

MUNDANE ASTROLOGY
The astrology of world affairs.

MUTABLE (COMMON) SIGNS

Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces.

MUTE (DUMB) SIGNS

Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces. The water signs have no voice.

MUTUAL APPLICATION
An applying aspect in which the two planets are moving toward one another
because one is advancing and the other is retrograde. A potent force in
bringing matters to perfection. Often brings a fast, unexpected result.

MUTUAL RECEPTION
This occurs when two planets receive each other in one of their essential
dignities. Mutual reception by ruling sign is the strongest. There can be
reception (in order of strength) by sign, exaltation, triplicity, term, or
face. Some astrologers also consider mixed mutual receptions, as when planet
A is in the terms of B while planet B is in the exaltation of A. According to
Bonatus, "reception abates all malice." Mutual receptions give a way out by
conferring exchange status. If two planets are in mutual reception by sign or
exaltation, either planet can be read back to the sign and degree position of
the other as if they had exchanged positions in the chart. Mutual reception by
triplicity, term, or face are weaker and probably do not confer exchange
status.

NADIR
The point opposite the Zenith directly below the observer through the center
of the Earth, not to be confused with the Imum Coeli.

NATURES OF THE PLANETS AND SIGNS

Planets and signs can be classified as hot or cold, dry or moist. The
following grid will help for easy reference:
DRY MOIST
HOT Mars, Sun Jupiter
Fire Signs Air Signs

COLD Mercury, Saturn Moon, Venus

Earth Signs Water Signs

NIGHT HOUSE
The sign a planet rules by night. Except for the sun, whose night house is
Leo, each planet rules a feminine (even numbered) sign by night.

NODAL DEGREE
The same degree, regardless of sign position, as the Moon's Mean Nodes. Thus,
if the North Node is at 12o Cancer 17', then a planet from 12o0' to 12o59' of
any sign is in a Nodal degree and sometimes signifies a fateful event,
occasionally even a tragedy or fatality in the matter. When a significator is
in a Nodal degree, something fateful, beyond the control of the querent, may
occur in the matter. The Nodal degree may be unfortunate, but I have seen many
charts with Nodal degree significators where nothing untoward happened.

NODE (MOON'S)
The points where the Moon's orbit crosses the Ecliptic. These are sites where
eclipses may occur. The Moon's North Node (Dragon's Head) has the nature of
Jupiter, and the South Node (Dragon's Tail) the nature of Saturn.

NORTHERN SIGNS
The Commanding Signs closest to the Zenith. See Commanding Signs.

OBEYING SIGNS
These are the southern signs opposite the commanding signs, namely, Libra,
Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. In the northern
hemisphere the sun travels through these signs during the autumn and winter,
and the nights are longer than the days.

OCCIDENTAL OF THE SUN

A planet is occidental of the Sun when it rises or sets after the Sun. If you
rotate the chart so the Sun is on the Ascendant, planets below the horizon are
occidental. The Moon, Mercury, and Venus are accidentally dignified when
occidental. The western half of a chart between the M.C. and 4th cusp is
called the occidental side of the chart. See Chapter 9.

ORB OF A PLANET
Orb literally means "sphere." The orb of a planet is measured as the diameter
of an imaginary sphere of light (the rays) surrounding a planet. The light
within this sphere is strong enough to form aspects with another planet by
mixing with the light surrounding the other planet. Think of two balls of
light with planets at their centers approaching each other in space. When the
surfaces of these balls of light make contact by conjunction or major aspect,
then the aspect begins to take effect. It's like target practice in which the
rays of the faster planet have to hit the orb around the bull's eye at the
slower planet's center. The orb is twice the moiety. The sum of the moieties
of the two planets gives the maximum distance the planetary bodies can be from
forming an exact aspect for the aspect to be effective. See Chapter 8.
Lilly (CA, p. 107) used the following orbs ("I sometimes use the one, and
sometimes the other, as my memory best remembereth them, and this without
error"):
Saturn: 9 to 10 degrees
Jupiter: 9 to 12 degrees
Mars: 7 degrees to 7 deg. 30 min.
Sun: 15 to 17 degrees.
Venus: 7 to 8 degrees.
Mercury: 7 degrees.
Moon: 12 degrees to 12 deg. 30 min.

ORIENTAL OF THE SUN

A planet is oriental of the Sun when is rises or sets before the Sun. If you
rotate the chart so the Sun is on the Ascendant, planets above the horizon are
oriental of the Sun. Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn are accidentally dignified when
oriental. Lilly says "to be Orientall is no other thing than to rise before
the Sun: to be Occidentall is to be seen above the Horizon, or to set, after
the Sun is down." The eastern half of a chart between the 4th cusp and the
M.C. is called the oriental side of the chart. See Chapter 9.

PARALLEL OF DECLINATION
This occurs when two planets are the same number of degrees of arc North or
South of the Celestial Equator.

PARALLEL OF LATITUDE
This occurs when two planets have the same Celestial Latitude, that is, are
the same number of degrees north or south of the Ecliptic.

PARTILE ASPECT
Lilly (CA, p. 106) writes, "Partill aspect is when two Planets are exactly so
many degrees from each other as make a perfect aspect: as if Venus be in 9
degrees of Aries and Jupiter in 9 degrees of Leo, this is a Partill trine
aspect." Each zodiac sign is divided into 30 parts called degrees. Aspects
are partile (from the Latin pars for part) when the planets involved are in
the same degree (part) of their respective signs and those degrees are exactly
as far apart from one another as to form a perfect aspect. Aspects that are
not partile are called platic.

PART OF FORTUNE (PARS FORTUNA)

The Part of Fortune is a benefic point that marks the location of the Moon at
sunrise. Pars Fortuna lies on the Ecliptic as far from the Eastern Horizon as
the Moon is from the Sun. The Part of Fortune and its dispositor are helpful
in matters of finance and in finding lost objects. For example, Lilly (CA, p.
101) advises that in a chart for a merchant "consider the country or city
subject to the sign of the 2nd house, or where the Part of Fortune is, or Lord
of the 2nd is, and which is most fortified, and thither let him trade."
The formula for Pars Fortuna (by day) is: Ascendant + Moon - Sun. Some
authors reverse the position of the Sun and Moon in the formula for night
charts, i.e., the Part of Fortune (by night) = Ascendant + Sun - Moon. When
the native is born at a New Moon, the Part of Fortune conjoins the Ascendant.
Ptolemy says (Loeb edition, pp. 276-277): "whatever relation and aspect the
sun bears to the horoscope [Ascendant], the moon also may bear to the Lot of
Fortune, and that it may be as it were a lunar horoscope [Ascendant]."
Jacobson feels, but I disagree, that if the Moon parallels Pars Fortuna it is
not void of course.
PEREGRINE PLANET
Foreign; without essential dignity. A peregrine planet is one that has no
essential dignity at its current position in the zodiac. A planet in one of
its debilities with no essential dignity is still considered peregrine. A
mutual reception by sign or exaltation can lessen the debility of being
peregrine by giving the planet exchange status with one of its dignities.
Peregrine planets in the 2nd house or in an angular house may represent a
thief. When such planets are in mutual reception, they may show that the
thief has changed locations.

PERFECT ASPECT
An aspect is "exact" when the centers of the bodies of the involved planets
are at exactly the angular distance specified by the aspect. An aspect is
"perfect" when the bodies of the two planets overlap each other at the angular
distance specified in the aspect. Lilly allowed planets a diameter of about
6 minutes of arc (radius of 3 minutes), and the lights (the Sun and Moon) a
diameter of almost 34 minutes of arc (or a radius of about 17 mintues).
Thus, an aspect involving two planets is perfect for 6 minutes (the sum of the
two radii) before and after the point of exactitude. An aspect involving the
Sun and Moon is perfect for almost 34 minutes (the sum of the two radii)
before and after the point of exactitude. An aspect between the Sun or Moon
and a planet would be perfect about 20 minutes (the sum of the radii 17 and
3)a before and after exactitude.

PERFECTION
When an applying aspect between two planets becomes exact, the aspect is said
to reach perfection. If the aspect signifying a matter can be brought to
perfection without impedition, then the matter itself can be accomplished or
"brought to perfection."

PLACING (LOCATING) THE QUESTION

The method of identifying which of the twelve mundane houses relate to the
horary question. The planets ruling the signs on the cusps of those houses
become the chief significators. Unless the question is located in the proper
houses, the answer given by the aspect between significators will be no better
than chance.

PLATIC ASPECT
An aspect that is not partile but is within orb. Lilly (CA, p. 107) explains:
"A Platick Aspect is that which admits of the Orbs or Rays of two Planets that
signify any matter: as if Venus be in the 10th degree of Taurus and Saturn in
18th degrees of Virgo, here Venus hath a Platick trine, or is in a Platick
trine to Saturn, because she is within the moiety of both their Orbs; for the
moiety of Saturn his Rays or Orbs is 5, and of Venus is 4, and the distance
betwixt them and their perfect aspect is 8 degrees." Each zodiac sign is
divided into 30 parts called degrees. If the planets involved in an aspect
lie in the same degree of their respective signs, they are in partile aspect.

PLANETARY HOURS
These vary with the location for which they are calculated. The period from
Sunrise to Sunset is divided into twelve equal parts called "hours." The first
hour of the day, starting at Sunrise, is ruled by the day ruler. The
remaining hours are assigned rulers in Chaldean order so that the 1st, 8th,
15th, and 22nd hours are ruled by the same planet. Traditionally, for a horary
chart to be considered radical, the planetary hour ruler had to be compatible
with the horary Ascendant ruler. Either the hour ruler and Ascendant ruler had
to be the same planet, or the two rulers had to be of the same nature or
triplicity. In electional astrology, it is considered fortunate to act during
the planetary hour whose ruler makes a good aspect to the Moon, especially if
the hour ruler is also the day ruler.

PLANETARY STRENGTH
The power of a planet in a horary chart due to the sum total of the planet's
dignities or debilities, both essential and accidental. In some questions the
relative strength and house position of the main rulers will determine the
answer. For example, in court questions whichever ruler has the most dignity
(strength) and most favorably aspects the 10th cusp ruler or planet (the
judge) is likely to win the case.

PONDEROUS
Heavy, of great weight. A planet that is moving slowly is said to be
ponderous. The slower of two planets is more ponderous than the faster one.
The more ponderous planet receives an aspect; the lighter (faster) planet
casts one.

POWER OF THE ASPECTS

In traditional astrology, the conjunction is most powerful, followed in order
of decreasing power by the opposition, dexter square, sinister square, dexter
trine, sinister trine, dexter sextile, and sinister sextile.

PRECESSION OF THE EQUINOX

The "backward" motion of the vernal equinox, which marks 0o Aries, against the
backdrop of the fixed stars. A complete cycle takes about 25,868 years. The
gravitational forces of the Sun, Moon, and planets on the Earth cause a
westward movement of the intersection of the planes of the Equator and the
Ecliptic at a rate of about 50 seconds of arc per year, or about 8 minutes of
arc every decade.

PRIME VERTICAL
The vertical East-West great circle, whose plane is perpendicular to the plane
of the meridian, and which passes through the East Point, Zenith, West Point,
and Nadir of a particular location. An observer who is standing upright and
facing south will be standing in the plane of the prime vertical.

PROHIBITION
When one significator is applying to a major aspect with another, symbolizing
perfection of the matter, but a third planet aspects one of the significators
before they can aspect each other, a prohibition occurs. The third planet
causes an Abscission of Light which may prohibit the applying aspect between
significators from perfecting the matter.

PTOLEMAIC ASPECT
Same as Major Aspect.

QUADRUPLICITY
The set of four signs with the same quality: Cardinal, Fixed, or Mutable.

QUERENT
Inquirer, one who queries. The person asking the horary question.

QUESITED
What one queries about. The person or matter asked about.

QUINCUNX
The 150o aspect. Not a Ptolemaic aspect. Thought to indicate necessary
adjustments or reorganization in the horary matter. Signs in quincunx bear no
classical musical ratio with one another and thus are inharmonious.
RADICAL
(Latin: "radix" = root). Pertaining to the birth chart, also known as the
radical chart. In horary astrology, a radical chart is one that describes the
situation and is likely to give a valid answer. Strictures against judgment
warn that the chart might not be radical or fit to judge.

RAYS
A planet is said to be "under the rays" of the Sun when it lies within a
distance of the Sun's orb (twice the Sun's moiety). Thus a planet within 17o
of the Sun is "under the Sun's rays" or "under the Sunbeams." When the planet
gets within half the Sun's orb, it is combust or burned by the Sun's rays.
When it lies within 17 minutes of the Sun's center, it is Cazimi or in the
heart of the Sun. An applying planet casts its rays to the right of itself to
form a dexter aspect and to the left of itself to form a sinister aspect.

RECEPTION
When planet B occupies a region of the zodiac that is an essential dignity of
planet A, then planet A Receives planet B by that dignity, as if B were the
visitor and A the host. Thus, if B lies in the terms of A, then A receives B
by term. Reception and Dispostion are synonymous. In other words, A receives B
when A disposits B through any of A's essential dignities.

REFRANATION
This occurs when an applying aspect is refrained from reaching perfection.
Lilly regards refranation as happening when one of the significators turns
retrograde while the other one continues to move ahead in the zodiac, thus
preventing perfection of the aspect. Some astrologers use refranation to refer
to an aspect that does not become exact while the two planets remain in the
same sign they occupy when the chart is cast. For example, if the Sun is at
29o Taurus and Mercury is at 1o Taurus, by the time Mercury moves ahead to
conjoin the Sun, the Sun will be well into Gemini and the conjunction in
Taurus will be refrained from happening. Here "perfection is denied because
the significators cannot meet from the signs they inhabit." - Appleby, page
58). Lilly discusses charts in which an aspect perfects shortly after one or
both planets leave their original signs in the horary chart.

REGIOMONTANUS HOUSES
A system of house division based on dividing the quarters of the Equator that
are defined by the Ascendant and Midheaven axes into equal spatial arcs and
then projecting them back onto the Ecliptic. This system was used by William
Lilly in answering horary questions. Lilly began his houses 5o before the
Regiomontanus cusps. The system is attributed to Johannes Muller
(Regiomontanus) who modified an earlier system of Campanus.

REGULUS
Cor Leonis. Lilly's favorite benefic fixed star at 29o50' Leo in 2000. A Royal
Star of the nature of Mars and Jupiter. Signifies honors, high office, riches,
fame; but if afflicted, fall from power, violence, scandal, disaster.

RETROGRADE
Having apparent westward ("backward," against the order of the signs) motion
along the Ecliptic, in an opposite direction from the usual or direct motion.
Being retrograde is an accidental debility. A retrograde significator
symbolizes a going-back or a return to a previous state. Someone may back out
or change their mind. In charts about missing persons, animals, or things, a
retrograde significator signifies a return.

RISING PLANETS
Planets in the first house that are rising toward the Ascendant (the querent)
often show what is coming into the querent's life. Benefics indicate good
things on the way, and malefics bring stress and tensions. Specifically, the
following meanings often apply:
Moon: Changes, fluctuating conditions, travel.
Mars: Stress, strife, conflict, accident, inflammation, surgery.
Saturn: Delay, restriction, stoppage, hindrance, difficulty.
Uranus: Unexpected or sudden happenings, separation, breaks, divorce.
Neptune: Deception, confusion, self-deception, intrigue, emotionality,
impracticality, tearfulness, upset, spirituality.
Pluto: Transformations, intense experiences, unearthing. (Barclay says Pluto
represents "ejection" and "bringing to light" in any house of a horary chart.)

SEPARATING ASPECT
An aspect that has perfected some time before the horary question was asked so
that the planets are now moving away from the earlier exact aspect. A mutual
separation occurs when the aspected planet is retrograde and the aspecting
planet is direct. See Separation.

SEPARATION
Lilly gave the curious definition that separation occurs "when two Planets are
departed but six minutes distance from each other." The planetary centers
begin separating as soon as they depart from the exact angle of the aspect,
but, because the planets are bodies rather than mathematical points, it takes
several minutes of arc for the planetary bodies to no longer make contact. In
practice, Lilly allowed each planet a diameter of about six minutes of arc in
the sky so that once the planets were more than six minutes apart, their
bodies no longer overlapped and began to separate. Because the Sun and the
Moon occupy a larger portion of the sky, Lilly allowed up to 17 minutes for
separation from the Lights. Lilly gives the example (CA, p.391) of the Moon
at 17o40' Cancer "in perfect trine" with the Sun at 17o 24' Pisces, when the
Moon is 16 minutes past being exactly trine the Sun.
Two planets continue to separate until they are as far apart as the sum of
their two moieties; then the aspect is no longer in effect. If an aspect is
separating by just a few minutes, Lilly interpreted that the matter signified
by the aspect would have perfected a few days before when the aspect was exact
but now "hung in suspense," would continue to break off as the distance
between the planets widened, and would disintegrate when the separation became
complete. If only life were as clear-cut as the textbook says it is!

SERPENTIS
19o Scorpio. Considered by some to be a malefic degree of the zodiac. The
"accursed degree of the accursed sign." This degree is now occupied by the
North Scale (19o22' Scorpio in 2000) which signifies honors, distinction,
intelligence, and good fortune - but also violence and tragedy. North Scale is
of the nature of Mars, Jupiter, and Mercury. I am doubtful about this one.

SIGNIFICATOR
A planet symbolizing a person or matter related to the horary question. The
main significator is the planet ruling the cusp of the relevant house.
Co-significators include the Moon for the querent, and any planets in the
house in question, or the planet ruling a sign intercepted in the relevant
house. Some planets are natural significators, as Venus in questions of love,
Saturn in matters of obstruction, etc.

SINISTER ASPECT
Sinister means "on the left-hand side." A sinister aspect is one in which the
faster planet is waning, or decreasing in light, with respect to the slower
one. The faster (applying) planet is casting its rays to the left (sinister)
to form the aspect because the more ponderous planet lies on the left side of
the applying planet as viewed from the Earth. Lilly says "Dexter Aspects are
contrary to the succession of Signs, Sinister in order as they follow one
another." With sinister aspects, the rays of the faster planet flow
counterclockwise around the wheel to reach the slower planet. If planets are
direct in motion, a sinister aspect forms as a result of decreasing angular
distance between them so that the planets are moving toward an eventual
conjunction. For example, the Moon in Aries would cast a sinister square to
Jupiter in Cancer. See Dexter.

SLOW IN MOTION
Said of a planet when it is traveling slower than its average or mean daily
motion. A form of debility.

SOLSTICE
The points on the Ecliptic farthest from the Equator, marking the beginning of
winter (0o Capricorn) and the beginning of summer (0oCancer) when the Sun
appears to "stand still" (sol-stice).

SOLSTICE POINT
Same as Antiscion.

SOUTHERN SIGNS
The obeying signs opposite the Northern Signs.

SPEED OF PLANETS
The usual order of the speed of planets is, from fastest to slowest: Moon,
Mercury, Venus, Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.
Sometimes (as in the late 1900s) Pluto lies within the orbit of Neptune and
the speed of the last two planets is reversed. A faster (lighter) planet, by
convention, always applies by aspect to a slower (heavier) one. When
retrograde, however, a heavier planet can apply to a lighter one; or when
slow, a lighter planet can receive the aspect of a faster moving heavier
planet.

SPICA
A benefic fixed star at 23o50' Libra in 2000, of the nature of Venus and Mars.
An oasis of good fortune in the otherwise parched path (Via Combusta) from 15o
Libra to 15o Scorpio.

STATION
A planet makes a station when it appears motionless before reversing direction
in its orbit as viewed from the Earth. Thus a planet can make a station
(appear to stop and then move in the opposite direction) when going from
retrograde to direct, or from direct to retrograde. Stationary planets are
considered powerful and influential. When turning retrograde, they symbolize
reversal, delay, dissolution, or destruction. When turning direct, they
indicate renewal, strengthening, or revitalization. The Sun and Moon are
never stationary.

SUCCEEDENT HOUSE
Houses 2, 5, 8, and 11. They follow, or succeed, the angular houses.

SUPERIOR PLANETS
Those outside the Earth's orbit: Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune,
Pluto. Superior planets are accidentally dignified when they rise before the
Sun, that is, when oriental of the Sun.

SWIFT OF MOTION
A planet traveling faster than it average daily motion. An accidental dignity.

TERMS
A form of essential dignity. Each sign is divided into five unequal segments
called "terms." One of the five classical planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars,
Jupiter, Saturn) has a special affinity for one of the terms of each sign.
Because Ptolemy's original manuscript is lost, there are many variations on
his table of terms. When one planet occupies the terms of another, it acts "in
terms of" that planet. Thus Saturn in the terms of Venus would act "in terms
of" Venus and lose some of its malevolence, and Venus in the terms of Mars
would not be as sweet.

TIMING
A method of estimating how long it will take for the matter inquired about to
occur. Generally timing is estimated by the combined house and sign position
of the faster primary significator involved in the aspect which answers the
question. Of the signs, Cardinal are fastest, Mutable slower, and Fixed
slowest. Of the houses, Angular are fastest, Succedent slower, and Cadent
slowest. The following grid is helpful for estimating time. The unit of
measure is the number of degrees the aspect between the main significators is
from being exact. Sometimes the next aspect the Moon makes to a significator
shows the time. Timing may be indicated symbolically as in the chart below, or
the event may occur when the two planets form a partile aspect in the
ephemeris (actual time).
Angular Succedant Cadent
Cardinal Days Weeks Months
Mutable Weeks Months Years
Fixed Months Years Indefinite

TRADITIONAL PLANETARY RULERSHIPS

Sun Leo
Moon Cancer
Mercury Gemini and Virgo
Venus Taurus and Libra
Mars Aries and Scorpio
Jupiter Sagittarius and Pisces
Saturn Capricorn and Aquarius

TRANSLATION OF LIGHT
Traditionally translation occurs when a planet faster than either significator
is separating from an aspect with the first significator and is applying to an
aspect with the second significator. The translating planet can then translate
(transfer) the light between significators which might otherwise not apply to
an aspect with one another. The significator from which the translating
planet is separating should receive the faster planet in one of its essential
dignities. See Chapters 9 and 10.

TRIPLICITY
An essential dignity. Each triplicity consists of a set of the three signs
belonging to the same element. The Sun rules Fire by day. Jupiter rules Fire
by night. Venus rules Earth by day, and the Moon rules Earth by night. Saturn
rules Air by day, and Mercury rules Air by night.
Mars rules Water by both day and night.

TROPICAL SIGNS
Cancer and Capricorn.

TROPICS
The parallels of latitude about 23.5o North or South of the Equator.
UNDER DURESS
When a person's significator is besieged by two malefics within tight orbs,
the person is said to be "under duress."

UNDER THE SUNBEAMS

Between 8.5o and 17o from the Sun. This is a mild accidental debility. Greater
than the moiety but less than the orb from the Sun's center. The origin of
this concept may be the heliacal rising of the Moon which is obscured by the
Sun's light until it is 17o away from the Sun.

VERTEX
The western intersection of the Prime Vertical with the Ecliptic.

VIA COMBUSTA
The region from 15o Libra to 15o Scorpio, considered an ancient malefic
tumultuous zone of the nature of Mars, Saturn, and now also Uranus. The Moon
here is a stricture against judgment and traditionally may render the chart
unreadable. Marc Jones thought that the Moon here shows "an unsettled state of
affairs that resists judgment and that involves a perverse self-satisfaction
in the confusion." (Jones, Problem Solving by Horary Astrology, p. 274). This
is a controversial stricture and many astrologers ignore it.

VOID OF COURSE
There are several differing definitions of "void of course." According to
the modern definition, the Moon or a planet is void of course if it will not
perfect (complete) any further major or Ptolemaic aspects before leaving its
current sign. Dariot's 16th century definition was that "void or without
course is when a planet doth not apply to any other during the time that he
tarrieth in that sign and then he is said to have his course and motion void."

To be void, the modern definition does not allow the Moon to perfect an
aspect, whereas Dariot's definition does not let the Moon apply to (get within
orb of) an aspect, before she leaves her sign.

Lilly used yet a different definition. According to Lilly, the Moon or a

planet is Void of Course when it "is separated from a Planet, nor doth
forthwith [immediately, at once], during his being in that sign, apply to any
other." Lilly is saying that a planet is void of course when it will not be
within orb of applying to a major aspect while still in its sign. This is
consistent with Bonatus' definition that the Moon is void of course "when not
joined to any planet by body or aspect."

A void of course significator is usually ineffectual. It may indicate a lack

of purpose or an aimless endeavor. A void of course Moon usually means nothing
will come of the matter, or there is nothing the querent can do to affect the
outcome. Like a void check, it buys you nothing. Lilly said "you shall seldom
see a business go handsomely forward" when the Moon is Void of Course. If a
significator completes an aspect after changing signs, the matter may perfect
under a different set of circumstance.

WATER SIGNS
Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces. Also known as "fruitful" signs.

ZENITH
The point on the Celestial Sphere which is directly overhead. A line from the
center of the Earth through the observer will go through the zenith. The point
opposite the zenith, directly below the observer, is the nadir.
ZODIAC
A band about 16o wide, measured from north to south, and whose center is the
Ecliptic. The Sun, Moon, and planets (except Pluto) always travel within the
band of the zodiac.