Abhijit
The additional 28th Nakshatra, between Uttara Ashadha and Sravana in the sign of Capricorn having Brahma, the creator as it lord. In present times Abhijit is not used as a Nakshatra or constellations. In Vedic period it was held treated as an auspicious constellation.
Abscission of Light
Abscission, generally used in Horary Astrology, occurs when one planet approaches to aspects any other planet but before the aspect is completeed, the light of the approaching significator is cut off by the rays of the third planet. It signifies interference with whatever is promised by the forming aspect. It can also be termed as prevention of the culmination of an aspect by the intervention of another.
Abundantia
An asteroid referred as 151 by astronomers as it is the 151st asteroid to be discovered. It is a Latin name meaning "affluence" or "abundance". Abundantia's location in a horoscope is said to show where one can gain abundance or achieve affluence.
Accidental Ascendant
It is used in Horary astrology by casting an astrological chart is cast for the moment a question is asked. The degree of the zodiac that rises on the eastern horizon is referred to as the accidental ascendant.
Accidental Dignity
When a planet is placed in the sign that it rules or gets exalted is said to be in its dignity. For example, if Sun is in the sign of Leo it is in dignity because Sun rules Leo. The 12 signs of the zodiac correspond to the 12 astrological houses and Leo corresponds to the 5th house. If Sun in any horoscope is placed in 5th house and not in Leo it is said to obtain Accidental Dignity. Similarly Sun is exalted in Aries the 1st sign corresponding to the 1st house. If Sun is placed in 1st house and not in Aries then also it will obtain Accidental Dignity. There are other several rules for Accidental Dignity for example, when a planet is conjunct the ascendant or the mid-heaven or with benefic or aspected by benefic like Jupiter or Venus then they are sometimes also referred to as accidental dignities.
Acronycal
A planet which is in opposition to the Sun and thus rising after sunset, or setting before sunrise hence in a favorable position for astronomical observation.
Acronycal Place
The degree the planet will occupy when it is in opposition to the Sun.
Active Influence
That which results from an aspect between two or more astrological factors or sensitive points, thereby producing the action that can materialize in an event.
Adad
Mesopotamian astrological term that refers to meteorological and astrological phenomena.
Adjusted Calculation Date
A term used in reference to a directed or progressed horoscope, as indicating the date on which the planet culminates. Also termed Limiting Date.
Adorea
the 268th asteroid to be discovered, on August 18, 1884), is approximately 122 kilometers in diameter and has an orbital period of 5.5 years. Adorea is a "concept" asteroid; the name means glory and originally referred to the gift of corn that was given to soldiers after a victory. In a natal chart, Adorea's location by sign and house position indicates where a person gives or receives recognition. When afflicted by inharmonious aspects, Adorea may indicate negative or false recognition.
Aestival Signs
The aestival signs are the summer signs, namely, Cancer, Leo, and Virgo.
Aeternitas
The 446th asteroid to be discovered, on October 27, 1899), is approximately 52 kilometers in diameter and has an orbital period of 4.7 years. Its name is Latin for "eternity," and refers to the immortality achieved by deification. When prominent in a natal chart, Aeternitas may indicate a person with interest in the "eternal verities" or one who can expect a long life.
Affinity
A binding by mutual attraction. The Sun is said to have an affinity with all the planets; Mars with Venus, in a magnetic or physical sense; Venus with Jupiter, in a philanthropic sense as one who loves his fellowman; Venus with Mercury, in an artistic sense.
Afflicted
Unfavorably aspected. Loosely applied to: (a) any inharmonious aspect to a planet, or (b) to any aspect, particularly the conjunction, parallel, square or opposition, to a malefic planet. Also by some authorities applied to a mundane or zodiacal parallel with, or when, besieged by both Infortunes (q.v.). Some authorities consider that the sensitive degree on any House cusp can be afflicted, though any such consideration must be confined to instances where the birth-moment is known to a certainty.
Affliction
A term used to denote unfavorable aspect between two planets, conjunction is also inciuded. It generally include square, opposition and quincunx.
Ages of Man
Ages of Man refers to different stages of human life are ruled by different planets . As per old tradition it was: Moon—growth (1–4 years); Mercury—education (5–14 years); Venus—emotion (15–22 years); Sun—virility (23–42 years); Mars—ambition (43–57 years); Jupiter—reflection (58–69 years) and Saturn—resignation (70–99 years).
Agricultural Astrology
Agricultural astrology is the practice of choosing the time to plant and harvest crops according to the phase and sign of the Moon.
Ahargana
The number of days since the "beginning of creation". It is used in the calculation of Shad bala.
Air Signs
The 12 signs of the zodiac are divided according to the four elements—earth, air, fire, and water. The three air signs are Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius. For more details visit
12 Astrology Signs page.
Akshavedamsha
One of the sixteen divisional charts of the shodashvargas. It is calculated by dividing each sign in 45 equal parts, thus its one part consists of 40 seconds of arc. This chart is used for analyzing all areas of life.
Albedo
Albedo (literally, "whiteness") is a measure of the power of a planet, moon, or asteroid to reflect light.
Aletheia
Asteroid 259 (the 259th asteroid to be discovered, on June 28, 1886), is approximately 103 kilometers in diameter and has an orbital period of 5.6 years. It is named after the Greek word for "truth" or "sincerity." When prominent in a natal chart, Aletheia shows a sincere person. Its location by sign and house indicates where one is most sincere or experiences sincerity. When afflicted, Aletheia may signify insincerity or confrontations with unpleasant truths.
Almagest
Almagest is a treatise on astronomy by the famous astronomer-mathematician Ptolemy.
Almanac
A book or table containing a calendar of days, weeks and months, to which are added astronomical or other data. Its use dates back at least to the Alexandrian Greeks. The Roman almanac was the fasti - days on which business could be transacted.
Almuten
Almuten is an Arabic term for the strongest planet in a natal chart by virtue of essential and accidental dignities.
Altitude
In astrology, altitude refers to the angular distance (i.e., measured in degrees of an arc) that a point, planet, or other heavenly body is situated above or below the horizon. Above the horizon, altitude is measured up to a maximum angular distance of 90° (directly overhead); below the horizon, down to a maximum of -90° (directly underneath).
Amatyakaraka
Used in Jamini astrology, the planet whicn attains second highest longitudinal degree in the any sign of a given horoscope is termed Amatyakaraka (Amatya = minister + karaka = significator). It is treated as significator of the mind.
Amavasya
Hindu term for the New Moon day.
Ambrosia
The 193rd asteroid to be discovered, on Feburary 28, 1879), is approximately 42 kilometers in diameter and has an orbital period of 4.2 years. It was named after food of the ancient gods that was said to have bestowed immortality. Jacob Schwartz also connects Ambrosia with Saint Ambrose, the Italian bishop, musician, writer, and warrior. When prominent in a natal chart, Ambrosia may indicate long life.
Amicitia
The 367th asteroid to be discovered, on May 19, 1893), is approximately 20 kilometers in diameter and has an orbital period of 3.3 years. Its name is a personified form of the Latin word for friendship. When prominent in a natal chart, Amicitia indicates a friendly personality. The sign and house position indicate both how one interacts with friends and what one's friends are like.
Amor
The 1,221st asteroid to be discovered, on March 12, 1932) was named after the Roman god of love (corresponding to the Greek Eros). It has an orbital period of 22⁄3 years and is only 1 kilometer in diameter. Amor is one of the more recent asteroids to be investigated by astrologers. astrologically interpreted as the capacity of unconditional, spiritual or platonic love and compassion."
Amsha Kundalis
Its direct translation is Amsha = part or potion and Kundli = Horoscope. Sixteen types of horoscopes are cast in Vedic Astrology each for judging more specifically any particular aspect of the life of an individual.
Amshas
The division or part of any zodiac sign or house.
Amshayu
A type of longevity calculation used in Vedic Astrology.
Anahibazon
Arabic term for Rahu or Moon's North Node or Caput Draconis.
Anahita
The 270th asteroid to be discovered, on October 8, 1887), is approximately 52 kilometers in diameter and has an orbital period of 3.3 years. It was named after a goddess of fertility and procreation in Persian mythology who was associated with Mithras. When prominent in a natal chart, Anahita can show an exceptionally productive or "fertile" individual. By sign and house location, it may show an area of great potential that need only be cultivated a little to produce results.
Anareta
The planet which destroys or that which kills. It may be applied to a planet that unfavorably aspects the hyleg.
Anaretic Point
The degree occupied by the Anareta.
Androgynous Planet
All planets and signs were designated as either masculine or feminine. Mercury was the only planet in astrology that was said to be neutral or androgynous. In mordern western astrology, Uranus has also come to be regarded as an androgynous planet.
Angles
The term "angle" can be used in two different ways in astrology. In traditional meaning angle refers to one of the four "corners" of a chart—namely, the cusps of the first, fourth, seventh, and tenth houses. The second meaning is the distance between one planet or house cusp to any other planet or house cusp.
Angular Distance
The distance between points in an astrological chart is always expressed in terms of angular distance. Because they are expressed in terms of degrees and minutes of the zodiac, the distance between any two points is similarly expressed as so many degrees and minutes of the arc between them.
Angular Houses
The angular Houses refers to the four major houses in a horoscope depicted as four major directions, east the ascendant or the first house, west the descendent or the seventh house, south or the Imum Coeli or the fourth house and north or the Medium Coeli or the tenth house.
Angular Velocity
The angle through which a planet travels as referred by a unit of time. Technically, the daily motion of a planet, expressed in degrees and minutes of arc, is its Angular Velocity.
Anomaly
The angular distance of a planet from its perihelion or aphelion.
Antar Dasha
The Antar Dasha is the sub periods of the main planetary periods know as Maha dasha. Used in Vedic Astrology for prediction purpose and can be compared with Solar Arc or Primary direction of western astrology. Antar dasha can last from a few months to a few years, dependant on the time span allotted to the Maha dasha lord as well as the antar dasha lord.
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 classically rules the opposite sign Aquarius.
Antiscia
The degree of zodiacal longitude that has the same declination value as another zodiacal longitude degree. Every zodiacal longitude has its corresponding Antiscia Point. This is figured by beginning at 00 degrees of the Cancer/Capricorn axis. Example: Antiscion point of 15 Gemini is 15 Cancer because the former is 15 zodiacal degrees before 00 Cancer and the other is 15 degrees after 00 Cancer.
Anti Vertex
Another word for East Point. The point where the Prime Vertical and the Ecliptic intersect in the east. Generally used in synastry and relationship related chart comparison.
Anuradha
The seventeenth of the 27 nakshatras, Anuradha is ruled by Saturn and it spans from 3.20 degrees to 16.40 degrees in zodiac sign of Scorpio. For more details visit
Anuradha Nakshatra.
Apachaya
The 1st, 2nd, 4th, 7th and 8th houses in a natal chart. of decrease. Planets placed in them as said to lose their strength over time.
Apasavya
A term used in Kalachakra Dasa. Apasavya along with Savya are used to determine planetary relationships over different times in one's life.
Aphelion
The point in the orbit where an orbiting body is farthest from the Sun.
Apogee
The point in an orbit where the orbiting body is farthest from the Earth.
Apoklima
The 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th houses in a natal chart. Planets are said to attain one fourth of their strength in these houses.
Apparent Solar Time
It is measured by the one complete Sun's apparent motion around the Earth.
Application
The movement of one planet toward another planet, house cusp, or sensitive point in approaching for the formation of an aspect between them. It is always a faster moving planet, that applies for an aspect to the slower one. Application aspect is the opposite of Separation aspect.
Applying Aspect
An aspect which is not yet exact, in which a slower moving planet approaches the distance or angle specified by the aspect, after the aspect has formed it is said to become exact, then it begin to separate.
Aquarius
Aquarius is the 11th sign of the zodiac, ruled by the planet Saturn as per traditionally astrology and Uranus as per modern western astrology. Its symbol is the water bearer and its glyph is a pair of wavy lines symbolizing water but it is an airy and masculine sign.
For more details visit
aquarius or kumbha astrology sign.
Arabic Parts or Points
The Arabic Parts are significant points in the horoscope that are arithmetically derived from two or more astrological components, such as planets or house cusps or other parts. The Part of Fortune, is most commonly used Arabic Part, it is determined by adding the longitude of the Moon to the longitude of the Ascendant and subtracting that from the longitude of the Sun.
Arc
Any part or potion of the circumference of a circle in which the distance is measured from one point to another, or astrologically, the distance traveled along the Ecliptic by a body over a given period of time.
Ardra
The 6th of the 27 nakshatras, ruled by Rahu, spanning from 6.40 Gemini to 20.00 Gemini.
Aries
The first sign of the zodiac. It is a cardinal and fire sign, and is ruled by the planet Mars. It extends in zodiac form 0 to 29 degrees. The Sun stays in Aries from 14th April to 14th May as per sidereal zodiac and from 21st March to 20th April as per Tropical Zodiac followed by Western Astrologers.
Aries Point
Another word for 00 Aries, or Vernal Point. The point where the Celestial Equator intersects the Ecliptic in the east. This marks the Vernal Equinox and the beginning of the Tropical Zodiac.
Arishta Bhanga
Combinations in the chart which cancel the threat of negative configurations or combination.
Arudha Lagna
The Arudha lagna is a lagna or ascendant used in the Jaimini system, and is calculated by taking the distance from the Lagna to the Lagna lord twice, and taking the sign arrived at. (With some additional special rules). if the Lagna Lord is in the 4th house, then the Arudha lagna should be in the 4th from the 4th house i.e. the 7th houseif
Ascendant
The ascendant is the zodiacal sign which rose at the East at the time of birth or any other event for which horoscope is cast. The Ascendant degree is the particular degree of the sign rising at that time
Ascending Node
Another name for Rahu or Dragon's Head or North Node.
Ascension
The vertical rising of a planet above the Ecliptic, equator or horizon. The terms useed with Ascension are Right Ascension, Oblique Ascension, Signs of Long Ascension and Signs of Short Ascension. The circle of declination reckoned toward the east from 0° Aries, measured in the plane of the Equator. Oblique Ascension, measured on the Prime Vertical, The Midheaven is directed by Right Ascension and the Ascendant by Oblique Ascension. Signs of Long Ascension. Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius. Signs of Short Ascension Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus and Gemini.
Ashlesha
The 9th of the 27 nakshatras, ruled by Mercury, spanning from 16.40 Cancer to 30.00 Cancer.
Ashtakavarga
Ashtakavarga is a system of prediction used in Vedic Astrology. It determines the favorable and unfavorable positions of the planets, by considering their distance from each other and the ascendant. Ashtakavarga defines the favorable and unfavorable positions in a numerical form, which is also used to determine the nature of the transits, general predictions and for longevity calculations.
Ashtakoota
This is a Vedic Astrology system for marriage compatibility evaluation. It takes eight types of factors into account (Varna , Vashya, Dina, Yoni, Graha Maitri, Gana, Rashi and Nadi) for horoscope matching between prospective groom and bride and gives a numerical value as score obtained out of possible thirty-six points.
Ashtottari Dasha
A Nakshatra or Lunar constellation based dasha system or planetary period of 108 years. There are different views regarding its application. Some astrologers maintain this dasha system or planetary period can be applicable to any one just like Vimshottari dasha system. Some believes that is applicable to horoscopes wherein the birth is during the daytime and in the Krishna Paksha or dark lunar fortnight or waning cycle of the Moon. Some believes that is applicable to horoscopes wherein the birth during the night in Shukla Paksha, or bright lunar fortnight or waxing cycle of the Moon. While some believes that is applicable to horoscopes wherein in birth chart the position of Rahu or North Node is on an angle or trine from the Ascendant lord, but not being in the Ascendant.
Ashwini
The 1st of the 27 nakshatras, ruled by Ketu. Spanning from 00.00 Aries to 13.10 Aries.
Aspect
An aspect refers to the angular relationships between planets, points or house cusps in the Horoscope. The most common are the aspects which are derived by dividing the 360 degrees of the circle by 2 (the Opposition aspect is 180 degrees between the two points), by 3 (the Trine aspect which is 120 degrees between the two points), by 4 (the Square aspect which is 90 degrees between the two points) and by 6 (the Sextile aspect which is 60 degrees between the two points).
Aspectarian
It is a list of all of the aspects made by the planets during a given event or certain period of time.
Asteroids
An asteroid is a small body, sometimes called a planetoid. There are thousands of asteroids, many of which have been identified and named. In modern times we have studied the big four, Ceres, Pallas Athene, Juno and Vesta, and many astrologers now include them in their work.
Astrological Ages
There are 12 ages of 2,150-year periods, each of which corresponds with one of the 12 signs of the zodiac. Astrological Ages are based on the precession of equinoxes. Due to this precession of equinoxes, the spring equinox moves slowly backward through the constellations of the zodiac, so that approximately every 2150 years, the equinox begins taking place in an earlier constellation. The spring equinox has been occurring in Pisces for the past few thousand years and will begin to occur in the constellation Aquarius in the near future.
Astro-Twins
Astro Twins refers to two people born on the same day but not necessarily related to each other. It is sometimes also refers to two people who have the same Sun, Moon and Ascendant signs.
Atma Karaka
The planet with the highest degree in the birth chart based upon the planets position within a zodiac sign. The Atmakaraka is a significator of the soul as the name suggests Atma = Soul and Karaka = significator. It is used in Jamini Astrology for spiritual development of the person.
Ava Yogi
Tithi, Nakshatra, Yoga, Karan and Vaar consist of Vedic Astrological calendar. One of five among them is Yoga, it is different for Yogas present in one's birth horoscope. There are 27 Yogas which starts from Vishkambha Yoga and ends with Vaidhriti Yoga. From this Yoga, Yogi Planet is calculated which will be used in material advancement and Ava Yogi for material decrease and monetary difficulties. Ava Yogi is 6 Nakshatra ahead of Yogi Nakshatra with same Longitude.
Avakhada Chakra
It contains various details as per the placement of the Moon in one's horoscope, like Varna, Vashya, Nakshatra, Yoni, Gana, Nadi, Varga favorable, unfavorable, friend, enemy, positive and negatives etc.
Avasthas
Avastha mens 'state'. It is state of the planets that assist in determining the effect a planet will give in its period. Balavastha (Infantile), Kumaravastha (Youthful), Yuvavastha (Adolescent), Vridhdhavastha (Old), and Mrita-vastha (Dead). A planet in infantile state gives 25% effects, in a youthful state it gives 50%, in an adolescent state it gives full effects, in an old state it gives little effects, and in a Dead state it gives no effects.
Average Daily Motion
The average motion of a planet or any heavenly body during a 24-hour period.
Ayana Bala
A source of strength due to the planet's declination. Each planet is strongest either North or South of the equator. Ayana Bala in one of the components of Kala Bala or Directional strength.
Ayanamsha
A particular amount of degrees subtracted from the tropical positions of the planets, etc, in order to convert them to the sidereal positions.
Azimuth
A measurement, in degrees and minutes, of how far East or West along the Horizon a celestial body is.
Astrology Terms starting with letter:
Written by Sanjay Sharma, © 2011, revised March 2021
