An A to Z of The Most Frequently Used Terms In Astrology

Astrology has found itself at the forefront of mainstream media for a while, but now it’s becoming more and more popular across social media. If you’re looking to get into astrology but aren’t quite sure where to start, we’ve compiled an A to Z of some of the most frequently used terms in astrology.

Here’s An A to Z of Astrology Terms

Angel Cards

Angel cards are similar to Tarot Cards in that they are used to give guidance and insight. Angel cards are less specific than tarot cards, and provide gentle messages to guide you.

Birth Chart

A birth chart in astrology is the alignment of the planets when a person was born.

Crystals

Different crystals have different properties. This means different crystals can be used for different aspects of life. Some are for balance, others for power.

Day Sign

A day sign in astrology is often seen as the positive or masculine sign.

Eclipse

Astrology is dictated by the moon, for the most part. An eclipse can often reveal some of life’s biggest events in an individual’s chart.

Full Moon

The full moon is a significant event for those who practice astrology. Full moon rituals are often undertaken. These include setting intentions for the month ahead, letting go of negativity in your life, and charging your crystals under the moonlight. If you don’t have crystals but want to partake, you can leave a bottle of water under the full moon to charge instead.

Guide

A Guide is said to be a being that guides you through your life. Some believe this may be a loved one who is now in the spirit world, whilst others believe their Guide is a divine being.

Horoscope

Probably one of the more well-known terms in astrology. “A horoscope is an astrological chart or diagram representing the positions of the Sun, Moon, planets, astrological aspects and sensitive angles at the time of an event, such as the moment of a person’s birth” – Wikipedia

Ingress

This is when a planet enters a certain sign.

Jupiter

Jupiter is a planet with quite a few responsibilities when it comes to astrology. Often associated with growth, healing, prosperity, good fortune, and miracles. Jupiter governs long distance and foreign travel, big business and wealth, higher education, religion, and the law. (Wikipedia). Jupiter was also The King Of The Gods in Greek Mythology.

Karma

Again, probably one of the more popular terms when it comes to astrology. Karma is the cosmic version of cause and effect.

Lunar

As we’ve mentioned, astrology has a close relationship with the moon. Lunar is another word for the moon. You’ll often hear phrases like ‘lunar eclipse.’

Moon Phases

The moon phase is the shape of the directly sunlit portion of the Moon, as we see it from Earth. The lunar phases gradually change throughout the month.

Numerology

Strongly associated with astrology, numerology is the belief of a mystic connection between numbers and one or more coinciding events.

Ophiuchus

Ophiuchus is a subject of much debate. Often seen as the thirteenth star sign there were recent arguments over this claim as it was made by NASA who are more astronomy than astrology. A lot of the star signs would change if Ophiuchus were to be introduced to the Zodiac, hence the upset.

Planets

As we’ve said, planets are big in astrological world! “To ancient astrologers, the planets represented the will of the gods and their direct influence upon human affairs. To modern astrologers, the planets can represent basic drives or urges in the unconscious, or energy flow regulators representing dimensions of experience. They express themselves with different qualities in the twelve signs of the zodiac.” Wikipedia.

Quadrants

The splitting of a chart or the Zodiac into 4. Also known as seasons.

Retrograde

Retrograde has become a very popular term lately. Especially when Mercury finds itself in retrograde. But what does it actually mean? Retrograde is the apparent movement of a planet through the sky. It only appears this way due to both the Earth’s position in orbit around the sun, and the position of other planets.

via GIPHY

Star Signs

Star Signs are also very well-known. We’ll often ask our friends and new people we meet what their star sign is. Some people believe they’re very like their star sign whilst other aren’t big fans. Star signs are the 12 divisions of The Zodiac, you’re assigned a star sign based on your birth date. The 12 star signs are Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces.

Tarot Cards

Tarot is a distinct philosophy of it’s own, however it does have connections to astrology so it’s worth knowing the term! A form of divination, Tarot Cards work with the divine or your higher self. People often ask the cards questions and use their revelation to guide them in situations.

Universe

The universe as we know it is the entirety of space. In astrology the universe is seen to have a huge impact on our lives. It’s cosmic affects leaving a big impact on our minds and bodies.

Visible Planets

Some of the planets around us are often visible to the naked eye (depending on cloud coverage etc). Of the traditional planets these are Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. The sun and moon are also classed as planets in astrology.

Waxing and Waning

Nope, nothing to do with hair removal! Waxing and waning actually pertains to the moon and it’s phases. A waxing moon is a New Moon to a Full Moon whilst a waning moon is the opposite, Full Moon to New Moon.

X…

As far as my research goes, there’s no relevant term in astrology that begins with X! Moving swiftly on…

Yin & Yang

The zodiac is split into Yin signs and Yang signs.
Yang signs are: Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius, Aquarius.
Yin signs are:  Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio,  Capricorn, and Pisces.

Zodiac

We’ve mentioned it a lot, but what is The Zodiac? “The zodiac is an area of the sky that extends approximately 8° north or south (as measured in celestial latitude) of the ecliptic, the apparent path of the Sun across the celestial sphere over the course of the year. The paths of the Moon and visible planets are also within the belt of the zodiac” (Wikipedia). In astrology the zodiac is divided into 12 signs, the star signs! 
Are you interested in Astrology? Did you find out A to Z astrology terms helpful?