Donna Woodwell - The Astrology Dictionary: Cosmic Knowledge from A to Z

FOR MY ASTROLOGY STUDENTS

How will Mercury retrograde affect your relationships? What is an astrological age and what does this mean for the world around us? How can a midheaven help you recognize and achieve your full potential?

Astrology is a rich and varied tradition spanning centuries. The ancient Indian, Chinese, and Mayan civilizations, as well as other ancient cultures, developed elaborate systems of reading significance into the movements of the planets, stars, and other celestial objects. These systems have been handed down the centuries, preserving their wisdom for todays turbulent age. Unsurprisingly for such an ancient discipline, astrology has many dimensions, which is why this dictionary was created: to help you understand this fascinating subject.

The Astrology Dictionary gives you the most important and influential terms necessary to understand twenty-first-century astrology. These are the words youll see most often in astrology discussions and analyses of horoscopes, whether online, in books, or in person. These words, commonly used in astrology, will help you to better understand your chart. That, in turn, will give you more insight into the world around you. Youll find these terms and phrases organized in alphabetical order. Sometimes, to define one term, its necessary to refer to another term; when thats the case, weve put the word or phrase in boldface. If youre unsure what that boldfaced word means, look it up under its own entry and youll find more information about it.

If youre just beginning to explore the world of astrology and want to find definitions for terms youre coming across, youll find that information here. Or, if youre already studying astrology and want to elevate your practice, these entries and their definitions will help inform your reading and give you a deeper understanding of your charts and horoscope. No matter where you are on your astrological path, this book will help you learn not just what these important astrology terms and phrases mean, but also how these concepts have been used to improve lives in both practical and spiritual ways. And what theyve done for others, they will do for you too. So start at the beginning of the alphabet and work your way through the book, or just begin with a term that interests you and move forward. Either way, understanding awaits.

An accidental dignity occurs when a planet gains strength based on its location in a chart relative to astrological factors other than Zodiac signs. For example, a planet conjunct an angle, or located in an angular house, or is heliacally rising, possesses accidental dignity.

Popular culture and New Age thought look forward to the Age of Aquarius as a time of greater consciousness and social harmony. Other sources have linked the Aquarian Age to the current period of scientific evolution, to technological advance, to democracy, and to the desire for self-determination. There is much discussion about when the Age of Aquarius will beginor, indeed, if it already has begun. Astrologers have suggested a range of astrological age start dates for itincluding, for example, 1500 C.E., more than five hundred years ago, and the year 2500 C.E.

The Age of Pisces is associated with a rise in interest in personal religious and transcendental experience, greater exploration of life after death, the rise of compassion-centered religions, as well as the growth of large religious-centered organizations and governing structures. Astrologers have given a range of dates for the ending of the Age of Pisces; these include 1500 C.E. (in which case it ended more than five hundred years ago) and 2500 C.E.

Zodiacal signs are each associated with one of the four Greek elements: air, fire, water, and earth; the Greeks believed these four elements made up the physical universe. The air element creates a desire to be more social, intellectual, and communicative. Libra, Aquarius, and Gemini are the Zodiacs three air signs.

Aldebaran marks the right eye of the Bull in the constellation Taurus. This fixed star lends an earthy, lusty, shrewd-in-business, or materialistic tone to nearby planets or chart angles. Aldebaran is one of the four royal stars, along with Regulus, Antares, and Fomalhaut. In astrological magic, Aldebaran is known as the Watcher of the East and is associated with the archangel Michael. Due to precession, Aldebaran currently sits at 9 degrees 47 minutes of the Tropical Zodiac sign Gemini.

Planets located in angular houses are prominent players in a chart; they are often expressed outwardly in your personality, relationships, or vocation. Their meanings are derived from their association with chart angles. Angular houses include the First, Fourth, Seventh, and Tenth houses.

Antares marks the heart of the Scorpion in the constellation Scorpio. This fixed star lends an intense, driven, passionate, successful, or obsessive quality to nearby planets or chart angles. Antares is one of the four royal stars, along with Aldebaran, Regulus, and Fomalhaut. In astrological magic, Antares is known as the Watcher of the West and is associated with the archangel Uriel. Due to precession, Antares currently sits at 9 degrees 47 minutes of the Tropical Zodiac sign Sagittarius.

The Aquarius constellation is the Water Bearer, a human carrying a large barrel of water.

This fixed Saturn-ruled air sign doesnt mind being different; an Aquarian is strong enough not to compromise principles just to get along. But Aquarians are also smart enough to know theyve got to harmonize with the crowd to create effective change in the world.

This sign is intellectual, abstract, and detached, not emotional or passionate. Its not hard to get an Aquarian to debate you, but getting one to be emotionally present and embodied may be a different matter.

Modern astrology sometimes associates Aquarius, as the eleventh Zodiac sign, with the Eleventh House via the natural house overlay. Several decades after the discovery of Uranus, astrologers began associating it with Aquarius.

Aries is the cardinal Mars-ruled fire sign. Its constellation is the Ram. When theres no path, it takes all of this signs strength and courage to break out in a new direction.

A single-minded vision, however, has a few drawbacks. An Aries doesnt have much use for compromise. Take-charge Aries want to surround themselves with folks who can take the heat. Though Aries are quick to anger, they are also equally quick to forget and move on. Of all the signs, Aries is the least concerned with relationships. Romance, sexual heat, sure. Competition to win their lovers heart, no problem. But once theyve conquered, they need new challenges in order to feel fulfilled.