C

Cadent Houses

"Falling away" (from the angles). Third, sixth, ninth and twelfth houses. Planets are generally weaker there, being less stable and more changeable in their effects, unless they are the natural rulers of the houses, as with Mercury in the third or sixth, Jupiter in the ninth or twelfth, Neptune in the twelfth. According to traditional astrology, planets in these houses only function at 25% of their power, compared with a position in one of the angles of the chart.

Campanus

A system of houses based on equal twelvefold division of the prime vertical, as opposed to the ecliptic. In the 13th century Campanus, a mathematician, popularised this system in the West, but it was used by Al-Biruni in the 11th century as 'the system of Hermes', suggesting a much earlier origin, perhaps dating back to Manilius.

Cancer

The fourth sign of the zodiac. Cancer, the crab, is a cardinal, water sign. Ruled by the Moon, it is the exaltation of Jupiter. More about Cancer.

Capricorn

The tenth sign of the zodiac. Capricorn, the sea-goat, is a cardinal, earth sign. Ruled by Saturn, it is the exaltation of Mars. More about Capricorn.

Caput Algol

The Gorgon's Head. A malefic fixed star, causing one to "lose one's head in the situation", located in Taurus 26°.

Caput Draconis

The Dragon's Head (Moon's North Node). More about the Moon's Nodes.

Cardinal Houses

See Angles.

Cardinal Points

The first degree of each of the Cardinal Signs.

Cardinal Signs

Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. Also known as Moveable Signs, they stand for the seasonal changes, marking the four quarters of the year. Cardinal signs on the angles of a chart denote prominence in related fields.

Catabibazon

The Dragon's Tail (Moon's South Node).

Cauda Draconis

The Dragon's Tail (Moon's South Node). More about the Moon's Nodes.

Cazimi

A planet within 17 minutes of arc of the Sun's ecliptic position, the "heart of the Sun", is fortified by Cazimi. See Combust.

Celestial

A heavenly body, such as a planet. Celestials are often considered to be beings rather than objects.

Celestial Body

see Celestial.

Celestial Equator

The projection onto the Celestial Sphere of the Earth's equator in the same plane as the Earth's equator, in other words, the projection of the Earth's equator onto the sky. The Sun crosses the Celestial equator twice a year, creating the seasons as we know them.

Celestial Poles

The Earth's orbit around the Sun takes approx. 365.25 days, and a 'day' is, of course, defined as the Earth spinning once on its axis. The Earth's axis of rotation, tilted at 23.5 degrees to the line of the poles of the ecliptic, gives us the directions to the north and south celestial poles. The bright star Polaris is currently showing us the direction of the north celestial pole. Like a spinning top this axis is precessing around the ecliptic pole, with a period of some 26,000 years

Celestial Sphere

The imaginary sphere, with its centre being the centre of the Earth, onto which the zodiac, constellations and planets are projected.

Celestial Spheres

In Plato's Geocentric Model of the Universe, the stars and planets were embedded in a concentric series of rotating, ætheric, crystalline spheres. The ineffable sound made by their movement was known as the Music of the Spheres. Versions of this model developed by Eudoxos, Aristotle, Ptolemy and others became the dominant cosmological theory until after the "Copernican Revolution" of the sixteenth Century AD, when the modern, heliocentric model began to be explored. Planets are not now imagined to be embedded in celestial spheres, as they are now thought to be large balls of matter orbiting the Sun, subject to the forces of gravity and inertia.

Centaurs

A recently-discovered class of icy, comet-like planetoids that orbit the Sun between Jupiter and Neptune. The most astrologically significant is Chiron, but others are considered by some modern astrologers to be important.

Ceres

The Great Mother. An asteroid seen by modern astrologers as significant. Despite being lauded as the "Great Mother", Ceres appears generally to be a malefic, especially signifying grief and loss. Ceres was the first asteroid to be discovered (January 1, 1801 by Guiseppe Piazzi). It was reclassified by astronomers in 2006 as a "dwarf planet". More about Asteroids.

Chakra (Cakra)

1. A sanskrit term meaning wheel, or chart in Vedic astrology.
2. Hidden energy centres in the human body are also called chakras ("wheels"). These are part of the subtle energy system of the human aura described by yoga, tantra and mystic discourses of all cultures. Chakras are dynamic consciousness-processing organs and can be activated through subtle techniques in tantra and the like. Each chakra has a particular vibration, mantra and associated gods or goddesses. Some astrologers assign planetary rulerships to them.

Chakra Fracture

Damage to a chakra in the body's subtle energy system, creating emotional, physical or mental dysfunction. Caused by environmental stress of one kind or another, unsound relationships, overload, or other stress on the chakra concerned.

Chaldean Order

The order of visible planets as held to have been proposed by the ancient Chaldean astronomers: Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sun, Venus, Mercury, Moon. This reflects their position in the Celestial Planetary Spheres (Saturn in the outermost and Moon in the innermost). From a modern perspective, the order expresses the relative speed of the planets, from slowest to fastest.

Chaldeans

Ancient astrologers, originally based in Babylon, a city in Mesopotamia (Iraq), the birthplace of Western Astrology. Subsequently a term for astrologers in general.

Chandra

Vedic name for Moon.

Chandra Lagna

Moon ascendant. The process of defining a chart with the Moon sign as the ascendant, a process used in Vedic (and Hellenic) astrology in addition to the regular chart.

Chart

An earth-centred astrological map of the heavens, used in the interpretation of cosmic factors with regard to their effects on people and events.

Chi (Ch'i)

Subtle energy of the life force, the control of which is one of the goals of yoga, tantra, tai chi and similar disciplines. Also known as Ki and in Yoga, Prana.

Chiron

The Wounded Healer. Discovered by Charles T. Kowal in 1977, this planetoid located between Saturn and Uranus has developed a considerable following among modern astrologers. More about Chiron.

Choleric Humour

Corresponding to the Fire Element and according to Culpeper, ruling "the spume and froth of the blood". Fire in general symbolises energy, dynamism and expression, and is associated with the colour red, which correlates with the dynamic and expressive component of the blood. Ruled by Mars, it works through the Yellow Bile. See Humours. More about the Choleric Humour.

Chronocrators

1. Time Lords, or Markers of Time. Jupiter and Saturn are known as the Great Chronocrators, though other planets can be chronocrators. Conjunctions of Jupiter with Saturn in the heavens occur every twenty years or so (minims, or specialis), recurring every 200 years in a sign of the same element (media, or trigonalis). The conjunction in Sagittarius recurs every 800-960 years (climacteria, or maxima), marking supreme epochs in the history of mankind.
2. Planetary rulers of the Seven Ages of Man.

Chronos (Kronos)

Greek for Saturn, father of Jupiter.

Climacteria

Major conjunctions in Sagittarius of Jupiter and Saturn, occurring every 800-960 years, marking significant developments in human destiny.

Climacterical Periods

Every 7th and 9th year in a person's life. The Moon squares her own place by transit every 7th day, and by direction every 7th year; and trines it every 9th day and year. Thus the climacterical periods occur at the ages of 7, 9, 14, 18, 21, 27, 28, 35, 36, 42, 45, 49, 54, 56, and 63 years. The most portentous are those of the 49th and 63rd years, which are doubly climacterical, 7x7 and 9x7. When evil directions coincide these are generally deemed to be fatal. The 63rd year is called the Grand Climacteric, and the general presumption is that more persons die in their 63rd year than in any other from 50 to 80. [Source: Encyclopedia of Astrology]

Coalescent Chart

A technique for creating relationship charts, originated by Lawrence Grinnell in the 20th Century. Similar to composite charts but based on harmonics, a different harmonic being used for each planet. These charts are claimed to show unusual sensitivity to transits, hence useful for the development of relationships between two people or for a person and an event.

Collection of Light

When a heavier planet receives aspect from two other lighter planets which are themselves not in aspect, this brings them effectively into aspect. In horary, it signifies the perfection of a matter. Thrasher in Jubar Astrologicum declares that the lighter planets must both also receive the heavier in "some of their Essential Dignities".

Combust

1. A planet placed within 8 degrees 30 minutes (but not within 17 minutes) of the Sun. Meaning "burnt", this is not a favourable condition, especially for the Moon and inner planets when direct in motion and applying to the corporeal conjunction. Mars however can be fortified. Combustion can occur either in or out of sign, as it is the Sun's moiety that is the deciding factor. Regarded as particularly malefic in horary, where combustion completely negates the planet in question. See Cazimi, also Under Beams.
2. According to Bonatus, in Anima Astrologiæ: "where the Moon is combust, that is to say under the Sun's Beams, which is counted from 15 degrees of the body of the Sun as she applies to him to 12 degrees distance from him as she is separating from him; and the impediment is greater when she is going to the Sun than when she is going from him; because as she goes off, when she is got five degrees distant, she is said to be escaped, though not wholly freed. As when a fever hath left a man, he is said to be recovered, although he be weak and faint, because he is secure now that he shall obtain his health again."

Combust Degrees

These are a debility for the Moon and according to Bonatus, the worst are the 12 degrees before the degree that is directly opposite to the degree in which the Sun is placed.

Comet

A bright, icy celestial body pursuing an eccentric, often extremely lengthy orbit of the Sun. The luminous "tail" of the comet, meteoric material and gases, streams into space due to the heat of the Sun. Traditionally, comets are considered to be ill-omens, as they seem to break the natural order of the cosmos.

Commanding Signs

Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, the Northern Signs. According to Ptolemy: "The signs in the summer semicircle are commanding; those in the winter semicircle, obeying: for when the Sun is present in the former, he makes the day longer than the night; and when in the latter, he produces the contrary effect." This factor would presumably be reversed if viewed from the southern hemisphere.

Common (Mutable) Signs

Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces.

Complexions

Elements.

Composite

A chart made up of the midpoints between the planets from two people's birth charts, for the purpose of relationship analysis. This technique is a recent invention, not found in traditional astrology.

Concordant in Itinerary

Signs ruled by the same planetary ruler (such as Gemini and Virgo, both ruled by Mercury). See Like-engirdling.

Conjunct

Two or more planets are conjunct when they are closely associated (within 8° of arc) in the same sign. If they are closely associated but in adjoining signs, the strength of the conjunction is diminished (see "out-of-sign").

Conjunction

Where the chart factors concerned are within 8° orb of arc, they are "conjunct" or in conjunction. A conjunction is usually a helpful energy which creates self-nurturing, inner strength and ambition. Depending on the planets involved, it also can create intensity, stress and confusion. See Combust.

Constellations

A circle beyond the zodiac, bearing sections with the same names as the Signs, containing defined groups of fixed stars, known as constellations. Ancient astrology had only forty-eight named constellations, although modern astronomers have named many more for convenience of location. There are no fixed stars in the zodiac; only planets inhabit the zodiac. Signs should not be confused with constellations, even though for historical reasons they may bear the same name. See also Lunar Mansions, which are based on Asterisms, or minor constellations.

Contra-Antiscia

See Equipollent.

Converse [Directions; Progressions; Transits]

Calculated by examining the ephemeris for the days previous to birth. Each day symbolises a year of life, so for example the planetary positions ten days before birth provide insight into the events of the tenth year of the native's life. These are used by some astrologers to give additional insights to those gained by the direct or forward day-for-year process of prediction.

Coordinates

Two or more numerical factors that define the position of a point on a chart, symbolising a point in space. Longitude and Latitude are examples of coordinates.

Contra-Parallel

An unfortunate aspect by declination or latitude, similar in effect to Opposition. See Parallel Aspect.

Contrascion

The point lying equidistant from and at the opposite side of the equinoctial axis to a planet. See Antiscion.

Converse

Contrary motion to the natural movement of the planets through the signs. Used in Directions.

Copernican System

Heliocentric version of the Solar System, developed by Copernicus in the 16th Century AD, though anticipated by some ancient Greek thinkers, including Pythagoras (6th Century BC) and even earlier by Indian Vedic texts, notably Yajnavalka's Satapatha Brahmana (8th Century BC) which may have influenced him and by Arabic and Persian mathematicians around from the 11th to the 14th Century AD such as Albiruni, Avicenna and Bin Tusi who most assuredly did influence him (as they too were attempting to improve on the Greeks). His system eventually replaced the geocentric system formalised by Ptolemy in the 2nd Century AD, even though it was less accurate, at least until advances in planetary motion discovered by Kepler in the 17th Century. Although Kepler was also a marvellous and dedicated astrologer, this marked the beginning of the current alienation of astrology from astronomy. Since astrology is primarily concerned with the effect the planetary forces have upon the beings that inhabit the Earth, most astrologers still favour the geocentric system, at least for astrological calculations.

Copernicus

Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543) was a Polish astronomer who developed the first modern theory of the heliocentric solar system.

Cor Leonis

The Lion's Heart. Regulus, the most royal of the four Royal Stars.

Corporeal Conjunction

When two planets are conjunct in the same sign. Stronger than an "out-of-sign" conjunction.

Corresponding in Course (Itinerary)

Signs of equal power, ie when in equal ascension, or the signs that reflect each other's declension, sharing the same number of hours of daylight and of night. Signs being the same distance on either side of the solstice.

Co-ruler

Before the development of the telescope, the known, visible planets were assigned rulership of signs. Each planet was considered to rule two signs (the Sun and Moon are usually only assigned one each, though recent scholarship suggests that they may have in ancient times been given co-rulership of each other's signs, Leo and Cancer). Some modern astrologers assign rulership of certain signs to the recently-discovered planets, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto, but others allow them co-rulership with the traditional rulers. Traditional astrologers however deny them any rulership, even if allowing them some influence.

Co-significator

1. Any planet or sign which is naturally associated with another in the rulership of a faculty or matter under consideration.
2. In horary, the co-significator is a planet in aspect to the planet governing the matter, if a benefic, aiding, but if malefic, hindering the outcome.

Cosmic

Something vast, grand and in some sense harmonious, or at least ordered.

Cosmic Cross

Grand Cross.

Cosmical

Rising or setting of a star at sunrise.

Cosmobiology

Reinhold Ebertin's astrological system, ignoring houses but emphasising midpoints and the following "hard" aspects: semi-square, square, sesquiquadrate and opposition. Developed in Germany during the 20th Century.

Cosmogram

Ebertin's name for a horoscope based on his system of Cosmobiology.

Cosmogony

A scientific, religious, or mythological account of the origins of the universe.

Cosmology

Philosophical and astrophysical study of the history, structure, and dynamics of the universe.

Cosmos

The universe conceived as an orderly, harmonious system. All that exists in time and space including spectra of light, forces of bodies, cycles of the elements — life, intelligence, memory, record and dimensions beyond physical perception — mathematically calculated as the evidence of things not seen as yet, but which do appear in the Spirit cosmos that coexists with and interpenetrates the Matter cosmos as a grid of light. Source: Glossary of Ascended Master Terms & Definitions

Critical Days

Periodical crisis times in an illness or an event, when the Moon makes successive 45° transiting aspects to its original position in the decumbiture or event chart. Favourable crises occur when the Moon makes successive 60° aspects to its radical position.

Critical Degree

A planet's strength in the chart is increased when in any of these degrees, or within an orb of 3 degrees of the critical degree. There are critical degrees in each of the Signs (see table).

Cross-quarter Days

Days on the Cross-quarter points marking the mid-points between the Equinoxes and the Solstices, holidays dating back to pre-Christian times. Still celebrated in many parts of the world esp. the UK and northern Europe, they are also important in Wicca and neo-Paganism as part of the eight-pointed Wheel of the Year. See Celtic Fire Festivals.

Cross-quarter Points

The fifteenth degree of each of the Fixed signs: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. They signal the Cross-quarter days.

Culmination

1. The arrival of a planet at the degree of the MC.
2. The culmination of an aspect is when it is completed (i.e. partile), regardless of the MC.

Cusp

The strongest point (usually the beginning) of a house or sign in the chart. The sign on the cusp of any house and its ruling planet are the rulers of that house. Planets near the cusp are more significant than otherwise, especially if in an angular house. Many astrologers hold that planets up to 5 degrees before the cusp may be considered to be already in the house, especially if it is an angle.