P

Pallas Athene

The warrior queen. An asteroid seen by modern astrologers as significant. More about Asteroids.

Parallel Aspect (Zodiacal)

Planets having equal distance in declination on the same side of the equator. A similar effect to the conjunction. Contra-parallel is the equal distance in declination on opposite sides of the equator and is similar in effect to the opposition aspect.

Paran

The simultaneous rising, setting, or culminating of planets or stars, featuring an angular relationship between the planet and the fixed star in a chart. Parans can occur when any planet (esp. Sun or Moon) is angular and any star is also angular and they cross their respective angles at the same time. Parans may also simply feature planets. From the Greek paranatellonton.

Paracelsus

Vastly influential 16th century alchemist, Phillipus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombast von Hohenheim (1493-1541), a leading figure of the German mystical movement. A radical protestant teaching amidst the ferment of the Renaissance in vernacular German rather than scholarly Latin, he sought to overturn the humoral system in favour of a kabbalistic, alchemical approach. Described as the father of modern, chemically-oriented medicine, he believed in empirically testing remedies and took folk medicine seriously. He reviled any unquestioning admiration for ancient authorities, particularly Galen and Avicenna. Called Paracelsus because he wanted to emphasise that he had gone beyond the famous Roman physician, Celsus, not to mention all other ancient thinkers and physicians.

Paranormal

Beyond the scope of normal experience as understood by contemporary science. A more modern way of saying "supernatural", it is designed to add the flavour of science to the realms of mysticism, religion and extrasensory talents, psychic abilities and experiences that lie beyond the pale of "rational" explanation. Yogic powers, such as levitation, ability to withstand extreme heat or cold, clairvoyance, astral projection, pranic healing etc are examples of paranormal abilities.

Parapsychology

Scientific study of paranormal abilities and phenomena.

Pars Fortunæ

The Part of Fortune, one of the most important of the Arabic Parts, or Lots. The point lies the same distance in longitude from the ascendant as the Moon lies from the Sun. Its house represents an area of life where one finds happiness and natural tranquillity, expressing innate abilities. It indicates an area wherein the self is easily expressed. More about the Arabic Parts

Part

Calculated point in the horoscope, a.k.a. Arabic Part, or Lot. The most widely used nowadays is the Pars Fortunæ, or Part of Fortune.

Part of Fortune

Pars Fortunæ.

Partile (Partill)

1. An aspect is described as partile when it is exact (ie within 60 minutes of arc and in the same degree). Traditionally, to be truly partile, the planets should also be in the same degree of latitude, as well as longitude. A planet within a degree of orb but in either the preceding or following degree is not partile, but platic.
2. In ancient astrology, partile was measurement of the aspect by degree ("part" or point), whereas platic was measurement of the aspect by sign ("plate", or broad area).

Penumbra

The lighter, outer zone of the Moon's shadow visible during a solar eclipse. It surrounds the umbra, or dark central zone of the shadow.

Perpendicular

A right angle (90°). Circles that meet at 90° angles.

Perigee

The place in a planet's orbit which is nearest to the Earth. See Apogee.

Peregrine

When a planet is void of essential dignities. This is a debility, so serious in the mind of Lilly that he described it as "malicious beyond expression". Planets in mutual reception can abate the debility, strengthening it through the exchange of energies.

Perihelion

The place in a planet's orbit which is nearest to the Sun. See Aphelion.

Phases of the Moon

The stages in the monthly waxing and waning of the Moon. See Moon Phases.

Phlegmatic Humour

Corresponding to the Water Element, according to Culpeper it rules the brain and "cools and moistens the heart, thereby sustaining it, and the whole body...". Ruled by Moon and Venus, it works through the Phlegm. See Humours. More about the Phlegmatic Humour.

Picatrix

Ghayat al-Hakim, the "Goal of the Wise". A proscribed mediæval Arabic compendium of magical rules and astrological talismanic formulæ, some from early classical sources, influencing mediæval and renaissance European thinkers including Pico della Mirandola, Marsilio Ficino and Cornelius Agrippa. Known by Rabelais, it was a cause of the arrest by the Inquisition of Casanova. Hitherto available only in Latin, Arabic, Spanish and German, it was first translated from Arabic into English by Hashem Atallah. Books 1 & 2 may be obtained in a limited edition of 1000 published in 2002 by Ouroboros Press, Seattle WA. A second volume (Books 3 & 4) is in preparation of this rare and valuable treatise, a source of authentic, occult knowledge.

Pisces

The twelfth sign of the zodiac. Mutable water. Ruled by Jupiter (or Neptune, according to modern astrologers, though some assign dual rulership with Jupiter, while traditional astrologers deny any pretensions of rulership to Neptune). Exaltation of Venus. Pisces' symbol comprises a brace of fishes. More about Pisces

Pivot

Ancient term for angular house.

Pivotal

A planet being in an angular place (or house) in the whole-sign house system.

Places

1. Ancient term for Houses.
2. According to Ptolemy, places are the twelfth part of a sign, each being 2°30' of arc in the order of the signs (see dwadishamsha).

Placidus House System

Commonly used system of house division, popularised by Italian Benedictine monk Placido de Titus (1603-1668). A time-delineated system based on division by planetary hours, there is evidence that Ptolemy used it. In the 19th century, tables of houses were first printed for this system, so most astrologers since have used it because readily available tables save arduous calculations. Nowadays, with the advance of the personal computer, any house system can be calculated easily, so the convenience argument is no longer important.

Planet

1. From an old word meaning "wanderer", the planets are those heavenly bodies that seem to move through the zodiac (science says planets are massive bodies in our solar system that revolve in orbits around the Sun, so giving this impression to us earthlings). Those that do not move perceptibly are known as the Fixed Stars (even though they do move imperceptibly over vast periods of time). In astrology, the planets include the Sun, the Moon and the Moon's Nodes (Dragon's Head and Tail). These are the main focal points for the cosmic energies that affect us. More on Planets.
2. A committee of modern astronomers has recently redefined the term "planet" to mean "any body massive enough to be round that is not a star but is orbiting one". They demoted Pluto (and promoted Ceres) to the status of "dwarf planet" in 2006. Pluto has also since (2008) been redefined as a "plutoid", a trans-Neptunian object (TNO) or Kyber Belt Object (KBO). These new definitions are generally irrelevant to astrology.

Planet of Oriental Appearance

Planet rising immediately before the Sun, indicating special skills and faculties in a natal chart.

Planetary Hours

The hours of the day are ruled by planets in their order from Saturn inward to the Moon. More on Planetary Hours.

Planetary Rays

In ancient Hellenistic theory, each of the planets was held to emit seven rays, three to the left and three to the right of the central diametric ray. See Rays.

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 favourably aspects the 10th cusp ruler or planet (the judge) is likely to win the case. [source: Glossary of Horary Astrology]

Platic (Plactic; Platick)

Wider aspect (more than 1 degree), yet within orb. See Partile.

Pleiades

A cluster of seven stars in the head of Taurus, of which Alcyone is the brightest, known as harbingers of bad weather, eye problems, sorrow and general trouble, especially with women. Some astrologers also claim them as a marker for homosexuality. In Jyotish, they are seen as the lunar asterism Krittika. In mythology, the Pleiades, seven daughters of Atlas, were half-sisters to the Hyades, another cluster of seven stars in the head of Taurus. Interestingly, in Japan the Pleiades are called Subaru, the name and logo of the Subaru car.

Pluto

One of the outer, trans-personal planets, until recently the furthest known planet from the Sun, Pluto was located by Clyde Tombaugh on February 18, 1930. Some modern astrologers hold that it rules Scorpio; others allow it co-rulership with Mars, though traditional astrologers deny that Pluto has any pretensions to sign-rulership. It has recently been demoted by astronomers to the status of "dwarf planet" and "plutoid", but this has no effect on its astrological importance. More about Pluto..

Pluto Square

Transiting Pluto square natal Pluto. A difficult aspect, occurring in mid-life.

Plutoid

A body in the Solar System whose shape is controlled by its own gravity, located beyond Neptune, small enough that it has "not cleared the neighbourhood around its own orbit". Pluto and Eris are now classed as plutoids by the IAU.

Pluton

A now-defunct astronomical class of planetary bodies orbiting the Sun on the far side of Neptune. Pluto was classed as a pluton by contemporary astronomers before they realized that this is a well-established geological term for an intrusive rock mass. It was in 2006 classed as a "dwarf planet", but from June 2008 has been declared a "plutoid". See Dwarf Planet.

Polar Elevation

At the equator, the Pole Star lies exactly on the horizon. As we travel northwards towards the Pole, the Pole Star rises accordingly. The height of the Pole Star measured in degrees and minutes gives the latitude of the place where the viewer stands. In general, it is the latitude for which a chart is cast.

Polarity

1. Cosmic energies are defined in astrology and occult work in general as either masculine (positive; objective; active; conscious; outgoing; hot; dry; penetrative; creative; electric; bright; yang) or feminine (negative; subjective; passive; subconscious; inward-looking; cool; moist; receptive; nourishing; magnetic; dark; yin). Each sign has been assigned a polarity, starting from Aries (masc.) and alternating between masculine and feminine in zodiacal order. The interaction between the two polarities maintains and develops the harmony and wellbeing of the cosmos and its inhabitants. The polarity of any relationship is the balance between the masculine and feminine forces at work.
2. Any diametric opposition is considered a polarity. For example, the opposite pole of Aries is Libra, even though both are masculine signs. In this way opposing signs are considered harmonious, as Aries (fire) is aided by Libra (air), Taurus (earth) by Scorpio (water) and so on. Hence the first and seventh houses are the individual personality and bodily image, versus the partnership relations, respectively.
3. The point opposite to the Sun's placement in a natal chart is called its polarity. This is useful in relationship analysis.
4. There is also the idea that the Sun (masculine) is one pole of the life-force and the Moon (feminine) is the other. According to Alan Leo, their relationships in the chart determine the harmony or otherwise of the native's life.

Pole

1. A mathematical point on the surface of a sphere, located on the diameter set at ninety degrees to the plane of its equator. For instance, the Earth's North and South Poles lie at the opposite end from all points on the earth's equator of the hypoteneuse of a right angled triangle with its right angle at the centre of the earth on the plane of the equator.
2. The Celestial Poles are the two points of intersection of the Earth's axis and the celestial sphere.
3. Pole of the horoscope (Pole of the Ascendant) is the latitude of the place on which it is cast, determined by the polar elevation.

Pole Star

A star which is in line with the axis of the Earth's rotation. This changes over extremely long periods of time due to the precession of the equinoxes, but the current Pole Star (in the northern hemisphere) is Polaris, the North Star, a Behenian Star in the 29th degree of Gemini.

Ponderous Planets

So called because their orbits lie beyond the Earth and thus take a long time to complete. See Superior Planets.

Porphyry

An influential 3rd century Syrian mathematician and philosopher who studied in Athens under Longinus and in Rome under Plotinus. An opponent of Christianity, he wrote a synthesis of Aristotle and Plato, a work on vegetarianism, a biography of Pythagoras, a commentary of Euclid, an introduction to Ptolemy's Tetrabiblos and developed an astrological House System. His commentary on Aristotle's Categories led to the later development of the study of Logic.

Porphyry House System

Porphyry developed a simple astrological house system, with ascendant and mid-heaven as angular house cusps, the others being obtained by trisecting the arcs between the angles.

Portion

A Portion, in ancient Hellenistic astrology, was more or less equivalent to a degree of the zodiac.

Postnatal Eclipse

An eclipse, either solar or lunar, which occurs in the months immediately following the birth of the native.

Prana

Sanscrit term for the 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, Qi, or Ch'i.

Precession (of the Equinoxes)

Due to the pole of the equator revolving around the pole of the ecliptic, the equinoctial point (Vernal Point) moves backward with relation to the constellations at the rate of approximately 50" per year. It makes a complete revolution through the twelve constellations in the great cosmic year of 25,920 earthly years, or 2160 years to pass through one constellation. There is disagreement among authorities as to the exact position of the Vernal Point (0° Aries) at present, but all are agreed that it means we are approaching the end of the Age of Pisces and entering the Age of Aquarius.

Precessed Solar Return

Solar Return Chart corrected for precession.

Prediction

Astrological forecast regarding a specific event in the future.

Predictive Astrology

Astrology which is primarily concerned with prediction of events (Electional Astrology; Horary Astrology; Medical Astrology; Meteorological Astrology; Mundane Astrology), rather than astrologically-based personality analysis (Psychological Astrology; Natal Astrology; Relationship Astrology; Esoteric Astrology). These disciplines take quite different approaches and use different astrological techniques. See Event-Oriented Astrology.

Prenatal Eclipse

An eclipse, either solar or lunar, which occurs in the months preceding the birth of the native. Not usually considered more than 12 months prior to the birthdate.

Prenatal Epoch

The astrological moment of conception, approximately nine months before birth. The Moon's place on epoch day, or its opposite, becomes either the ascending or descending sign and degree at birth. But is this really accurate? My own prenatal epoch actually features the Moon on the degree of my Moon, rather than the rising degree and the same goes for my wife. Or maybe our mothers didn't have nine month gestatory cycles...?

Primary Directions

Method of directing based on a degree for a year. The degree concerned is found via the movement in Right Ascension of the mid-heaven (MC), which advances by a degree every 4 minutes or so. This reveals the influences that will occur during the lifetime of the native. It is calculated via the "primary" axial rotation of the Earth every 24 hours (360 degrees), so that the movement of the MC progresses through the signs at the rate of about one sign (30 degrees) per two hours (i.e. 4 minutes per degree). The term is also used for the mundane aspects made in the course of the 24 hour period, though in fact the full number of mundane aspects that can be created during the average lifetime will be seen in the directions of the first 6 hours.

Primary Progression

See Primary Directions.

Prime Vertical

The Great Circle inscribed on the celestial sphere that passes through the east point, zenith, west point and nadir of any place, ie, the vertical plane over an observer that passes directly east-west and straight overhead.

Primum Mobile

The first mover, the outermost, or tenth sphere of the ancients, which in its daily motion carried all of the fixed stars. It is purely a Ptolemaic concept, exploded in theory by the Copernican concept of a solar system revolving about the Sun instead of the Earth. From the standpoint of Astrology, which deals with the effect of those apparent motions around the Earth by virtue of the Earth's own motion, the concept is as valid today as it was in Ptolemy's time. [see: Encyclopedia of Astrology]

Profection

Profection is a time lord system, based on a progression in the order of the signs from a given starting point. There are annual, monthly and daily profections for each planet or lot (arabic part). A "profection" is simply a "jump" from one sign to the next. For instance, an annual profection jumps from one sign to the next on your birthdate every year. If Fortuna was in Gemini when you were born, then the annual profection for Fortuna on your next birthday would be Cancer and so on. [see: Zodiac X Files]

Prognosis

Originally meaning fore-knowledge and synonymous with prediction, this has now come to mean an estimate of a likely outcome.

Progressed Horoscope

A chart calculated for as many days after birth as there are years in the life of the native. This method is also known as Secondary Progression.

Progressed Planet

Planet in a progressed horoscope. Angles and other chart factors also progress.

Progression

Movement of or aspect to planet or sensitive point in progressed horoscope.

Promittor (Promissor)

Significator of certain events. In a Horary question of marriage, for instance, the lord of the seventh is Promittor. In Directions, according to Sephariel, a Promittor is a planet other than Sun or Moon.

Prorogator

The Alpheta: planet which upholds life.

Proper Face

"When an individual planet keeps to the Sun or Moon the same aspect which its house has to their houses; as, for example, when Venus is in sextile to the luminaries, provided that she is occidental to the Sun and oriental to the Moon, in accordance with the original arrangement of their houses." (Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos I:23)

Proper Motion

Direct Motion through the zodiac in order of the signs. See Retrograde Motion.

Psyche

Soul, inner being. Individualised elements of the inner being, as opposed to the cosmic or spiritual elements.

Psychic

1. Intuition developed to an uncanny degree, usually entailing the ability to foresee the future, or the exercise of other paranormal talents, such as ESP, clairvoyance, teleportation, psychokinesis, astral projection (remote viewing), visions of ghosts etc.
2. Person who exhibits paranormal abilities, particularly clairvoyance.

Psychological Astrology

Modern Western astrology, based in therapeutic ideas of personal development and the unfoldment of the personality, as opposed to the older idea of a fixed character and an unalterable fate. Growing out of Marc Edmund Jones's reformulation of astrology in the early 20th Century and the subsequent development by Dane Rudhyar of "humanistic" astrology, it purports to be a way of reconciling modern ideas of individual freedom with the supposed determinism of planetary influence through the concept of personal growth. The main approach involves detailed analysis of the natal chart, seen as a map to potential. No distinction is made between the older classes of benefic and malefic indicators, as all events are seen as possibilities or "potentialities" on the path of spiritual evolution. The influence of theosophy, psychotherapy, Freud and particularly Jung is strong. Forecasting is generally frowned upon by its practitioners, especially in America, presumably because this is seen as limiting to an individual's potential.

Psychology

Scientific study of mental processes and behaviour.

Psychokinesis

Paranormal ability to move physical objects using mind power alone.

Psychometry

1. Paranormal technique to receive insights or impressions from a physical object through the sense of touch. Often used by psychic investigators to find missing people, or to solve crimes.
2. Technique for discovering information, especially for diagnostic purposes, using a device or intermediary, such as a pendulum, or a muscle test.

Psychotherapy

Treatment of behavioural and emotional problems through one-to-one contact with the therapist. Usually done through talking and other forms of communication, such as self-expression through creative activities, and often through massage, group discussions and the like rather than by using drugs. Modern psychological astrology is based in therapeutic ideas of personal development and the unfoldment of the personality, as opposed to the older idea of a fixed character and an unalterable fate.

Ptolemaic Aspects

Sextile, square, trine, and opposition, defined by Ptolemy via the Pythagorean theory of musical harmony. He also allowed that planets could form the "corporeal conjunction", though this is technically not an aspect, but a conjunction.

Ptolemaic System

Ancient geocentric cosmic schema, based in the common-sense belief that the planets, Sun, Moon and stars revolved around the earth. Formalised by Hellenic astrologer Ptolemy.

Ptolemy

Leading astronomer, astrologer and geographer of the Hellenic world, Claudius Ptolemæus, Ptolemy, was a Greek scholar living in Alexandria between 87 and 150 AD. He formalised the Ptolemaic geocentric system that dominated the Western worldview until after the development of the Copernican heliocentric system in the sixteenth century. His Almagest gave a mathematical basis to astronomy and the Tetrabiblos set out the principles of astrology. His Geography was also a massively influential work which, translated into Latin in the early 1400's and showing that the world was round, eventually led to the discovery by Europeans of the Americas.

Pythagoras

Greek philosopher (ca.570 – ca.480 BCE) who first formalised the study of Number in the West. His work as a mathematician and geometer is renowned, but he and his followers were primarily concerned with uncovering the inner, spiritual meaning of the underlying numerical structure of our lives. This has deeply influenced architecture through the ideals of sacred geometry, but has also had a profound effect on music, art, science and religion. It lies at the basis of astrology, underpinning our understanding of the relationships between the planets, the signs and the aspects.