Astrology dictionary section C
CADENT HOUSES
Boreal signs are the six signs in the Northern hemisphere which are Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo and Virgo.
CARDINAL SIGNS
Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn are cardinal signs. In astrology readings they can show quick action and change.
CELESTIAL BODY
Celestial Body is a term that can be used for the Sun, Moon, planets, asteroids and stars.
CELESTIAL EQUATOR
The Earth's equator is extended on to the celestial sphere to create the celestial equator, which divides the sky into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
CELESTIAL LATITUDE
The celestial latitude is a measurement of the distance in degrees, minutes and seconds north or south of the ecliptic.
CELESTIAL LONGITUDE
The celestial longitude is a measurement of the distance in degrees, minutes and seconds along the ecliptic.
CELESTIAL MERIDAN
The great circle that passes thorough the zenith, nadir and celestial poles. The celestial meridian is a circle projected onto the celestial sphere that passes through the poles and the north and south poles of the horizon. The meridian of longitude of an observer is projected onto the celestial sphere.
CELESTIAL POLES
The north and south poles of the Earth projected into space are the celestial poles.
CELESTIAL SPHERE
The celestial sphere is of an infinite size with the Earth at its centre. The Earth's poles and equator a projected onto the celestial sphere, they are called the celestial poles and celestial equator.
CHART ASPECT PATTERNS
Chart aspect patterns are created when celestial bodies in aspect with each other form a pattern, although celestial bodies not in aspect with each other can be linked to celestial bodies that are in aspect so an aspect pattern can be formed.
BASKET
There is one opposition aspect, two trine aspects and three sextile aspects in this aspect pattern. Trines show ability and sextiles show opportunities that are easily received and used that are available to balance what is represented by the two celestial bodies in opposition.
DOUBLE T-SQUARE
There are four squares, two oppositions and five semi-squares in this chart aspect pattern. It has the influence of two t-squares, and the influence of the semi-square aspects add some minor difficulties which are irritating and can be a source of friction. Although this is not an easy pattern to live with there are valuable and constructive experiences.
DOUBLE T-WEDGE
There are two oppositions, four squares, two trines and two sextiles in this chart aspect pattern. This is more challenging than the wedge chart aspect pattern due to the square aspects, but more is likely to be learned and achieved compared to the influence of the wedge.
DOUBLE T-WEDGES
There are two oppositions, four squares, two sextiles and two trines in this chart aspect pattern. It's similar to the double t-wedge chart aspect pattern, except the arrangement of the wedges are also linked to the mystic rectangle chart aspect pattern.
GRAND CROSS
There are four square aspects and two oppositions in this aspect pattern; the two oppositions form a cross pattern on the chart. People who have this aspect pattern in their birth chart often have substantial obstacles that have to be confronted. Courage may be required to gain success from overcoming personal obstacles. Due to where the planets in the grand cross are located they are usually all in cardinal signs (cardinal grand cross), fixed signs (fixed sign cross) or in mutable signs (mutable sign cross). The cardinal grand cross shows there is a desire to overcome personal difficulties; drive and energy are required to deal with resistance so something substantial can be achieved. The fixed grand cross can show a tendency to resist change due to the challenges that may have to be dealt with; possibly due to stubbornness, apprehension or fear. The mutable grand cross shows there may be little difficulty accepting change; personal obstacles will be overcome by working around problems rather than confronting them.
GRAND QUINTILE
There are five quintiles in this aspect pattern which form a five pointed star pattern on the chart. Natural abilities are indicated by what each celestial body in the aspect pattern represents; when they're combined a special talent or an ability to do something remarkable is likely when this aspect pattern is in a birth chart.
GRAND SEXTILE
There are six sextiles, six trines and two grand trines in this aspect pattern. An exceptional amount of opportunities and good fortune are indicated, but there may be a tendency to allow good opportunities slip away unnecessarily. The celestial bodies in this aspect pattern indicate the abilities that can be used to take the maximum advantage of favourable opportunities when they occur.
GRAND TRINE
There are three trine aspects in this aspect pattern; the celestial bodies in this configuration are usually in the same element (air, earth, fire, water). It can show a tendency to take something for granted; the grand trine can also show where little effort has to be made to develop natural ability or talent. The air grand trine shows natural ability is associated with communication; the earth grand trine is associated with practicality; the fire grand trine is associated with energy and the water grand trine is associated with emotion.
HUNG T-SQUARE
There are one opposition, two squares and three trines in this chart aspect pattern which is a combination of a t-square and a grand trine. The celestial bodies in the grand trine can ease the challenges due to the t-square.
INSET T-SQUARE
There are one opposition, three squares and four semi-squares in this chart aspect pattern. Major challenges that also create friction, tension and irritation may be experienced. To resolve the issues indicated by the celestial bodies in square and semi-square aspects, a balance of what is represented by the celestial bodies in opposition has to be found.
KITE
There is one opposition, three trines and two sextiles in this chart aspect pattern. The grand trine is also in this chart aspect pattern. The sextiles linked to the opposition show an ability to see the positive side of lessons learned from personal difficulties that can make life easier once they are overcome.
MYSTIC RECTANGLE
There are two oppositions, two trines and two sextiles in this chart aspect pattern. This pattern shows there may be opportunities to take the path of least resistance, to deal with the challenges indicated by the celestial bodies in the opposition aspects.
NUTCRACKER
There are two oppositions, two squares, one trine and one sextile in this chart aspect pattern which includes a wedge and a t-square. The harmonious balance and opportunities indicated by the celestial bodies in the wedge can ease the challenges indicated by the t-square.
SEER
There are two oppositions, four trines and four sextiles in this chart aspect pattern which includes a mystic rectangle. The issues that apply to the mystic rectangle also apply to this pattern, but there are more opportunities that are easier to take advantage of.
SKULL CAP
There are one opposition, two squares, two trines and two sextiles in this chart aspect pattern, which includes a t-square. The trines and sextiles indicate opportunities that can be easily obtained and taken advantage of, which make the challenges indicated by the t-square easier to cope with.
T-RECTANGLE
There are two oppositions, two squares, two trines and two sextiles in this chart aspect pattern, which includes a mystic rectangle and a t-square. The influence of the trines and sextiles can be helpful when the challenges due to the squares have to be confronted; but the influence of the t-square on the mystic rectangle can reduce beneficial opportunities.
TRAPEZOID
There are two squares, one trine and one sextile in this chart aspect pattern. The trine can provide a path of least resistance and the sextile can bring beneficial opportunities to deal with the challenges indicated by the two squares.
TREE
There are two squares and three trines in this chart aspect pattern, which includes a grand trine. The influence of the grand trine is felt and appreciated when there are challenges and difficulties due to the square aspects in this pattern.
TRI-SQUARES
There are two oppositions, four squares and three trines in this chart aspect pattern, which includes two t-squares and a grand trine. The influence of the grand trine can ease the challenges and difficulties due to the two t-squares.
T-SQUARE
There are one opposition and two squares in this aspect pattern. The celestial bodies in the opposition show what needs to be balanced to deal with the challenges due to the square aspects; strength can be gained if they are conquered. There are the cardinal t-square, fixed t-square and mutable t-square. The cardinal t-square can indicate an ability to be motivated to overcome personal obstacles by taking the initiative to make major decisions despite the consequences. The fixed t-square can indicate an ability to set goals and persist until they are achieved, regardless of the difficulties that may occur. The mutable t-square can indicate an ability to be flexible and creative which can be used to overcome major challenges and personal difficulties.
TRI-TRAPEZOID
There are two squares, three trines and one sextile in this chart aspect pattern, which includes a trapezoid and a grand trine. The influence of the grand trine can make it easier to deal with the challenges indicated by the squares, but it can reduce the drive to overcome obstacles with a preference to take the easiest option.
T-SEER
There are two oppositions, two squares, four trines and four sextiles in this chart aspect pattern, which includes the seer and t-square. The t-seer has a similar influence to the seer chart aspect pattern, except there are more challenges and difficulties that have to be dealt with.
T-TRINE
There are one opposition, two squares, three trines and two sextiles in this chart aspect pattern, which includes a grand trine and a t-square. The influence of the t-square can indicate challenges and lessons to be learned, that can provide valuable opportunities that can be very beneficial.
T-WEDGE
There are one opposition, two squares, one trine and one sextile in this chart aspect pattern, which includes the wedge and the t-square. The t-wedge is more challenging than the wedge; the difficulties indicated by the two squares show an incentive to seek opportunities that would otherwise be ignored or missed.
WEDGE
There is one trine, one sextile and one opposition in this chart aspect pattern. Although there are two celestial bodies in opposition the sextile and trine can help to create a harmonious balance.
WORKING TRINE
There are two oppositions, four squares and three trines in this chart aspect pattern which includes the grand cross and the grand trine. This is an interesting chart aspect pattern because there are many challenges and personal obstacles but talent and natural ability can be successfully used to overcome them. (Also see Grand Cross and Grand Trine).
WORKING WEDGE
There are two oppositions, four squares, one trine, one sextile in this chart aspect pattern, which includes the grand cross and wedge. The working wedge has a similar influence to the grand cross, except the sextile can show beneficial opportunities and the trine can indicate a path of least resistance to avoid the challenges shown by the grand cross.
WORKING WEDGES
There are two oppositions, four squares, two trines and three sextiles in this chart aspect pattern, which includes the grand cross and two wedges. This is similar to the working wedge chart aspect pattern, but the combination of two wedges indicates more beneficial opportunities and some good fortune.
YOD
There are two inconjunctions and one sextile in this chart aspect pattern. The celestial bodies that are inconjunct can indicate what adjustments have to be made to overcome frustration and disruption, which affects your ability to use the opportunities shown by the sextile.
CHART PATTERN
Chart patterns are also known as chart types or Jones patterns after an astrology called Marc Edmund Jones. A chart pattern is created by the location of the planets in the chart. There are seven different chart patterns; they are the bowl, bucket, bundle, locomotive, see-saw, splash and splay.
Bowl
All the planets are within a space of 180 degrees in the chart.
Bucket
The bucket is similar to the bowl except there is one planet outside the 180 degree space in the chart.
Bundle
All of the planets are within a space of 120 degrees in the chart.
Locomotive
The planets are evenly distributed one after the other in a space which is usually a minimum of 120 degrees to a maximum of 240 degrees.
See-saw
The planets are divided into two groups as evenly as possible, the space between the two groups is usually between 60 degrees to 90 degrees.
Splash
All of the planets are widely distributed where all of the 360 degrees space of the chart is used.
Splay
There is one satellitium (a group of 3 or more planets), or at least two pairs of planets in conjunction with each other. The rest of the planets are randomly located in the chart.
CHART RULER
The chart ruler is the planet which rules the ascendant or the sign where the ascendant is located. It's also known as the ruling planet.
COMBUST
A planet is combust when it is within 8 degrees 50 minutes of the Sun. When a planet is combust its influence can be weakened; the Sun has a strong influence on the planet.
COMETS
In the past comets were seen as an omen of disaster, such as a loss of a king or an invasion. Now in astrology they are seen as an indicator of sudden change or dramatic events that are to take place which can be favourable or unfavourable.
COMPOSITE CHART
A composite chart is created to represent a relationship for two people. The nearest midpoints are used where the location of the same planet for each person is combined to create a midpoint for the composite chart. For example; both locations for the Sun in the birth charts are combined to create the Sun midpoint, which is where the Sun is located in the composite chart. Houses can be used as they represent areas of life. Signs are not used in a composite chart because the chart is for a relationship not for a person or people; the relationship is treated as if it has its own personality.
CONTRA-PARALLEL
Two planets of other celestial bodies are in contraparallel to each other when they are on opposite sides of the equator and have the same degree of declination. If one of them is at 15 degrees declination the other planet or celestial body is at -15 degrees of declination. A contraparallel has a similar influence as the astrological aspect the opposition.
CONTRA-ANTISCION
The contra-antiscion point of a celestial body is at an equal distance from the axis that runs from 0 degrees Aries to 0 degrees Libra. The axis is based on the points where the spring equinox at 0 degrees Aries and the autumn equinox at 0 degrees Libra occur. To find the contra-antiscion point of a celestial body, its measurement in degrees, minutes and seconds have to be subtracted from 30 degrees. For example; if Mercury is at 23 degrees 10 minutes and 30 seconds Gemini its contra-antiscion is at 7 degrees 50 minutes and 30 seconds Capricorn.
The contra-antiscion sign placements are:
Aries contra-antiscion is Pisces.
Taurus contra-antiscion is Aquarius.
Gemini contra-antiscion is Capricorn.
Cancer contra-antiscion is Sagittarius.
Leo contra-antiscion is Scorpio.
Virgo contra-antiscion is Libra.
Libra contra-antiscion is Virgo.
Scorpio contra-antiscion is Leo.
Sagittarius contra-antiscion is Cancer.
Capricorn contra-antiscion is Gemini.
Aquarius contra-antiscion is Taurus.
Pisces contra-antiscion is Aries.
A contra-antiscion is considered to have a weak influence on the chart that is similar to an opposition aspect. The plural for contra-antiscion is contra-antiscia.
CO-RULER
A co-ruler is an outer planet that rules a sign with another planet. Saturn and Uranus co-rule Aquarius; Jupiter and Neptune co-rule Pisces and Mars and Pluto co-rule Scorpio.