iVillage

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I-Ching:
The I-Ching, or "Book of Changes," is an ancient Chinese oracle book that deals with philosophy and divination.

Imum Coeli (or I.C.):
One of the four major angles of a birth chart; this one falls at the bottom of the chart wheel. It is the start of the Fourth House and is one of the most personal points of the chart.

Intercepted Sign or House:
A House which appears within another House on the chart wheel. Common to those born in far northern or southern latitudes.

Interpretation:
See "Report."

Juno:
An asteroid named for the Roman goddess Juno, the wife of Jupiter, ruler of all gods. Represents partnerships, soul mates, weddings, marriages and separations.

Jupiter:
Represents luck, philosophy, religion, higher learning, ethical values, expansion, abundance and excesses. It also rules long distance travel, aspirations and judgment.

Lights:
An ancient term used for the Sun and the Moon.

Lunar Eclipse:
The point at which the Sun, Earth and Moon are aligned with the Earth blocking out the Sun's light from the Moon, making the Moon seem invisible. Occurs during a Full Moon.

M.C.:
Medium Coeli. One of the four major angles of a birth chart, this one is at the top of the chart wheel. It is the start of the Tenth House, and it addresses public life and reputation.

Malefic:
The belief among certain astrologers that some planets, like Mars and Uranus, are destructive, negative influences, while others like Jupiter and Venus are positive and beneficial. See "Benefic."

Mars:
Represents action, passion, drive and determination. It deals with one's sexuality, force, daring, courage, competitive nature, aggression and assertion.

Masculine Signs:
The Fire and Air Signs, comprised of Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius and Aquarius. It represents assertive and self-assured energy.

Mercury:
Represents communication, intellect, consciousness, transportation, dexterity and the mind.

Modes:
See "Qualities."

Moon:
Represents the Mother and the women in one's life, nurturing, home, emotions, instinct and memory. It also represents one's emotional response to situations and experiences.

Mundane Astrology:
The branch of Astrology which deals with places as opposed to people; world events and universal trends are the focal point.

Mutable Signs:
Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces. This Quality represents a flexible nature.

Natal:
Synonymous with 'birth.' Natal chart and birth chart are terms which can be used interchangeably.

Neptune:
Rules music, television, movies, fashion, glamour, dreams, illusion, drugs, the intangible and the elusive. It also represents abstract thought, alcohol, the universal subconscious and the oceans of the Earth.

Ninth House:
Also known as the House of Philosophy. It represents religion, travel, foreign countries, in-laws, higher education, publishing, import/export and ethics.

Nodes:
The two points in a planet's orbit which intercept the Earth's path around the sun (otherwise known as the ecliptic).

Numerology:
An ancient science that offers insight into the personality by assigning numeric values to names and birth dates, calculating numerological values and then interpreting the results.

Opposition:
When Planets are exactly opposite each other in the chart wheel; an arc of 180 degrees. Creates stress. Balance is needed in the presence of an opposition.

Orb:
The space on the chart wheel measured in degrees, between planets and points, by which an aspect may vary from exactness and still remain effective.

Out of Bounds:
Planets which are outside the usual north or south measurement of the celestial equator within which planets rest.

Out-of-Sign:
Also known as a dissociate aspect; addresses the importance of measuring aspects by degree rather than Sign. For example, a conjunction between a planet at 29 degrees Leo and 1 degree Virgo is within a 2 degree orb but not the same Sign. This weakens the aspect.

Pallas:
Asteroid named for Greek goddess of war. Represents feminism, wisdom, crafts, news, politics, travel, sport, science and technology.

Planets:
As used in Astrology, this refers to the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. Earth is excluded, as it is our point of reference. In general, it is a major body which revolves around a Sun in a periodic orbit.

Pluto:
Rules transformation, regeneration, rebirth, destruction, annihilation, power and elimination. It also represents atomic power, intensity, crime, death and the underworld.

Profile:
See "Report."

Progressions:
A method of advancing the planets and points of a natal chart to a particular time after birth. Used to illustrate one's evolution.

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