A Glossary of Astrological Terms

Use this glossary to look up the meanings of words you come across on this website, or in your astrological reading. Just select the first letter of the word you need and click on it in the table below to go straight to that sector.

B

Barren Planets

Sun, Uranus, Saturn and Mars. These planets (along with the Dragon's Tail, or Moon's South Node) tend to prevent the birth, or cause early death, of children when located in either of the parents' fifth or eleventh houses.

Barren Signs

Gemini, Leo and Virgo. Aries is also considered rather barren. If on fifth or eleventh house cusps they tend to reduce the number of offspring. Good for tilling, bad for planting.

Behold

A slower planet is said to behold a faster planet which is applying to an aspect with it.

Beholding Signs

Signs which have the same declination, or are at equal distances from the tropics, ie, Aries/Virgo; Taurus/Leo; Gemini/Cancer; Libra/Pisces; Scorpio/Aquarius; Sagittarius/Capricorn.

Benefics

Jupiter (the greater fortune) and Venus (the lesser fortune). These planets are considered to benefit the native, unless afflicted. Compare Malefics.

Besieged

A planet is besieged when it lies between two malefics, or when the next aspect it makes is with a malefic. Traditionally, a planet is besieged if it lies between Mars and Saturn and in the same sign with them.

Bestial Signs

Aries (Ram), Taurus (Bull), Leo (Lion), last half of Sagittarius (Centaur/Archer), Capricorn (Sea-goat) and Pisces (Fishes). Each of these signs is thus symbolised by an animal.

Bicorporal (Double-bodied) Signs

Gemini (twins), Sagittarius (part man, part beast) and Pisces (two fishes). They denote dual experiences, twins etc., when on the cusp of fifth or eleventh houses and especially on the ascendant or when populated by many planets.

Birth Chart

A natal chart (nativity), or horoscope. It is a map of how the planets were aligned when a person (the native) was born. The birth chart presents an astrological blueprint for a person's life. More about the Birth Chart.

Birth Place

Place where the native's first breath was drawn. Longitude and latitude of the birthplace are required to construct an accurate nativity.

Birth Time

Moment of first breath; important in erecting an accurate nativity.

Bi-quintile

144 degree aspect.