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.

H

Herschel

The planet Uranus, once named after its discoverer, Sir William Herschel. More about Uranus.

Heliocentric

From the viewpoint of the Sun. Modern Western astrology is generally Geocentric (from the viewpoint of the Earth). Planetary positions appear different from the heliocentric viewpoint.

Horary Astrology

A branch of astrology dealing with questions regarding any important matter. A chart is erected for the time when the querent's mind is most strongly focused on the matter in question.

Horoscope

A chart of the heavens cast for a particular moment in time, as reflected at a particular place on the Earth's surface. The construction and interpretation of the horoscope is the basis of astrological practice.

Hours, Planetary

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

House

One of twelve divisions of the heavens as seen from the Earth. Each house has a particular field of reference to events on Earth, or in the querent's life.

Hyleg

The planet or place which is the giver of life. The Sun or Moon is hyleg:

• if either is in the ascendant between 5° above to 25° below the ascending degree
• or in the opposite place relating to the seventh house
• or between the fifth degree below the ninth cusp to 25° below the eleventh cusp (encompassing the whole of the tenth house).
• If neither luminary is located in one of these hylegical places, the ascending degree becomes the hyleg.
• When the hyleg is afflicted there is danger to life.

See Alpheta.