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How to Read the Crystal by Sepharial

IX. CONCISE DICTIONARY OF ASTROLOGICAL TERMS

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AFFLICTION.--When a planet is on the cross (square) or in opposition, it is said to afflict.

AIRY SIGNS.--Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius. These are the mental signs.

ANGLES.--The cardinal points forming the cross or square; the first, fourth, seventh, and tenth houses.

APPLICATION.--As its name implies, when one planet applies to another. The Moon applies to all the planets, being the quickest traveller.

AQUARIUS (the Water bearer).--The eleventh sign of the zodiac, or 300° from the 0° of Aries. The Sun enters Aquarius about the 21st of January each year.

ARIES (the Ram).--The first sign of the zodiac. In making up the 360° in the zodiac, we count from 0° of Aries. The Sun enters Aries on the 21st of March each year.

ASCENDANT.--This is the first house, or that point which rises at birth.

ASCENDING.--When a planet is between the fourth and tenth house; it is always the east.

ASPECTS.--This means the relationship one planet, or sign, has to another in the zodiac. The Table of Aspects should be well studied; it is important.

BENEFICS.--Jupiter and Venus are always good, because they give Hope and Love, and, if we add the Sun, we have Faith, Hope, and Charity.

BESIEGED.--A term used when a planet is found between two others; if between Jupiter and Venus, it is good; if between Saturn and Mars, evil.

BI-CORPOREAL SIGNS.--So-called because they are double. It is rarely used. The signs are Gemini, Sagittarius, and Pisces.

CADENT.--The third, sixth, ninth, and twelfth houses are cadent. It means falling from angles.

CANCER (the Crab).--The fourth sign of the zodiac; it is 90° from 0°. The Sun enters Cancer on 21st June.

CAPRICORN (the Goat).--The tenth sign of the zodiac, into which the Sun enters on the 21st of December.

CARDINAL SIGNS.--Aries, Cancer, Libra, and, Capricorn. These four signs form the

         S
        E + W
          N

they are important signs.

COMMON SIGNS.--Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces.

CONJUNCTION.--When two planets are close together, or within orbs of each other. At New Moon the Moon is conjunction Sun.

CULMINATE.--When a planet is in the mid-heaven, it is said to culminate; it means being on the cusp of the tenth.

CUSP.--The beginning of any house. At noon the Sun is on the cusp of the tenth house. It means the first point of the houses.

DECLINATION.--The distance any planet is North or South of the Equator.

DECREASING IN LIGHT.--When a planet is past the opposition of the Sun, it is then said to be weak.

DEGREE.--The 360th part of the zodiac; its mark is °; 90° is a square; 120° a trine of the zodiac.

DESCENDANT.--The seventh house, or opposite to the Ascendant; the West.

DESCENDING.--When a planet is between the tenth and seventh houses.

DETRIMENT.--A planet in a sign opposite to its own house is in its detriment. The house of the Moon is Cancer. When the Moon is in Capricorn, it is in its detriment.

DIGNITIES.--When a planet is in exaltation, or in an angle, increasing in light, etc.

DIRECT.--When the planets are moving in their true order through the zodiac.

DIRECTIONS.--The period after birth. The position of the planets as life advances. The Sun moves about one degree per day, and this is equivalent to one year. The thirtieth day after birth would denote the thirtieth year of life, and the Directions would be taken out of the ephemeris for this day, the Sun's aspects forming the primary directions and the Moon the secondary.

DRAGON'S HEAD.--The Moon's North Node, or when she crosses the ecliptic into north latitude. The Moon's course is of serpentine form, having a head and tail.

DRAGON'S TAIL.--The Moon's South Node when she crosses into south latitude.