Glossary

The reports themselves use almost no terms — they are written in everyday language. This glossary is for those who are curious about what is behind the calculations.

Natal chart

A diagram of the positions of the Sun, Moon and planets for the moment and place of a person's birth.

Ephemeris

Tables of the positions of celestial bodies for each day. A chart is calculated from them.

Zodiac sign

One of twelve equal 30-degree sections of the ecliptic. A person's “sign” in horoscopes is the sign the Sun was in.

Ascendant

The point of the zodiac rising in the east at the moment of birth. It depends on time and place, so it needs an exact birth time.

Midheaven (MC)

The highest point of the ecliptic at the moment of birth. In interpretation it is linked to vocation and public standing.

Houses

Twelve sectors of the chart that connect planets with areas of life. They are calculated from the time and place of birth.

Aspect

An angle between two points of the chart. The main ones: conjunction (0°), sextile (60°), square (90°), trine (120°), opposition (180°).

Transit

The current position of a planet in relation to the points of the birth chart. Forecasts are built on transits.

Solar return

A chart for the moment the Sun returns to the position it had at birth. It covers the year from one birthday to the next.

Synastry

A comparison of two birth charts. Compatibility readings are built on it.

Retrograde

The apparent backward motion of a planet as seen from Earth. In tables it is marked with the letter R.

Jyotish

Indian (Vedic) astrology. It uses the sidereal zodiac, which is tied to the stars.

Lagna

The ascendant in a Vedic chart.

Nakshatra

One of 27 lunar mansions — sections of 13°20′ into which the zodiac is divided in Jyotish.

Dasha

A system of life periods in Jyotish. The report uses the Vimshottari dasha.

Life Path number

The number obtained by adding all digits of the birth date down to a single digit or a master number 11, 22, 33.