Astrology terms starting with A

The strength of a planet derived from its house position, its speed or its aspects.

Unlike essential dignity (linked to the sign), accidental dignity depends on the circumstances of the moment. A planet in an angular house (I, IV, VII, X), a fast-moving planet, or a planet in Cazimi receives accidental dignity. This means it has the concrete means to act in the material world. A planet can be weak by sign (in detriment) but strong accidentally (culminating), which indicates an ability to overcome its handicaps through action.

A planet that is badly aspected or placed in a position of weakness.

A planet is said to be “afflicted” when it receives tense aspects (square, opposition) from malefic planets, or when it stands in detriment or fall. Affliction is not a punishment but rather the sign of a psychological function that meets obstacles and that requires particular conscious effort to be integrated in a positive way.

A conscious orientation towards a goal or aspiration in the natal chart.

The aim is the direction one chooses to give to one's life based on the indications of the natal chart. It involves becoming aware of the talents, challenges and aspirations revealed by the planets, houses and aspects. The aim is not determined by the chart, but draws on it to orient life choices towards a more authentic and fulfilling realisation. It is a key concept for moving from a descriptive reading of the chart to a more dynamic and proactive approach to astrology.

One of the four elements: communication, intellect, exchange and abstraction.

The element of Air encompasses the signs of Gemini, Libra and Aquarius. It represents the world of ideas, communication, social relationships and abstract thought. Natives marked by Air need to exchange, to understand, to connect concepts with one another. They excel in language, diplomacy and networking. Air is the breath that carries ideas from one mind to another — without it, the elements remain isolated. Its quality is hot and moist. In excess, Air can produce instability, superficiality or an excessive intellectualization of the emotions. A chart lacking Air may signal difficulty in stepping back, in communicating one's ideas or in forming light social bonds. In classical astrology, the three Air signs form the trine of the intellect.

The planet that, through its dignities over the Hyleg, determines the symbolic length of life.

The Alchocoden (from the Arabic “al-kadkhudah,” the master of the house) is the technical partner of the Hyleg. While the Hyleg designates the vital point, the Alchocoden is the planet that holds the most dignities (rulership, exaltation, etc.) over that point. In ancient astrology, it was used to calculate longevity: according to its strength and its aspects, it “granted” a certain number of years (lesser, middle or greater periods). It is the true “steward” of vital energy, showing how the individual manages his health capital over the long term.

The most powerful planet of a chart or of a specific point, based on the calculation of dignities.

The Almuten (from the Arabic 'al-mutaizz', the winner) is the planet that accumulates the most dignity points (domicile, exaltation, triplicity, term, decan) over a given degree. One can calculate the Almuten of a house, of a planet, or of the entire chart (the Almuten Figuris). It is an indicator of real strength that can sometimes supersede the simple ruler of the Ascendant in analyzing an individual's capacity for action.

The destructive planet or point in a natal chart.

The Anareta is the point opposed to the Hyleg (the giver of life). In the ancient techniques for calculating longevity, the Anareta represents the force that “cuts” the thread of life. It is often the malefic planet (Mars or Saturn) that forms the most dangerous aspect to the Hyleg. Today, this concept is used in a more symbolic way to designate vital challenges or crises of profound transformation.

A blend of masculine and feminine energies within a chart, indicating a balanced or fluid personality.

Androgyny in astrology manifests through a balanced distribution or a mixed dominance of masculine signs and planets (Fire, Air) and feminine ones (Earth, Water). An androgynous chart can indicate a personality that harmoniously integrates the qualities of action and reflection, introversion and extroversion, logic and emotion. This can translate into great adaptability, an ability to understand different perspectives and a nuanced approach to life.

The planet or point of disintegration in a natal chart.

The Antareta is the point opposed to the Almuten Figuris (the most powerful planet of the chart). It is the force that opposes the maximum expression of the personality. It can indicate the zones of weakness, the blockages or the major trials that the individual must face in order to evolve. Like the Anareta, the Antareta is often associated with malefic planets, but it can also concern any planet depending on the configuration of the chart.

Points of symmetrical reflection relative to the solstitial axis (Cancer/Capricorn).

The antiscion of a planet is its “shadow” or its mirror point. Two planets related by antiscion share a hidden affinity, even without a visible aspect. It is a subtle technique of Hellenistic and medieval astrology.

The moment when a planet approaches the exact aspect with another.

Application occurs when a faster planet moves toward the exact degree of an aspect with a slower planet. In astrology, an applying aspect is considered far more powerful and active than a separating one, because the energy is in a phase of growth and the event or character trait is still in the making. It is a fundamental criterion in horary astrology for determining whether an action will come to pass.

A universal symbolic model present in the collective unconscious.

A concept popularized by Carl Jung, the archetype is the basic structure that gives shape to astrological symbols. The planets are archetypes of psychological functions (the Warrior for Mars, the Sage for Jupiter). Astrology is the study of the geometry of these archetypes and of the way they interact to form a unique personality.

The zodiac sign rising on the horizon at the exact moment of birth.

The Ascendant (abbreviated AC or ASC) is one of the most important points of the natal chart. It represents the cusp of the first house and defines the way a person presents to the world, their physical appearance, their spontaneous reflexes and the first impression they give to others. Unlike the Sun sign — which describes the deep identity — the Ascendant is the social mask, the gateway to the personality. It shifts by about one degree every four minutes, which makes a precise birth time indispensable in order to calculate it correctly. A native may have the Sun in Aries and an Ascendant in Pisces: inwardly they will be driven and combative, yet they will appear gentle, dreamy and elusive at first glance. The Ascendant also colors the interpretation of all the houses of the chart, since it determines their distribution among the signs.

A practitioner who interprets celestial positions in order to advise or analyze.

The astrologer combines technical skills (calculation and basic astronomy) with faculties of synthesis and empathy. Their role is to decode the symbolic language of the sky in order to make it understandable and useful to the consultant. They must observe a strict ethic, avoiding absolute determinism and preserving free will.

The principle of power and structure, mainly associated with Saturn and the Midheaven.

Authority in a chart indicates how the individual positions themselves in relation to the law, to hierarchies and to their own capacity for command. It is governed by Saturn (authority through structure and time) and the Sun (authority through personal radiance). The tenth house rules the public expression of this authority.

A line connecting two opposite points of the chart, creating a field of complementary tension.

A chart is structured by major axes: the horizontal axis (Ascendant–Descendant / Self–Other) and the vertical axis (Midheaven–Imum Coeli / public life–private life). Interpretation by axis makes it possible to understand that two opposite houses function as the two faces of the same coin.