Astrology terms starting with F

The state of weakness of a planet located in the sign opposite its place of exaltation.

Fall is one of the two principal essential debilities, along with detriment. When a planet is in fall (for example, the Moon in Scorpio, since it is exalted in Taurus), its qualities express themselves with difficulty, in a roundabout or weakened way. The planet loses its splendor and its natural efficiency. In interpretation, this often suggests an area where the individual must show greater effort or awareness to make up for an original lack of fluency.

A receptive, introverted and magnetic energy polarity.

The so-called 'Feminine' signs (also Nocturnal or Negative) comprise the Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) and the Water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces). This polarity points to an inward-turned energy that favours reflection, sensation, conservation and receptivity. These signs respond to their surroundings and prize assimilation over raw action. A predominance of feminine signs in a chart often brings depth, patience and a keen sensitivity to atmosphere.

One of the four elements: energy, enthusiasm, will and creative impulsiveness.

The element of Fire gathers the signs of Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. It represents vital energy, enthusiasm, the will to act and personal radiance. Natives dominated by Fire are spontaneous, courageous, passionate and oriented toward the future. Fire is hot and dry by nature. It lights, warms and transforms, but it can also burn if left unchannelled. In excess, Fire produces impetuousness, impatience, self-centredness or anger. A chart devoid of Fire may lack self-confidence, initiative or spontaneous joy in living. Fire is the first spark, the Big Bang of the personality — without it, nothing gets started. In classical astrology, the three Fire signs form the trine of energy and creativity.

One of the three qualities: stability, perseverance, resistance to change.

The fixed signs are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. They occupy the heart of each season and embody stability, determination and continuity. Where the cardinal signs initiate and the mutable signs adapt, the fixed signs maintain and consolidate. A native strongly marked by the fixed quality is tenacious, reliable, enduring, sometimes stubborn. They cannot bear to be rushed and prefer to advance at their own pace. Their strength lies in constancy; their weakness in rigidity. The fixed signs are renowned for their ability to withstand outside pressure — but also for their difficulty in letting go when change becomes necessary. A Grand Cross in fixed signs, for instance, is one of the most powerful (and most dreaded) configurations of the natal chart: it confers an iron will but also a tendency toward emotional blockages.

Nearly motionless stellar points that add a specific coloring to the degrees of the zodiac.

The fixed stars are the visible stars of the night sky, as opposed to the planets (“wandering stars” in Greek). Although they move very slowly (about 1° every 72 years owing to the precession of the equinoxes), they are considered fixed on the scale of a human life. Traditional astrology gives great importance to certain stars of the first magnitude. Algol (26° Taurus), considered the most violent, is associated with extreme perils. Regulus (0° Virgo, formerly in Leo) confers success and radiance — but with a risk of downfall if pride dominates. Spica (24° Libra) is one of the most beneficial, bringing artistic talent and protection. When a natal planet is in close conjunction (orb of 1° to 2°) with a major fixed star, the interpretation of the chart is considerably enriched.