Astrology Terms	previous page
Your key to getting the most from astrology...

A - C | D - F | G - L | M - O | P - R | S - T | U - Z

M

M.C., or Medium Coeli, Midheaven

The point directly above the birthplace at the exact time when someone is born; the highest point in the Natal Chart. Usually associated with career and public image.

Mars

The fourth planet from the Sun, also known as the “red planet.” In astrology, Mars is associated with energy, action, anger, violence, sexual desire, and war. It rules Aries and co-rules Scorpio.

Masculine Signs

Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius, and Aquarius. Also known as “positive” or “yang” signs, these are said to be the more active and assertive signs of the Zodiac.

Mercury

The closest planet to the Sun. In astrology, Mercury is associated with the mind, quickness, the hands and arms, intellect, communication, and thoughts and ideas of all kinds. Mercury rules both Gemini and Virgo.

Mode

The twelve Zodiac signs are divided into different elements (fire, earth, air, and water) and modes (cardinal, which includes Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn; fixed, which includes Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius; and mutable, which includes Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces). Cardinal mode signs are thought to be flexible and quick to grasp new situations; the fixed group is said to be goal-oriented and somewhat stubborn; and the mutable group is reputed to be the most emotional, relying on feeling and memory more than the other groups.

Moon

Earth’s satellite, which circles the Earth every 28 days. In astrology, the Moon is associated with emotion, moods, the mother, pregnancy and birth, land, the home, and all bodies of water.

Moon Phases

Recurring cycle of changes that can be seen as the Moon orbits the Earth. The Moon's phases are divided into the following categories -- New, Waxing (growing) Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full, Waning (shrinking) Gibbous, Third Quarter and Waning Crescent.

Mutable Signs

Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces. The signs of this quality are associated with moodiness, adaptability, ingenuity, and changeability. Often people born under these signs can be easily influenced by others.

N	top of page

Natal Chart, or Birth Chart

A map of the planetary positions along the belt of the Zodiac as they were on a specific date, at a specific time and place.

Neptune

The eighth planet from the Sun. In astrology, Neptune is associated with illusion, confusion, deception, the arts, romance, and spiritual, psychic, and metaphysical matters. It rules Pisces.

Ninth House

The ninth segment of the Natal Chart, counted counterclockwise from the Ascendant. Associated with philosophy, religion, law, higher education, intellect, intuition, vision, and with the sign Sagittarius.

Numerology

The study of the significance of numbers and how they relate to one's destiny. In numerology, a person's destiny is calculated based on the number combinations found in their birth date and full given birth name.

O	top of page

Opposition

A planetary aspect which occurs when two planets are posited in exact opposite signs and degrees of the Zodiac. The effect is mostly believed to be stressful, yet an opposition can bring two conflicting energies into balance and mitigate the negative effects of both planets.

Orb

The number of degrees departing from the exact point in either direction in which an aspect is believed to still have an influence on the individual. For example: Suppose one planet is posited at 10 degrees of Aries, while another is posited at 15 degrees of Aries. Even though the aspect is not exact, but five degrees apart, most astrologers would still consider that a conjunction and takes its influence on the individual into consideration.