The Language of the Stars
A comprehensive guide to astrological terminology, presented through a lens of historical and cultural scholarship. Our dictionary provides clear, non-esoteric definitions for students and enthusiasts alike.
Astrological Dictionary
The degree of the zodiac that was rising over the eastern horizon at the specific time and location of an event. In historical astronomy, this point marks the intersection of the ecliptic with the horizon.
A table or data file giving the calculated positions of a celestial body at regular intervals throughout a period of time. Historically used by navigators and astronomers to track planetary movement.
An apparent change in the movement of the planet through the sky. It is not real in that the planet does not physically start moving backwards in its orbit. It is an optical illusion caused by the differing orbital speeds of Earth and the planet being observed.
The nearly straight-line configuration of three celestial bodies (such as the Sun, Moon, and Earth during a solar or lunar eclipse) in a gravitational system.
The point in the sky directly overhead from an observer's perspective, representing the highest vertical point on the celestial sphere.
Educational Integrity
At zerodrome, our mission is to provide objective cultural information. The terms defined here are based on the historical development of astrology as a proto-science and its lasting impact on literature and art. We focus on the geometric and astronomical foundations of these concepts rather than their predictive applications.
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