Glossary
Glossary
Progressed Chart versus Solar Return
Ascendant or Rising Sign
The rising sign, also known as the Ascendant, indicates one’s manner of self-expression, character, abilities, and appearance. Also known as the First House cusp, it is calculated by the point in space where the eastern horizon at the time and place of birth intercepts with the ecliptic. It is always associated with the zodiac sign that was rising at the moment of birth, and thus, it reflects the characteristics of that particular sign. Some followers of astrology recommend people look at generic horoscopes based on their Rising Sign rather than on their Sun sign, as this astronomy calculation is heavily influenced by the birth time and is very specific to the individual/native.
Major Aspects
Everything vibrates. A cycle is a slow vibration that we can count. Represented as a circle, the year is split into 12 Zodiac signs or smaller cycles. The planets also have cycles that influence us. When we look at the moon, for example, and break its cycle/circle into quarters - we get a week. Astrology expands on astronomy by describing the temperament, observed for and documented since 747, of each zodiac sign and how these temperaments change based on angles made to other planets. The Moon influences us the most, as it is closest to the Earth, and we can see this with the wax/wane cycles that affect tides, animal cycles, and plants. The Sun affects our seasons and has the second most influence.
The eight planets have less influence, but we are concerned with in - astrology as they rotate at different speeds around the Sun in the same plane in space. As a result, various angles, measured in degrees, minutes, and seconds, are formed between two intersecting lines and the Earth. The number of degrees between two imaginary lines connecting two planets with the Earth creates the angular (Aspects) relationship.
Certain degrees of angularity are fundamental in astrology; 0°, 60°, 90°, 120°, and 180° are the major aspects known as conjunction, sextile, square, trine, and opposition, respectively.
Keane, Jerryl L. (1976). Practical Astrology: How to make it work for you (5th ed.). Parker Publishing Company Inc.
Conjunction - ☌
Union
When planets meet in the same sign and around the same degree, they create a point of power, joining forces for better or worse. The two planets occupy the same degree of the same sign of the Zodiac, and this is classically seen as a neutral energy, although the most intense. This can create a focalized potential of expression or action and typically indicates a new beginning.
Lunar Conjunctions: A time to begin new endeavors associated with the planet and to make change to existing ones. The issues of the planet the Moon conjuncts are often emphasized.
Opposition - ☍
Contrast
Considered a stress aspect - suppose two planets oppose each other across the Zodiacal wheel. In that case, it can lead to two different outcomes: a challenge and disagreement or a partnership with each side contributing energy—our attitude and action determine the final result. The two planets are 180 degrees, and finding the balance between both planetary energies is what avoids tearing the individual apart. It can be helpful when working in teams and indicates situations in which one must cooperate or break with others. Typically indicates challenges with relationships.
Lunar Oppositions: Marks a time when a planet is 180 degrees away from the Moon and corresponds to the Sun/Moon cycle. It is a time of fruition and revelations. Issues are often clear, sometimes painfully so.
What is an Orb?
The orb is the degree of deviation permitted between the exact alignment and the actual alignment of two planetary positions, taking into account the influence of a particular aspect. For instance, if a conjunction aspect between two planets is most potent at 0 degrees, an acceptable orb might be 8 degrees, meaning the aspect’s influence would still be felt with positions ranging from -8 to +8 degrees apart.
Progressed Chart versus Solar Return
What's the Difference?
Both are valuable tools for gaining insight into the cycles and seasons of life, but they work in distinct ways. We’ll explore the key differences between these two techniques and how they can be used together for a more complete forecast.
Progressed Charts: Mapping Your Evolution
A progressed chart is calculated by moving the natal planets forward in time according to a set formula: one day after birth equals one year of life. By adding the number of days you've been alive to your natal planet positions, we get a progressed chart that shows how you've grown, matured and changed over time.
The progressed Sun moves about 1 degree per year, while the progressed Moon advances about 1 degree per month. The angles of the chart (Ascendant and Midheaven) and house cusps also progress, shifting your life focus as the years go by. Aspects between progressed planets, as well as progressed to natal planets, correlate with significant life events and psychological shifts.
Progressed charts are best for assessing the long arc of your development. They time major life phases, internal changes and the unfolding of your potential. A progressed Moon through your 7th house, for example, can bring important relationship developments. The progressed Sun changing signs or making aspects to key natal planets often coincides with a new chapter of identity expression and external ambitions.
Solar Return Charts: Your Astrological Birthday Horoscope
A solar return chart is cast for the exact moment the Sun returns to the position it occupied in your natal chart. This occurs on or near your birthday each year. Think of it as your astrological "happy birthday" horoscope - a preview of the major themes, opportunities and challenges you'll encounter in the next 12 months.
Solar return planets in the various houses show which areas of life will be activated. Aspects between solar return planets, as well as connections to your natal chart, describe the character of the period. A solar return with a prominent 10th house and strong Saturn, for instance, could indicate a year of significant career advancement through dedication and discipline. One with an energetic 5th house and lots of Jupiter contacts could be a time of joyful self-expression, creativity and romance.
While a progressed chart shows your gradual evolution, a solar return chart gives you a snapshot of the year ahead. It's best used in combination with transits to get a clear sense of the energies and experiences coming your way.
Different Lenses, Complementary Insights
The biggest difference between progressed charts and solar return charts is the time frame they cover. Progressions span the decades of your life, while solar returns are annual. Progressed planets inch along slowly, but solar return planets "reset" to new positions each birthday.
Progressions put the spotlight on your inner world - how you're growing psychologically and spiritually over time. Solar returns emphasize your outer world - the events and circumstances that shape your journey, year by year. Progressions time the unfolding of your potential, the major phases and turning points. Solar returns fill in the details, describing the opportunities and challenges of each year.
Used together, progressed charts and solar return charts give you a multilayered perspective on your life. They're like looking at a map of your unfolding destiny across different time scales. The progressed chart is the long-term view, while the solar return chart zooms in on each leg of the journey.
By combining insights from both, you get a more complete picture. You can see how the year ahead fits into the larger pattern of your growth. This understanding can help you navigate life with greater awareness, purpose and confidence.
The Wisdom Is Yours
Progressed charts and solar return charts are two of astrology's most powerful predictive tools. By tracking the movement of your natal planets over time, they reveal the cycles of change, growth and becoming that shape your life journey.
Remember, though, that astrology is not about a fixed fate. It's a language of archetypes, symbols and cycles that describe the energies at play in your life. What you do with those energies is up to you.
As the old saying goes, "the stars impel, they do not compel." The wisdom offered by your progressed and solar return charts is yours to interpret and apply in a way that empowers you. Use them as a tool for self-awareness, a guide for consciously working with the tides of your life.
Your progressed chart and this year's solar return chart hold rich insights about where you've been, where you're headed, and the invitations of the next 12 months. Dig in, reflect, and use what you learn to co-create your best possible future. Here's to your next journey around the Sun!
Sextile - ⚹
Complementary
Two planets align harmoniously and join forces, creating a time of opportunity and balance. Considered a favorable aspect, the two planets are 60 degrees apart. You can either ignore or engage in this energy to take full advantage; this time represents an easy flow of opportunities or ideas that, if acted upon, will help you realize goals.
Sidereal Astrology
Ptolemy wrote Almagest before his more famous Tetrabiblos, both in the 2nd Century. The Tetrabiblos introduced the division of the zodiac into 12 equal signs based on the seasons, starting with the March equinox as the 0 degrees Aries point. This system, independent of the actual constellations' positions, is the core of Tropical astrology.
Tropical astrology is the method that the majority of Western Astrology follows. The Sun takes longest to travel through the Virgo constellation, but the shortest through Capricornus, so from the beginning, by evenly setting each Zodiac sign to one month, the practice of astrology was not set as an exact science. Ptolemy's system offered a stable and predictable framework for working with astronomical and astrological concepts. Acknowledging the full impact of precession might have introduced complexity and undermined the practical simplicity of his model.
The Almagest was the culmination of Ptolemy’s astronomical studies, and he examines axial or equinoxal precession in Book IIV. He later writes on the culmination of his astrological research to ignore the Earth moving slowly through the constellations and to provide a more intuition approach to beginner astrology followers and the layperson that can identify easily with Earth’s seasons.
The March equinox marks the sun’s crossing above the Earth’s equator, moving from south to north.
When is the next one? It’ll happen at 3:07 UTC on March 20, 2024 (10:07 p.m. CDT on March 19) .
Note: The March equinox – or the vernal equinox – marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. No matter where you are on Earth, the equinox brings a number of noticeable seasonal effects.
Because Sidereal takes into account the planets and Earth in a different constellation than from the 2nd Century (Spring Equinox on 3/19/2024 is in 50 degrees Pisces instead of Aries) this method, used primarily in India and East Asia, is said to analyze the native as they relate to their cosmic place in the universe, rather than their experience on Earth. As a result, this can feel more exact, especially when using predictive astrology in the context of philosophical and life’s purpose questions. Sidereal focuses less on the Zodiac signs, and more on the influence of the zodiac constellations and its myths, to any one planets. Sidereal is considered a more advanced and complex method of astrology.
https://ptolemy.berkeley.edu/ptolemyclassic/almagest/docs/user/pdf/title.pdf
**Note that the planetary aspects in your chart do not change or in predictive astrology. The Zodiac Signs and Houses differ.
Which one is right for me?
The intent set by ancient astrologers, is what resonates with you - the person astrology is helping, the most? Where are you on your astrological journey? Do you feel the seasons help you understand the cycles and the constant changes of life more and identify greatly with where you were born seasonally and the common zodiac sign? Do you feel that you have learned the lessons of the seasonal zodiac and seek more information and insight into your cosmic purpose?
Only you can answer this when determining which method works best for you.
Square - □
Tension
Also considered a stressful aspect - two planets in an abrasive right angle aspect challenge each other for dominance, which tends to bring out the worst in both. The two planets are 90 degrees from each other, classically considered the worst of the aspects. Rather than viewing it as an obstacle, finding opportunities and approaching with curiosity is best, though adjustments and tremendous effort must be met to realize gains.
Lunar Squares: Marks when the Moon is 90 degrees away from a planet. it is a time of change and sometimes stress. A time when things can take a wrong turn or go astray.
Trine - △
Tuning
Two planets join forces, sharing power, which can elicit the best of both. Usually credited as being the best of the ‘good’ aspects, the planets are 120 degrees from each other. The trine is an aspect of creativity and expansion.
Moon Void of Course (V/C)
The Moon swiftly journeys through the Zodiac, completing its cycle in approximately 28 days (while Pluto takes 250 years for the same feat).
Every 2-3 days, as the Moon enters a new sign, it interacts, aligns, and connects with all the other planets and their cycles or circles. These are called aspects.
Eventually, Luna concludes these conversations in a Zodiac sign, bids farewell, and slips away unnoticed - leaving behind its connections. This period of disconnection, from its last interaction until it enters a new sign, is known as the Moon V/C.
The duration of these V/C periods varies, ranging from a mere 2 minutes to a lengthy 24 hours or more, depending on the planetary alignments. During these times, our intuition and judgment may become hazy and uncertain. Making significant purchases or binding decisions is not advisable since outcomes are unpredictable, and impulsive actions may lead to future regrets. However, it can be a good time to reflect on past experiences and consider their effects on our lives or plan for future goals and events.