Zodiac Glossary

Plain-language definitions for the most common zodiac, astrology and astronomy terms.

The astrological sign occupied by the Sun in a birth chart.

A band or coordinate framework around the ecliptic, interpreted differently in astrology and astronomy.

The Sun’s apparent annual path across the sky as seen from Earth.

A boundary between astrological signs or houses.

One of four symbolic groups in Western astrology: fire, earth, air and water.

One of three sign qualities: cardinal, fixed and mutable.

A planet traditionally associated with a zodiac sign.

An astrological diagram representing celestial positions for a specific time and place.

An officially defined region of the sky; in casual use, also a recognizable star pattern.