Astrology
What is an ascendant? What does a transit mean? And what is actually the difference between your sun sign and your birth chart? Here you will find the most important terms explained briefly and clearly.
Astrology has its own language, and at first it can seem like a lot. That is why I explain the terms here the way I explain them in a consultation: first briefly what it is, then why it matters. Astrology is not an exact science but a symbolic system; see it as inspiration and a mirror.
Also: horoscope, natal chart, radix
A birth chart is a horoscope of the sky at the exact moment and place of your birth. It shows the sun, the moon, the planets and the ascendant (rising sign) in their zodiac sign and house. Together they form a personal pattern of character, talents and challenges. For an accurate birth chart you need your date, place and time of birth.
Also: sun sign, star sign, zodiac sign
Your sun sign, commonly called your zodiac sign, is the sign of the zodiac the sun was in on the day you were born. It is just one part of your birth chart. Two people with the same sun sign can therefore still differ a lot: the moon, the ascendant and the other planets colour the picture.
Also: moon in sign, moon sign
Your moon sign is the sign of the zodiac the moon was in at the moment of your birth. The moon symbolically stands for your emotional life, your needs and what makes you feel safe. That is why your moon sign often says a lot about how you react when something touches you.
Also: rising sign, ascendant sign
The ascendant (rising sign) is the sign of the zodiac that was rising on the eastern horizon at the moment of your birth. It shows how you come across and how you meet life. The ascendant changes roughly every two hours, which is why you need your exact birth time to determine it.
Also: sun, moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn
In astrology each planet (including the sun and moon) represents its own life function. Mercury stands for thinking and communicating, Venus for love and appreciation, Mars for drive and action, Jupiter for growth, Saturn for structure and responsibility. The zodiac sign shows how the planet expresses itself.
Also: astrological houses, areas of life
The twelve houses divide your birth chart into areas of life, such as relationships, work, home and health. A planet in a particular house shows in which area of life that energy mainly expresses itself. To determine the houses, your birth time is needed.
Also: angles between planets, conjunction, opposition, trine
Aspects are the angles that planets in your birth chart form with each other, such as a conjunction, opposition, trine or square. They show how the planets work together or cause friction. This is how the tensions and talents that make you personal come about.
Also: Saturn return, return of Saturn
The Saturn return is the moment when Saturn returns to the place where it stood when you were born. Saturn takes about 29.5 years to go around once. Around the age of twenty-nine, and again around fifty-eight, such a return takes place. It is often seen as a period for taking stock and taking on new responsibility.
Also: north lunar node, South Node
The North Node is a sensitive point in your birth chart that arises where the path of the moon crosses the path of the sun. In astrology it symbolises a direction in which you can grow, even if it still feels unfamiliar. Directly opposite the North Node lies the South Node, which stands for the familiar. For the exact position you need your date and time of birth.
Also: the wounded healer, planetoid Chiron
Chiron is a small planet between Saturn and Uranus that in astrology stands for vulnerability and healing. The position of Chiron in your birth chart points to a theme in which you are sensitive or have learned to deal with a weak spot. That is exactly why this theme can become a source of understanding for yourself and others.
Also: midheaven, medium coeli, MC point
The MC, short for Medium Coeli or midheaven, is the highest point of the zodiac at the moment of your birth. In astrology this point is linked to your calling, career and the way you show yourself in the world. Because it depends on your birth time, the exact birth time is important to determine the MC.
Also: planetary transit, current planetary positions
A transit is the current position of a planet in relation to the position of that planet in your birth chart. This creates periods in which certain themes become current, for example around work, relationships or a new phase. Transits are used to map out the timing of themes.
Also: solar return, birthday horoscope
A solar return is the horoscope of the moment when the sun returns exactly to the place where it stood at your birth, around your birthday. It is used as a horoscope for the coming year of life and gives a picture of the themes that will then be in the foreground. That is why it is often associated with a yearly horoscope.
Also: relationship horoscope, relationship analysis, partner comparison
Synastry is placing two birth charts side by side to see how two people influence each other. It is used for romantic relationships, but also for friendship, family and business collaboration. This way you see where you strengthen each other and where you unknowingly clash.
Also: Mercury retrograde, backward-moving planet
A planet is retrograde when, seen from the earth, it temporarily appears to move backwards across the sky. It is an apparent movement, an optical effect of the different orbits. In astrology a retrograde period is symbolically seen as a time of reconsidering, looking back and realigning.
Also: horoscope for your child
A child's horoscope is the birth chart of a child, explained in understandable language for parents. It gives insight into temperament, aptitude and talents, and can help you understand and guide your child better.
Also: founding horoscope, business astrology
A business horoscope is the horoscope of the moment a company was founded. Just as with a person, that moment shows the character, strengths and pitfalls of the business, and how things stand with the timing of decisions.
Also: astrological reading, having your horoscope explained
An astrological consultation is a conversation in which an astrologer works out and explains your horoscope. At Panta Rhei this takes place in person at the practice in Enschede or online via Google Meet, in Dutch or English. The explanation is recorded, so you can listen to it again later.
Frequently asked questions
A newspaper horoscope is based only on your sun sign and applies to one twelfth of the population. A personal birth chart is based on your own date, time and place of birth and is therefore unique to you.
Yes. You can request your horoscope via the website and the consultation takes place at the practice in Enschede or online via Google Meet. That way you can have a personal consultation anywhere in the Netherlands, or beyond.
Your date of birth, place of birth and preferably your exact birth time. You can request your birth time from the municipality of your place of birth.
Start with a horoscope or just ask a question first. I reply personally.
