Air Signs: Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius are the three signs of the zodiac attributed to the qualities of the element of air. Also known as the air triplicity, Libra is the cardinal (or starter sign), Aquarius is the fixed energy sign, and Gemini is the mutable (flowing) air sign. Each behaves differently in magickal and meditational work. These signs are strongest when visited by the moon (which reflects the energy), the sun (which focuses the energy), or Mars (which uses the energy in an active way). Although the other planets activate the air energy in their own way, these three heavenly bodies are considered to be the most powerful on a magickal basis. Their energy is also short term.
Apply and Application: Words used when describing aspects (the dialogue between planets that is actually a mathematical angle—a measurement of the distance between heavenly bodies that actually makes patterns in the sky if you drew straight lines between them. Such patterns are denoted as squares, triangles, oppositions, sextiles, conjunctions, etc.). What is confusing is that aspects and transits are much the same thing—the word “aspect” is used in a natal chart, and the word “transit” is used for current moving planets (not a snapshot in time like your natal chart). Both are patterns built on the same measurements. An applying aspect is a window of time that begins when a planet reaches a certain distance from another planet, which will eventually (depending upon the speed of the planets) create a geometric pattern, most commonly called an angle. This window lasts until the geometric pattern becomes mathematically “exact”—this is the zero point. You will feel and see events brought on by your past choices coming into focus as one planet nears the other. Often an event precisely linked to the energy of those planets takes place within the twenty-four hours before the zero point occurs. Once the distance between the two planets is exact, the continued movement of the planets away from the geometric pattern (or angle) is called a separating aspect. The zero point is like the eye of a hurricane. If you remember that, you are good to go! Remember, applying means the energy is coming toward you and separating means that the energy is now dissipating. However, in classical astrology it is believed that the fastest moving planet in the aspect can “carry the light” of that aspect to the next planet it visits, coloring the situation in a unique way. In magick, I have definitely seen this to be the case, and it makes sense because our own actions always ripple out from us.
Aspect: When planets are at certain angles from each other, the planetary energies interact (sometimes called a dialogue of energy) depending upon the nature of the planet, the angle, and the speed at which each planet is moving. These critical angles are called aspects. Each aspect has a name and common attributes. Traditional astrology uses the Ptolemaic set of aspects (named after the Egyptian scholar Cladius Ptolemy); however, there can be hundreds of sets of angles, depending on what astrological system you use.
Asteroid: A heavenly body that is smaller than a planet and is encompassed by the sun’s orbit. Usually found in bands and often consisting of rocks and frozen ice. The most common asteroids used in magick are Ceres, Juno, Pallas, and Vesta, and each is attributed to a particular goddess energy.
Ceres: Associated with the descent of the goddess and is caring, nurturing, maternal, and protective. Use her for meditations on your children, your pets, nurturing aspects of yourself, and protecting those people and things that you love.
Juno: Roman wife of the god Jupiter, associated with magick done for marriage, commitment, and relationships. Use her for meditations on your partnerships.
Pallas: From Pallas Athena, the goddess of wisdom, war, accomplishment, creativity, using one’s talents, and studying. Use her when it is necessary to meet a challenge, or win a fight using your brain as well as your brawn.
Vesta: Roman goddess of hearth and home, and used in magick and meditation in relationship to these subjects. Use Vesta for disciplining yourself to a particular task, building or remodeling your home or environment, gardens, ritual rooms, etc. She can also be appealed to for children and pets, and for general stabilization and prosperity. A goddess of fire, she is good to invoke for making magickal objects and working with magickal oils and candles.
Astrology: “Speech of the stars,” derived from the Greek word astron, meaning “star,” and logos, which means “discourse” or “speech.” The study of the energy influence of heavenly bodies on any behavior, activity, or condition on people, places, and things.
Burning Way: An old axiom, but incredibly useful in magick. Supposedly, if any planet falls between 15 degrees Libra and 15 degrees Scorpio, it has entered the “Burning Way” and trouble is afoot. However, I’ve discovered that if the planet in the position is in your favor, either natally or by a horary or electional chart, then you will be the winner against all odds. This is especially true with the planet Mars. The moon travels through the “Burning Way” at least once a month, the sun once a year, etc. The most noticeable, I’ve found, is when Mars travels through the “Burning Way.”
Cardinal Signs: These are the “starter” signs of the zodiac and there is one for each element: Aries (fire), Cancer (water), Libra (air), and Capricorn (earth). These signs usher in the equinoxes and solstices and therefore are seen as times to create beginnings.
Conjunction: The conjunction is when two planets are in the same longitudinal measurement position and within orb (space between them). In laymen’s terms it looks like one planet is on top of the other—they are dancing together in the same “space.” Therefore their energies are thought to “meld” for a short time. If more than two planets look like they have the same address on the astrological chart, this is called a “stellium” and the power of these planets acting together is very forceful. Conjunctions are great in meditation for energetic focus. A conjunction is a very active and dynamic aspect. A new moon is a conjunction of the moon (reflective) and the sun (focus) energies. The sign in which this conjunction occurs denotes the flavor elementally, and the type of force: starting (cardinal), fixed, mutable (flowing). For example, let’s say you check your daily planetary guide and you see that the sun and Venus are in conjunction today—this is a good aspect! Meditate for beauty, acquiring objects or positive energies, love, and happiness! The “stars” smile upon it! Let’s say Mars is conjuncting Saturn today. Working on designing good rules and guidelines for your magickal group would work well, meditating on what is right for yourself and your people. This is a positive way to use this energy. Conjunction energy is all about focus.
Degree: A degree is 1/360 of a circle. Each degree is divided into 60 minutes, and each minute is divided into 60 seconds. The time it takes for a planet to move from degree to degree around the circle is the main timing mechanism used in astrology and the magicks associated with it. Degrees are also used as “addresses” (like the address on your house or apartment) when locating where a planet is at any given time.
Earth Signs: Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn are the signs associated with the element of earth, and are thought to have the qualities of that element. Also called the earth triplicity. Capricorn is the cardinal (starter) sign, Taurus is the fixed energy sign, and Virgo is the mutable (flowing sign). These signs are strongest when the moon (reflection), the sun (focus), and Mars (action) are visiting them, although the other planets do bring the flavor of the sign into their energies as well. Prime earth meditation times would be when one of these three planets is in an earth sign.
Eclipse: The blocking of light from one heavenly body by another heavenly body. Eclipses of the sun and moon figure prominently in magickal and meditation applications. A lunar eclipse is said to affect situations for approximately six weeks, where an eclipse of the sun is said to last for six months.
Electional Astrology: Studying various charts to determine the best day and time possible to enact an event, such as a wedding, beginning a new job, putting in a proposal, or obtaining a loan.
Fire Signs: Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius are the zodiac signs associated with the element of fire, and are thought to have the qualities of that element. Also called the fire triplicity. Aries is the cardinal (starter) sign, Leo is the fixed energy sign, and Sagittarius is the mutable (or flowing energy). Fire meditations work extremely well when the moon (reflective), the sun (focus), or Mars (action) are visiting fire signs.
Fixed Signs: These are the stubborn ones; Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. Magick or meditation done in a fixed sign, or using a planet that is currently in that sign, will “set” the work and give long-term results. Therefore, be very careful what you wish for when working with these energies. Meditations for stabilization, solidity, firmness, and support work very well when the moon or sun is in these signs.
Horary Astrology: The study of an astrological chart based on the time of a question. Horary has its own rules and relies on classical astrology (which does not use Neptune, Uranus, or Pluto), although modern interpretations are sometimes used.
House System: I don’t mention it in this book, but it bears noting. A house system primarily dithers over where the cusp lines fall (divisions between the segments of the 360 total). Some systems are equal house where all the slices of the astrological pie are the same and others are unequal. Which house system an astrologer uses to cast their charts is a personal choice.
Mundane Astrology: A branch of astrological study that interprets the charts of nations, eclipses, and solstices to monitor and analyze political events.
Mutable Signs: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces. These signs can move with the flow and interact with just about anyone on anything. Meditations for flow, movement, rising above conflict, spirituality, communication, and higher wisdom work well under these signs.
Opposition: Is a powerful aspect and is when planets are in a 180- degree longitudinal angle from each other. The most well-known opposition in magickal work is the full moon, where the Moon is on one side of the earth and the sun is on the other. Oppositions are dynamic and exciting to handle as they require that you pull in the appropriate energy for the situation from each planet and merge them into something bright and positive, a step forward on the path of life. Oppositions can manifest the best of two worlds or the worst of two worlds, depending on how you use them. An excellent herb for working with an opposition is basil because it traditionally puts energies in sympathy with each other. The opposition energy is all about being aware of the world and how you can use the energies outside of yourself to improve yourself and your life standing. Signs of the same type of activity (cardinal, fixed, mutable) are linked by squares and oppositions. As we discuss the Grand Cross in the Squares paragraph, let’s now discuss the T-Square pattern, formed by an opposition and a square. The T-Square is a “developmental” harmonic pattern. You are taking two different energies and you are rising to the challenge of meeting that square with a blending of all three sign and planetary energies. Rather than looking at this in a negative way, the T-Square will give you access to inner resources you never knew you had. As Basil Fearrington says in his book The New Way to Learn Astrology, define the opposition first, then consider the square energy. He goes on to say: “Venus opposing Mars suggests an awareness of passion within individual expression. Saturn squaring this axis will introduce dimensions of control or discomfort upon that passion. It is almost as if Venus and Mars, an intimate couple, enter into someone’s home who is decidedly Saturnian. Instead of being able to express themselves, they will be uncomfortable with the limitations they experience” (page 96).
One of the best ways to work with these aspects is to make them three-dimensional on your altar using candles in corresponding colors, gemstones, or other items with visual appeal. A very empowering meditation is to turn those candles into “actors” in your mind. First, read what is going on in the heavens. Check out the planet’s basic energy and current placement and then add the dialogue that might match. This type of meditation can help you overcome any fears or doubts about the energies around you and opens the way for positive solution gathering, working with current patterns rather than against them.
Orb/Orb of Influence: The range of degrees within which an aspect is considered to have an effect. Orbs differ by aspect and by the choice of the astrologer. A rule of thumb is that if planets are within ten degrees of forming the pattern (square, conjunction, opposition, sextile) and closing to make that pattern exact (mathematically), something is likely to happen. When the pattern in the sky is exact, this is the “zero point of manifestation.” Many astrologers and magickal folks time their work immediately before this zero point to “catch the wave.”
Retrograde: A planet that appears to move backward in the heavens for a period of time is called a retrograde planet. You’ll find retrograde planets uniquely useful, particularly for meditation. Retrogrades can help you catch a big wave of long-term energy and ride it through to completion. The retrograde motion (going backward) is an illusion created by the orbit of our own earth. See pages 202 through 206 in my book Solitary Witch for complete magickal information on how to use planetary retrogrades for your positive life enhancements.
Sextile: The sextile is when planets are in a 60-degree longitudinal relationship to each other. Sextiles are seen as windows of opportunity; however, if no action is taken, the energy will dissipate. In magick and meditation, sextiles are great for “bringing things to you” if you act on the first magickally and then in physical form. Using lodestones and magnets can enhance your working in a positive way. Sextile energy is all about opportunity and where support can be found if you choose to use it.
Square: The square is when the angle between the planets is 90 degrees and is thought to bring tension to any situation. Squares often represent challenges that we must rise above, or better yet, an energy that requires us to put our “best foot forward.” Squares encourage us to gather our forces and exert them in a positive, intelligent way. Sometimes this requires great courage. Squares are thought to show where a person regularly experiences inner turmoil and anxiety and can denote stress and worry. However, squares, say the astrologers, show where the most development in a situation will occur. It is where a situation can turn from better to worse, or worse to better; and therefore is an excellent vehicle for change! Active meditations with body movement are wonderful activities during any squared influence. Visualize yourself rising above the storm, gathering your power and applying that power in a positive way. Where the square has a lot of “inner” activity, the opposition speaks of outer activity (like disagreements between two people or modes of behavior). Squares are all about inner tension and the development of the self and life path. Signs of the same type of activity (cardinal, fixed, mutable) are linked by squares and oppositions. A Grand Cross, four squares which also form two oppositions, affects one’s identity from the bottom up. It is a pattern of two oppositions that meet in the middle. The directions are all separate, but somehow become complementary, feeding off of each other. People often have trouble making decisions when a Grand Cross is in effect, not knowing which way to turn, or where to place their constructive energies. The trick is to go to the center in your meditation, to pull in the positive energies from each direction, and then to focus that combined force outward in a positive, goal-oriented way. Naturally, when you have issues flying in all different directions toward you—your very identity is at the core of your choices.
Transits: The changing positions of the planets as they move through the signs of the zodiac. Transits influence planets and points in any type of chart and can trigger events. Although a single transit alone rarely triggers a situation, single transits work well for planning magickal and meditational applications as you focus on that type of specific energy. A “transit,” according to Basil Fearrington in his book The New Way to Learn Astrology, is like a sentence. The energy of the outer, slower moving planet in any combination acts like a modifier to the energy of the inner planet activity.
Trine: The trine is when planets are 120 degrees apart longitudinally. Above all, the trine denotes ease of expression, yet, it can also be a period of laziness if we are not too careful, and then the opportunities it presents are lost. A Sun/Jupiter trine is a wonderful business, career, and spiritual advancement period if you can apply yourself to those energies. Trines, in their own way, can hold on to a negative situation, so be careful. Even though a trine is thought to be a good aspect, it can hold you back—keep you from doing what you should be doing because change requires effort. Trine energy is all about flow and movement and your choice to find the easiest path. Note that astrological signs of the same element are linked by trines. When three signs of an element are involved in a trine through the placement and orbs of the planets (three addresses), you then have a situation called a Grand Trine. There are four types of Grand Trines—one for each element. Grand Water Trine, Grand Fire Trine, Grand Earth Trine and Grand Air Trine. Here, there is an amazing flow of that elemental energy to be tapped.