Nova Botanica Astrology Glossary
A chart-reading reference for signs, planets, houses, modes and botanical reflection.
Chart Foundations
- Birth Chart
- A map of planetary positions at the moment of birth, used for archetypal reflection and timing.
- Ascendant
- The rising sign on the eastern horizon. It describes presentation, doorway energy and the way life is first met.
- Midheaven
- The high point of the chart, often linked with vocation, visibility, calling and public path.
- Ephemeris
- A table or calculation system showing where planets are in the zodiac at a given date and time.
Planets
- Sun
- Life-force, identity, vitality, purpose and the conscious centre.
- Moon
- Emotions, memory, body-rhythms, needs, family patterns and instinctive safety.
- Mercury
- Mind, speech, study, nervous system, language, trade and interpretation.
- Venus
- Love, beauty, value, harmony, pleasure, attraction and relational ease.
- Mars
- Action, courage, heat, defence, desire, conflict and decisive movement.
- Jupiter
- Growth, faith, teaching, wisdom, opportunity, abundance and wider meaning.
- Saturn
- Structure, discipline, time, boundaries, mastery, responsibility and maturity.
Elements and Modes
- Fire Signs
- Aries, Leo and Sagittarius: vitality, inspiration, courage and creative heat.
- Earth Signs
- Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn: body, craft, roots, structure and practical manifestation.
- Air Signs
- Gemini, Libra and Aquarius: thought, conversation, pattern, perspective and exchange.
- Water Signs
- Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces: feeling, intuition, memory, healing and subtle perception.
- Cardinal
- Initiating energy. Aries leads with fire, Cancer with care, Libra with balance and Capricorn with structure.
- Fixed
- Stabilising energy. Taurus sustains, Leo radiates, Scorpio deepens and Aquarius holds vision.
- Mutable
- Adaptive energy. Gemini translates, Virgo refines, Sagittarius explores and Pisces dissolves boundaries.
Reading Language
- Transit
- A current planetary movement interacting with the birth chart, often used for timing and reflective guidance.
- Aspect
- An angle between planets that describes relationship, tension, ease or activation.
- House
- A life area in the chart, such as body, resources, home, relationships, vocation or spiritual practice.
- Ruler
- The planet traditionally associated with a sign, used to deepen interpretation.