Astrology Terms Explained

What exactly is astrology? The stars and planets have always inspired a sense of wonder. Many cultures look skyward and see the face of the divine there. There's a cosmic dance on the grand scale, and one on the intimate scale, going on for each of us. Astrology is the study of patterns and relationships of planets in motion, our birth chart, synastry with others, the make-up of elements — and using that knowledge as a tool to find meaning.

Here are some Astrology terms explained in alphabetical order.

Air signs: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius

Just like the wind, this trio moves quickly, jumping from one idea or conversation topic to the next (and then forgetting how they arrived there in the first place). These signs are endlessly curious, craving freedom and independence.

Birth Chart

At the heart of your horoscope is your birth chart. The circular graph shows the full picture of where the sun, moon and planets were positioned at the exact time and place of your birth. When reading a natal chart, the main focus is on your sun, moon and rising signs, as these tell astrologers the most about your personality traits. To dive even deeper into Birth charts check out my You Tube Video explaining Birth Charts in great detail.

Cardinal: Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn

Meet the “beginning” signs. Zamboni tells us they’re eager to initiate projects but may be slow with the follow-through.

Earth signs: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn

As in “down to earth.” These signs are grounded, loyal and reliable. And yes, they have a spreadsheet for that.

Eclipse

An eclipse is when one celestial body blocks the light or visibility of another body. For example, a Lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes into the Earth’s shadow, blocking the Sun.

Elements

Your ’scope says you’re a “fire sign,” but what does that actually mean? For starters, each sign is symbolized by one of the four natural elements (air, water, fire, earth), which can help us understand how each sign navigates the world.

Equinox/Solstice

There are two equinoxes and two solstices every year, each of which ushers in a change in seasons, and mentions of these occurrences tend to pop up often in horoscopes. The winter (December 21) and summer (June 21) solstices are either the longest or shortest days of the year, depending on which hemisphere you're in. On these days, the sun either reaches its highest or lowest point in the sky. The spring (March 21) and autumn (September 21) equinoxes are when there are equal amounts of sunlight, as the sun is striking the equator.

Fire signs: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius

They’ve got that spark. Fire signs enliven the party, bringing their energy, ambition and humor to every situation. If you’re thinking it, they’ll say it.

Fixed Signs: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius

These four are statio