Learning Basic Astrology D-F

Debility

A planet is weakened when placed in a sign which is unsympathetic to its nature, such as Mercury, an airy planet, when placed in Sagittarius, a fiery sign. See "Dignity" on this page.

Decan (Decanate)

A one-third (ten-degree) sector of a sign. Each sign has three decanates: 0-10 degrees, 11-20 degrees and 21-30 degrees. Each decan has its own ruler. Each decan is divided into two faces, a positive and a negative, each with its own ruler. Decanates themselves are also known as faces.

Decile

Minor aspect of 36°. Considered fortunate, also known as semi-quintile.

Declination

Distance of a planet north or south of the equator. Every part of the ecliptic has declination except the beginning of Aries and Libra, because the plane of the ecliptic is not parallel with that of the equator, which meet at those two points. The Sun has maximum declination of 23° 28', when it reaches the tropics of Cancer in the north and Capricorn in the south. Declination is due to the inclination of the earth in orbit. See Parallel.

Decreasing in Light

When a planet has passed the opposition to the Sun it is said to be decreasing in light and is correspondingly weaker. This especially applies to the Moon.

Decumbiture

A chart drawn for the time the patient falls ill, for the purpose of diagnosing illness.

Degree

The zodiac is divided into 360 equal degrees, which are themselves divided into twelve signs of thirty degrees each. One degree contains 60 minutes and each minute contains 60 seconds of longitudinal arc.

Descendant

The seventh house (or its cusp), governing marriage, partnership and open confrontation.

Descending

Planets appear to be descending between the tenth house cusp via the descendant and that of the fourth, when they begin to ascend. Descending planets are considered weaker than ascending ones.

Detriment

A planet is weaker and in its detriment when it is in the sign opposing that which it rules. For example, Mars is in detriment when placed in Libra, the opposite of Aries, or Taurus, the opposite of Scorpio.

Dexter

An aspect read to the right (ie separating from the point of aspect). See Sinister.

Dignity, Accidental and Essential

A planet is stronger when placed in certain sectors of the chart, which are called its dignities.

Accidental Dignity

A planet's position by house (angular, succedent, or cadent), or by other beneficial factors such as well-aspected, increasing in light, elevated, swift, etc.

Essential Dignity

This refers to a planet's position by sign (home sign, exaltation, or triplicity) Accidental is more significant than Essential Dignity in the interpretation, although both are important. The unfortunate influence of a malefic is usually diminished when in dignity, whilst the fortunate influence of a benefic is increased. See Table of Planetary Values.

Direct Motion

In the normal order of the signs. The opposite of Retrograde Motion.

Directions

Aspects between planets in a progressed horoscope; also their aspects to the planets in the natal chart.

Dispositor

When a planet is in the sign ruled by another, that planet is said to be disposed of by the ruler, its dispositor. For example, Mars in Sagittarius in said to be disposed of by Jupiter, the ruler of that sign. Jupiter is thus the dispositor of Mars. Disposition by a benefic is favourable and especially so if the dispositor is elevated or more elevated than the disposed. Mutual Disposition (when planets are in each other's signs, eg: Moon in Leo and Sun in Cancer) is very favourable and reduces any surrounding negativity. Disposition is particularly important in Horary readings.

Diurnal

Planets above the horizon (between the first and seventh cusps via the Mid-Heaven), versus Nocturnal below the horizon.

Dodecatmoria

Ancient Greek 2.5 degree division of a sign (one twelfth of 30 degrees). See Dwadishamsha.

Domal Dignity

A planet in its own sign.

Double-bodied Signs

Gemini is known as one of the double-bodied signs (dual signs) because it has two "bodies" in its symbol, the symbol of the Twins. The other dual signs are Sagittarius (part man, part beast) and Pisces (two fishes). They denote dual experiences, twins etc., when on the cusp of fifth or eleventh houses and especially on the ascendant or when populated by many planets. Dual or double-bodied signs often love variety and are drawn to be involved with two people at a time, or have two or more things happening at once, such as two jobs etc. See also Bi-corporal Signs

Dragon's Head

Caput Draconis, or Moon's North Node. The sign and degree occupied by the moon when crossing the ecliptic from south to north lattitude. It is usually considered somewhat benefic, and is the opposite of the Dragon's Tail (Cauda Draconis), the South Node, which is considered malefic. In Indian astrology, the Dragon's Head is called Rahu and the Dragon's Tail is called Ketu and both are considered malefic, though less so for ketu. These significant points traditionally have the strength of a planet and are especially important in directions.

Dragon's Tail

Cauda Draconis, or Moon's South Node. See Dragon's Head.

Dual Signs

Gemini; Sagittarius; Pisces. See Double-bodied Signs.

Dwadishamsha

Division in Indian Astrology of the zodiac into segments of two and a half degrees. Popularised in the modern era in the West by Alan Leo, this division was also used by the ancient Greeks, in the dodecatmoria.

Earth

Sometimes called Terra. Our planet revolves on its own axis every 24 hours and completes its orbit around the Sun in around 365.25 days. The course of the Earth's orbit lies between that of Venus and Mars. The Moon is the Earth's natural satellite and orbits the Earth in approximately 29 days.

Earth Element

One of the four astrological elements. A feminine element, it stands for materiality, solidity, matters to do with security and so on. The other elements are, Fire, Air and Water.

Earth Signs

Taurus (fixed), Virgo (mutable), Capricorn (cardinal).

Easter

Christian festival of Christ's resurrection, coinciding approximately with the first full moon after the vernal equinox. Easter is named after the ancient German goddess of spring, Eastre. This calendar festival finds its primitive origins in earlier European and Middle Eastern cultures, all of which had major festivals, usually to do with resurrection and/or release from bondage, based around the vernal equinox.

Eclipse

Solar and Lunar eclipses are important keys to political and social events. They are also significant in natal and progressed horoscopes. An eclipse happens when the Sun, Earth and Moon align so that, in a solar eclipse, the body of the Moon obscures the body of the Sun and in a lunar eclipse, the body of the Earth obscures the Moon. In each case the Sun's light is obstructed, causing the eclipse.

Ecliptic

The Sun's apparent path through the zodiac, a belt some 15° - 18° wide around the Earth. The name refers to eclipses, which can only occur here.

Eighth House

The eighth segment of an astrological chart. Governs natural changes in life such as birth and death, clearing the way for something better, self-revelations, marriage and business assets, and the resources of partnership.

Election

Chart cast to ascertain the most auspicious time for important events, such as marriages, moving house and so on. Used in Horary Astrology.

Elevated

The closer a planet is to the midheaven in a chart, the more elevated, and therefore the more potent, it is.

Eleventh House

The eleventh chart segment. Governs friendships, hopes and wishes, personal goals, associations, group aspirations, cooperation, bettering the community and humanitarianism.

Elongation

Distance of a planet, measured in degrees, from the Sun.

Emersion

A planet coming from under the Sun's beams so as to be seen after an eclipse or occultation. See Immersion.

Ephemeris

Tables of planetary places used to find their positions in the horoscope. Now widely available in computerised form.

Equator

See Long Ascension and Short Ascension.

Equinox

Equal Night. Point in the ecliptic where the day and night is of equal duration. Vernal equinox is the first degree of Aries and the autumnal equinox is the first degree of Libra. (These points are reversed in the southern hemisphere).

Essential Dignity

See Dignity

Exaltation

Essential dignity of a planet, possibly even more powerful than being in its own sign. Traditionally, however, exaltation (4 points) is considered less important than rulership (5 points) on the scale of planetary values. See Table of Planetary Values.

Face

Each sign of thirty degrees is divided into three segments called decans (decanates) of ten degrees, each with its own planetary ruler. Each decan is divided into a positive (active) and a negative (receptive) face of five degrees, expressing the polarity of the planetary ruler of the decan. Thus each sign has six faces, three positive and three negative, depending on the rulership of the decanates. Decanates themselves are also often referred to as faces.

Fall

A planet is in fall when placed in the sign opposite to that of its exaltation. A debility.

Familiarity

Any aspect or reception between planets.

Fertile Signs

Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces.

Fiery Element

One of the four astrological elements. A masculine element, it stands for action, positivity, matters to do with spirituality and so on. The other elements are Water, Air and Earth.

Fifth House

The fifth segment of a chart. It represents recreation, creativity, hobbies, gambling, risks, children, love affairs and the extension of the self through children or love relationships.

Figure

Chart, horoscope, map, nativity.

Finger of Fate

See Finger of God.

Finger of God

Also called the Finger of Fate or Yod. Comprises two planets in sextile (60°) aspect to each other, each making a 150° aspect focused on the same third planet (opposing their midpoint). Indicative of a special life purpose, it creates the sensation of steadiness, special passion, deep aspiration and a strong inner drive to accomplish something very important and special.

Firdar

see Alfridaria

Fire Signs

Aries (cardinal), Leo (fixed), Sagittarius (mutable).

First House

see Ascendant.

Fixed Houses

2nd, 5th, 8th, 11th houses.

Fixed Signs

Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius.

Fixed Stars

These do not move across the ecliptic, as do planets. Those near the ecliptic and of significant magnitude have considerable influence. Fixed stars do not lie within the zodiac; they are all beyond it in the constellations. Planets move within the zodiac.

Fomalhaut

A malefic Fixed Star in the 4th degree of Pisces. One of the four Royal Stars.

Forecast

Predictions based on an analysis of planetary configurations.

Fortuna

Part of Fortune (see Pars Fortunae).

Fortunes

Jupiter and Venus; also the Sun and Moon unless afflicted. Mercury and Neptune can be fortunate when unafflicted and in good aspect to Jupiter or Venus. See also Infortunes.

Fourth House

Fourth segment of an astrological chart. It represents the end of matters, religious and philosophical beliefs, the home, real estate and the querent's father (though in modern astrology can also represent the mother, or parental influnce in general).