A Glossary of Horary Terms

Querent

The person asking. Represented by the 1st house of the chart and the ruler of that house.

Quesited

The thing or person asked about. Represented by the house the matter belongs to and the ruler of that house.

Significator

The planet standing for one side. Every horary chart has at least two; the Moon is always a third.

Radical chart

A chart that genuinely represents the question and is fit to be read. The considerations before judgment are the test of radicality.

Ascendant

The sign and degree rising on the eastern horizon at the moment of the question. It begins the 1st house and sets the whole house structure.

Cusp

The degree at which a house begins. The ruler of the sign on the cusp is the ruler of that house.

Conjunction (0°)

Two planets at the same degree. Union, entanglement. With a benefic it strengthens; with a malefic it spoils.

Sextile (60°)

Harmonious but requiring effort. The opportunity is there; it has to be taken.

Square (90°)

An aspect of friction. The event happens, but at a cost — obstruction, tension, strain.

Trine (120°)

The easiest aspect. The event flows of its own accord. One of the strongest positive testimonies in horary.

Opposition (180°)

Facing off. The event occurs, but with a conflict, a parting, or regret.

Orb

The degree of tolerance within which an aspect counts before it is exact. Classical horary assigns orb by planet (its moiety), not by aspect.

Applying

The faster planet is moving towards the slower and the aspect has not yet perfected. Classical reading: the event lies in the future. This is the basic condition for a positive answer in horary.

Separating

The aspect has already perfected and the planets are moving apart. The event is in the past, or its window has closed.

Perfection

The moment the aspect becomes exact. Timing is calculated from the degrees remaining until perfection.

Retrograde

A planet appearing to move backwards. Withdrawal, a change of mind, delay — and, where lost things are concerned, return.

Station

The moment a planet appears to stand still before changing direction. Classically the weakest and most irresolute condition.

The sign a planet occupies describes how freely it can act. Classical astrology measures this on a five-step scale.

Domicile (rulership)

The planet is in its own sign. The strongest position: at home, resources to hand, able to do as it wishes.

Exaltation

The sign where a planet is honoured. Strong, but somewhat overstated — a guest seated at the head of the table.

Triplicity

A weaker, element-based dignity. The planet is comfortable but not decisive.

Term (bound)

A fine dignity resting on the degree within the sign. Small, but it counts as testimony.

Face (decan)

The weakest dignity. In the classical phrase, standing at one's own front door — not fallen, but not strong either.

Detriment

The planet is opposite the sign it rules. It is in foreign territory: unwilling, uneasy, ineffective.

Fall

The planet is opposite its exaltation. Counted weaker still than detriment — discredited, insecure, fragile.

Peregrine

The planet holds no dignity at all. Neither strong nor weak: directionless, unowned, adrift. In horary it signals irresolution; in questions of lost property the thief's significator is classically sought among the peregrine planets.

Combustion

The planet is within 8 degrees of the Sun. Classically it cannot see, be heard, or function: its power has been taken from it. One of horary's heaviest negative testimonies.

Under the beams

Within 17 degrees of the Sun but beyond 8. Weakening, though not as severely as combustion — being left in shadow.

Cazimi

The planet is at the very heart of the Sun, within 17 minutes of arc. The exact opposite of combustion: the tradition counts it among the strongest positions there is — seated on the king's throne. It is rare, and worth noting when it occurs.

Translation of light

A third and faster planet — often the Moon — separates from one significator and applies to the other, bridging them. In practice: the event happens through an intermediary. Someone who steps in, a coincidence, a piece of news.

Collection of light

Both significators apply to a slower third planet, which gathers them together. Usually a third party in a position of authority: a manager, a judge, an elder of the family.

Prohibition

Another planet cuts in before the aspect between the significators can perfect, and severs the connection. An obstacle from outside.

Refranation

With the aspect about to perfect, one significator turns retrograde and withdraws. A change of heart from inside: the decision reversed at the last moment, the contract cancelled.

Frustration

While one significator applies to the other, a third planet reaches the target first and spoils the matter. A relative of prohibition; the difference is that the spoiler arrives first.

Besiegement

A planet is caught between the two malefics, Mars and Saturn. Pressure from both sides: no way out and no room to move.

Reception

One planet rules the sign the other occupies, and so 'receives' it. A host welcoming a guest: even a hard aspect softens where there is reception.

Mutual reception

Two planets each in the other's sign. Classically a very strong positive testimony: the parties can stand in for each other and lend each other support. It can rescue even badly placed significators.

Regiomontanus

The standard house system of classical horary, named after the 15th-century astronomer Johannes Müller (Regiomontanus). Lilly used it; so does Astrum.

Angular houses: 1, 4, 7, 10

The strongest houses of the chart. A planet here is effective and matters move quickly. In timing they point to months.

Succedent houses: 2, 5, 8, 11

Middling in strength. The event happens but takes time. In timing, weeks.

Cadent houses: 3, 6, 9, 12

The weakest houses. A planet here has diffuse effect. In timing, days.

Derived house

When the question concerns someone else's affairs the chart is turned: that person's house becomes the new 1st, and counting continues from there. Mother's car is the 2nd from the 4th — the 5th house.

Void of course

The Moon will complete no major aspect before leaving its sign. Classical reading: nothing at all is moving in this matter.

Via Combusta

The 'burnt road', from 15° Libra to 15° Scorpio. With the Moon here, the answer to the question is classically counted unreliable: a zone of emotional turbulence.

Lunar nodes

The two points where the Moon's orbit crosses the ecliptic. The North Node increases, the South Node diminishes. They are not significators; they lend a quality to wherever they fall.

Antiscia

A planet's reflection across the solstice axis. Hidden connections: a relationship can be found through antiscia where no aspect is visible. An advanced technique.