wikiHow Glossary of Astrological Terms * Zodiac: The band of the sky divided into 12 equal parts, each named after the constellation that is located within it. * Houses: The 12 divisions of the sky representing different areas of life and experiences. * Planets: The celestial bodies that are used in astrology to represent different energies and influences. * Aspects: The geometric relationships between planets in a chart, which can indicate harmony or tension. * Natal chart: A map of the sky at the exact moment of a person's birth, used to study their personality and life path. * Rising sign: The zodiac sign that was rising on the horizon at the time of a person's birth. * Retrograde: When a planet appears to be moving backwards in its orbit, which can indicate a period of review or reflection. * Transits: The current positions of the planets and how they interact with the positions in a natal chart. * Synastry: The study of the relationship between two people's natal charts. * Fixed stars: Special stars that are considered to have significant influence in astrology. * Node: The points where the orbits of the Moon and planets intersect with the ecliptic (the apparent path of the Sun in the sky). * Sabian symbols: A set of symbolic images associated with each degree of the zodiac, used for understanding and interpreting a chart. * Decans: Each sign of the zodiac is divided into three decans, each ruled by a different planet. * Dignities: The special relationship between a planet and the sign it occupies in a chart, indicating strength or weakness. * Elemental balance: the balance of the four elements (fire, earth, air, water) in a chart, which can indicate a person's natural inclinations and tendencies. Page