Reference
Glossary
Plain definitions for the vocabulary used throughout StartBound.Life.
Ascendant
The zodiac degree rising on the eastern horizon at birth. Sets the entire house structure and describes the persona.
Orb
The permitted deviation from an exact aspect angle. Tighter orbs mean stronger, more literal expression.
Retrograde
Apparent backwards motion of a planet from Earth's viewpoint. The planet's function turns inward, revising rather than advancing.
Void of Course
The period after the Moon's last major aspect in a sign until it enters the next. Traditionally poor for launching, fine for routine.
Stellium
Three or more planets in one sign or house. Concentrates the chart's attention, often at the expense of other areas.
Progression
A symbolic timing technique where one day after birth equals one year of life. Tracks internal maturation rather than events.
Synastry
Comparison of two natal charts to read a relationship's structural dynamics.
Composite Chart
A single chart built from the midpoints of two natal charts, describing the relationship as its own entity.
Solar Return
The chart cast for the moment the Sun returns to its exact natal degree each year — a portrait of the coming birthday year.
Saturn Return
Saturn's return to its natal position at roughly 29½, 59 and 88. Structures that lack integrity tend not to survive it.
Major Arcana
The 22 trump cards of the tarot, describing archetypal turning points rather than daily circumstance.
Minor Arcana
The 56 suit cards — Wands, Cups, Swords, Pentacles — describing the texture of ordinary life.
Court Cards
Page, Knight, Queen and King of each tarot suit: people, or modes of behaviour you are currently occupying.
Significator
A card chosen to represent the querent before a reading begins, traditionally by age, colouring or sun sign.
Reversal
A card drawn upside down. Read as internalised, blocked, delayed or excessive rather than simply negative.
Querent
The person the reading is for — the one holding the question.
Merkstave
The rune equivalent of a reversal: the shadow or obstructed expression of the stave.
Changing Line
In the I Ching, a line that mutates and produces a second hexagram — showing where the situation is heading.
Scrying
Divination by gazing into a reflective or shifting surface: water, obsidian, smoke, flame.
Lithomancy
Divination by casting stones or crystals and reading their positions and relationships.
Chiromancy
The formal name for palm reading — lines, mounts and hand shape read together.
Life Path Number
The reduced sum of your full birth date; the central curriculum of the life in numerology.
Master Number
11, 22 and 33 — numbers left unreduced because they carry heightened voltage and difficulty.
Chakra
One of seven energy centres along the spine in the tantric system, each governing a domain of function and feeling.
Biorhythm
A cyclical model of physical (23-day), emotional (28-day) and intellectual (33-day) fluctuation from date of birth.
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