Charts & Placements (Used in Both Traditions)
Birth Chart / Natal Chart
A map of where the Sun, Moon, and planets were positioned at your exact moment and place of birth; the foundation of any personalized astrology reading.
Ascendant / Rising Sign
The zodiac sign rising on the eastern horizon at your exact birth time; sets the starting point for your first house and shapes first impressions. Called the Lagna in Vedic astrology.
Conjunction
Two or more planets sitting at the same or very close degree, intensifying each other's combined influence. See Western Aspects.
Transit
The current, ongoing movement of a planet through the zodiac, as opposed to its fixed position in your birth chart.
Element
One of four groups (fire, earth, air, water) that zodiac signs are sorted into, describing their general temperament.
Vedic Astrology Terms
Rashi
The Vedic term for zodiac sign; one of 12 sidereal, 30-degree divisions of the zodiac. See Vedic Zodiac Signs.
Nakshatra
One of 27 lunar mansions, each spanning 13°20', offering more granular detail than a Rashi alone.
Bhava
The Vedic term for astrological house; one of 12 life-area divisions in a chart. See Vedic Houses.
Navagraha
The nine planetary forces used in Vedic astrology: Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu, and Ketu. See Vedic Planets.
Rahu & Ketu
The lunar nodes; mathematical points marking where the Moon's orbit crosses the Sun's path, treated as shadow planets tied to desire (Rahu) and detachment (Ketu).
Ayanamsa
The calculation used to correct for the roughly 24-degree gap between the tropical and sidereal zodiacs; Lahiri is the most common ayanamsa in modern Vedic practice.
Navamsa (D9)
A divisional chart used specifically to assess marriage potential and the true underlying strength of a planet.
Dasha (Vimshottari Dasha)
Vedic astrology's primary timing system, dividing a 120-year cycle among the nine planets. See Dasha report.
Mahadasha / Antardasha
A major planetary period (Mahadasha) and its sub-period (Antardasha) within the Dasha system.
Yoga
A specific planetary combination believed to produce an effect greater than any single placement alone; see Raj Yoga report.
Dosha
A planetary configuration considered a karmic imbalance or challenge; see Mangal Dosha, Kalsarp Dosha, and Pitra Dosha.
Guna Milan (Ashtakoot)
An eight-factor, 36-point Vedic system for evaluating marriage compatibility. See Love & Marriage report.
Anka Shastra
Vedic numerology; the practice of reading personality and destiny through Moolank, Bhagyank, and Namank. See Vedic Numerology.
Moolank / Bhagyank / Namank
The three core Vedic numerology numbers: birth number, destiny number, and name number, respectively.
Krishnamurti Paddhati (KP)
A refined system of Vedic astrology using cuspal sub-lords for precise event timing. See KP Astrology.
Western Astrology Terms
Sun Sign
The zodiac sign the Sun occupied at your birth; what most people mean by "my zodiac sign" in Western astrology.
Big Three
The combination of Sun, Moon, and Rising sign, considered the foundation of a real Western astrology reading.
Tropical Zodiac
The Western zodiac system, anchored to the seasons rather than the physical constellations.
Midheaven (MC)
The cusp of the 10th house, representing career direction, public reputation, and life ambition.
Trine, Square, Sextile, Opposition
The remaining major aspects beyond conjunction; see Western Aspects for full definitions and meanings.
House System (Placidus, Whole Sign, Equal House)
Different mathematical methods for dividing a chart into 12 houses; see Western Houses.
Outer Planets
Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto; slow-moving planets associated with generational rather than personal themes.
Reports & Dosha-Specific Terms
Sade Sati
A 7.5-year Saturn transit through the 12th, 1st, and 2nd houses from the natal Moon. See Saturn (Shani) report.
Manglik
A person whose chart shows Mangal Dosha, indicating a strong Mars placement. See Mangal Dosha report.
Navratna
The nine traditional Vedic gemstones, each associated with one of the nine Navagraha planets. See Gemstone report.
Videsh Yoga
Planetary combinations associated with foreign travel or settlement. See Videsh Yoga report.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Vedic and Western astrology use different terms for similar ideas?▼
The two traditions developed largely independently — Vedic astrology from Jyotish Shastra in India, Western astrology from Babylonian and Hellenistic Greek tradition — so even closely related concepts (like Rashi and sun sign) carry distinct vocabulary and calculation methods.
What's the single most important term to understand first?▼
Birth chart (or Kundli in Vedic terms) is the foundation everything else builds on — nearly every other term describes a specific piece of that same chart.
Is this glossary complete?▼
It covers the terms used across our current guides; if you come across an unfamiliar word in a specific article that isn't listed here, the article itself will typically define it in context.
Can I use Ctrl+F / Cmd+F to search this page?▼
Yes — since terms are organized alphabetically within each category, a browser search for a specific word is often the fastest way to find what you're looking for.