Astrology Dictionary M Page 3

Metonic Cycle

A Metonic Cycle is a term used when the Sun and the Moon slowly and evenly progress towards the same position they combined in during the previous phase. This combining point allows the solar and lunar calendars used in Astrology to be synchronized appropriately. The Metonic Cycle has a duration of 19 years and is an updated version of ancient Babylonian, Greek and Hebrew lunisolar calendars. Metonic Cycle calendars emphasize years 3, 8, 11, 14, 17 and 19 as the times having 13 Months rather than 12. This particular cycle is utilized to compute the official date we declare as Easter on a yearly basis.

Mid-heaven

The term Mid-heaven is the point within a natal chart where the Sun's path crosses the line of longitude in the Southern or Northern Hemisphere. In many astrological house systems the Mid-heaven is located around the 10th house and is also referred to as the Meridien, M C or Medium Coeli. It is the highest position on the horizon that a planet can reach. The Mid-heaven in interpretation is thought to possess the same sensitivity to aspects, progressions and transits as any other planetary influence. In a conjunction with the Sun the Mid-heaven highlights an individual's aims, ambitious and purpose in life.

Midpoint

In Astrology the measurement of the Midpoint of two planets in a birth chart by distance and time can provide additional astrological insight. The calculation of the midpoints of these 2 celestial bodies is believed to interpret their combined influences giving more scope for analysis. The evaluation and interpretation of midpoints is especially useful for gaining understanding when analyzing a relationship between 2 people. Each pairing of planets has two midpoints whose strength lies in their cusps and these are the coordinates used to analyze for the creation of Composite or partnership compatibility charts.

Minor Aspects

Aspects in Astrology are the angular measurement of planetary, or sensitive point like the Ascendant, distances by degree. The Major aspects provide general astrological indications but the Minor Aspects are thought to help fill in missing information. Minor Aspects developed by Kepler were introduced to assist with the finer details of natal chart interpretation. They are generally considered of secondary importance to the Major aspects and although significant are not thought to be as powerful an influence. Minor Aspects are the semi-sextile, semi-square, sextile, sesquinquadrate and Quincunx.

Minor Year

A few thousand years ago ancient Astrologers in search of a destiny forecasting key began to consult the influences of planetary minor years. Verdic and Hellenistic Astrology have both welcomed and adopted forms of this kind of astrological prediction method. These systems involve Chronocractors or Time Lords and each of the planets is allocated a sequential period of time and used in relation to the natal chart. The Minor Years for celestial bodies is 8 years for Venus, 12 for Jupiter, 15 for Mars, 19 for the Sun and 20 years for Mercury. Then it is 25 years for the Moon and 30 years is the Minor Year for the planet Saturn.

Modality

A Modality in Astrology is an astrological attribute assigned to a particular group of zodiac signs. It is also referred to as the Quality or Quadruplicity of a sign and characterizes it's manner of expressive energy. There are 3 modalities, the first includes the Cardinal signs Aries, Cancer, Capricorn and Libra and gives them their independent but impatient natures. The second modality group are the Fixed signs of Aquarius, Scorpio, Taurus and Leo who can be persistent but stubborn. The final set of modalities belong to the Mutable zodiac signs of Pisces, Sagittarius, Virgo and Gemini who are typically, due to their modality, flexible but indecisive.

Moiety

The term Moiety is usually used in Horary Astrology to explain the 'within orb' concept of planetary positions. Planet orbs are the imagined spherical light that encircles a planet and the Moiety is the word for the radius of this imaginary sphere. In the application of aspects celestial body locations are allowed some flexibility in degree to allow for their Moiety. The degree of Moiety for the Sun is around 15 degrees while the Moon's is 12 degrees. Mercury, Venus and Mars have an orb allowance of about 7 degrees and Jupiter and Saturn have around 9 degrees flexibility. The outer planets with astrological significance have been allocated a 5 degree moiety.