Cosmic Glossary
Explore the language of the cosmos, from astronomical technicalities to astrological wisdom and cosmic humor
Featured Cosmic Terms
Essential vocabulary for any cosmic conversation
Apparent Retrograde Motion
The technical astronomical term for the optical illusion that causes planets to appear to move backward from Earth's perspective.
Cosmic Do-Over
The belief that retrograde periods offer a second chance at decisions or situations that didn't work out the first time.
Mercury Retroshade
The popular term for Mercury's shadow period before and after its retrograde. Not an official astrological term, but widely used in modern astrology communities.
Natal Chart
A map of the sky at the exact moment of one's birth, showing the positions of planets, which astrologers use to interpret personality traits and life patterns.
Planetary Ingress
When a planet moves from one zodiacal sign to another, often significant in monitoring retrograde effects.
Planetary Timeout
A light-hearted way to describe retrograde periods, as if the planets are taking a break to reflect and reassess.
Retroactive Processing
The psychological mechanism of revisiting past events with new understanding, associated with retrograde periods.
Retrograde
An apparent backward motion of a planet as viewed from Earth. It occurs when Earth passes or is passed by another planet in its orbit around the Sun, creating this optical illusion.
Retrograde Reflection
The psychological process of introspection and reassessment that retrograde periods are said to encourage.
Retrograde Return
When a retrograde planet returns to the same position it held in your natal chart, often bringing up themes from the past to revisit.
Shadow Period
The time before and after a retrograde when a planet is moving slowly and its influence begins to be felt, despite not being officially retrograde yet.
Station
The point where a planet appears to stand still before changing direction from retrograde to direct motion (direct station) or from direct to retrograde motion (retrograde station).
Transit
The movement of planets through the sky and their relationship to positions in one's natal chart.
Browse By Category
Explore terms organized by their cosmic domain
Astronomical
Conjunction
When two celestial bodies appear to be at the same point in the sky, as viewed from Earth.
Direct Motion
The normal west-to-east movement of planets against the background of stars, as viewed from Earth.
Opposition
When two celestial bodies appear opposite each other in the sky, with Earth in the middle.
Orbit
The path that an object takes in space when it revolves around another object.
Retrograde
An apparent backward motion of a planet as viewed from Earth. It occurs when Earth passes or is passed by another planet in its orbit around the Sun, creating this optical illusion.
Shadow Period
The time before and after a retrograde when a planet is moving slowly and its influence begins to be felt, despite not being officially retrograde yet.
Station
The point where a planet appears to stand still before changing direction from retrograde to direct motion (direct station) or from direct to retrograde motion (retrograde station).
Astrological
Aspects
Angular relationships between planets in a birth chart that indicate how planetary energies interact.
Houses
The twelve divisions of the celestial sphere that represent different areas of life in astrology.
Natal Chart
A map of the sky at the exact moment of one's birth, showing the positions of planets, which astrologers use to interpret personality traits and life patterns.
Progression
A technique that moves planets forward in time to forecast future developments in a person's life.
Retrograde Return
When a retrograde planet returns to the same position it held in your natal chart, often bringing up themes from the past to revisit.
Stellium
A cluster of three or more planets in a single sign or house in a birth chart.
Transit
The movement of planets through the sky and their relationship to positions in one's natal chart.
Cultural
Astro-Ghosting
When someone disappears from your life during Venus retrograde, only to reappear when the planet goes direct.
Cosmic Do-Over
The belief that retrograde periods offer a second chance at decisions or situations that didn't work out the first time.
Mercury Retroshade
The popular term for Mercury's shadow period before and after its retrograde. Not an official astrological term, but widely used in modern astrology communities.
Planetary Timeout
A light-hearted way to describe retrograde periods, as if the planets are taking a break to reflect and reassess.
Retrograde Blame Game
The tendency to attribute any and all misfortunes to a current retrograde period, especially Mercury retrograde. "My coffee spilled? Thanks, Mercury retrograde!"
Retrograde Survival Kit
A humorous concept of essential items to get through a retrograde period, often including backup chargers, meditation guides, and chocolate.
The Retrograde Excuse
Using a planet's retrograde motion as a convenient explanation for personal failings or delays. "I didn't finish the report because Mercury is retrograde."
Complete Glossary
All cosmic terms from A to Z
| Term | Definition | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Anticipatory Anxiety | The worry or fear about upcoming events, such as the announced beginning of a retrograde period. | psychological |
| Apparent Retrograde Motion | The technical astronomical term for the optical illusion that causes planets to appear to move backward from Earth's perspective. | technical |
| Aspects | Angular relationships between planets in a birth chart that indicate how planetary energies interact. | astrological |
| Astro-Ghosting | When someone disappears from your life during Venus retrograde, only to reappear when the planet goes direct. | cultural |
| Cognitive Restructuring | The psychological process of changing one's perspective, which can be facilitated during retrograde periods. | psychological |
| Confirmation Bias | The tendency to notice experiences that confirm our existing beliefs, such as looking for problems during Mercury retrograde because we expect them. | psychological |
| Conjunction | When two celestial bodies appear to be at the same point in the sky, as viewed from Earth. | astronomical |
| Cosmic Do-Over | The belief that retrograde periods offer a second chance at decisions or situations that didn't work out the first time. | cultural |
| Direct Motion | The normal west-to-east movement of planets against the background of stars, as viewed from Earth. | astronomical |
| Ecliptic | The apparent path of the Sun across the celestial sphere over the course of a year, used as a reference plane in astronomy and astrology. | technical |
| Ephemeris | A table or data file that shows the calculated positions of celestial bodies at regular intervals, essential for tracking retrogrades. | technical |
| External Projection | The psychological tendency to attribute internal challenges to external events, such as planetary movements during retrogrades. | psychological |
| Heliocentric Model | A model of the solar system that places the Sun at the center, explaining why retrograde motion is merely an illusion. | technical |
| Houses | The twelve divisions of the celestial sphere that represent different areas of life in astrology. | astrological |
| Mean Motion | The average angular velocity of a celestial body, which changes during retrograde periods. | technical |
| Mercury Retroshade | The popular term for Mercury's shadow period before and after its retrograde. Not an official astrological term, but widely used in modern astrology communities. | cultural |
| Natal Chart | A map of the sky at the exact moment of one's birth, showing the positions of planets, which astrologers use to interpret personality traits and life patterns. | astrological |
| Opposition | When two celestial bodies appear opposite each other in the sky, with Earth in the middle. | astronomical |
| Orbit | The path that an object takes in space when it revolves around another object. | astronomical |
| Planetary Ingress | When a planet moves from one zodiacal sign to another, often significant in monitoring retrograde effects. | technical |
| Planetary Timeout | A light-hearted way to describe retrograde periods, as if the planets are taking a break to reflect and reassess. | cultural |
| Progression | A technique that moves planets forward in time to forecast future developments in a person's life. | astrological |
| Retroactive Processing | The psychological mechanism of revisiting past events with new understanding, associated with retrograde periods. | psychological |
| Retrograde | An apparent backward motion of a planet as viewed from Earth. It occurs when Earth passes or is passed by another planet in its orbit around the Sun, creating this optical illusion. | astronomical |
| Retrograde Blame Game | The tendency to attribute any and all misfortunes to a current retrograde period, especially Mercury retrograde. "My coffee spilled? Thanks, Mercury retrograde!" | cultural |
| Retrograde Reflection | The psychological process of introspection and reassessment that retrograde periods are said to encourage. | psychological |
| Retrograde Return | When a retrograde planet returns to the same position it held in your natal chart, often bringing up themes from the past to revisit. | astrological |
| Retrograde Survival Kit | A humorous concept of essential items to get through a retrograde period, often including backup chargers, meditation guides, and chocolate. | cultural |
| Shadow Period | The time before and after a retrograde when a planet is moving slowly and its influence begins to be felt, despite not being officially retrograde yet. | astronomical |
| Station | The point where a planet appears to stand still before changing direction from retrograde to direct motion (direct station) or from direct to retrograde motion (retrograde station). | astronomical |
| Stellium | A cluster of three or more planets in a single sign or house in a birth chart. | astrological |
| Synodic Period | The time it takes for a planet to return to the same position relative to the Sun as seen from Earth, which influences retrograde patterns. | technical |
| Temporal Perception | How we experience the passage of time, which can seem altered during retrograde periods when delays are common. | psychological |
| The Retrograde Excuse | Using a planet's retrograde motion as a convenient explanation for personal failings or delays. "I didn't finish the report because Mercury is retrograde." | cultural |
| Transit | The movement of planets through the sky and their relationship to positions in one's natal chart. | astrological |
Navigate the Cosmos with Confidence
Now that you've expanded your cosmic vocabulary, explore our other resources to deepen your understanding of the planetary dance.