Astrology Glossary
Explore the terminology, calculations, and classical methodologies used across Aayu's diagnostics.
Tithi
The lunar day, representing the angular distance between the Sun and the Moon, increasing by 12° increments. There are 30 Tithis in a lunar month, divided into Shukla Paksha (waxing) and Krishna Paksha (waning).
Vara
The solar weekday, determined from sunrise to the next sunrise. Each day of the week is ruled by a specific planetary lord (e.g., Sunday by the Sun, Monday by the Moon) and carries their inherent qualities.
Nakshatra
The lunar mansion. The ecliptic is divided into 27 equal divisions of 13°20' each, through which the Moon travels daily. A native's birth Nakshatra represents their core mental alignment.
Yoga
A mathematical combination of the Sun's and Moon's geocentric longitudes. There are 27 daily Yogas, indicating the general mental disposition and auspiciousness of the day.
Karana
Half of a lunar day (Tithi), spanning 6° of angular distance. There are 60 Karanas in a lunar month, consisting of 4 fixed/stable Karanas and 7 repeating/movable Karanas.
Brahma Muhurtha
An extremely auspicious morning period beginning 96 minutes before sunrise and ending 48 minutes before sunrise. It is highly recommended for spiritual study, meditation, and creative planning.
Abhijit Muhurtha
An auspicious midday period centered around solar noon (approx. 48 minutes long). Governed by Lord Brahma, it is capable of neutralizing minor planetary afflictions and is favorable for new undertakings.
Vijay Muhurtha
The 8th Muhurtha of the daytime (approx. 48 minutes long, centered around noon). Favorable for litigation, starting competitive efforts, signing deals, and commencing journeys.
Godhuli Muhurtha
The twilight period, spanning from 24 minutes before sunset to 24 minutes after sunset. Known classically as the "dust of cows" hour, it is highly auspicious for weddings, treaties, and spiritual initiations.
Planetary Horas
Hourly subdivisions of the day (12 for daytime, 12 for nighttime). The sequence begins with the weekday lord at sunrise and moves in a reverse Chaldean order (Sun, Venus, Mercury, Moon, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars).
Rahu Kaal
A daily inauspicious time window ruled by Rahu (approx. 90 minutes long). It is highly recommended to avoid starting major financial transactions, voyages, or signature ceremonies during this block.
Yamaganda Kaal
A daily inauspicious time window ruled by Ketu/Yama (god of death). Commencing important works during this hour often results in delays, failures, or heavy obstacles.
Gulika Kaal
A daily inauspicious or delay-causing time window ruled by Gulika (son of Saturn). It represents stagnant energy, suggesting the postponement of crucial initiatives.
Shadbala
A classical six-fold mathematical framework used to determine the exact strengths and weaknesses of planets, consisting of Sthana, Dig, Kaala, Cheshta, Naisargika, and Drik Bala.
Sthana Bala
Positional strength of a planet. Evaluated based on its placement in exaltation, own sign, friendly sign, or enemy sign, along with its relative strength across divisional charts.
Dig Bala
Directional strength of a planet. Planets gain maximum strength in specific house directions (e.g., Jupiter/Mercury in the 1st/East, Sun/Mars in the 10th/South, Saturn in the 7th/West, Moon/Venus in the 4th/North).
Kaala Bala
Temporal strength, calculated using the time of birth. Factors include day vs. night birth (Diva/Ratri Bala), weekday, lunar fortnight, month, year, and planetary hour (Hora).
Cheshta Bala
Motional strength. Evaluated based on a planet's velocity, planetary war victories, and retrograde motion status (with planets exhibiting high Cheshta Bala when retrograde).
Naisargika Bala
Natural inherent strength of planets. The Sun is naturally the strongest, followed by the Moon, Venus, Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, and Saturn (inherently the weakest).
Drik Bala
Aspect strength, representing the net summation of all benefic and malefic planetary aspect rays hitting the planet.
Sarvatobhadra Chakra
A 9x9 grid configuration representing the complete manifest cosmos. Used in transit astrology to map aspect lines (Vedhas) from moving planets onto birth nakshatras, vowels, consonants, and tithis.
Vedha
A planetary ray or obstruction. In SBC, transiting planets cast frontal, left-diagonal, or right-diagonal Vedhas hitting natal letters, signs, tithis, or nakshatras. Benefic Vedhas support, while malefic Vedhas obstruct.
Latta Dosh
Planetary kicks affecting nakshatras. Transiting planets kick or afflict specific constellations in forward or backward directions relative to their motion from your birth star.
Sapta Nadi
A system of seven channels (Nadis) governing health, mind, and weather. Planets transiting through your birth Nadi determine baseline physical and mental currents.
Vimshottari Dasa
The primary 120-year planetary period system of Vedic astrology. Dictates the sequence of planetary rulers governing the native's life cycles starting from the birth Moon Nakshatra.
Trisphuta Dasa
A specialized longevity-focused Dasa system. Calculates periods based on the Trisphuta point (sum of Lagna, Moon, and Sun longitudes) to mark critical phases.
Mahadasa
The major planetary cycle in a Dasa system (ranging from 6 to 20 years in Vimshottari). Sets the dominant theme and baseline quality of life events during its span.
Bhukti
The sub-period of a Mahadasa, subdividing the major period into 9 segments. Fine-tunes the timing and specific nature of events.
Antardasa
The sub-sub-period of a Bhukti. Pinpoints events down to weeks or days.
Lagna
The Ascendant. The zodiac sign rising on the eastern horizon at the exact moment and location of birth. Represents the self, physical body, and perspective.
Bhava
Astrological house. The sky is split into 12 houses starting from the Lagna, with each house governing specific areas of life (e.g., 2nd house for wealth, 7th house for partnerships).
Retrograde
The apparent backward motion of a planet as viewed from Earth. Classically, retrograde planets (Vakri) are considered exceptionally strong and bring karmic lessons related to their significations.