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Spiritual Glossary · Specialist Editors

Spiritual Glossary: 85+ Terms Defined

Plain-language definitions for the niche astrology, crystal, tarot, numerology, lunar, and Chinese metaphysics vocabulary that everyone else assumes you already know. Written by our specialist editors.

85 terms · Six traditions · Plain-language definitions

What is the CrystalStones.com spiritual glossary?

The CrystalStones.com spiritual glossary defines 85 terms across six traditions: astrology, crystal healing, tarot, numerology, lunar practice, and Chinese metaphysics. Each entry gives a plain-language definition, where the term came from, how it is used in practice, and the misconceptions it attracts.

20 definitions

Astrology

Definitions of natal chart vocabulary, signs, aspects, houses, transits, and the technical terms working astrologers use every day.

Natal ChartA natal chart is a map of the sky at the exact moment and place of someone's birth.Ascendant (Rising Sign)The ascendant, or rising sign, is the zodiac sign that was climbing the eastern horizon at the exact moment and place of birth.SynastrySynastry is the astrological technique of comparing two natal charts to study the relationship between them.TransitA transit is the current position of a planet in the sky and the aspects it forms to a person's natal chart.RetrogradeRetrograde is an apparent backward motion of a planet from Earth's perspective.ConjunctionA conjunction is an aspect in which two planets occupy nearly the same zodiac degree (within an 8-10 degree orb).OppositionAn opposition is an aspect of 180 degrees between two planets, placing them across the chart from each other.TrineA trine is an aspect of 120 degrees between two planets, usually in signs of the same element.Square AspectA square is an aspect of 90 degrees between two planets, usually in signs of the same modality.SextileA sextile is an aspect of 60 degrees between two planets, usually in compatible elements.Zodiac CuspA cusp is the boundary line between two adjacent zodiac signs or houses in a natal chart.Midheaven (MC)The midheaven, or MC (Medium Coeli), is the highest point of a natal chart, the cusp of the 10th house.Lunar Nodes (North & South Node)The lunar nodes are two mathematical points, the North Node and South Node, where the Moon's orbit crosses the ecliptic.Saturn ReturnA Saturn return is the transit that occurs when Saturn returns to the exact zodiac degree it held at someone's birth, approximately every 29 years.Void of Course MoonA void of course Moon is a period when the Moon has finished its last major aspect in a sign and has not yet entered the next sign.Astrological ProgressionAstrological progression is a forecasting technique that symbolically advances a natal chart by one day for each year of life.Composite ChartA composite chart is a single chart that represents a relationship as its own entity, created by taking the midpoints between two people's planets.Cardinal SignA cardinal sign is one of four zodiac signs, Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn, that mark the beginning of each season.Fixed SignA fixed sign is one of four zodiac signs, Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius, that sit in the middle of each season.Mutable SignA mutable sign is one of four zodiac signs, Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces, that mark the end of each season.
15 definitions

Crystals and Chakras

Plain-language definitions of crystal healing and chakra terms, from Mohs hardness to programming a stone to the seven energy centers.

ChakraA chakra is one of seven energy centers located along the spine in Hindu yogic tradition.AuraAn aura is the energetic field traditionally said to surround the human body.Crystal GridA crystal grid is an arrangement of multiple stones placed in a sacred geometric pattern to amplify a single intention.Mohs HardnessMohs hardness is a 1-10 scale that ranks minerals by their resistance to scratching.Cleansing a CrystalCleansing a crystal is a metaphysical practice of clearing accumulated energy from a stone before working with it.Programming a CrystalProgramming a crystal is the metaphysical practice of setting a specific intention into a stone after cleansing.Crystal ElixirA crystal elixir is water that has been infused with the vibrational signature of a crystal.Chakra BalancingChakra balancing is a practice of bringing the seven energy centers into a state of harmonious flow.Energy HealingEnergy healing is a broad category of complementary practices that work with subtle energy fields said to surround and inhabit the body.Metaphysical (in Crystal Healing)In crystal healing, metaphysical refers to the traditional, non-physical properties attributed to a stone, its energetic, emotional, and spiritual associations rather than its geological composition.Terminator CrystalA terminator crystal is a crystal point with a natural, faceted termination at one end.Crystal ClusterA crystal cluster is a formation of multiple crystal points growing together from a common matrix.Tumbled StoneA tumbled stone is a small crystal smoothed and polished by tumbling in abrasive grit over weeks.Raw CrystalA raw crystal is a crystal in its natural, unpolished form, straight from the earth, with rough surfaces, natural terminations, and matrix attached.KundaliniKundalini is a Sanskrit term for an energy traditionally said to coil at the base of the spine.
12 definitions

Tarot and Divination

Tarot and divination vocabulary, the Arcana, suits, court cards, spreads, reversals, and the symbolic systems they rest on.

Major ArcanaThe Major Arcana is the set of 22 numbered cards (0-XXI) in a standard tarot deck.Minor ArcanaThe Minor Arcana is the set of 56 cards in a standard tarot deck, divided into four suits, Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles.Tarot SpreadA tarot spread is a predetermined arrangement of card positions in a reading, where each position has a specific meaning.Reversed Tarot CardA reversed tarot card is one that appears upside-down in a reading.Rider-Waite-Smith TarotThe Rider-Waite-Smith tarot is a 78-card deck created in 1909 by Arthur Edward Waite (text) and Pamela Colman Smith (illustrations), published by the Rider Company.Court CardCourt cards are the 16 personality cards of the tarot Minor Arcana, Page, Knight, Queen, and King of each of the four suits (Wands, Cups, Swords, Pentacles).Tarot SuitsThe four tarot suits are Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles.Oracle CardAn oracle card deck is a divination tool with a variable number of cards, each carrying a unique image, message, or theme.Significator CardA significator is a tarot card chosen at the start of a reading to represent the querent (the person asking the question) or the central subject of the reading.Shuffling Tarot CardsShuffling tarot cards is the practice of randomizing the deck before a reading while focusing on a question.I-ChingThe I-Ching, or Book of Changes, is an ancient Chinese divination text dating back over 3,000 years.Archetype (in Divination)An archetype is a universal symbolic pattern shared across human cultures and time periods.
8 definitions

Numerology

Numerology terms in the Pythagorean tradition, life path, expression, soul urge, master numbers, and the math behind them.

Life Path NumberA life path number is a single-digit number (1-9, plus master numbers 11, 22, 33) derived from a person's full birth date through digit summing.Expression NumberAn expression number, sometimes called a destiny number, is calculated from the numerical values of all letters in a person's full birth name.Soul Urge NumberA soul urge number, sometimes called a heart's desire number, is calculated from the vowels in a person's full birth name.Master Number (11, 22, 33)Master numbers are the double-digit numbers 11, 22, and 33 that appear in numerology calculations.Personal YearA personal year number is calculated by adding the digits of your birth month, birth day, and the current calendar year.Angel NumberAn angel number is a repeating number sequence, 111, 222, 333, and so on, that appears with noticeable frequency in daily life.Pythagorean NumerologyPythagorean numerology is the modern Western system of numerology that traces its philosophical roots to Pythagoras of Samos.Karmic NumberKarmic numbers are specific numbers in numerology, typically 13, 14, 16, and 19, that appear before final reduction and are said to indicate unfinished lessons or patterns from past experience.
5 definitions

Lunar and Cycles

Lunar cycle definitions, moon phases, eclipses, and the rhythm-based vocabulary used in moon-aligned spiritual practice.

Waxing MoonThe waxing moon is the half of the lunar cycle when the moon appears to grow in size, from New Moon to Full Moon.Waning MoonThe waning moon is the half of the lunar cycle when the moon appears to shrink, from Full Moon to New Moon.New MoonThe New Moon is the moment when the moon sits between the Earth and Sun, invisible from Earth.Full MoonThe Full Moon is the moment when the moon sits opposite the Sun, fully illuminated as seen from Earth.EclipseAn eclipse is an astronomical event in which one celestial body passes through the shadow of another.
25 definitions

Chinese Metaphysics

Classical Chinese metaphysics terms, Wu Xing (Five Elements), BaZi (Four Pillars), Feng Shui, Yin-Yang, and the Chinese Zodiac vocabulary you'll encounter in serious sources.

Wu Xing (Five Elements)Wu Xing (五行 Wǔ Xíng, literally 'Five Movements' or 'Five Phases') is the classical Chinese system describing five archetypal phases of qi: Wood (木 Mù), Fire (火 Huǒ), Earth (土 Tǔ), Metal (金 Jīn), and Water (水 Shuǐ).Yin-YangYin-Yang (陰陽 Yīn Yáng) is the foundational duality of classical Chinese metaphysics: complementary opposites that constitute every phenomenon.Qi (Chi)Qi (氣 Qì, sometimes romanized as 'Chi') is the classical Chinese term for vital life energy, the animating force that flows through bodies, environments, and the cosmos.Bagua (Eight Trigrams)The Bagua (八卦 Bā Guà, 'Eight Trigrams') is the eight-fold diagram at the heart of the I-Ching and classical feng shui.BaZi (Four Pillars of Destiny)BaZi (八字 Bā Zì, 'Eight Characters'), sometimes called the Four Pillars of Destiny (四柱命理 Sì Zhù Mìng Lǐ), is the classical Chinese personality and timing system.Feng ShuiFeng Shui (風水 Fēng Shuǐ, literally 'wind-water') is the classical Chinese practice of designing spaces to align with the flow of qi.Day MasterThe Day Master (日主 Rì Zhǔ) is the Heavenly Stem of the day pillar in a BaZi chart, the central character that represents the person being read.Heavenly StemThe ten Heavenly Stems (天干 Tiān Gān) are the upper character of each pillar in a BaZi chart.Earthly BranchThe twelve Earthly Branches (地支 Dì Zhī) are the lower character of each pillar in a BaZi chart and the twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac: 子 Rat, 丑 Ox, 寅 Tiger, 卯 Rabbit, 辰 Dragon, 巳 Snake, 午 Horse, 未 Goat, 申 Monkey, 酉 Rooster, 戌 Dog, 亥 Pig.Sheng Cycle (Generating)The Sheng cycle (生 Shēng, 'generating') is one of the two primary cycles of Wu Xing.Ke Cycle (Controlling)The Ke cycle (克 Kè, 'controlling' or 'overcoming') is the second primary cycle of Wu Xing.San He (Three Harmonies)San He (三合 Sān Hé, 'Three Harmonies') is the strongest classical compatibility pattern in Chinese astrology.Liu He (Six Harmonies)Liu He (六合 Liù Hé, 'Six Harmonies') is the second-strongest classical compatibility pattern in Chinese astrology.Chong (Direct Clash)Chong (冲 Chōng, 'Clash' or 'Confront') is the classical Chinese astrology pattern between two Earthly Branches that sit directly opposite each other on the wheel.Hai (Harm)Hai (害 Hài, 'Harm' or 'Hurt') is a secondary tension pattern in classical Chinese astrology, describing six pairs of Earthly Branches with subtle qi misalignment.Tai SuiTai Sui (太歲 Tài Suì, 'Grand Duke Jupiter') is a classical Chinese astrological concept representing the Jupiter-related annual star whose position determines which zodiac animals are considered 'in conflict' with the year.Kua NumberThe Kua Number (卦數 Guà Shù) is a personal feng shui number derived from your birth year and gender, used in the Eight Mansions (八宅 Bā Zhái) feng shui school.Tong Shu (Chinese Almanac)The Tong Shu (通書 Tōng Shū, 'Almanac' or 'Book of All Things') is the annual Chinese almanac that lists auspicious and inauspicious days for every type of activity, weddings, moves, business launches, travel, even haircuts.Solar Terms (24 Jieqi)The 24 Solar Terms (二十四節氣 Èr Shí Sì Jié Qì) are the classical Chinese seasonal divisions, each lasting about 15 days.Lunar CalendarThe Chinese Lunar Calendar (農曆 Nóng Lì, 'Agricultural Calendar') is the traditional Chinese calendar combining lunar months (averaging 29.5 days) with solar-term boundaries.Year PillarThe Year Pillar (年柱 Nián Zhù) is the first of the four pillars in a BaZi chart, derived from the year of birth.Month PillarThe Month Pillar (月柱 Yuè Zhù) is the second of the four pillars in a BaZi chart, derived from the month of birth as determined by the Solar Terms (not the lunar calendar).Hour PillarThe Hour Pillar (時柱 Shí Zhù) is the fourth of the four pillars in a BaZi chart, derived from the two-hour Earthly Branch period of birth.Five Elements PersonalityFive Elements Personality is the application of Wu Xing (五行) to temperament typing.Chinese ZodiacThe Chinese Zodiac (生肖 Shēng Xiào, 'birth resemblance') is a 12-year cycle of animals: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig.
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