R

Rahu

Name for the Dragon's Head in Indian Astrology. See Dragon's Head.

Radix (Radical)

Referring to the Natal Chart. In Horary terminology, it implies that conditions have been fulfilled enabling the chart to be judged.

Raman

One of the lesser-known Ayanamsas used to convert the tropical positions to the sidereal in Indian Astrology. It has a current arc of 21° 00' 52".

Rapt Motion

Apparent diurnal motion from east to west.

Rapt Parallels

Equal distances from the meridien formed by rapt motion (not zodiacal).

Rashi

Jyotish term for zodiac sign. The sign in which the Moon is placed at birth is also commonly known as the Rashi in Indian astrology.

Reception

Planets in each other's dignities act as though in good aspect to each other. When in each other's debilities, planets act as though in adverse aspect to each other. Especially important when comparing nativities of two people.

Rectification

Correcting the given birth time to true birth time by comparing the nature and date of significant events in the life with the aspects denoting them. A rectified chart gives a more radical (accurate) ascendant, especially useful for forecasting.

Rectify

Perform recification.

Refranation (Refrain)

If two planets are applying to an aspect and one of them turns retrograde before the aspect culminates, it is said to refrain from the aspect, showing that the effect indicated by the aspect will not materialise.

Regard

Ancient term for aspect (when a planet "sees" another).

Regiomontanus House System

A system employing equal division of the equator, named after the 15th century mathematician Johan Muller of Konigsberg, (also known as Regiomontanus), who popularised its use through printed tables. It is valuable for births at high latitudes.

Regulus

A benefic Fixed Star in the 30th degree of Leo. The most royal of the four Royal Stars, aka Cor Leonis, the Lion's Heart.

Remedy

Traditional method of counteracting unfortunate astrological factors. For example, planetary gems, herbs, rituals, placement of objects, ceremonies and sacrifices. Used mainly today in India, where traditional Vedic Astrology (Jyotish) is a part of everyday life, but also by traditional astrologers in the West. Chinese astrology (esp. Feng Shui) also employs a similar range of remedies.

Retrograde

Apparent backward motion of a planet through the zodiac. Sun and Moon are never retrograde. Though viewed as a debility in Western Astrology, in Jyotish (Vedic Astrology), a retrograde planet in a good house and free from combustion is considered more powerful.

Revolution

See Solar Return.

Right Ascension

Measurement along the equator by degrees only from the first point of Aries. 360 degrees into 24 hours means each degree occupies about 4 minutes (of clock time) on the equator.

Rising

A planet is said to be rising, or ascending, when moving via the ascendant between the fourth and tenth cusps, i.e. in the eastern hemisphere of the chart. Some modern astrologers only consider a planet to be rising if actually placed in the first house, where its strength is accentuated because angular. [It's a moot point as to whether a planet in the mid-heaven should be described as "rising", or simply "elevated". Certainly it is angular and thus strengthened.]

Rising Sign (Ascendant)

The sign on the cusp of the First House; the sign rising over the eastern horizon at the time of the native's birth in natal astrology, or question in horary. Strictly speaking the degree of the Rising Sign is the Ascendant (ASC) with regard to aspects. In traditional and in Vedic astrology, the whole sign rising over the eastern horizon at the time of the native's birth is called the Ascendant or Rising Sign. More about Ascendant.

Royal Stars (of Persia)

Fixed Stars of particular significance, first declared as Watchers, or Guardians of the World by ancient Persian astrologers at around 3000 BC, when they stood at the four angles of the Heavens. These stars were also assigned angelic status by the Hebrews. There are four Royal Stars:

• Aldebaran, the Watcher of the East, ruler of the Vernal Equinox
• Regulus, the Watcher of the North, ruler of the Summer Solstice
• Antares, the Watcher of the West, ruler of the Autumnal Equinox
• Fomalhaut, Watcher of the South, ruler of the Winter Solstice.

Regulus is usually considered the "most royal", although Aldebaran has his proponents. More on Fixed Stars.