U

Umbra

The dark central zone of the Moon's shadow during a solar eclipse. It is surrounded by the penumbra, the lighter, outer zone of the shadow.

Unaspected Planet

A planet forming no major aspect to any other planet in the chart is considered unaspected. Often displays a lack of integration into the conscious personality and promotes the energy of the sign it occupies.

Undecile

Minor aspect expressing one-eleventh of a circle, when two planets are plus or minus 32° 43' 07" apart (approx. 33°). Said to indicate psychic gifts and technological matters, especially connected with science and computers.

Under the Sun's Beams (Under Beams)

Within 17 degrees of the Sun. Any planet here is weakened, though more so if combust (within 8 degrees 30 minutes). Not so important in natal astrology. Devore states that the orb of aspect of the Sun by conjunction or opposition is up to 17° and the part "under beams" is the non-combust zone of the aspect, i.e. between 8º30' and 17º00'.

Universal Astrology

One of the three branches of Hellenistic Astrology, dealing with the prediction of the weather, geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, and events affecting entire countries, cities, or populations, such as plagues and wars. See Mundane Astrology.

Universe

In modern times, the entirety of the space-time continuum in which we live, including all matter and energy, planets, stars, atoms, things, thoughts and beings.

Unwandering Stars

Fixed Stars.

Uranian Planets

Planets postulated to lie beyond the orbit of Neptune. Also known as trans-neptunian planets, these were postulated in 1914 by Alfred Witte (Cupido, Hades, Zeus and Kronos), founder of the Hamburg School, and more were added later by Friedrich Sieggrün (Pluto, Apollon, Admetos, Vulcanus and Poseidon). Only Pluto has so far been discovered by science, in 1930 by Clyde Tombaugh at the Percival Lowell observatory.

Uranus

Formerly known as Herschel (after its discoverer, Sir William Herschel), this planet, one of the outer trans-personal planets, was not discovered until March 13, 1781. Although not readily visible to the naked eye, there is evidence that ancient astronomers had observed (and named) Uranus, though it was not included in the schema of astrology, perhaps due to its dimness and slow movement. Some modern astrologers hold that it rules Aquarius; others allow it co-rulership with Saturn, though traditional astrologers deny that Uranus has any pretensions to sign-rulership. It stands for unexpected disruptions and sudden catastrophes. Esoterically, it calls forth the genius in the character of the native.