Significator

The astrological symbol which stands for a particular theme or subject - and the horoscope factor associated with it. The procedure for finding the significator in a horoscope is opposite to the one for interpretation: Usually horoscope factors are interpreted and compared to the concrete life of the person in question, whereas in the case of a significator the concrete facts are translated back into their symbolic form. For example, in the case of religion the astrologer would consider the ninth house and position of the planet Jupiter, together with other planets in the sign of Sagittarius and the house cusp in this sign.

This approach is important not only for learning how to deal with horoscopes but for gaining a better understanding of horoscopes in general.

It is important to take notice of the fact that there are not always clear parallels between astrological terms and the more general ones we use to describe the world around us. The skin is one example: It has Venus as its significator in its function as a sensual organ, but also Saturn in its function as marking the body's outer boundary. Cosmic language and the given situations here on Earth are not necessarily identical.