Each sign of the Zodiac is broken up into 5 Terms or Bounds. This means that if a Planet (excluding the Luminaries as they have no Terms or Bounds in any of the Signs) is placed in its Terms or Bounds it receives dignity because it is most happy in certain degrees of the Sign. It is important here to note how to read the table of Terms because it can be quite confusing. Using the term "bounds" it is clear that it is not the specific degree that the Planet must be placed in but that which is between two specific degrees it should be found in order to be considered. First before proceeding it seems more fit to include a Table of the Terms or Bounds and after an explanation of how to interpret the table.

Each of the Terms start at 0° and therefore the number placed in the first box is the end of the terms. For example, we see that the first Terms of Aries are ruled by Jupiter. The degrees in which Jupiter has its terms in Aries are from 0°-6° Aries. Followed by this are 7°-12° for Mercury and 13°-20° for Mars, finally 26°-30° for Saturn. The degree found in the box is always the last degree of the terms of the Planet found in the prior box. With this said, it is very simple to find the terms of any Planet placed in any of the Zodiac signs.

For further reference and understanding of the student it should be noted that a Planet is stronger in Terms when it is also in its own Sign. For example, Jupiter is stronger in the first Term of Sagittarius (being its House & Triplicity) than it is in Aries (being only his Triplicity). The reason for this is because he is greater dignified with both House & Triplicity than with Triplicity alone and therefore more powerful and potent. Furthermore the closer the sign is to the nature of the Planet, the greater degrees it is allotted for its Terms. Using the example aforesaid we see that Jupiter, being a hot and moist Planet only receives 6 degrees in Aries and Leo because they only share the heat but in Sagittarius, who shares both the heat and moisture of Jupiter, he is given a greater amount of degrees because his placement is more agreeable because of the similar nature. The contrary is also true for Planets placed in their opposing nature and therefore the term are decreased because their power is weakened.

As to the purpose of these Terms and Bounds we can only but assume for Ptolemy states to us that he had found a book which contained in it the history and purpose behind these inventions but unfortunately the book was decays so badly that it was barely legible and therefore he could not relate their purpose or reason. However we can state that these Terms are extremely helpful in birth time rectification as well as Nativity and Horary charts. When the Ascendant is placed in any of these Terms, it adopts the qualities of the Planet which rules over that specific Term. This means that if the Ascendant is placed in the Terms of Mars, the Native, Querent or Quesited will have manners and traits similar to that of Mars. By this we can determine very easily if the charts we have casted for Horary are radical or not, and if they match that of the Querent or Quesited (if posited on their cusps or Lords).

Terms or Bounds are given the dignity rank of 2 (+2) because they are of minor dignity. This however does not devalue their importance of use for they should be used more regularly in Astrology than they are now. Terms are an important tool in which to further understand the temperaments of man.