Otherwise known as ‘limits’ or ‘bounds’, terms are
divisions within each sign that are ruled by the planets.
Various lists existed in antiquity, most excluded the lights from participating
in the rulership; that proposed by Ptolemy remains in popular use. When a
planet is in its own terms it is dignified. Term rulers modify the effects of
the planets within their territory and also offer descriptive influence – for
example the term of the ascendant ruler is considered when judging physical
descriptions.