Degree Theory
A method developed by the Astrologer Nikola Stojanovic
Degrees from 1-12 correspond to each zodiac sign in order, repeating through 13-24 and 25-29, with specific degrees carrying additional significance, detailed in the table on the following pages. These degrees seem to unfold in three progressive levels: the first level (1,2,3,..) introduces the sign’s themes, the second (13,14,15,..) intensifies its dynamics through struggles and realizations, and the third (25,26,27,..) represents the final lesson, where irreversible transformation occurs.
You can apply this on both the degrees of the planets or house cusps (with Placidus), applicable in any chart type.
Knowledge gathered from free online sources, with small additions from my own observations and the general keyword correspondences of the signs.
| DEGREE | SIGNIFICATION & MEANING |
| 1-13-25° Aries degree | Abuse, sports, athlete, slender, military, weapon, anger, protective, defensive, enthusiasm, business, pioneer, entrepreneur, in front of, fast, first, ahead, one-sided, fiery, bold, rage, scratch, ambition, blood, passionate, argument, confrontational, competitive, battle, injury, fights, attack, advance, surge, propel, speed, bravery, activity, stamina, impatience, premature, courageous, confident, motivate, pursue, triumph, self-centered, decisive, head, butcher, fangs, hills, adventure, impulsive, the body, physical, red, March 1 = Purity, karmic innocence, beginning/end of an era, life altering experiences, destiny activation. 13 = Fate, heavy burden, death symbolism, fated endings 13 Cardinal sign = Overestimate, impatience, risky, loss of focus and interest, unstable, over-express 25 = Alcoholism, addiction |
| 2-14-26° Taurus degree | Container, small space, wealth, forest, trees, nature, food, eating (disorder), exceptional talent, luxuries, abundance, slow, determined, stubborn, indulgence, possessions, possessive, pushy, sarcastic, needy, values, materials, textile, tangibles, personal belongings, perseverance, self-esteem, small, scent, voice, singing, throat, mouth, banks, security, gardening, serenity, sensory perception, pleasures, loyal, earth, dirt, money, patience, landscape, owning, property, expenditure, sensuality, green, April 2 = Supreme power, owning, ruling, the best/top, instinctual imprinting, early patterns 14 = Core expression of the sign 26 = Confrontation/crystallization of unresolved emotion, damaged physique, bad shape/condition 26 Cardinal sign = Overestimate, impatience, risky, loss of focus and interest, unstable, over-express |
| 3-15-27° Gemini degree | Two, double, duplication, mirrored, roles, duality, movement, versatile, intellectual, sibling, pen-pals, (by own) hands, finger, local, small, town, neighborhood, neighbor, groups, young, at young age, youthful, birds, tea, vehicle, transport, to/a witness, friends, geometric patterns, repetition, books, storytelling, language, documents, letters, phone call, news, messenger, (social) media, reading, curiosity, to learn, impersonal, school, talkative, vocal, to speak up, flexibility, adapt, contract, crafting, blackmailing, hearing, sound, ambiguous, light-hearted, fun-loving, iconic, many, wit, euphoria, elasticity, scattered, to connect, to write, informing, yellow, May 3 = Projection-heavy relationships, symbolic mirroring 15 = Assassination, accident, core expression, ego & vulnerability exposure, to be seen & reflected back 15 Cardinal = courage, conviction, ambition 15 Mutable = multitasking, diverse, scattered 15 Fixed = solid, immovable, stuck, passionate |
| 4-16-28° Cancer degree | Mother, home, house, residence, (shared) living situation, motherly, public, crowd, water, property, (related to) family, cooking, dining, caretaker, eyewitness, breasts, town, fertility, moodswings, cherish, collection, hard, childhood, (lingering) memories, secure, softness, nurturing, protective, vulnerable, worried, feminine, emotional (intensity), mania, anxiety, yearning, mirroring, overwhelm, attached, empathy, insecure, introspection, safety, boundaries, nearby, household, restaurant, hotel, laundry, bonding, sooth, shield, preserve, comfort, melodrama, white, June 4 Mutable sign = Indifference, challenge, expression, ambivalent 16 = Core expression of the sign, irreversible choices, blocks |
| 5-17-29° Leo degree | Strong, bold, leader, kingdom, rock-star, high school, fun, athlete, gym, workout, bar, outdoors, top of the hill, mountain, view, hair, ego, children, completion, blinded, bright, passion, attention seeking, confident, creative, arts, enjoyment, the heart, heart’s desire, flirty, bratty, erotic, (on the) road, glory, (to, at a) party, concert, social dynamics, emotional fulfillment, inspirational, adoration, to create, laughter, dramatic, erotic/sexual expression, risk-taking, recognition, to be seen, politicians, fame with consequence, romance, playful, to cultivate, to entertain, writing as healing, exploration, luxuries, own signature style, aromatic, illumination, performing, adventurous, the lover (of), July 5 = erotic, sensual, feminine, beauty, charm 17 = Fixation, repetition, breakdown of illusion, entrapment, karmic alignment, forks in the road, irreversible choices 17 Mutable sign = Indifference, challenge, expression, ambivalence 29 = Urgency, blind decision, crisis, intuitive, risk, closure, permanent consequence, transcend |
| 6-18° Virgo degree | Ex (own ex, related to an ex, ex of,..), personal challenges, delay, persistence, perseverance, health, sickness, illness, malady, work, routine, clothing, structured, refine, helpful/helpless, sober, hospitals, doctors, pets, (manual) service, workers, expertise, daily, slaves, employees, habits, ranting, obedience, details, organization, practical, to plan, step-by-step, to mentor, assistance, responsible, submissive, ranting, criticism, nursing, perfecting, sarcasm, worn out, mourn, hyperfocus, complaining, focus, self-reliant, freelancer, improvement, physical damage, worried, self-pity, insight, diplomacy, purity, healing, optimize, organized, reliable, modest, document, honesty, wellness, high sensitivity, lack of focus, August 6 = Ex, flaws, struggle, over-analyzing, nervous system calibration, overwhelming or soothing 18 = Complain, illness, refinement, test, resistance, intensity. Challenge of will, strength or stability |
| 7-19° Libra degree | Beauty, luxury, jewelry, fashion, design, floral, feminine, couple, best friend, other people, personal growth through others, music, art, creativity, marriage, spouse, legal affairs, courtroom, justice associates, social, counseling, clients, mediate, fairness, aesthetic, symmetry, melodrama, forgiving, relatable, etiquette, contractual relationships, compromise, union, open enemy, social, among people, passive-aggressive, hesitance, need for approval, Asian, with or associated to partner, from (previous) relationship, focused on partner(ships), met via partner, September 19 = Ex of a friend, related to the partner/ex, relationship-oriented, imbalance |
| 8-20° Scorpio degree | Secrets, death, sex, insurance, intense, soulful, taxes, debt, what is another’s, jealousy, envy, loyal, endure, avenge, to convert, sharing, co-owning, joint resources, money from others, receiving, support during a time of loss, pregnancy, womb, funeral, deathbed, (to) borrow, (to) lend, real estate (agent), trust, revenge, stalking, research, shame, grief, regret, perish, repelling, fascination, therapy, therapeutic, exposure, confrontational, hardships, intensify, to investigate, controlling, triggers, curse, Middle East, sandy, desert, underground, alluring, psychology, psychoanalysis, depth, transformation, (de)construction, secret ceremony, mysterious, evacuation, amnesia, power dynamic, trauma, trust issues, witnessing crisis, October 8 = Stuck emotion, embodied taboo, shame, or emotional paralysis 8 Fixed sign = Difficulty expressing, repression 20 = Jealousy, revenge, plotting, shared, loss |
| 9-21° Sagittarius degree | College, study, student, looking for something, to search, bridge, a border, professor, foreigner, foreign travel or country, can point to street name, horses, arrow, archery, a plan, to find, introduce, gamble, culture, guru, teacher, philosophy, spiritual, ceremony, publish, opportunity, novelties, debuts, inspiration, idealism, generosity, hopeful, openness, awareness of (sign), wanderlust, overcome, (student of) higher knowledge, truth, exaggeration, alternative healing, archetypal role, versatile, ambivalence, anticipation, religion, belief system, expansion, experience, avoidance, marketing, quantity, wealth, emotional depth, introspection, November 9 = Amplified archetypal roles (wife, icon, villain, muse,…), ego & vulnerability formation, mirror figure 9 & 21 Fixed sign = Fear of letting go, great attachment, restriction, vulnerability, hurt, repression, challenge 21 = Large road, foreign, new place |
| 10-22° Capricorn degree | Public office, public officials, work, coal, slow, cold, ice, delay, realist, awaiting, decay, fear, depression, pessimism, melancholy, respect, cynical, celibacy, reserved, blocked, prudish, barrier, long-term, control, destruction, obstacle, sorrow, workaholic, serious, judgemental, dominant male energy, strict, status-oriented, traditional, ambitious, persistent, for own success, relapse, withdraw, return, excel, rheumatism, shadow side, old, determined, execute, a plan, uphold, gratification, administer, parental, mature person, realistic, black, grey, December 22 = Destructive, depressive, hardship, duality test, soul fusion, “either/or” territory, echo chambers 22 Fixed sign = Fear of letting go, great attachment, restriction, vulnerability, hurt, repression, challenge |
| 11-23° Aquarius degree | To cut, crossing, cutting across, to interrupt, to collaborate, breaking free, divorce, change, unexpected, shocking, restless, rebellion, breaking free, escape, a high place, height, flying, airport, high tech, nerdy, computers, engineers, new technology, theorize, apathy, online, ingenuity, self-expression, awakening, authenticity, engagement, social concerns, activism, helping others, the masses, a humanitarian act, to liberate, (via) friends, organizations, group, unite, community, network, contribution, revolutionize, invent, electrician, high wire, suicide, easy and fast ways, detached, future, visionary, higher mind, splitting ways, two-toned, exotic, bright color, January 11 = Wealth 23 = Cut, ending, breaking free, dislike |
| 12-24° Pisces degree | Swim, near/in water, disguised, missing, to miss, unaware, mistrust, rain, flood, out of focus/sight, illusion, fake, misleading, enigmatic, fraud, narcissist, misplaced, a lot of time, fog, flow, foreign, far away, escapism, unclear, secret, to overlook, behind the scene, behind one’s back, a gut feeling, elusive, soulful, sensitivity, isolation, dreams, mystical, platonic, unconditional, healing, naivety, projection, hospital, love-hate, victim-savior, victim mentality, drugs, addiction, alcohol, affected by a scandal, oil, loss, mourning, cheating, separate, intuition, suffering, surrender, guilt, despair, pornography, disappointment, painter, prison, spiritual, solace, volunteering, compassion, unspoken, deceit, mental health, something repressed, February 24 = narcissism, bully, worst-case, dissolution, obsession, recurrence, repeating patterns, compulsion, karmic reenactments |