ac-ci-dent
Phonetic: /ˈæk.sɪ.dənt/
In Medieval astrology, an accident refers to a contingent or external condition that modifies a planet’s expression without altering its essential nature.
Medieval astrologers distinguished between essential qualities and accidental conditions when judging a planet’s strength. Accidents include factors such as house placement, motion, aspects, and visibility, which affect how a planet operates in a specific chart. These conditions can strengthen or weaken a planet’s ability to act, regardless of its inherent dignity. The concept is central to the evaluation of accidental dignity, which measures a planet’s effectiveness in producing outcomes.