Each sign has a range of terms (from Latin: termini), also known as Bounds, ruled by one of the five classical planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn). The Sun and Moon have no terms. A planet in its own terms is strengthened, while a planet in the terms of another is coloured by (acts "in terms of") that planet. Thus Saturn in terms of Venus has reduced potential for malevolence, while Venus in terms of Mars has less power for benefit, more power of action and so on. There are three known sets of terms, the Egyptian, the Chaldean, and the Ptolemaic, which Ptolemy (2nd Century CE) claimed to be "ancient". The tables of terms have largely fallen into disuse in modern times, although according to Robert Schmidt they were central to the practice of Hellenistic Astrology, where they were known as Confines (gk: horia). Here is the traditional order of planetary potencies:

Sign

Exaltation

Triplicity

Terms

Faces

See Ptolemy's Table of Essential Dignities & Debilities.