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ASPECTS

Aspects is the term for angular relationships between planets or parts of a

horoscope chart. They show how the energies of the planets or parts of the chart

work together, and they show potentials for actions or events. For example, imagine

two objects close by one another. They might join together as a team or rub each

other the wrong way causing friction. On the other hand, two objects facing each

other across a circle might balance each other or complement each other, or they

could oppose or repulse each other like opposite poles of magnets.

The aspects exert influence over a range of degrees centering around the exact

angle, or arc, of the aspect. This range of influence is called the orb. The closer to

exact (or tighter) an aspect is, the greater its power. Sometimes more orb is

allowed when the Sun or Moon is involved.

Most aspects are created when the circle is divided into parts divisible by whole

numbers.

no division, 0 apart [orb 8-10] called a conjunction

360 by 2 = 180[orb 8-10] called an opposition

360 by 3 = 120[orb 8-10] called a trine360 by 4 = 90[orb 8-10] called a square

360 by 5 = 72[orb 1-2] called a quintile

360 by 6 = 60 [orb 5-6] called a sextile

360 by 7 = 5126[orb 1-2] called a septile

360 by 8 = 45[orb 2] called a semi-square

360 by 9 = 40[orb 1-2] called a novile or nonile

360 by 10 = 36[orb 1] called a decile

360 by 12 = 30 orb 1-2] called a semisextile

Astrologers dont have a definite rule about how many degrees

of orb to use with the various aspects. Its partly a matter of

personal choice as to how much of a range you consider the

influence of an aspect to have. The orbs listed above are

suggestions.

Of these types of division, some are more powerful, with more noticeable effects and

are thus used more frequently by astrologers. The divisions by 5, 7, 9, 10 and 12 are

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not as influential as these other divisions and are called minor aspects. Even more

minor would be multiple fraction aspects formed from these, like the biquintile (144),

fairly commonly used, and the quite obscure biseptile (10252) or aspects with no

names, like 3/8 or 5/8. The eighth-multiples, and even multiples of sixteenths, are

used primarily only by a certain system of astrology called Uranian astrology,

developed in the 20th Century by Germans. It is very mathematical and uses very

tight orbs for all aspects. It pretty much ignores the 1/3 (trine) and 1/6 (sextile)aspects, which are considered quite important by most other astrologers. Noel Tyl has

made quite a study of an aspect he calls the quindecile (165), which he says indicates

obsessions. I cant speak to that since I havent studied it.

There are some additional aspects not formed by dividing the circle by a whole

number. For instance, the quincunx (also called inconjunct) is 150, the distance of

five 30 signs apart. This is a little more important and more often used than the

minor aspects. There is also the 135 aspect, like a square-and-a-half, with theunwieldy name sesquiquadrate or sesquisquare. When it is considered useful by an

astrologer, usually the semisquare (45) is also used.

Some astrologers consider certain aspects to be easier to handle than others.

Generally trines, quintiles, sextiles and semisextiles are considered to bring pleasant

effects and conditions (and are referred to as easy aspects) while oppositions,

squares, semisquares and sesquiquadrates are considered to bring unpleasant effects

and conditions (and are referred to as hard aspects).

Here is how the parts of a chart get along when connected by the aspects [the

brackets show the number degrees between the involved chart parts and the orb

allowance for the aspect].

The major (most often-used and considered strongest) aspects are CAPITALIZED.

These are known as the Ptolemaic aspects, those favored by the prolific ancient

Greek astrologer Ptolemy.

CONJUNCTION[0 + or - 8-10] adds a heavy emphasis, their forces combine and

strengthen, adding power in the sign and house areas of the conjunction (whether a

conjunction is pleasant or unpleasant depends on the planets or parts of a chart

involved and the signs theyre in and how well those blend)

TRINE[120 + or - 8-10] harmony, ease of expression, can lead to inertia and

laziness, automatic benefits with even greater rewards/effects when some effort is

applied

SEXTILE[60 + or - 5-6] opportunities for help, harmony and ease between energiesbut effort is definitely required for benefit and awareness

Semisextile[30 + or - 1-2] slight ease, opportunities, resources

OPPOSITION [180 + or - 8-10] difficulties from outside forces, requires a

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compromise, shows alternatives, leads to growth through awareness

SQUARE [90 + or - 8-10] apparently irreconcilable desires which may lead to going

around in circles, struggle leading to action, must learn to satisfy both urges or give

one up

Semisquare[45 + or - 2] strain, conflict necessitating action

Sesquiquadrate[135 +or - 2] challenges, friction leading to action

Quincunx[150 + 2] a psychological challenge, unconscious pattern of scatteredenergies, something left incomplete requiring adjustment or compromise or bridging

Nonile (novile)[40 + 2] fated things, compulsions, may have to do with creativity or

completion

Septile[5126 [+ 2] similar to the nonile but with a spiritual side

Quintile[72 + 2] unique abilities or talents, easily developed

Biquintile[144 + 2] like the quintile, perhaps a bit weaker in influence

More than two astrological objects may be involved in an aspect. For instance, twoplanets may be conjunct and both may be opposite and third. But say these three are

square to a fourth. This is then an aspect pattern involving almost half the planets

and is a focal point of the chart. There are names for certain patterns. The one

described above is called a T-square since a T is formed. There is also a Grand

Cross with two pairs of oppositions at right angles (square) to one another. An

equilateral triangle is called a Grand Trine.

Aspects seem to operate more intensely as they are come to the point of exactness,called applying, more than after they have already been exact and are moving apart,

called separating. For instance, the square aspect is exact at 90. If two planets

are 87 degrees apart, the square is applying. If they are 93 apart, the square is

separating. Always look at the faster planet in relation to the slower one. The

planets are generally faster the closer they are to the Sun in this order: Mercury,

Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto. (The exception to this general

rules occurs when planets appear to come to a halt in the optical illusion called

retrograde motion.) The Moon is closest to earth and is thus the fastest of the

heavenly bodies from our perspective. So if the quick Moon is 118 behind slow-

moving Saturn, it is moving out of a 120 trine as it gets closer to Saturn; this is

called a separating aspect. If the Moon is 118 ahead of Saturn, it is moving into the

trine, called an applying aspect.

Another way of looking at aspects is to see if they occur in the first half of the phase

relationship between the planets or in the second half. When a faster moving planet

passes a slower moving planet, they are conjunct. When the faster one gets halfway

around the circle from the slower one, they are opposite. The period in between the

conjunction and the opposition is called the waxing part of the phase. The second

half, from opposition back to the next conjunction, is called the waning part of the

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phase. You are already familiar with the waxing and waning Moon. From the New

Moon (conjunction of the Moon to the Sun) to the Full Moon (opposition of the Moon

to the Sun) is the waxing phase, where the Moon appears to grow bigger and bigger.

From the Full Moon back to the next New Moon is the waning phase, where the Moon

appears to contract in size.

Any pair of planets can be considered in a similar fashion, although neither appears tochange in size the way the Moon does in this example. On an interpretation level, we

say that the energy exchange between the planets is slightly different in the waxing

phase versus the waning phase. There is a more subconscious or instinctual component

to the waxing phase and a more conscious or informed component to the waning phase,

since the opposition (which divides the phases) is thought to bring awareness or

objectivity. Or we might say, the energy is increasing or growing during the waxing

phase and decreasing or declining when waning.

Usually when astrologers discuss aspects between planets, they are referring to the

spatial relationships as viewed from earth (since that is where we live). These are

technically known as geocentricaspects. There is also such a thing as heliocentric

positions of the planets and hence heliocentricaspects. This would be as viewed from

the true center of our solar system, the Sun. Some astrologers like to look at the

heliocentric positions in addition to the geocentric ones. In interpreting the

heliocentric positions, it is thought they represent interactions with the larger world

or a bigger scope of reference than geocentric, which might be more individual orpersonal in meaning. (See The Mountain Astrologer, Issue #87. p. 58.)

Speaking of things other than personal and individual, did you know not only humans

have horoscope charts? Anything that has a beginning point in time can be charted.

Examples would be: a buildings cornerstone or dedication ceremony; an automobile

rolling off the assembly line; an animal being born; a business making its first

transaction or its stock first being traded; an airplane flight taking off or the

beginning of any kind of journey or travel; a wedding (use the time of pronouncing ashusband and wife); a fire starting; the list is endless. Mundane (meaning of the

world) astrology studies everyday occurrences, events and non-human entities.

Aspects are considered not only in the natal or birth charts (whether human or not)

but are also examined as they occur over time. This is part of looking at what is called

transits, the ever-changing positions of the planets in the heavens as they move

through the signs, whether viewed geocentrically or heliocentrically. Transits and

their aspects are the meat of astrological forecasts. For instance, if there is apotential in the natal chart for difficulty with finances (perhaps a square from Venus,

ruling money matters, to Saturn, indicating hardship or a lack), it is most likely to

manifest when there is a transiting aspect to this natal pattern, say when the position

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of Uranus (meaning surprises) becomes opposite to the position of either Venus or

Saturn. This would form a temporary T-square, and around the time of that

moment, give or take a few days (allowing some orb), its very likely something

surprising - and not necessarily pleasant - will occur with financial impact.

2001-2011 Janet Booth for JanetsPlan-Its.com and AstrologyBooth.com