Astrology, chapter 8 of 13
Aspects
An aspect is an angle between two planets (or a planet and a point) measured along the zodiac. Aspects are the plot of the chart: they show which drives cooperate, which fight, and which fuse. The ancient aspects derive from dividing the 360° circle by 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6, Pythagorean number symbolism.
Orb = how far from exact an aspect can be and still count. Tighter = stronger. Typical orbs: 8–10° for conjunctions/oppositions involving Sun or Moon, 6–8° for squares/trines, 4–6° for sextiles, 1–3° for minor aspects.
Applying vs separating: an aspect that is getting closer to exact (applying) is building and more significant, especially in prediction; one that is moving apart (separating) is already fading.
The major (Ptolemaic) aspects
| Aspect | Symbol | Angle | Number | Nature | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conjunction | ☌ | 0° | 1, unity | Fusion (depends on the planets) | Two energies merge into one; intensification. Venus–Jupiter = blessing; Mars–Saturn = hard, forged will |
| Sextile | ⚹ | 60° | 6, harmony | Soft, opportunity | Cooperation that needs a little effort to activate. Talents that are easy to develop |
| Square | □ | 90° | 4, matter, the cross | Hard, tension | Friction, crisis, internal conflict, pressure → the engine of action and achievement. The most dynamic aspect |
| Trine | △ | 120° | 3, spirit, the trinity | Soft, flow | Natural gifts, ease, luck. Can make a person lazy about using it, gifts taken for granted |
| Opposition | ☍ | 180° | 2, duality | Hard, polarity | Tension between two sides; projection onto others; seesawing. The goal is integration and awareness |
Minor aspects
| Aspect | Angle | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Semi-sextile | 30° | Slight, uncomfortable adjustment between neighbouring signs |
| Semi-square | 45° | Low-level irritation, friction |
| Quintile | 72° | Creativity, talent, personal style (5 = the human, the pentagram) |
| Sesquiquadrate | 135° | Agitation, restless tension |
| Quincunx / inconjunct | 150° | Awkward mismatch; constant adjustment; linked to health and health-related adjustments |
| Biquintile | 144° | Creative gift, like the quintile |
| Septile | 51.4° | Fate, mystical calling (7 = the sacred number) |
Major aspect patterns
- Stellium: 3+ planets in one sign or house, huge concentration of energy in that area.
- Grand Trine: three planets in trine, usually in the same element, a closed circuit of talent and ease; can make life too comfortable.
- T-Square: two planets in opposition, both squaring a third (the apex). Enormous drive; the apex planet is where the tension is released and the "empty leg" shows what's missing.
- Grand Cross: four planets in two oppositions forming four squares. Pressure from all sides; great strength if integrated.
- Yod (Finger of God): two planets in sextile, both quincunx a third. A sense of fate, special mission, or compulsive adjustment at the apex.
- Kite: a Grand Trine with a fourth planet opposite one of its points, gives direction to the talent.
- Mystic Rectangle: two oppositions linked by trines and sextiles, practical mysticism, balanced tension.
Planet pairs in practice
The nature of the aspect is only half the story; the other half is the pair. For any aspect, ask: What does planet A want? What does planet B want? How do they negotiate?
- Sun–Moon: will vs needs; the inner marriage of father/mother.
- Venus–Mars: attraction vs desire; the sexual and romantic signature.
- Mercury–Saturn: a serious, structured, sometimes pessimistic mind.
- Moon–Pluto: intense, all-or-nothing emotions; the powerful mother.
- Sun–Saturn: a heavy father or authority theme; late-blooming confidence.
- Venus–Neptune: idealised love, artistic sensitivity, romantic disillusionment.
- Mars–Uranus: sudden action, rebellion, accident-prone energy, brilliance in crisis.