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 trine
360 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
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 the
unwieldy 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 energies
but 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
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 scattered
energies, 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, two
planets 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
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 to
change 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 geocentric aspects. There is also such a thing as heliocentric
positions of the planets and hence heliocentric aspects. 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 or
personal 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 as
husband 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 a
potential 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
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