Aspects: the Angles of Astrology
When interpreting an individual's birth, progressed or compatibility charts, astrologers use three primary elements. The elements include the sun signs, houses and aspects. When comparing two charts for compatibility, (friends, lovers, business associates) the aspects created from both charts are considered synastry). Most people today have some concept of signs and houses but few average individuals have a good astrological understanding of the importance of planetary aspects in their charts and report.
Aspects refer to the mathematical angles by degrees between two planets. Keep in mind that the astrology chart being a circle is measured in 360 degrees. Let’s take a brief look at, and define the major aspects.
Conjunctions
A conjunction means that two planets appear to overlap. Of course the planets are not equidistant from the sun. But from our perspective one planet passes over another, and this is reflected in the astrology chart and report prepared by an astrologer for an individual client. An example of a conjunction that everyone would notice would be a solar eclipse. A conjunction can have a positive or negative influence in a chart, depending on the planets and houses involved. Planet in conjunctions have their energy intensify. When an outer planet and an inner planet are conjunct, or a planet is conjunct with the moon, the energy produced can be unwelcome.
Oppositions
An opposition is pretty much self defining. In my birth chart when the sun is directly overhead at noon time, the moon appeared in that part of the world enjoying midnight, give or take some time zone variations, meaning completely opposite. An opposition can be very challenging or reflect equality or balance between two strong forces.
Squares
Squares are planets at a 90 degree angle. Square and oppositions on a birth chart generally represent challenges to an individual. A "square" is probably the most important of all aspects in that it shows tension and conflict in the chart, and therefore the potential for change and growth. A number of squares can make a "T" square or a grand cross (another article altogether). Traditionally squares have been viewed as unfavorable, especially for combinations like Mars squared Saturn. Mars viewed as aggressive and outgoing, and Saturn as retreating or constricting. However a chart without a square can be rather weak kneed.
Trines
Trines are aspects with an angle of 120 degrees, or one third of the mathematical circle. A grand trine is three points on the circle separated by 120 degrees. Connecting the points creates a triangle within the circle. Interestingly, the three connecting signs also have the same element (i.e. fire, earth, air, water). A grand trine would indicate greater effect from that particular element. It also can suggest a powerful self-defense posture. Trines bring easy energy and are associated with success.
Sextiles
Sextiles are planetary aspects of 60 degrees. Sextiles are considered positive aspects in ones birth chart, but a sextile may however, also represent potential that can be developed through conscious effort. Of all the major aspects I find sextiles least interesting, mostly because the math associated with the other
angles seems to offer more possibilities. Words that come to mind for sextiles are:
cooperative and complementing.
Minor aspects can also play an important supporting role in one's astrology chart. Minor aspects include the: semisextile, semisquare (not quite as dramatic as a square), sesquiquadrate, decile, novile, septile, trecile, and the inconjunct. Many astrologers today also consider the inconjunct a major aspect, also important are the quintile and the quindecile. The quindecile is 165 degrees, 15 degrees shy of an opposition. It corresponds with: disruption, separation, upheaval, obsession, and compulsion. The quintile is 72 degrees and represents a supportive aspect suggesting creativity. In ancient times astrologers relied only upon the major aspects.
Together,looking at the signs, position of planets in relation to houses and signs, and aspects, we begin to analyze the chart.
