Nuts & Bolts - The Astrological Aspects
A look at how the planets talk to each other and interact.
Hard and Soft Aspects
Aspects
Aspects describe how the planetary energies interact with each
other. The original meaning of aspect is to behold, the planets
were considered to regard each other around the zodiac. This explains
why some of the aspects used by modern astrologers are not used
by the more Traditional practitioner. There is some debate as to
how they developed. The different aspects do follow the various
numerological values obtained by dividing the circle by various
numbers but extending the relationships between the various groups
of signs is also highly likely.
Orbs
The orb is the range around the exact aspect within which the aspect is judged
to be active. It is an area which causes almost as much discussion amongst astrologers
as house systems does. Standard orbs, as used by the Faculty of Astrological
Studies, are:
Conjunction, opposition, square, trine: 8°
Sextile: 4°
Others: 2°
For example, a trine is an aspect of 120 degrees. If Saturn is at 10 Cancer
and Mars is at 10 Pisces they are in exact trine, but if Mars is at 5 Pisces
they are still deemed to be in trine within standard orbs.
Some people give larger orbs for aspects including the Sun and Moon. If you
have a complex planetary configuration the orbs can widen. For example
if you have several planets in one sign from 10 degrees to 20 degrees,
I would say that they are all in conjunction although the two outermost
planets are 10 degrees apart. I would not extend this more than
10 degrees. My policy is to use very tight orbs.
Hard and Soft Aspects
Standard aspects can be separated into hard and soft aspects. These
describe the nature of the energy exchange. Hard aspects are divisible
by two - opposition, square, semi-square, sesquiquadrate - and these
are more challenging and taxing.
Soft aspects - trine, sextile, semi-sextile - are divisible by
three and are more flowing and adaptive. Some people judge that
hard aspects are "bad" and soft aspects "good".
I don't think it's as simple as that. Hard aspects have a great
deal of energy associated with them. What ever is happening is not
easy and for that reason they are usually associated with disruption.
Soft aspects happen easily and for that reason they don't cause
problems. However, what ever it is will happen easily. The nature
of the aspect does not give us enough information.
While considering a chart of a man who had been struck by lightening
many time it was remarked that he had more soft aspects than hard.
This is a good example to demonstrate the lack of resistance soft
aspects give.
Ptolemaic Aspects
These are the only aspects used by Traditional astrologers.
Conjunction
Division of the circle by 1: neutral flow of energy.
0° or 360°: planets are within 8° and 352° apart. Their
energies are merged and cannot be easily separated or differentiated.
This is sometimes described in the old texts as being corporeally
joined. It is difficult to be objective about energies which are
joined together in this way. Strictly speaking this is not an aspect
as they cannot behold each other as they are together.
Opposition
Division of the circle by 2: hard aspect, difficult flow of energy
180°: planets are 172° to 188° apart. The energies literally
oppose each other. This can be played out by different parties,
sometimes literally. The energies are difficult to resolve or bring
together. They are usually in opposite signs - both signs of the
same polarity and element- so there is usually a fragment of the
solution within the problem: Virgo moves towards organisation to
combat chaos/Pisces. Opposite signs will have the same polarity
so they have something in common.
Square
Division of the circle by 4: hard aspect, difficult flow of energy.
90°: planets are 82° to 98° apart. The energies conflict
with each other which drives movement, challenge and conflict. Overcoming
these obstacles leads many to achieve much more than those with
trines. This may form the itch which drives a lifetimes work. Signs
are usually of the same mode - cardinal, fixed or mutable - so they
use the same methods but have different aims - the elements.
Trine
Division of the circle by 3: soft aspect, easy flow of energy.
120°: planets are 112° to 128° apart. The energies flow
harmoniously; this is a comfortable and largely unconscious position
as there is no desire to move from this position. This does not
provoke challenge or resentment. Signs are usually of the same element
- fire, earth, air or water - so have a common frame of reference
but different application. In natal work it is usual to find talents
described by soft aspects to be largely unappreciated by the client,
after all it's so easy, can't anyone do that?
Sextile
Division of the circle by 6: soft aspect, easy flow of energy.
60°: planets are 56° to 64° apart. More challenging
than the trine but still an easy expression. Signs are usually of
the same polarity but different element - they have the same frame
of reference but not the same methods. There are usually enough
differences to move things along but not as much as with a square.
Other Aspects
Semi - Square and Sesquiquadrate
Division of the circle by 8: hard aspect, difficult and stressful
flow of energy.
45°: planets are 43° to 47° apart. Similar to a square
but with more likelihood of action taking place. Associated with
physical manifestation of the aspect i.e. accidents. In a natal
chart the client will want to deal with the issue in a concrete
way.
135°: planets are 133° to 137° apart. As for semi-square.
Semi - sextile
Division of the circle by 12: soft aspect, easy flow of energy.
30°: planets are 28° to 32° apart. A very minor aspect. Important
only if backed up by more major aspects. It indicates there is an energy flow
between the two planets but little more.
Quincunx
Division of the circle by 12: difficult flow of energy.
150°: planets are 148° to 152° apart. There is much debate on the importance
of this aspect but like an itch, if it is active you certainly know about it.
Major factor here is a need for adjustment between the two planets. There is
no common ground. Like looking behind you: you need to move to see what's going
on.
Harmonic Aspects
Quintile
Division of the circle by 5. 5 is associated with style and with the mind.
What occupies your mind. Describes your style and manner of thought.
Septile
Division of the circle by 7. 7 is associated with inspiration and the ability
to inspire; a romantic aspect, your vision and wishes.
Novile
Division of the circle by 9. 9 is associated with your highest, deepest joy.
Applying Aspects
Aspects are applying if they have not yet reached the exact aspect.
In the above example used to demonstrate orbs, with Mars at 5°
Pisces and Saturn at 10° Cancer, we have an applying trine.
Applying aspects show things which have not yet happened in a horary
or event chart and in a natal chart the aspect will become exact
by progression during the lifetime of the individual probably symbolising
an event. Some people give applying aspects a slightly larger orb.
Separating Aspects
Separating aspects have made the exact aspect but are still within
orb. If we have Saturn at 10° Cancer and Mars at 15° Pisces
these are in separating trine. These aspects show events which have
already happened in a horary or event chart. They can also show
events before birth. They are sometimes given a slightly smaller
orb.
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