T-squares

T-squares

Author: Alison Price   –   Published: October 2024

T-Square

Pattern

A T-square is a major aspect pattern found in charts it is formed with three planets, two planets oppose each other and the third planet squares the other two. 

The pattern is in the shape of a “T” in a chart. Many natal charts have T-squares and I believe that between 60% to 80% of charts will have the pattern. Personally, I don’t have one in my chart. And you may find a chart that has one T-square. Additionally, you can find charts with multiple T-squares in them.

Interpretation

In general, when interpreting a T-square, the energy of the two planets in opposition tends to flow towards the focal planet, which is the planet that is getting the two squares from the other planets.

This is like a pointer in a chart, as many of the triangular major aspect patterns are.

Focal Planet

So the sign, and particularly the house, where the focal planet is in a T-square suggests where this energy of the whole T-square will be expressed through the person’s life.

Mode

Typically, T-squares are in one of the three modes, so you would either get a cardinal T-square, a mutable T-square, or a fixed T-square. If all the planets are in the same mode, this is definitely the case. However, if one of the planets is in a different mode and two or in another mode, that is then known as their disassociate T-square and it makes it slightly weaker.

In the example chart I have below for Elton John, this is a fixed T-square because Taurus, Leo and Scorpio are fixed signs.

t-square-elton-john

Important Planets

A T-square will be particularly important if the following planets are included in it:

  • The chart ruler.
  • The Sun.
  • The Moon.

You have to fully analyze all the three planets in their signs and in their houses before you can draw it all together and combine it into the group of three planets which make the T-square. It is unadvisable just to go straight in and it look at a T-square. You do need to have a full understanding of the planet’s complex before this.

Transit.

T-squares are often triggered through transits because there are three planets spread about the chart. Any of those planets could receive a transit from any of the planets at anytime.

For example, the Sun will pass around the chart and it will trigger each of the three planets in a T-square three months after each other as the Sun moves through the quarter of the chart, and not only that, where the Sun goes, Mercury and Venus follow closely behind.

So Mercury and Venus will also be aspecting the T-square and all it means three times a year.

Then you need to consider all of the other planets that may, or may not be, making aspects to the T-square.

T-square Themes

Any T-square, including its planets, their houses, their signs and the focal planet within the T-square will suggest a theme within the chart.

When you have aspects that are all hard, such as squares and oppositions, these are aspects that the person will have been grappling with from day one.

Orbs

The orbs I use for a T-square are 8° for a square and 8° for an opposition.

Square

The square is typically an aspect that shows internal dilemmas within the person, things that they are working with and trying to work through at all times.

Opposition

An opposition aspect shows external dilemmas where the person is dealing with other people, other situations that are not from them. Here they may also bring in projection as well and blaming of the other and all the things that pertain to the opposition aspect. But they are external dilemmas.

The point is that the whole T-square is considered a dilemma for the person whose chart it’s in.

Sequence

Another way of interpreting T-squares is to consider the sequence with which the T-square is triggered.

You do this by deciding which of the three planets is on the earliest degree.

In the example chart I show below for Elton John, there is a T-square between the Moon opposition Chiron, both squaring Pluto. Pluto is the focal planet.

The next step would be to look at the degrees that each of these planets is at. Chiron is at 7°, the Moon is at 10° and Pluto is at 11 degrees.

This tells us the sequence for Elton John’s T-square is Chiron-Moon-Pluto because as the transiting planet comes up towards the T-square, it will first aspect Chiron either by a conjunction, opposition or square.

Next it will then aspect the Moon either by a conjunction, opposition or square, and then it will finally aspect Pluto either by a conjunction, opposition, or square.

The important thing here is that the sequence of how the events unfold in his life will remain the same. This shows a pattern in the natal chart.

So initially you would have a Chiron situation unfolding, which then moves on to a lunar situation that unfolds and followed by the culmination of a Plutonic situation as the final situation.

Ideally if this is your client, you want to be able to try and weave a story relating to how these planets are likely to work because the pattern continues in throughout their life.

t-square-mr-x

Mr. “X”

Above is the chart of a guy we’re calling Mr. “X” and he actually has two of this pattern in his chart, a Jupiter and a Mars T-square. We actually give a full interpretation of this on the podcast episode, so make sure to listen to that.

Author Bio

Alison Price: Professional Astrologer

Alison helps you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor. She offers Consultations for everyone and Coaching for Aspiring Astrologers.

If you’d like to get in touch with Alison, you can reach out to her via email at starzology@gmail.com.

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3 Steps to Interpreting Solar Eclipses

3 Steps to Interpreting Solar Eclipses

Introduction

Eclipses as Transits

Upcoming eclipses are technically transits that will occur in the future. Each year there will be at least two solar eclipses, and there could technically be five solar eclipses as there was back in 1935. It’s just a good idea to get your forecast material organized ahead for each upcoming year. I typically do this in October, November and December to make sure I know when the eclipses will be occurring and what their likely impact is going to be.

Number of Eclipses

If you do decide to work with eclipses, you will typically only have two solar eclipses in most years. For example, 2025 has only two solar eclipses which is pretty much what often happens. Any time investment you make into understanding eclipses, for say next year, will benefit you for all the forecasting or horoscopes that you do in that year.

3 Steps to Interpreting Solar Eclipses

3 Steps

There are three steps to interpreting solar eclipses which are general, family and personal.

  1. General: The solar eclipse chart itself.
  2. Family: The original family Saros chart to which the eclipse belongs.
  3. Personal: The solar eclipse in a (yours or your client’s) natal chart.

Interpreting Solar Eclipses

Not all eclipses are created equal, and not all eclipses will affect individual people either the same or at all. Each solar eclipse has to be analyzed on its own merit. As an astrologer, you need to determine just how effective each eclipse will be.

In general, by the nature of the actual Saros family chart and whether or not it will affect individual people such as yourself, your family or your clients by its position in the Zodiac.

Eclipse Timing

You will still need to pay attention to exactly how long the effect of each eclipse will be. Although the consensus is that the effects of eclipses last six months, I don’t believe this is the case. You need to pay attention to the totality of the eclipse to calculate the time of effect for each eclipse.

Three Steps

Let’s look at our 3 steps:

Step 1: General, we’re looking at the actual eclipse chart and interpreting it as it stands by itself.

Step 2: Family, we’re looking at the family. That is the original Saros family. All eclipses belong to a Saros family which can last for over 1000 years and there are around 70 ish eclipses in each family. The idea is that you look at the original eclipse family chart, that is the birth chart for the Saros. This chart will tell you about the core nature of this particular eclipse family itself.

Step 3: Individual, is the personal effect of an eclipse, such as how will it affect you or your family or your client’s chart. You do that by finding where the actual eclipse contacts your chart, or not. 

For example, if you have an eclipse that occurs conjoined your Sun, it will definitely affect you. But if that same eclipse happens on your sister’s chart and it does not make any conjunctions or oppositions, it is unlikely to effect her whatsoever. In this case the eclipse will just pass her by. Let’s have a closer look at the three steps to interpreting solar eclipses.

Step 1: General: The Solar Eclipse Chart Itself

House System

Cast the eclipse chart on the Zero Aries house system unless you are doing horoscopes for a particular location.

Details

The solar eclipse on October 2, 2024, occurs at 10° Libra. When considering specific eclipses, you need to focus on the zodiac degree where the eclipse occurs.

South Node

The October solar eclipse is at the south node. In this case, the node is in the same sign as the actual eclipse, in Libra. So, in this case, we’re looking to Venus as the ruler of this eclipse.

Note that if the node is in the adjacent sign to the eclipse point, you must consider both the ruler of the node and the ruler of the eclipse.

Interpretation

Solar eclipses at the South node, are symbolically of a low tide washing off a beach. As the tide flows out, it removes driftwood and other stuff from the beach.

Aspects

Mercury is conjoined this eclipse and the eclipse is squaring Mars at 15 Cancer. There is also a sesquiquadrate to Uranus.

Step 2: Family: The Original Saros Chart

Reference

Please note, I’m referencing Bernadette Brady’s fabulous book, Predictive Astrology, The Eagle and the Lark.

Brady has done some spectacular research and lists all the Saroses and the Saros birth charts.

S.S. 8 South

The original Saros family for this eclipse is Saros Series 8 South.

The first eclipse occured on April 1, 1718, at 15:02 GMT at the South Pole.

This particular Saros family will end with the last eclipse in April 2962.

Planets

The Sun and Moon are at 10° Aries.

Mercury is at 19° Pisces.

Venus is retrograde at 23° Aries.

Mars is at 20° Taurus.

Jupiter is at 24° Cancer.

Saturn is retrograde at 29° Libra.

Uranus is retrograde at 3° Libra.

Neptune is at 14° Taurus.

Pluto is retrograde at 12° Virgo.

North Node is at 24° Virgo.

Aspects

Saturn is on the New Moon / Mars midpoint.

Saturn = Mew Moon / Mars.

Interpretation Keys

Separation and loss. To be parted. To finish something, and to feel sad at its completion. Physical injury is also possible through over straining one’s strength. This is not the time to undertake strenuous physical activities.

Step 3: Personal: The Solar Eclipse in a Natal Chart

Natal House

When interpreting eclipses, you need to look at the house in the natal chart where the eclipse occurs. In this solar eclipse, we’re looking for 10° Libra. What you need to do is find the house in your chart where 10° Libra is and that will be the house which will be affected by this eclipse. If you are working with clients, you would look at their natal charts to see where this eclipse occurs in their chart.

Aspects to Consider

  • Pay close attention to any natal planet that conjoins the eclipse.
  • Consider any oppositions to the eclipse.
  • If there are natal planets conjoined or opposing the eclipse degree, you do need to interpret them thoroughly.

Aspects to Ignore

If there are no conjunctions or opposition to this eclipse you can move on. I tend not to consider squares and or trines from eclipses. This is due to the nature of the eclipse, which is either an opposition or a conjunction. Of course, you can explore every aspect and if you have time then do so, but I never do.

Interpretation

South node eclipses remove things from you in the nature of the house in your birth chart where the eclipse happens. South Node eclipses provide release for you from information, insights, friends, jobs, situations or events in your life. It is the time to let go of what you’ve been holding you back.

This is the moment to free yourself of emotional baggage or limiting beliefs which you perhaps have held on to for too long. This is the time for initiating relationships of all kind. There is a window of around three months where this eclipse has influence.

Pay close attention to what unfolds on the day the eclipse as this will set the tone for the next quarter. If your birthday is within the week of this eclipse, this influence will stay with you longer than for other people to around twelve months.

Eclipse Path

On the datasheet, the eclipse path is clearly marked with the red line. It is always an interesting to see exactly where the shadow of the Moon with sweep across the face of the Earth. This particular eclipse runs across the Pacific Ocean and just touches the very end of South America.

Orthographic Map

Data Sheet

You can download an orthographic map of every eclipse from the NASA website on public domain. I prefer to call this an eclipse data sheet as it has everything you need, astrologically, for an eclipse. I don’t pay attention to everything on the document as there is so much information which is not relevant to me as an astrologer.

Totality

What I do look for in a solar eclipse is the duration of totality. In this case it is 7 minutes 25 seconds which converts to a period of influence of seven and a half months which is pretty long. Now the next solar eclipse will occur on March 29th, 2025, which is before the seven and a half months are up for this eclipse. Typically, when a new solar eclipse occurs it will supersede the previous one. I urge you to test this for yourself if an eclipse contacts your chart with a close conjunction.

Individual

Natal Chart

Let’s have a look at the October solar eclipse in relation to an individual’s chart. Looking at Kamala Harris’s chart, we note that the solar eclipse is at 10° Libra. This means that it will occur in her 5th house.

Aspectarian

Considering the aspectarian for Kamala Harris, here her natal planets are across the top (X- axis) and the solar eclipse planets are down the vertical (Y-axis). We can isolate the eclipse, which are the Sun on the Moon’s aspects, from the solar eclipse chart.

To see which eclipse aspects form in her chart, we note that the only aspect that there really is from the eclipse point is the sesquiquadrate to Jupiter. As I’ve said before, typically when working with eclipses, I only consider aspects which are conjunctions and oppositions.

Of course, you may explore this chart in far greater detail if you wish, starting with the sesquiquadrate to Jupiter. Furthermore, you could go on to consider all the other contacts from the solar eclipse chart.

Remember that these aspects in the aspectarian, like Uranus applying to her Jupiter, are actual transits for her as well and would normally be picked up when you did the transit work first.

Kamala-harris-birtrh-chart-eclipse
kamala-harris-aspectarioan

Solar Eclipses Reflection

Opportunities

Working with eclipses is very thought-provoking. And in general, you only an opportunity twice each year to witness a solar eclipse in action.

Natal House

I would be interested to know in which natal house this particular solar eclipse occurs for you. For myself, it will be in my 4th house, conjoined my Immum Coeli. So this is one of those solar eclipses that does closely contact my chart and I will be paying close attention to what unfolds on eclipse day.

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Alison

Author Bio

Alison Price: Professional Astrologer

Alison helps you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor. She offers Consultations for everyone and Coaching for Aspiring Astrologers.

If you’d like to get in touch with Alison, you can reach out to her via email at starzology@gmail.com.

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Born on a Cusp

Born on a Cusp

Author: Alison Price   –   Published: October 2024

Born on a Cusp

In this article I want to talk about people who were born on the cusp. A sign cusp refers to the transition point between two zodiac signs. It is the boundary where one zodiac sign ends and the next begins.

Cusp Debate

There’s some disagreement among astrologers about the exact width of the cusp and its influence. This cusp debate has to do with the width of the Sun’s influence by its actual disk which is about 0°29′.

Some astrologers believe cusp-born individuals have a unique blend of characteristics from both signs, while others strictly adhere to the sign the Sun was in at the time of birth. I am firmly of the latter persuasion. I believe that if a planet is at 59°59’ of a sign, it is in that sign. I believe that if the Sun is in 0°00’ of a sign, it is in that sign and it has taken residence.

My main reason for this is because a planet at a cusp is like a person standing in a doorway threshold from one room to the next. They are exiting the room they are leaving, but all their focus and energy is on the new room they are entering which is the new sign. I’m pretty firm on these things, but you can choose to see it differently if you wish.

Sun Sign Ingress

This all comes back down to your Sun sign. Your Sun sign is decided by the Zodiac sign that the Sun was in at the moment of your birth. Inconveniently, the Sun does not change signs at midnight.

The Sun will change signs at any time during the day. So, people who were perhaps born in the morning may have a Taurus Sun, and others born in the afternoon could easily have a Gemini Sun. This works for all the sign cusps.

Poem: Between Two Worlds

By Claude

 

Straddling realms of fire and earth,

A soul emerges at day’s birth.

Not quite Aries, not full Taurus,

A blend of gentle and uproarious.

 

One foot in passion, one in grace,

Two natures etched upon one face.

Bulls and rams clash in the stars,

As cusped child breaks through cosmic bars.

 

Stubborn drive meets flighty spark,

Dawn’s light pierces through the dark.

Neither here nor fully there,

A bridge between, so strange and rare.

 

Cusped soul, you dance on edges fine,

Two signs entwined like grasping vine.

Your path unique, a dual-starred way,

Where yesterday meets coming day.

 

In you, the zodiac finds its seam,

Where endings flow to new beginnings’ stream.

Embrace your gift of double sight,

Born of twilight, child of light.

Horoscope Columns

The Sun changes zodiac signs approximately every thirty days, though the exact date can vary slightly from year to year. When you read a horoscope column either online or in a magazine, the astrologer generally uses the dates listed below for when the Sun enters each zodiac sign:

 

  • Aries: Around March 21
  • Taurus: Around April 20
  • Gemini: Around May 21
  • Cancer: Around June 21
  • Leo: Around July 23
  • Virgo: Around August 23
  • Libra: Around September 23
  • Scorpio: Around October 23
  • Sagittarius: Around November 22
  • Capricorn: Around December 21
  • Aquarius: Around January 20
  • Pisces: Around February 19

 

These dates are approximate and can shift by a day or two depending on the year. The exact time of the Sun’s ingress into a new sign can also vary this is discovered when you cast the chart. So this is the simplistic way of categorizing each person by the actual date they were born. And for the general public this is normally good enough.

However, for astrologers it is not. Your clients may come to you and say, “I’m a Virgo” and when you cast the chart, you discover the’re actually a Libran.

Cusp Days

A cusp day is a day when the Sun changes zodiac signs. So typically, this is around the 20th to 22nd of each of the months. But there are two special things that you need to pay attention to with cusp days. There are two ways that need to be looked at to find the difference on cusp date.

Each Year

Each year, the actual cusp day may move from the 21st to the 22nd or even to the 20th. Every year is different. What was the cusp day this year may not be a cusp day next year.

Leap Year Reset

Because the Earth takes 365 and a quarter, plus some minutes, to go around the Sun each year. After every four years we add an additional day to the year, February the 29th, which is of course the leap year. This is the first step that realigns the Sun to the earlier cusp time.

cusp-dates-table

Capricorn Ingress

Table

From this table you can see that when the cycle starts, at the leap year, the Sun, in subsequent years, makes the ingress into Capricorn later and later on the day on the 21st. And finally, the Sun moves its ingress onto the 22nd of December.

Leap Year for Capricorn

Then at the leap year reset, the Sun once more goes back to the earlier time on the 21st of December and it slowly creeps forward each year from there. Here I’m just giving the example of the Capricorn ingress, but it’s the same for all the signs. The Sun starts off early and then each successive year is later and later in that day, or the next, until we get to the next leap year when it resets to the earlier time.

Location

From this we can see that the Sun will enter Capricorn either on the 21st or the 22nd, bearing in mind that is GMT, and it does depend on where you live in the world. If you’re very East of Greenwich, it can also be on the 19th and if you are very West of Greenwich, it can on occasion, be on the 23rd.

Leap Century Reset

400

Leap years have 366 days instead of 365, with an extra day in February. The old Julian calendar made every 4th year a leap year, but this method adds too many leap days – about 3 extra days every 400 years. Which results in us having too many leap days over time, causing the calendar to drift away from the actual seasons.

To fix this, the Gregorian calendar, created in 1582, only makes century years (like 1700, 1800, etc.) leap years if they’re divisible by 400. So, 2000 was a leap year, but 1900 (a common year) wasn’t. This helps keep the calendar more strictly matched to the actual length of the solar year and the seasons.

This change shifts the calendar year to match the Earth’s orbit around the Sun far closer, keeping the seasons better aligned with the calendar.

The Year 2400

This won’t bother us astrologers, but it shows how the Sun’s path drifts slightly all the time. The year 2400 will be the next century year that’s also a leap year.

In century leap years:

  • January 1st is always on a Saturday
  • December 31st is always on a Sunday
  • February 29th is always on a Tuesday

 

Anaretic Degrees

Anaretic degrees refer to the final degree of any zodiac sign, specifically the 29th degree (as each sign has 30 degrees). This concept is significant in interpretation.

Anaretic Definition

The anaretic degree is 29°00′ to 29°59′ of any zodiac sign.

Anaretic Significance

These degrees are considered critical or sensitive points in a natal chart or transit.

Anaretic Interpretation

Planets or points at anaretic degrees are often seen as:

  • Unstable or in crisis.
  • At a turning point or transition.
  • Carrying extra weight or importance.
  • Representing completion or culmination of the sign’s energy.

Energy

The anaretic degree is thought to embody the most intense expression of that sign’s qualities, as if the energy is at its peak before transitioning to the next sign.

Karmic implications

Some astrologers view anaretic placements as indicating unfinished business from past lives or lessons that need urgent attention.

Transits

When planets transit anaretic degrees, it indicates a time of important decisions or changes related to that planet’s themes.

Natal

Natal planets at anaretic degrees suggest areas of life where the person feels pressure or experiences significant developments.

Interpretation

I think that while I always note planets at an anaretic degrees, they should be considered within the context of the entire chart.

Solar Returns

Birthplace

This continuous movement of the Sun as ingresses the signs is why your solar return is frequently not on your birthday even if you stay at your birthplace.

Relocation

Of course, your solar return will not be on your birthday if you move very east or west of your birthplace either. I always have my solar return the day before my birthday because I’m in Vancouver and was born in England which is a move of around eight time zones west.

 

born-on-a-cusp

Extend Yourself

Transiting Sun Ingress

See for yourself how the Sun changes times and dates for each of its ingresses into your Sun sign. I’ve done Capricorn (see table above), now you can do this experiment for your Sun sign. So, if you are a Sun Libra, do the Libra ingress.

In your astrology journal, please do the following:

 

  • Draw a table like the one I have above.
  • Find the precise date and time that the Sun entered your birth Sun sign this year.
  • Continue checking the exact dates and times that the Sun will ingress your own Sun sign every year until 2032, which is a leap year.
  • See if you find the realignment at each leap year to an earlier date and time.

Extend Yourself Further

Your Born-on-a-Cusp Client

Most people do not understand why if they were born on December 21st, and they’ve always thought they were a Capricorn, that their natal chart returns them to be a Sagittarius. Unfortunately, the born-on-a-cusp issue adds confusion that surrounds the astrological techniques and the astrological community, so we need to develop some clarity here.

In your astrology journal, please do the following.

 

  • Write a few of paragraphs and simply explain how two people who were born in different years, but on December the 21st, so they have the same birthday, why one person has a chart which returns a Sagittarius Sun, and the second person has a chart that returns a Capricorn Sun.
  • Use simple language and consider what you would say to describe this phenomenon to your client (500 words).

 

Author Bio

Alison Price: Professional Astrologer

Alison helps you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor. She offers Consultations for everyone and Coaching for Aspiring Astrologers.

If you’d like to get in touch with Alison, you can reach out to her via email at starzology@gmail.com.

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Lammas

Lammas

Learn a little about the pagan festival of Lammas which occurs as the Sun reaches 15 degrees of the fixed sign Leo.

Aspects: Partile

Aspects: Partile

Author: Alison Price   –   Published: September 2024

Partile Aspects

Using partile aspects is another way to fine tune your interpretations. Partile aspects are the ones you need to look at first as they have built in potential to be effective in the person’s life.

Partile Definition

Exact or within 1° of exact. The word “partile” comes from the Latin “partilis,” meaning “divisible.” In astrological terms, a partile aspect occurs when two planets are in the exact same degree of their respective signs.

The planets must be in the same degree although the minutes do not matter. Aspects may be in place but not partile.

Partile Examples

  • Venus at 27°01’ Taurus is partile square to the Moon at 27°59’ Leo.
  • But Venus at 26°59’ Taurus is NOT partile square to the Moon at 27°59’ Leo.

Example Chart: Jimi Hendrix

Looking at Jimi Hendrix’s chart, he has Mercury opposite Uranus.

Both Mercury and Uranus are at 2° of their respective signs.

Therefore they are in a partile opposition.

This make this particular opposition more meaningful than the Sun-Saturn opposition for instance.

jimi-hendrix-birth-chart

Partile Significance

Peak

Partile aspects are considered to be at the peak of their influence.

They represent a precise alignment of planetary energies, often manifesting as clear and unmistakable influences in a person’s life or in current events.

Intensity

Partile aspects have the strongest and most pure expression of the aspect’s energy.

Immediacy

Their effects are often felt more immediately and obviously than wider aspects.

Clarity

The blending of the planets’ energies is clear and undiluted, making interpretation more straightforward.

Tightest Aspects

They are typically the tightest aspect in the chart.

jimi-hendrix-partile-aspect

Types of Partile Aspects

Any aspect can be partile. For example:

Partile Conjunction

Planets at the same degree in the same sign.

Partile Opposition

Planets at the same degree in opposite signs.

Partile Trine

Planets at the same degree in signs of the same element.

Partile Square

Planets at the same degree in signs of the same mode.

Author Bio

Alison Price: Professional Astrologer

Alison helps you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor. She offers Consultations for everyone and Coaching for Aspiring Astrologers.

If you’d like to get in touch with Alison, you can reach out to her via email at starzology@gmail.com.

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Aspects of Declination

Aspects of Declination

Author: Alison Price   –   Published: September 2024

Aspects of Declination

Declination Definition

Declination is the angular distance of a planet either north or south of the celestial equator.

It’s like latitude on Earth but projected onto the celestial sphere.

While the zodiac deals with east-west positions (longitude), declination measures north-south positions.

Parallel and Contraparallel

When we talk about aspects of declination there are two types.

Parallels

Two planets at the same declination, both north or both south of the celestial equator.

planets-in-parallel-aspect

Contraparallels

Two planets at the same declination, but one north and one south of the celestial equator.

These aspects are considered similar in effect to conjunctions and oppositions respectively, but they operate on a different plane.

Planets that are parallel or contraparallel do not need to have an aspect of longitude such as a conjunction or trine to make the aspect.

planets-in-contraparallel

Orbs for Aspects of Declination

Tight

The orbs for declination aspects are tighter than those for longitudinal aspects.

I suggest you use a 1° orb for aspects of declination.

Significance of Declination Aspects

Double Whammy

If two planets are conjoined and parallel it is what I call a double whammy.

This is a super conjunction and needs close attention.

If two planets are in opposition and contraparallel it is again what I call a double whammy.

This is a super opposition and needs close attention.

 

Aspects of declination add depth and intensity to planetary relationships with aspects the two aspects of conjunction and opposition.

 

  • They can reinforce existing zodiacal aspects (Double Whammy).
  • They can create connections between planets that aren’t aspecting by longitude.
  • They have a more subtle, but deeply felt influence.

Example of a Declination Aspect

Let’s say:

  • Mars at 15° Aries with a declination of 20°N
  • Venus at 28° Taurus with a declination of 20°N

While these planets aren’t in a major aspect by longitude, they form a parallel by declination, suggesting a strong, conjunction-like connection between Mars and Venus energies.

Example Chart: Justin Bieber

In Justin Bieber’s aspectarian you can see that Uranus and Neptune are conjoined and they are parallel.

This makes this particular conjunction a Double Whammy.

Whearas the conjunction between Mercury and Mars in not.

Neither is the parallel between Jupiter and Mars.

Justin-bieber-aspectarian-parallel-aspect

Out-of-Bounds Planets

Monster Declination

A related concept in declination is “out-of-bounds” planets.

These are planets that go beyond the maximum declination of the Sun (approximately 23.5° north or south).

Out-of-bounds planets express their energies in unusual or extreme ways.

Typically, the Moon and Mars are sometimes out of bounds more often that the other planets. 

Interpretating Aspects of Declination

When interpreting declination aspects:

  • Look for parallels and contraparallels between planets.
  • Pay special attention when they are double whammys.
  • Consider them as potentially revealing “hidden” connections in a chart.
  • Remember that their influence is often subtle but profound.

Declination in Predictive Astrology

In predictive work, declination aspects can be particularly revealing:

  • Transiting planets forming declination aspects to natal planets may trigger significant events or realizations
  • Progressed declination aspects can indicate important developmental phases

Aspects Articles

Here is a roundup of my aspect articles.

Author Bio

Alison Price: Professional Astrologer

Alison helps you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor. She offers Consultations for everyone and Coaching for Aspiring Astrologers.

If you’d like to get in touch with Alison, you can reach out to her via email at starzology@gmail.com.

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