Planets in opposition are usually in the same polarity.
The opposition can be disassociate if one planet is in an active sign and the other in a passive sign.
Opposition Aspect Meaning
Projection
The opposition is an aspect of projection between the self and the other.
This aspect tends to flip-flop between holding a stance in the principle of the first planet and then standing on the other side looking back from the viewpoint of the second planet.
Resistance
It is an aspect that causes resistance between the two planets.
Difficult
It can be difficult, and this aspect needs work to integrate the energies.
Strives for equilibrium
The person will strive for equilibrium within the boundaries of the energies shown by the planets.
Disown
The individual may very well disown the opposite first from one side and then from the other.
Frustrating
It can be frustrating to be constantly alternating the viewpoint.
Oppositions to Other Planets
Sun oppositions create much tension and stress in life.
Moon oppositions make emotional reactions the default response to challenges.
Mercury oppositions result in arguments and verbal conflict and mental stress.
Venus oppositions suggest romance and financial affairs are very difficult to stabilize.
Mars oppositions create general resistance and an abrasive attitude.
Jupiter oppositions grow big problems and need opportunities for resolution to stabilize.
Saturn oppositions can stonewall the individual so they cannot get past the issue.
Uranus oppositions make the individual contentious and uncompromising for others.
Neptune oppositions develop escapist attitudes when the tension rises and coping is hard.
Pluto oppositions can be very difficult to find a resolution, they may be the main theme of the life.
The Opposition Aspect The circle divided by two. 360°/2 = 180° Same polarity Planets in opposition are usually in the same polarity. The opposition can be disassociate if one planet is in an active sign and the other in a passive sign. Opposition Aspect Meaning...
“It is not possible that particular forms of events should be declared by any person... it is necessary for [astrologers] to adopt inference. Only God can predict particulars.” ~ Ptolemy Introduction We as astrologers would certainly be wise to adopt inference about...
A disassociate square is found when the planets are in different modes.
For instance, the Sun at 29° Virgo and the Moon at 3° Cancer finds them still square but in different modes, the Sun in mutable and the Moon in the cardinal mode.
Square aspect meaning
Internal dilemmas
Two planets in a square aspect face internal dilemmas.
Difficult conflict
It can be difficult to work with the energies for the individual.
Active
The individual continuously attempts to address the issues but sometimes it is hard to define the actual conflict.
Resistance
The square offers resistance between the two and tension is present.
Unease
It is an aspect of unease where on-going change and constant attention is required to the two planets involved by the person.
The conjunction is a major aspect and also known as a Ptolemaic aspect.
Two planets close to each other are conjunct. The orb for a conjunction is 8° only.
This is a good placement for most planets as the two planets blend their energies and you can benefit from this joining of forces.
First harmonic
The circle divided by one. 360°/1 = 360°
Usually, planets in conjunction will be in the same sign or house.
Disassociate conjunctions
When a conjunction occurs over a sign boundary they are said to be in a disassociate conjunction.
For instance, if the Sun is at 29 Virgo and the Moon is at 4 Libra they are still conjunct, but in a disassociate conjunction.
Conjunction Aspect Meaning
The conjunction is the most powerful aspect.
Blends It inclines the two planets towards togetherness and blends their energies.
Synergy The planets virtually move as one and they have synergy. Synergy means one plus one equals three. Each planet is indistinguishable from the other.
Close proximity They show the same face to the world. Because of their close proximity, it is hard for the first planet in the conjunction to clearly see the second planet and vice versa.
Conjunctions with other planets
Sun conjunctions add life to the other planet.
Moon conjunctions combine a reactive element to the other planet.
Mercury conjunctions combine a learning element to the other planet and suggest what is spoken about.
Venus conjunctions show what is loved and invested in.
Mars conjunctions bring energy to the other planet.
Jupiter conjunctions expand the other planet.
Saturn conjunctions restrict the other planet.
Uranus conjunctions bring a unique element to the other planet.
Neptune conjunctions dissolve the meaning of the other planet.
Pluto conjunctions bring power and support to the other planet.
Aspects are the angular correspondences formed between planets, angles and other points in a chart. Aspects are the angular connections between two planets or points in a chart. They are measured in degrees and minutes of longitude. Aspects are a function of simple geometry.
Every planet will usually have some aspects.
Not all charts will contain all the aspects.
It is unlikely that all planets will have every aspect.
Not all planets will aspect each other.
Some planets may not receive any aspects.
Often charts will have a preponderance of the one particular aspect.
Aspects and aspect patterns show the main storylines within a chart. The dialogue between the planets and chart points is found by the planetary connections expressed through the aspects.
Aspects are like a conduit passing information between two planets. Two planets in aspect will communicate with each other for better or for worse depending on the actual planets and the aspect in question.
Where do aspects come from?
Aspects angles are created by dividing the 360° chart wheel by different numbers.
Major and minor aspects
We will focus on the major and minor aspects. The major aspects are the ones used by the Greeks and are today known as “Ptolemaic aspects” after Claudius Ptolemy. The minor aspects are those found to have value in chart interpretation.
An unaspected planet has no Ptolemaic aspects (conjunction, sextile, square, trine or opposition) nor minor aspects (semi-sextile, quincunx, semi square or sesquiquadrate) to another planet (not a point) in a chart.
Interpreting Unaspected Planets
Unaspected planets can go one of two ways.
Rogue
They can be the rogue planet in a chart if prominent and unfettered.
Pure
Or they can rise to be the purest expression of themselves because they are not “tarnished” or influenced by an aspect from another planet.
Example chart Agatha Christie
Agatha Christie the prolific crime writer has an unaspected Mercury and she used it at its highest vibration and wrote good books.
The astrological aspects are the angular relationship between the planets and points (the Ascendant and Midheaven etc.) in a chart.
In your chart some planets will be in aspect to each other and some will not have aspects. Some planets may have easy aspects and some may have difficult aspects.
There are five main aspects.
The Conjunction
More on the conjunction
The Sextile
Planets in sextile work well together and support each other. They suggest that you have latent talents in the nature of the planets involved and this can be brought forward for the creativity and vision in your life. The sextile is a soft aspect.
The Trine
Planets in trine to each other are easy going and let the other planet be themselves. This is the best aspect of support and being positive. The trine is an easy or soft aspect.
The Square
Planets that are square to each other have some tension between them. Their energies compete for dominance and challenge each other. Planets in square create internal dilemmas for you. The square is a hard or difficult aspect.
The Opposition
Planets that oppose are in tension with each other and will struggle to work together. These planets create external dilemmas for you and can indicate where you project the issues to the other. The opposition is a hard or difficult aspect.
And another – The Quintile Aspect
Although not one of the big five aspects I use the quintile aspect as well as it is the aspect of creativity. Planets in quintile to each other show your creative expression in line with the meaning of the two planets. The quintile should always be considered when analyzing creative expression and outlets in your life.
The word ephemeris (plural ephemerides) is from the Greek word ephemeros, which means daily.
This is a quick introduction to the graphic ephemeris. Generally the ephemeris that astrologers use is a hefty reference book.
It details astronomical data like daily planetary positions by zodiac sign with the degrees and minutes for each planet as well as information such as sidereal time (used for calculating the ascendant).
An ephemeris is usually laid out month by month for each year. Planetary positions are listed in tables for either noon or at midnight depending on the ephemeris used.
Graphic Ephemeris
Luckily we have a visual representation of the daily planetary positions in the graphic ephemeris. It is a quick way to find hard aspects.
It can be quite tedious to manually calculate all the planetary positions for a birth chart. Perhaps there are some of you who began your journey into astrology with this method.
You were probably relieved when the old Blue Star and then Solar Fire programs generated perfect charts.
Charts with a higher level of mathematical accuracy (even though birth times are still unreliable) are created by computers rather than manual calculations.
The graphic ephemeris has a slightly different purpose than the ephemeris book. It is mainly used for predictive work and specifically outer planetary progressions, transits and directions shown in a graph.
It is a highly visual tool where you can select the preferred time period. The planets remain constant on every graph of the period. It is the connections to the natal chart that are shown clearly by this method.
Visualization
Imagine if you take the birth chart wheel as 360° on a piece of paper and you fold it in half at the (0°Aries/0°Libra) line you then have 180° of the circle.
Next fold it in half again to show 90°, finally if you fold the chart once more you have a 45° ‘slice’ of the circle. If the paper was transparent, it would show all the planets and angles within the small 45° slice.
Transiting planets will be at the same point on the slice and therefore will be depicted near each other on the Graphic Ephemeris. This is simply a different way to look at the transits to a natal chart.
The process of folding the chart from conjunctions 0° into oppositions 180°, into squares 90° and then semi-squares 45° or sesquiquadrates 135° only allows hard aspects to be shown.
Generally there are no harmonious aspects like sextiles or trines depicted on the graph.
How to Read a Graphic Ephemeris
The left of the graph begins with a column showing the cardinal degrees from 0° for 30°. At 30°, the fixed signs start and carry on to the 45°, and then begin again at the top from 0° to 15°. Finally the mutable signs are shown from 15° for 30°.
Across the top is time in months.
On the right side of the graph is a column with the natal planets and angles by sign. Each planet and point has a coloured dotted line associated with it running horizontally across the page.
Predictive work usually begins with revealing the transits. The outer planets Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune as well as Chiron and Pluto are generally selected for transits.
The direct transiting planets enter the graph at the left and move through time down and to the right. During retrograde periods, they move up the page in a wave motion. Where planets are at 0° of the cardinal signs by transit, they will re-enter the graph at the top.
Planets changing signs have a small dot in the planetary colour on their path.
Pluto has a shallower path than Jupiter. This is due to the slower movement of this minor planet in space.
Transits
Where a transiting planet’s curve crosses a natal planet’s dotted line, a transit aspect to the natal planet is formed.
The aspect glyph is at the intersection of the two. Where two transiting planets’ paths cross each other on the graph, there is an aspect being formed between those two planets on that day in space. The actual aspect symbol is not shown on the graphic ephemeris, only aspects to the natal chart.
Nodes and Moon cycle
The nodal axis moves in a straight line on the plane of the ecliptic and is always retrograde.
The full moon is shown as a white circle and new moon as black circles.
Where a solar eclipse happens there is a black circle with the conjunction symbol within it. A lunar eclipse is depicted by a white circle with the opposition symbol within it.
