by Alison Price
by Alison Price
The Conjunction Aspect
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.
Conjunction Extras
conjunction
Other Major Aspects
Opposition
Trine
Square
Sextile
by Alison Price
Aspects: A Cornerstone of Chart Reading
This is part of the Starzology Astrology Basics series of posts on the four building blocks for reading a chart.
This is what you need to know to read a chart.
The other blocks are:
and Chart Points.
Podcast Episode: Aspects Introduction
In this podcast episode, Alison and Arwynne provide valuable insights into the aspects of your birth chart.
They delve into the specific angles of major, minor and lesser used aspects, discuss the orbs that influence them, and offer real-life examples of how these aspects manifest in actual charts.
Additionally, they offer guidance on where to begin and how to determine which aspects hold significance in your natal chart.
Introduction to Aspects
Aspects are the angular correspondences formed between planets, angles and other points in a chart.
They are measured in degrees and minutes of longitude in the signs.
Aspects are a function of simple geometry.
- Every planet will usually have some aspects.
- Not all charts will contain all the different 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 from other planets (an unaspected planet).
- Often charts will have a preponderance of one particular aspect such as trines or squares.
Aspects in General
Aspects and aspect patterns show the main story lines 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.
Applying and Separating Aspects
An aspect is determined to be either applying or separating.
This state depends on the speed of the two planets and their position in regard to each other.
The planets are listed here by speed, from the fastest moving planet to slowest moving planet; the Moon, Mercury, Venus, the Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Chiron, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.
Note
Note: Sometimes Mercury and Venus can be slower than the Sun it depends on their position at the time.
Applying Aspects
Aspects that are applying are stronger than those separating.
The applying faster planet is moving towards the exact (or partile) aspect with the slower moving planet.
During an applying aspect the pressure is still building, and the effect is of potential still to come.
Aspects are applying when the faster moving planet has yet to catch up to the slower moving planet’s degree position.
Example
The Moon at 10° Virgo is applying a conjunction to the Sun at 15° Virgo.
Separating Aspects
Aspects are separating when the faster moving planet has passed the degree position of the slower moving planet.
After the aspect has been exact the aspect is separating and the effect is more of release or acceptance.
Example
The Moon at 15° Gemini is separating from an opposition to the Sun at 10° Sagittarius.
Pin this image to your Pinterest board.
Major 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 five major aspects are the conjunction, opposition, trine, square and sextile.
The Conjunction
First Harmonic
The circle divided by one. 360°/1 = 360°.
Usually planets in conjunction will be in the same sign or house.
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.
It inclines the two planets towards togetherness and blends their energies.
The planets virtually move as one and they have synergy.
Synergy means one plus one equals three. Each planet is indistinguishable from the other.
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.
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.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gm8ke9UPzU4[/embedyt]
Minor Aspects
The minor aspects are those found to have value in chart interpretation.
The four minor aspects are the semi-square, sesquiquadrate, semi-sextile and quincunx.
The orb for minor aspects is 2°.
Minor Aspects – Twelfth Harmonic
The twelfth harmonic aspects suggest potential frustrations where constant adjustments are required to maintain equilibrium in whatever is brought up by the planetary energies involved in the aspect.
Semi-sextile Aspect
Calculation
The circle divided by twelve. 360°/12 = 30°. The semi-sextile is half a sextile and one twelfth of a circle.
Semi-sextile Aspect Meaning
The semi-sextile is an aspect that can be unsettling and disruptive. There can be annoyances and tensions.
It is a difficult aspect but in a quiet way.
Both planets behave as if the other did not exist and try to ignore each other.
The semi-sextile shows where you will push something off to another and try to redirect.
The circle is divided by twelve and then timesed by five. (360°/12) = 30° x 5 = 150° (i.e. 5/12).
A quincunx was a Roman coin.
The origin of the word is from the Latin “quince” meaning five and “uncla” meaning one-twelfth.
The quincunx is sometimes referred to as the inconjunct.
Quincunx Aspect Meaning
It is an aspect of awkwardness and unease.
The quincunx shows where adjustments are needed.
These two planets will grind along, but are never happy together.
They can be un-supportive of each other and make for disharmony in a niggling way.
Minor Aspects – Eighth Harmonic
These aspects fall into the eighth harmonic which indicates they are manifesting aspects and will generally exacerbate change through tension upon us.
Semi-square
The circle divided by eight. 360°/8 = 45°.
The semi-square is also known as the octile.
Orb for a semi-square is 2°.
Semi-square Aspect Meaning
The semi-square is half of a square and it can be difficult to work the two planets energies smoothly.
They can be unstable and require a change of approach each time.
This aspect inclines the individual to persisting and to keep working at making it better and finding a solution.
The circle divided by eight and then multiplied by three. (360°/8) = 45°x 3 = 135°.
The orb for a sesquiquadrate is 2°.
The sesquiquadrate combines one square and one semi-square.
The sesquiquadrate is also known as the tri-octile.
Sesquiquadrate Aspect Meaning
It is an aspect of tension and difficulty.
The planets challenge each other, and this person has to redo decisions.
This aspect spurs the person to find peace.
Lesser Used Aspects
Quintile
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.
Author Bio
Alison Price: Astrology Coach
Alison specializes in guiding Aspiring Astrologers. Her aim is to help you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart, often sprinkled with a touch of humor.
To learn more about Alison’s journey, visit this page.
If you’d like to get in touch with Alison, you can reach out to her via email at starzology@gmail.com.
More Articles
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by Alison Price
Thor’s Hammer is a Major Aspect Pattern sometimes found in astrology charts. It is triangle shaped and if you have one you can see it immediately.
If you don’t have one you will probably only learn about this pattern later in the first or second year of your astrology studies.
Thor’s hammer and other major aspect patterns used to be part of the second year syllabus but have recently been brought forward to some first year classes.
Thor – the Man
Thor was a mythical guy who wielded a small hammer that was used for throwing. When hurled the hammer would spin and hit his opponent with quite some force. It was not a hammer for banging nails in or banging on about.
The head of his hammer was shaped short and blunt as the major aspect pattern triangle is today thus the name Thor’s hammer.
Thor’s hammer is formed by three planets, two planets in square with each other and both sesquiquadrate to a third planet.
Features of a Thor’s Hammer
There are several things that make a Thor’s hammer different to any other triangle shaped aspect pattern like a grand trine, T-square or yod.
This pattern has only hard aspects
The square (90°) always drawn in red ink, and the sesquiquadrate (135°) always drawn in orange ink, are both aspects from the eighth harmonic. This means they are derived by dividing the circle by 8 (360/8=45) and 4 (360/4=90). The sesquiquadrate is one quarter (90°) plus one eighth (45°) resulting in 135°.
There are no soft aspects in this major aspect pattern such as a trine or sextile.
In our example chart Terry Fox has Sun square Mars and both sesquiquadrate Saturn and this forms his Thor’s hammer.
It is a manifesting aspect pattern
A manifesting aspect is one from the eighth harmonic set of aspects. These are always challenging and will be the aspect that the person will be working with already. Manifesting aspects do not hide in the bushes they are to be grappled with from day one.
Resistant to change
Due to the tight squares and sesquiquadrates this aspect pattern is resistant to change and the planets in the aspect pattern will be locked together and work as a ‘team’ for the person whose chart it is. This can be for good or bad depending on the planets involved.
In our example chart the three planets are the Sun, Mars and Saturn.
Difficult to live with
A Thor’s hammer is difficult to live with because it will keep on coming up as the squares and the sesquiquadrates demand their attention.
The Sun square Mars is a very masculine aspect full of life and energy.
The Sun sesquiquadrate Saturn suggests a struggle to achieve the life’s goals but shows perseverance.
The Mars sesquiquadrate Saturn indicates the drive and the ambition are linked in a powerful way but that caution may be cast to the wind in the push for life.
The focal planet is a sensitive point
One square and two sesquiquadrates.
In every triangle shaped major aspect pattern there are three planets. Two will be in cahoots and the third will be a ‘focal’ planet.
The focal planet in a Thor’s hammer is the one with the two sesquiquadrates connecting to it.
This planet will express the energy of the two other planets in square through itself into the chart. This makes the focal planet very sensitive to the energy from transits and progressions and those from the other two planets as well.
In our example chart for Terry Fox the focal planet is Saturn retrograde in Sagittarius in the fifth house of sport. This suggests the energy (Mars) and the identity (Sun) was been harnessed towards the goal (Saturn) even to the detriment of the life as this man pushed through adversity in sports.
Note the dispositor of the focal planet
The focal planet’s dispositor is the planet that rules the sign that the focal planet is in. So if the focal planet is Saturn in Sagittarius, Jupiter (as the ruler of Sagittarius) will be the dispositor of Saturn. or in other words, Jupiter will dispose Saturn in the chart.
This suggests that caution will be cast to the wind and the underlying Saturn drives may be taken recklessly because of Jupiter’s influence on the staid focal planet Saturn.
General interpretation
Thor’s hammers need careful interpretation. You have to understand the meaning of the three planets (Sun, Mars and Saturn) and the meaning of each individual aspect (the square and the sesquiquadrates) and which planet is stronger in each aspect before you can understand the inner dynamics of a Thor’s hammer.
Again in our example, in the Sun square Mars aspect, the Sun is powerful in Leo (score +5) and Mars is in detriment in Taurus (score -5) so the Sun dominates the square.
In the Sun sesquiquadrate Saturn aspect, the Sun again dominates this aspect and bosses up the sesquiquadrate with Saturn.
In the Mars sesquiquadrate Saturn aspect, Mars is in detriment in Taurus (score -5) and Saturn is peregrine in Sagittarius (score 0).
Neither Mars nor Saturn has accidental dignity by house but Mars is most elevated and Saturn is retrograde so on average Mars will be stronger than Saturn in that particular sesquiquadrate. This again shows the weakness of his Saturn.
Be on the lookout for a Thor’s hammer and see how it works in your charts.
by Alison Price
by Alison Price
We have experienced several challenging planetary placements in recent years. I am of course referring to the Uranus Pluto square which has had astrologers and laymen alike buzzing with excitement.
Enter the Jupiter Uranus fire trine.
Whilst it is typical that we have both easy and challenging aspects within the zodiac at any one time, it is the individual and combined mixture of flow and resistance between the planets making the aspects that shape our lives.
That Uranus appears in both aspects (square Pluto and trine Jupiter) is telling. He seems to want to fit in and stick out at the same time.
We can live with this.
Aspects
One way to interpret an astrology chart is by a technique called aspects
Astrological aspects are the angular distances between the planets.
Every planet has a measurement in degrees with the other planets but only certain angles are noted in astrology charts.
By dividing the circle of 360 degrees by any whole numbers we get the aspect angles.
The Trine Aspect
If you divide 360 by 3 the result is 120 degrees (360/3=120) and this is the size of the trine aspect.
Two planets that are 120 degrees apart in the zodiac will be in trine to each other.
The aspect degree does not have to be exact but can be within 8 degrees (the orb) either side of 120.
So when the two planets become between 112 to 128 degrees apart they are considered to be trine to each other.
Transiting Jupiter Trine Uranus
When the slower planets like Jupiter and Uranus trine each other it is to be noted.
It is a phenomenon that only happens around every six years then there is a gap of seven years before the next trine.
The elemental sequence is fire, earth, air then water. With two trines in each element, one waxing and one waning trine. Then it slowly shifts into the following element.
The Jupiter Uranus Synodic Cycle
Jupiter and Uranus have a fourteen year synodic cycle.
This means they are together and Jupiter (which is quicker off the mark) races off around the zodiac as Uranus moves forward slowly. Jupiter will catch up with Uranus around fourteen years later.
In 2010 Jupiter was conjunct Uranus at zero Aries. They will next be conjunct in 2024 at twenty-one Taurus.
Looking further forward in 2037 22 Cancer direct and in 2038 at 20 Cancer retrograde.
This shows the conjunction moves around either 30 degrees when at the retrograde three pass conjunction, or around fifty-one to fifty-four degrees and fourteen years during a one pass direct conjunction.
Because there is a trine in place for such a long period, when planets pass through the other fire sign of Sagittarius, they will create a fire grand trine when they trine both Jupiter and Uranus.
The most frequent planet to do this is the Moon.
It will provide huge opportunities and original approaches to how you can use that planet in Sagittarius.
The trine from Jupiter offers good things in line with your natal planet being aspected and the trine from Uranus offers unique and up-to-date solutions which allow things to move forward with ease and flow.
Get fired up!
Fire is all about inspiration. It gets the juices flowing and everyone hot under the collar. It gets people raving about things and issues. It creates fireworks and burning issues. We can get incandescent and want to burst. We are filled with bright ideas and get excited about anything with fire in it like dragon’s breath, candlelight, torches, barbecues and camp fires.
Make the most of this special fire trine.
by Alison Price
Some students may think it is odd
to work with the finger of God.
One sextile and two
quincunxes to view
and now we all call it a yod.
The Yod Limerick
Most of you are probably wondering what the heck this limerick is all about.
Let me explain.
A Yod is an astrological major aspect pattern sometimes found in birth charts.
It comprises of one sextile aspect (blue line) and two quincunx aspects (green lines).
Yod Bearers
An aspect is an imaginary line drawn between two planets in a horoscope.
People who have a yod in their charts are known as Yod Bearers as it indicates there are burdens that need to be carried through life.
The image is that of an isosceles triangle where the short side is 60 degrees and the two equal longer sides are 150 degrees.
The shape is somewhat reminiscent of an arrow or finger pointing thus the nickname of The Finger Of God. It is also referred to as the Finger of Fate.
In chart interpretation the area of life that the yod is pointing at is highlighted and becomes an important focus for that person.
The Yod Major Aspect Pattern
A Yod is an astrological planetary configuration also know as a major aspect pattern which is formed when three planets line-up in a particular way.
A Yod is an aspect pattern composed of one sextile and two quincunxes. It looks like an isosceles triangle with one short side and two equal length longer sides.
A yod looks like a triangle. But it is different to a grand trine, T-square or a Thor’s Hammer because of the aspects it contains.
In the example chart of Margaret Atwood, she has a Neptune Yod with the Moon and Saturn as the base planets.
The Aspects in a Yod
Sextile
A sextile is an aspect 60° wide or two signs. The orb for a sextile is 4° degrees.
It is an aspect of ease and it suggests your latent talents.
Quincunx
A quincunx is an aspect 150° wide or five signs.
The orb for a quincunx is 2°.
It is an aspect requiring constant adjustment and causes mild irritation.
How to Interpret a Yod
The broad stroke with interpreting yods is to look at the one planet being quincunxed (the green lines) by the other two.
This is known as the focal planet and is a sensitive spot in the zodiac which will be reflected in your chart by the house placement.
- Pay special attention to the focal planet and interpret it thoroughly. Check the essential dignity of the planet and its condition.
- Look at the house or the area of life that is bringing pointed to.
- Look at the sign that the focal planet is in, this shows the type of energy that the focal planet can express.
- The two planets in sextile are the support for the yod and offer up their energy and qualities to the focal planet.
Double Yod Key
If there are two yods lying side by side (so four planets and three quincunxes) then it is known as a “double yod key”.
This will reinforce the general meaning of the yod for the person.
What to Consider in a Yod
The focal planet at the end of the quincunxes, is the most sensitive planet as energies flow to it from the two other planets.
The two planets in sextile are known as the base of the yod and work together harmoniously.
The planetary ruler of the sign of the focal planet is important.
Interpretation of a Yod
Charts with yods suggest the person is independent and driven.
Due to the nature of the quincunxes they can be constant and unchanging but fraught with the constant adjustments demanded. T
his person may experience a crisis of energy and find they are constantly battling to stay on track.
There is a certain spiritual element to this pattern and these people can be lofty.
The meaning of the house and sign of the focal planet points (as the pointed in the shape) to the issues that need addressing in this person’s life.
Starzclass
Aspiring Astrologer Activity: Yod
In your astrology journal and referring to a chart with a yod major aspect pattern, please do the following:
- Name the two aspects that form a yod, their angles and orbs.
- Note the three planets involved.
- Name the focal planet.
- List all the individual aspects that make up this yod.
Extend Yourself
-
Write a brief interpretation for the sextile aspect and consider the two planets, houses, signs, and the aspect (100 words).
-
Write a brief interpretation for the first quincunx aspect and consider the two planets, houses, signs, and the aspect (100 words).
- Write a brief interpretation for the second quincunx aspect and consider the two planets, houses, signs, and the aspect (100 words).
Extend Yourself Further
by Alison Price
by Alison Price
Aspects of the Fibonacci Sequence
To remind you the Fibonacci sequence is a pattern in numbers where the previous two are added together to result in the next number in the sequence.
1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21…
One plus two equals three, two plus three equals five, three plus five equals eight and so on.
It can be drawn as a widening spiral. This shape is found in nature in plants and animals and can be clearly seen in the nautilus shell chambers and in the head of a sunflower.
The numbers build on the past sequence to create the future patterns.
It seems to me that this reflects a natal chart as it begins to progress and develop by building on what has gone before. The progressed chart unfolds over time from a base point in time i.e. the natal chart.
Situations that occur in life must have been in the natal promise to start with.
Fibonacci aspects
- Conjunction (1)
- Opposition (2)
- Trine (3)
- Quintile (5)
- Semi-square (8)
- Baker’s dozen (13)
Missing Ptolemaic aspects
In this sequence of numbers we see that the square (4) and the sextile (6) do not appear. Nor will the semi-sextile (12) aspect.
So what?
Well, astrology is a system of patterns and symbols.
We happily take chart divisions from one to twelve and for the simple reason that every number is represented.
We are also ok to extract the hard aspects in the eighth harmonic (1, 2, 4, 8) and call them manifesting aspects.
Surely if the Fibonacci sequence occurs in nature and so is part of the Earth experience should we not consider this group of aspects in a particular way?
Quintile
Perhaps because the quintile aspect is found in the Fibonacci list that is our first clue. Quintiles are closely associated with your creativity and genius.
13th Harmonic a Baker’s Dozen
What about the thirteenth harmonic?
Keywords transformation and values. This is not an aspect that is widely used in general astrology but can it be somehow associated with the meanings of the others in our sequence, maybe following the quintile theme?
I’m not sure, but using the Fibonacci aspects in a particular way as a group is a theory that has been buzzing in my thoughts for a while now. I wanted to put these ideas out there for consideration.
