by Alison Price

Aspects

In any given chart there will be aspects.

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.

Aspects can be groups like the Fibonacci aspects.

Defining and Unaspected Planet

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.