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.

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.

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 minor aspects are those found to have value in chart interpretation. The four minor aspects are the semi-square, sesquiquadrate, semi-sextile and quincunx. 

Minor Aspect Orbs

The orb for minor aspects is 2° both applying and separating.

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.

Quincunx Aspect

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.

Sesquiquadrate Aspect

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.