Aspects in astrology are necessary to evaluate the natal chart as they help in determining the personality of individuals, including their strong and weak points.  An aspect is a measurement between two planets through their angular distance and the amount of degrees by which the two planets are separated.  The native’s nature of relationship could either be soft or hard, depending on the strength of energies that emanate from the planets that may influence their type of personality. It is in this manner that aspects manifest as strong or weak based on the absence or presence of their importance.

Each planetary angular distance cannot actually define what aspects are. The astrological orb is believed to give the exact definition of aspect.  The aspect becomes powerful when there is tightness of the orb or aspect is almost exact. The influence of the planets becomes weak when they there are connected with an orb aspect that is wide, given that aspect can go to a different orb or coefficients.

The exactness of an aspect or the orbs in the natal chart have a distance  between nine to ten degrees for conjunction and oppositions, trines and squares (7 to 9 degrees), sextiles( 4-6 degrees),  sesqui-squares and quincunxes(2 degrees),  semi-squares and semi-sextiles (1 degree), quintiles, bi-quintiles and  semi-quintiles (0.5-1 degree) Bree says,  “I like to use tight orbs when predicting, each Astrologer has their own way that works for them!”

Orbs used for natal charts

Conjunction: 10.8

Opposition: 10.0

Trine: 8.3

Sextile: 5.7

Sextile: 5.7

Quincunx: 2.2

Semi-square: 2.5

Semi-sextile: 1.5

Sesqui-square: 2.5

Quintile: 1.0

Bi-quintile: 1.0

Orbs used for compatibility charts

Conjunction: 10

Opposition: 8

Trine: 6

Sextile: 4.5

Square: 6

Quincunx: 2

Semi-square: 1

Semi-sextile: 1

Sesqui-square: 1.5

Quintile: 1

Bi-quintile: 1

Orbs used for transits charts

Conjunction: 2.6

Opposition: 2.5

Trine: 2.3

Square: 2.3

Sextile: 2.3

Quincunx: 1.5

Semi-sextile: 1

Semi-square: 1.3

Sesqui-square: 1.5

Quintile: 1

Bi-quintile: 1

The major aspects that are given importance in forecasts that are based on transits include conjunction, opposition, square, sextile and trine. Take a closer look at how these aspects work:

The Conjunction

This happens when the two planets are close or belong to the same degree. The conjunction may create a negative, positive or neutral influence. This depends on what aspects are formed and on what is the nature of each planet. Its main role is to unite the individual energy characteristics of the planet involved.

The Opposition

Two planets are said to be in the opposition when they are apart by 180°. They lie in the opposite direction and create a negative aspect on the personality of the native. The individual’s psyche is torn between two opposing poles that may result in tension but can turn positive if the native takes action to be familiar with the contrasts.  People with the opposition aspect can use the tension as their weapon and power by combining harmoniously the characteristics of the participating planets.

The Trine

This is a compatible aspect where the two planets are positioned at 120 degrees apart with the same element. The planets involved have a support system that brings good feeling, comfort, and well-being to the native as they work harmoniously. People born with the trine are blessed with good luck and a good mental health as it brings passivity and self-indulgence.

The Sextile

There is harmony in the planets that are positioned at 60 degrees apart. The planets blend well and they share their energies actively. Because the sextile’s benefits are more definite compared to the trine, they can be seen from the outside. Their influence on the native’s communication skills is excellent.

The Square

The position of two planets at 90° apart is considered a tension aspect. This happens as the planets involved are always in conflict with one another, which can put more hardship on the native. The individuals should make an effort to work with the energies. When one can beat the hindrances by using the strength of the square, they can be more tenacious and courageous.  Achievers in various fields are found to have numerous squares in natal charts.  The natives can use the squares to continue moving forward so they can evolve and find ways to combat the tensions that may block their way.

Aside from the major aspect, there are minor aspects with fewer roles to play in the natal chart analysis. Take a look at the minor aspects:

There is a harmony in a semi-sextile that is positioned at 30 degrees apart. Although a delicate aspect due to the difference of 2 adjacent signs, it is not actually bad at all.

When the two planets are positioned at 72 degrees apart, it brings a positive influence on the native. The quintile is considered spiritual in nature because the orb (exactness) is less than one-half degree; it functions powerfully with stronger impact on the native. Belonging to the quintile family is the soft aspects that are not usually used, such as the semi-quintile, about 36 degrees and the bi-quintile which is about 144 degrees.

Both the semi-square (45 °) and sesqui-square (135°) work less intensely when it comes to creating tensions compared to their major aspect counterparts. When the planets are positioned at 150° apart, it is called quincunx. It has the ability to draw its nature from the square and trine and unite the energies of varying modalities and the elements, and combine their traits. The natives with these aspects have to show the necessary efforts while the involved planets are not positioned at the opposite. These planets have to be complementary to one another, such as Sun and Moon, Mars and Venus or Mercury and Uranus.

All the astrological aspects are used to reach a final evaluation of compatibility indexes and dominance of planets. Take note that tensions may have varying performances in a natal chart and between two natal charts in compatibility studies. When studying the relationship of two persons (synastry), the opposition should be complementary in nature, say for example, Saturn and Venus, Mars and Saturn, and Moon and Mars.

The calculations of the indexes are based on the planetary pairs of conflicting and harmonious characteristics.  When couples with sesqui-squares or squares, tensions may be interpreted as attractions that may end up in unresolved tensions in the end. The combination of trine and square through quincunxes brings excitement to a relationship.

The negative influences of quincunxes are not easy to affect a relationship as the complementarity of different planetary natures dominates, thus bringing more excitement to lovers. In multiple aspects, couples should know how to deal with the compatible conjunctions that are also tension-related. At the beginning of the relationship, the couple is very close and idealistic, but misunderstandings may result to their separation, this is because the tensions did not permit them to resolve their rift.

Unaspected Planets

Not all planets make an aspect to another planet. Astrologers have different opinions regarding this case and as to what kind of aspects that they may consider if this happens. Purists consider only the five major aspects that are mentioned above in their assessments and the other group of astrologers accept 9 aspects, and some accept 7 aspects.  Both the quintile and bi-quintile are overlooked as they are considered very minor aspects.

Speaking of a un-aspected planet, when a planet has no connection in the natal chart it has uncontrolled energy that does not have a passageway. This planet shows its strength and pureness upon receiving a major transit. This manifestation can affect the expression of the planet to the native, say, for example, un-aspected Venus, which seldom occurs to people as the Venus, Sun and Mercury are rarely distanced from each other.  Individuals with un-aspected Venus tend to have abnormality in their feelings and emotions. Unaspected Mars natives are short-tempered and have an erratic personality, but when a transit hit Mars it may influence the person’s entrepreneurial skills.

Unaspected planet brings both danger and asset to the native depending on what planet rules.  Unaspected Pluto, Mars and Saturn are considered a danger when it performs as opposed to unaspected Venus and Jupiter that are considered assets.  Both Uranus and Neptune bring good and bad while the Moon, the sun, and Mercury bring positive vibes despite the Sun danger of pride, the Moon brings laziness and Mercury is fidgety

Blessings, Bree

Complimentary post from JOYCELYN CHAN YAP! Thank you! If you have a love of Astrology, please email Bree & perhaps she will feature one of your articles as well!

To email Bree: bree@spiritualdesignastrology.com 

Bree is teaching basic astrology courses! Easy to follow & understand. Live Bree will show you how to read & understand your own astrology charts! 6 classes in all! Please see: https://www.spiritualdesignastrology.com/astrology-for-newbies/

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