More About Aspects

More about aspects...

Here we will begin to learn about the various aspects. Planets in aspect to each other modify each other according to the type of aspect. Some astrologers do not adhere strictly to the type of aspect, preferring instead to note that two given planets are simply aspecting each other. If you can learn to take into account the type of aspect, then the chart will have gained another level of depth. I have prepared two reference sections for aspects. One lists the aspects between the planets as either soft or hard and gives a brief interpretation of possible ways in which the planets are modified by each others influence. The other lists the planets by aspect type, showing why a particular aspect is considered to be so, based on either the differences or similarities of the signs involved. Hard aspects in particular keep a person from wallowing too much in one kind of behavior.

Take for example the Moon in Pisces Square Mercury in Sagittarius. The Moon in Pisces can become melancholy and self pitying. The square from Mercury in Sagittarius stimulates another kind of behavior, Sagittarius is at best an optimistic fire sign. This aspect would help to shake the person out of their self pity.

What about Mercury in Leo Square Uranus in Scorpio? Without taking into consideration the signs involved, we can say that Mercury in hard aspect to Uranus may make the person say unusual things. Or perhaps they blurt things out that shock other people. Now, taking the signs into consideration we could add that Mercury in Leo can be rather loud, out-spoken and attention getting in their communications. If they got too much this way then Uranus in Scorpio says, "Don't tell all." "Be mysterious." Let them wonder what I'm thinking " That's the Scorpio traits.

When you begin to integrate aspects into your chart reading, my advice is to keep it as simple as possible. It is perfectly acceptable to delineate the possible interaction between the planets only. Later as you gain experience-see if you can add the depth the takes the signs involved into consideration.

So, there you sit staring at a planet that has at least four or five different aspects. Let's say that planet is Mercury-the thinking/talking/learning planet. One aspect is a trine from Jupiter. The other is a square from Saturn. But, Jupiter and Saturn are so different! There are no contradictions in the chart. What looks like contradictions in the chart are simply reflections of our own contradictory natures. Sometimes you're happy; sometimes you're sad. Sometimes you feel sharp as a tack; sometimes you feel distracted and bored..The above example of Mercury trine Jupiter suggests that this person finds it easy to talk a lot. Say Mercury was in Virgo-the sign of worry and concern. The trine from Jupiter can really exaggerate that tendency. And, with the trine there is little stop the flow. The square from Saturn stimulates focused discipline, forcing this person to knuckle down and pay attention when they have something to learn.

Saturn represents logic too. If the worries got too irrational Saturn would step in and say, "Hey, this doesn't make sense." " Look at what you're doing to yourself."'

Note: The sextile and the opposition have complementary elements in common. Fire and Air signs are considered to be different, yet complementary.
Earth and Water signs are also different, yet share complementary elements.
My theory is that air feeds fire and earth needs water. These elements in particular seem to complement one another-in the proper amounts. Too much of either can be disastrous for the other.

The Conjunction - Same element/same quality/same gender
Conjunctions represent power. Planets which are conjunct to each other must work together. The fact that they are both in the same sign eliminates the need to blend different elements and qualities and therefore is somewhat easy. However the conjunction is a powerful aspect which makes it difficult for the individual to ignore. Many astrologers put this aspect in the hard aspect category. Others consider it to be a neutral aspect, taking into account the particular planets involved. In this case, a Moon/Venus conjunction might be easier to live with than a conjunction between Saturn and Pluto.

The Semi-sextile - Different element/ different quality/different gender. Note that this aspect like the difficult quincunx aspect has nothing in common as far as element, quality or gender and yet this aspect is often put into the soft aspect category. I feel that this aspect is one that stimulates growth. Since growth requires change and change is not always easy one might say this is a hard aspect. However, since growth is necessary and tends to produce what we call character in an individual, the outcome of this aspect can produce positive results.

The Sextile - Complementary element/different quality/same gender
The sextile is an aspect of opportunity. It does not have the easy flow of the trine, but, is considered to be a "soft" aspect. The individual has no guarantees with a sextile. She cannot sit back and wait for the goods to be delivered. She must put forth some effort when the opportunity presents itself The effect of the sextile is noticeable, but not outstanding.

The Square - Same quality/different element/different gender
Squares stimulate either action, change or both. Squares do not let one rest easy. Something doesn't feel right and the person feels compelled to keep trying another way until the feeling of tension is released. Often the feeling of something not being quite right is literally felt in the stomach. Some squares in a chart are necessary as they challenge one to go for something better. Too many can be overwhelming and a source of much frustration. The person can literally burn out trying to cope with the tension too many squares can produce. A person who is having a difficult time trying to function with a square often carries a feeling of tension which can stimulate behavior that others may find aggravating. The charts of really successful people often have many squares.

The Trine - Same element/different quality/same gender.
There is very little to stop the flow of a trine. Trines can make one feel lucky and therefore do not stimulate the level of action that a square does. A trine aspect makes it easy for the person to go overboard with respect to whatever planets, signs and houses are involved. This may work to the persons advantage or it may not. If a behavior is not in your best interest, a trine will not make you aware of it the way a square would. On the other hand, there is less tension involved. The person copes with the obstacles in life in a more easy-going way. They seem to know things will work out and often that is exactly what happens.

The Quincunx - Different element/different quality/different gender.
It's awkward to say and even harder to cope with. The other name for a quincunx is inconjunct; not much easier to say. Planets involved in a quincunx have nothing in common as far as the elements, qualities or gender assigned to the signs involved. The keyword adjustment is commonly used for the quincunx. I find the term "no choice" is also a good description for this aspect. What this means is that you must be willing to go with the flow. You must adjust your wishes with the wishes of God or the universe or whatever describes a power mightier than your own. This aspect is like quicksand. The more you struggle the deeper you go. You must do the legwork, but the outcome is in the hands of a higher force. When you give up the ego's need to be in control, great things can happen. This is much easier said than actually done.

The Opposition - Complementary element/same quality/same gender.
With all of these factors in common, why is this always assigned to the hard aspect column? This is an aspect that calls for balance. It suggests that other people have an influence or that we must take into account others needs and motivations. The traits assigned to the signs involved are opposite and yet complementary in nature. For instance, an opposition might ask you to balance your will (Leo) with the will of others (Aquarius). Another example would be the creation of boundaries (Virgo) versus the breakdown of boundaries (Pisces). In the natural zodiac, Aries (self) is opposite Libra (other people). The natural zodiac correspondence between Libra and the seventh house (those who openly oppose you) is where this aspect's biggest challenge is found. As always, taking into consideration the houses involved adds another level of understanding to any aspect. For instance, planets opposite one another in the 2nd and 8th houses might be asking the individual to balance his own ability to earn money (2nd) with using the money if others (8th).

Applying and Separating Aspects

Many astrologers make note of applying versus separating aspects. An applying aspect is one that is forming. That is, the faster moving planet is moving toward an aspect to the slower moving planet.
(See Planet Motion Table ) The planet is within the orb of influence but, has not yet become exact.

A separating aspect is one which has already become exact. It is still within the orb of influence but, the faster moving planet is moving away from the slower planet.

Some feel that an applying aspect carries more weight than a separating aspect. I tend to agree with this concept. When we are anticipating an important event we tend to feel more anxious. After the impending event is over, there is often a sense of relief.

The out-of-sign aspects explanation also happens to illustrate a separating square since 94 is already past the 90 exact square mark. If it were 86, that would be an applying square since it had not yet become exact at 90.

Major Aspect Configurations>>>