Astrology basics 05
Aspects
The angles between the planets, and what each angle does to the two it joins.
Aspects are another important part of every personal horoscope. Aspects are angles between planets, and the more accurate they are, the stronger the mutual influence of the two planets.
How aspects are counted
Astrocaffe uses the six most important aspects: the conjunction (0 degrees), the sextile (60), the square (90), the trine (120), the inconjunction (150) and the opposition (180). They are counted between the planets, and between each planet and the Ascendant and the Midheaven.
The more exact the angle between two planets, the more important their bond in the chart, and the more each one colours the other.
An aspect does not have to be exact to count. A few degrees either side are allowed, more for the stronger aspects: seven degrees for the conjunction, the square, the trine and the opposition, and five for the sextile and the inconjunction.
There are many smaller aspects too. They count only when they are very exact, to within about a degree, and they are weaker. They can add detail to an even deeper reading, but for now Astrocaffe does not use them.
The six aspects
Conjunction, 0°
two planets side by side
A very strong aspect. The two planets appear side by side in the sky; at every new Moon, the Sun and the Moon are in conjunction. What it does depends on which two planets they are. Planets in conjunction act strongly on each other and work together, and when a strong planet joins a very personal planet or one of the chart’s key points, the effect is stronger still. It works directly, openly and unmistakably.
Whether it is good or bad is hard to say: it depends on the signs it falls in, the planets involved, and the part of life it touches.
When several planets are in conjunction — in one sign or house, or across two — it is called a stellium, a very noticeable and powerful pattern. The sign matters here too. In a “weaker” sign such as Pisces, Libra or Cancer, the planets in the stellium often count for more than the sign or the house they are in.
Sextile, 60°
an easy opening
A good aspect, but a fairly weak one. The two planets are in harmony. It opens a possibility, and brings ease in understanding and in expressing yourself.
Square, 90°
tension that drives
A difficult aspect, but not always, and not necessarily a bad one. It brings tension, challenges and obstacles — and with them action, energy, drive and ambition.
Trine, 120°
the easiest flow
A very good and strong aspect. The two planets are in harmony, and their energies have the best chance to show what they can do. It brings ease, flow, harmony, inspiration and idealism. Its weak side is the path of least resistance.
Inconjunction, 150°
two that must adjust
The angle between two signs that have nothing in common: not polarity, not element, not quality. So in this aspect the two forces, the planets that form it, have to adjust to each other.
Opposition, 180°
opposites face to face
A very strong and plain aspect. It is usually called a bad one, but it need not act that way; between partners, for instance, it is even welcome. It means opposites, and so conflict, challenges, change and turning points.
The aspects in a few words
- Conjunction 0°, strong and direct; good or bad by what it joins
- Sextile 60°, harmony, possibility, ease
- Square 90°, tension, challenge, drive
- Trine 120°, harmony, flow, inspiration
- Inconjunction 150°, adjustment
- Opposition 180°, opposites, conflict, turning points
Your birth chart reading
Your whole chart, read in one book
The book goes through every planet, every house and every aspect in one birth chart, the way these pages explain them, but about you.
Marsa wrote every word. Your chart decides which of them you get.
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