The Major Aspects in Astrology
Conjunction
- 0° (+/- 10°)
- Same Sign
- Neutral
Two objects are considered conjunct when they are within 10° orb of each other and in the same signs. When objects are in the early or late degrees of two adjoining signs but still within 10° of each other, this is considered an out of sign conjunction and it is interpreted slightly differently than if both objects were in the same sign.
When objects form a conjunction, they are seen as operating very closely together, sometimes to the point of not being distinguishable from the other. The essences of the objects involved are retained but the qualities of one will influence the other, in addition to the impact of the sign both are in. The conjunction is a place of great potency in a chart as the two objects are so focused on the same things, that they don’t even realize that it is for different reasons or that they are indeed separate things. This aspect is considered a neutral aspect, because depending on the objects involved and how conscious the person is of each part of the whole, the conjunction can manifest in different ways. The unification and partnership of these two can produce much success and many rewards while their inability to understand the sometimes negative influence of one or the other can result in misguided affairs and misfortune. Many times a conjunction will manifest in both ways throughout different stages of life. The key to navigating any of the potential difficulties produced by a conjunction is to isolate and understand the influence of each object so that it is easier to identify and correct adverse effects from one or the other, instead of allowing one to bring them both down. Once this can happen, both are able to act like a healthy partnership where they function independently while accomplishing their shared goals in unison.
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Sextile
- 60° (+/- 6°)
- 2 Signs Separated
- Easy; Partnership Potential
Two objects are considered Sextile when they are separated by 60° with 6° orb allowance and are usually separated by two signs unless the objects fall at the end or beginning of a sign, in which case they may be separated by three signs while still being within orb allowance.
When objects come together in a Sextile, it is generally considered a favorable aspect as they will typically come together easily with a little effort. If both objects are separated by two signs, they will share the same polarity (masculine or feminine) and have elemental affinity with each other (earth with water and fire with air). This can be interpreted as both objects expressing themselves in a very much the same way and though they might have different objectives, there is an appreciation towards the approach of the other. The key words for the sextile are opportunity and blending. Both have something the other can benefit from and it is up to both to decide to come together and allow cross purposes to be fulfilled through cooperation. It will not usually take much effort, and it results in two areas of our life that are agreeable.
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Square
- 90° (+/- 10°)
- 3 Signs Separated
- Difficult; Combative
Two objects from a square when they are separated by 90° with 10° orb allowance and are usually separated by three signs unless the objects fall at the end or beginning of a sign, in which case they may be separated by four signs while still being within orb allowance.
When objects come together in a square, it is generally viewed as a difficult aspect as both objects will be concerned with achieving very different things. If both objects are separated by three signs, they will share the same modality (cardinal,fixed or mutable) but will not share polarity (masculine and feminine) or quadruplicity (earth, air, fire, and water). This can be interpreted as the two objects approaching things in very much the same way, but not expressing it the same and having very different objectives. When squares are evolved, they can serve as an indomitable source of productivity, efficacy and strength. When a square is not evolved, it will be a source of much irritation and frustration. As the objects respond to things in similar ways, express it differently and for different reasons, it creates a situation where they don’t see the other coming and continuously collide. Neither planet can stay out of the way of the other. If the latter is the case, the tension between the two will gradually increase over time with each becoming louder until exhaustion forces them to learn how to work together and figure out a way for them both to be able to express themselves and meet their objectives without constantly colliding with each other. When they can acquiesce to allow each other to operate independently and respect each other, their combined power becomes a force to be reckoned with.
Trine
- 120° (+/- 10°)
- 4 Signs Separated
- Easy; Permissive
Two objects from a trine when they are separated by 120° with 10° orb allowance and are usually separated by 4 signs unless the objects fall at the end or beginning of a sign, in which case they may be separated by four signs while still being within orb allowance.
When objects come together in a trine aspect it is viewed as an easy aspect, as the two have so much in common that any differences in approach are easy to overlook and forgive. When both objects are separated by three signs, they will share the same polarity (masculine and feminine), quadruplicity (earth, air, fire and water) but will not share the same modality (cardinal, fixed, mutable). This can be interpreted as the two objects expressing themselves in the same way and having similar goals but not necessarily approaching it in the same way. objects in trine tend to provide unconditional support to each other without asking. Early on in life, they became aware of their similar natures and established a sense of solidarity without much effort. This aspect is notably called easy and supportive as there is rarely any work to do for these two to get along; they understand each other, they have the same goals as each other and they never see any reason to challenge each other. It is fine to consider this aspect easy and supportive, as long as it is not taken for granted that it is always positive and productive. An unevolved trine between two objects can make both very lazy and too comfortable whereas more difficult aspects between objects force them to challenge each other, become uncomfortable, and put in the hard work to establish harmony. The objects will allow each other to get away with murder and actually help each other to behave in unproductive and unhealthy ways. In an evolved trine the objects involved realize their good fortune to be able to work so effortlessly together and use that good fortune to be able to achieve their goals. When this happens, it almost always guarantees success.
Inconjunction / Quincunx
- 150° (+/- 3°)
- 5 Signs Separated
- Difficult, Inability to Understand
Two objects from an inconjunction or quincunx when they are separated by 150° with 3° orb allowance and are usually separated by 5 signs unless the objects fall at the end or beginning of a sign, in which case they may be separated by four signs while still being within orb allowance.
When objects come together in an inconjunction to each other, they are operating independently of each other with seemingly no awareness of the other. When both objects are separated by five signs, they will have different polarities (masculine and feminine), modalities (cardinal, fixed, and mutable), and different quadruplicities (earth, air, fire and water). They have absolutely nothing in common and don’t even know how to communicate because there is no common ground from which to establish a relationship so they continue to act independently and without any consideration of the other. The inconjunction can be beneficial as it provides a person with depth and complexity, but more often than not it will generate a lingering sense of confusion as to how two different parts of our personality can be so completely different and feeling puzzled as to how to even begin going about integrating them. The answer to finding peace with the inconjunction, is in the question. With the inconjunction, it’s important that each object comes to respect each other’s independence and to understand that where one of them will behave in a way that is totally discordant with the way and will of the other, the other object involved has done the same countless times without any thought about it. Understanding that human beings are multi-faceted creatures with aspects of their personalities that do not always seem to be congruent, is what makes us all so interesting. Integration does not come through forcing each part of ourselves to work exactly the same way and focus on the same things, and it definitely does not come through compartmentalizing or isolating parts of yourself from others, but rather getting them all to learn how to appreciate each other for what they are.
Opposition
- 180° (+/- 10°)
- 6 Signs Separated
- Difficult; Challenging and Conflicting
Two objects form an opposition when they are separated by 180° with 10° orb allowance and are usually separated by six signs unless the objects fall at the end or beginning of a sign, in which case they may be separated by seven signs while still being within orb allowance.
When objects come together in an opposition, it is said to be a difficult aspect that requires reconciliation. When planets are separated by six signs, they will be in signs that share the same polarity (masculine and feminine) as well as the same modality (cardinal, fixed or mutable) but will belong to different quadruplicities (earth, air, fire and water). This can be interpreted as the two objects expressing themselves in the same way and being similar in their approach, but having completely different motivating factors. Objects that are in opposition have a very clear view of each other and although they will have considerable common ground to facilitate the building of a positive relationship between them, they can often be repelled by each other because of their goals being contrary. When an opposition is evolved, both objects lend what the other is lacking in order to help each other realize their potential. There exists a delicate system of checks and balances that allows them to both be fulfilled and happy at the same time. In a less evolved opposition, there exists power struggles where one gets to have all the glory while the other has to sit back until pressure or external influences force it to step in and overthrow the other. Repeat, ad nauseum. This creates conflict as the person with the opposition feels that two parts of itself can never make it too far without being thwarted and it can make them appear to be very unbalanced. The person with the opposition will not always be able to see this is really an internal conflict happening between two different parts within them, so they will often attach it to people and situations surrounding the shift in power. This is why the opposition is commonly associated with other people and outside situations, when in all actuality the internal conflict it produces has everything to do with them and not so much to do with other people and outside situations. With the conjunction, the antithesis to the opposition, the problem can be establishing distinction. With the opposition, the problem is often achieving unity. Understanding that although their goals are not the same, they both are very similar and have so much to gain from one another. Where one is lacking, the other can compensate. Instead of keeping the other from achieving their goals due to the perception of one being misguided, they must learn how to collaborate by combining their strengths and working as two parts of the same whole.
Written by Cameron©