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Planetary Aspects
When we view the planets from Earth, they all rotate at different speeds
around the Sun.
Aspects are the various geometric angles, measured in degrees, minutes
and seconds that are formed between planets, or some other point in the
horoscope, as they move through the 360 degrees.
Put simply, the horoscope circle is 360 degrees, and if we divide it into
12 sections (the Signs) they equal 30 degrees each. We put Earth in the
centre of the circle, and then we can see in the natal chart (a snapshot of
the position of the planets at the time of birth) the relative positions of
the planets to each other at that time.
Transits refer to the current planetary positions, and these also make
aspects to the natal planets. For example, at age 14 Saturn will be opposing
it's natal position in the chart. Depending on the speed of the planet's
motion, you can calculate the aspects as it moves around a chart, for
example it takes a month for the moon and 29 years for Saturn to complete a
circuit of the entire chart.
There are some aspects that are traditionally considered major. They are
called "classical" or "Ptolemaic" after the Greek astrologer Ptolemy
(Claudius Ptolemaeus). These are:
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Conjunction |
0 degrees - next to each
other |
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|
Sextile |
60 degrees apart |
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|
Square |
90 degrees apart |
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Trine |
120 degrees apart |
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Quincunx (Inconjunct) |
150 degrees apart |
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Opposition
|
180 degrees apart |
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The aspects indicate the energies between the planets and houses, and
traditionally the "easy" aspects of Sextile and Trine indicate a more
harmonious or beneficial energy and the "hard" aspects of the Square and
Opposition considered to represent challenges and balance needed to be
found. A Conjunction is a very dynamic aspect and can be considered either
positive or negative depending on the planets involved.
However, aspects, like planets are merely representations of energy and
it is what we do with it that is either beneficial or not as we all have
free will.
Aspects are given an Orb of influence, and there are various differing
opinions amongst astrologers as to the exact degree, ranging from 10 – 6
degrees for major aspects. It’s a matter of finding what you are comfortable
with, but it would be safe to say that the closer the planets are to each
other, the stronger the aspect's energy, as they "apply" and "separate".
Minor Aspects that are often used are semi-sextiles (30 degree separation
between planets) and quincunxes (a 150 degree separation). Other minor
Aspects are considered if their angles are very close.
It is important to remember that Signs, not houses, are used in
determining aspects, as depending on what House system is used, a house may
be more or less than 30 degrees.
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