Astrology Basics Part 4: The Aspects

Dear NightFall Astrology readers,

This is the fourth article in my free “Astrology Basics” series. In my previous article, we tackled the astrological Houses (the stages where the planets play their roles – the signs).

Indeed, the easiest metaphor to understand how your chart works (as I often say) is to think of it as a play or a movie where: the planets are the actors, the signs are the characters they’re playing, the houses are the scenes, stages, or the areas of life where they’re playing, and aspects are the relationships between the characters.

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{ Before reading the rest of this article, I strongly encourage you to read my previous 3 articles covering the basics of astrology:
Part 1,
Part 2,
and Part 3. }

So, planets are the actors. They’re in a specific sign, they’re in a specific role that they’re playing. That’s the lens. Then they’re in a house, an area of life. That is the scene. And then, aspects will be the relationship between these actors when they’re in their roles. It’s also important to know that normally, planets move counterclockwise. So, when we’re calculating the aspect application, generally, we’re looking at planets moving counterclockwise in a chart. The direct motion is counterclockwise. If a planet is retrograde, it moves clockwise, and you can think of it applying that way. Applying means “heading towards”. Direct planets move counterclockwise. Retrograde planets move clockwise. Keep that in mind when we talk about applying and separating from these relationships.

With this in mind, discussing the concept of “sect” in astrology, which refers to the daytime and nighttime teams, is crucial. The daytime team comprises the Sun, Jupiter, and Saturn; in daytime charts, they are considered positive or favourable planets. Jupiter is the most favourable planet in a daytime chart, while Saturn is challenging but not as much as Mars. Hence, the Moon, Venus, and Mars are less likely to offer helpful testimony in a daytime chart. In contrast, Venus is the most positive planet in a nighttime chart as it belongs to the nighttime team, along with the Moon and Mars. Mars is still challenging but less so than Saturn, which is the most challenging planet in a nighttime chart. Therefore, Jupiter offers the most favourable aspects and position in a daytime chart, while Venus offers the most positive aspects in a nighttime chart.

Each planet, therefore, is emitting out seven rays. Each planet emits one opposition, two trines, two squares, and two sextiles. We’ll get into what each of these is, but it’s important to note that every planet is sending out these rays. But, if it lands on another planet, that is when the aspect happens, when there’s a recipient. Each planet is emitting a ray to an entire sign, but the closer it is by degree, the more intense the aspect is.

So, with left and right-sided aspects, if a planet is applying on the right, basically, if a planet is moving counterclockwise and is in the upper position as it moves counterclockwise, it is then in a strong applying aspect. If the aspect is separating or it’s on the left, it is a weaker aspect. If it is applying, it means that the faster-moving planet is applying to the slower-moving planet. If it is separating, it means that the faster-moving planet is already moving away from the slower-moving planet.

There are also four aversions (or non-existing aspects). So, planets are sending out seven rays, and thus seven signs are hit. There’s the sign that it’s in, and there are four aversions or signs that a planet will not be aspecting. When a planet is not aspecting something, there’s simply no relationship or storyline, for better or for worse. So, the sign-based aspect is necessary, and then the degree-based aspect will happen if there’s a planet there to receive. With applying versus separating aspects, essentially, the faster-moving planet will apply to the slower-moving planet. If the degrees are already moving apart, then it’s separating.

For example, Jupiter is squaring Saturn. Jupiter’s at 19 degrees, and Saturn is at 20 degrees. It’s applying because Jupiter is earlier, and it’s applying. If Jupiter’s at 21 degrees, it is already moving away from Saturn at 20 degrees. This means that it is separating because Jupiter is already beginning to move away from the square. A one-degree separating aspect is weaker than a one-degree applying aspect because, with applying aspects, we’re gaining momentum; there’s a buildup. So, they’re stronger by necessity.

I. The 4 “formal” aspects in traditional (Hellenistic) astrology:

1) The sextile:

The first aspect to look at is the sextile, which is a 60-degree angle between two planets. There will be one sign between 3 signs to make them 60 degrees apart. So, Cancer is sextile to Virgo, and Cancer is sextile to Taurus, for example. This is an aspect of opportunity. These two signs share the same polarity. They’re both either masculine or feminine. It is the least powerful aspect possible. It is opportunity. It is of the nature of Venus. It’s not the strongest. It’s agreeable, but you’ll have to put in some effort to reach this positive result in the opportunity that’s being presented to you. It’s the cherry on top.

2) The square:

The next aspect is the square. It is a 90-degree angle between two planets. It is a tense aspect of constant friction. All cardinal, all fixed, and all mutable signs are square one another. They’re on the same team, but they’re fighting at the same time. They’re operating in the same kind of worldview, but there’s direct combat because of different elements and polarities.

Cancer is square to Aries, is square to Capricorn, and is square to Libra. Any square at a given time will be of a different polarity, either masculine or feminine, and a different element, either earth or water, or it’ll be fire or air. They’ll always be in that direct combat. It’s of the nature of Mars. So, this is a directly combative aspect.

The opposition, which is another challenging aspect, is a bit more confrontational. The square is in-fighting within a team. It’s fighting between siblings.

This is challenging unless Venus or Jupiter are in the earlier zodiacal order. If they’re in the earlier counter-clockwise position, this is then a positive aspect. Venus or Jupiter are in the superior square, so to speak. This suddenly becomes positive.

3) The trine:

The next degree-based aspect is a trine, which is 120 degrees and supremely harmonious. This is between signs of the same element, so it’s always a grand earth trine or grand water trine that creates that triangle trine. The closer it is to 120 degrees between planets, exactly, that’s the strength of that trine, and this is flow without too much effort. This is the same polarity, the same element. It’s effortless, and it appears in life. There’s not too much thought. This is why sometimes a trine is considered a lazy aspect because we could take it for granted or don’t see it showing up in our lives. This isn’t necessarily true. It depends on each person’s self-awareness.

The trine is of the nature of Jupiter, which is effortless cooperation. If Venus or Jupiter are involved, in the upper hand, it’s bonification, which is utmost harmony.

4) The opposition:

The final aspect, known as opposition, is the most confrontational aspect, as it involves planets that are 180 degrees opposite each other. This creates a direct conflict between the two planets, with each having a clear view of the other. In essence, it’s like sitting across from someone at a dinner table or on a debate stage – you’re right up against each other. Both planets are of the same polarity, either masculine or feminine, which enables communication despite being of opposite elements. The signs that demonstrate opposition are Cancer-Capricorn and Aries-Libra, and this aspect often results in rivalry and polarization.

Opposition is not typically about finding a compromise or balance; instead, it’s about integrating both extremes in a way that’s not combative in life. It’s akin to the nature of Saturn, which is known for dividing and severing. An example of this could be when someone has trouble hearing another person and reacts with fear, creating a boom of opposition. It’s important to note that the nature of Saturn can be very polarizing.

II. The “practical” aspect: the conjunction:

You may be curious about the conjunction and how it fits into astrology. Technically, the conjunction is not an aspect because it does not involve seeing the other planet.

In a conjunction, the planets are on top of each other and cannot view one another. Nonetheless, it is still a relationship or a conversation between the planets. Although it is not considered a traditional aspect, it is often included for practical reasons.

When two planets are in the same sign, it is referred to as co-presence. The closer the planets are to zero degrees apart, the closer they are considered to be conjunct. Even though planets in conjunction cannot see each other, their energies blend together and create a neutral effect. The outcome of a conjunction depends on the nature of the planets involved and the area of life they impact.

For example, if Jupiter and Venus are conjunct in a chart, they will blend together, emphasising the qualities of abundance, love, and harmony in the area of life they influence.
Conversely, if Mars and Saturn are conjunct, their energies may clash, indicating difficulties, struggles, and conflicts in the area of life they impact.

Therefore, while conjunctions may not be traditional aspects, they still provide valuable insights into astrological interpretations.

III. Aversions:

If a planet cannot see the abovementioned four signs, thus forming an aspect in the strict sense of the word, it is an aversion. Let’s say a planet is in a sign, so the second, sixth, eighth, and twelfth signs won’t be aspecting it.
For example, Scorpio isn’t aspected by Sagittarius, Aries, Gemini, and Libra.

This lack of conversation creates a sense of disconnection and a lack of affinity between the planets involved. In modern astrology, this is referred to as an inconjunction, quincunx, or semi-sextile. These terms are used to describe the anti-aspect quality of the relationship as if it does not exist at all.

It’s important to note that an aversion can be either beneficial or challenging, depending on the desired outcome. For example, if two planets are in aversion and their energies do not align, it might be a relief that they don’t interact with each other. However, if their energies do align and they could potentially work well together, the lack of communication may present a challenge.

It’s important to understand that every planet in a chart is witnessing seven signs and is in aversion to four. This is a key element in understanding how the various aspects of a chart interact with each other to create a cohesive narrative.

If you enjoyed this article (and the astrology basics series), let me know in the comments down below about any thoughts or questions you on the subject you might have!
I’ll be happy to answer some of those, especially because I know this can be challenging to integrate when you’re starting out.

Thank you for reading.

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Your Astrologer – Theodora NightFall ~

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Astrology Basics Part 1: The planets

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