ASPECTS IN ASTROLOGY
When you first take a look at your birth chart, you may find yourself pondering over the meaning of those intricate lines. Well, those lines actually form angles known as "aspects," and they play a significant role in shaping your unique astrological composition. Astrologers have shared their insights to help you comprehend these aspects in your own birth chart. Here's everything you need to know about aspects and how to interpret them.
The planetary aspects of astrology
The five major elements in astrology are conjunctions, sextiles, squares, trines, and oppositions. Later on, we will delve into the meanings of each, but essentially, an aspect represents the relationship between the positions of two planets in relation to each other (e.g., Sun conjunct Venus).
Every aspect speaks to a specific theme, with some carrying a hint of tension that can foster growth, while others provide a sense of ease with complementary energy.
We can identify these aspects within our own charts, but on a daily basis, the planets in the sky are constantly forming aspects that influence the energy of the day.
Understanding aspects, even to a small extent, has its benefits as it can help us develop compassion for our squares, oppositions, and conjunctions and recognize their impact on our lives. With knowledge, we can strive to find peace with ourselves and embrace who we are. Awareness enables us to highlight our strengths and work through our weaknesses.
THE CONJUNCTION
This aspect is the most powerful & strongest aspect in the chart because it is a combustion of energy between two different energies. The energy is essentially trying to merge together, and this can create a "positive" or "negative" effect depending on what two energies are colliding together, if it is well-aspected & how developed the placements are.
Conjunctions can be in the same sign or two different signs. Close conjunctions 0-1 degrees can be close enough to where it can make different aspects of the conjunction. Then we have Cazimi's, which is an astrological term that can be seen if the native has a celestial body 17 minutes away or less from their Sun.
Conjunction in the B'earth Chart
- use up to an 8-10 degree orb
- use a 6-7 degree orb for the Moon
- for all other Conjunctions within the natal chart, use a 4-6 degree wide orb
THE TRINE
Represents: A free-flowing connection between two planets, points, angles, or asteroids which are in complete harmony with each other. There's past life mastery & talent here between these two things which allows flow in this part of your personality.
Trines in the B'earth Chart
- use a 5-10 degree orb
- 4 signs away from each other
- in the same element (air, fire, water, earth) almost always
- 120 degrees apart
THE OPPOSITION
Oppositions represent karmic loops our soul has kept ourselves in over lifetimes & are meant to come into alignment & harmony. Focus on the shadow side/edges of each celestial body to heal karmic loops.
Oppositions can be directly related to the human conditioning the collective was experiencing at the time of the soul's existence.
Oppositions are a big deal in the b'earth chart and are one of the biggest forms of generational karma. A common opposition is Saturn opposing Chiron, aka the Lesson in this Lifetime, which is meant to come into harmony with Our Soul's Biggest Wound/Key to Our Greatest Healing. If you have this placement, congratulations, you're doing some MAJOR healing for your lineage.
Oppositions in the B'earth Chart
- use a 5-10 degree orb
- 6 signs away from each other
- almost always in the same sister sign axis & same masculine/feminine energy (ex: Taurus/Scorpio are opposite signs & are Earth/Water aka feminine energy)
- 180 degrees apart
THE SQUARE
Squares represent a fight between two parts of ourselves that fight for our attention to pick it.
These aspects represent 'active' and constant moving energy we are meant to integrate into our being by finding the balance between the two energies.
Squares represent two areas of life in which we want to advance & grow. Squares give us determination, spice & are active energy as opposed to sextiles/trines, which are mastered energies from a previous lifetime and, therefore, tend to need to be activated.
Squares in the B'earth Chart
- use a 0-10 degree orb
- 3 signs away from each other
- almost always in the same modality (ex: Cardinal Signs, Aries, Cancer, Libra & Capricorn)
- 90 degrees apart
THE SEXTILE
Past Life mastery is when two aspects of the personality complete and dance with each other in perfect harmony. This allows for a solid uniting between two different elements.
Sextiles in the B'earth Chart
- use a 0-10 degree orb
- 2 signs away from each other
- will almost always be in the same masculine/feminine energy
ex: Earth/Water = feminine energy Fire/Air = masculine energy
- 60 degrees apart
THE QUINCUNX
Represents two energies in which you will feel things very deeply but can be in conflict.
Represents a disconnect but also can be a source of power if its energy is willed in a positive way.
It can be a cause of stress, and to heal this, learn to merge the two planets together to create a strong unity between the two.
As our consciousness evolves, our quincunx starts to activate, and healing happens.
Quincunxes in the B'earth Chart
- use a 0-3 degree orb
- 5 signs away from each other
- 150 degrees apart
- also referred to as an "inconjunction"