Aspects of astrology are the connections made between the different planets and heavenly bodies in the chart. ‘Aspected’ in Latin meant to ‘look at each other’, and the Ancients considered that the planets threw and received light, to and from each other. Aspects can be harmonious connections which ease situations or provide help, like trines and sextiles, or they can be of a challenging nature, causing difficulty, harm or hindrance, like squares and oppositions. The conjunctions can provide help, or be challenging depending on the condition of the planets involved, and the houses they fall into.
When we look at the condition and placement of the planets in our birth chart, we also have to look at the aspects they make, as that modifies how we will experience them, and determines the impact they will have.
Let’s look at the major aspects
Oppositions
Planets are in opposition to each other when they are 180° apart, ie on opposite sides of the chart to each other. It’s as if they’re having a stand off, or they’re in competition with each other, so they are loathe to offer help or co-operation. Oppositions are of the nature of Saturn; they impede forward progress, are obstructive and create tension. Depending which planets are involved, there could be a possibility of resolution.
Squares
Planets are square each other when they are 90° apart, or 3 signs apart. This aspect holds the nature of Mars, and generally creates friction and misunderstandings.
It is the most challenging of all the aspects, especially when the malefics, Mars and Saturn, or the outer planets are involved, creating dramatic and dynamic events bringing about change that can be difficult to bear.
Conjunctions
Conjunctions are a more neutral aspect, of the nature of Mercury, and are largely dependent on the position and quality of the planets involved. They involve two planets next to each other in the same sign, so having a lot in common. The Ancients did not categorise conjunctions as aspects, as the two planets combine their energies, which does not happen with the other aspects.
Trines
Two planets trine each other when they are 120° or 4 signs apart. This means that both planets will be in the same triplicity, ie both Fire signs, or both Earth signs, for example, giving them a lot of commonality in the way they operate. This aspect is an easy and supportive connection, of the nature of Jupiter, that unites the two planets with grace and understanding.
Sextiles
Sextiles connect two planets together in the nature of Venus, uniting them in an agreeable relationship of friendship and moderation, in a manner that is less intense than the trine. The two planets are 60° or two signs apart, and of the same gender.
Inconjuncts
Planets in houses next door to each other, 30° apart, or planets five signs apart, 150° apart, cannot see each other’s light, and so have nothing in common. They are in each other’s blind spots.
Orbs and Moieties
To make an aspect to another planet, the two planets need to be ‘in orb’ of each other. This means that their spheres of light need to overlap. For example, if Venus is at 18° Virgo and Saturn is at 24° Virgo, there is a reach of 6° between them. Venus has an orb of 8° around it, while Saturn’s orb is 10°. In reality we are only interested in the radius of the orbs, the halves that face each other. These ‘half’ orbs are called a moiety, from the French. So if we add together half of Venus’s orb and half of Saturn’s orb, 5°+ 4°= 9°, this means that Venus and Saturn at this placement in Virgo will be considered in a conjunction. Planetary orbs can overlap in any of the aspect patterns mentioned above. For example, if Venus was at 18° Virgo as mentioned, but Saturn was at 24° Sagittarius, Venus would be applying to square Saturn.
The Sun has a moiety, or half orb, of 8°30, the Moon 6°15, Mercury 3°30, Mars 3°45 and Jupiter 6°. The outer planets don’t have orbs as they are considered too far out to shed light. Generally for outer planet engagement, a 1° applying or separating is used.
Applying and separating aspects
Venus in the above example is the faster moving planet, as her orbit is closer to the Earth, and so she is in the process of catching up to Saturn. This is called ‘applying’ to Saturn. Once Venus has passed Saturn’s position, she will be ‘separating’ from Saturn. Applying aspects are always considered more powerful. Note that the faster moving planet is always mentioned first as the planet throwing the aspect.
In a nutshell, a benefic planet like Venus or Jupiter, throwing an easy aspect, like a trine or sextile will bring good or helpful results, while a malefic planet like Mars or Saturn, throwing a difficult aspect, like a square or opposition, will bring challenges. Generally, benefic planets throwing hard aspects, or malefic planets throwing easy aspects, will produce mild results.
Feral and Void of course planets
When a natal planet forms no aspects to any other planet or point in the chart, it is called feral. This is considered a weakened position and would be noted as such by your astrologer. If a planet does not throw any aspects in the sign it’s in, it is called ’Void of course’, and its capacity for action is diminished. The Moon is the heavenly body that most frequently exhibits a void of course position at the end of a sign, as it changes signs every 2-3 days.
Astrologers would look to avoid a ‘Void of course’ Moon in a Horary Event chart, as no good would come from the situation. For example, I had eye surgery booked to cut my eye muscle shorter to open it fully after an accident. My surgery was booked for 8am, but due to an emergency at the hospital, it was delayed until 11am, and by then the Moon had no more aspects to make in the sign it was moving through. Despite cutting 1,5cm off the muscle, my eye did not open much more at all.
Therefore, the following year when my surgeon offered me a date and time for knee replacement surgery which coincided with a Void of course Moon, I politely declined and asked for another date. Horary is extremely powerful in this regard.
