Copyright ©1997
Dr. Eileen Nauman, DHM (UK).
All Rights Reserved.
Aspects in astrology are determined by
measuring the geometric angles that the planets form with one another. When
two planets or a planet and cusp angle (such as the ascendant (ASC) or
Midheaven (MC)) form a specific angle or distance from one another, they are
in aspect to one another. Here are the major aspects utilized in astrology:
Conjunction:
(symbol is a circle with a single line sticking out the right side of the
circle). Two planets or a planet and ASC/MC are within 10 degrees 'orb' of
one another, they are said to be 'conjunct.' A conjunction brings two
planets or a planet and angle together. There is intensification or focus,
like a laser, in this aspect. You have two planets and their unique natures
paired off as a team, together. Some pairings are very amenable and friendly
and others are not. Depending upon the planet's involved, this can create a
dynamic duo that gives you focus in your life via these two planets, or like
a bad team, each planet wants to go its own way, and there's a battle Royal
going on inside you. Learning to 'tame' these two unruly planets may take
some time.
Example: Sun 5 degrees Virgo conjunct
Venus 10 degrees Virgo. This is a conjunction between Sun and Venus. They
are 5 degrees a part from one another. They can be up to 10 degrees a part
and still be influencing one another. A Sun/Venus conjunction is considered
beneficial and is a 'team' working together as one unit--in one direction
without fighting one another.
Example: Moon 29 degrees Aries conjunct
Mars 9 degrees Pisces. This is a conjunction between Moon and Mars. They are
10 degrees a part from one another. A Moon/Mars conjunction is considered a
battle because these two are contrary to one another's personal expression.
They are a 'team' that is working against one another. The person who owns
this configuration in their chart will have to learn how to integrate them
over time--and they can do it.
Example: Mercury 2 degrees Scorpio
conjunct Ascendant 28 degrees Libra. This is a conjunction between a planet
and an angle. There is four degrees orb between them. When a planet
conjuncts an angle it heightens the angle with the personality of the planet
involved. In this example, this individual would be said to be very
Mercurial or like Mercury's personality: quicksilver, fast thinking, talking
and restless.
Sextile:
(symbol looks like a star or asterisk). This is considered a soft/easy/good
aspect where two planets are sixty degrees a part from one another. There is
usually a smaller orb, six or eight degrees, between them. Sextiles always
present one with an opportunity but you have to apply the hard work and
elbow grease. If you do, you'll repeat the benefits of your dedication,
discipline and hard work with success. This is the 'journeyman apprentice'
where the sextile promises raw talent or skills via the planets involved,
but you have to mature it by working at it for sometime before there is
fruition.
Example: Venus 20 degree Libra sextile
Jupiter 25 degrees Sagittarius. These planets are 65 degrees a part from one
another, and within 'orb' to be a 'sextile' aspect to one another.
Square:
(symbol looks like a square). This is considered a hard aspect. I've
always called a square "a stumbling block or a building block" and the
person's attitude will make it one or another. This is two planets that are
ninety degrees a part from one another; or 'squared' to one another. The
friction created by a hard aspect such as a conjunction, square, inconjunct
or opposition is what makes us grow and be productive in some way.
Example: Saturn 10 degree Aries square
Uranus 20 degrees Cancer. These two planets have 100 degrees a part, but
within the ten degree orb of a 'square' aspects to make them 'square' to one
another.
Trine:
(symbol looks like a triangle with its point upward). This is when two
planets are 120 degree a part from one another. A trine is said to be a
soft/easy aspect; however, if one does not have enough other 'hard' aspects
in their chart, trines can easily become lazy and indolent and nothing
happens. If trines are energized by other hard aspects, this is one of the
most harmonious, creative flows within you. Everything between these two
planets and what they represent, comes 'easy' to you. You don't have to work
hard to get it; it simply 'drops into your lap' like a fairy godmother
gifting you.
Example: Venus 20 Taurus trine Mars 25
degrees Capricorn. This is Venus trine Mars. They are 125 degrees a part,
and the exact trine is 120 degrees. There is an 8 degree orb, so these two
are trined to one another.
Inconjunct:
(also known as a Quincunx) (symbol looks like one black, horizontal line
with two 'legs' in a 'v' position beneath it--or a table with legs). The
inconjunct is a 150 degree angle between two planets. I've often said that
this aspect is for the person who owns it, is like being caught "between a
rock and a hard place." The inconjunct is a hard, inflexible aspect and
teaches the person who has it to either bend or break. Circumstances with
this aspect do not allow any retreat; nor can the person think their way out
of it. The inconjunct is about trusting one's own inner voice and intuition
because that is the only thing that is going to change the dynamic on this
energy into transformation and finally, integration. This is one of the
hardest aspects to work with. If one refuses to trust themselves or listen
to their own instincts or gut hunches, they will often find adversity
staring them directly into the face--and it doesn't blink--you will. It is
also the reason for poor health and is considered the most important aspect
in medical astrology.
Example: Moon 10 degrees Pisces
inconjunct Mars 15 degrees Leo. There is 155 degrees between these two
planets, but the 'orb' is allowed up to 10 degrees in medical astrology and
about 2 to 5 degrees in natal astrology. Moon is inconjunct Mars in this
example.
Opposition:
(symbol looks like a set of dumbbells--two circles at either end joined by a
black, horizontal line in between them). This is when two planets are 180
degrees from one another. They are said to be in opposition to one another.
This is considered a hard aspect that causes friction. Oppositions usually
give one plenty of opportunities--whether you take them or not is up to you.
On a less positive expression, it can mean a tug-of-war between you and the
planets involved and confrontation is the order of the day. Oppositions will
teach you about how to balance the energies of these two planets--and
integrate them. Once this is done, you have an incredible palette of 'tools'
or skills to choose from.
Example: Sun 10 degrees Leo in
opposition to Moon 8 degrees Aquarius. These are said to be in opposition to
one another. There is 178 degrees between them, and the orb on an opposition
is usually between 7 and 10 degrees. The Sun is opposite the Moon.
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Example of a Natal Chart:
