The
Aspects Defined
Aspects are how the planets interact with each other
and how they resonate. you can think of the aspects in the
chart as the internal wiring between the planets. Aspects
have two different factors that influence how they work. The
first is the "whole sign" relationship (that is, how well do
the two signs in question work with each other). The second
is the harmonic vibration, which has to do with how close
the two planets are to being in a specific relationship to
each other that corresponds to the division of the 360
degree circle by a whole number.
There are two classifications of Aspects: "Major" and
"Minor." The "Major" aspects (Conjunction, Opposition,
Trine, Square, and Sextile) all share both strong harmonic
and sign relationships. The Quincunx has only recently been
"upgraded" to a major aspect. More than anything, what makes
a "Major" aspect "Major" is how strong and noticeable it's
ultimate effects are. The "Minor" aspects involve less
obvious divisions of the chart, or harmonics that operate on
other levels than the physical.
The
Major Aspects
The Conjunction is a 1st harmonic aspect - the
division of the circle by 1. Two planets are conjunct if
they occupy the same position in the chart by sign and
degree. When two planets are conjunct, they tend to blend
their energies and always act together. Conjunctions are
extremely important aspects, and the closer the conjunction
is, the more important the aspect will be to the individual.
Conjunctions also represent the beginning of a new cycle
involving the two planets.
The Opposition is a 2nd harmonic aspect - the division
of the circle by 2, resulting in a 180 degree aspect.
Planets in opposition are directly across the chart from
each other, and therefore can "see" each other very clearly.
Oppositions are always about learning how to balance the
energy and expression of the planets and signs involved.
Sometimes when two planets are in opposition, it can feel
like only one can be 'used' at a time; if one is "on" the
other must then be "off". The key with oppositions is
learning how to integrate the two planets so that they can
both function at the same time.
The Trine is a 3rd harmonic aspect - the division of
the circle by 3, resulting in a 120 degree aspect. The 3rd
harmonic is very creative, although it represents more
creative potential than it does creative expression. Planets
in Trine are usually in the same element (Fire, Earth, Air
or Water), and this represents a very harmonious flow of
energy between the two planets. Trines represent inborn
talents and gifts. However, Trines are notoriously lazy and
require a conscious effort to make use of their
gifts.
The Square is a 4th harmonic aspect - the division of
the circle by 4, resulting in a 90 degree aspect. The 4th
harmonic is where things first begin to manifest on the
material plane. Planets that are square each other are
usually in the same Modality (Cardinal, Fixed or Mutable)
and squares can feel as if the planets are working at
cross-purposes to each other. Squares create tension and
conflict, and are generally uncomfortable. However, squares
are also how we achieve things, and get things done.
The Sextile is a 6th harmonic aspect - the division of
the circle by 6, resulting in a 60 degree aspect. The sixth
harmonic is considered to be one of balance, harmony and
rest. Planets that are Sextile each other are usually in the
same polarity, but different elements (i.e. Earth and Water
(both feminine) or Fire and Air (both masculine)). Sextiles
represent an opportunity for the two planets to work with
each other in a flowing and harmonious way; however, unlike
Trines where the flow is always there, Sextiles must be
activated to take advantage of them. Sextiles truly
represent opportunities.
The Quincunx is actually a 12th harmonic aspect - it
is 5/12 of the circle, or a 150 degree aspect. Signs that
are Quincunx each other have nothing traditional in common -
they share nothing by polarity, element or modality
(although some of the signs connect in other, less obvious
ways). When planets are Quincunx each other, they can often
feel like an opposition in that there should be a
way to balance them, and we may try to. However, there isn't
a way of balancing these planets, and Quincunxes generally
require some sort of adjustment.
The
Minor Aspects
The Semi-Square is an 8th Harmonic Aspect - the
division of the circle by 8, resulting in a 45 degree aspect
(or half of a square). The 8th harmonic, like the 4th
harmonic is also action oriented, and operates on the
material plane. However, because of the 2nd harmonic aspect
(2 x 4th harmonic), the 8th harmonic also introduces an
element of balance and rest. Semi-Squares occur in signs
that share a common polarity (masculine (Fire and Air) or
feminine (Earth and Water)), and therefore there is the
potential for harmony between them. This is still a
"hard" aspect in that it can be uncomfortable and force us
to take some action in order to resolve the discomfort;
however, Semi-Squares can be resolved more quickly than
squares because of the ability to find that point of
balance.
The Sesquiquadrate is also an 8th Harmonic Aspect - it
is 3/8 of the circle or 135 degrees. Sesquiquadrates tend to
be slightly less action-oriented than the Semi-Squares. They
still represent a feeling of tension, and a need for a
release, of course. However, planets that are Sesquiquadrate
each other, are usually 5 signs apart, and are therefore in
signs that are Quincunx each other and have nothing in
common. Sesquiquadrates are often best handled through humor
- often being able to joke about the associated situations
can release the tension.
The Semi-Sextile is a 12th harmonic aspect - it is
1/12 of the circle or 30 degrees. Planets that are
Semi-Sextile to each other are in signs that are adjacent to
each other. Like the Quincunx, the Semi-Sextile signs have
nothing in common by either polarity, modality or element.
However, unlike the Quincunx the Semi-Sextile is usually an
easier aspect to work with because each sign naturally
evolves to the next sign. The Semi-Sextile is usually
considered to be a weakly harmonious influence, one that
requires even more effort to activate and take advantage of
than the Sextile.
The Quintile is a 5th harmonic aspect - it is 1/5 of
the circle or 72 degrees. The Quintile is not an easy aspect
to see directly, and this is one of the reasons that it is
not often used by many astrologers. The 5th harmonic relates
to creativity in action, and tends to operate on the mental
plane rather than the physical plane. Quintiles have been
linked to great creativity, and, being a 5th harmonic, also
to a need for freedom and change.
The Septile is a 7th harmonic aspect - it is 1/7 of
the circle, and the first harmonic that does not evenly
divide the circle. Septiles are 51 1/2 degree aspects, and
are extremely difficult to see in the chart without the aid
of a computer program or an aspect dial. The 7th harmonic
has been associated with matters of fate and karma, and also
with spirituality and our connections to our higher self. In
numerology, the number 7 is the first number that we can not
grasp by just looking at it (we can tell how many objects
there are up to six without having to count or break them
down into smaller groups). The number 7 is just beyond our
ability to comprehend. Personally, I feel that Septiles
relate more to our spiritual lessons than anything else, and
that they require a conscious effort in order to experience
or work with them.
The Novile is a 9th harmonic aspect - it is 1/9 of the
circle, or 40 degrees. In numerology, the number 9 relates
to the end of a cycle; there is an element of completion and
perfection here, as well as an element of being tested
before being allowed to move on to the next cycle. Noviles
(also called Noniles) have been linked with perfection and
completion, and they have also been linked (somewhat less
appropriately, I feel) with imprisonment and difficulty.
Again, I feel that Noviles tend to operate on a more
spiritual level than on a mundane level, and that they do
indicate that we will be tested on our skills in working
with the two planets involved; they also indicate that we
have reached a point with these two planets where we have
adequate resources and experience to pass the test - all we
need to is integrate this and let ourselves be guided by
spirit. In Jyotish (Vedic) astrology, the 9th harmonic chart
is the chart of Marriage.
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