Astrological Aspects

Neutral / Intense

The Conjunction is where planets appear next to each other as seen from the Earth. A conjunction can be made up of a number of different planets that are in close proximity. Here the 360 degree circle is effectively divided by the number one as the planets are grouped together. This is the original number of unity in which there is no division or room for disharmony - it is pure unity. In this way the planets sing together their different songs. It's as if in an orchestra, there are a few singers on one part of the stage who are standing next to each other and their voices, although different, appear to originate from the same place and blend together. You can still make out the individual voices but it's not easy as they are now merged with those immediately around them. As we have discussed each of the planets represent energy forces that are also in the individual, ones strength or capacity to communicate etc. Therefore when we see these planets next to each other in the sky it teaches us that, in a similar way, inside the individual born at the same time, these energies will be expressed together. Imagine a baby was born and from the point of view of the earth the planet mars and the planet mercury appeared very close to each other in the skies above. Although we know they have very different orbits they still appear from our point of view in the same part of the sky. Now Mars represents the strength and personal will of the person. Mercury on the other hand is the great communicator of knowledge, it moves at great speed around the sun and in myth Mercury or Hermes was the Winged Messenger. When we combine these two principles you can get an idea of what this conjunction means. This person would in some way be a powerful communicator. It could manifest as a person with a sharp tongue or it could be a great orator or a person who shouts a lot or a person knowledgable in war. The combinations are varied but the theme the same. To further tie down how this will manifest we have to look at the signs and houses these conjunct planets lie in. Conjunctions are very powerful in that the two or more planets involved in them, work as a team, and combine and express their energies in a unity. This will make the persons with these combinations strong individuals in certain areas. In a battlefield it is like having some of your elite forces stationed together, like the cavalry and the infantry. This is the place you are focused on and are strong and proficient. There are some downsides to this however. A Conjunction can make you overly subjective and overly focused in one area. Since the planets and energies get on so well together there can be a lack of objectivity and balance. In the battlefield example you may be so focused on one part of the battlefield, where your troops are, that other parts can be neglected. Sometimes there are periods in time with conjunctions involving many planets effectively making all these forces work together. These can often make unique and enchanting individuals. When there are conjunctions of the outer planets , whole generations have these combinations in their charts. The 1960's saw the famous Uranus Pluto conjunction, in which the combination of both of these revolutionary forces, gave rise to the upheaval and turbulence of that dramatic period.

Challenging / Awareness

The Opposition is where two planets appear opposite each other from the point of view of the earth. They are 180 degrees apart from each other. This is the 360 Degree circle divided by two. In number symbolism, the number two is a number of division and separation. The unity of the number one is broken. In the Bible after each day of creation it says 'and it was good' except for the second day where this phrase is missed out. Why was this ? It is because with the division created by having two forces there can be disharmony, separation, conflict and opposing ideas. In the symbol of the Tao we have both yin and yang, the two primary forces. If we look around us we see the world divided in two in all aspects of creation, man and woman, night and day, up and down, right and left. Everything we live by is a polarity. Yet in some way this division is also necessary and fundamental to creation. If everything remained a unity and a oneness there would be no separation, no freedom of choice between opposites, no right and wrong and nothing to be done or achieved. This nature of duality or the principle expressed by opposition is that there is dynamic betwen the two poles that animates creation. We even see this is politics , we have the Republicans and the Democrats in the United States. Through the opposition and debate of these two sets of values we try to find what is the correct path. We need both of these entities to allow our political system to reach a correct balance. If both parties always agreed with another we would have no room for gaining a deeper understanding into the issues. When the Sun and Moon are in opposition, it is the time of the full moon. The Full light of the Sun is reflected back by the moon. In a similar way when two planets are in opposition they reflect back the qualities of each other. There is however a tension between the two because they do not agree, as they are coming from different sides. Somehow though they are vital to each other to reach an understanding and a balance. In Astrology the Opposition of two planets in the sky also represents two fundamental forces in opposition in the psyche of a person, that are in need of reconciliation. Often a person associates with one side of the opposition and sees the other side as being out there in the world. They therefore find it in another person because they don't acknowledge it as being part of themselves. Let's take an example. A person is born under an opposition between the Moon amd Mars. This person has both these forces inside of them. They have a desire to powerfully express their emotions. Since the two planets are in opposition though, they may associate with the Moon and feel emotional but not powerful. What happens is they are continually attracted to powerful people, since they resonate with the unexpressed Mars inside of themselves. They may have a succession of abusive or aggressive partners or just people who are strong and powerful that they admire. These people are showing them what they actually have inside of them. Once of course they acknowledge their own power they will no longer need to seek it in the outside world. This is the opposition in action. People with oppositions in their chart therefore often learn through relationship with another and in this way learn to acknowledge more of what is inside of themselves.

Harmonious / Easy

The Trine Aspect is where planets are 120 degrees apart from each other. This is the 360 Degree Circle divided by three. In number symbolism three is a number of harmony and completeness. Where the number two implied division, three reconciles that division. This is evident throughout our world. If we take any kind of conflict of two opposing forces we need to mediate between them and reach a balanced and fair compromise. This could be two people in an argument or two political parties debating an issue. Even at the level of nature we see this expressed. We have the positive particle the proton, the negative particle the electron and the neutron which is necessary to hold the atom together. We mentioned above, in the section on the opposition, that in Bible, on the second day of creation the word good was left out. On the Third Day it is the only day where it is mentioned twice ! There is certainly enough conflict in this world already , some more harmony and compromise is doubly needed. In the Tao symbol there is the constant interplay and balancing of the two forces, the Yin and the Yang. This is the essence of the trine, the reconciling of opposing forces into a beautiful balance. It is something we all try and achieve each day, to find a solution to the many opposing demands that are placed upon us. In Astrology when two planets are in Trine with each other in the sky, so they are also in Harmony in the psyche of the person born under this combination. They have a natural balance and ease and flow with regard to expressing the energies of these two planets. Things happen naturally and effortlessly around these two forces as their energies gently compliment one another. Imagine a person is born under a Trine between the planets of Venus and Uranus. Astrology states that the two forces exemplified by these planets will also exist inside the individual but as it's a Trine they will be in harmony with each other. Here the force of beauty, talent and abilites of Venus and the force of change, innovativeness of Uranus are at ease with each other. The person will therefore have a natural ability and love for the unusual, and the revolutionary aspects of life. They may be the charming professor or the quirky but endearing computer geek or the person with an ability to pick up uncannily on all the latest trends enetering society. Whatever, they will have a talent and an ability around the energies expressed by these planets. The ease of the Trine is further exemplified by the fact that generally two planets in Trine are in the same element. They could be both in Water Signs , or both in Fire Signs. The planets come from the same background as each other. They understand where the other one is coming from. It is possible to have Planets in Trine in different elements although it is less usual. As you can see the Trine endears people with great talents. It is much like in an adventure game where these are the abilities and atributes of the character you choose. People with many Trines are naturally blessed and have an ease and flow about their personality. There is less underlying tension and these people are easy to get along with and pleasant to be around. They may be socially charming and less likely to enter a conflict. They are at ease with themselves. Now this all sounds too good to be true. Of course there is a negative side. People with many Trines in their chart can be so comfortable that they never get up and do anything with their lives. They many be too content for their own good. No event or drama in their personality is there to push them to great heights. They don't have to change because quite frankly why should they ? Everything is fine just the way it is. Externally they may be born into money paralleling the gifts they were born into with their natures. Fortunately there is another aspect between planets that involves tension , which pushes people to new heights and that is the Square.

Challenging / Dynamic

The Square Aspect is where two planets are 90 Degrees apart from each other. This is the Circle divided by four. The Harmony of the Three is now disturbed and there is an inbalance that needs to be completed. The number four is also the number of the elements, Fire, Air , Earth and Water. The symbol for the earth is a circle with a cross through it highlighting these four elements. The number four implies manifestation of something in the Earth. With this aspect their is a desire and an urgency to reconcile tension and achieve something tangible. We have words in our language implying the tension around the Square Aspect. 'They Squared up to each other', 'They were Square on'. Since there is a disharmony there is also an energy around the square , something is not finished or is out of balance. It is as if you are a conductor of an orchestra and there is a note out of tune which demands your attention and input to be resolved. In Astrology when two planets are Square to each other in the sky , so they are also in tension in the psyche of the person born under this combination. This is an area in their life that they need to work on and try and find harmony in. There is often conflict around the energies expressed by these two planets. Things do not run smoothly in these areas and there are always issues that need dealing with. Externally these may manifest as tensions and disharmony with people and events, yet they are just an expression of the underlying tension in the person. If we take an example of The Moon being Square to Mercury. Astrology states that the two forces exemplified by these planets will also exist inside the individual but as it's a Square they will be in tension with each other. The force of emotions and neediness and comfort, the Moon, will be at odds with the ability to communicate and express knowledge, Mercury. This person may not be able to easily express his emotional needs. The Tension of the Square is further emphasised by the fact that when planets are three signs apart, they are sitting in signs of completely different elements. For example one planet could be in a Fire Sign and one in a Water Sign. Naturally these two elements do not mix, yet the two planets are some how connected and need to be reconciled. Squares are what drive people forward. Somehow they need to be resolved or at least accepted. People with many Squares in their chart have an underlying tension and drive. They may not always be comfortable to be around because of the underlying conflicts in their psyches but they are often great agents for change. In their efforts to change themselves and find harmony they often ending up changing the world around them. Many of the people who achieve most in life are challenged with these squares but they inspire them to great heights. Like inner demons , the person cannot rest until they are dealt with. Ideally a chart is a balance of Squares and Trines. The abilities of the Trines can be used in an effort to achieve harmony with the Squares.

Harmonious / Opportunity

The Sextile Aspect is where two planets are sixty degrees apart. Here the circle is divided by six. It is related very strongly to the major Trine Aspect described above. The Sextile Aspect is half the angle of the Trine Aspect. With the Trine Aspect the planets are generally separated by three signs in between. Since there are four elements, the planets involved in a Trine have the same element, e.g Both Fire. With the Sextile Aspect the planets are generally separated by one sign in between. Unlike the Trine the Sextile planets do not share the same element but they will have compatible elements. Air and Fire are compatible and Water and Earth compatible. The former more Yang and extrovert , the latter more Yin and introvert. The Sextile Aspect is therefore slightly more difficult than the Trine, although still advantageous. Whereas the Trine gifts come easily and without effort, the Sextile involves an ability, but it has to be worked for. This is hinted at by the fact that the number six is made of three times two. Three is the number of harmony and balance but two is a number of division and dynamism. Elements of the psyche are related, and potentially powerful when operating in harmony, yet this gift has to be worked for.

Awkward / Adjustment

The Quincunx Aspect is where two planets are one hundred and fifty degrees apart. This is an interesting aspect as it is an uneven division of the 360 degree circle. Unlike the aspects above it is not an aspect that produces an elegant number. This is very much the essence of this aspect. It is a difficult one. The two planets involved cannot easily see and communicate with each other. They are not straight in front of each other but slightly skewed off. Yet we know in some way they are related to each other. Since each sign is 30 degrees apart we can see from the one hundred and fifty degrees that the planets are five signs away from each other. Unlike the Trine, the elements are not the same and the nature of the Signs are also different (Cardinal, Fixed etc). This is therefore a difficult aspect to deal with. It's rather like when you perform one action something related always happens at the same time yet you can't see a connection between the two events. There is however a buried gift with this aspect if you can finally get to see and understand the hidden connection between the planets involved. One could say the phrase 'opposites attract' is relevant. The planets are in such different signs and elements that in some way they hold the key to what the other planet does not have. They keep the other in check when it becomes too focused in one area. This is much like when you have an opinion, you immediately have a contrasting view that surfaces with it and in this way your understanding reaches a different level in the struggle to reconcile the two viewpoints.

Minor Challenge

The SemiSquare Aspect is where two planets are forty five degrees apart. This is related to the Square Aspect described above but it is only half the Angle. This is where the circle is divided by eight. Square Aspects tend to indicate energy that is blocked between two planets or parts of the individuals psyche. With the SemiSquare this energy appears to be even more deeply blocked and thus it manifests as external events. A person is forced to address difficulties in their psyche because these continually manifest as events in the outside world that need dealing with. With this fact SemiSquares can lead a person to great achievements as the energy of the Square is given tangible form in the external world. People with these aspects often develop great persistance, endurance and productive results in their efforts to control and reconcile these difficult combinations of energy.

Minor Challenge

The SesquiSquare or SesquiQuadrate Aspect as it is sometimes known as, is where two planets are one hundred and thirty five degrees apart. This is like a Square Aspect of ninety degrees combined with a SemiSquare Aspect of forty five degrees. Indeed the themes are very similar to both of these. Here there is a difficult link between the planets so also there is a difficult link between two attributes of the psyche. This difficulty is likely to spur the individual to greater heights in their efforts to achieve some kind of balance and harmony. With these efforts they should go on to achieve tangible results in the world although the path will not be easy.