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Aspects

Aspects are the energetic relationships between planets and angles. They answer the question, How do

these planets work with each other? They are based on the relationship between elements and modes.

To understand aspects, always start first with an understanding of elements and modes.

Aspects are generally divided between stressful and harmonious aspects, but this categorization can be

affected by other factors, like the planets and signs involved.

Resources:

These two books should be in every astrology students bookcase.

The best book to read about this is Stephen Arroyos, Astrology, Psychology, and the Four Elements: An

Energy Approach to Astrology and Its Use in the Counseling Arts.

The best aspect cookbook is Robert Pelletiers, Planets in Aspect: Understand Your Inner Dynamics.

The Primary Aspects

Conjunctions (determined by sign/planet)

Oppositions (stressful)

Squares (stressful)

Trines (flowing)

Sextiles (flowing)

Elements

Elements form trine relationships to each other because they operate from the same essential energy.

Air to Air (Mental, Communicative, Relating) Gemini, Libra, Aquarius

Fire to Fire (Dynamic, Seeking, Consuming, Spirited)

Aries, Leo, Sagittarius

Water to Water (Emotional, Fluid, Intuitive) Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces

Earth to Earth (Practical, Grounded, Methodical)

Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn

Elements form sextiles (complementary and supportive aspects) to each other:

Air to Fire

Earth to Water

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Modes

Modes form squares and oppositions to signs of the same modes. The conflict because they essentially

want to fill the same space:

Cardinal to Cardinal (want to be first)

Fixed to Fixed (want to hold ground)

Mutable to Mutable (want to get out of the way)

Table of Basic Aspects

Aspect Operation Element/Mode Relationship

Conjunctions Neutral depends on planets/signs Planets operate in the same element and mode

Oppositions Stressful Same mode, complementary element

Squares Stressful Same mode, incompatible elements

Trines Flowing Different mode, same element

Sextiles Flowing complementary, supportive Different mode, complementary elements

Key Concepts

Term Description

Out of sign When an aspect is formed between two planets that are at the end or beginning of their signs, where one planet is in one element and the other is in another.

Orb The distance between two planets in aspect; the area of influence. The maximum orb is determined by the speed and strength of the planets involved. Sun and Moon get maximum orbs (about 10 degrees), where aspects between other bodies might only be give 6-8 degrees.

Applying /Separating aspects

The faster moving planet is the planet that determines whether an aspect is applying or separating. An applying aspect means that the faster moving planet has formed an opposition to the slower planet and is moving toward the slower moving planet. A separating aspect means that the faster moving planet has already formed a conjunction with the planet and is moving away from it.

Unaspected planet

When one planet has no aspects to other planets in a chart it stands outside of the action. May manifest as either the observer to the action, or disassociated from the action, or both. Also pay attention that aspects between two or more planets that dont integrate into the rest of the action in some way, for example there is no link between two sets of aspect figures.

Aspect Figures

When two or more aspects together form a unified structure. Examples of aspect figures are grand trines (3 trines linked to each other to form a triangle) or t-square ( two or more planets in opposition, with one planet squared to both ends of the opposition).

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Aspect Patterns

Patterns created by intersecting aspect figures. Examples include the Kite, Grand Cross, Pythagorean Triangle, Bucket, Splash, etc. These patterns offer important clues to the way a person operates. Require an intuitive response from the astrologer that is refined over time.