Planetary Aspects in Astrology

At first, planetary aspects in astrology may seem a bit complicated to grasp. However, if you take some time to analyze them properly, you'll discover that they make a lot of logical, mathematical, and interpretive sense within astrology.

We'll attempt to explain them in a way that makes sense, so interpreting the simultaneous signals in your birth chart or the astrological transits becomes even clearer and more observable.

An astrological aspect, at its core, is the specific distance or angle between any two points, by longitude or declination, within the ecliptic system of astronomical references that form the basis of the Zodiac.

Typically, aspects are formed between two celestial bodies, though aspects between any planet and angular houses (the Ascendant, Descendant, Midheaven, and Imum Coeli) are also considered.

In astrology, aspects basically show how various celestial bodies interact with each other, based on their location at a particular moment in their orbit from the Earth's point of view.

Most planets can form aspects with each other, except for Mercury, which is never more than 28 degrees from the Sun, and Venus, which does not stray more than 48 degrees from the Sun, limiting their possible interactions.

Aspects are used to define how planets combine their energies, either stimulating or moderating the influence of each in a person’s birth chart.

They are divided into two categories: major or minor, and also harmonious or challenging. Generally, major aspects are much more powerful than minors, though some astrologers do give weight to minor aspects as well.

In general, the most observed aspects throughout astrological history are nine in total, with four main major aspects: opposition, trine, square and sextile, and five minor ones: quintile, semisextile, semisquare, sesquisquare and quincunx (also known as inconjunct).

Conjunction is considered the most direct interference and is by far the most significant of all aspects.

Parallels (aspects by declination) are also used. These do not occur by longitudinal ecliptic distance, like other aspects, but by parallels of declination in the Equatorial Reference System.

As you can see, astrology is firmly rooted in spherical astronomy.

It's important to note that aspects should not simply be labeled as "good" or "bad". They should be seen as challenges or ease, friction or flow. Indeed, some may be easy to handle and some more challenging, but they bring both dynamism and learning.

Thus, aspects affect the intensity, prominence, or subtlety of an influence, not its essential nature.

The final result of any given aspect actually depends on how we choose to engage with its correspondence. Therefore, each type of aspect has two sides: challenging aspects bring obstacles, but overcoming them can result in major achievements; harmonious aspects provide ease, which can either lead to missed opportunities or inertia.

In this way, aspects can demand more or less effort to be managed, just like a five meter wave requires greater skill from the surfer, more demanding aspects can offer greater potential for progress and growth.

Having both harmonious and challenging aspects is absolutely natural. People with only harmonious aspects may have a lot of potential, but without tension, contradictions, or adversity, they might not develop resilience or expertise in facing difficulty. Real-life experience shows this.

On the other hand, those with only challenging aspects may develop a persistent irritability. Adversities, chaos, and frequent instability tend to foster a permanently reactive temperament or the sense of always being in a battle. This can mean little room for relaxation.

Harmonious Aspects

Harmonious aspects bring easier relationships between planets and angles, providing an environment conducive to the development of a person’s natural skills. These are also known as easy, positive, mild, or beneficial aspects, since the exchange between the two planets is generally quite fluid.

The planets involved get along well, and their traits combine to make events and situations smoother and more natural. Ancient astrological practice shows that the involved planets seem to arrange themselves unobtrusively, like jazz musicians listening to one another and interacting with mutual characteristics.

However, these influences can turn into complacency if mismanaged.

A harmonious aspect might point to autonomy, living and letting live. This can make a person less emotionally dependent, preferring their own company over that of people who generate tension (especially in aspects involving Venus, the Moon, or the Sun).

Generally, these aspects grant more freedom of action and attract opportunities, so it’s important to make the most of them to add value to yourself and others.

Challenging Aspects

Challenging aspects cause friction between the themes of the involved planets and angles. Such friction can translate into blocks, difficulties, problems, or varied disharmony, felt psychologically, circumstantially, or both. While many people may fail or get stuck when facing such problems, some are pushed to overcome challenges and, in the process, develop their potential more fully.

Also known as negative, hard, difficult, tense, or malefic aspects, they always offer an opportunity for growth and success through challenge.

We shouldn’t be overly anxious about having challenging aspects in our birth chart or experiencing such periods in the horoscope (daily transits). They don’t automatically mean we’ll have a difficult life or personality. How we existentially manage this can be decisive.

Of course it’s important to pay closer attention to avoid suffering from more difficult influences and to know where we stand, but ultimately, we have to remember that the same planets forming a challenging aspect can also generate the most flowing ones.

Learning to accept and handle certain influences can produce very positive results, allowing us to overcome obstacles wisely.

Major Aspects

The major aspects were defined by Claudius Ptolemy in the 2nd century AD, a scientist, astronomer, geometer, and philosopher who lived in Alexandria and contributed greatly to fields including Astronomy and Astrology. Note the degrees that separate the planets and define an aspect or direct interaction:

Conjunctions (0°, no separation, a direct connection);

Oppositions (180°); Trines (120°); Squares (90°); and Sextiles (60°).

The term "major" (from Latin "major", principal, relevant, significant, notable, outstanding) refers to their prominence, just as in military ranks or the English word "mayor" (a leader, someone with superior influence), etymologically derived from “magnus”, meaning great or superior.

Neutral / Variable:

CONJUNCTION: This is the most powerful interaction, blending the characteristics of two planets into one single force whenever the involved bodies are perfectly aligned, close to zero degrees apart.

The traits of one planet merge with and complement those of the other, making individual study nearly impossible, their effects are the result of a more or less overt fusion. It is a mistake to assume that conjunctions only produce gentle events or characteristics: their influence can be challenging, and planets in conjunction may attract either easy or complicated situations, depending on the qualities of the planets involved.

Conjunctions between transiting planets and those in your natal chart bring about changes and new experiences in life. Many times we feel like we are the agents of those changes, both personally and circumstantially.

It’s as if a new cycle is beginning, but at times, conjunctions escalate a previous cycle, amplifying ongoing issues instead.

The transiting planet appears, according to observation, to activate the natal planet, making it more prominent at certain times, opening doors to desires, actions, and attitudes we didn’t express before, or that were previously repressed.

For instance, when Uranus is transiting close to your natal Venus, you may take more risks in relationships or spending, sometimes in sudden and surprising ways. The qualities of both planets cannot be considered individually, they actually blend together, so for example, Uranus in transit merges with natal Venus.

A conjunction tends to stand out as the most intense and significant interference. The planets involved become especially prominent in the chart interpretation.

If we fail to manage these qualities, they can get in the way of developing other aspects and potentials in the natal chart. We need to recognize and work purposefully with these influences when they arise.

The truth is that in conjunctions, everything is more intense. The planets involved in natal themes have their signature traits heightened; this is reflected internally as well.

In the horoscope, a transiting planet forming a conjunction to a natal planet signals a time of significant change. With the affected natal planet, new events can arise in different ways, sometimes launching new cycles, other times ending something unresolved.

For example, when Venus in transit forms a conjunction with natal Mercury, the person may develop a greater ability to communicate charmingly and with less impulsivity, being able to use the right words. Therefore, conjunctions signal a time ripe for changes, and these often happen unexpectedly.

People may notice something is different, surprised by their own sudden actions and shifts in thinking, only to find out that a conjunction was taking place with a natal planet.

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Harmonious:

TRINE: This is the most notable harmonious aspect, where planets are 120 degrees apart and work together in a fluid interaction, usually in signs of the same element. It’s considered the most favorable and easy aspect to work with.

Trines represent situations flowing easily between involved planets, indicating luck, innate talent, creativity, and other fluid advantages. The planets cooperate and enhance each other in strong communication.

Imagine two people enjoying a joyful and friendly interaction, there is more agreement and little resistance. Although each planet retains its traits, these features contribute and complement each other.

Trines are very beneficial to have in the birth chart, providing support, typically marking well-developed skills and strengths. Many people don't notice why they are talented, or why some things come so easily, because these seem entirely natural, as inherent "gifts". For this reason, there is no frame of reference for what it’s like not to have these trines; they seem to have always existed.

However, having many trines may also result in complacency, as life may appear easier. In some cases, these advantages may lead to stagnation in some areas.

Simply letting things happen, passively, can lead to stagnation, missed opportunities, and an inability to reach your full potential. When things come too easily, we may fail to grow through lack of effort or initiative.

Trines can also smooth out harsher influences from tense aspects like oppositions, squares, and some conjunctions. The easiness may lead to complacency; without diligence, we risk stagnation. It's essential to take advantage of luck, talent, and opportunities, expressing gratitude and initiative, lest we fall into inertia.

It’s vital to check ourselves mentally and avoid apathy or neglect, especially if the birth chart has many harmonious aspects and few challenging ones.

Some people with many trines may have lower frustration tolerance. For some, life will seem easy, or solutions may come so quickly they take good fortune for granted.

It's important not to assume that effortless gains are sustainable. When a planet in transit forms a trine with a natal planet, obstacles, if any, will be more easily removed, potentially giving a false sense that everything will always work in your favor. Take advantage of these flows but maintain awareness that life moves in cycles. The influence can work in your favor, but it requires effort and a sense of gratitude.

SEXTILE: This is a fluid aspect, though considered slightly less potent than the trine by many astrologers. Here, planets are 60 degrees apart, and the interaction is considered fairly favorable, as if the planets are mutually sympathetic.

The tendency toward harmony logically depends on the planets involved. Usually, the signs involved in a sextile share common qualities, often hot or cold, though not always both, unlike trines (which share both). Because only one primary quality is shared, sextiles are not as consonant as trines.

In a birth chart, the sextile can signal talents, along with an easy flow of opportunities or ideas which, if seized, help achieve goals. Nonetheless, it requires some extra effort, even though it’s a harmonious aspect.

Essentially, there is no friction between the involved planets, whose energies can be harmonized to inspire or assist. What makes sextiles primarily positive is that they don’t create problems or blocks, though they may go unnoticed if not consciously engaged.

Sextiles don't carry as high a risk of complacency as trines. They require a little extra effort to bring out the motivation or skills and achieve goals. Their traits encourage mutual stimulation, aligning the energies, skills, and aspirations of the planets or angles involved.

The influence may be harder to notice than with trines, but it holds significant potential, more effort is needed to convert fluidity into tangible results. For example, someone might be naturally skilled but, without effort, never reach their true potential. Sextiles signal opportunities, but benefiting from them depends on active pursuit.

If we don’t recognize the potential of a sextile, we risk failing to develop some abilities or paths, lacking stimulus or enthusiasm to pursue our goals, remaining stuck in dull jobs, never exploring new paths, careers, hobbies, or even broadening our concepts and ideas.

In horoscopes, when sextiles occur between water and earth signs, the chances for growth often come through patience and reflection. When between fire and air signs, the focus is on extroversion and overt expression of desire.

No matter how many doors are open, one must invest energy into the opportunity, otherwise, luck might fade with nothing gained. Generally, sextiles promote connection and interaction between planets or angles.

The period during a sextile aspect is favorable for taking out shelved projects or making the necessary changes in any area of life. Interpersonal relationships also tend to flow more easily at this time.

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Challenging:

OPPOSITION: Opposition puts planets or angles in direct conflict, separated by 180 degrees in ecliptic longitude and likely found in opposite signs.

An opposition creates tension and offers challenging results that, if well-managed, can ultimately become enriching.

Oppositions stir chaos between the involved energies, making it harder to predict, handle, or control effects. Take, for example, Mars in opposition to the Moon: the body acts on emotion in a wild loop (hunger, sleep, pain), easily causing mood swings. Emotional states may express as irritability, nonconformity, euphoria, or theatrical and passionate intensity.

You can’t balance what is chaotic. Chaotic expression stands on its own. In this case, channeling excess energy into exercise, chores, or creativity, like performing, singing, or fighting for one’s beliefs, can help manage unsteady instincts.

Sometimes, “losing your temper” is exactly what resolves the issue at hand.

Someone with many oppositions in the chart tends to be more stressed. You can’t be in this state of tension all the time without hitting breaking points. The person is continuously being tested on their ability to manage the conflicting themes of the planets or angles. Stress can manifest in behaviors, ailments, or social experiences. There's always pressure involved.

Oppositions are somewhat tougher to grasp, requiring more dedication, creativity, and maturity to manage inner contradictions. Many times one must let go of control and equilibrium, to move through change and push forward with projects. Overcoming adversity and accepting both defeats and conflicts bring new ways of engaging with life.

To interpret an opposition correctly, consider what configurations or planets are involved, then analyze the polarities of the opposing signs to understand options for cooperation or tension between their interests.

Oppositions may incline us toward complicated choices, where internal conflicts emerge and face the outside world. This can lead to insecurity or reduced self-esteem, due to the tension between the positioned planets.

Coordinating heterogenous and contrasting elements demands a particular skill set, and many times we must reach our limits to achieve the right balance. A comfort zone can help, but might not be enough.

Think of an Olympic athlete, he must reach his limit to compete for a medal. Not reaching it disqualifies him; exceeding it may cause injury. These things can’t be controlled, they have to be managed.

Similarly, undercooking or burning a pizza, or tuning a guitar too loose or tight, won’t suffice. Opposition is a matter of handling the tension threshold.

The art lies in flirting with the tension threshold, being prepared for both great successes and failures, both natural outcomes. These situations can create high emotional expectations in the affected areas, demanding greater mental, physical, and existential effort.

There is always attraction and repulsion simultaneously: motivation, desire, fascination, but also fear, aversion, and denial.

Because opposition is so chaotic, it’s transforming, creative, and therefore fascinating. On the other hand, the body's survival instinct dislikes the extra required energy expenditure, it feels like aging, or dying faster.

Understanding the details of each opposition, by transit or in the natal chart, and their impacts is the first step.

Through the generated tension, there may be constant challenges. Raising awareness of these dynamics and learning to manage them can help ease strain and conserve physical energy.

Suppressing these effects often causes frustration: it’s necessary to find a release for discovered tensions, but be careful not to express them excessively.

Ideally, we learn from chaotic positions by finding effective outlets and releasing tension when it is most beneficial.

The famous boxer Mike Tyson trained by accumulating energy, tension, and both physical and mental force, concentrating to the max. When the fight began, he would release all this pressure, often winning quickly by harnessing his explosive potential.

Likewise, a 100 meter sprinter accumulates muscle tension and lets it all go at the start. Without this, they can't reach their objectives.

Poorly managed tension, however, can spill outward and damage relationships.

Oppositions between transiting planets and our natal planets bring sudden external influence, something or someone may force us to act, pulling us out of our comfort zone.

When this occurs, we’re compelled to respond. Often we have to act or make decisions on the spot, requiring creativity and greater effort.

It may signal a needed change, a tough decision, or a situation that forces responsibility. During opposition transits, discomfort may drive us to seek quick pleasure or escape the stress, sometimes leading to impulsive behaviors, which can be a manifestation of the oppositional aspect at work.

This kind of configuration makes it clear that certain issues will inevitably demand a response, such as unplanned events triggered by outside forces.

These dynamics belong to the natural world, colliding galaxies, asteroid impacts during planetary formation, or winter’s harshness imposing contraction at certain times of year.

Tensions simply occur; they are unavoidable. By accepting pressure more naturally, we can be better prepared to manage it when it arises.

Major opposition transits may put someone to the test, demanding courage to confront the unexpected. Besides being periods of change, they often bring rapid transformation and sometimes, obstacles.

Surprises can arise within such configurations. You may reach the apex, or the limits, of a process.

SQUARE: The square is a strong, tense aspect where planets are 90 degrees apart, usually in signs with discordant or contrasting qualities (like Aries Capricorn), considered to be quite challenging. Here, the themes of the involved planets are under mutual interference, but in a slightly different (or less direct) way than the opposition.

Think of the challenge of blending sweet and salty in food, it’s possible, but demands careful handling. Trying to extract only the sweet (or repress one ingredient) is equally problematic; instead, integrating differences may create originality and reduce friction.

The conflicts generated by squares push us to work on the issues symbolized by the planets involved, which have divergent or conflicting objectives.

Delays, frustrations, or irritations often arise, forcing an individual to exert greater effort in order to achieve suitable results or success in those areas.

Much like two cars colliding at a 90 degree angle at an intersection, there is immense chaos and unpredictability. Tension, creativity, and force are unleashed. Squares represent great opportunities for spontaneous action and growth, much like experimental jazz musicians integrating contrasting rhythms and styles.

Squares, therefore, are very powerful and sometimes seem strange, unbalanced, or commanding compared to other aspects. Trying to balance their energies may be the toughest task.

In the example of Venus square Uranus, one has to deal with opposing desires: surrendering in love versus maintaining personal freedom. People may feel equally unsettled alone and with a partner. The key is living both dynamics authentically, enjoying connection when with others and cherishing freedom when alone.

Perhaps trying to be neither free nor fully in love creates even more tension. The energy of squares is fundamentally about movement, they generate the force to act. Without squares, few of us would ever attempt anything challenging, since we wouldn’t be motivated to take action or overcome obstacles. This makes squares arguably the most propulsive aspects, stirring us to lead more dynamic, exciting lives.

We should work continuously to integrate both planets’ energies, managing dynamic conflict, contradiction, and contrast, and benefitting from these experiences without avoiding them.

In horoscopes, squares usually mark challenging periods, internal discomfort, and unforeseen events, leaving us as observers forced to deal with unpredictable situations.

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Minor Aspects

Semisextiles (30°), Quintiles (72°), Semisquares (45°), and Quincunxes (150°) are all minor challenging aspects. Some modern astrologers also use sesquisquare (135°), biquintile (144°), and quindecile (165°). Their effects can be seen as weaker versions of the square. Some astrologers give them additional importance for event prediction. The semisextile is the only minor harmonious aspect, a weaker version of the sextile.

SEMISEXTILE: This is a 30 degree aspect considered relatively harmonious. It is quite subtle because two adjacent signs are always very different. The fun is in exploring each sign’s particularities.

QUINTILE: A very positive aspect formed when planets are 72 degrees apart. The quintile family also includes the semiquintile (36°) and the biquintile (144°), though these are less commonly used.

SEMI SQUARE: (45 degrees) as well as sesquisquare (135 degrees).

QUINCUNX: Also known as the inconjunct, occurring when planets are 150 degrees apart.

Important Notes

• The shorter the orb, the stronger the aspect;
• Aspects involving at least one personal planet (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars) or the ascendant are generally more influential;
• Challenging aspects are stronger than harmonious ones;
• Applying aspects, those that are approaching, tend to be stronger than separating ones;
• Aspects between transpersonal planets (Uranus, Neptune, Pluto) are not very relevant individually, except when related to mundane houses.

And When There Are No Aspects?

In a birth chart, most planets form aspects with others. It's uncommon for a planet to be totally unaffiliated, even with tight orb allowances.

When a planet acts entirely on its own, its influence is raw and powerful, being channeled with no interference or competition.

If it is unaspected, it won’t participate in the equations of the Sun, Moon, or chart angles. Thus, it may feel strange or out of place to the native. Many astrologers note that unaspected planets may indicate something odd, extraordinary, or unusual about the area related to the planet, sign, and house it occupies.

The main issue is learning to control and utilize all that direct, raw energy, it may become unmanageable or excessive depending on circumstances. These extremes can reflect in different areas of life, leading to highs and lows.

Unaspected planets are rare cases, but if you have one in your birth chart, it’s best to study its themes and try to integrate those qualities with other vital positions in the chart. The house where the "rogue" planet is placed may indicate which life areas will be most strongly affected.

Reflection…

Think of harmonious aspects like a big fan blowing behind you: The wind makes the journey easier and can even push you forward! You’ll walk farther and more comfortably. But if you stand still, you’ll only feel the cool air. The ideal is to take advantage of this propulsion to reach ever greater distances.

For challenging aspects, imagine the same fan blowing toward your face: You’ll make less progress, needing more effort. The wind in your face can be a nuisance unless you occasionally close your eyes. But getting to your destination after facing resistance brings a rewarding sense of accomplishment, and you become stronger for overcoming an obstacle!

Aspects in Personal Horoscopes

The horoscope is an astrological tool that details planetary movements and influences, whether easy or difficult, which are or will be on your path. It is based on current planetary transits and the aspects formed with those in your birth chart.

If you want more personalized and accurate insights, it’s best to rely on options that detail all current planetary transits and how they interact with your chart, such as the horoscope provided by Astrolink, something that truly enhances the precision of these interpretations.