In astrology, an aspect is an angle that

planets A planet is a large, rounded astronomical body that is neither a star nor its remnant. The best available theory of planet formation is the nebular hypothesis, which posits that an interstellar cloud collapses out of a nebula to create a young ...

make to each other in the

Horoscope A horoscope (or other commonly used names for the horoscope in English include natal chart, astrological chart, astro-chart, celestial map, sky-map, star-chart, cosmogram, vitasphere, radical chart, radix, chart wheel or simply chart) is an ast ...

; as well as to the Ascendant, Midheaven, Descendant, Lower Midheaven, and other points of astrological interest. As viewed from Earth, aspects are measured by the angular distance in degrees and minutes of ecliptic longitude between two points. According to astrological tradition, they indicate the timing of transitions and developmental changes in the lives of people and affairs relative to the Earth. For example, if an

astrologer Astrology is a range of divinatory practices, recognized as pseudoscientific since the 18th century, that claim to discern information about human affairs and terrestrial events by studying the apparent positions of celestial objects. Dif ...

creates a

that shows the apparent positions of the celestial bodies at the time of a person's birth (

Natal Chart A horoscope (or other commonly used names for the horoscope in English include natal chart, astrological chart, astro-chart, celestial map, sky-map, star-chart, cosmogram, vitasphere, radical chart, radix, chart wheel or simply chart) is an ast ...

), and the angular distance between Mars and Venus is 92° ecliptic longitude, the chart is said to have the aspect "Venus Square Mars" with an

orb Orb or Orbs may refer to: * Sphere * Globus Cruciger Ceremonial Orb Places and rivers * Orb (river), in southern France * Orb (Kinzig), a tributary of the Kinzig river in Germany * Bad Orb, a town in Hesse, Germany Literature, radio, film, ...

of 2° (i.e., it is 2° away from being an exact Square; a Square being a 90° aspect). The more exact an aspect, the stronger or more dominant it is said to be in shaping character or manifesting change. With Natal charts, other signs may take precedence over a Sun sign. For example, an Aries may have several other planets in Cancer or Pisces. Therefore, the two latter signs may be more influential.

History and approach

In medieval astrology, certain aspects and planets were considered to be either favorable (

benefic Babylonian astrology was the first known organized system of astrology, arising in the second millennium BC. In Babylon as well as in Assyria as a direct offshoot of Babylonian culture, astrology takes its place as one of the two chief means ...

) or unfavorable ( malefic). Modern usage places less emphasis on these fatalistic distinctions. The more modern approach to astrological aspects is exemplified by research on astrological harmonics. In 1619,

Johannes Kepler Johannes Kepler (; ; 27 December 1571 – 15 November 1630) was a German astronomer, mathematician, astrologer, natural philosopher and writer on music. He is a key figure in the 17th-century Scientific Revolution, best known for his laws ...

advocates this in his book '' Harmonice Mundi''. Thereafter, John Addey was a major proponent. However, even in modern times, aspects are considered to be either easy (60° '' Sextile'' or 120° '' Trine'') or hard (90° '' Square'' or 180° '' Opposition''). Depending on the involved planets, a '' Conjunction'' (0°, which is a discounting

) may be in either category. Easy aspects may be positive, because they enhance opportunity for talent to grow. Hard aspects may be negative, because they enhance a challenge where an adjustment must be made to reach balance. Typically, manifestation may occur with a Conjunction, Square or Opposition. Planets may be considered. Mars and Uranus tend to ignite while

Saturn Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun and the second-largest in the Solar System, after Jupiter. It is a gas giant with an average radius of about nine and a half times that of Earth. It has only one-eighth the average density of Earth; h ...

and

Neptune Neptune is the eighth planet from the Sun and the farthest known planet in the Solar System. It is the fourth-largest planet in the Solar System by diameter, the third-most-massive planet, and the densest giant planet. It is 17 times ...

inhibit. Whether a planet is

direct Direct may refer to: Mathematics * Directed set, in order theory * Direct limit of (pre), sheaves * Direct sum of modules, a construction in abstract algebra which combines several vector spaces Computing * Direct access (disambiguation), a ...

or retrograde is of great significance. An

eclipse An eclipse is an astronomical event that occurs when an astronomical object or spacecraft is temporarily obscured, by passing into the shadow of another body or by having another body pass between it and the viewer. This alignment of three ce ...

of the Sun or Moon is even more significant. The

South Node A lunar node is either of the two orbital nodes of the Moon, that is, the two points at which the orbit of the Moon intersects the ecliptic. The ''ascending'' (or ''north'') node is where the Moon moves into the northern ecliptic hemispher ...

of the Moon denotes innate wisdom from past experience while the

North Node A lunar node is either of the two orbital nodes of the Moon, that is, the two points at which the orbit of the Moon intersects the ecliptic. The ''ascending'' (or ''north'') node is where the Moon moves into the northern ecliptic hemisphere, w ...

denotes karma and evolution. Astrological

Signs Signs may refer to: * ''Signs'' (2002 film), a 2002 film by M. Night Shyamalan * ''Signs'' (TV series) (Polish: ''Znaki'') is a 2018 Polish-language television series * ''Signs'' (journal), a journal of women's studies *Signs (band), an American ...

may be considered. For example, the fire signs of Aries,

Leo Leo or Léo may refer to: Acronyms * Law enforcement officer * Law enforcement organisation * ''Louisville Eccentric Observer'', a free weekly newspaper in Louisville, Kentucky * Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity Arts an ...

and

Sagittarius Sagittarius ( ) may refer to: *Sagittarius (constellation) *Sagittarius (astrology), a sign of the Zodiac Ships *''SuperStar Sagittarius'', a cruise ship * USS ''Sagittarius'' (AKN-2), a World War II US Navy cargo ship Music *Sagittarius (ban ...

are more compatible with the air signs of Gemini, Libra and Aquarius. The Earth signs of Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn are more compatible with the water signs of Cancer, Scorpio and

Pisces Pisces may refer to: * Pisces, an obsolete (because of land vertebrates) taxonomic superclass including all fish *Pisces (astrology), an astrological sign *Pisces (constellation), a constellation **Pisces Overdensity, an overdensity of stars in t ...

. The mutable signs of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces may be flexible. The cardinal signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn may change their mind. The fixed signs of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius may be difficult. Astrological Houses may be considered.

Ptolemaic Aspects

Since they were defined and used by Ptolemy in the 1st Century AD, the traditional major aspects are sometimes called Ptolemaic Aspects. These aspects are the Conjunction (0°), Sextile (60°), Square (90°), Trine (120°), and Opposition (180°). Major aspects are those that are divisible by 10 and evenly divided in relation to 360° (with the exception of the Semisextile). When calculating or using aspects, it is important to note that different astrologers and separate astrological systems/traditions utilize differing

orbs Open Relay Behavior-modification System (ORBS), created and run by Alan Brown in New Zealand, was one of the first DNS-based Blackhole Lists (DNSBL), a means by which an internet domain may publish a list of IP addresses, in a database which can ...

, which is the degree of separation between exactitude. Orbs may also be subject to variation, depending on the need for detail and personal preferences. Although, when compared to other aspects, almost all astrologers use a larger orb for a Conjunction.

Kepler's Aspects

Collective astrological data along with

described 13 aspects in his book '' Harmonice Mundi''. Astrological data grouped together in five degrees of influentially picked from symbol ratios encountered in geometry and music: 0/2, 1/2, 1/5, 2/6, 1/3, 1/12 along with 1/5, 2/5, 15/5, 10, 10/3, 8, and 8/3. The general names for whole divisors are ( Latin) ''n''-ile for whole fractions 1/''n'', and ''m''-''n''-ile for fraction ''m''/''n''. A Semi-''n''-tile is a ''2n''-tile, 1/(2''n''), and Sesqui-n-tile is a Tri-2''n''-tile, 3/(2''n''). All aspects can be seen as small whole number

harmonic A harmonic is a wave with a frequency that is a positive integer multiple of the ''fundamental frequency'', the frequency of the original periodic signal, such as a sinusoidal wave. The original signal is also called the ''1st harmonic'', the ...

s, (1/''n'' of 360°). Multiples of ''m''/''n'' create new aspects where there are no common factors between ''n'' and ''m'', gcd(n,m)=1.

Major Aspects

Conjunction

A Conjunction (abbreviated as "Con") is an angle of approximately (~) 0–⁠10°. Typically, an

of ~10° is considered to be a Conjunction. If neither the Sun or Moon are involved, some astrologers consider a maximum orb of 8°. Conjunctions are a major aspect in a horoscope chart. They are said to be the most powerful aspects, because they mutually intensify the effects of the involved planets. Depending on the involved planets, a Conjunction may be beneficial or detrimental. Highly favourable Conjunctions may involve the Sun, Venus, and/or Jupiter as well as any of the three possible combinations. Highly ''un''favourable Conjunctions may involve the Moon, Mars, and/or

as well as any of the three possible combinations. Exceptionally, on November 9–10 of 1970, the Sun, Venus, and Jupiter were in a 3-way beneficial Conjunction. In that same year, on March 10, the Moon, Mars, and

were in 3-way detrimental Conjunction. If either of two planets involved in a Conjunction is also under tension from one or more hard aspects with one or more other planets, then the added presence of a Conjunction will further intensify the tension of that hard aspect. If a planet is in ''very'' close Conjunction to the Sun (within 17 minutes of arc or only about 0.28°), the Conjunction is of great strength. The planet is said to be ''Cazimi'', which is an ancient astrological term meaning "in the heart" (of the Sun). For example, "Venus ''Cazimi''" means Venus is in Conjunction with the Sun with an orb of less than ~⁠0.28°. If a planet is moderately close to the Sun, the specific orb limit may depend on the particular planet. It is said to be ''Combust''. ⁠ Every month of the year, during the

New Moon In astronomy, the new moon is the first lunar phase, when the Moon and Sun have the same ecliptic longitude. At this phase, the lunar disk is not visible to the naked eye, except when it is silhouetted against the Sun during a solar eclipse. ...

, the Sun and Moon experience a Conjunction.

Great Conjunctions

In the past, Great Conjunctions between the two slowest classical planets, Jupiter and

, have attracted considerable attention as celestial omens. This interest can be traced back to Arabic translations found in Europe; most notably Albumasar's book on Conjunctions. During the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance, these omens were a topic broached by most astronomers. This included scholastic thinkers, such as

Roger Bacon Roger Bacon (; la, Rogerus or ', also '' Rogerus''; ), also known by the scholastic accolade ''Doctor Mirabilis'', was a medieval English philosopher and Franciscan friar who placed considerable emphasis on the study of nature through empiri ...

and Pierre D'Ailly. Omens are also mentioned in popular literary writings by authors, such as DanteWoody K., ''Dante and the Doctrine of the Great Conjunctions'', Dante Studies, with the Annual Report of the Dante Society, No. 95 (1977), pp. 119–134 and Shakespeare.Aston M., ''The Fiery Trigon Conjunction: An Elizabethan Astrological Prediction'', Isis, Vol. 61, No. 2 (Summer, 1970), pp. 158–187 This interest continued up to the times of Tycho Brahe and Kepler. Every 20 years, successive Great Conjunctions move retrograde ~120°. Sequential Conjunctions appear as triangular patterns. They repeat after every third Conjunction; they return after some 60 years to the vicinity of the first. These returns are observed to be shifted by ~8° relative to the fixed stars; no more than four of them occur in the same zodiac sign. Typically, Conjunctions occur in one of the following '' Triplicities'' or ''Trigons'' of Zodiac signs: After about 220 years the pattern shifts to the next Trigon; in ~900 years, the pattern returns to the first Trigon.If and designate the periods of Jupiter and Saturn then the return takes

1/(5/S-2/J)

which comes to 883.15 years, but to be a whole number of Conjunction intervals it must be sometimes 913 years and sometimes 854. See Etz. To each triangular pattern, astrologers have ascribed one from a series of four elements. Particular importance has been accorded to the occurrence of a Great Conjunction in a new Trigon, which is bound to happen after ~240 years at most.Etz D., (2000)
''Conjunctions of Jupiter and Saturn''
Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Vol. 94, p.174 Greater importance is attributed to the beginning of a new cycle, which may occur after all four Trigons have been visited, which occurs in ~900 years. Typically, medieval astrologers used 960 years as the length of the full cycle, because, in some cases, it took 240 years to pass from one trigon to the next. If a cycle is defined by when the Conjunctions return to the same

right ascension Right ascension (abbreviated RA; symbol ) is the angular distance of a particular point measured eastward along the celestial equator from the Sun at the March equinox to the (hour circle of the) point in question above the earth. When paired w ...

rather than to the same constellation, the cycle is only ~800 years, because of axial precession. Use of the Alphonsine tables apparently led to the use of precessing signs; Kepler gave a value of 794 years, which created 40 Conjunctions. Up to the end of the 16th century, despite the inaccuracies and some disagreement about the beginning of the cycle, the belief in the significance of such events generated a steady stream of publications. In 1583, the last Great Conjunction occurred in the watery trigon. It was widely supposed to herald apocalyptic changes. In 1586, a Papal Bull was issued against divinations. By 1603, public interest rapidly died, because nothing really significant had happened with the advent of a new Trigon.

Opposition

An Opposition (abbreviated as "Opp") is an angle of 180°, which is 1/2 of the 360° ecliptic. Depending on the involved planets, an

of 5-10° is allowed. An Opposition is said to be the second most powerful aspect. It resembles a conjunction, but an Opposition is fundamentally relational and it is not unifying like a conjunction. Some astrologers say it is prone to exaggeration, because it has a dichotomous quality and an externalizing effect. All important axes in astrology are essentially Oppositions. Therefore, at its most basic level, an Opposition may often signify a relationship that can be oppositional or complementary.

Sextile

A Sextile (abbreviated as "SXt or Sex") is an angle of 60°, which is 1/6 of the 360° ecliptic or 1/2 a trine (120°). Depending on the involved planets, an

of 3-4° is allowed. The symbol is the radii of a hexagon. Traditionally, a Sextile is said to be similar in influence to a Trine, but less intense. It indicates compatibility and harmony, which eases communication between the two involved elements. It also provides opportunity. To gain its benefit, make an expended effort. See information below on the Semisextile.

Square

A Square or ''Quartile'' (abbreviated as "SQr or Squ") is an angle of 90°, which is 1/4 of the 360° ecliptic or 1/2 an opposition (180°). Depending on the involved planets, an

of 5-10° is allowed.Orbs used by

Liz Greene Liz Greene (born 4 September 1946) is an American-British astrologer, psychologist and author. Her father was born in London, and her mother in the United States. Career Greene is one of the chief writers for astro.com the website for her compa ...

, se
Astrodienst
/ref> Typically, with a Square, Trine or Sextile, the outer or

superior planet In the Solar System, a planet is said to be inferior or interior with respect to another planet if its orbit lies inside the other planet's orbit around the Sun. In this situation, the latter planet is said to be superior to the former. In the ref ...

has an effect on the inner or inferior planet. A Square creates a strong and usable tension. It may integrate between two different areas of your life or it may offer a turning point where an important decision needs to be made that involves an opportunity at a cost. Typically, if it involves Houses in different quadrants, it is the smallest major aspect.

Trine

A Trine (abbreviated as "Tri") is an angle of 120°, which is 1/3 of the 360° ecliptic. Depending on the involved planets, an

of 5-10° is allowed. Traditionally, a Trine is extremely beneficial. It indicates harmony, ease and what is natural. A Trine may involve innate talent or ability. In transit, an event may emerge from a current or past situation in a natural way.

Minor Aspects

Semisextile

A Semisextile or ''Duodecile'' is an angle of 30°, which is 1/12 of the 360° ecliptic. An

of ±1.2° is allowed. The symbol is 1/2 a Sextile (60°), which is the top radii of a hexagon; the internal angles are 60°. Of the minor aspects, it may be the most often used, because it can be easily seen. It indicates a mental interaction between planets; it is more sensually than externally experienced. With a Semisextile, energy gradually builds and potentiates. Consider other planets,

and Houses. A major aspect transit may be involved. To gain its benefit, make an effort.

Quincunx

A Quincunx or ''Quinduodecile'' or ''Inconjunct'' is an angle of 150°, which is 5/12 of the 360° ecliptic. Depending on the involved planets, an

of ±3.5° is allowed. The symbol is the bottom radii of a hexagon, which is 1/2 a Sextile (60°) less than a semicircle; the internal angles are 60°. An interpretation of a Quincunx may mostly rely on the involved planets,

and Houses. Different areas of your life, that are not usually in communication, may come together. Planets may be far apart in different house quadrants. With a shift in perspective, clarity may reveal what was not previously seen. If a third planet, in a major aspect, triangulates a Qunicunx, the effect may be very obvious. For Quincunx, keywords are karmic, mystery, unpredictable, imbalance, surreal, resourceful, creative, and humor. A Quincunx does not offer equal divisions of a circle. It represents the 150°

turn angle In geometry, an angle of a polygon is formed by two sides of the polygon that share an endpoint. For a simple (non-self-intersecting) polygon, regardless of whether it is convex or non-convex, this angle is called an interior angle (or ) if ...

s of a

Dodecagram In geometry, a dodecagram (γραμμή
Henry George Liddell, Rob ...

, . Regular star polygon 12-5.svg,

Dodecagram In geometry, a dodecagram (γραμμή
Henry George Liddell, Rob ...

Other Minor Aspects

Septile

A Septile is an angle of about 51.43°, which is 1/7 of the 360° ecliptic. An

of ±1° is allowed. A Septile is a mystical aspect that indicates a hidden flow of energy between the involved planets. Often, it involves spiritual or energetic sensitivity as well as an inner awareness of a more subtle, hidden level of reality. ;Irreducible Multiples: : A Biseptile is an angle of 102.86°, which is 2/7 of the 360° ecliptic. : A Triseptile is an angle of 154.29°, which is 3/7 of the 360° ecliptic. Regular star polygon 7-2.svg, Heptagram Regular star polygon 7-3.svg, Heptagram

Octile

An Octile or ''Semisquare'' is an angle of 45°, which is 1/8 of the 360° ecliptic. An

of ±2° is allowed. The symbol is drawn with a 60-90° angle; the original angle is 90°, which is 1/2 a Square. An Octile is an important minor aspect. It indicates stimulating or challenging energy. It is similar to a Square, but less intense and more internal. A Semisquare is considered to be a minor hard aspect, because it causes friction and prompts action to reduce that friction. For example, a Semisquare may occur if the Sun is 10° Aquarius and Venus is 25°

. This may indicate unhappiness in love. Incompatibility may prompt action to reduce friction. ;Irreducible Multiples: Sesquisquare-symbol

A Sesquiquadrate or ''Trioctile'' is an angle of 135°, which is 3/8 of the 360° ecliptic. An orb of ±1.5° is allowed. A Sesquiquadrate is a harmonic of a Semisquare, which involves challenge. It is not an exact division of the 360° ecliptic. Therefore, when a Semisquare is present, it does not function as a standalone aspect, but as part of a series. Regular star polygon 8-3.svg, Octagram

Novile

A Novile is an angle of 40°, which is 1/9 of the 360° ecliptic. An

of ±1° is allowed. A Novile indicates an energy of perfection and/or idealization. ;Irreducible Multiples: : A Binovile is an angle of 80°, which is 2/9 of the 360° ecliptic. : A Quadnovile is an angle of 160°, which is 4/9 of the 360° ecliptic. Regular star polygon 9-2.svg,

Enneagram Enneagram is a compound word derived from the Greek neoclassical stems for "nine" (''ennea'') and something "written" or "drawn" (''gramma''). Enneagram may refer to: * Enneagram (geometry), a nine-sided star polygon with various configurations ...

Regular star polygon 9-4.svg,

Decile

A Decile is an angle of 36°, which is 1/10 of the 360° ecliptic. ;Irreducible Multiples: : Up_tack

³ A Tridecile is an angle of 108°, which is 3/10 of the 360° ecliptic. Regular star polygon 10-3.svg,

Decagram Decagram may refer to: * 10 gram, or 0.01 kilogram The kilogram (also kilogramme) is the unit of mass in the International System of Units (SI), having the unit symbol kg. It is a widely used measure in science, engineering and commerce world ...

Undecile

An Undecile or ''Elftile'' is an angle of 32.73°, which is 1/11 of the 360° ecliptic. An

of ±1° is allowed. ;Irreducible Multiples: : A Biundecile is an angle of 65.45°, which is 2/11 of the 360° ecliptic. : A Triundecile is an angle of 98.18°, which is 3/11 of the 360° ecliptic. : A Quadundecile is an angle of 130.91°, which is 4/11 of the 360° ecliptic. : A Quinundecile is an angle of 163.63°, which is 5/11 of the 360° ecliptic. Regular star polygon 11-2.svg,

Hendecagram In geometry, a hendecagram (also endecagram or endekagram) is a star polygon that has eleven vertices. The name ''hendecagram'' combines a Greek numeral prefix, '' hendeca-'', with the Greek suffix ''-gram''. The ''hendeca-'' prefix derives f ...

Regular star polygon 11-3.svg,

Regular star polygon 11-4.svg,

Regular star polygon 11-5.svg,

Semioctile

A Semioctile or ''Sexdecile'' is an angle of 22.5°, which is 1/16 of the 360° ecliptic. An

of ±0.75° is allowed. A Semioctile is part of the square family. It is considered to be a more minor version of the Semisquare, which triggers challenge. Its harmonic aspects are 45°, 67.5°, 90°, 112.5°, 135°, 157.5° and 180°. It was discovered by Uranian astrologers. ;Irreducible Multiples: : A Sesquioctile or ''Bisexdecile'' is an angle of 67.5°, which is 3/16 of the 360° ecliptic. : A Quinsemioctile or ''Quinsexdecile'' is an angle of 112.5°, which is 5/16 of the 360° ecliptic. : A Sepsemioctile or ''Sepsexdecile'' is an angle of 157.5°, which is 7/16 of the 360° ecliptic. Regular star polygon 16-3.svg,

Hexadecagram In mathematics, a hexadecagon (sometimes called a hexakaidecagon or 16-gon) is a sixteen-sided polygon. Regular hexadecagon A '' regular hexadecagon'' is a hexadecagon in which all angles are equal and all sides are congruent. Its Schläfli sym ...

Regular star polygon 16-5.svg,

Regular star polygon 16-7.svg,

Declinations

The Parallel and Contraparallel or ''Antiparallel'' are two other aspects which refer to degrees of

declination In astronomy, declination (abbreviated dec; symbol ''δ'') is one of the two angles that locate a point on the celestial sphere in the equatorial coordinate system, the other being hour angle. Declination's angle is measured north or south of the ...

above or below the Celestial Equator. They are not widely used by astrologers.

Parallel

A Parallel may be similar to a Semisquare or Quincunx, because it is not clearly seen. It represents an opportunity for perspective and communication between energies that requires some work to be made conscious. An

of the same degree ±1° with a 12-minute arc is allowed.

Contraparallel

A Contraparallel may be similar to the Parallel. Some astrologers that use the Parallel do not consider the Contraparallel to be an aspect. An

of the opposite degree ±1° with a 12-minute arc is allowed.

References

External links

''The Classical Origin & Traditional Use of Aspects''
Deborah Houlding
Online Ephemeris from Khaldea.com
��600BC to 2400AD—Calculated for

Midnight Midnight is the transition time from one day to the next – the moment when the date changes, on the local official clock time for any particular jurisdiction. By clock time, midnight is the opposite of noon, differing from it by 12 hours. ...

GMT; also with an Aspectarian included for years 1900 to 2005
''Harmonices mundi''
("The Harmony of the Worlds") in fulltext facsimile; Carnegie-Mellon University {{Authority control Technical factors of Western astrology