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WHAT AN ASPECT IS: The planets, as seen from the Earth, all rotate at different speeds around the Sun in approximately the same plane in space. As a result of these planetary motions, various angles are formed between planets, as seen from the Earth. An ANGLE is defined as that fraction of the circle between 2 intersecting lines. The ASPECT represents the significant interaction between two or more planets in the horoscope that is measured in degrees, minutes, and seconds. The angles that give rise to the MAJOR ASPECTS are produced by dividing a circle by units of 2 and 3. The position of a planet in a sign is determined by degrees and minutes measured from the beginning of a sign.

MAJOR ASPECTS

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Conjunction

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Trine

Sextile

Square

Opposition

When the planets form ASPECTS their astrological influence is mixed together and this blend affects the person. The aspects are considered favourable or unfavourable according to how harmoniously the planets function together. The favourable aspects are based on division of a circle by 3 and the unfavourable aspects are based on division by 2.

CONJUNCTION -

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If two planets are very close to each other, they are conjunct. Planets that form a conjunction are blending their energies. The closer they are to conjunction, the more subjective these combined energies are. It is a very dynamic aspect. It is the most powerful of all the aspects. This is usually a good aspect as the two or more planets combine their energies. Any planets involved in a conjunction will have strong emphasis in a chart.

If there are three or more, it is known as a Stellium.

Favourable conjunctions If one of the planets is dignified in the sign where the conjunction is happening, and the other planet is not. Both planets are dignified.

Unfavourable conjunctions When both planets are in exile or fall. When one of the outer planets Uranus, Neptune, Pluto closely conjoins one of the personal planets Mercury, Venus, Mars - or Moon, we get a difficult energy. This is because a personal aspect is connected to an impersonal one

SEXTILE -

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If 2 planets are close to being 60^ apart (2 signs), they are in sextil to each other. It is a sympathetic partnership between planets that may demand some conscious attunement in order to function. It represents an easy flow of opportunities or ideas that will help to realize individuals goals. Sextiles are similar to trine aspects, although there is a distinction between the two aspects. Sextiles, like trines, point to some talent and ease. With trines, one rests on ones laurels, but with sextiles, one either uses the laurels or doesnt get any benefit from it. While trines come so naturally to people that they might have to be reminded of their own talents or tendencies, sextiles are a little more overt to the native. These are the talents that people appreciate in them. They may be more inclined to notice and work on these talents. Sextiles are communicative and relationship-friendly aspects. They point to energies that are capable of being directed. Sextiles reveal the potential for intelligent use of the energies.

SQUARE -

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If two planets are close to being 90 degrees apart, they are squared to each other. They are motivating and challenging, and can be difficult.

They produce a fight between planets, with each one wanting to control or direct the behaviour of the other. The expression of each planet is in conflict with the other. The way to resolve this conflict is to accept each planetary force on its own ground as a valid statement in and of itself and to allow the conflict to continue, if necessary, but without taking sides. Tension is necessary in order to stimulate action, but too much tension translates to stress. The square demands action. The planets involved in a square are acting at cross purposes. With squares, we may overdo and run into countless obstacles before we "get it right". However, squares force us out of complacency and get the ball rolling. Squares are often more difficult when we are young, as these aspects force us to grow and learn our lessons. A square indicates the areas in the individuals life where adjustments must be made and where he must expend tremendous effort to realize gains.

TRINE -

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If 2 planets are close being 120 degrees apart, they form a trine. The trines are soft and easy, pleasant and harmonious. Planets in trine support each other. Trines, by nature, are accepting. They allow us to accept others, ourselves, and situations. The talents that trines offer a native are so natural that they are almost unconscious. Often enough, natives don't truly appreciate the talents these trines offer them, and they may not try to develop them. However, these talents are second nature and completely natural. The line of least resistance and can give way to laziness and complacency.

So, for example, if a man has Venus trine Neptune, he may be poetic, romantic, or artistic, and he may easily accept his romantic partner for who he/she is. Another man with Venus square Neptune may have similar qualities, and may possess a strong desire to accept his partner blindly, but doing so is not as natural as the first man. He has to work on it, and might come up against difficult situations in which he feels duped or abused by his partners as a result of that acceptance. OPPOSITION -

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If two planets are close to being opposite to each other in the sky, they are forming an opposition aspect.

Most astrologers agree that oppositions are challenging, and often emphasize challenges with other people. The opposition is created by dividing the circle by 2. Therein lays the key to the meaning of this aspect: relationship. People with oppositions seek out others, as if to mirror their own internal struggles. They learn about themselves through interactions with others. Very often, oppositions cause us to swing from one side to the other and we feel torn. Oppositions represent a state of divided loyalties. Inner discontent, uncertainty, and insecurity can be a result. The balance needs to be achieved between the 2 planets. The opposition can be complimentary, the one side providing what the other lacks and vice versa. While a square is urgent and courageous, an opposition is unsure and wavering. When we use our oppositions correctly, we are more willing to consider the other side and we can be adept negotiators.

Predominant aspects in a chart: conjunctions - focused people, derive their motivation from within; with not enough oppositions, hard to see the other side, easy to lose perspective. sextiles - communicative, creative, expressive. squares - crisis-oriented people, action-oriented, motivated, willing to tackle obstacles, don't blindly accept things, energetic, strength of character and will. trines - unchallenged, talented, accepting, comfortable, complacent. oppositions - contradictory, seek balance in their lives usually through relationships, insightful, they look for meaning in life, inclined to project qualities onto others, unfocused, greater capacity for objectivity, seek growth through relationships. Lack of aspects in a chart: conjunctions - scattered, don't look within for answers, flexible. sextiles - inclined to avoid creative pursuits, are less self-expressive and communicative. squares - lack motivation, take the easy way out, avoid confrontations, unchallenged, habitual people. trines - not as balanced people, conflict-oriented, driven.

oppositions - subjective, don't need partners to mirror themselves, self-contented, not as concerned about growing through relationships or broadening their own perspective, self-reliant. THE ORB The orb of an aspect is how far from exact angle it is. For example, a square aspect is 90 degrees. If 2 planets are separated by 91 degrees (or by 89 degrees) then the 2 planets are in square aspect with a 1 degree orb. In other words they are 1 degree from being in exact square aspect. The larger the orb, the weaker the aspect. An aspect with a small orb is very powerful. Some astrologers use much larger orbs than others. The allowable orb for a square aspect is believed by some astrologers to be as little as 2 or 3 degrees, and by some to be as large as 10 or 12 degrees.

THE ASPECTS KEY WORDS ASPECT CONJUNCTION SEXTILE SQUARE TRINE OPPOSITION KEY WORDS Power Opportunity, reaching out Irritation, challenge Easy flow Conflict, seeks balance

ORBS OF MAJOR ASPECTS: NAME OF ASPECT NR. OF DEGREES SYMBOL ORB

CONJUNCTION SEXTILE SQUARE TRINE OPPOSITION Name of Aspect Conjunction

OR SIGNS APART 0 (same sign) 60 (2 signs apart) 90 (2 signs apart) 120 (4 signs apart) 180 (same sign) Number of Degrees or Signs Apart 0 (same sign)

Symbol

Orb 10

Sextile Square Trine Opposition

60 (2 signs apart) 90 (2 signs apart) 120 (4 signs apart) 180 (6 signs apart)

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