Conjunctions, sextiles, squares, trines, and oppositions are the five major astrological aspects. We’ll go through what each of these terms means later, but an aspect is a relationship between the positions of two planets in regard to one another (i.e., Sun conjunct Venus).
“Each relationship of an aspect talks to a particular themesome that feel a little bit more tension, which can provide some opportunity for growth, and then other aspects can have a little bit more ease, which may offer some complementing energy,” astrologer and author of Queer Cosmos Colin Bedell tells mbg.
We can see these aspects in our own charts, but the planets in the sky are always forming aspects and influencing the energy of the day. When considering astrological compatibility between two persons, aspects are equally essential.
“The benefit of understanding aspects, even if only a little, is that you may be able to have compassion for your squares, oppositions, and conjunctions (and the impact they have on your life),” explains astrologer Kayse Budd, M.D., adding, “With knowledge, you can attempt to make peace with the way you are.” You can use awareness to emphasize your strengths while also working through your faults.”
With that in mind, here’s a rundown of the five primary aspects of a chart and what they mean:
In This Article...
In astrology, how do you examine aspects?
When we gaze at something, we’re “bearing witness” to what we’re seeing, and many of the ways traditional literature discuss features include descriptions of planets “witnessing each other.” Beginning on page 292 of his game-changing book, Hellenistic Astrology: The Study of Fate and Fortune (that’s an affiliate link; I receive a commission if you buy a copy), astrologer Chris Brennan goes into great detail on this. That’s a book you should have on your shelf if you’re serious about astrology.
In the ancient world, these looks were thought to be an exchange of energy. The short story is that people thought the human eye emitted an ethereal light called “lumen” that was unseen but lighted whatever it came into contact with. Anything struck by this lumen was “illuminated,” and the beholder received visible light, referred to as “lux.”
This can be seen in contemporary literature, such as the New Testament (Matthew 6.22-23, NRSV):
“The eye is the body’s lamp.” So, if your eye is healthy, your entire body will be lit up; however, if your eye is unhealthy, your entire body will be dark. How great is the gloom if the light in you is darkness!
According to the explanations I’ve heard, we’ve lost the connection to optical theory in modern astrology, and it’s now more about vibrations. It’s as though the planets “resonate” with one another at different angles, resulting in consonant or discordant harmonies. This fits very nicely with how many new age people discuss vibrational frequencies. But even that has a long history!
Aspects and Musical Harmony
There are five basic characteristics mentioned by Ptolemy and generally agreed upon by ancient world astrologers up until the Renaissance and early modern age.
The five aspects are as follows: conjunction (0o), opposition (180o), trine (120o), square (90o), and sextile (180o) (60o).
Ptolemy argues that these circle divisions are significant because they correspond to the basic divisions of the octave in music (cf. Tetrabiblos I.13). Each division corresponds to a harmonic interval: conjunction (unison), octave (opposition), fifth (trine), and major third (major third) (sextile).
The interval that arises when you play the note exactly midway between the top and bottom notes of an octave is the tritone, which is the most discordant interval in music (also known as a diminished fifth or augmented fourth). The astrological square is midway between the conjunction and the opposition, and this musical interval corresponds to it.
This is where the terms “harmonious trine” and “tense square” first appear in history, but I don’t believe this is widely recognized (although I can’t imagine Rudhyar or Ficino, astrologer-musicians throughout history, would have forgotten this, but I haven’t read enough of them to know the sources).
The current equally tempered octave includes twelve notes for those keeping score at home, although the zodiac came before the chromatic scale. Tetrachords, or four-note scales, were utilized in Greek music.
Okay, so what? How do I actually interpret aspects in my chart?
To understand an aspect in your birth chart, you must first dissect it by asking yourself the following questions:
- Which planets are involved in this scenario?
- What is the nature of the situation?
- Which planet is the swiftest?
- What are the planets’ ruling houses?
- What house do the planets occupy?
It rapidly becomes complicated, but once you’ve done it a few times, it becomes second nature! To continue the musical metaphor, it’s like learning your scales and arpeggios. Let’s have a look at this in more detail.
Assume you were born with Mars sextile Jupiter in your natal chart, with Aries rising and you were born at night. You’d see Mars rising brightly above the eastern horizon if you looked up at the time of your birth (and it was midnight). It looks like this when plotted on a graph:
Planets in astrology can usually view things in the sign they are in. Planets also generate seven different types of radiation “rays of light to the degrees that the aspects we discussed earlier allow them to view. As a result, we believe Mars can behold those indications since he is striking a specific set of signs with his lewks. Mars can see Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Scorpio, and Sagittarius from Aquarius. Anything in Aquarius can see anything in the other seven signs, thus there could be a connection.
From his current position in Aquarius, Mars can no longer see anything in Pisces, Cancer, Virgo, or Capricorn. As a result, anything in those signs is “averse or “in aversion to Mars, and Aquarius is “averse or “in aversion to those signs as well. We can go on and on about it, but here’s a visual reminder:
Let’s imagine a planet is in any of the signs visible to Mars from his position in Aquarius, so let’s say Jupiter in Sagittarius. This indicates that Mars and Jupiter are in a sign-by-sign aspect. Mars and Jupiter can see one other right now because they are in signs that allow them to view each other. This is known as a “Aspect based on signs.
When two planets are in sign-based aspects, they have the potential to interact. The type of interaction they have, whether friendly or antagonistic, is governed by the nature of the aspect. Here’s how it works:
- Two planets are conjunct, and they are cooperating according to their natures (e.g., Venus helps, Mars hurts, etc.)
- Sextile: gentle and easy, but not particularly dynamic.
- Square: tense and combative, but sometimes passive aggressive
- Trine: fluid, causes things to happen, but isn’t always “good” in the strict sense.
- Opposition is, after all, in the name. Overt fighting, explosive, a blow-out!
The overall tenor of planets’ associations with one another is described by sign-based aspects. Planets, on the other hand, do not interact directly with one another until they reach a degree-based aspect inside a sign. That means that when Mars moves to a later degree of Aquarius, he will come into contact with the square that Jupiter is casting there, activating whatever this relationship represents.
Let’s put the story together!
Because Mars travels faster than Jupiter (unless when it is retrograde), Mars will be the one approaching Jupiter here. Mars and Jupiter are in a supportive connection with one another due to the sextile aspect. Consider this scenario: Mars approaches Jupiter as a nice acquaintance seeking assistance with a problem. Jupiter is a friendly guy by nature, and because he’s in his own sign of Sagittarius and has his own resources, he’s eager to share from his bounty with Mars.
The final stage is to determine whatever aspects of life the aspect is describing by looking at which houses the planets involved rule. In this case, Mars oversees the first house of your basic personality, body, health, vigor, appearance, and overall circumstances, as well as the eighth house of the unavoidables: dread, death, and taxes, because Aries is rising. Meanwhile, Jupiter rules the ninth house, which represents education, spirituality, and travel, as well as the twelfth house, which represents limitations, grief, and the unconscious. Jupiter is in the ninth house, as I have mentioned, while Mars is in the eleventh house of friends and groups.
Let’s put it all together in this formula:
This gives us the following:
Mars, who regulates the native’s body, health, appearance, and fundamental personality, gradually approaches Jupiter, who rules philosophy, religion, travel, and education, and this has a good impact on the native’s friends and associates.
Then you’ll see where that leads. We can see how the native’s personal circumstances can be improved by attempting to connect with people who share their beliefs, philosophies, and values in this case. This is beneficial to them and has the potential to boost their social standing. That’s a fairly simple interpretation, but by looking at the native’s specific context, we may learn more about how this element plays out in their lives. That’s what an astrological consultation would entail.
I’m still lost!
Learning how to read aspects in this way takes a long time, and I haven’t even touched on the distinction between applying and separating aspects! You’ll be able to understand portions of your birth chart with greater ease if you take the time to get this rhythm into your bones.
Keep in mind that astrology is also a long apprenticeship! It’s always beneficial to have another set of eyes go at your chart, and I’d be delighted to assist you with that.
Was this information useful to you? What are your remaining concerns? Let me know what you think in the comments!
What do the astrological aspects mean?
Simply explained, aspects are the angles formed by the planets in your birth chart. These, in turn, interact with one another to form a relationship. Conjunction, sextile, square, trine, and opposition are the five primary aspects. Each planet has its own celestial personality, and their connection might be neutral, peaceful, or tense depending on which planets are in play and what angles they form. Elements in your birth chart can reflect distinct aspects of your life where you either thrive or face tension.
“Aspects in our birth chart can reveal regions of ease and richness in our lives where we feel lucky,” Maree told POPSUGAR. “They can also assist us in bridging the gap between some of the more challenging events we all face. We may take the first steps toward operating in harmony with our unique blueprint once we are aware of it. It promotes not only self-acceptance but also healing and growth.”
How can I find out what my astrological sign is?
The traditional major aspects are also referred to as Ptolemaic Aspects because they were defined and employed by Ptolemy in the first century AD. The Conjunction (0), Sextile (60), Square (90), Trine (120), and Opposition are these aspects (180). Aspects that are divisible by ten and evenly divided in relation to 360 are considered major (with the exception of the Semisextile).
It’s vital to remember that different astrologers and astrological systems/traditions use different orbs, or the degree of separation between exactitude, when calculating or employing aspects. Orbs may also vary depending on the level of intricacy required and personal preferences. Almost all astrologers utilize a larger orb for a Conjunction as compared to other aspects.
Which Graha is responsible for which house?
- Every planet, with its full sight, aspects the 7th house from its position.
- Saturn aspects the 3rd and 10th houses from its position with 100 percent sight, in addition to the 7th house.
- Jupiter also opposes the 5th and 9th houses from its position with its 100 percent sight, in addition to the 7th house.
- Mars also faces the 4th and 8th houses from its position with its 100 percent sight, in addition to the 7th house.
- Because Rahu and Ketu are always 7 houses apart in the Birth Chart and symbolize opposing energies, i.e. Obsession vs Isolation, their 7th house aspect is theoretical but not practical because opposing energy is always present in the 7th house to counteract it. Rahu/Ketu also aspects the 5th and 9th houses from its location with its 100 percent sight, in addition to the 7th house.
- When we look at each planet and its aspects, we’ll talk about why Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Rahu/Ketu have distinct aspects, as well as why Rahu/7th Ketu’s house aspect is present but ineffective in some areas.
Venus
Its position as the natural ruler of the 2nd house has a lot to do with who you attract and how you make money.
The position of Venus in your horoscope might disclose a lot about your financial abilities.
If Venus is in a favorable aspect to the ruler of a “money house” (the second or eighth house) or is located in one, it indicates that you have a strong ability to attract money.
Look at the position of Venus in your horoscope to learn more about how you attract and earn money.
Jupiter
Fortune, good fortune, abundance, and growth Jupiter’s position is significant, especially if it is in the second or eighth house.
Look at where Jupiter is in your horoscope to learn how to be prosperous, lucky, and expand your horizons.
Neptune
When Venus is well aspected, the higher octave represents boundless abundance and is a manifestor planet.
Look to Neptune in your horoscope for guidance on how to achieve your deepest wishes.
Saturn
The 2nd or 8th house is regarded as a powerful contributor to wealth accumulation.
Look to Saturn in your horoscope for clues as to where you’ll need to put in more effort in order to reap the financial rewards.
Uranus
Expect the unexpected in your financial life when it is in your 2nd or 8th house! Sudden ups and downs with money, expect the unexpected in your financial life when it is in your 2nd or 8th house!
Uranus might provide insight into where you can face financial ups and downs.
Is sextile a beneficial aspect?
The Sextile is an aspect generated when planets are separated by two signs or around 60 degrees. It is a positive alignment of planets that creates new growth opportunities. The sextile brings comfort and helpful people to that part of the chart. The other good aspect, the trine, isn’t quite as strong.
Is it true that opposition is a positive aspect?
Because it involves a meeting of two opposed forces, the opposition is regarded a difficult component. It isn’t as tense or provocative as the square aspect. It’s not a “negative” feature, but the concept as a whole is outdated.
Which of the residences does the Sun face?
The Sun, Moon, Venus, and Mercury have an aspect of 14 on the 3rd and 10th, 12 on the 5th and 9th, 34 on the 4th and 8th, and full on the 7th. In practice, astrologers appear to overlook minor details.