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Astrology Basics - Aspects

The first three articles in this series covered the major elements (or ingredients) of a chart that can be read on their own—Signs, Planets, and Houses. 

An “Aspect” is the indication that one part of the chart is affecting another part of the chart; therefore Aspects are relationships between other things in the chart, rather than anything that has independent existence. 

Every astrological chart has a certain number of Signs, a certain number of Planets, and a certain number of Houses, in order to be considered a proper chart. Aspects are what really make each chart unique.

An Aspect is defined by two Planets or Positions (Cusps, etc.) being a certain number of degrees apart (more on this in a moment). Also, each Aspect has an “orb” or “degrees of orb” which means how far from the perfect angle two Planets or Positions can be and still be considered to form the Aspect. 

For example, in the chart below there is an Aspect formed by Mars and Jupiter (shown by the blue line that connects them through the chart’s inner area). 

This Aspect is called a Sextile, meaning that the two Planets are sixty degrees away from each other (it is possible to count the degrees on the chart below by counting the “ticks” in the Signs’ ring around the outside of the chart). 

However, Mars and Jupiter are not exactly sixty degrees away from each other; they are only fifty seven degrees—or so—away from each other. 

Since a Sextile has an “orb” of about five degrees either way (chart elements can be from fifty-five to sixty-five degrees away from each other and still be considered to form a Sextile), and since the fifty-seven degrees of separation between Mars and Jupiter fall into this range, the two Planets are still considered to be Sextile. 

In most modern charts, Aspects are shown as lines drawn through the middle of the chart, as is pictured.

The software I used to generate this chart only shows whether a particular Aspect indicates a comfortable relationship (in which case it is drawn with a blue line) or an uncomfortable one (indicated by a red line). 

Aspects do have symbols, usually drawn by astrologers and their software along the Aspect lines, which tell the person looking at the chart what specific Aspect the line represents. This saves much tedious counting-of-degrees along the outside of the chart. 

The relationships Aspects show are fairly specific, and much more can be understood about a chart by knowing which chart elements have what Aspects with each other.

Below is a list of the most commonly used chart Aspects, their symbols, their angle and “orb,” and a brief description of what each relationship is like. A short example of how Aspects are used will follow the descriptions.

Conjunction   Zero degrees separation (the two chart elements are in the same place), eight degree orb (the elements can actually be up to eight degrees apart). 

The Conjunct symbol is rarely used in a chart such as the one above; it is usually clear at a glance if two chart elements are close enough to be Conjunct. 

When a conjunction occurs, the two chart elements tend to reinforce each other’s influence. Whether this is comfortable or uncomfortable for the native often depends on other Aspects to the Conjunct chart elements.

Sextile   Sixty degrees separation, five degree orb. This is a comfortable Aspect, indicating that the two chart elements tend to create opportunities and open doors for each other.

Square   Ninety degrees separation, eight degree orb. This is an uncomfortable Aspect, indicating that putting energy or emphasis on one element will take energy away from the other.

Trine   One hundred and twenty degrees separation, six degree orb. A comfortable Aspect, this usually indicates two chart elements that work together smoothly and often seemingly effortlessly.

Inconjunct   One hundred and fifty degrees of separation, one degree orb. Also called a “Quincunx”. This Aspect often indicates unfulfilled expectations between chart elements. It is generally considered uncomfortable.

Opposition   One hundred and eighty degrees of separation, eight degree orb. Oppositions often indicate the need to compromise; however unlike a Square, putting energy toward one element will also automatically reinforce the other.  Like the Conjunction, other Aspects on the Opposing elements often determine whether this is a comfortable or uncomfortable Aspect for the native.

In the chart above, Uranus (seven degrees Scorpio) is Conjunct to the Ascendant (six degrees Scorpio) with one degree of separation; Uranus’ unpredictability and creation of “ah-ha” moments will probably be a big part of how people initially experience the native when meeting him face-to-face (the Ascendant). 

Both the Ascendant and Uranus form a Sextile to Venus, (the Ascendant is sixty five degrees away, Uranus is sixty four, so are just within the orb to form a Sextile) which is in Capricorn, in the Third House. 

This means that the native’s demeanor (Uranus-Ascendant conjunction) will provide opportunities (Sextile) to be responsible (Capricorn) by romantically attracting women (Venus) he will meet in his everyday life (Third House). 

Another way to state this is that something about the way he presents himself tends to attract women who feel they need to be more responsible, and that he tends to meet these women over the course of his everyday life, rather than at clubs, at work, through family, etc.

Even with the introduction provided by these articles to the various ingredients of a chart, most people will still need a lot of help and practice to consistently read a full chart accurately (if you can read a chart well just after reading these articles, you truly have a gift and may want to consider becoming a professional astrologer). 

Also, as I have hinted several times in these articles, there are other things astrologers consider in a chart to fine-tune their interpretations. 

Hopefully, these articles have given you an idea of what someone is talking about when they throw some astrological jargon into the middle of a discussion, and possibly some help in reading their own chart (if they have had it done) and to know whether astrology is something you want to pursue further.