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In astrology, an aspect is defined by the angular distance between two planets. The nature of the

aspect depends on the number of degrees separating the two planets. Aspects are of utmost

importance in assessing the natal chart because they help in identifying the nature of therelationship, whether hard or soft, between the energies released by the planets involved, which

constitutes all the complexity and richness of the personality.

Aspects express themselves more or less strongly according to their importance, or lack of.

Moreover, angles between planets never exactly match the standard definition of aspects. Thus,

the exactness of the aspect, referred to as "orb" in astrology, is to be considered. If the orb is tight(almost exact aspect), the aspect is more powerful. If the planets are linked by a wide orb aspect,

their influence is less strong. Each aspect is allowed a different orb, and traditionally, some

astrology schools assign them slightly differing coefficients.

In natal charts, usually accepted orbs (exactness of aspect) are 9 to 10 degrees for oppositions

and conjunctions, 7 to 8 degrees for trines and squares, 4 to 5 degrees for sextiles, 2 degrees for

quincunxes and sesqui-squares, around 1 degree for semi-sextiles and semi-squares, and often

0.5 to 1 degree for quintiles and their family (semi-quintiles and bi-quintiles).

Much smaller orbs are used in forecasting and synastry works because these techniques requirethat aspects be more exact if they are to be efficient.

In our programs, we take 11 aspects: the Conjunction, the Opposition, the Trine, the Sextile, theSquare, the Semi-Sextile, the Semi-Square, the Sesqui-Square, the Quincunx, the Quintile, and

the Bi-Quintile.

Here are the major aspects that may be found:

The ConjunctionAs indicated by its name, it is formed when two planets are on the same degree, or when they are

very close to each other. The conjunction takes a positive or negative influence, depending on

the other aspects formed. It can also be neutral. It may also depend on the nature of the twoplanets involved. Its function is to combine and blend the characteristics of the planets' energies.

The OppositionThe aspect connects two planets posited 180 degrees apart, and thus, in two complementarysigns. Such planets are said to be in opposition. They are in contradiction with each other and try

to gain the upper hand on the other one, which results in the native's being psychologically torn

between the two poles of the opposition. Traditionally, it is considered a negative aspect since itbrings about tensions, but it allows to evolve if one strives to master its contrasts. At maturity, it

is possible to turn the tension into an asset and strength by harmoniously blending the

characteristics of the two planets so connected.

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The TrineIt is formed when two planets are posited in signs belonging to the same element, and thus

compatible. Such planets support each other and create a feeling of well-being and easiness since

they are in harmony with each other. It is an aspect of good luck and psychological comfort.However, it favours self-indulgence and passivity. Indeed, too much easiness is no incentive to

effort...As indicated by its name, it is formed when two planets are on the same degree, or when

they are very close to each other. The conjunction takes a positive or negative influence,depending on the other aspects formed. It can also be neutral. It may also depend on the nature of

the two planets involved. Its function is to combine and blend the characteristics of the planets'

energies.

The SextileIt is formed when two planets are posited 60 degrees apart. Like the trine, it is beneficial and is afactor of harmony between the planets involved. However, its effects are more concrete than

with the trine and are expressed more outwardly. In practice, this aspect is considered the aspectof communication par excellence. The planets involved perfectly and actively exchange their

energies.

The SquareIt is formed when two planets are 90 degrees apart. Like the opposition, it is an aspect of tension,

with the planets in constant conflict, and the native strongly feeling their struggle. In order to

overcome them, he must continuously fight against the difficulties set by their energies. Theaspect endows with strength and the ability to overcome a great many hurdles in life, provided

that the person has much courage and tenacity. Leaders and people with exceptional destinies

often have many squares in their natal chart. Squares prevent them from keeping still and promptthem to continuously move ahead, create, and evolve, since immobility is difficult to bear when

such constant tensions crop up. The square is the most interesting aspect, even though it is

obviously desirable to also have a few soft aspects such as sextiles and trines.

There are also minor aspects. They are less important than the major aspects, but they help to

fine-tune the chart analysis.

They are the semi-sextile, the semi-square, the sesqui-square, the quincunx, the quintile, the bi-

quintile etc.).

The semi-sextile is a 30 degree-aspect considered rather harmonious. Actually, it proves quite

delicate because two adjacent signs are always very different from each other, and you can havefun checking them out.

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The quintile is a very positive aspect which is formed when two planets are 72 degrees apart. It is

of a spiritual nature, and when its exactness (the orb) is narrow (less than half a degree,

preferably), it plays out as powerfully as a sextile or a trine, and with an even stronger impact.The quintile family also includes the semi-quintile (36 degrees) and the bi-quintile (144 degrees),

which are soft aspects too, with the difference that they are generally less used.

The semi-square (45 degrees) and the sesqui-square (135 degrees) are minor aspects of tension

like the square, and as such, they make the native move ahead and evolve, but in a less intense

way than the square.

Lastly, there is the quincunx, where planets are 150 degrees apart, a very interesting aspect

which takes its nature from both the trine and the square. It unites two energies of differentelements and modalities, blends their characteristics, and offers their assets to the native, but on

condition that on the one hand, he accepts to put up the required efforts, and on the other hand,

that the planets involved are not of opposite nature, and preferably, that they are complementary

(Mars and Venus, Mercury and Uranus, the Sun and the Moon, etc.).

In ourcompatibility programmesfor example, we use ALL the aspects mentioned here, i.e.

eleven astrological aspects which are all processed in view of the final assessment of the couple'scompatibility indexes and planetary dominants. Kindly take note of the following pieces of

information:

Tensions play out differently in a natal chart than in a compatibility analysis between two charts.

So, in synastry work (the relationship between two persons), oppositions are considered

complementarity in most cases when the planets involved are not of a contrary nature

(Mars/Saturn, Moon/Mars, Venus/Saturn, for instance).

A panoply of harmonious and clashing pairs of planets is thus created, and is used to carry out

the calculations of compatibility indexes.

Regarding squares and sesqui-squares, it is obvious that there are tensions, and as with any

tension, they manifest themselves as attractions at the beginning. Over time, tensions becomedifficult to deal with for both partners.

Quincunxes are interesting because they are a blend of square and trine, and can add excitementinto the relationship. It is not easy to systematically give them a negative influence. When

planets are of a different nature, complementarity may play an active role and considerably pep

up the couple.

Regarding multiple aspects, it is obvious that the most delicate challenge is to be able to properly

deal with harmonious conjunctions which are also connected with tensions: the couple tends toget closer and idealises everything, but some sort of incomprehension may settle in a fatalistic

way and drive the partners apart in spite of themselves, because of unexplained

misunderstandings, since tensions do not allow them the time to do so.

http://www.astrotheme.com/compatibility/Standard_Compatibility_Reporthttp://www.astrotheme.com/compatibility/Standard_Compatibility_Reporthttp://www.astrotheme.com/compatibility/Standard_Compatibility_Reporthttp://www.astrotheme.com/compatibility/Standard_Compatibility_Report

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Unaspected PlanetsThere is quite a rare case, that of a planet which makes no aspect to any other planet. It is

referred to as unaspected planet. Aspects to angles must not be taken into account for this

peculiarity. Astrologers do not totally agree among themselves regarding the type of relevantaspects to be considered. Purists accept only the five major aspects (conjunction, opposition,

trine, square, and sextile), whereas proponents of a looser rule take into account nine aspects (the

five major aspects, but also the semi-sextile, the quincunx, the sesqui-square, and the semi-square), and in between, those who use seven aspects and exclude the sesqui-square and the

semi-square. Usually, the quintile and the bi-quintile are left out because they are too minor

aspects.

How is an unaspected planet interpreted? Most astrologers agree that a planet left to its own

devices and having no link with the rest of the natal chart is an unbridled energy which has no

outlet or diversion mechanism and can manifests in all its pureness and strength, especially when

it receives a major transit, similarly to a wild horse reacting to its instinct only. Being unaspecteddoes not constitute a personality facet strictly speaking, but it may be the cause of significant

differences in the planet's expression as compared to its "regular" nature. For instance, a personwith an unaspected Venus (one of the rarest case with only 1,5% of people, since the Sun,

Mercury, and Venus are never very far from one another), may be abnormally affectionate,

smiling, adorable, and seductive, in fits and starts. Someone with an unaspected Mars may at

time turn into a quarrelsome or short-tempered warrior or an overly active entrepreneurwhenever his Mars is hit by an important transit, and so forth for the ten planets of the natal

chart. This configuration enables to explain a few unusual behaviours which elude the classical

analysis of the natal chart.

A general remark: the nature of the planet indicates whether the fact of being unaspected is mostlikely to be a danger or an asset. It is usually considered that an unaspected Mars, Saturn, orPluto is rather a danger when it starts to come into play. On the contrary, Jupiter and Venus are

regarded as assets. Concerning Uranus and Neptune, they can yield the best as well as the worse,

depending on the rest of the chart. As for the Sun, the Moon, and Mercury, the fact that they areunaspected is deemed rather positive, even though there is a danger of pride with the Sun, of

laziness or passivity with the Moon, and of scattering or nervousness with Mercury.