Aspects: The DRAMA
What are aspects in astrology?
Up to now in this beginning astrology course, we have focused on reading the planets in their zodiac signs and houses. While this is important foundational information, the birth chart has even deeper, more interesting stories to tell.
An aspect is an angular relationship between two planets. I call them the “guts” of the chart. The aspects form a web of relationships among the planets. This is where natal charts really come alive.
Aspect Definitions and Meanings
Here are some aspect-related astrology terms to get you started.
☌ Conjunction aspect
- Two planets in the same sign or close by each other on the zodiac circle.
- The two planets influence each other’s expression powerfully, creating a great deal of focus and drive in the house with the conjunction.
- Conjunction aspects can be easy or difficult, depending on the planets.
☍ Opposition aspect
- Two planets in opposite signs or close to 180 degrees apart.
- Planets in opposition are usually found in signs with the same mode or quality (cardinal, fixed, or mutable).
- There is a call for balance and cooperation between the two planets and the houses involved.
- Opposition aspects often reveal issues that play out in your relationships.
- Opposition aspects can be easy or hard, depending on the planets (and the rest of the birth chart).
□ Square aspect
- Two planets that are three signs apart, or close to 90 degrees apart.
- Planets that form a square typically share the same mode or quality (cardinal, fixed, or mutable).
- The nature of the aspect is tension between the two planets. Each of the planets involved creates obstacles for the other.
- Square aspects are usually hard aspects, but they can be very driving and motivating.
▵ Trine aspect
- Two planets that are four signs apart, or close to 120 degrees apart.
- Planets that form a trine typically share the same element (fire earth air or water).
- Trines reveal talents, gifts, and blessings that come easily to you.
- Trines are usually easy aspects, but they may not have the drive to succeed without hard aspects to motivate them.
⚹ Sextile aspect
- Two planets that are two signs apart, or close to 60 degrees apart.
- Sextiles show you where you create or meet with opportunities and support from others.
- The sextile is an easy aspect.
⚻ Inconjunct a.k.a Quincunx aspect
- Two planets that are five signs apart, or close to 150 degrees apart.
- Inconjuncts show you where parts of yourself are out of step or constantly working around other parts.
Major and minor aspects
- The major aspects are the need-to-know, core aspects that all beginners should learn.
- The major aspects are the conjunction, opposition, square, trine, sextile.
- There are many minor aspects that you can add to your toolbox if they “speak” to you.
- The minor aspects are the ∠ semi-square, semi-sextile, ∥ parallel, ⚼ sesqui-square, quintile, septile, novile…. (the list goes on).
Easy aspects
- The easy aspects are the trines and the sextiles.
- Planets in easy aspects contribute to one another, blend easily, and tend to work to your advantage.
- Planets in easy aspects show where your talents lie, where your efforts are likely to pay off.
- They operate with less motivation, tension, and friction than the hard aspects.
Hard aspects
- The hard aspects are the squares and oppositions.
- Planets in hard aspect interfere with one another.
- Hard aspects tell the story of the obstacles and issues you have had to work through in life.
What are the aspects in my chart?
If you’re just starting out, I recommend that you use an aspect grid. You’ll find one at the bottom of the charts you get at astro.com. An aspect grid looks like this:
I do NOT recommend using the web of lines in the middle of the chart. Those are indeed aspect lines, but they can lead you astray. It can be difficult to see exactly where the lines point. This makes it too easy to mistake a square for a trine or sextile in some charts. I recommend that beginners always cross-check aspects with the grid!
Are you ready for more?
- How to identify aspects quickly and easily
- How to tell the deeper stories in the chart
tell me more