The Aspects

The explanation of these terms is simple: an aspect is a certain angle between two planets. If two planets are at the same angle from the Earth the aspect between these planets is 0°, or a conjunction. The usual interpretation of the following aspects are:

The Conjunction, 0°, denotes Intensity The Sextile, 60°, denotes harmonious relations The Square, 90°, denotes tense relations The Trine, 120°, denotes harmonious conditions The Opposition, 180°, denotes tense conditions

In addition less commonly used aspects are: Semisextile - 30°, Semisquare - 45°, Quintile - 72°, Sesquiquadrate - 135°, Biquintile - 144° and Quincunx - 150°. An aspect is determined by the difference in angles of the two planets. If Mars is positioned 126° 56' from the ascendant and Venus at 186°56', the difference is exactly 60 degrees, producing a sextile between the two planets. The question arises what happens when the angle between the planets comes to more Than 60°. Is their relationship still considered a sextile? And if the angle is 55°, 67° or 70° degrees? How strictly should the aspects be defined? This brings us to the next topic of this chapter, the orbs. An orb is nothing more than the tolerance for the validity of an aspect between two planets or house cusps. These days there is a lot of discussion in the Astrological world about this topic. Astro-World sticks to the above mentioned orbs of a well known American Astrologer. Basically everybody may find out for oneselve how he or she wants to apply the orbs.