Aspects and Chart Shaping

New astrologers will sooner or later come across references to unaspected planets, dissociate aspects, aspect patterns and chart shapes. This article, adapted from the text of Nicholas Campion's compendium of astrology - The Ultimate Astrologer (published by Hay House, 2003) - offers an introductory guide to their meaning in the birth chart. ASPECTS An aspect is the precise distance between any two points in a horoscope. Almost all aspects measure distances around the ecliptic. Usually aspects are formed between two planets, although aspects between any one planet and the angles (Ascendant, Descendant, MC and IC) are also considered. The aspects are used to establish how the planets combine to stimulate and moderate each other's influence. They are divided into two categories, major or minor, and harmonious or tense. Generally, major aspects are much more powerful than the minor; but there are certain astrologers who place a greater than usual emphasis upon the minor aspects. Aspects are formed by division of the circle of 360 degrees by certain numbers, and may be understood through the laws of numerology. Division of the circle by 3, 6 and 12 is harmonious and flowing, while division by 2, 4 and 8 is rigid, structured and difficult. Harmonious aspects are also known as good, easy, positive, soft or benefic, and tense aspects are also known as bad, difficult, negative, hard or malefic. The tense aspects cause friction between the planets involved. This friction brings difficulties and problems, which may be psychological, environmental or a combination of the two. In coping with these problems many people experience failure, but some will be driven to overcome their difficulties and in the process develop their astrological potential. The harmonious aspects bring an easy relationship between the planets involved. They provide a helpful environment for innate abilities which the individual may take for granted, but fail to develop fully. Each type of aspect, therefore, has two faces. The tense aspects bring difficulties which can result in great achievement, while the harmonious aspects bring easy conditions which can lead to wasted opportunities. It is preferable to have a balance of tense and harmonious aspects. Individuals with only harmonious aspects may have plenty of potential but no drive to develop it, while those with only tense aspects may lack the faith and optimism to overcome difficulties. There are nine aspects in common use: the five major aspects - conjunction, opposition, trine, square and sextile - and four minor aspects - the semi-sextile, semi-square, sesquiquadrate and quincunx. The quincunx is also known as the inconjunct. Table of Aspects: Name Glyph Degrees Apart* Orb* Strength Nature Conjunction 0 8 ° Major Neutral Semi-sextile 30 2° Minor Harmonious Semi-square 45 2° Minor Tense Sextile 60 4° Major Harmonious Square 90 8° Major Tense Trine 120 12° Major Harmonious Sesquiquadrate 135 2° Minor Tense Quincunx or Inconjunct 150 2° Minor Tense Opposition 180 8° Major Tense * When Exact * Orbs An orb is the distance by which a planet is allowed to deviate from the exact aspect. The modern standard sets an orb according to the aspect, but traditional techniques allow for the prominence of the planet involved, so that an aspect between the Sun and Moon, for example, is allowed a larger orb than an aspect between Mercury and Venus. The more exact the aspect, the stronger the influence, the looser the aspect the weaker the influence. Conjunction is the most powerful aspect and combines two planets in a single force. [See Table] Opposition is extremely powerful and places the planets in conflict with each other, producing difficulties, but increasing the range of possibilities open to the individual. [See Table] Trine is the most powerful harmonious aspect, bringing the planets together in an easy combination. [See Table] Square is strong, but less powerful than opposition, and creates friction between planets. [See Table] Sextile is a strong harmonious aspect, but less powerful than the trine. [See Table] Semi-square, sesquiquadrate and quincunx are all minor tense aspects. Psychologically their effect may be seen as a very weak version of the square. Some astrologers give 'them additional importance in predicting events. [See Table] Semi-sextile is the only minor harmonious aspect, and psychologically is a weak version of the sextile. [See Table] APPLYING & SEPARATING ASPECTS When two planets are moving together to an exact aspect they are applying. When they are moving apart from the exact aspect they are separating. Applying aspects are uually stronger psychologically than separating aspects. In event and horary horoscopes separating aspects refer to past events and applying aspects refer to future events. UNASPECTED PLANETS Opinions differ over the interpretation of unaspected planets. It is best to learn from experience, but the following guidelines are useful. First, the planet may be difficult to express. The principle it represents may be badly integrated with the rest of the personality and may even be neglected. In complete contrast, the lack of aspects may mean that the planet is unrestrained by other planets and therefore assumes an exaggerated importance. Sun unaspected: these people may have a poor sense of self-identity, but may appear to be very egotistical. Moon unaspected: these people may feel out of touch with their home, family, emotions and roots, but make strenuous efforts to overcome the problem. Mercury unaspected: these people may find it difficult to express their thoughts, may be quiet, but strive actively to develop intellectual skills. Venus unaspected: these people may find it difficult to form close relationships, but may make great efforts to be sociable. Mars unaspected: these people may find it difficult to motivate themselves but may have uncontrollable energy. Jupiter unaspected: these people may have Difficulty in creating opportunities, but spend a lot of energy looking for them. Saturn unaspected: these people may find it difficult to recognize limitations and cope with difficulties, but may develop strong self-discipline. Uranus unaspected: these people may have difficulty in expressing their personality, either neglecting or exaggerating it. Neptune unaspected: these people may have difficulty in giving expression to their imagination and mystical aspirations, but become very dedicated to artistic work or religious activity. Pluto unaspected: these people may find it difficult to harness emotional energy, and may seek emotional commitment and confrontation. ASPECTS IN DISSOCIATE SIGNS This would occur if, for example, the planet in Scorpio was conjunct a planet in Libra or Sagittarius, trine a planet in Aquarius or in opposition to a planet in Gemini. If the planets in an aspect are in dissociate signs this makes the issues raised more varied and potentially complicated, but a true understanding of this can only be gained with experience in chart interpretation. Much the same occurs when two planets are in a conjunction but in adjacent houses rather than in the same house. ASPECT PATTERNS When three or more planets are connected to each other by aspect, they form a pattern with a meaning of its own. 'T' SQUARE: Two planets in opposition are both in square to a third planet. This brings tension and sharp, pressing problems, the result of which may be great energy and consequently a better than average chance of success throughout life. When interpreting a T' Square all the factors involved - planets, signs and houses - must be taken separately and then built up into a picture of the choices, difficulties and solutions which each planet suggests. When the 'T' Square is in: Cardinal Signs, there is exceptional dynamism and energy; Fixed Signs, people may be excessively stubborn, fighting personal battles to the bitter end. Mutable Signs, they may try to solve, or even avoid, the problems associated with the 'T' Square by being flexible and adaptable. Solution to the 'T' Square  A: via harmonious Aspects. The tension of the 'T' Square can be released or positively expressed through the planet which makes the closest sextile or trine to any of the three planets in the 'T' Square. In this example the emotional tension of the Sun-Mars-Saturn 'T' Square can be released through the sextile to Jupiter in Cancer. B. Development of Opposite Characteristics The tension of the 'T' Square focuses on the planet at the apex, in this case Venus, and the part of the chart immediately opposite may also act as a focus for problems. By coping with them the whole situation can be eased and turned to advantage. In this example Venus in the eighth house, squared to Uranus and Saturn, suggests business difficulties. This may bring second house problems - personal financial ones with an inability to handle money. By learning how to deal with these issues, the eighth house problems, and the whole 'T' Square, can be helped. GRAND CROSS: The Grand Cross consists of four planets connected by four squares and two oppositions. In effect this consists of four 'T' Squares and, although the process of interpretation is essentially the same as that for a 'T' Square, the complexity and possibilities are considerably more varied. This pattern is not necessarily more dynamic than the T' Square. When the Grand Cross is in: Cardinal Signs, problems and difficulties are more likely to result in energetic and assertive behaviour. Fixed Signs, people may hang on to their problems and be exceptionally stubborn and resistant to change. Mutable Signs, they may be very adaptable but may also exacerbate their problems by evading them. GRAND TRINE: Three planets are connected by three trines to form a triangle, the Grand Trine, around which planetary influences circulate with ease. This brings a wealth of natural talent indicated by the signs and houses containing the planets, but may require tense aspects to provide the motivation for its expression. When the Grand Trine is in: Fire Signs, talents lie in enthusiasm, and the search for new possibilities. Earth Signs, talents lie in practical work and experience. Air Signs, talents lie in intellectual work and the communication of ideas. Water Signs, talents are rooted in sympathy, compassion and intuition. YOD: Also known as the Finger of Fate or the Finger of God, Yod is the name given to two planets in opposition connected to two other planets, one by semi-sextiles and the other by quincunxes. There is a consensus that this pattern is important, but few astrologers make much use of it. The two additional planets provide a choice of paths for the individual to express or discharge the tension of the opposition. MYSTIC RECTANGLE: This consists of four planets connected in a rectangle of two squares and two trines, together with two oppositions connecting the opposite planets. Despite the name there is nothing mystical about this pattern. The combination of tense and harmonious aspects produces the best possible potential for the constructive use of natural talents. KITE: The person with a kite pattern may be a 'high flyer'. All three planets in a grand trine are connected to a fourth planet, one by an opposition and the other two by sextiles. This is useful combination of tense and harmonious aspects in which the two planets connected by trines and sextiles provide outlets for the tension of the opposition. CHART SHAPES The general location of planets in the chart has long been an important consideration, but it was only in this century that certain patterns were formally identified and labelled, initially by the American astrologer Marc Edmund Jones. Examination of the chart shape forms a very useful part of any basic reading of the horoscope. See-Saw The planets are gathered in two opposing groups. This suggests a person who may be pulled in two completely different directions. There may be an awareness of opposing possibilities and an ability to manipulate these. Splay  The planets are grouped in tight bunches emphasizing a few houses and signs. This suggests a person who may be highly motivated in several completely different directions. Locomotive  All the planets are gathered within 2400. The unoccupied sector of the chart tends to remain unexpressed. Bucket All the planets are contained in one half of the chart except for one 'singleton' in the opposite half. This planet is the 'handle' of the bucket and assumes extra importance.  Bundle All the planets are contained within 1200. The individual tends to focus on one part of life's potential and ignores the rest. This pattern is especially strong if all the planets are on one side of either the Ascendant-Descendant axis or the MC-IC axis. Splash The planets are evenly dispersed around the zodiac. The individual has a wide range of abilities and experiences but may fail to concentrate sufficiently on any one goal. Nicholas Campion is an award-winning, internationally recognized authority on astrology, and past president of The Astrological Association of Great Britain and the Astrological Lodge of London. He has written many bestselling books and taught astrology both in the UK and around the world since 1980. He is the author of numerouds titles, including The Essentials of Vedic Astrology, The Great Year, Astrology, History and Apocolypse, Mundane Astrology: An Introduction to the Astrology of Nations & Groups, and The Book of World Horoscopes. He is currently a lecturer for the Cultural Astronomy and Astrology Degree Course offered by the Bath Spa University College. His astrological features have appeared in a variety of newspapers and magazines, notably The Daily Mail, Company, New Woman, Bella, Woman’s Realm, Nineteen, Zest, Eve, and Vogue. Visit Nick Campion's Online Astrology Resource at http://www.nickcampion.com/ http://www.skyscript.co.uk/aspects2.html

Understanding your horoscope in 10 steps

You’re new to this. You have come to the fascinating conclusion that astrology is not really reading your daily horoscope. Well here it is, one method of getting down to business with astrology and one's birth chart. For the sake of simplicity, let’s assume it is your own horoscope.

1. Find out your time of birth
Make sure it is the right time of birth. What does this mean? Hospital statistics are the best, your parents’ combined reassurance the second best, and something collected from that nostalgic piece of cloth knitted by your grandmother...well the third best. Time of birth doesn’t mean between 2 and 3, it means something like between 2.35 and 2.40. Astrology can in a sense be done without an accurate birth time, but not done very well.

2. Draw up your horocope
Unless you’re a big fan of calculations and tables, there’s not really any need to do it manually – use a computer program or a free service on the internet, such as http://astro-software.com/cgi-bin/astro/natal. This will give you the positions of all the planets and, given that you have a pretty exact time of birth, the sol called ascendant and house cusps. Print a list of all this, or better, print the graphic horocope wheel that you will see, with the planets all spread out over the circle, as well as a list with positions. (Such as: Moon in Scorpio, 21.20 degrees).

3. Planetary patterns, overview
Now, interpretation. What you see in front of you is You. Yes you, astrologically speaking, in the form of a wheel representing the planets orbiting around the sun (or around the earth, because that’s the perspective we use in astrology. Take a look at the structure, the patterning of the planets – how they are spread out. This gives the backbone, the ”frame” of opportunity, character and motivation. Are there planets grouped tightly together in a few places? These are usually known as stelliums and will indicate important concentrations of energy or characteristics. Late great astrologer Marc Edmund Jones deviced 7 general figures in the patterning of planets. I highly recommend his books, for example Guide to Horoscope Interpretation. You can also find info on planetary patterns with celebrity examples here: http://www.astrotheme.com/files/planetary-patterns.php

4. Elements and hemispheres
In astrology, we use the four elements of classic greek thought, fire, air, earth and water. These were and are believed to correspond to four basic psychological temperaments that are somewhat connected to the so called choleric, sanguine, melancholic and phlegmatic personality types. Anyway, what is highly important is to determine what or which are your own dominant elements. This is done by checking what signs most of your planets are placed in. Especially the Sun, (star sign) Moon (moon sign), Ascendant. Every sign belongs to an element, as the following shows:

Fire: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Air: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Earth: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Water: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces

The dominance of one or two elements in your horoscope will be highly important and determine the basic temperament and ”matter” of the personality, a deep and fundamental, instinctive perception and ”feel” of the world. You can read about it here, and get a comprehensive idea about the dominance of one or two elements: http://astrology-numerology.com/elements.

Or at this very site:
http://www.astroroom.com/elements.html
http://www.astroroom.com/element-combinations.html

The hemispheres are the upper, lower, left and right parts of your horoscope. A gathering or many planets in one or another will also give a big, general idea of how you go about your life and so on. Check here: http://cafeastrology.com/articles/hemisphereemphasis.html for a short summary, but beware, a single planet alone in one hemisphere is sometimes believed to make that whole hemisphere dominant.

5. Zodiac signs
Yes, the ”Star sign” is important. But its real name is the Sun sign. Of about equal importance is the Moon sign and ”Rising” sign, or Ascendant. Then follows the personal planets: Venus, Mercury, Mars. Jupiter and Saturn have less weight as private influences, but are still important. Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are generational planets and their sign placement matters less for the personality of a single individual. You should read carefully about the meaning of every sign placement in your horoscope (i.e. Mars in Taurus makes a person…etc) after seeing where the planets are placed. A fun and not very heavy website that appears to be new (to me at least) is
http://www.alwaysastrology.com/index.html
It focuses on planets in signs (Mars signs, Moon signs, etc). Otherwise there is always the comprehensive cafeastrology:
http://www.cafeastrology.com/natalastrology.html

6. Sun/Moon sign combination
This is of super importance, since it becomes the synthesis of the two most defining elements of your inner personality. There are a few good books on the subject of the 144 Sun/Moon combinations, but you could go to
http://astrology-numerology.com/sun-moon.html
and get yourself a very good approximation completely free.

7. Rising sign / Ascendant
The zodiac sign that rose to the eastern horizon at the moment of birth is typically known as the rising sign, (or, a little misleadingly, the ascendant). This is a pivotal point or part of the horoscope, since it indicates the external persona, the face to the world, the intuitive projection and expression of the personality. This may not represent the inner being, but in the world that we live in it determines a whole lot of how we function. The exact rising point of the ascendant is a very important and personal ”point of view”, that works sort of like a lens for the rest of your personality, guiding it through a certain stance or attitude to the world. And thereby forming a good deal of the self’s limits and potentials. Check out interpretation of your rising sign here:
http://www.astrologycom.com/asc.html

8. Aspects
The aspects are absolutely essential for any astrologer or student in understanding the dynamic patterns of thought, emotion and action in the life of a person. However, for the beginner, it may be a bit much to take in, especially without the knowledge of what aspects are the strongest and most important. Hence it only makes it to number 8, whereas it otherwise may have been much higher. If you feel motivated, check it out, but try to find out what aspects are the strongest. It is those that are most exact and involves at least one personal planet (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars). As always, astrology-numerology.com can be counted on.
http://astrology-numerology.com/aspects.html

9. House postions
As a beginner I would probably leave this one out, since the houses introduce another substantial level of confusion. The houses are like the signs, yet different. There are twelve houses, just like signs, but the houses indicate not so much personality as form, or area of activity. If you have the Sun in Leo you are an expressively dramatic and proud person. But if your Leo Sun is in, say, the twelfth house, this creativity is somehow likely to take place in the hidden, or along less conventional paths, or subtly, suggestively. Well you get the point, interaction between signs and houses is complex. If you like, here is an in depth resource:
http://www.cafeastrology.com/natal/planetsinhouses.html

10. Perspective, summary
You can relax. For this doesn't concern you. Only an experienced astrology student can put things together and create a synthesized and unified image of a horoscope. Persons are highly complex and we all know it. But you will have to do with the pieces and parts until you know much more, or hire a good astrologer.

Back to Astroroom

http://www.astroroom.com/horoscope-10-steps.html