What are astrological aspects and how to interpret them?

The Astral Map is a guide that allows us to see and recognize characteristics of our own nature. The analysis of the positioning of the planets in the astrological signs and houses provides an overview of our personality and various aspects of our life.

In the same way, planetary aspects in Astrology allow us to go deeper into our nature and show trends, facilities and difficulties that we may encounter.

But what are astrological aspects?

In a birth chart, astrological aspects are the angles between two planets on the Astrological Wheel, showing their interaction and influences.

To learn more about the meaning of astrological aspects, their characteristics and their classifications, keep reading!

What are astrological aspects?

In the study of astrology, the meaning of astrological aspects refers to the angles formed between planets when placed on a map and the way they interact depending on their location. When forming an astrological aspect, the planets work together or not, creating harmonic or disharmonic relationships.

Since the astrological aspects determine the way in which the planets interact with each other, the characteristics and influences of each planet are interfered, being evidenced or minimized according to their positioning.

Depending on your placement, astrological aspects can be classified into major and minor aspectsin addition to being considered harmoniousgenerally easier to support, or tensepresenting more challenges.

Despite the terms “tense” and “harmonious”, it is important to consider aspects outside the positive/negative duality: in Astrology, planetary aspects and their influences are best used when seen as challenges and facilities, as opportunities for growth and taking advantage of opportunities. potential.

In the study of astrological aspects, the influence of those who are considered “uptight” is usually more easily felt, while the working of the harmonious aspects, although still felt, may not be so marked.

Furthermore, aspects formed from the personal planets (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Mars, and Venus, plus the Ascendant) are felt much more strongly than aspects to other planets.

But what about when a planet appears isolated on a map? In these cases, when there are no aspects formed, the influence of this planet is felt in all its intensity, since it has no other force to be diluted or complemented.

If you want to understand how astrological aspects influence your life, the ideal is to make your Astral Map and talk to an astrologer. He will show you which energies are directly connected with your life. Make this inquiry now!

Formation of astrological aspects

Astrological aspects are determined according to the degree of separation between the planets on the zodiacal wheel. Although there is an “exact degree” to their formation, planetary aspects also admit a “slack”.

This means that the square, for example, is formed when there is a 90° separation between two planets. However, this aspect admits a tolerance in the orb of up to 10°; in this way, the square can also be formed at a separation of 80° to 100° on the zodiacal wheel.

Since the aspect depends on the degree of separation, its strength and performance also vary according to the exactness of the degree: the closer the aspect is to the exact degree, the stronger it will be; the further away from the exact degree, the less will be its strength.

How to locate astrological aspects on a Chart?

There are two ways to locate any planetary aspect on a birth chart: the first option is to look at the lines that connect the planets. Red lines usually indicate tense aspects, while blue lines indicate harmonious aspects. Then look at the angle formed by the line and determine the aspect from it.

The second way is simpler, just look at the table that usually accompanies the chart and check the horizontal line and the vertical line, checking which planets are in one of the symbols of astrological aspects:

In the example below, you can see a trine formed between Venus in Sagittarius and Saturn in Aries:

Major astrological aspects

Among all astrological aspects, those that are considered “biggest” are those that produce the strongest relationships, dynamics and energies and, consequently, are easier to observe.

There are five major astrological aspectsdivided into three categories:

• Tense or challenging aspects: square (90°) and opposition (180°);
• Harmonious aspects: sextile (60°) and trine (120°);
• Neutral aspect: conjunction (0°).

Tense or challenging aspects

Planetary aspects considered tense or defiant are those that form frictions and conflicts between the themes and characteristics of the planets involved.

In general, the presence of tense aspects is translated into blockages and difficulties in general: there is a lack of harmony in the areas ruled by the planets of the aspect. Meanwhile, the excess of tense astrological aspects can result in a general lack of courage and optimism to deal with the difficulties and challenges brought by them.

However, not everything is negative when we consider challenging astrological aspects: the tighter connections between the planets result in opportunities to grow and succeed in overcoming challenges.

By seeing these astrological aspects in a more positive light and changing their expression to something more constructive, a path of growth and victory is opened. The energies of these aspects thus mobilize the energies needed to work and win.

Square (90°)

At quadrature, the two planets involved are 90° apart, allowing for a tolerance of 10° plus or minus. This means that this astrological aspect can be formed when there is a distance between 80° and 100°; however, the further away from the exact degree, the weaker the effects of that aspect will be.

The square is one of the tense aspects that can be observed in the Astral Chart: here, there is a competition between the planets, whose energies do not talk to each other. THE tension and lack of harmony they occur because the signs in which the planets are located, even if they are of the same energy, deal with this force in very different ways.

In this way, the challenge of the square is to deal with the issues brought from each planet, whose objectives are conflicting and different from each other. Integrating and balancing these energies, wants and needs is not a simple task: it takes effort to act.

Despite the challenges proposed by the square, it is important to note that this is one of the most driving aspects of the map: this aspect promotes movement and change, in addition to the opportunity to overcome difficulties. Ignoring this aspect is one of the easiest ways to get life stuck.

Someone with Jupiter in Sagittarius, for example, is driven by a desire to know more and achieve goals. However, when this planet squares Saturn in Pisces, a combination that inspires pessimism, the individual can be controlled by the fear of not having enough. The tip, therefore, is to work on each aspect of the square at the appropriate times.

Balance is essential, as the square’s influences are felt directly, and favoring just one square influence will only delay the inevitable: at some point, whether you like it or not, you’ll have to deal with both sides.

Opposition (180°)

At oppositionthe planets involved are on completely opposite sides of the astrological wheel, with a distance of 180° from each other, marking a great internal division.

Just like the square, opposition usually happens between planets that are positioned in the same energy, but going in opposite directions. In this way, there is a great tension between the different interests of the planet.

Due to the distance between the planets, their features are maintained, with no influence of one on the other. Since they are isolated, the energy of each planet is more directly and easily felt, making it easier to understand how each one affects us.

The opposition marks a fight between the two energies, in which each wishes to have greater power and influence. Without compromise and balance, there is a possibility that the planets “win” the fight alternately, increasing the internal conflict even more, but without evolution or movement. When dealing with the urge to deal with opposing desires and impulses, the tendency is to prefer the more “quiet” side of the opposition.

A native with Mars in Virgo, for example, is usually hardworking and dedicated in what he does. Saturn in Pisces, on the other hand, shows a tendency to be emotionally unstable, insecure and discouraged in finishing projects. An opposition between these two planets will be reflected in a difficulty in balancing dedication and frustrations.

The influence of this aspect is reinforced when the planets have their rulerships switched, such as the Moon in Capricorn opposite Saturn in Cancer. On the other hand, when the planets involved are not in mutual reception, the opposition is weakened.

Harmonious astrological aspects

You harmonious astrological aspects are those in which the planets maintain a easy relationshipin which the exchange of energy is made in a more fluid way: the stars, here, get along well, without friction.

The energy created from the harmonious aspects favors an environment in which one’s natural abilities are more easily developed. In addition, the areas of life under the influence of the planets involved in this aspect are usually more peaceful.

However, the harmonious aspects are not entirely positive: an excess of trines and sextiles in a birth chart can indicate self-indulgence and wasted potential due to lack of focus. In these aspects, opportunities are easily lost if there is no effort to get out of the “easy”.

Sextile (60°)

O sextile it is a planetary aspect formed when two planets are 60° apart from each other, with an orb allowed up to 5° plus or minus. In this aspect, there is a harmonic exchange between the two planetsfavoring the harmonization of the map.

This aspect usually happens between planets positioned in signs of complementary elements: Water and Earth, Air and Fire.

On the sextile, one planet contributes positively to the other’s purpose; there is a mutual collaboration in this association. Thus, the favorable characteristics of each planet are united, favoring positive tendencies.

with this collaboration energythe sextile opens the door to an easy and continuous flow of opportunities that favor the development of potentials.

However, care must be taken: this astrological aspect is not…