ASPECTS

Leyla Raël

When we deal with what in astrology are called aspects, we deal with stages in
life-processes whose rhythms are symbolized by planetary motions and dynamic
interrelationships. From the point of view of a symbolic approach to astrology,
however, we must keep in mind that the planets do not impose anything on us or
'influence' us. Rather, whatever orders their rhythms and interrelationships also
orders our lives and life-processes on Earth: both celestial and terrestrial rhythms
'dance' to the beat of the same drummer, however we envision that drummer.

What we actually see from Earth is that planets periodically come together in the
sky, separate and conjoin (or conjunct) again. After two planets come together
(conjunction), the faster-moving planet travels away from the slower one. (Since
no two planets move at the same rate, there is always a faster and slower in any
pair.) As the faster planet travels away from the slower, the slower planet also
moves, following the faster, but it can't keep up. Progressively, the distance
between the two increases as the faster planet moves farther ahead and the slower
planet fails to keep pace. The distance increases until the two planets oppose one
another; they appear at opposite ends of the horizon.

A change in their relationship then occurs, for the faster planet no longer moves
away from the slower, but instead appears to move back toward it. The slower
planet moves away from the faster one, but since it cannot outrun it, the faster
planet eventually catches up with the slower one, and finally rejoins it in the sky.
This second conjunction begins a new cycle, but it occurs at a different place in the
sky and in the zodiac from the first conjunction.

When we deal with aspects, we deal with the stages of this progressively
unfolding, dynamic continuum of changing relationships between planets. The
whole cycle of relationships refers to the process whereby the capacities or
activities represented by one planet grow and develop in cooperation with those of
another. Some life-task or function that cannot be performed by either planet's
function alone must be developed by both together.

For example, Mercury represents thinking, but in order for thinking to be useful it
must be either logical and directed toward some particular subject or end, or
visionary and innovative. In the first case, Mercury would 'need' Saturn, which
would help set goals and enforce the rules of logic. In the second instance,
Mercury might need Uranus, Neptune or Pluto. In either case, if action needs to
follow thinking, Mars would be needed to do what had been conceived or planned.
With Mars, Saturn and/or Jupiter would be required: Saturn to keep Mars working
toward definite goals, Jupiter to invite others to share in the endeavor or to make it
relevant, and therefore acceptable and successful, in a broader social context.
Venus could contribute by making the effort harmonious and its results beautiful or
love-enhancing.

In a cycle between any two planets, the conjunction represents the time when the
two agree, as it were, on a task to accomplish, a capacity to develop between them.
In the first half of the cycle, while the faster planet moves away from the slower, it
'carries out' this agreement. When the two stand facing each other at opposition,
they 'see' what together they have produced. They 'decide' what to do with or about
what they have jointly achieved or failed to accomplish. As the faster planet moves
back to the slower, it brings with it the harvest of their cooperative experience. In
this second half of the cycle, the experience is assimilated and integrated. What has
been produced may be put to personal and/or collective use, and mistakes made
earlier in the cycle may be reviewed and corrected, or abandoned if necessary.

Aspects are phases, successive steps, or turning points in this cyclic interplay.
They are based upon dividing the 360° circle of relationships into various numbers
of phases, most commonly two, three, four, and six. When we do this, we derive
angular values measured in degrees of arc. The phases, turning points, and angular
values derive their meanings by logic and analogy.

For example, in a three-phase process divided into beginning, middle and end, we
would have three segments, each measuring 120°. When planets are separated by
this angular value, they are said to be in trine, and their relationship enters a new
phase in which a new type of activity is anticipated.

The meaning of a four-phase process is derived from such examples as the day
(whose turning points are sunrise, noon, sunset and midnight), the month (whose
turning points are measured by the phases of the Moon - New Moon, First Quarter,
Full Moon, and Last Quarter), and the year (spring, summer, fall and winter).

If we translate these models into planetary terms, we would have planets in

conjunction (separated by no angular distance), in square (separated by 90°), in
opposition (180° distant), and in square (90°) again.

Between the three- and four-phase sequences we derive most of the major
planetary aspects. If we were to superimpose them on a wheel, and add two points
near the beginning of the cycle to complement the trine-points near the opposition,
we would create aspects called sextiles (an angular value of 60°), and we would
have a schema for the major turning points or aspects in planetary relationships.
A discussion of the basic meanings of each follows:

CONJUNCTION (0°)

A conjunction releases the power and impetus for a new cycle. As it forms, an old
cycle ends and a new need becomes apparent. At exact conjunction the two planets
involved 'agree' to try to satisfy it. The first phase of a cycle — between the
conjunction and the next major aspect, the sextile (60°) — is a period of
overcoming the inertia, unfinished business, or 'ghosts' of the previous cycle, and
of discovering the limits and the special purpose of what is beginning.

A conjunction may be an especially powerful time, for something is just beginning

and the atmosphere may be charged with an air of exuberance or expectancy. This
sense of new possibilities may come as a relief from the pressures of winding
down an old cycle, but since by definition we cannot know exactly what will come
of something so new, what concrete form or direction the new cycle will take or
what its ultimate implications will be, we need to be especially open and without
fixed expectations.

Days on which conjunctions occur are especially appropriate for beginning new
endeavors, especially those symbolized by the two conjoining planets or those
which will call for the kind of activities the two planets' functions can perform
together but may not each represent alone.

SEXTILE (60°)

There are two sextiles in every cycle between two planets. One comes during the
first half of the cycle, after the two planets have conjoined but before they square
and oppose one another. At the first sextile the faster planet is 60° ahead of the
slower planet. The other sextile occurs during the second half of the cycle, after the
two planets have opposed and squared one another and before they conjoin again.
At the second sextile the faster planet is 60° behind the slower planet.

The keynote of the sextile in the first half of the cycle is organization. What began
at the conjunction must be organized into some kind of form, be it a plan, an
object, an interpersonal relationship, a job, etc. This is why sextiles are often
associated with opportunities: opportunities come to give us a chance to get
organized. The cycle that started at the conjunction began in order to satisfy a
need. If a true need exists, 'universal ecology' will operate to fill the vacuum by
making appropriate opportunities available.

The sextile falling in the second half of the cycle stresses reorganization: the need
to regroup after assimilating and integrating experience. Here, too, we can expect
that opportunities for appropriately reorganizing our endeavors will appear. Days
during which sextiles occur are especially appropriate for expanding involvement
in ongoing endeavors, and for working productively, especially in activities which
involve primarily ourselves. Under sextiles, we have primarily to see that what is
presented to us is indeed some kind of opportunity, and we have to be able to
understand how best to use it.

SQUARE (90°)

There are two squares in every cycle between two planets. The first goes halfway
between the conjunction and the opposition between the two planets, when the
faster planet is 90° ahead of the slower planet. The second comes halfway between
the opposition and a new conjunction of the two planets, when the faster planet is
90° behind the slower planet.

The keynote of the square during the first half of the cycle is to establish. What
was organized at the first sextile must be definitely and 'squarely' decided upon and
committed to at the square. In order to make a full commitment or an unambiguous
decision, we may be challenged to break away from previous types of attachments
or activities as any decision requires us to reduce alternatives by closing out some
option in order to pursue others.

The square during the second half of the cycle challenges us to establish and act
upon the understanding we grew into as a result of the first hemicycle's activities.
We may be challenged to abandon old ways or models of thinking in order to put
the harvest of our experience to innovative use. The keynote of this second square
is reorientation which literally means finding a new 'east,' a new sunrise point or
source of animating power.

This is because the first half of the cycle between the two planets (from
conjunction to opposition) exhausts the power released at the conjunction.
Between the opposition and the second square we bask, as it were, in the reflected
glow of the first hemicycle's accomplishments. At the square midway through the
second half of the cycle, we have to become responsible for re-animating our
activities. We do this by understanding (at the second trine) how they fit into a
larger picture, and the new perspective reinvigorates us.

In contrast to sextiles and trines, which are traditionally categorized as 'fortunate'

or 'easy' aspects, squares (and oppositions) have been called 'difficult,' 'negative' or
'hard' aspects. We may indeed feel tension under both types of squares because
they challenge us to look at and compare where we're coming from and where we
think we're going. What got us where we are may not be appropriate for getting us
where we'd like to go, or where we'd like to go may not be appropriate in light of
where we've been. We may be forced not only to ask these questions, but to answer
them honestly and to act upon what we decide.

Creatures of habit that we tend to be, we don't readily alter our plans or direction,
and we do not welcome unexpected changes. Days on which squares occur may be
especially dynamic, and appropriate for pursuing activities in which we expect to
encounter obstacles. We can try to harness the dynamism of the square in
constructive ways. On days during which squares predominate we may also feel
the pressure of what we interpret as outside demands. Disguised or hidden in the
tensions or demands may be significant messages, if we could only be open
enough to recognize them.

TRINE (120°)

There are two trines in every cycle between two planets. The first occurs when the
faster planet is 120° ahead of the slower planet, after the first square between them
and before the two planets oppose each other. The second occurs after the
opposition between the two planets, when the faster planet is 120° behind the
slower planet.

In the first half of the cycle the trine is an aspect of harmonious expression. Having
decided what to do at the square, and acted upon the decision in the interim, at the
trine we become able to fulfill the need in answer to which the cycle developed.
After the decisive commitment required at the square, the trine may feel like an
easier period in which things operate smoothly. This may be the case, if we met
'squarely' what faced us previously. If we did not, we may tend to scatter our
energies unproductively under the trine.

In the second half of the cycle, after the opposition between two planets but before
their square, the trine is an aspect of harmonious understanding or cooperation.
This is because at the opposition before the second trine, we have to take into
account the environment in which we are operating and the others our actions
affect. By the second trine we should be operating according to a broader
perspective which includes others and our relationship with them. This can lead to
a new level or reinvigoration of activity at the following square, or by finding ease
in cooperating with others a valuable cross- fertilization process may occur as we
integrate others' perspectives into our own point of view.

Days in which trines predominate are therefore appropriate for activities requiring
others' cooperation or approval, but we should take care not to shift the burden of
activity onto them. We must continue to work with others once we have interested
them in our activities or point of view, and not look solely to them for future
direction.

OPPOSITION (180°)

As with squares, the opposition has traditionally been considered a 'hard' or

'difficult' aspect. But it is actually the culmination of the cycle. At the opposition
the results of what occurred during the previous conjunction, sextile, square, and
trine become set, and we can objectively see them. At oppositions we face the
fruits of our labors, and see mirrored therein the reflection of our own capabilities,
or failures. We may examine what we've done, or receive feedback from others.

If we feel tension under oppositions it may be because we’d rather not face what
we see, or hear what others are telling us, but such meetings under oppositions
should not be considered confrontations with adversaries. Our sternest critics
(often ourselves) may be our most important sources of help, for criticism brings
us objectivity and a chance to begin anew with the benefit of previous experience.

At oppositions we may have opportunities to enrich our viewpoints by contrasting

them with others'. By moving toward what seems to oppose us, rather than
forcefully trying to shut it out, we can use a confrontation constructively, by
including what it represents in our perspective. This 'moving toward' nourishes
cooperation and mutual understanding, which can become whole and
harmoniously integrated within us and within the pattern of our lives at the trine
that follows the opposition.

Days on which oppositions occur are therefore appropriate for tending to

interpersonal relationships in a spirit of mutuality and cooperation. They are also
appropriate for reflection and contemplation, and for finishing projects started
earlier.