The aspects, the individual, and collective predictions

Aspects are angles made by the placing of heavenly bodies inside the zodiac. They are of relative importance when interpreting a birth chart.

There are two schools of thought regarding aspects. Certain astrologers consider that the angles formed between the planets inside the zodiac are of prime importance to the interpretation of the birth chart, whilst others think that they are only secondary and can be misleading. We are of the second opinion and, before introducing the major and minor aspects, we shall explain the point of view.

We know that when the astrologer-priests and mathematicians of Mesopotamia laid down the foundations of astrology and created the zodiac as we still, more or less, know it today, their predominant aim was to safeguard their community. By measuring – using of course ‘their’ measures – and by drawing conclusions from their observations, they were able to predict probable events, likely to influence the evolution of their society.

According to this principle, the multiple positions of the planets inside the zodiac, and the numerous angles they formed between them, all acquired a particular meaning and importance. Thus, we understand that, at a time when calculating the positions of the Houses and the ascendant still did not exist, the astrologers’ concerns were not individual but collective. The only exception to this was when they were faced with the birth of a sovereign whose future and destiny seemed closely linked to that of his people.

It was from the positions of the planets within the 360 degrees of the zodiac and in the decans, and from the aspects and angles formed between them, that, in those distant times, astrologers drew “influences” which concerned the community first, and then, indirectly, the individual who belonged to it. however, the fact that various people are subjected to the same event at the same moment in time, does not mean that each one of them will experience, understand and control this situation in the same way.

If therefore, the event in question can be predicted or defined by the appearance of certain specific aspects inside the zodiac, we cannot conclude that it can be predicted or defined in the same way, and according to the same criteria, for an individual. This is the reason why we approach the interpretation of aspects inside a birth chart, with caution and qualified judgment, although they do play a predominant part in the predictions cast for either an individual, a community, or a nation. But aspects and predictions must be interpreted with care and finesse; too many astrologers draw hasty or approximate conclusions from them in their desire to feed the pervading gloom-mongering.

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Presentation of the major aspects

A conjunction is not an aspect as such since no proper angle is actually created. It occurs when two bodies are placed so close to each other in the zodiac, perhaps only a few degrees apart, that they give the impression of being joined together.

The sextile: a sextile is an aspect formed by two planets separated by a distance of approximately 60 degrees inside the zodiac.

The square: a square is an aspect formed by two planets that are approximately 90 degrees apart in the zodiac.

The trine: a trine appears between two planets when they are separated by approximately 120 degrees.

The opposition: when two planets are in opposition, they are placed opposite each other, generally in two signs across the zodiac, thus creating an angle of 180 degrees, sometimes slightly more or less.

Presentation of the minor aspects

We do not take minor aspects into account in our interpretations. They only point to secondary information which adds nothing to the data provided by the major aspects, and most of all the meaning of the planets and fictitious points in sign and in house. However, these are the minor aspects, for your information.

The semi-sextile: a semi-sextile is half a sextile, formed by two planets situated about 30 degrees apart.

The semi-square: is half a square, formed by two planets that are about 45 degrees apart in the zodiac.

The sesquisquare: the sesquisquare is an angle slightly larger than the trine’s, about 135 degrees, formed by two planets.

The quincunx: is an angle situated at an equal distance from a trine and an opposition, and formed by two planets placed 150 degrees apart.

Finally, let us mention the Decile (about 36 degrees), the Quintile (72 degrees), and the Biquintile (144 degrees) which are rarely taken into consideration these days.

Benefic aspects and malefic aspects

In the West, we like everything to be categorized into good or bad. It is altogether different in Oriental and Asian culture. Let us not forget that astrology originates from the Middle East. So, aspects should never be regarded as being systematically positive or negative. Their value, rather harmonious or rather tense, is measured according to the nature of the planets in question and their position in the zodiac.

What is an orb? In astrology, an orb is a maximum distance between two bodies according to which they are, or are not, in aspect. For instance: the orb of aspect between the Moon and Mercury is 10 degrees. Therefore, they are no longer in the aspect when the distance between them is 11 degrees in the zodiac.