Aspects: the angles behind the interpretation

Dear Reader,

What are astrologers describing when they say two planets are in an aspect?

Imagine the zodiac as a circle with the planets marked around it. An aspect describes the angle between two of those positions. Astrologers use that angle to interpret how the themes of the two planets might work together.

The major aspects

A conjunction is near zero degrees, a sextile near 60 degrees, a square near 90 degrees, a trine near 120 degrees, and an opposition near 180 degrees. These are the five major aspect types used in Horoscope Hermit's current calculations.

An orb is the permitted distance from the exact angle. Two planets separated by 92 degrees might be counted as a square with a two-degree orb. Different astrologers use different limits, so two websites can disagree even when their raw planetary positions are similar.

A snapshot has limits

An aspect shown on a noon chart tells us about that moment. The angle keeps changing as the planets move, and the Moon moves especially quickly. That's why a reading may say an aspect is closest in the morning or evening. It doesn't mean you'll feel the same thing all day.

The conversation is an analogy

For example, Mercury is associated with communication and Mars with action. An astrologer might read a difficult angle between them as a reason to watch for impatience in a conversation. If you're annoyed by a message, read it again before replying. The angle can be calculated; the connection with impatience is an interpretation.

When you come across an unfamiliar aspect, look for the explanation that follows it. What does it mean for the subject you're reading about? You don't need to memorise every angle to understand the advice, and one aspect won't explain your whole day.