Aspect (astrology)
As aspects ( lat. Aspectus for, sight ',' View ') is referred to in the astrology certain angular relationships between the planets, sun, moon, ascendant , medium coeli and further interpretation factors such. B. the lunar node , which are conventionally drawn in the horoscope graphic. The angular distance between the horoscope factors is measured along the ecliptic . Aspects are interpreted as connections between the horoscope factors involved, such as the planets . The interpretation normally depends on the aspect, its radius of action (orb) and the planets involved, in traditional astrology the state of the aspected celestial bodies or planets in particular is also taken into account, such as retrograde and domicile or combustion and house position , etc. Aspects are shown as connecting lines between the planets.
quality
The connection between the planets is often only interpreted harmoniously or tense in the two major categories, especially by more psychologically oriented astrologers and astrology authors . In contrast, in classical or traditional astrology, to which u. a. The hourly astrology is also part of the theory, which has turned the theory of aspects into a real science, in which not only a number of other details are taken into account in the interpretation, but also very independent, typical qualities are assigned to each individual aspect. In the case of harmonious aspects, the forces of the planets involved complement each other. On the other hand, the trine aspect, which is considered to be 'harmonious', can still be interpreted as 'tense' in the case of horoscope factors such as Saturn and Mars, which have always been considered difficult . In the tense aspects, the forces of the planets involved conflict. However, for example, tense aspects between the two classic 'benefactors' Venus and Jupiter , especially if both are 'strong' or 'well', are in turn interpreted in traditional astrology far more as positively effective. Some aspects are also seen as rather neutral. However, these assignments are sometimes controversial. In the horoscope drawing, harmonic aspects are usually represented by green and blue, tense aspects by red lines.
Orb
In astrology, the orb is the deviation from the exact angle within which the aspect is still considered to be effective. Usually up to 7 ° - 10 ° deviation is permitted. That means z. B. that an opposition between 170 ° and 190 ° can still be interpreted as effective. The effect of the aspect increases with increasing precision.
The size of the orb depends on:
- the importance of the planets involved. Aspects involving the sun, for example, allow a larger orb than aspects of Uranus.
- the strength of the aspect. Strong aspects allow larger orbs than weaker ones.
Strength
In astrology is not always strength is important , since it depends on the question of what is important. The basic structure of the interpretation is determined by the strong aspects, while finer nuances are conveyed by the weak aspects. A widespread classification of the aspects as an example, in decreasing strength:
- Conjunction, opposition, square and trine.
- Sextile.
- Half square and one and a half square, quinkunx
- Semisextile, quintile and biquintile
The aspects up to the sextile are considered in most interpretations. The quinkunx as well as the half-square and the one-and-a-half square are used even more frequently. However, their frequency of use is clearly shaped by the changing astrology trends, which also applies to the other aspects that are more likely to be taken into account for special questions and astrology directions.
In the horoscope drawing, the accuracy of the aspects is often represented by the width of the connecting lines, whether drawn by hand or printed using a computer program.
The main traditional aspects
The common aspects in ancient and Hellenistic astrology were conjunction and opposition, trine and square, and sextile. They dominated astrology until the 20th century and are now often referred to as the main or Ptolemaic aspects.
conjunction
The conjunction describes an angle of 0 degrees, i.e. H. the planets are roughly one behind the other. In this aspect, a concentration of forces is indicated. Whether the conjunction can be interpreted as a favorable aspect depends crucially on the horoscopic factors involved. In astrology, especially in the natal chart interpretation, some of the planets are considered to be incompatible or incompatible, as is usually seen, for example, with a conjunction of moon and Saturn or sun and Neptune . So from an astrological point of view, a conjunction can also have negative effects.
Sextile
- Angle: 60 °
- Quality: harmony
- Symbol : ⚹ (Unicode: U + 26B9 sextile )
The sextile is often interpreted as the aspect in which both contradicting and complementary planets can come into positive contact. The horoscopic factors or stars involved are "neighbors" or "acquaintances". In the case of exact sextiles, the aspected horoscope factors are also always in signs of the zodiac of the same polarity, i.e. male like air and fire zodiac signs to one another or female like earth and water zodiac signs. Furthermore, the zodiac signs involved are all either day or night.
In a sextile, e.g. B. Mars and Venus, there is the chance to work together - in the trine they would automatically work together or merge. The properties stimulate each other; the friendly and connecting, but rather passive quality of Venus can be stimulated by the driving force of Mars, the solitary, rather rough energy of Mars can be softened and integrated by Venus, get to know the Mars energy diplomacy. A strong stimulus arises that attracts the environment.
square
- Angle: 90 °
- Quality: tension
- Symbol : □ (Unicode: U + 25A1)
The square is a problematic and at the same time promising pairing. The two stars are "enemies". The action of the stars comes from opposites. The opposition always arises from a day and a night sign. In addition, the effect is based on foreign symbols such as B. Aries (fire, day) and Cancer (water, night), or Taurus (earth, night) and Leo (fire, day). The emerging symbol is always carried by seemingly irreconcilable opposites, in contrast to the opposition.
In the case of a square, e.g. B. Sun and Saturn, the two stars work against each other. The assigned properties get in each other's way. The supra-personal, law-oriented distance of Saturn restricts the personal and subjective vitality of the sun, the personal warmth and emotional vitality calls into question the supra-personal norms, the distance of Saturn. But this has just as strong a positive effect if the opportunity from this connection is taken. A law-abiding, performance-oriented person then has the warm heart. The party animal knows his limits, the limits of his ego.
Trine
- Angle: 120 °
- Quality: harmony
- Symbol : ▴ (Unicode: U + 25B3)
The trine has a stronger effect than the sextile, the forces of the planets are so to speak automatically connected. If, from the astrological point of view, it is primarily complementary horoscopic factors that work together, like some planets, this leads to a result that is normally better than that which the individual planets could achieve. The planets are “friends” and can open up many opportunities for those affected, although the so-called 'automatic' positive effect of the trigon may also put ambition and drive such as will to sleep at an early stage.
opposition
- Angle: 180 °
- Quality: tension
- Symbol : ☍ (Unicode: U + 260D)
The opposition is usually interpreted as an unfavorable aspect, since the forces of the affected planets act against each other. There are "conflicts emerging". However, it also applies here that the quality of the horoscopic factors involved, especially the planets, which complement or not complement each other from the astrological point of view, contribute to the quality of the opposition. Astronomically speaking, the earth is on a line between the planets that face each other.
In the partnership analysis, this aspect is considered positive, as opposing energies should have a complementary effect, also along the well-known adage that opposites attract and thus promote the interaction and awareness between the partners.
A sun-moon opposition ( full moon ) can lead to a lunar eclipse . Seen astrologically, this opposition points to a certain tension between the conscious will (sun) and the unconscious motivations (moon), between father and mother. Conscious, persistent will and changing emotional states pull in different directions, which can lead to restlessness, stress, neuroses and various psychosomatic diseases, but also to great creativity and creativity such as energy.
Minor aspects
Semi-textile (or semi-textile)
- Angle: 30 °
- Quality: tension
- Symbol : ⚺ (Unicode: U + 26BA semisextile )
The semisextile should essentially be an unproblematic aspect and, for example, promote the intellectual side in us. In her book “Mondphasenpsychologie” (Amersfoort, 1950), Else Parker described those born under the sun / moon semisextile as realists. As a slight tension aspect, it is mostly of secondary importance, but should be included in the horoscope interpretation if the degree is accurate.
Half square
- Angle: 45 °
-
Symbol :
(Unicode: can be represented by ∠ U + 2220 angle )
Quintile
- Angle: 72 °
- Quality: harmony
-
Symbol :
The quintile is usually seen as a harmonic secondary aspect. The planets are supposed to “vibrate with each other” so smoothly that the aspect is perceived by the person concerned as static.
Square and a half
- Angle: 135 °
- Symbol : ⚼ (Unicode: U + 26BC sesquiquadrate )
Biquintile
- Angle: 144 °
-
Symbol :
Quincunx
- Angle: 150 °
- Quality: tension
- Symbol : ⚻ (Unicode: U + 26BB quincunx )
The quinkunx is a difficult to perceive aspect between the trine and the opposition.
There are also quite different interpretations of the aspect quality of the quinkunx. It could, for example, refine the qualities of a trigon, but it already shows the specific need to act or challenges of an opposition. Some astrologers also refer to it as the Neptunian or longing aspect. Furthermore, weak decision-making and helplessness are sometimes claimed to be typical side effects of this aspect. The planets involved should vibrate with each other so opaque that it should be like a raft trip in the open sea. The quinkunx can reveal potentials in us that we can either still develop or that are already exhausted. The horoscope owner must clarify for himself in each situation which of the two is possible. In this respect, this aspect could u. a. teach thoughtful thinking and acting.
Aspect special forms
Declination parallel
The declination parallels, which are sometimes taken into account in classical astrology, are rarely taken into account today. Reinhold Ebertin drew attention to these forgotten aspects of traditional astrology again. They are more commonly used in English-speaking astrology. A declination parallel results at the same distances from the celestial equator . Due to the rotation of the earth, the planets tread parallel circles, which are measured at a distance from the equator, which can therefore assume southern or northern values. If the declination values are identical, then one speaks of a declination conjunction, symbol // . With a declination opposition the values are also identical, only one value is south while the other is north. Notation: #
Half total
The half-sums, already known in the Middle Ages, were allowed and interpreted by Alfred Witte as the only angular relationship between the horoscope factors in the so-called Hamburg School; they are based on the classic equidistant points. If a planet is on the ecliptic between 2 other planets or factors, it connects the two flanking planets to an aspect of 3 factors. Witte called this combination the planet picture. More details under half total .
literature
- Michael Roscher : Astrological aspect theory with transits . Droemersche Verlagsanstalt, Munich 1997. ISBN 3-426-86138-0
- Peter Schlapp: The astrological semi-sextile. Tübingen 2004, ISBN 3-937077-07-3
- Bil Tierney: Dynamic Aspect Analysis. Tübingen 2005, ISBN 3-89997-137-X
Individual evidence
- ↑ For example, in Reinhold Ebertin , Combination of Star Influences , Ebertin Verlag, Freiburg i. Breisgau 1983, p. 54ff. Ebertin himself is not counted among the typical psychologically oriented astrologers.
- ↑ See for example in William Lilly , Christliche Astrologie, Book 1 and Book 2 , Chiron Verlag, Tübingen 2007, pp. 133ff.
- ↑ Stephan Heilen : 'Hadriani genitura' - the astrological fragments of Antigonus of Nikaia . Walter de Gruyter, Berlin 2015. p. 787.
- ↑ Stephan Heilen: 'Hadriani genitura' - the astrological fragments of Antigonus of Nikaia . Walter de Gruyter, Berlin 2015. p. 786f.
- ^ David Faulks: Proposal to add some Western Astrology Symbols to the UCS. (PDF) In: Unicode Technical Committee Document No. L2 / 06-171. ISO / IEC JTC1 / SC2 / WG2, May 9, 2006, accessed March 8, 2015 .