If you're an avid reader of horoscopes, you've probably come across the terms opposition, sextile, square, trine, and conjunct. These are aspects between planets that are based on a range of specific degrees. Astrologers use them in their horoscope and natal chart readings because they reveal tense or harmonious relationships between the planets and houses.
There are many aspects within astrology, but today I'm going to talk about the Major Aspects. These were popularized by Ptolemy, an astrologer in the 1st century, who defined and used them in his readings. They're used more than Minor Aspects (such as the inconjunct or semi-square) because they indicate a more significant relationship between planets. Within my own studies, I primarily interpret charts by analyzing Major Aspects.
Each aspect reveals clues to how two celestial bodies are interacting with one another. There are two categories to separate them, and they're referred to as hard or easy. Hard aspects include the opposition and square because they create tension, contention, and road-blocks between two energies that lack compatibility. Easy aspects, such as sextile, conjunct, and trine are harmonious and flow well with one another.
When analyzing the stars, it's important to note where they are in relation to each other, not just what sign they're residing in. Analyzing aspects will deepen your understanding of astrology and help you create more accurate readings. In this post, you'll learn what each Major Aspect represents in order to incorporate it into your astrological study.
Trine
A trine is an easy aspect that happens when planets are 120° apart from each other. Planets and angles that form this aspect go very well together and often reveal innate abilities. For example, if your natal Venus trines your Moon, you're most likely someone who can easily create harmonious relationships that honor each partner's feelings. Trines are symbolized by a triangle, the most stable shape because weight is equally distributed. They bring balance between planets and can be used to effectively channel past and present emotions to formulate tangible results for areas of conflict.
Sextile
Sextiles are easy aspects, occurring between planets forming a 60° angle. They indicate amicable and compatible energy but require special attention. If you find a sextile in your natal chart, it usually reveals the abilities you take for granted; this is because sextiles need to be activated in order to feel the full extent of their power. While generally weaker than a trine aspect, sextiles provide opportunities for collaboration between the planets in your chart. They thrive off of intention, so be aware of this if you're interested in channeling their influence.
Square
Squares are considered a hard aspect that happens at a 90° angle. Planets and houses with this aspect often feel like they're fighting with one another; neither party wants to compromise, even though that's the only solution in order to reconcile drastically differing energies. A lot of people are afraid of squares, but they're just points of growth if you're willing to work with them. The lessons they provide help us navigate tough situations, either within ourselves or in our lives. This energy can be overwhelming, but its strength helps us learn how to integrate opposing energy to be more well-rounded.
Conjunct
Conjuncts are typically referred to as easy aspects, although they can be problematic if the conjunct planets are squaring or opposing other planets. They occur when planets are between 0-10° apart and indicate strong mutual energy. Conjunct aspects often happen when two planets are in the same sign because they're so close together, which leads to an intense expression of that sign's energy. For example, each month's New Moon involves a Sun conjunct Moon, heightening the themes and lessons of subjectivity and revitalization.
Opposition
Oppositions are hard aspects between planets 180° apart from each other. They're considered to be incredibly powerful and have an externalizing quality. Since they're the aspect of the axis in astrology (i.e. Taurus-Scorpio), they reflect dichotomies in our personalities when present in natal charts. Even though energies in opposition grapple to find a balance between one another, they're actually very similar. That's why they're called complimentary oppositions; despite their extreme differences, one cannot exist without the other. The lesson opposition angles hold is that struggle is often necessary before you reach reconciliation.✶ ✶ ✶
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