For example, although the square aspect is 90°, two planets that are 95° (or 85°) apart are still considered to be in square aspect. Now, aspects are given a margin in which they have an influence. They are called the 'major aspects.' The major aspects are 0° (conjunction), 60° (sextile), 90° (square), 120° (trine), and 180° (opposition). Persian astrologers using astrolabe to measure aspectsĬertain degrees of angularity are very important in astrology.

Thus, in any astrology chart, the square aspect will be denoted by a line like the red one in the image above. Instead, the angular relationships are denoted by a single line connecting the two planets in aspect. However, astrologers do not label aspects like that, for that would be a tangled mess of lines in the birth chart.

They are 90° apart, as you can see by the angle formed by the gray lines. In this example image, the Sun and the Moon are in 'square' aspect. Aspects are considered not only for the planets, Sun, and Moon, but also for the points of the Ascendant and the Midheaven. The number of degrees between the two lines connecting two planets with respect to the Earth forms the angular relationship – the aspect – between the two planets. Then imagine a line being drawn from two planets each to the Earth, so that the Earth is the vertex of the angle. Imagine the Earth being at the center of the circle. In mathematics, an angle is defined as that fraction of a circle formed between two lines that intersect at the vertex. The planets, then, are observed to orbit at different speeds in approximately the same plane in space.Īs a result of these planetary motions, various angles, measured in degrees, arc minutes, and arc seconds, are formed between the planets as seen from the Earth. Since astrology focuses on the interplay between the celestial bodies and our Earth, we take a geocentric (Earth-centered) view of the heavens. To be precise, aspects are special degrees of separation between the planets, with respect to the Earth. When planets are in aspect to each other, their interpretations must be blended according to the nature of the aspect. This connection always alters the interpretation of the planets and signs involved. So, what are aspects in astrology? Simply put, aspects are a connection or relationship between two or more planets. Keep this in mind when you begin to read the interpretations of your planets in the signs of your chart – the aspects tell more of the story. Without acknowledging the aspects in a chart, the reading is incomplete, and ultimately incorrect. They indicate, among other things, if there will be struggles or ease. Aspects indicate how the various planetary and sign energies actually play out. Aspects in astrology are extremely important when interpreting any chart.

Planet degrees in birth chart