Aspects between planets, or between planets and points show the type of interaction that the planets/ points involved are having. Aspects are defined by the number of degrees between two planets/ points. if you want to find out how planets/ points are interacting it is necessary to know the degree of set planets/points. The zodiacal wheel is a circle and has a total of 360 degrees. Each of the 12 zodiac signs on the wheel has 30 degrees, and a planet or point can occupy any degree in a sign from 0 to 30 degrees. Each zodiac sign is 30 degrees apart from the next sign.
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The major aspects are classified in easy aspects, when the energy between the 2 planets/ points flows, and hard aspects, when the energy is not released with ease and creates tension or is blocked .
The easy aspects are the CONJUNCTION (0 degrees), the TRINE (120 degrees) and the SEXTILE (60 degrees). The hard aspects are the SQUARE (90 degrees), the OPPOSITION (180 degrees) and the INCONJUNCT/ QUINCUNX (150 degrees).
But where does this number of degrees come from, and why is a number of degrees good and another one bad?
Zodiac signs are mostly compatible if they are in the same element (Earth, Water, Air or Fire). Signs in the same element are 120 degrees apart, the number of degrees corresponding to the trine. That is why, after the conjunction, which is actually a merging of energy, the trine energy flows the easiest Signs in different elements can have good or bad relationships. Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn) get along with Water signs (Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces). Fire signs (Aries, Leo and Sagittarius) are pretty ok with Air signs (Gemini, Libra and Aquarius). Signs in compatible elements are 60 degrees apart, corresponding to the sextile. Energy still flows in the sextile but needs a little push, that is why it is considered the weakest easy aspect.
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CONJUNCTION (0 -5 degrees) = same sign, merging of energies, identification with one another
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TRINE (120 degrees) = same element, easiest flow of energy, in sync
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SEXTILE (60 degrees) = compatible elements, energy still flows but only when we make the effort of coming together, synergy, collaboration
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The square (90 degrees) is formed between incompatible elements. Earth signs have a difficult relationship with Fire signs. Water signs don't get along with Air signs. There is friction in their interaction. However, these signs do have something in common - the modality. Signs are classified by modality in Cardinal - the initiators (Aries, Libra, Capricorn and Cancer), Fixed - the maintainers (Taurus, Scorpio, Leo and Aquarius) and Mutable - the adaptable (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces). So Virgo and Sagittarius do square, meaning the earthy Virgo's practical, grounded, detail oriented approach does clash with fiery Sagittarius's adventurous, free-spirited and see the big picture way of life, but they also have something in common: mutability, the capacity to adapt quickly to a situation and find a solution to get along. Squares in mutable signs are the most easy to resolve because both signs don't mind compromising and being adaptable. The resolution of the square is finding common ground in the modality and making a compromise so that both signs can be expressed.
Aries squares Capricorn and Cancer (Cardinal)
Taurus squares Aquarius and Leo (Fixed)
Gemini squares Virgo and Pisces (Mutable)
Cancer squares Libra and Aries (Cardinal)
Leo squares Scorpio and Taurus (Fixed)
Virgo squares Gemini and Sagittarius (Mutable)
Libra squares Cancer and Capricorn (Cardinal)
Scorpio squares Leo and Aquarius (Fixed)
Sagittarius squares Virgo and Pisces (Mutable)
Capricorn squares Libra and Aries (Cardinal)
Aquarius squares Scorpio and Taurus (Fixed)
Pisces squares Gemini and Sagittarius (Mutable)
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The inconjunct (150 degrees) forms between signs that have nothing in common (element nor modality). Earth signs are inconjunct to air signs. It is one of the most difficult hard aspect to deal with. We see and acknowledge the other but we do not have the necessary "tools" to understand each other.
Aries inconjunct Virgo
Taurus inconjunct Libra
Gemini inconjunct Scorpio
Cancer inconjunct Sagittarius
Leo inconjunct Capricorn
Virgo inconjunct Aquarius
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The opposition (180 degrees) is the least difficult out of the hard aspects. That's because, similar to the sextile, the signs in opposition are in compatible elements and also have the same modality. That is why, many times, the opposition works very well in the natal and in synastry. Every sign pulls from the opposite polarity. A Virgo will sometimes invoke the motivation of Pisces for its helping nature.
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Orb range (degree of variation from an exact aspect) and out of signs aspects
Lets say I have Mars in 5 degrees of Pisces and Moon in 8 degrees Virgo. Pisces in Virgo are opposite signs, that means Mars and Moon are in opposition, but because I have 184 degrees between them, not 180, the aspect is not exact and I have a 4 degree orb. Is this significant?
Well, Western astrology considers that in order for an aspect to be „felt”, there must be a limit to orb range:
1) aspects between luminaries (Sun and Moon) a 11 degree orb is still acceptable
2) aspects between personal planets (Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Venus, but Saturn and Jupiter can also be included here) that limit is usually 5 degrees
3) aspects between generational planets (Uranus, Neptune, Pluto) and personal or outer planets - the limit is usually 3 degrees
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