All 52 chapters
  1. Part 1 · The sky and the chart
  2. The sky above us
  3. Time and place of birth
  4. Two zodiacs
  5. How a chart is drawn
  6. Part 2 · The building blocks
  7. The 9 planets
  8. The 12 signs
  9. The 27 nakshatras
  10. The 12 houses
  11. The lagnas
  12. Part 3 · How planets work together
  13. How planets interact
  14. Friends, dispositors, exchanges
  15. House lords
  16. Reading one placement
  17. Part 4 · Strength and condition
  18. Dignity in depth
  19. A planet's mood
  20. Planetary strength
  21. Ashtakavarga in depth
  22. Part 5 · Patterns: yogas and doshas
  23. Yogas
  24. Doshas
  25. Part 6 · The nakshatras up close
  26. Reading a nakshatra
  27. Tara Bala
  28. Part 7 · Divisional charts
  29. Divisional charts
  30. Navamsa in depth
  31. Part 8 · Timing
  32. Dashas
  33. Transits
  34. The annual chart (Tajika)
  35. Part 9 · Relationships
  36. Compatibility
  37. Marriage in depth
  38. Part 10 · Advanced systems
  39. Special points
  40. Jaimini astrology
  41. Arudha padas
  42. KP astrology
  43. Nadi astrology
  44. Part 11 · Choosing the moment
  45. Panchanga
  46. Muhurta
  47. Prashna (horary)
  48. Part 12 · Life areas
  49. Career, money and business
  50. Travel, abroad, spirituality
  51. Health and longevity
  52. Karma and past lives
  53. Remedies
  54. Rectifying a birth time
  55. Part 13 · Western astrology
  56. Western astrology basics
  57. Aspects and chart shapes
  58. Western prediction
  59. Synastry
  60. Horary and electional
  61. Part 14 · The wider world
  62. Mundane astrology and eclipses
  63. Astrocartography and branches
  64. Part 15 · Putting it all together
  65. How it all fits
  66. How AstroMatch4u scores a chart
  67. Using astrology well
Part 13Western astrology
CHAPTER 44

Western aspects and chart patterns

What do trines and squares mean?

In Western astrology an aspect is the angle between two planets, measured round the chart. Each angle has a character. Because planets are rarely at an exact angle, an orb (a margin) is allowed: commonly about 8° for the major aspects (a little more when the Sun or Moon is involved) and 2–3° for the minor ones.

AspectAngleCharacter
Conjunction0°Fusion: two forces act as one
Opposition180°Tension and awareness: a tug of war seeking balance
Trine120°Ease, natural talent, flow
Square90°Friction that pushes you to act and grow
Sextile60°Opportunity that rewards a little effort
Quincunx (inconjunct)150°Awkward adjustment between unrelated needs
Semi-sextile30°Mild, neighbourly link
Semi-square45°Minor irritation
Sesquiquadrate135°Minor stress that surfaces under pressure

An aspect is applying when the faster planet is still moving towards the exact angle (the effect is building) and separating when it has passed (the effect is fading).

Aspect patterns

Grand TrineThree planets 120° apart, a triangle: natural gifts, sometimes too comfortable.
Grand CrossFour planets in two oppositions and four squares: great pressure and great drive.
T-squareAn opposition with a third planet square to both: the "apex" planet is where the tension is resolved.
YodTwo quincunxes from a sextile pair to one planet, the "finger of fate": a strong sense of mission.
KiteA grand trine with a fourth planet opposite one corner: talent given direction.
Mystic RectangleTwo oppositions joined by trines and sextiles: tension that can be handled well.
StelliumThree or more planets in one sign or house: a strong focus of life.

Chart shapes

The astrologer Marc Edmund Jones named seven overall shapes the planets can make round the wheel:

BundleAll within a third of the wheel: focused, specialised.
BowlAll within half: self-contained, with a mission.
BucketA bowl plus one "handle" planet that directs it.
LocomotiveSpread over two-thirds: driven, self-propelled.
SeesawTwo opposing groups: weighing choices.
SplayIrregular clusters: individualistic.
SplashSpread evenly: many interests.

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