About Planetary Aspects

Planetary aspects in astrology help provide more insight into any natal or horoscope chart. Aspects are simply the angle between planets or particular points on a chart. Astrology charts consist of a circle, which is a total of 360 degrees. They are divided up by the 12 zodiac signs, each being 30 degrees. The sun, moon and planets are plotted onto this circular chart, within certain signs of the zodiac, and within certain segments of the chart known as houses. Certain angles of one planet to another are given particular names, with the most important ones being a square, opposition, trine and conjunction. The minor aspects are given the names sextile, semi-sextile and quincunx. Below is an example of a natal chart, with red and blue aspect lines between the planets and certain points on the chart.

Angles of the Aspects

Conjunct: Within the same sign. 0 degrees apart.

Semi-sextile: 1 Zodiac signs apart. Or 30 degrees apart.

Sextile: 2 Zodiac signs apart. Or 60 degrees apart.

Square: 3 Zodiac signs apart. Or 90 degrees apart.

Trine: 4 Zodiac signs apart. Or 120 degrees apart.

Quincunx: 5 Zodiac signs apart. Or 150 degrees apart.

Opposite: 6 Zodiac signs apart. Or 180 degrees apart.

Opposition: 6 Zodiac signs apart. Or 180 degrees apart.

Why Use Planetary Aspects?

Now you may be wondering why we should interpret the angles between planets. Especially when you can get a lot of information from planets in signs, and planets in the houses. Aspects provide a good insight into the relationship between two planets. For example, a conjunction means two planets are pretty much next to each other. The fact they are next to each other has a significant meaning, as the traits of those two planets become almost blended together. In general aspects are able to indicate whether or not certain planetary placements are to be considered positive or negative ones. Personally, I like to keep things simple when taking into account the planetary aspects. Therefore, I only use square, trine, oppositions and conjunctions.

Should I consider all Aspects?

You may get many aspects forming when generating a natal chart. Some astrologers may interpret every single one. Personally, I like to only consider trines, squares, conjunctions and oppositions. And, I only consider these if they are within 1 or 2 degrees. Aspect precision is known as the amount of orb. So, I consider an orb or 1 or 2 degrees depending upon the type of aspect. The orb is the amount of degrees either side of the aspect angle you are willing to consider. For example, trines are 120 degree. So, an orb of 2 means you only consider trine aspects that are 118 to 122 degrees.

A choose a simple approach for good reason, as it makes interpretation a much simpler and more logical process.

How to Find your Planetary Aspects

Your planetary aspects are shown on something called a natal chart. This is a chart which represents the position of the planets at your time, date and location of birth. Generate a natal chart here. Aspects are also on other types of chart too, but lets stick with natal astrology to keep things simple.
You will notice that the chart you generate consists of lines between some of the planets. These lines are the planetary aspects. Lines are given different colours and styles to represent different aspects, or angles. For example, a solid green line is a trine, or 120 degrees between two planets.
Next you need to interpret each aspect for the planets. The table below your chart shows all the different aspects between planets. For example, sun conjunct venus, mercury trine mars, etc. You can view all planet aspects interpretations here.
You should now have all your planet aspect interpretations. Many you could start interpreting aspects for your family and friends. Alternatively, you could let us do it for you and purchase a full natal chart interpretation from JKS Astrology.