ASPECT: In astrology, an aspect is an angle the planets make to each other in the horoscope, also to the ascendant, midheaven, descendant, lower midheaven, and other points of astrological interest. Aspects are measured by the angular distance in degrees and minutes of ecliptic longitude between two points, as viewed from Earth. According to astrological tradition, they indicate the timing of transitions and developmental changes in the lives of people and affairs relative to the Earth.

SQUARE: When you divide the natal chart by 4, you get a 90° angle. With this, we get the square planetary aspect, which represents challenges and conflict between the planets involved. When the planets in our natal charts are square to each other, each planet becomes stressed – there is no easy win that is available to either of them – meaning each has to put in the effort to meet the other halfway.

There’s a tendency with the Square aspect to avoid big decisions pertaining to those planets unless faced with no choice. There will come a point in time when the square’s energy will push you into a situation where change is inevitable. As this is happening, you need to examine all the good and bad things about the situation and then negotiate for the best possible outcome. The square planetary aspect will also make you more self-reflecting – you’ll need this in order to regain balance after taking action on the areas in your life where the square aspect takes place.

There can be up to 4 planets that form a square together, although it is normally just 2 or 3 planets. A T-Square is when it’s 3 planets come together, and Grand Square is when it’s 4 planets.

OPPOSITION: If you take a natal chart and divide it by two, you’ll get a 180° angle. In astrology, this angle is a planetary aspect called an opposition. This means each of the two planets will be totally opposite from one another on the chart. The distance between them creates a lot of tension between the planets involved. However, if the planets can compromise and find fairness, then that innate conflict between them can be used for good.

In life, the planetary aspect opposition may cause a lot of tension and frustration. Sometimes this tension can be resolved quickly but other times, it may require you to push yourself harder and harder to find a balance between conflicting parts of your personality. With the opposition planetary aspect, there’s a lot of work that can be done to make you grow as a person. If you check your birth chart to see where in the chart you have oppositions, this will help you determine how much effort you will need in creating a compromise between the two forces in your own personality.

TRINE: When the natal chart is divided three ways, it forms a 120° angle called the trine. In astrology, the trine planetary aspect occurs when two planets are in synchronicity with one another. This is because they’re sharing the same element, such as air, fire, water, or earth. Because of this, planets with the trine aspect are working toward the same agenda and want the same outcome. If you check your birth chart and notice the trine aspect, you may find a lot of fortune where those planets are located.

The trine planetary aspect allows energy to flow easily back and forth between each of the two planets. This will not only give you a lot of natural talents and abilities, but you will have a lot of good luck because amazing opportunities will come your way. In fact, you will have it so good with the trine aspect that you’ll tend to get used to having luck in your life. You may take the opportunities and talents you’ve been given for granted. Somebody with many “wasted talents” will likely have a few trines in their natal charts.

To be successful with the trine planetary aspect, you need to manage the energy properly. Otherwise, you will become lazy and expect good things to keep happening to you without any hard work. The best thing to do is never fully depend on your good fortunes and to always be striving to develop your skills on your own. The more you build your work ethic, the more you will prosper as your hard work brings you the greatest fortunes.

SEXTILE: In astrology, the sextile planetary aspect represents a special 60° angle between two planets in the natal chart. The energy created between these two planets with a sextile aspect is one that is very cooperative. This means that each of the planet’s energies inspires and encourages each other instead of holding each other back. Because of this, new ideas and opportunities can flow smoothly between different aspects of one person’s life.

Since the sextile aspect is not disruptive, people usually see it as a positive thing because it remains a pleasant force in a person’s life. In fact, many people don’t even notice they have a sextile planetary aspect until they look at their natal chart and research that aspect for themselves.

Out of all 5 major planetary aspects, the sextile planetary aspect is the weakest. But it does improve the planets which are associated with it.

CONJUNCT: The aspect called conjunction describes two separate points in the solar system that unite and blend their energies together. These points are often planets, such as Earth, Mars, Jupiter, but can also be other luminary bodies such as Chiron, Lilith and more. Even though the Sun and Moon are not technically planets, they are counted as such within astrological systems.

From our perspective on Earth, points that are in the conjunction aspect seem to move together. In natal charts, they are planets that are 0 degrees away from each other (give or take a margin of 6 degrees) and appear within the same zodiac sign. Once these energies are mixed, they move and act as one united force.

So, why is this important in astrology? Well, if you can understand where all the planets were located at the time of your birth, you may have a clearer understanding of the forces at work in the universe that can influence your personality – and therefore your strengths and your weaknesses. Finding out which planets were in the planetary aspect conjunction could give you a hint on what areas of your life you are likely to find drive and focus.

You can experience a strong pull to be especially present in the world around you with the Sun in your sign, dear Taurus, but an equal tug toward introspection–to observe or retreat within yourself or become absorbed in a project. Be careful not to promise more than you can deliver because even though you mean well, you can fall short of your promises as the Sun and Jupiter form a minor challenging aspect. Sometimes this results in a minor moral dilemma.

VOID OF COURSE: This is pronounced “void-of-course,” meaning without a course, and not “void, of course.” 

A planet is generally said to be void of course when it is not applying to an aspect with any other planets, although the specific requirements of the condition vary based on which definition is used.

Originally the concept was only applied to the Moon, and typically when it is used today this is still the primary application, although in some traditions other planets can be void of course as well.

There are at least two different definitions of void of course that are used by astrologers from different traditions, and potentially as many as three. All three definitions will be given separately below.

Summary of the Three Definitions of Void of Course

1. The Moon does not complete an exact Ptolemaic aspect with any planet within the next 30 degrees.
2. The Moon does not complete an exact Ptolemaic aspect with another planet until it moves into the following sign of the zodiac.
3. The Moon is not applying to an exact Ptolematic aspect within orb.

MID-HEAVEN: The Midheaven (MC or Medium Coeli, literally ‘middle of the sky’) is one of the most important angles in the birth chart. It traditionally indicates career, status, aim in life, aspirations, public reputation, and our life goal.

FIXED SIGN: Fixed signs are stabilizing signs that root in and fully bloom. After the cardinal signs, they flesh things out, with concentrated focus. There’s one fixed sign for each of the four elements. They are Taurus (earth), Leo (fire), Scorpio (water), and Aquarius (air).

CARDINAL SIGNS: These signs start every season—Aries kicks off spring, Cancer starts summer, Libra begins fall and Capricorn is the first winter sign. Thus, they are the leaders and “idea people” of the zodiac. These signs prize originality and like to be first in everything they do. They’re the trendsetters and trendspotters, the ones who get the party started and the crowd hyped. Count on them to initiate a winning idea or plan. Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn are the Cardinal signs in western astrology.

MUTABLE SIGNS: These signs end every season—and have learned the hard lessons taught by spring, summer, fall, and winter. They know that all good things come to an end, and their role is to prepare everyone for the changing of seasons. Mutable signs are the adapters of the zodiac, a little bit older and wiser. More flexible and comfortable with change than other signs, they can “chameleon” themselves to fit into a variety of situations. Mutables are also the editors of the zodiac—the ones who complete the package with a winning touch. A plan can be sparked by a cardinal sign, built by a fixed sign, then perfected with the critical eye of a mutable sign. Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces are the Mutable signs in western astrology.

ELEMENTS IN THE SIGNS

EARTH: The Earth element is one of rooting in, crafting, and conserving and is highly connected to the senses. The Earth signs are Capricorn, Taurus, and Virgo. Have you ever heard someone described as “earthy?” The term usually describes people who are oriented toward what’s real, often making them very productive and able to create tangible results. But if there are no balancing elements, earth’s extremes could lead to being a workaholic, hoarding of possessions, pettiness, getting stuck in the mundane, stubbornness, etc.

AIR: Air signs are typically extremely intelligent. Despite the name the air signs are anything but ‘airheads’. In fact, they are extremely well known for being switched-on creatures whose minds are forever racing and thinking deeply about one thing or another.

They can process thoughts with lighting fast speed and they are even known to come up with total strokes of genius from time to time that change and revolutionize the world. They excel at anything that allows them to flex their mental muscles and do well in careers that reward quick thinking.

The air signs are Gemini, Aquarius, and Libra.

WATER: Free-flowing rivers, meandering their way through nature’s peaks and valleys are often seen as some of Earth’s most serene wonders. The gentle waves tumbling over rocks and the glistening reflection of the world around makes water a true natural beauty. 

However, like most things beautiful, below the surface many complexities often arise and the same is true when talking about the water zodiac signs, which in the world of astrology comprises of three different signs: Pisces, Cancer, and Scorpio.

FIRE: Fire signs have an enormous passion for life and their personalities can seem larger-than-life at times.

Fire signs are well known for having a magnetic passion about them that makes other’s feel excited by just being in their presence. The fire zodiac signs seek enlightenment. They are on the hunt for those experiences that really get them lit up.

They’re known from time to time to have sudden outbursts of enthusiasm and excitement and when they become really inspired they feel as though they can accomplish anything. The hunt will not settle for something mundane but pushed until the flame can burn the brightest.

Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius are the zodiac’s fiery energy.

HOUSES IN ASTROLOGY 

1st House: Self-Image – The cusp of the first house is a special angle, the Ascendant (also known as the rising sign).

The first house is an angular house. Its natural sign ruler is Aries and its natural planetary ruler is Mars.

The image we project to others, the first impression we make, how we start things, our defense mechanisms, our relationship with our immediate environment, our general outlook on life, and our physical appearance you’ll find in 1st House energy.