aspects are an important part of modern astrology. as the planets move in their elongated orbits around the Sun, they form various angular relationships with one another, using the Sun or Earth as the center. these are called aspects. the most popular aspects result from dividing the circle by numbers like 1,2,3,4, resulting in aspects such as the conjunction (0 degrees), opposition (180 degrees), trine (120 degrees), square (90 degrees), and so forth. when two planets form an aspect with one another, their energies and natures are said to combine and work in harmony or discord. for example, when two planets are exactly on opposite sides of the Sun (earth), they are in opposition.
The angle between any pair of planets which determines the kind of energy exchange between them. There are so-called hard and soft aspects. Hard aspects are challenges and conflicts which, although difficult, potentially enable us to develop and grow. The soft aspects represent natural energy flows, assets or abilities that we possess. Neither are essentially good or bad, since both are generally necessary for balance and growth. The major aspects are the conjunction (two or more planets together), the square (90 deg angle), the opposition (180 deg), the trine (120 deg.) and the sextile (60 deg.). The trine and the sextile are soft aspects. The square is a hard aspect. The conjunction and the opposition are a mix of hard and soft qualities depending on the planets involved. The minor aspects are the semisquare (45), semisextile (30), sesquiquadrate (135), quincunx (150) quintile (72), septile (51.5) and novile (40).
Aspects are planets within specific degrees of each other that create beneficial or negative attitudes, habits and energy.
The angular distances between planets, points, or house cusps in the horoscope. The lines drawn between two points and the center of a chart form the angle (in degrees) of the aspect. Specific aspects are the conjunction, sextile, square, trine, quincunx , and opposition. Other less commonly used aspects include; semi-sextile, semisquare, sesquiquadrate, quintile and biquintile.
The angular distance, calculated in specific number of degrees of the chart wheel, between two celestial planets or points. It also provides the nature of the relationship between planets.
The spatial relationships between zodiacal points, based on a 360 degree elliptic. The influences of the planets are modified by their distances between one another.
The angular relationships, measured in degrees of arc, between indicators in a Natal Chart. These indicators may include planets, house cusps, asteroids, fixed stars, or various mathematically-calculated points along the belt of the Zodiac.