ForecastLife

Aspects

Apr 25, 2009 English

This article has been published in E-Magazine Astro Vision in its March 2009 issue.

Definition of Aspect

 

Aspects are angular relationship between two planets measured along 360⁰ zodiac circle. They also represent longitudinal (sign) relationship between two points. Kepler has defined the aspect as “An angle formed on the earth by the beams of two planets”. However parallels and contraparallels are aspects of declination.

 

Whole-sign Aspects

 

In olden days precise measurement of the longitudinal position of planet(s) was not possible. Therefore only whole sign aspects were taken into consideration. In Vedic Astrology, practiced in India, such whole sign aspects are used from Vedic period till now. In traditional Vedic astrology conjunction (yuti), opposition (samsaptak yog), trine (nav-pancham yog) and square (kendra yog) are major aspects between all planets though some other minor aspects were also taken into consideration.

 

As per Vedic Astrology, all planets cast full aspect on 7^th sign (and of course on the planets in it), quarter power aspect on 3^rd and 10^th sign, half power aspect on 5^th and 9^th sign and three quarter power aspect on 4^th and 8^th sign.  But Saturn’s aspect on 3^rd and 10^th sign, Jupiter’s aspect on 5^th and 9^th sign and Mars’s aspect on 4^th and 8^th sign are considered to be even powerful than their 7^th aspect.

 

In western astrology, however, such major aspects were first described in the book Tetrabiblos written by Ptolemy some time in second century. These were also whole sign aspects. These aspects include:

 

• 1. Conjunction – Planets in the same sign were considered as in conjunction.
• 2. Sextile — Planets which were two signs apart.
• 3. Trine — Planets which were three signs apart.
• 4. Square — Planets which were four signs apart.
• 5. Opposition — Planets which were six signs apart.

 

In fact this whole-sign approach of aspects is based on fundamental relations between elements (such as fire, earth, air and water), modalities (i.e. cardinal, fixed and mutable) and polarities (masculine or feminine) of the signs concerned. And this relationship plays important role in interpreting whole-sign aspects. Conjunction takes place in same sign and such planets in conjunction act as one unit. Opposition generally occurs in the signs with different elements, but same modalities and same polarities. Trines occur in signs with same elements and polarities but different modalities. While sextile aspects occur in signs of same polarities but different elements and modalities.

 

Aspects measured by degrees

 

The Greek astrologers who created the aspects measured by degrees actually understood the principle and mathematics behind such aspects. Though Greeks introduced aspects based on degrees, the concept of “orbs” was not even discussed by them during those days. They categorized aspects as “Partile” which was described as the aspects between planets in same whole degree and “Platic” which were aspects between planets not in the same whole degree. In 1600s it was possible to measure planetary positions much accurately. During this period, due to influence of research work by Johannes Kepler and his theories the concept of harmonics was introduced. In fact harmonics are the same aspects as given by Ptolemy but measured in specific degrees. Conjunction being first harmonic aspect (0 degree), opposition the second harmonic aspect (360/2 =180 degrees), trine the third harmonic aspect (360/3 =120 degrees), square the fourth harmonic aspect (360/4 =90 degrees) and sextile the sixth harmonic aspect (360/6 =60 degrees). Kepler further invented and added quintile (fifth harmonic -72⁰ aspect), biquintile (144⁰ aspect), semisquare (eighth harmonic – 45⁰ aspect) and sequiquadrate (135⁰ aspect).

 

It was Kepler’s thinking that the planets vibrate at the same frequencies, and therefore they resonate with each other. When the vibrations are nearly exact the effect will be more pronounced. That is to say when two planets are very near to the degree of exact aspect, the effect of such aspect will be more powerful. Here the question comes at what degrees from the exact aspect this effect starts or fades away. Actually this concept was later introduced by Alan Leo and was termed as “orb”. However till today there is no unanimously accepted standard for the degrees of orbs.  

 

Orbs recommended by western astrologer William Lilly and those recommended in KP are given in following table.

 

Planet	Orbs by William Lilly	Orbs in Krishnamurthi Paddhati for
		conjunction		opposition	Square/sextile/trine	others
		Applying	Separating	For both applying & separating
Sun	150	12	17	8	6	2
Moon	120	8	12	8	6	2
Mercury	70	6	8	8	6	2
Venus	70	6	8	8	6	2
Mars	70	6	8	8	6	2
Jupiter	90	6	8	8	6	2
Saturn	90	6	8	8	6	2

 

It is worthwhile to note that, as per westerners, these orbs are for the planets and not for the aspects. This means the orb for particular planet will be the same irrespective of the aspect in which it is involved.  However in KP, the orbs recommended for planets are different for different aspects. Krishnamurthi Paddhati uses this western model of aspects (i.e. aspects measured in angular distances) with some modifications regarding orbs. In KP, applying aspects are considered more powerful than the separating aspects. Therefore tighter orbs for applying aspects are recommended in KP (Refer KP Reader I). Secondly one can notice that as the degrees of the aspect reduce the orbs are getting tighter and tighter.

 

In Western theme “so called orb” for an aspect depends on orbs for two planets involved in that aspect. Westerners assume that orb for each planet is divided equally on both sides of planet i.e. ahead and before the planet. This “half orb” is known as Moiety, in astrological language. Thus the orb for aspect between Moon and Jupiter will be the sum of their “moieties” i.e. 6⁰ +  4⁰ 30^‘ = 10⁰  30^‘. Such is not the case in Vedic or KP.

 

It is accepted fact that the result of the aspect is more pronounced when aspecting planets are as near to exact degree of aspect as possible i.e. to say they are in partile aspect. Therefore many of the senior KP astrologers like Mr. A.R.Raichur and Mr. Sunil Gondhalekar are using and recommending very tight orb of 3⁰ 20^‘.

 

Now let us discuss some major aspects, compare their interpretations based on whole-sign concept with that based on angular distances measured (Western model)

 

Conjunction

 

The planets in conjunction are generally in the same sign. So they share same element, modality and polarity. As a result they have same agenda and also same approach to resolve issues making this aspect more powerful. However it is possible that two planets are in different signs but within the orb for justifying conjunction. Followers of whole-sign aspects will conclude that they are not in conjunction because they are in different signs. Naturally, such planets will have different approach towards the issues because they are looking at the issues through different colored glasses. While followers of degree based aspects (westerners) will confirm this as conjunction because planets are within orb and will act as one unit. Technically, this has to be termed as conjunction. Though under such circumstances, planets will act as unit but try to enforce their way of approach on one another. And powerful planet will win. Thus resultant power of such conjunction will be less. So whole-sign approach fails in such scenario. And western system also needs some modifications in regards to its interpretation.

 

Opposition

 

In this aspect the planets are in signs of different elements but in same modality {cardinal (Char), fixed (Sthira) or mutable (Dwiswabhav)} and polarity (masculine or feminine). Being in same modality and polarity main issues will be same but planet’s approach to the issues will be from entirely opposite points. In such aspect, planets clearly see each other thus can understand each other’s approach. But they have to compromise by respecting each other’s approach. They will have to find a golden mean.

 

Here also it is possible that sometimes planets are not in opposite signs (which means not in opposition as per whole-sign aspect concept) but still are within prescribed orb for qualifying as an opposition. The aspect under such circumstances should be treated as more hard than regular opposition, because the planets are in signs of different elements, modalities and polarities.

 

Trine

 

As already discussed above Trine aspect occurs between planets in the signs of same element but different modality and polarity. Thus the planets will have different issues to handle but their approach will be similar and supportive to one another. The planets complement each other thus making the aspect easy and smooth to operate.

 

Suppose one planet is in 2⁰ Aries and other planet is in 28⁰ Cancer. As far as whole-sign aspect is concerned they will not be in trine but in square aspect. But the result will have to be good as the angular distance is within orb of exact trine. However the effect will be definitely less than regular trine that occurs in signs of same element. So astrologers, whether they use Vedic or Western model, must carefully consider the effects in such border line cases.

 

Square

 

This type of aspect occurs between signs of same modality but different element and polarity. This is hardest or the worst aspect, harder than opposition. There is likelihood of more head-on conflicts between planets creating more discomfort to native.

 

Suppose a planet A is in 29⁰ Taurus and planet B is at 28⁰ Leo. They are said to be in square whether measured in degrees or on whole-sign basis. But if planet B is moved to 2⁰ Virgo, still it is square aspect with modality changed. But this change in modality is more compatible and eases the aspect. However it will be trine aspect based on whole-sign concept which is not correct.

 

Sextile

 

Sextile aspect occurs in signs of different elements which are compatible to each other (such as Fire/Air or Earth/Water) and with different modalities. So they are soft (little good) aspects but are weak in nature. In border line cases some sextile aspects may qualify as square (based on whole-sign aspect) and may be interpreted in a wrong way.

 

One should not forget an important thing about aspects, that only planets having a physical body can aspect other planets and/or sensitive points such as Ascendant, Cusps, MC, Rahu and Ketu. But such sensitive points do not have power to aspect any planet and/or sensitive points.

 

Thus it can be concluded that both Vedic as well as Western models of aspects have some shortcomings. Astrologers thus need to consider these facts while analyzing the effects of different aspects. It is my observation that using Western aspect model with tighter orbs as suggested by Shri. A .R. Raichur and Shri. Sunil Gondhalekar, particularly in Krishnamurthi Paddhati, results in more accurate predictions.

 

In K P, Guruji KSK has advocated using Western model of aspects. However in KP Readers, at many places, Vedic aspects are used. Since the prediction method in KP is based on stellar position of planets, aspects naturally take back seat. This is seen from the fact that, in KP, aspects are given E grade of signification. Many KP astrologers neglect these E grade significators and use them as a last resort. In my opinion, if any planet aspects/is aspected by a self-strong A/B/C grade significator such a planet shall be construed to be A/B/C grade significator and can fructify the event in its period. Here I consider a planet to be self-strong if (i) it is in its own star or (ii) there are no planets in its star. In my experience such signification through aspect has given me clues to many accurate predictions. “4 Step Theory” developed by Shri. Sunil Gondhalekar gives due importance to signification by aspects (of course within the tighter orbs) at proper levels.

 

Final conclusion is that aspects should never be neglected and should never be looked to as last resort.