AstrologiCat

Each of the traditional aspects is related to the nature of a planet and this is essential to understanding and delineating a given aspect. The type of aspect will bring the planetary energy of that aspect into the combination of the two planets making an aspect.

The sextile is of the nature of Venus.
The square is of the nature of Mars
The trine is of the nature of Jupiter
The opposition is of the nature of Saturn
Conjunctions are not technically an aspect, but considered “bodily union”.

Thus, if we have a trine between Mars and Saturn, that Mars and Saturn relationship will be coloured by Jupiterian themes.

Personally, I do not use out of sign aspects because the relationship between element, modality, and gender are important in considering aspects.

The aspectual relationship between two planets tells us HOW they will get along (or not). Is the relationship harmonious and supportive or are they working against each other?

Let’s consider each aspect in turn, using Mars and Saturn as examples.
(Please note that these are just broad examples to help us understand aspects in a vacuum and a full interpretation would depend on the condition of each planet in a chart.)

Mars conjunct Saturn: Endurance. We have the strength of Mars combined with the discipline of Saturn, the action of Mars combined with the timelessness of Saturn. What do you get when you combine the significations of two planets?

Mars sextile Saturn: A good work ethic. Saturn disciplines Mars to be effective and directed in his energy. Or passive-aggressive, if poorly placed. Mars may want to lash out, but Saturn forces him to bottle it up so that he doesn’t constantly set off bombs in his life. The Venutian nature of the sextile helps them to get along with each other and helps the native get along with others.

Mars square Saturn: Determination. Mars overcomes Saturn’s doom and gloom and makes it persevere no matter the setback. Or a lack of confidence. Saturn’s self-doubt and judgment put the brakes on Mars’ ability to take action. The Martian nature of this will cause one planet to maltreat the other (usually the planet in the overcoming position, but striking with a ray may also come into play). This is a conflict, but one that produces a resolution.

Mars trine Saturn: Strategic, if Saturn can discipline Mars to play the long-game and stop being so reckless. Or cautious, where Mars wants to take action but needs to pull along a Saturn who is always looking for what might go wrong. The Jupiterian nature of the trine tends to bonify the relationship between the planets and brings a level of wisdom into the mix. Whereas the sextile is more about what is pleasant and nice, the trine is more about what’s wise and right.

Mars opposite Saturn: Unable to exert will, frustration, start vs stop, action vs contemplation, just do something vs just sit there. The Saturnian nature of the opposition does not allow these planets to cooperate on anything. There is a stalemate, a fundamental polarity and tension. Oppositions differ from squares in that squares tend to sever something that was once joined, but oppositions never allow them to meet at all.

In each of these examples, we can see how the planetary nature that relates to a given aspect changes the dynamic between the planets. I encourage you to look at the whole sign aspects in your birth chart and see how you might interpret them based on these principles.

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1.9K viewsApr 23, 2023 at 17:08

Each of the traditional aspects is related to the nature of a planet and this is essential to understanding and delineating a given aspect. The type of aspect will bring the planetary energy of that aspect into the combination of the two planets making an aspect.

The sextile is of the nature of Venus.
The square is of the nature of Mars
The trine is of the nature of Jupiter
The opposition is of the nature of Saturn
Conjunctions are not technically an aspect, but considered “bodily union”.

Thus, if we have a trine between Mars and Saturn, that Mars and Saturn relationship will be coloured by Jupiterian themes.

Personally, I do not use out of sign aspects because the relationship between element, modality, and gender are important in considering aspects.

The aspectual relationship between two planets tells us HOW they will get along (or not). Is the relationship harmonious and supportive or are they working against each other?

Let’s consider each aspect in turn, using Mars and Saturn as examples.
(Please note that these are just broad examples to help us understand aspects in a vacuum and a full interpretation would depend on the condition of each planet in a chart.)

Mars conjunct Saturn: Endurance. We have the strength of Mars combined with the discipline of Saturn, the action of Mars combined with the timelessness of Saturn. What do you get when you combine the significations of two planets?

Mars sextile Saturn: A good work ethic. Saturn disciplines Mars to be effective and directed in his energy. Or passive-aggressive, if poorly placed. Mars may want to lash out, but Saturn forces him to bottle it up so that he doesn’t constantly set off bombs in his life. The Venutian nature of the sextile helps them to get along with each other and helps the native get along with others.

Mars square Saturn: Determination. Mars overcomes Saturn’s doom and gloom and makes it persevere no matter the setback. Or a lack of confidence. Saturn’s self-doubt and judgment put the brakes on Mars’ ability to take action. The Martian nature of this will cause one planet to maltreat the other (usually the planet in the overcoming position, but striking with a ray may also come into play). This is a conflict, but one that produces a resolution.

Mars trine Saturn: Strategic, if Saturn can discipline Mars to play the long-game and stop being so reckless. Or cautious, where Mars wants to take action but needs to pull along a Saturn who is always looking for what might go wrong. The Jupiterian nature of the trine tends to bonify the relationship between the planets and brings a level of wisdom into the mix. Whereas the sextile is more about what is pleasant and nice, the trine is more about what’s wise and right.

Mars opposite Saturn: Unable to exert will, frustration, start vs stop, action vs contemplation, just do something vs just sit there. The Saturnian nature of the opposition does not allow these planets to cooperate on anything. There is a stalemate, a fundamental polarity and tension. Oppositions differ from squares in that squares tend to sever something that was once joined, but oppositions never allow them to meet at all.

In each of these examples, we can see how the planetary nature that relates to a given aspect changes the dynamic between the planets. I encourage you to look at the whole sign aspects in your birth chart and see how you might interpret them based on these principles.

BY AstrologiCat