In an over-arching sense, astrology helps to study the relationships between social groups, individuals and their emotions, and even the entire human race, all within the context of certain celestial moments. Have you ever wondered why you suddenly can’t stop fighting with a spouse or loved one? Having two signs that oppose one another at the moment might explain why. Have you ever wondered why you feel a certain way at a particular time of year or in a certain season? Astrology can help explain that, too.
Aspects are a big part of it and both major and minor aspects are worth paying attention to for a myriad of different reasons.
What are Aspects?
In the world of astrology, the term “aspects” is used to describe the angles that each planet makes between one another as they move across the zodiac wheel. You may have also heard the zodiac wheel referred to as a sunrise chart, but the principle is the same. It’s a chart that looks like a circle that has been split into 12 smaller pieces, each of which represents its own astrological sign.
The idea here is that everything that the planets do as they move ultimately influences some aspect of our lives – from our emotions to our interactions with others. Aspects – which are the symbols that appear on the zodiac wheel play a big part in helping us make sense of it all.
What are Major and Minor Aspects? Breaking Things Down
When discussing major and minor aspects, you’re still talking about largely the same thing – it’s just that the former tend to be considered more important or more powerful, while the latter are less important and may not make as much of an impact on your life. Minor aspects often have similar characteristics to major ones, it’s just that characteristics like anger, frustration, joy, or creativity wouldn’t be quite as pronounced.
All told, there are five “major” aspects in astrology. They include:
- Conjunct. This, as the phrase suggests, happens when two different planets are within 0 to 10 degrees away from each other at the same astrological sign. When that happens, their energies are said to play off of and inform one another.
- Opposition. On the other hand, an opposition is when two (or sometimes more) planets find themselves on opposite sides of the zodiac wheel.
- Sextile. This describes when two signs are 60 degrees away from one another on the zodiac wheel. Astrologers believe that when this happens, all parties involved are in a better position to get along with one another.
- Square. This happens when two planets are at a 90-degree angle from one another. Here, it is said that the situation is rife for conflict.
- Trine. When two planets are roughly 120 degrees apart, it is called a trine. This is considered to be very lucky and is a positive situation overall.
Everything that doesn’t fall into one of the descriptions outlined above is therefore considered to be a “minor” aspect. They include:
- Quincunx. This one is also sometimes referred to as the inconjunct. Here, the planets are at odds with one another and people are likely to experience very strong reactions. That can include a constant sense of strife between the two planets.
- Semisquare. This occurs when the angle of two planets is at roughly 45 degrees from one another. This is an aspect characterized by stress and abrasion. But because this is a minor aspect, the effects will be less intense than they otherwise would.
- Sesquiquadrate. When planets are located 135 degrees away from one another, this is called the sesquiquadrate. It is often characterized by a period of irritation between the two planets.
- Semisextile. This is what happens when the angle between two planets is at approximately 30 degrees. Even though the planets are in signs that are next to each other, they’re not necessarily on the same page – meaning that minor stress between the two is likely present.
- Quintile. When planets are located 72 degrees apart, it is called the quintile. This aspect is linked with characteristics like creativity and one’s ability to see things from a unique and perhaps new point of view.
- Biquintile. This happens when the angle between two planets is at 144 degrees. It has a lot to do with aspects like talent once again and people in this phase are likely to experience increased periods of creative activity.
As you come to a deeper understanding of zodiac symbols and what they represent, you begin to see just how important aspects are. They help to properly contextualize the relationship between not only yourself and those around you, but to your own emotions as well. They can be a helpful guide as you work towards making the best possible choices in your own life moving forward.