The Asceni Method

(Astrological Overview, continued)

The Aspects:

As the planets move along their orbits at widely differing speeds, from our standpoint on Earth they appear to engage in a cosmic dialogue with one another. This imaginary exchange of views takes the form of a constantly changing pattern of angular relationships – or distances – between the planets, which are measured in degrees and minutes of longitude (there are sixty minutes to a degree).

The Aspects, which are always measured by the shortest distance between the planets concerned, are assumed to correspond to prominent character traits, (archetypes), in our psychological make-up that are in a more or less permanent state of interaction.

When a chart is drawn up for a certain time and place, the relationships between the planets are “freeze-framed,” giving us a snapshot of the planetary “cross-talk” for that particular moment in time … however, Astrology is only interested in certain types of angular relationships because they are considered to stand out above the general hubbub of planetary chatter going on in a chart. These particular angular relationships form the basis of the planetary Aspects in the birth chart.

Another perspective on the Aspects is the idea of the planets as the dynamic, active principles in the birth chart and represent the many “people” or “sub-personalities” that reside in our psyches. Therefore, how they, (the planets), interact among themselves has a major impact on your personality and well-being. The Aspect describes a particular kind of interaction or relationship that the planets ~ and the people and subpersonalities they represent ~ share with one another.

A discussion of the Major Aspects, as well as some Aspect Patterns, can be found under Foundational Astrology in The Library.