Friday, December 27, 2013

Astrological Aspects ... The Timing of Energy


Even though they are millions of miles away, the energy of the planets affects us each day.  Knowing about this can help us use it most effectively.

The way the planets interact with each other or with the position of the planets at the time of our birth determines the energy.  This energy can be positive and provide lots of opportunity or it can be more challenging and provide us with lots of obstacles and lessons.  Exactly what happens depends on the planets involved and where they happen to be for you.

ASPECTS
The planets move around the 360 degree circle of the zodiac and as they move they make different aspects.
Simply, when the planetary aspects are ...
conjunt ... they are right on top of each other and join forces to create an intense energy
trine ... they are 120 degrees apart and provide luck and harmony for you to manifest your desires
sextile ... they are 60 degrees apart and create opportunities that require action
opposition ... they are 180 degrees apart from each other and require balance
square ... they are 90 degrees apart and create conflict

I get a rough idea of the aspect of a planet by looking at the signs of the two planets.

When you look at the 12 signs of the zodiac ...
conjunt ... are in the same sign
trine ... are in Fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sag), Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn), Air signs (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) or Water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces)
sextile ... are two signs apart
opposition ... are opposite signs
square ...  Aries, Libra,  Cancer and Capricorn or Taurus, or they are in Scorpio, Leo and Aquarius or they are in Gemini, Sag, Virgo and Pisces

DETERMINING ASPECTS
Great, so how do you use this information?
As I mentioned before you can look at the way the planets interact with each other or with the position of the planets at the time of our birth.  

Once I know if the planets are generally in aspect, I need to look at the degree each planet is at to be sure they really are in aspect.  Find Your Fate has tables for every planet for basically eternity!  If two planets are at the same degree in their aspecting signs then they are exact but I go out 3 degrees in each direction and some people go out 8 degrees

WORKING WITH ASPECTS
Let's do an example of planets interacting with each other on a given day.  This energy will impact everyone.

Mars has just moved into Libra and I know that Pluto is in Capricorn.  I know from my list above that these signs are square to each other.  Pluto is slow moving and is spending most of December at 10 degrees.  I check to see when Mars is going to be between 7  and 13 degrees (plus or minus 3 degree from PLuto's 10 degrees).  December 22nd through January 8th.

Now you see this conflict between Mars and Pluto.  You can figure out what this means by knowing the energy of the planets.  Or you can hop over to Cafe Astrology.  On the right hand menu they have a list of transits by planets.    I would head over to Mars Transits and see what it had to say about Mars squaring Pluto.  Basically it tells me that people will be sensitive to not being in control and will try really hard to get the upper hand.  Handy to be aware of that to manage my own behavior and to let go of some of the aggravation I am sure to encounter with others during this period.

Cafe Astrology posts a list each month of the aspects.

It is a lot of work to track these aspects so I am in love with Ruby Slipper Astrology to keep up with this.  Nadia points out the most powerful aspects and gives a great overview of what will happen and how you can handle it.

WORKING WITH YOUR PERSONAL ASPECTS
We can do the exact same exercise to see the energy that is directly impacting you, but not everyone around you, by looking at how the planets moving around today aspect the planets as they were at the time of your birth.  You will need to have your natal chart for this.

So, lets look at Pluto again. We know he is currently at 10 degrees Capricorn.  So I look at my natal chart and I see that I happen to have a planet, the Moon, at 15 degrees Cancer.  Almost opposite Pluto.  They will be opposite when Pluto is between 12 and 18 degrees.   I check to see when this will happen and I find out it will start in January and last into 2015.  I head over to The Future Minders.   Scroll down to the bottom and click on the transits by planet.  I see that my transit signals enormous emotional change.  Again, something handy to be aware of.  I can calm myself by understanding what is happening and if it happens to be really difficult, I know when it will be over!

Again, it is a lot of work to look at all of the aspects that are going to hit your natal chart, but if you just pick a short period of time and only focus on the outer planets (Pluto, Neptune, Uranus, Jupiter and Saturn) it wont take but a few hours and will show you the most powerful opportunities and challenges.

USING HOUSES
You can even go one step farther by checking the houses these planets are in for you to see exactly what area of your life is being affected.   Your first house is the house that your Rising Sign is in and then just count around from there!




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