Forming, is said of the conditions of motion which are bringing two bodies within each
other's sphere of influence, whereby an exact aspect will result. After the aspect has become
exact, the receding motion is termed Separating. Also, the faster planet may be spoken of as
Applying to or Separating from an aspect or a contact with the other. When sufficiently
within each other's Orbs of influence to be deemed operative - within half the sum of their
two orbs - it is a wide or platic aspect, which culminates in an exact or partile aspect. An
aspect computed forward in the order of signs, or counter-clockwise on the map, is a sinister
or left-hand aspect; in the reverse direction, a dexter or right-hand aspect. There is lack of
agreement as to which are the stronger, but ancient texts favor the dexter aspects.
ZODIACAL ASPECTS, those most widely considered, are measured in degrees along the
Ecliptic. They are based upon fractional divisions of the 360-degree circle of the ecliptic - as
measured in arc from the point of an observer on the Earth.
Conjunction. Said of two planets occupying the same degree of Longitude along the Ecliptic.
It is often classed as a position rather than an aspect.
Dividing the circle by one-half, results in the Opposition, a 180° separation, the reverse of a
conjunction.
Dividing the circle by one-third, results in the Trine, or 120° separation.
Subdividing the one-half aspect, there results the square, quadrate or quartile (90°), Semi-
square, semi-quadrate or semi-quartile (45°), and the sesquiquadrate (135°) - square plus
semi-square - the inversion of the semisquare.
Subdividing the one-third aspect, yields the Sextile or Hexagon (60°), Semi-sextile (30°), and
the Quincunx (150°) - the inversion of the Semi-sextile.
The matter of Orbs is one that has never been settled. The figures given are merely an average
of opinion:
Degrees Operative
Name Signs When Exact From To
Conjunction 0 0 - 10° + 6°
Semi-Sextile 1 30 28° 31º
Semi-Square 1½ 45 42° 49°
Sextile 2 60 56° 63°