The Aspects
Entering and Leaving Orbs
When looking at transits in the sky, or transiting aspects
in the sky, to our natal planets, most astrologers use
fairly tight orbs, often as small as one degree. And the
orb used extends before and after the aspect, one
degree before and another degree after. For example, if
we are looking at the sextile aspect (60 degrees) with a
one-degree orb, then we would be looking for an
angular separation between the two planets that ranges
from 59 degrees to 61 degrees.
However, astrologers have found that the effect of the
aspect tends to precede the event rather than follow it.
In other words, from the orb and up to where the aspect
is exact, up to the point of exactness, this is where we
feel or experience the effect of that aspect strongest,
and not afterward. This is not always the case, but it is
the general rule. The old astrological saying: "Coming
events cast their shadows" is very true here. The time