aspect have a similar meaning. The denominator is often referred to as the harmonic,
so two planets that are in^1 ⁄ 7 aspect or^2 ⁄ 7 aspect, for example, can also be referred to as
being in the seventh harmonic.
Another belief of harmonic astrologers is that doubling the denominator results
in an aspect with a similar meaning. This theory is consonant with some beliefs in tradi-
tional astrology, such as, for example, that a trine aspect (^1 ⁄ 3 aspect) has a similar mean-
ing to a sextile aspect (^1 ⁄ 6 aspect). Also, a^1 ⁄ 2 (opposition) and^1 ⁄ 4 (square) aspect are hard
aspects, and some astrologers also use the^1 ⁄ 8 (semisquare) and^3 ⁄ 8 aspect (sesquiquadrate)
and also believe that these are hard aspects. Hard aspects are challenging and motivat-
ing. The^1 ⁄ 3 and^1 ⁄ 6 aspect, on the other hand, are harmonious and pleasant.
Harmonic astrologers believe that astrological aspects have much in common
with sound waves. Interestingly, if a plucked guitar string is shortened to half its
length, the resulting note is an octave higher. Musical notes that are an octave apart
have a very similar musical quality even though the pitch of the two notes is very dif-
ferent. Similarly the sextile aspect is^1 ⁄ 2 the distance of a trine aspect and both aspects
have a similar meeting. Similarly the^1 ⁄ 4 and^1 ⁄ 2 aspects have similar meanings. These
similarities between sound and astrological aspects incline harmonic astrologers to
believe that waves similar to sound waves are the basis of astrological aspects. Har-Harmonic Astrology
[294] THEASTROLOGYBOOK
An eighteenth-century engraving of the planetary spheres and the harmonies of the spheres,
which relate to musical intervals. Reproduced by permission of Fortean Picture Library.