sometimes specify that they are talking about the apparentmotion of the stars and plan-
ets. In this custom, astrologers are following the same tradition as everyone else who
refers to the daily appearance and disappearance of the Sun—for example, as the “ris-
ing” and “setting” of the Sun—even though most people in industrialized societies
know that it is the axial rotation of the Earth that causes this apparent motion.APPLYINGASPECT(APPROACHINGASPECT)
When a transiting planet begins to form an aspect vis-à-vis another planet or a house
cusp, it is said to be applying. After the aspect has passed the point of being exact and
the faster-moving planet is pulling away, the aspect is said to be separating. This may
sound confusing, but is really quite simple. To illustrate, suppose Pluto is located at
25° in the sign Capricorn. As transiting Mars gets within about 4° of Pluto (i.e.,
reaches 21°, 22°, 23°, or 24° Capricorn), we say that Mars is applying to (or approach-
ing) a conjunction with Pluto. The conjunction becomes exact when Mars reaches
25° and is separating as soon as Mars transits past 25° Capricorn.
A doubly applying (or doubly approaching) aspect occurs when both planets
are moving toward an aspect. In other words, if in the preceding example Pluto had
been moving retrograde (backward through the zodiac) as Mars moved direct (forward
through the zodiac), the aspect would have been doubly applying. For the purpose of
interpretation, applying aspects are regarded as being stronger than separating aspects.
In horary astrology, separating aspects are regarded as influences that have already
passed. As a consequence, the only aspects considered when judging a horary chart are
applying aspects.Sources:
Gettings, Fred. Dictionary of Astrology.London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1985.
Lee, Dal. Dictionary of Astrology.New York: Paperback Library, 1969.
Louis, Anthony. Horary Astrology Plain & Simple.St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn, 1998.APPULSE
Appulse refers to either a partial occultation, a conjunction, a planet’s crossing of the
meridian, or the entry of the Moon into the Earth’s shadow.AQUARIUS
Aquarius (from the Latin word Aquarii,meaning “water carrier”), the eleventh sign of
the zodiac, is a fixed air sign. It is a positive, masculine sign, ruled by the planet
Uranus (before the outer planets were discovered, it was said to be ruled by Saturn).
Its symbol is the water bearer, and its glyph is a pair of wavy lines representing water
(resulting in a frequent confusion about Aquarius’s element, which is air rather than
water). Aquarius is associated with the shins, ankles, and the circulatory system, and
individuals with an Aquarius sun sign are susceptible to sprained ankles, hardening of
the arteries, and varicose veins. The key phrase for Aquarius is “I know.”Applying Aspect (Approaching Aspect)
[30] THEASTROLOGYBOOK