ASHWINI
Ashwini (or the Horseman) is one of the Nakshatras (lunar mansions) of Vedic astrol-
ogy. Most often depicted as a horse head, this moon sign resides between Aries 0° and
13°12’, with Ashwinis, god of health, presiding and Ketu as the ruling planet. this is a
good time to act swiftly; an individual may display behaviors of modesty and self-suffi-
ciency during this period, but may also be stubborn and overzealous.
—Pramela ThiagesanASLESHA
Aslesha (the Entwiner) is one of the Nakshatras (lunar mansions) of Vedic astrology.
A coiled snake represents this sign ruled by Mercury, with Sarpas presiding. This
Nakshatra is found between Cancer 16°40’ and 30°, and with the moon there, it is
considered a good time to be fierce. An individual could find himself or herself more
versatile and clever at this time, but also more impolite and depressed.
—Pramela ThiagesanASPECT
Aspect (from the Latin word aspectus,meaning “to view or to look at”) refers to the
angular relationship between various points in a horoscope (an astrological chart),
especially to a series of named angles, such as trines (120°) and squares (90°). (For a
discussion of the very different notion of aspects in Vedic Astrology, refer to the entry
on drishti.)
The 12 signs of the zodiac, in addition to being bands of astrological influence,
also provide astrologers with a system for locating planets and other points in space. A
circle contains 360°, so when it is divided into 12 equal regions for the 12 signs, each
sign encompasses an arc of 30°. Hence, a planet located near the beginning of Aries,
for instance, might be at 1° Aries; in the middle of Aries, at 15° Aries; and near the
end of the sign, 29° Aries. Earth, which is understood to be at the center of the horo-
scope (unless one is using a heliocentric or Sun-centered system), constitutes the ver-
tex for any angle between planets or between other points in the chart. Thus, for
example, if Mercury is located at 1° Aries, it would make a semisextile (30°) aspect
with another planet—let us say Venus—that is located at 1° in the very next sign,
which is Taurus. If we move Venus forward another 30° until it is at 1° Gemini, Mer-
cury and Venus would form a sextile (60°) aspect. Another 30° to 1° Cancer forms a
square (90°), and so forth.
The interpretation of a horoscope is built around three primary factors—signs,
houses, and aspects—that make aspect interpretation one of the most fundamental
components of astrology. In a natal chart, the planets represent, among other things,
the various facets of one’s psyche, and aspects between them indicate how these facets
conflict or work together. Mars, for example, represents the forceful, outgoing, aggres-
sive side of the self, whereas Saturn represents the security-seeking, self-disciplined
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Aspect