Simplified Scientific Astrology/The Aspects

by Max Heindel

CHAPTER VI.

THE ASPECTS

The circle of the zodiac, like any other circle, is divisible into 360 degrees. Within this circle move the heavenly bodies of our solar system, but their motion is far from uniform, as shown in the first chapter. Therefore those planets which move the slowest are overtaken, passed, and re-passed by the swifter bodies.

When one planet is a certain number of degrees from another planet they are said to be in aspect.

TABLE OF ASPECTS

The Opposition	planets are	180	degrees apart.
The Square	planets„ are„	90	degrees„ apart.„
The Sextile	planets„ are„	60	degrees„ apart.„
The Trine	planets„ are„	120	degrees„ apart.„
The Conjunction	planets„ are„	0	degrees„ apart.„

The Parallel occurs when two planets have the same degree of declination, no matter whether one is north and the other south of the equator. This will be made clear in calculations which follow later.

Of the aspects mentioned above, the Opposition and Square are said to be evil; the Sextile and Trine are designated good, while the Conjunction and Parallel are classed as indeterminate; if they occur between so-called good planets they bring good; if between the evil planets (so-called) they bring evil. A horoscope is considered fortunate or the reverse according to whether the sextiles and trines are more numerous than the squares and oppositions.

Such a viewpoint is erroneous. In the Father’s Kingdom there is no evil. What appears so is only good in the making. When a lapidary is cutting a precious stone he applies part after part of the rough gem to the grindstone and at each application we may hear the loud screeching, as if in pain, from the stone. By degrees, however, as a consequence of the harsh grinding process, it will acquire a beautifully polished surface with numerous facets capable of receiving, reflecting and refracting the brilliant sunlight.

God and His Ministers, the Seven Planetary Spirits, are the Lapidaries and man is a diamond in the rough. To polish and uncover his spiritual nature varied experiences are necessary. They may be pleasant or otherwise, as indicated by what are commonly called good or bad aspects; but it is safe to say that the adverse experiences which come to us under so-called bad aspects are as potent developers of spiritual muscle—removing more of our selfishness, serving to make us more tolerant and sympathetic, as the harsh grinding which serves to remove the rough coat of the diamond. Though a horoscope full of squares and oppositions may indicate what is ordinarily termed a hard life, such a one is infinitely preferable (from a spiritual standpoint) to a nativity with only “good” aspects, for that could give but an insipid existence, while a “bad” horoscope will give action and zest to the life in one direction or another.

Moreover as the stars do not compel, but give tendencies only, it lies with us in a large measure to assert our individuality and transmute present evil to future good. Thus we shall work in harmony with the stars and rule them by obedience to cosmic law.

The influence of an aspect between the planets at birth is felt even if they are not exactly 60, 90, 120 or 180 degrees apart; an “orb,” so-called, of 6 degrees is allowed.

In the accompanying out Saturn and Jupiter are within orb of each other because one is 1 degree, the other 7 degrees of Aries. Saturn being 1 degree, is also within orb of Mars (3 degrees) and Mercury (5 degrees), but is not within orb of the Sun, Moon or Venus, as there are more than 6 degrees from 1 (Saturn’s degree) to 9, 12 and 14, the degrees occupied by the Sun, Moon and Venus.

The spiritual reason for this orb is as follows:—Besides the visible body of man which we perceive by our senses, man has also invisible vehicles called by Paul spiritual bodies, and man himself is a spirit.

When we have developed the faculty of spiritual sight, which is latent in all, we shall see these finer bodies protruding far beyond the dense body which is located in the center of this “aura,” much as the yolk of an egg is in the center of the egg, surrounded by the white on all sides.

Before two human beings come in close physical contact their auras have mingled; that is the reason why we “feel the presence of another” at times before we become aware of him by means of our ordinary senses,

As above, so below, Man is made in the image of God and of His ministers—the star-angels. Each planet has an invisible world protruding into space beyond the dense visible sphere perceived by the eye. When these planetary auras come into aspect an influence is felt, though the visible planets may yet lack 6 degrees in forming an aspect or they may have gone 6 degrees past the aspect before the influence ceases.

In order to determine at a glance just what aspect the planets in a horoscope have to one another, when within orbs we note the following division of the zodiacal signs:

Planets in Cardinal signs are in conjunction, square or opposition if within orb, planets in Fixed signs are also in conjunction, square or opposition if within orbs and so are planets in Common signs. A glance at the horoscope will reveal which of the three aspects is formed.

Another division of the zodiac is:

Planets in fiery signs are in conjunction or trine if within orb. Planets in earthy signs are in trine (or conjunction); so are the planets in airy or watery signs, as shown in the above diagram.

Essential Dignities and Exaltation:

Planets are said to “rule” or to be “essentially dignified” in certain signs where the essential nature of planet and sign agree. When placed in the opposite signs, they are in their “detriment,” and hence out of harmony with their surroundings.

Planets are more powerful in certain signs than in others, and are said to be “exalted” when placed in such signs. When occupying the opposite signs, they are in their “fall,” hence comparatively weak.

The following table will show the planets, and the signs in which they are strong or weak, in accordance with the foregoing. It will be noted that each of the planets, with the exception of Uranus and Neptune, rules two signs, while the Sun and Moon rule only one each. Also note that Uranus and Saturn are co-rulers of Aquarius and that Neptune and Jupiter are co-rulers of Pisces.

TABLE OF PLANETARY POWERS

Planet	Rules	Detriment	Exaltation	Fall
☉︎	♌︎	♒︎	♈︎	♎︎
♀︎	♉︎ ♎︎	♏︎ ♈︎	♓︎	♍︎
☿︎	♊︎ ♍︎	♐︎ ♓︎	♒︎	♌︎
☽︎	♋︎	♑︎	♉︎	♏︎
♄︎	♑︎ ♒︎	♋︎ ♌︎	♎︎	♈︎
♃︎	♓︎ ♐︎	♍︎ ♊︎	♋︎	♑︎
♂︎	♈︎ ♏︎	♎︎ ♉︎	♑︎	♋︎
♅︎	♒︎	♌︎	♏︎	♉︎
♆︎	♓︎	♍︎	♋︎	♑︎

Critical Degrees:

The following table shows certain degrees of the Zodiac which are designated as “critical degrees.” When a planet is within an orb of three degrees of any of these points, it will be found to exercise a much stronger influence in the life than otherwise. This influence will tend to increase the strength of an exaltation, and also to offset the weakness resulting from a planet being in its fall or detriment. It will also increase the strength of aspects to that planet.

TABLE OF CRITICAL DEGREES

Cardinal Signs—	Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn; 1st., 13th., and 26th. degrees
Fixed Signs—	Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius; 9th. and 21st. degrees.
Common Signs—	Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces; 4th. and 17th. degrees.

Elevation:

A planet placed in or near the ninth or tenth houses is said to be “elevated.” The nearer it is to the Midheaven, the more highly elevated it is. A planet in elevation is much more powerful, for either good or evil, than when placed at a lower altitude.

The Angles:

When planets are found in tho “angles” of the horoscope (First, Fourth, Seventh and Tenth Houses) they are said to be angular or accidentally dignified. When so placed, they exert a greater influence for either good or evil, than when located in the other houses,

When the student has digested the above information he should proceed to make a table or index of the relationship of the planets as shown in the diagram on page 89.