Welcome, dear reader, to the Mason Garrett Institute of Astrological Research… of which I am the senior fellow… and solitary fellow. Many of you, in your comments to entries in the MASON GARRETT PREDICTIONS Blog, have stated that even though you have trouble with the technical details… you do enjoy the subject as I present it. This blog is for you then… Hopefully, on weekends… or perhaps bi-weekly… I shall present some basic concepts in the same style that I write my other blogs… erratically and as it comes to me. I shall also from time to time recommend useful astrology reference books currently available in books stores and online.
…this is a totally freestyle cyber study class… sip whatever beverage you like, same with munchies… you may smoke… chew gum… attend in whatever comfortable attire you choose… be comfortable and relax so that you can better concentrate and enjoy… attend at your convenience… there are no exams… your predictions and interpretations will be either right… or wrong… to varying degrees.
…so… let’s jump right in…
What sign are you? That’s the usual question asked in conversation. Forget that kind of thinking right off. Any of the basic twelve astrology signs can be anything. The true nature of a person is determined by the locations of the various planets in the signs and houses and by the aspects (angles) that the planets make to one another in the birth chart. These angles (aspects) are basic Ptolemy geometry. The aspects (angles) represent the nature of the energy of the planets involved. These angles (aspects) define ‘how’ a person expresses that energy in their daily life.
For example, Rum has a certain taste. Coca-cola has a certain taste. Mix a jigger of Rum with a glass of Coca-cola and you have one of my favorite drinks, “Rum & Coke, please.” Or “A Scotch and water,” or if you don’t drink alcohol, “Coffee with crème, and sugar,” would be another example. Pick any mixed drink you like. They are all examples of two or more combined energies poured into one glass, all having a similar effect on one’s consciousness, that is to say, ‘you’re under the influence,’ of the aspect, more or less, depending on the proportions of the ingredients in the drink.
Let's say the Rum is the Neptune energy and the Coca-cola is the Venus energy. If Venus and Neptune are at the same location, say 15 degrees of Libra, that would be like a half a glass of Rum mixed with a half a glass of Coke. That would be a very stiff drink and in astrology it’s an EXACT CONJUNCT which is one of the two strongest of the various aspect influences. If Neptune is at 11 degrees of Libra and Venus at 15 degrees, that is a separation of 4 degrees and is a more average influence and a more reasonable mixed drink. The maximum separation allowed for a CONJUNCT definition is 8 degrees (also called the orb of influence) which is still an influence at that distance, but more like a weak drink, with a lot more of Coke and just a splash of Rum. The effect of a CONJUNCT aspect in a horoscope can be harmonious or inharmonious depending on the planets involved.
The other of the two strongest aspects of influence is the OPPOSITION. This is when two planets are opposite one another in the Zodiac map. If the Moon is at 5 degrees of Aries and on the opposite side of the Zodiac the Sun is at 8 degrees of Libra this an opposition by an orb allowance of 3 degrees. The opposition is when planets are 180 degrees apart within an orb allowance of 8 degrees, thus 172 to 188 degrees apart, again the smaller the degree of separation (the orb) the stronger the influence is in one’s life.
The effect of the OPPOSITION is like holding your arms out to the side. Reach as far to the right as you can and as far to the left as you can. Hold your arms like this a few minutes and you will feel the wearisome tension that an opposition presents in one’s life if you’re born with this aspect in your natal (birth) horoscope. The Moon and Sun example I’ve given is an opposition in my own personal horoscope and it explains my occasional mood swings that I’ve had to learn how to deal with during my life. Yes, in astrology the Sun and Moon are referred to as if they were planets. It’s a technical thing, don’t let it distract you. In general the OPPOSITIONS in one’s horoscope are often the problem areas in one’s life where one feels constantly pulled in two different directions. One’s life can be a life long struggle of trying to resolve and balance one’s contradictory nature. Does that sound familiar?
The next aspect in strength of influence is the SQUARE. This a 90 degrees angle between two or more planets with the 8 degree orb allowance, thus 82 to 98 degrees of separation on the chart. As an example the Sun at 8 degrees of Libra and Saturn at 10 degrees of Cancer, within a 2 degree orb, of the 90 degree angle. This is an aspect of a constant obstacle in one’s life. Look straight ahead and reach out to the left and hold your hand there. It’s just out of your peripheral vision but you know it’s there. Now suddenly slap yourself up the side of the head with that hand. That’s the nature of a SQUARE, it’s a trait of one’s personality or life conditions and environment that blindsides you now and then. It is usually a part of yourself that you haven’t owned or worked on. Often we project these unresolved issues and then attract them from other people and the problem keeps repeating until we own it and resolve it.
The inharmonious CONJUNCTIONS, the pulling extremes of the OPPOSITIONS, and the obstacles of the SQUARES represent the problem areas in our daily lives that we all (most of us) simply live with and learn to cope with. As Nietzsche said, “That which doesn’t kill me, makes me stronger.” These are powerful energies and those who learn to deal with them are often the ones who become famous from their efforts to over come these obstacles in their life. And some become infamous as they express the negative side of the energy.
Now to the more pleasant slices of life. We’ve had our stiff drink, now let’s have some PIZZA! Let’s say we have a pepperoni cheese (or whatever ingredients you prefer) pizza sitting in front of us. Now let’s say it’s cut into 6 equal slices. They look like small triangles that are round on one side. As you eat one slice realize that it is a small triangle of 60 degrees. It’s a really yummy slice and this is an example of an easy harmonious aspect of 60 degrees known as the SEXTILE. It is generally mildly beneficial and a supportive influence in one’s daily life.
Now, pig out and pick up two SEXTILE slices and you have a big portion of the pizza that is now a 120 degree triangle that is round on the side and it is known as the TRINE aspect. As you munch away on this large delicious 120 degree triangle of this pizza you are experiencing the easy and pleasant nature of a TRINE. In general it is considered a beneficial and lucky aspect and where things are easy in your life. With too many TRINES life can often be too easy. In fact some infamous criminals have three or four of them in their natal chart which is why they get away with their crimes so easily for so long. They’re just lucky for a while and are the squares and obstacles to everybody else. And of course too much pizza (TRINE) can often cause a little weight gain. Over indulgence of anything can also be the nature of trines in the birth chart.
Another aspect that I often use in interpretation of a chart is known as an INCONJUNCT, which is a 150 degree angle, with a smaller orb allowance of only 2 degrees, thus 148 to 152 degrees. When two planets are at this angle to one another it represents an area in life where one has to make ‘an adjustment.’ To live more harmoniously with others one has to make a constant adjustment in some part of one’s behavior.
An example from my own personal natal chart would be the Moon at 5 degrees of Aries INCONJUNCT Venus at 4 degrees (1 degree orb) of Scorpio, indicating that I have issues of low self esteem at times and feel that I have to constantly win other’s approval. Over the years through various forms of therapy and through the conscious use of stronger aspects in my chart I have conquered this for the most part, though it still does pop up on occasion. As a teenager it caused me a lot of grief and made me rather incorrigible at times. In my opinion some astrologers underrate the strength of this aspect. I see it as equal in strength to a square.
There are other minor aspects of interpretation but they are for deeper study if one chooses to explore the science of astrology further than this basic format that I present.
Illustrations [click images for detail view]
...study all this a while and next week... or two... Lecture 2 will get into the FORMATIONS that these combined aspects make and their influence upon the subject.
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