Astrological Aspect - Approach

Approach

In medieval astrology, certain aspects, like certain planets, were considered to be either favorable (benefic) or unfavorable (malefic). Modern usage places less emphasis on these fatalistic distinctions.

The more recent approach to astrological aspects places more emphasis on psychology and tendencies.

The German schools of Uranian astrology and its derivative Cosmobiology have attempted to take a different approach to the aspects, largely divorced from the traditional use of signs and houses. In the process, they have come to some conclusions that are different from traditional astrology about the power and effect of the various types of aspects. Among the Uranian astrologers, the term 'aspect' is even sometimes avoided, to separate their observations from the traditional views of astrology. The introduction by Cosmobiology of manifold planetary midpoints, mainly through the publication of Reinhold Ebertin's The Combination of Stellar Influences, has gained wide acceptance among astrologers, but the "formula" points of Uranian/Hamburg Astrology has earned less acceptance.

The writings of Françoise and Michel Gauquelin on the significance of planetary configurations in the astrological chart suggested that the semisquare and sesquiquadrate, which are traditionally considered as "minor" aspects, might in fact be relatively "major".

A list of aspects below presents their angular values and a recommended orb for each aspect. The orbs are subject to variation, depending on the need for detail and personal preferences.