Sesquisquare, Sesquiquadrate & Trioctile - Progressive Imbalances

Many astrologers consider this aspect as a minor aspect, maybe because it is not well understood. However, when the angle is nearly perfectly 135° wide, others will consider it as important as any other major aspect, especially in birth chart. This aspect reveals an immanent energy pushing towards a lack of balance, slowly but surely. It is a refusal of the status quo, an increase of entropy.

It is automatically constrained into dynamic motion by trines and conjunctions. Sextiles and semi-sextiles indicate the possibility to achieve the same, but it requires a decision and commitment from the bearer of this aspect. On the downside, this energy will be aggravated into out of control situations by squares and oppositions. The presence of quincunx suggests unawareness. In this case, this energy can operate unconsciously.

For example, you have Sun sesquiquadrate Jupiter in your chart. This suggests a tendency to have grandiose projects, but little desire to pay attention to details. You rely on your luck too much. This is a recipe for disaster on the long term. But, if Saturn is trine your Sun or Jupiter, it will compensate for this issue. This combination suggests strong leadership skills for long-term projects.

Or, say you have Moon sesquiquadrate Uranus in your birth chart. You are one of a kind and you won't fit any mold. That's perfectly fine, you are an independent and original being, experiencing unique emotions continuously. However, if Venus is square your Moon or Uranus, then this suggest high internal turmoil damaging all your relationships. You have a very hard time keeping your uniqueness and sensitivity under your control.

Related aspects: square, semi-square, t-square and grand cross
Other minor & rare aspects: grand trine, quincunx & inconjunct, quintile & biquintile, semi-sextile and yod

Squares - Energy Amplification, Cross Purposes, Pulverizing

Squares have the worst reputation in astrology and are often only described as a source of stress and challenge, but they are not.

Squares amplify existing energies in order to create the maximum impact. They wake up sleeping beauties and volcanoes. It's the energy found in Apollo rocket engines which sent them into orbit. It is also the kind of energy building up in traffic jams and nuclear reactors. They can trigger chain reactions. It is the friction when you scratch a match. It's the fulmination when you are victim of a situation you don't have under your control.

On the positive side, squares can provide the energy required to finalize details or to galvanize situations. They can give a project or an artistic endeavor its final form, its final structure. It can also help starting them. Squares can fill a relationship with passion and activity, transforming boredom into fun and adventure.

In a birth chart or in synastry, they suggest some unchannelled and chaotic energy that will always be there. It needs your attention to be organized, evacuated or consumed using efficient, useful and non-destructive solutions. Square issues do not go away if you don't take care of them. Either they accumulate into tensions and blow everything away, or they slowly destroy everything on their path.

Square energies are nearly always manageable (even if it can require a lot of efforts and dedication). They rarely go completely out of control, unless they combine with other stressing aspects such as semi-squares, quincunxes or belong to Grand Crosses.

Related aspects: sesquisquares, semi-squares, t-squares and grand crosses
Other major aspects: conjunction, opposition, sextile and trine

Semi-Squares - Refusal Of Integration & Unity

Semi-squares suggest a refusal of integration or unity. The astral items involved in this aspect are like magnets repelling each other when they get too close. They are not to be confused with squares which demultiply energies, or t-square which suggest strong personality traits.

The semi-square energy is similar to a refusal to connect or to come to a conclusion. It can be a refusal to go with the flow. It may lead to eternal procrastination and can irritate others. On the positive side, they contribute to neverending story, which can be a good thing in synastry.

Semi-squares are neutralized by conjunctions or perseverance. They aggravate quincunx and opposition energies but facilitate the liberation of squares and sesquiquadrate energies. They get trines energy into motion, like light through a prism creates a rainbow.

Related aspects: square, sesquisquare, t-square and grand cross
Other minor and rare aspects: grand trine, quincunx & inconjunct, quintile & biquintile, semi-sextile and yod

Semi-Sextiles - Serendipity & Time Is On Your Side

Semi-sextiles indicate energies working slowly together for gentle growth or for restoring life, but these are not strong enough to repair broken structures. Think about life and plants coming back after a volcano has erupted. It's the energy of nature slowly covering every piece of land if you give it time. Semi-sextiles are the gentle slope getting the ball rolling.

Semi-sextiles slowly bring back life in relationships, after disputes for example. Semi-sextiles are time on your side. It is the opposite of Murphy's Law, if things can go right, they are likely to go right if nothing disturbs the process. Semi-sextiles take care of the details for you.

Contrary to sextiles, semi-sextiles operate automatically. In fact, you need to explicitly opt-out of what semi-sextiles perform for you if you don't want it to happen (whatever the reason). Besides, whereas you are clearly aware of your options with sextiles, what semi-sextiles achieve can easy escape your attention, but not to the extent of operating unconsciously.

In synastry, semi-sextiles are a strong indication that chemistry will operate between involved energies. It is a big plus for the success of lasting relationships. Semi-sextiles also rule serendipity.

Related aspects: trine, grand trine and sextile
Other minor & rare aspects: grand-cross, quincunx & inconjunct, quintile & biquintile, semi-square, sesquisquare, t-square and yod

Sextiles - Opportunities & Interventions While Being In Control

A sextile happens when two astral items have an angle of 60° using a tolerance of 4° to 5°.

Sextiles are opportunities, but not hidden opportunities. It is not about luck, you are in control. They are talents you know you can count on. If you want to benefit from these, you have to decide to take action or to commit to something like an objective, a project or a relationship. Benefiting from sextile requires some effort from you, but the road is clear and with little obstacles. You just need to opt-in. You are in control and in a position to use your influence. You can slow things down or accelerate them, start or stop them.

Sextiles indicate complementary energies. They can fix or repair situations. You can use them to modify any existing structure. You can create bonds and bridges, or destroy them. They provide possible paths to open up to others, or to exit unsatisfying relationships. They are also about synchronizing and respecting each other's rhythm. Sextiles rule your investments.

In extreme situations, involving connected draining or aggravating aspects, sextiles may suggest total indecision leading to paralysis or too many options to consider leading to status quo.

Related aspects: trines, grand trines, semi-sextiles, quincunx and yods
Other major aspects: conjunction, opposition, square and trine

Oppositions - Duality, Imbalances & Contrast

The essence of oppositions is a lack of balance between distinct entities. It is about subjective opinions, confronting others or sometimes confronting the man in the mirror and his illusions. It is about projections, Mexican stand-offs and head-on confrontations.

In extreme situations, it suggests a total absence of empathy or a total incapacity to put oneself's in another's shoes. It's a refusal to understand the other's position or argument. The emotions are so high they prevent any kind of listening.

Opposition energies never completely blend, but it does not mean they can't work together. Think about dancing in couples, it can be very harmonious. It is about finding middle-ground and compromises to restore harmony. Oppositions reveal differences through contrast. They can trigger debates. They also remind us we are distinct from others and that we have to learn to accept differences.

In birth charts or synastry, oppositions can suggest an incapacity to solve some personal issues and a hope that someone else will take care of these (a savior), while in reality, we should take our responsibilities for these and own them. Some manipulators can jump in and take advantage of these situations. Sometimes, it is just a matter of learning how to deal with our issues, rather than a lack of will to resolve them. External intervention and support can help.

Oppositions can also suggest refusing to face reality as it is. It is about wishful thinking and illusions. Although we may try to escape it, reality always wins in the end. In this respect, oppositions want us to open our eyes and to become mature. It points toward make or break situations and split roads. Should I stay or should I go? Which way to go? It is your responsibility to make a choice.

Oppositions can trigger perpetual motions. Once we overcome our imbalances, we reach a new level of inner peace with ourselves and in our relationships.

Other major aspects: conjunction, sextile, square and trine

Conjunctions - Unity, Bonding & Lack Of Boundaries

Conjunctions are about unity. The energies combine (i.e., add up) and move forward together in the same direction, to achieve the same objective. It's about working side-by-side. Like trines, conjunctions establish links and help create bonds. They bring people together.

Conjunctions also remove boundaries, which can be stressful for independent or introvert minds. You don't always want to join groups or be forced to. They can blur situations and sometime bring confusion. The limits are not clear anymore. Some energies don't blend well together too, thus conjunctions may create or increase an existing stress between them.

The interpretation of conjunctions in birth charts, transits and synastry is more or less the same, with the exception that in synastry, when Jupiter, Uranus or Lilith are involved, this may be push things beyond acceptable limits or create boundless situations.

Other major aspects: opposition, sextile, square and trine

Trines - Harmonious Energies, Organic Growth & Over-Tolerance

The essence of trines is organic growth and being (as opposed to doing). It is the natural blending of two energies harmonizing situations and smoothing tensions. They establish natural inbound and outbound connections and bridges between unconnected energies or situations. They dissolve obstacles and facilitate natural developments.

The most beneficial aspect of trine is that they are natural structures. You can benefit from them right away, no need to spend time and energy to build them. Just connect the plugs properly and they will take care of the rest. It's high return on small investment. They are the path of least resistance for any type of energy. They often lead to inner peace and balance. If you have a talent, trines will expand it without you asking. It comes easily and naturally, sometimes unconsciously. Trines are fantastic lubricants and catalyzers. People having many trines are often great listeners and soul healers. Their actions are so soft and sweet that you don't feel any hurt or need to resist. They can disentangle the most complex situations with infinite patience. They are not in a rush.

On the downside, trines don't create energy, but rather rely on existing ones. Think about multiplication versus addition. Zero times whatever equals zero. 0.5 times 0.5 is 0.25, but 0.5 plus 0.5 is 1. Multiplication does not always create a bigger result than the sum of the operands. Trines need a minimum threshold of energy in order to bring their best. If that threshold is not met, trines suggest a lack of motion and initiative. It's easy-peasy and sometimes right down lazy people. They don't need to make much effort and do face little confrontation. Therefore, they often don't build a carapace. Some can be totally incapable of maintaining a sustainable effort or to face strong and lasting adversity. They are much more comfortable and operational when life comes to them. They don't know how to "go and get it". They are terrible hunters.

Although trines have the best reputation amongst all aspects, they bear no boundaries or ends. You could end up being far too accepting or tolerant with unacceptable attitudes and beliefs, for far too long. If you don't have a strong ego to compensate, too many trines means a risk of dissolving into others, or into religion or spirituality, or anything that bears an infinite dimension. You could just lose and open up yourself too easily.

Relevant aspects: grand trines, sextiles and semi-sextiles
Other major aspects: conjunction, opposition, sextile, square and trine

Quincunx Or Inconjunct - Seclusion Of Energies

A quincunx (or inconjunct) happens when two celestial bodies have an angle of 150° using an orb of 2°.

Paradoxically, this aspect connecting two astral items indicates an absence of connexion between their energies. It is like oil and water, they don't mix. It's about not connecting the dots, an incapacity to understand or see what might be obvious to others. It's disconnection. In a personal chart, it should be interpreted as seclusion, Jupiter operates independently from Venus, for example. It's one hand does not talk to the other.

In synastry, both parties notice each other for sure, but their respective energies don't know how to connect. The chemistry does not take off. If they don't have other favorable aspects between them, partners may wonder why the relationship does not work, why it does not come naturally. There is a permanent lack of understanding.

Unfortunately, it is not a situation which can be resolved with adjustments. There is a fundamental impossibility to find commons grounds (unlike for oppositions). The solution is to agree to disagree. Tolerance and concessions help too. You need to accept the situation as it is: imperfect. Don't try to solve it, work around it. Learn to live with it, if possible. If that is not possible, then have no regrets, it was not meant to be.

If the astral items are involved in conjunctions too, then there may be possibilities to create agreements through negotiations and discussions. For personal charts, meeting someone who has the same astral items in Trine will tell you where and how you are not connecting the dots. It's your antidote. You may experience ha-a moments.

Quincunx teams with semi-square to achieve their deeds. They also aggravate oppositions and can push squares into total meltdown experiences. However, quincunx aspects are not always negative. Say you have Moon trine Neptune, you escape into spiritual experiences and your emotions flourish inside your imagination naturally. You are not well connected to reality. But, if your Moon or Neptune is quincunx Venus (for example), your friends or your partner will help you set boundaries between what's real and unreal in order to restore balance.

Related aspects: sextiles and yods
Other minor & rare aspects: grand-cross, grand trine, quintile & biquintile, semi-sextile, semi-square, sesquisquare and t-square

Grand Cross - Astrological Earthquakes & Strong Presence

A grand cross happens when 4 astral items are involved in the following way: A and C are opposite, B and D are opposite, A and B are square, meaning B is square with C, C is square with D and D is square with A. The four items are the extremities of a cross.

Whereas you can get away with a T-square and pay the price, forget it when it comes to grand cross transits. They are the major earthquakes of astrology, the tornados that will rip away everything that is not well fixed and attached. Opposites are about restoring balance where it is missing. A and C put strong pressure via their squares on B and D. And, B and D put strong pressure on A and C in return too.

You can't stop an avalanche, you can't stop a tornado, you can't stop an earthquake! You can't avoid grand crosses. At best, you can prepare for them. Just let them happen, do what you have to do, do your best, go with the flow, don't try to fight or resist them. They are stronger than you. Be patient. It's not all bad, the outcome is always more harmony and balance in our lives.

In natal charts, grand trines are indicative of a strong and energetic personality. It is not necessarily expressed via extrovert attitudes. It can be a calm, quiet, but nevertheless strong presence. Such people don't go unnoticed, whether they like it or not.

In synastry, grand crosses involving items from both parties mean, at best, big challenges to overcome in order to make the relationship work. It may take a lot of adjustments to reach balance and stability. At worst, and especially when there are no other strong supporting aspects, they suggest a high risk of failure since the relationship will be on a permanent roller-coaster. Partners are likely to become seasick and give up, no matter how hard they try to make it work.

Related aspects: square, sesquisquare, semi-square and t-square
Other minor & rare aspects: grand trine, quincunx & inconjunct, quintile & biquintile, semi-sextile and yod

Quintile & Biquintile - Creative Expression & Talents

The quintile and biquintile aspects happen when the angle between two astral items is respectively 72° and 144°. Most astrologers interpret them the same way.

In a birth chart, it is about vocation and creativity. It's the energy that motivates explorers and missionaries. It can also point at a talent or a gift. It is the desire to construct, the vision of the entrepreneur, the achievements of genuises and innovators.

These aspects reveal personality traits. They are obvious for those surrounding the bearer. They are part of what makes you stand out in the crowd, unique. They are not defense mechanisms or any attempt to compensate for some real or perceived flaw. It is genuine energy.

Quintile and biquintiles are the energies of fascination for a field of study or an area of interest. It's about analyzing and decomposing patterns and structures, and then recomposing and reconnecting them in creative ways. When one does not make a career path from this interest, it is often conveyed into a hobby or a passion. There is an urge need to find a creative outlet.

In transits, they can initiate new paths, new approaches. Thinking out of the box for once. They can trigger the start of new projects or endeavors. They can signal a departure from tradition and conservative attitudes. During such transits, you could get to understand your role in life, your mission on this planet.

In synastry, when such aspects exist between partners, they contribute very positively to the chemistry. They are meant to work together on some creative projects or visions.

Other minor & rare aspects: grand-cross, grand trine, quincunx & inconjunct, semi-sextile, semi-square, sesquisquare, t-square and yod

Pholus - Other's Addictions & Transgenerational Self-Destruction

Pholus is a little known and little used in astrology. It's meaning and role are nor well defined yet since it is was discovered recently. However, from the mythology, we can infer a couple of hypotheses.

Contrary to Neptune, which deals with personal addictions, Pholus is about dealing with the consequences of other's addictions on us (for example, an alcoholic parent, a codependent partner). How does it impact us? How do we related to them and to the issue? Do we accept to become intolerant with intolerant and abusive people? Or are we stuck in a guilt conflict mixing love and fear of rejection? Do we feel powerless in these situations?

Pholus is about edge situations where we are somehow forced to take care of ourselves or to take care of a situation we are not responsible for, but which we believe we can't escape, or don't know how to escape. It can be a transgenerational poison which has to be cured. In some cases, Pholus is about addressing our selflessness.

There are two fundamental questions asked by Pholus: Are we ready to use mature ways to solve the issues we have to deal with? And are we stuck trying to solve situations we are not responsible for? We are not responsible for making unhappy parents, friends or partners happy. If we decide to, is it because we feel obligated? Or do we feel free to say no? Are we taking care of our own happiness first, or do we feel like it is not a priority?

One one side, Pholus is about trying to solve situations through discussions. To restore fairness, gentleness and wisdom. It is a facilitator and a catalyst, rather than a diplomat. It is about finding ways to avoid self-destruction.

One the other side, if we don't know how to deal with these issues, we may seek sources of powers through what fascinates us. We cross limits and even transgress our own limits. We take inconsiderate risks, like in extreme sports. It is also about inhibitions and compulsions leading to reckless attitudes. The straw that broke the camel's back. Curiosity killed the cat.

Unconvential celestial bodies: Ceres - Juno - Lilith - Pallas Athena - Vesta

T-Square In Astrology - Personality Traits You Can't Miss!

T-squares happens when two astral items, say A and B, are in opposition, and they are both in square with a third one C (sometimes called the apex).

It is an easy to understand aspect. The opposition between A and B means balance has to be restored between both energies, typically through adjustments. If not, things may get out of control and the flow of energy will be suboptimal (excessive or leading to lethargy). Oppositions are also about projections. They can suggest a belief that the solution to one's issues will come from someone external (or external factors), while in fact, we are the ones who have to learn to adjust.

Oppositions can remain unresolved for years. It can take a lot of life experience before we understand how they impact our lives and decide to do something about it. But, with a t-square, the third astral item C is putting a lot of pressure to resolve imbalances between A and B. The longer the transit, the harder the pressure. You are well awareness that something needs to be fixed, if it has not already been fixed yet.

In a birth chart, it is somehow different. Say you have Moon opposition Venus, and both are square with Jupiter. You inner emotions are not easily in sync with the ones you experience with your partners. You don't exactly know how to connect and express them. Jupiter may help with its tolerance, benevolence and sense of well-being. But sometimes, it can make things worse through exuberance or excessive ideals and hopes in love. Native chart t-squares do not create out of control and beyond repair situations alone, but they never create stable and inert situations too.

T-square in birth charts do not go unnoticed by those surrounding the bearer. They automatically emerge as character traits and idiosyncracies. In synastry, if one partner (or friend) has an astral item in C, it will intervene to regulate the other partner having A and B in opposition. But, when one partner has a square, say, between A and C, and the other partner has an astral item in B, don't be surprised if partner AC is developing push-pull attitudes towards partner B. It may not be obvious at the beginning, but the longer they stay together, the more obvious it will be.

The good thing about t-squares, is that we are always aware of the energies at play. Therefore, we are in a position to act and to take control. We can do something about it. And, we also know the price we will have to pay when we don't take action. The more we have adjusted to solve the AB opposition, the less the t-square will stress us to resolve it.

About the missing leg interpretation

Some astrologers argue that in order to smooth the challenging issues resulting from t-squares, you need to take a look at a missing leg which would be opposite to the C item. This is where energy would be available for help. The flip side of this approach is that it's a recipe to provoke the occurence of a grand cross, and these are much more challenging than t-squares. However, sometimes, the amount of energy of a grand-cross is required trigger the kind of major shake-up required to smash everything that does not work before one can start with a blank page again. It is a really though medecine and should be used with caution.

Related aspects: square, sesquisquare, semi-square and grand cross
Other minor & rare aspects: grand-cross, , grand trine, quincunx & inconjunct, quintile & biquintile, semi-sextile and yod

Knowing Your Birth Time And Location Or Not

When computing an astrological birth chart, one may or may not know their birth time and birth location. If this information is available, then, one's ascending sign and moon position can be computed accurately.

Ascendant (or Rising Sign)

The ascendant is the eastern rising zodiac sign at the birth location, at birth time. Since the earth takes 24 hours to rotate on itself and since there are 12 zodiac signs, the rising sign changes about every two hours. Hence, you need the birth time and birth location to compute one's ascendant. 10 AM in Paris is not 10 AM in Delhi.

If one cannot compute the Ascendant's position, one cannot compute the Imum Coeli, Descendant and Midheaven positions.

Moon

The moon rotates around the earth in 28 days. Therefore, it moves about 12.8° (=360°/28) in the sky per day, which is nearly half the size of a house (30°). If one does not know their birth time and birth place, it is not possible to compute the position of the moon accurately. This means that aspects involving the moon cannot be computed accurately too. Orbs are usually at most 10° wide.

Since other astral items move much more slowly in the sky, not knowing one's birth time and location is not a real issue. The lack of accuracy is too small to worry about it.