The Stellium Astrology Podcast

The Kite aspect pattern is formed a Grand Trine which has an opposition from one corner of the triangle to the opposite side of the chart, which sits at a sextile to the other two corners of the triangle. It looks as you'd imagine, like a kite or a diamond.

Not only is this a rather pretty looking aspect pattern to observe in the natal chart, it actually contains some of the more fortunate and free flowing components of the Grand Trine, while having the benefits of a hard aspect wired into it by the opposition.

Further to that, this pattern is then coaxed into productivity with two rather helpful sextiles.

As you should be aware by now if you've been tuning in for a while, planets at a trine have to be 120° apart, give or take 6° orb. Those at a sextile have to be 60° apart with a 4° orb, and those in opposition will be 180° apart with a wider orb of 8°. So for this aspect pattern to be possible, the planets involved have to sit within these orbit points quite accurately.

This is a kind've like a 'new and improved' Grand Trine. With the Kite we're offered the fortune and flow of the Grand Trine, plus the challenge of the opposition which indicates relationships with others who can highlight differing perspectives, encouraging us to channel the complacency of the Grand Trine into something productive by pulling us out of our comfort zone.

The sextiles involved are in compatible signs, coaxing us to take up opportunities presented and tempting us with future potentials that appeal to us. As the hard aspect of the opportunity pushes us somewhat, the tendency to take up these opportunities is more likely and the work involved seems to be justified by the potential outcome.

Do you have a Kite in your chart? Let me know!

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The Grand Trine is related to —you guessed it—the trine aspect.

But this is a turbo-charged trine as it involves planets sitting in each of the related elements at around the same degree forming a triangle shape in the natal chart.

Just like the trine, the Grand Trine of planets is considered to be a harmonious aspect as the elements work with one another in a positive way. This aspect pattern also includes one of each of the modes, which in turn creates a sense of balance as it isn't overrun with one type of quality which could challenge the flow of the energy.

Of course like any of the aspect patterns, if you have three planets at about 120° apart but with a slightly wider orb at the end or beginning of each of a sign, there is the potential for an unrelated element to be part of the aspect pattern.

This can then reduce the sense of flow about the aspect pattern, but does not prevent the positive communication between the planets. It might introduce a duplicated mode which could colour the 'flavour' of the trine and make it a bit ore noticeable.

I say noticeable because the challenge with this 'positive' or 'harmonious' aspect is that it provides no tension at all and someone with these aspects can find themselves unchallenged by the planets in this configuration, and quite possibly unaware of the potential contained in this aspect pattern.

They could be the type of person who coasts through life being in the right place at the right time, always showered with lucky moments and meetings which provide them with the good fortune many of us would envy.

This aspect pattern can promote a sense of inertia. Why push yourself if you don't have to? Why work hard when opportunities land in your lap? Why take advantage of opportunities when you could just "Netflix and Chill" at home instead?

Do you have a Grand Trine in your chart? Let me know!

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This is an aspect pattern which is much like the Grand Cross, but cut in half from corner to corner like a sandwich (am I writing when hungry again?!).

Two planets sitting in opposition to each other at 180° apart are pulled into a tense pyramid of power when a planet sits on the very top.

When connecting the lines from the middle of the opposition and the planet sitting at the mid-point, the letter T can be seen in the natal chart.

This planet which forms the tip of the planetary mountain – or volcano as I like to think of it – is also known as 'the apex' which is where the tension from the opposition is focussed and ejected.

Just like the grand cross, a T-Square will be formed of different elements, but will have the mode in common (unless the orbs are wide and are sitting at the end or beginning of signs that are in unrelated modes).

As with the opposition, relationships are implied, and with the square aspect there is an unavoidable internalised friction which cannot be ignored.

Like my counselling skills teacher says "relationships are the vehicle to change" and this is exactly the type of challenge instigated by this aspect pattern.

Much like the Grand Cross, this aspect pattern is very powerful. However, they only contain one opposition which feeds into a pyramidal apex which I feel mimics an active volcano.

The configuration seems to act as a planetary feedback loop which continues to cycle around and around spring lava from the apex.

Do you have a T-Square in your chart? Let me know!

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When looking at the patterns in the centre of the chart which are formed by the aspects, there are patterns that appear which are formed when the planets come together to form larger configurations.

By coming together, I mean that they form patterns by sitting at degrees in the natal chart which form aspects which conjoin to make larger patterns which form a larger pattern in the chart.

These patterns are usually formed with planets and asteroids, but not usually with hypothetical or calculated points like the Ascendant or Midheaven, the Lunar Nodes, or Black Moon Lilith.

These patterns can be considered challenging or easy offering potentials for growth or good fortune in each of their expressions.

Some are more commonly known than others.

This week we are taking a look at the Grand Cross which is formed when there is a planet at the same degree, 90° apart in each of the related modes: Cardinal, Fixed or Mutable.

For example, if you have a planet at 15° of each of the Cardinal signs each planet will be 90° or 180° apart. This forms an aspect pattern that looks like a big square with a cross going from corner to corner.

As you may recall from the episodes on the square aspect and planets in opposition, there's a lot of tension with planets that sit 90° apart. Oppositions are considered to have a tension as well, though not all oppositions have to be challenging, though they can be.

The Grand Cross is a volatile aspect pattern which creates a great amount of tension in the natal chart. This tension can be expressed productively, or coater-productively depending on the self-awareness of the native. I think of it as a Catherine wheel, with each corner of the square being activated when lit, causing this pattern to spin out of control. It has to burn out before it can slow down and each point of the aspect pattern feeds into itself and can trigger the other points very easily.

As with the opposition, relationships are implied, and with the square aspect there is an unavoidable internalised friction which cannot be ignored. Like my counselling skills teacher says "relationships are the vehicle to change" and this is exactly the type of challenge instigated by this aspect pattern.

Do you have a grand cross in your chart? Let me know!

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In today's episode I decided to take a look at the aspect, and elements/modes grids when casting a chart using astro.com in order to assess elemental and modal weighting in the natal chart, and also to understand how to read the aspects grid the natal chart 'feels'.

This can be identified when looking at whether an aspect is applying, separating or is exact/partile.

Each aspect glyph is displayed in the aspects grid with a number and the letter A or S giving an indication to how soon (or recently) the aspect made it's contact, and will give us a feel of how that person experiences the conversation between the planets in their chart.

Using Johnny Depp as an example, I demonstrate which elements and modes feature most heavily for him, and which are under-represented in the chart so we can get a feel for how he interacts with his environment, what motivates him and how he deals with conflict.

I also take a little look at how strong or weak the aspects are in contact with his Sun, and Venus and Mercury.

I hope you enjoyed todays episode and feel able to take a look at that mystical grid at the bottom of your horoscope wheel to see which planets are talking to each other, what type of relationship they have and how you interact with your environment based on your elemental and modal weightings.

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I had originally recorded this episode as an audio version only but realised it was very difficult to describe without a visual prompt for listeners to refer to.

Yes, I could've added an image to the accompanying blog post, but I thought I would go one better and record an enhanced podcast for you to enjoy on my YouTube channel.

In a nutshell the conjunction, opposition, square, trine and sextile are all considered the major aspects.

Their relationship with the luminary-ruled signs is the key to how they are assigned their nature, and exploring this will help you to understand the underlying feel of each of the aspects and how they reveal themselves natally, by transit or even through synastry giving a sense of how planets communicate with each other.

Hopefully this gives a sense of how planets communicate with each other through aspect.

Please let me know if this enriched your understanding of the aspects and whether you recognise the application of aspects in your own natal chart.

➡️ Watch the Enhanced Podcast Episode: https://youtu.be/6OoaWoZmCcY

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I would love to record an episode on each of the minor aspects, but there are a few time constraints which prevent me from doing this currently.

However, I have recorded an episode with a brief explanation of each of the minor aspects so you can familiarise yourself with this information and explore at your own leisure.

The most 'major' of the minors in my humble opinion is the quincunx which is an aspect I often look at in consultation.

But each of the minor aspects can uncover deeper aspects of the personality contained within the natal chart and they can also reveal hidden gifts which may not be immediately obvious, but upon exploring these in your own natal chart these rather specific but subtle planetary connections uncover another dimension of your personality.

There is a tighter orb for each of the minor aspects, at 2°-3° each, which means they have to be tight to apply.

In this episode of The Stellium Astrology Podcast I talk about some of the minor planetary aspects in astrology and hope to inspire you to explore these subtle influences in your own natal chart.

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So we've reached the end of our conversation about the major aspects, concluding with the 60° sextile.

The sextile might be considered 'soft' but is by no means a shrinking violet! This powerful aspect can open doorways of opportunity which can alter the course of your life forever, should you so recognise and take advantage of this moment of magic.

The sextile is a little more obvious than a trine. In fact it's considered a 'coaxing' aspect so when we feel this opportunity knocking we need to recognise it and be open to the potential.

In the natal chart, when planets are within 60° of each other (give or take 4° orb either side) they are in a positive communication working harmoniously with one another, and can reach potentials they might not normally do on their own.

Planets that meet by sextile are often in complementary elements – for example Capricorn and Pisces (passive Cardinal Earth and Mutable Water signs) or Aries and Gemini (active Cardinal Fire and Mutable Air signs).

This can offer enough variety to tempt a productive expression of these planets through a positive communication between the elements and a modal relationship which encourages each other out of the rut of each modality.

For example, planets sextile from Pisces to Taurus can pull the other out of the mud of total fixity while providing some focus from the floundering of aimless mutability.

It is possible to have planets sextile to one another in conflicting elements like Fire and Water, but in the same mode. This happens when the planets are at the very end or beginning of a sign and have a wider orb. For example, Jupiter at 28° Sagittarius and the Moon at 1° Pisces.

You can see how this creates another way of complementing each other as now they are sharing a mode, though their elements aren't as comfortable working with one another.

For example, if your Ascendant ruler and Descendant ruler are sextile, this can indicate a sense of luck and opportunity when meeting other people who can help you on your way in many aspects of your life. In fact it can be a very lucky aspect to have in your romantic relationships, or at least describes many opportunities for you to enter into relationships with others (whether positive, or not-so in your life).

By transit, the sextile can open a window of opportunity which once passed could be the thing we kick ourselves for not taking – that chance we later come to regret for not seeing the fruits it had to offer at the time.

Or it could be a moment of "Yes" which opens up a pathway for us we'd never considered possible. A moment of synchronicity that just feels right.

The saying "Opportunity is a door marked push" particularly resonates for me with the sextile aspect.

Do you have a sextile in your chart and do you resonate with anything I've shared about it during this episode?

When opportunity knocks, are you a naysayer or do you grab on with both hands?

Let me know the comments below!

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We've covered the neutral and hard aspects now we've reached the mathematical sweet spot: the 120° trine!

The trine can be found by dividing the circle by three. What trines have in common are the fact they share the same element.

However, they share different modes. If you've covered the elements episodes then you'll know that these signs are motivated and engage with their environment in similar ways. In essence they work harmoniously with each other.

(If you haven't listened to the Elements and the Modes, definitely go back and have a listen!)

It is possible to have planets in trine to each other but in different elements. This happens when the planets are at the very end or beginning of a sign and have a wider orb (most astrologers use an orb of 6°-8° either side).

For example, you can have Pluto at 27° Libra and Mars at 1° Pisces which means this is an out-of-sign trine with Cardinal Air and Mutable Water communicating with each other.

This doesn't weaken the power of the trine, but it does create a different style of communication between the planets by adding an extra layer of complexity to the expression.

Trines are considered a fortunate, lucky or 'easy' aspect, but unlike squares which encourage a proactive approach to problems, trines can promote a sense of complacency.

I know many people with trines in their natal charts who are aware and working consciously with them – usually because things just seem to happen synchronistically, there is an element of luck by being in the right place at the right time.

But when it comes to problem solving, trines can lie dormant. They don't vie for attention in the same way a square can. In fact they just aren't pushy at all!

However, when the planets communicate through the trine, it usually describes an easy and cooperative communication.

This is great if the planets are operating at their best – for example a Mercury–Saturn trine can indicate a positive relationship between methodical thinking, structured outlook, academic ability.

But people may have a natural gift for this and not need to push themselves in this area so they wouldn't achieve as much as they might if they had a square between the same planets.

Do you have any trines in your natal chart and are you aware of them in the way you might be aware of some of your other aspects?

Are you complacent in certain areas of your life represented by the trines you have?

Or do you utilise your gifts and make the best of them?

Let me know in the comments below!

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From dividing the circle by 0 for the conjunction or 2 for the opposition, division of the circle by 4 gives us the square.

This one's probably quite easy to comprehend as 360° divided by 4 gives 90° and anyone who was paying attention in junior maths will remember the right angle!

That's basically what the square aspect is: planets sitting at the same degree in two signs that are 90° (a right angle) apart, give or take 8° orb either side.

Planets that are square to one another will be related by their associated mode (quadruplicity), but will be in a different element (triplicity) – unless of course they are on the cusp of a sign and not at the same degree. For example you could have Mars at 28° of Gemini and Venus at 1° Libra.

In this example, these planets are still square but are also slightly wide and straddling the cusp of two signs. This also means that they have different modes – Gemini is mutable air, and Libra is cardinal earth.

So this adds an extra layer of complexity to the expression – air and earth are active and passive elements both bustling for attention plus there's a conflict between the modes in the square – the mutability of Gemini and the cardinality of Libra (if you missed the shows on the elements and modes definitely check them out as they will greatly enrich your understanding).

Planets at a right-angle have a sense of friction – a call to action – which is hard to ignore. A phrase I like which describes the square is "the squeakiest wheel gets oiled first" – planets square each other are hard to ignore. They vye for our attention above all other aspects and force us to resolve issues and create solutions – after all, necessity is the mother of invention!

Squares can literally make us "think outside the box" where we meet challenge and have to work a little harder to get what we want.

You could view a natal square – for example between Mercury and Saturn – as the student who isn't naturally academic so they have to work harder than someone who has a natural aptitude for academia.

The naturally gifted student who doesn't struggle so much at school may become complacent and decide not to work as hard to get the results they are projected, and achieves a mediocre result which they settle for.

The individual projected poor results puts in the extra hours and puts themselves under extra pressure to perform better and not only improves their results, but also improves their attitude towards what is possible.

They may never resolve this inner conflict which can manifest as imposter syndrome, BUT this aspect creates a sense of mastery through repeated effort.

At worst, we could see the square as an obstacle that we keep tripping over which requires repeated effort if we wish to conquer it and reach our full potential.

At best, the square could be viewed as the aspect of constant improvement, which always challenges us to question our efforts and push just that little bit harder.

Do you have any squares in your natal chart and do you feel it more than some of your other aspects? Do you push yourself harder in certain areas of your life represented by the squares you have?

➡️ Visit Stellium Astrology for episode links, charts, to apply to have your chart featured, and to see which episodes you've already been featured in!

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