Aspectual Dignities
Planetary aspects are invisible lines that reflect a relationship one planet may have with other planets. These lines are calculated according to the degree of a planet's distance from another planet. There are several different types of planetary aspects; most astrologers find that 5 or 6 of them are the most significant in an astrological natal (birth) chart or planet transit chart. Conjuncts, trines, sextiles, squares, oppositions, and for some astrologers quincunx are the most important aspects to examine as they have the strongest impact on a person's natal expression.
To learn more about planetary aspects, click here.
Of course, as with planetary aspects some of them will act as dignities, benefiting us in much easier ways while other planetary aspects will act as debilities benefiting us but with challenges on our journey to fulfillment. Almost every individual in the world has favorable and challenging aspects. This means there will always be times in our lives when we will have it easier, but also times when we meet challenges. Either way, it will benefit us...but in different ways. Challenges make us stronger and more skilled. So they are not all bad.
The source of controversy lies in the understanding of these aspects; which are worse than others? Which are better? Can even positive aspects have setbacks? And are some aspects more similar in expression? These are all questions I'm going to attempt to answer as simply as possible.
Conjuncts: Are They Good Or Bad?
Conjuncts happen when planets are at a 0 degree angle from one another; in other words they are in close proximity to each other and usually they are positioned in the same sign as one another. This means that the planets have similar needs, similar expressions, and similar advantages as one another and thus will benefit one another in many ways as a result. After all, they are so close to one another and most of the time they are in the same sign; how could they not benefit from each other in some way? To many this may sound good in theory. Of course, this aspect is more complicated than it seems.
For the native, fulfilling the needs of one planet will be as if they are fulfilling the need of all the planets conjuncting. The native will have energies that almost seem one and the same. For example, if the native has moon conjunct Venus the native will often see their emotional needs and physical desires as intertwined. This can be both a positive and negative thing. Using the moon conjunct Venus as an example still, if the emotions are met the physical desires of the individual will also be met making the native easily satisfied in both areas. On the other hand, if one is not met it will feel like both needs are not being met. This is when the native will become even more demanding. In this sense, the energy will be felt differently according to the planet's energy that is conjuncting. With planets conjuncting like the sun (planet of ego) conjunct Pluto (planet of power), this energy may have more intense extremes.
So is it good or bad to have conjuncts? Needless to say it is both an advantage and a disadvantage, especially depending on which planets are conjuncting. Any conjunct to Jupiter would be beneficial, as Jupiter is considered a benefic planet astrologically. Of course, any conjunct to Saturn would be met with obstacles, as Saturn is considered astrologically malefic. The same can be said of Venus (the lesser benefic planet of love) and Mars (the lesser malefic planet of passion). The conjunction is an aspect that should be handled carefully in order for there to be benefits and should never be taken to the extreme. That will determine whether it has dignifying abilities or debilitating ones.
Trines And Sextiles: Do They Give The Same Energy?
In recent years, many modern astrologers have described trines and sextiles in pretty much similar descriptions. Naturally, trines and sextiles are favorable positions making life a little easier for the native. Both aspects are a result of agreeable energies coming together. To some astrologers, the similarities of these two are so strong that many have decided to explain trines and sextiles interchangeably. Might as well, right?
Well, before you decide that these are basically the same energies you must understand that these are two different aspects classified separately for good reason.
Think about the idea of a restaurant or a cafe that serves pretty much the same items but with variances that makes the difference in the restaurant's or cafe's value. Even if the restaurant and/or cafe may be serving very similar things as another food place, they specialize in different things and have very different virtues that keep costumers happy. This is the same with trine and sextile.
The trine makes expression easier between the two planets because the needs tend to be similar, so satisfaction will be easier to attain. In fact, this individual will be able to utilize trining energies without confusing their needs and wants. They will be able to use their gifts and abilities to gain the benefits of the other planet(s) that are trining.
The sextile aspect is also giving an easier expression in the natal chart of the native. The difference is that with a sextile the energies are not as similar as it is with the trine, although the energies seem to express in a way that is agreeable. In other words, the planets express and gain benefits without interfering with one another. In fact, the native has quite a bit of reasoning abilities allowing them to reason between what is important and what is not so important in their lives. The differences between their needs and wants are quite clear to the point they are able to put things into perspective. This is why, some of the time, many astrologers believe a sextile is the best position to have in astrology.
Regardless, both aspects are favorable and should you run across these aspects in your natal chart, just know that it will be the one chance to relax and take it easy.
Oppositions & Squares: Which is Worse?
More than benefits, people are most concerned about the setbacks that they will encounter in life. After all, knowing the bad before the good can help one prevent it from ruining one's life in some respects. Knowing what obstacles to face can make it easier for us to face them.
The two major aspects in astrology that signify a "debility", or rather challenges, would be between the opposition and the square.
There is much debate about which is worse to have surprisingly. Many astrologers have stated that having a square is more strenuous on the native, while others have argued that an opposition is worse because it causes feels mentally and emotionally strenuous on the native. My perspective is that both have unfavorable qualities that may make life harder for any native that has these two aspects.
A square occurs when planets form a 90 degree angle from one another. The planets are usually in signs that have the same modal expression, but have incompatible elemental energies (fire, earth, air, water). The square signifies conflicts with expression and desire. The native may feel like their desires conflict with one another, making it challenging to get what they want. They may seem like a contradictory person to others, possibly because in their attempt to express themselves they give off two different energies for two different needs.
An opposition occurs when planets are positioned exactly opposite from one another (at 180 degree angle). Usually these planets are also positioned in signs that are opposite each other. This represents energies that openly oppose one another, making it seem like they are standing in each other's way. As a result, the native will always feel as if outside forces are interfering with what they desire. Yes, there is a lot of projection...but in reality it is the native's own desires that oppose one another, causing discontentment. For example, if the native has Sun opposition moon the native will have emotional needs that directly interfere with the confidence of the individual. The native may feel guilt for their emotional desires, causing them to lack self-esteem. On the other hand, they may feel their own pride and ego makes it difficult to gain the love and support they really need.
When thinking about which is worse, it comes down to several things. The first thing to consider are the planets that are making such aspects. With a planet like Saturn or Mars aspecting planets, a square may feel more intense. However, with an opposition the situation may still be a difficult one depending on what sign the two planets are in. The position of the planets in one of the 12 houses may also play a role in difficulty. The position of the planets are key.
Furthermore, it depends on the solution for overcoming such obstacles. Needless to say, they have different ways of overcoming obstacles. On one hand with the opposition even though the energies directly oppose or interfere with one another, if the native can recognize these needs and come to understand what they have in common the native can easily balance these energies and even find benefits to satisfy both energies. After all, with oppositions, they are usually in signs with compatible elements and the same modal expression. With square, there are a little more differences between the two planets. The planets are not found in signs that have compatible elements as one another...but they do have the same modal expression. Keeping this in mind, the square may seem just a tad bit more challenging when it comes to trying to balance these energies.
On the other hand, natives with squaring energies easily recognize their own desires and energies. They may have conflict of interests, but usually they have no need to be insightful...they just need practice with how they handle these energies. Whereas with oppositions the natives may need to re-evaluate themselves in order to make the necessary changes. Otherwise, these natives will constantly believe the world is out to get them.
In conclusion, whether squares or oppositions are worse than the other depends on the planet's position in the chart, circumstance, and the native's maturity. Both should be examined carefully and one should be mindful of how both energies can affect their environment.
Quincunx Or Inconjunct: Are They The Same? How Important Are they?
The Quincunx and Inconjunct aspects are lines that are being more and more examined by astrologers these days. They are usually aspects formed between planets that are at a 150 degree angle from one another. Most of the time they are in signs that do not have compatible elemental energies nor do the signs have modal energies in common. They are positioned in signs that are extremely different. This makes the aspect an unfavorable position or "debility". The energy that comes with this aspect is usually is so incompatible that the two energies cannot be blended. They must act as different forces at different times. Timing is everything with these energies. They will not benefit each other in any way because of their differences. As a result the native must be creative when attempting to adjust to these two different energies.
In a way this is why these energies are so important, despite the fact that many astrologers refer to it as a minor aspect. Sure, it may seem because these energies between the planets have no common ground, there is really no point in examination. To add, many astrologers consider aspects that are at least 2 to 5 degrees apart to be important aspects. With inconjunct (quincunx) these aspects are usually about 8 degrees apart. While this is considered more of a lose aspectual position, this aspect has shown to have a stronger impact than other minor aspects despite its position. This aspect can especially be highly influential on the life of the native if a planet is basically peregrine (with hardly any aspects or other dignities). The aspect can reveal why a native may always find themselves exerting more energy in order to make their energies work. With this aspect it is important for the native to know that it can't be solved with simple mental calculations. This aspect requires physical action to make them work. Thus, if astrologers are willing to examine even the loser aspects of a trine, sextile, opposition, square then a quincunx should be examined; the distance is only slightly loose anyhow.
If a sextile aspect is involved with a quincunx, this will be favorable for the debilitating aspect. The pattern formed from this type of aspect is known as a "Yod" (often called "God's Finger"). The yod represents intuition the native may have that gets them benefits despite their situation. This can seem to be from a force outside of their own doing, or it can be that they suddenly find a hidden talent inside of themselves. Of course, this energy can be good or bad depending on the transiting of planets that trigger it.
Is a quincunx aspect the same as an inconjunct aspect? Yes, the aspect is the same...the difference is really that the two terms describe slightly different situations in regards to the aspect. Typically the terms inconjunct and quincunx are used interchangeably to mean the same thing. However, these words do have different meanings. These meanings affect how the aspect is seen by different astrologers.
The definition of a quincunx refers to "integration", which means that the native must make adjustments in their lives to accommodate very different energies. With the term Quincunx it seems to offer a more sound solution to a conflict that is difficult.
The term Inconjunct in astrology refers to an aspect that is hard to reconcile. It means that the energies have natural conflict with each other and are almost impossible to solve. When thinking about this, it is no wonder most astrologers ignore this aspect or prefer the term quincunx instead. Technically, preparedness is required when describing it this way and tolerance is about all the can be done. This is obviously not the most ideal way to describe a harsh aspect.
So the next time you see quincunx or inconjunct, just know they refer to the same aspect. However, keep in mind that it is the terms that give different meanings to the aspect. Whichever term you choose to go by is entirely up to your perception of life based off of your own experiences of the aspect.