This is part two of a series on aspects. In this section, I will review the square with a sample chart.
Click here for part one, the introduction and the general explanation of aspects, classical and modern aspects, benefic or malefic aspects, conjunctions, personal, social, and transpersonal planets, the order of the planets, application and separation, and orbs.
When analyzing aspects, there are several important criteria. In addition to what was discussed in part one; we must look at applications, angularity, and dignity or debility.
Application is determined by the speed of the planets, (see part 1). Applying aspects are moving toward each other, and depending on the planet’s speed, they often come to exactness early in life by progression.
Separating aspects are winding down. The release of energy was either in
utero, or at some point prior to birth. The native now “owns” the aspect, but even though it is separating, he will still work on it, but he should have more innate knowledge than with applying aspects.
Angularity has to do with the angular houses, 1, 4, 7, and 10. Planets in these houses are more active and initiating. Any aspect to planets in the angular houses has more power.
Dignity or debility has to do with the sign in which the planet is posited, which gives strength or weakness. Dignity gives strength, and debility gives weakness. We must understand what is meant by weakness, a planet cannot express its positive traits when it is weak. For instance, Mars in Cancer is in fall, and although it is weak, it can still be explosive. but not necessarily in a good way. Mars cannot easily express proper strength, courage, patriotism, or enthusiasm. An example of dignity is the Sun in Leo. This is called rulership, and the Sun is strong. The Moon in Taurus is exalted and thus dignified, while the Moon in the opposite sign Scorpio is in fall and weak by being debilitated.
Click here for more on dignity and debility and a chartThe power of a planet is also determined by its status in the chart. If a planet is the ruler of the ascendant, or elevated, (the highest planet in the chart, closest to the midheaven) it is given more power.
To work with what we have learned so fart, let’s look at our first sample chart, chart #1.
When we analyze aspects in a chart, we are looking for clues as to the character of the native (the person whose chart we are looking at), as well as events manifested by transiting and progressed aspects.
The Moon in this chart has a lot going for it by angularity and dignity, and thus is able to more easily function or bring about events, whether it forms an aspect by progression, or is triggered by a transiting planet. However, the Moon is challenged to express its positive and dynamic nature by natal squares.
When using transits of the Moon we must remember that the day-to-day movements of the Moon are fast, and that aspects last only a few hours, so the Moon does not usually cause much effect, unless it is a progression, an eclipse, or a new or full Moon.
The Moon is in Virgo in the first house. The Moon is about function, feelings, habits, and the stomach. The first house is about anything to do with the self, the physical body, the way we see the world, and the way others see us at first glance. The sign Virgo notices every little speck, every little detail, and can be very critical of self and others; it also relates to the intestines. One of the things that a Virgo Moon is learning in this life is how to assimilate experience on an emotional level, as well as to learn respect for self and others and make it an ingrained habit. This respect can be developed through service to others. (Virgo).
The Moon is in square to the Gemini Midheaven, (the cusp of the 10th house). The 10th house is profession, how a person makes his mark in the world, reputation, and the authoritative parent. This is the parent who is strongly related to our role in the world. Modern astrology calls this the house of the father; ancient astrology calls this the house of the mother.
This is the closest aspect in the chart, and thus was the first major progressed aspect at about 2 ½ years of age. This square set up the way the child would relate to the world. For a young child this probably had to do with bodily functions, especially the digestive system.
In some way, the parent was not able to give a proper foundation to the child, possibly due to an illness, or absence, physical, mental, or emotional. Anyway, some event carved out a role for the child in regards to his ability to participate effortlessly in making his mark in the world. On another level, this aspect is saying there is something about the world that the native cannot stomach (Moon), or assimilate, (Virgo). The challenge is to find a way to redirect this energy through analysis, or service, (Virgo) or communication, (Gemini), and it will eventually involve the profession (10th house).
The ascendant and the Moon are in the sign of Virgo, and the Midheaven (MC) is in the sign of Gemini. Both are ruled by Mercury, the planet that affects the nervous system, as well as the mind. This means that thought and communications must be balanced and not stressful or there will be a “case of the nerves”.
The next square is between the Moon and Neptune in Sagittarius on the cusp of the 4th house thus affecting the 3rd and the 4th. Neptune is a related to that which is unseen, and can bring fraud, flights of fantasy, misdirection, and delusion. Thus Neptune in hard aspect creates confusion, vagueness, or escapism. Here we have a separating aspect. In this case, it will always be a separating aspect, for the Moon never goes retrograde. The energy has already been released and taken hold, so the native is not totally clueless about this situation. Neptune is cadent house, which makes this aspect weaker. This also affects the 4th house of the family and since it is in opposition to the MC, it will affect the career as well.
Since Neptune is near the 3rd house of the siblings and early education, there is either a problem with thinking, communication, early education, or siblings. If this does not show up in the native, it will show up in those around him. This sensitivity is heightened by the fact that Neptune and the Moon are both water planets. Anesthesia, drugs, alcohol, chemicals, or pharmaceuticals may interupt the developemnt of the mind. Noise or water may be a problem.(Moon –water, Neptune -Ocean). Any of the issues, I have mentioned here will always come and go due to the mutability of the signs involved. Mutable signs are like the wind, they blow this way and that way. Mutable signs lack focus. This mutablilty also is shown in mental patterns, the native must learn not to be scattered, or try to do too much at once. This is the age of multitasking and the native neeeds to keep this balanced and not go overboard.
Sagittarius has to do with expansion, enlargement, and the thighs. Physically this may manifest as allergies (Neptune), asthma (Mercury) or an injury to hips or thighs(Sagittarius. Also with the involvement of the Moon, we have to consider the stomach and the digestive tract; there may be a food allergy.
How do we solve all these dilemmas? There are several paths. One is to develop the positive characteristics of the planets in the hard aspect. Another way is to look for a planet in the natal chart that is in good aspect, sextile or trine, to the planets involved in the hard aspect. Using the empty spaces opposite the planets are another possibility, or even midpoints. Using a positive transit to the planet to bring awareness and build a new form is a very powerful way to change.
There are so many ways that aspects can be interpreted. Each planet, sign, and house has many more keywords and ideas than have been discussed here. Get some good keywords, put together sentences, and come up with your own interpretations. We are often our own best counselors.
In Part 2A, I will also finish talking about the squares go on to the oppositions, using chart #1 and chart #2 for the Dali Lama.
If you have any comments or feedback or typo corrections, please leave them in the comment section. I will respond to questions that are relevant ASAP.
Things have slowed down and the storms have abated so I should be able to post Part 2A mid month.
