"99% of genius is knowing what is important."  

When each of us began our study of astrology, we wanted to learn and use everything that the chart was saying or even remotely hinting at. After a short time, we probably conceded that this all-inclusive approach wasn’t realistic, and really wasn’t very efficient to even attempt.

In many ways, astrology is similar to detective work. We have at our disposal a virtually unlimited number of “clues” from all the individual measurements. Each of these facts and their associated interpretations contributes something toward our attempt to make sense of the chart. And as with detective work, we must sift through the available facts to find the ones that are most important, most significant, and most likely to assist in our investigation. As we accumulate our “evidence”, repetitive themes and suggestions gain added significance as they are logically assigned more credence and reliability. Our suspicions become more probable and our case more solid. Conversely, a single measurement that has no corroboration elsewhere in the chart would most likely be less important to the overall analysis.

If you’re like me, sometimes you almost take the aspect grid almost for granted. Sure, we refer to it occasionally when we’re doing a chart analysis, but rarely take full advantage of all the information that it contains. Some of this information is obvious, while some is more subtle, yet equally meaningful and helpful in our analysis.

For this exercise, we’ll focus on the aspect grid only without using anything else. We won’t know signs, houses, or rulerships, etc. So this exercise is somewhat  like sensory deprivation. To compensate for this limitation, our remaining senses need to become that much more, well, sensitive.

While each of us need to develop our own style and approach to chart analysis, the important thing is that we use our personal style and approach routinely, and thereby become more efficient in the process.

When we look at an aspect grid that includes all the planets, the North Node, the Ascendant, and the Midheaven, we have 78 potential interrelationships symbolically described. And each of those 78 has numerous possibilities based on the specific aspect involved. By using our trusty keywords, thankfully, it isn’t necessary to memorize each and every permutation that we may encounter in order to formulate a suggestions of how the interaction may manifest itself in the client’s life.

Beginning this month, we'll look at the following aspect grid, and see what we can glean from the grid without using any other astrological information. It is hard to imagine any real-life scenario where we would have only the aspect grid to do a full analysis. The purpose of this exercise is, rather, to highlight and appreciate the wealth of information contained in the aspect grid.

Initially, I look for any conjunctions. Any planets or points that are quite close to one another—by nature of their close proximity—can act with a coordinated focus; their energies are easily merged or could be considered to be “on the same page” or focused on a common goal. Since the concept of orb always comes up, I use a relatively tight 7-degree orb for conjunctions involving the Sun or the Moon. For conjunctions not including the Sun or Moon, I reduce the orb to 5 degrees. 

The only conjunction in this grid is Venus conjunct Jupiter. By combining the keywords we come up with something like:

Social, aesthetic, or relationship needs (Venus) operate hand-in-hand with (the nature of the conjunction) optimism, expansion (or excess) in pursuit of rewards and recognition  (Jupiter).  

Next, any oppositions highlight the awareness of—and contrast between—opposing influences within the chart and then seeking resolution to this tension. This could also be seen as a push-pull relationship between the two planets or points.

Mercury opposition Pluto:

Efficient communication, thoughts, and ideas (Mercury) contrast with (the opposition) power needs; sweeping dramatic change; empowerment, a new perspective, and transformation (Pluto).

Mars opposition Pluto:

Efficient use of energy (Mars) contrasts with (the opposition) power needs; sweeping dramatic change; empowerment, a new perspective, and transformation (Pluto).

Note that the keywords representing the Pluto component in our interpretive sentences are identical in both these cases. Once we have the planetary and aspect keywords firmly in mind, it is relatively easy to develop a descriptive non-technical interpretive sentence.  

Note also that even though both Mercury and Mars are in opposition to Pluto, they are not conjunct one another. Therefore we can logically conclude that Mercury and Mars must be separated by more than our defined orb of 5 degrees.

Uranus opposition Ascendant:

Individualistic expression or innovation (Uranus) contrasts with (the opposition) identity definition and personal projection. This suggests that the individual needs to march to a different drummer and is driven to express personal individuality.

To be continued next month as we look at Squares, Trines, and Sextiles.