Unaspected Planets

As we analyze the Horoscope, we examine and interpret the aspects between the Planets, establishing a connection to help us understand how the specific energies relate and interact.

But what about the case when a Planet is not connected with any other Planet by a major aspect (Conjunction, Square, Opposition, Trine, or Sextile)? The initial impulse is to just dismiss it and move on. But if we do so we're missing out on a tremendously important dynamic of the Horoscope.

Merely because the unaspected Planet isn't well-integrated with the rest of the chart doesn't suggest that it must remain on the sidelines as a quiet observer. Rather than being content with this Astrological isolation, the Planet is often driven to "makes some noise" in order to gain notice and make its point as suggested by its Sign and House placement. We routinely see that these unaspected "renegades" — by virtue of the fact that they aren't intimately wired into the circuitry with the rest of the Planets — may have to fight for recognition.

Interpretive techniques that help with understanding of unaspected planets include utilization of minor aspects, House Rulerships, Midpoint pictures, and (at times) mutual receptions. These somewhat less obvious connections represent mechanisms by which the Planet can become involved in the chart dynamics.

For example, an unaspected Sun in Leo located in and ruling the 10th could easily describe a situation where the abundant ego energy is desperately searching for a suitable public forum to "strut his stuff".

Then, if the Sun forms a Natal Quintile (a 72 degree aspect suggesting creativity) with the Ascendant, we get the feeling that projecting this strong public persona is essential to "creating and defining a sense of self".

In this example, the creativity is further emphasized by the midpoint picture involving the unaspected Sun, where Sun = Mercury/Neptune is interpreted as, "Creativity; successful imaginative conceptualization; possibly allowing oneself to be deceived". (Interpretation from the appendix of Synthesis and Counseling in Astrology by Noel Tyl).

This example is from the chart of Napoleon Bonaparte-I and demonstrates that while an unaspected planet may not have the traditional means to connect with the rest of the chart, it strives to find a way to be noticed, frequently becoming part of a central development theme.

The following table is a interpretive tool for analysis of unaspected planets:

UNASPECTED PLANETS SYMBOLIC MANIFESTATIONS
Sun	Horoscope is permeated by the life energy significance of the Sun; abundant energy sometimes lacks direction
Moon	Horoscope is permeated by the specific need energies formulated in the symbol of the Moon; can tend toward emotional hypersensitivity
Mercury	Focus on analyzing, diversity, and/or communicating (often talkative)
Venus	Special dimension of creativity is indicated conspicuously; often artistic or musical abilities; sometimes obsessive activity in relationships
Mars	Fierce determination; self preservation; energy looking for release
Jupiter	Enthusiasm looking for a cause or a mission in life; overindulgence; opinionation
Saturn	Tremendous self-control potential; need for structure is often so pronounced that the sense of responsibility becomes distorted
Uranus	Accentuates individualism, desire for recognition for “being different”; “rules were made to be broken”; extreme inventiveness
Neptune	Usually manifests as a dream or an ideal projected through the personality; a sense of confusion, a clouding of the issues represented by Neptune placement; can be religious associations
Pluto	Major dose of empowerment; drive to prominence
Unaspected planets tend to run away with the horoscope, in effect dominating behaviorally in terms of planetary archetype of the unaspected planet. The rest of the planets often follow the peregrine planet’s lead (Based on Unaspected or "Peregrine" planets in Synthesis and Counseling in Astrology by Noel Tyl)

Top of Page

UNASPECTED PLANETS