Aspect Grid Analysis (Part III)

"In nature we never see anything isolated, but everything in connection with something else 
which is before it, beside it, under it and over it."  

Continuing the theme of the two previous monthly articles, 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.

Last month, we looked at the Squares, Trines, and Sextiles. This month, as promised, we will look at the Unaspected Planets.

The following three paragraphs are excerpted from an earlier article on this Web site, Understanding Unaspected Planets.  Readers desiring a more detailed discussion and interpretation of Unaspected Planets are encouraged to explore this link.

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.

Not all horoscopes have unaspected planets, but in our "mystery" aspect grid shown above, we see that the Sun, Saturn, and Uranus make no major (Ptolemaic) aspects with any other planet, so for our purposes are considered to be unaspected. Based on the previously referenced article on this site, Understanding Unaspected Planets, we gain insight into unaspected planets and suggest specific manifestations related to the involved planet(s). Further, we can examine the minor aspects to any unaspected planet(s) to gain additional insight into their interpretation. For a more complete discussion of minor aspects, please refer to the Minor Aspects--A Major Misnomer? article on this Web site.

Unaspected Sun usually suggests abundant energy, but may lack direction; difficulty finding self; may manifest as a dissociation complex; possible overcompensation

The Sun forms a Quincunx with Saturn, thereby connecting two of the unaspected planets. This suggests that the ego, life purpose, and identity must make adjustments to gain stability and structure.

The Sun also forms a Square with the North Node (remember we defined unaspected as lacking planet to planet major aspects) suggesting that the ego, life purpose, and identity requires a relationship with the public in order to feel fulfilled.

Unaspected Saturn suggests a potential difficulty establishing or maintaining necessary controls; tremendous self-control potential; need for structure is often so pronounced that the sense of responsibility may become distorted  

Unaspected Saturn forms a Quindecile (165 degrees) with Mercury, suggesting a compulsion for thoughts, ideas, and communications to be well-delineated and firmly based. A secondary health-related interpretation may represent a tendency toward depression.

Saturn also forms a trine with the North Node that creates a window of opportunity to establish security through a relationship with the public.

Unaspected Uranus accentuates and emphasizes individualism, the desire for recognition for “being different”; “rules were made to be broken”; extreme inventiveness  

Unaspected Uranus forms a Quincunx with the Moon, suggesting a necessary adjustment to balance emotions with a "free-spirit" mentality, and perhaps a difficulty committing emotionally.

Uranus forms a Quindecile with Venus, suggesting a compulsion toward social unpredictability or rebelliousness, or an innovative aesthetic focus.

Uranus forms a Sesquiquadrate with Mars, encouraging potential volatility and an energetic, hyperactive restlessness.

Uranus trines the Midheaven and creates a window of opportunity to use an innovative form or individualistic expression as a career benefit.

Lastly, Uranus opposes the Ascendant and further highlights the need, yet tension, expressing individuality and defining self by uniqueness.

Combining all influences, we could reasonably postulate that there is substantial and compelling individualistic energy mixed with a rather contradictory responsibility to maintain structure and stability while charting new territory and not being bound by rules or expectations. 

To be continued next month as we conclude our analysis and reveal the identity of our "mystery" aspect grid