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| Don
McBroom Tucson, AZ (520) 298-3456 |
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Last month's (September's) astrology article discussed the major (Ptolemaic) aspects. This month we'll explore some of the less commonly used and less understood "minor" aspects. Most every astrologer and serious student uses the Ptolemaic aspects (the conjunction, opposition, trine, square, and sextile). But as we reach beyond the staples of analysis, we quickly get into murky territory. Are the "minor" aspects really less important? Can we just ignore them? First, let's consider the inconjunct or quincunx. This 150-degree aspect is probably the most used of the "minor" aspects. Just 30 degrees (+ or -) from an opposition, it generally is interpreted as a difficult aspect requiring some sort of adjustment in order for the planetary energies to be well integrated. Probably the single one of the lesser aspects to be routinely used, it deserves consideration in the overall chart interpretation. The quindecile [pronounced quin-deh-chee'-ley] (165 degrees) is just 15 degrees short of an opposition. This aspect, rediscovered by Noel Tyl and further researched and expounded upon by Ricki Reeves in her recently-published book, The Quindecile (see the recommended books section of this Web site) is certainly not to be ignored. It is an indicator of obsession, compulsion, disruption, separation, and upheaval. The quintile (72 degrees) is thought to contribute an element of creativity based on the involved planets. Especially useful when evaluating career potential or artistic abilities/talents. The semisquare (45 degrees) is recognized as a tense or challenging aspect. Certainly not as challenging as the square, this aspect can sometimes provide very useful information, especially in a chart comprised of very few Ptolemaic aspects. The sesquiquadrate (135 degrees) — equal to a square plus a semisquare — is another hard aspect that proves useful in charts where there aren't enough Ptolemaic aspects to give us a solid analytical feel for the chart. The semisextile (30 degrees) seems to be an even further dilution of probably the least exciting of the Ptolemaic aspects, the sextile. Perhaps mildly benefic, this one can probably be ignored without losing anything significant in interpretation. I'd also have to group the novile (40 degrees), the decile (36 degrees), the septile (51 degrees, 25 minutes, and 43 seconds), and the vigintile (18 degrees) and others in this category of "safe to ignore". There are many theories—but little agreement—as to the effect of these most minor of the "minor" aspects. So in summary, I use some of these aspects routinely — namely the Quincunx, Quindecile, and Quintile. Others of these "minor" aspects—especially the semisquare and sesquiquadrate—can at times be of immense help. This certainly applies to unaspected or Peregrine Planets (meaning no Ptolemaic planet-to-planet contact) where the impact of these lesser aspects can contribute information that otherwise might elude us. The following table represents both the major and minor aspects, the number of degrees in each, typical interpretive guidelines, and how to recognize the aspect more easily. Listed orbs are those suggested by Noel Tyl for use by students in his Master's Degree Course. |
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