Natal Astrology

There are three important aspects that involve more than two planets and/or energies. I say energies because this aspects are also applicable to the Ascendant, Mid-Heaven and so forth, as well.

Grand Trine - formed by three planets in a triangle of the same elements. They create a harmonious energy within the houses where they are located and for the matters of which the planets/energies represent. However, the Grand Trine can be a detriment because the native may become to reliant upon the natural harmony of the aspect and therefore dismiss harnessing the positive potential. You can see the triangle in my natal chart .

Grand Square - formed by four squares and two oppositions, a Grand Square is having a planet within orb in each of the quadruplicities. There is great strength in this arrangement because obstacles must be overcome. When in the cardinal signs, action must occur to relieve the tension. When in the fixed signs, there must be an emotional outlet. When in mutable signs, the native may be plagued with indecision and become static - so look to the fixed signs within the natal chart to facilitate correcting the indecision.

T-Square - two planets that oppose one another both square a third planet. This is like the Grand Square but with a missing corner. I think of it as a square table with only three legs. Because this lack of balance, it is the most difficult of the aspects and will likely be most difficult when a heavy planet transits the area of the missing leg. The quality that needs focusing is the one that is missing.

Aspects are what astrologers call the relationships between planets in a natal chart. While there are many more aspects, I will focus on the five most prominent ones. These here focus on relationships between two planets. It is important to note that aspects should be counted by signs, not by house. Please also note that aspects can be applied to other portions of the natal chart, such as the Mid-heaven or the Ascendant.

Conjunct - this aspect has an orb of 0-10°. It is considered by many astrologers (myself included) to be the most important relationship(s) in the natal chart. The energies are close, therefore powerful. However, the aspect isn’t necessarily a harmonious one. The planet that is most comfortable within the sign of the aspect will have a stronger influence.

Opposition - this aspect has an orb of 180°. These are opposing energies that must make peace. They literally divide the circle and can cause a feeling of inner conflict. Oppositions seek others out to reconcile the conflict within. As Isabel M. Hickey states regarding oppositions versus conjunctions: “In a conjunction you do something; in an opposition the other fellow does.”

Sextile - this aspect has an orb of 60°. The planets in this aspect work together quite beautifully - they reveal potential for many opportunities of success. This relationship is typically very harmonious and indicative of talents we see in ourselves.

Trine - this aspect has an orb of 120°. Another harmonious aspect, trines are protective and accepting aspects. Unlike sextiles, however, the energies that trines offer us come with such ease that they may be completely unconscious and therefore never developed.

Square - this aspect has an orb of 90°. This is often considered to be a “hard” aspect because the planets create an energy of tension. However, it is dynamic (unlike the trine) and it’s obstacles are what builds our characters and helps us evolve spiritually.

In the next installment, I will discuss aspects that involve more than two planets.

Mutual reception is when two planets are in each others’ signs. In my chart , Aries Moon and Cancer Mars are in mutual reception. It isn’t one of those placements that jumps out at me when making a once-over at a natal wheel chart for the first time - I have to look for it. You will likely also have to look for it, particularly if you are still not familiar with the signs and the planets that rule them. Of course, not all charts have planets in mutual reception. Mutual reception gives a beneficial power to each planet, helping to stabilize the energies and create a sense of harmony.

What planets do you have in mutual reception?

Simply put, planetary dignities and debilities are placements in a chart that show emphasis in either a positive or negative way. There are a few ways a planet can be dignified and a few ways it can be debilitated.

The first way that a planet can be dignified is when it is located in the sign that it naturally rules in the natal chart. It is considered to be “at home” here and thereby dignified. Take a closer look at the planets and the signs they rule if you are unfamiliar with them. The next best placement a planet can have in the natal chart is by exaltation, which is likened to being a guest in the home of a friend - it is comfortable and familiar, but not quite like being at home.

Likewise, planets can be debilitated by their placement in the natal chart. A planet is in detriment when it is located in a sign that opposes it’s own sign. For example, Mars naturally rules Aries. When it is located in the natal chart in the sign of Libra, it is in detriment. A planet is considered to be in fall when it is located in opposition to it’s exalted state.

A table to help you learn the placements of the dignities and debilities.

There are other, more complex ways a planet can be considered dignified. One of the simpler ways is called Dignified Triplicity. What that means is that a planet is considered moderately dignified when it is located in the sign of a relative element. For example, the Sun is the natural ruler of Leo - a fire sign - and is exalted in Aries, also a fire sign. However, it is slightly dignified in the sign of Sagittarius, the third fire sign. This type of dignity is not as potent as the other types and therefore their effect will not be as predominant.

Dignities and debilities can tell you a lot about your natal wheel chart. Have a look at your chart to identify and dignities and debilities you may have and take note of them!

Interpreting a natal wheel chart - even one’s own - can be tricky business. I have been observing and studying astrology for more than 15 years and still have some troubles getting it sometimes. Interestingly, though, my chart indicates a character who “can’t see the forest for all the trees.” I get lost in the details and sometimes have a bit of a problem viewing the chart as a whole.

To interpret a chart, you must first know how to read a natal wheel chart . If you haven’t yet studied the symbols, it will be very difficult to make sense out of the information you have in order to translate it into information you can comprehend!

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Saturn is the natural ruler of Capricorn. It signifies limitations, boundaries, restrictions and structures. It governs things like diplomacy, heirarchy and social structures. It is the natural ruler of the 10th House and the skeletal system.

Uranus is the natural ruler of Aquarius. It represents the unconventional, lightning-fast (and unexpected) changes, inventions and individuality. An example of Uranus at work would be the industrial revolution. It is radical and often indicative of progressive, forward-thinking in some fashion.

Neptune is the natural ruler of Pisces. It signifies illusion, deception, duplicity and confusion. It is often associated with mysticism, spirituality, drugs, fantasies and mediums. It governs things like institutions - places people go (by choice or not) to withdraw from society: prisons, convents, lunatic asylums, etc. It naturally rules the 12th House and mysterious illnesses, often mental illnesses.

Pluto is the natural ruler of Scorpio. It represents transformation, death and rebirth. It governs things like wealth, medical and detective work and mining: things that reveal the hidden. Pluto is the natural ruler of the 8th House and the regenerative forces in the body.

In the upcoming installment, I will discuss understanding and interpretting the natal chart in a bit more depth. Also, coming up, we will look at dignities and debilities, planets in retrograde motion, mutual reception and a contest!

Mars is the natural ruler of Aries and co-ruler of Scorpio. It represents energy, aggression, sexuality and confidence. It governs things like competitions, contests and physical activity. Mars is impulsive. It naturally rules the 1st House and many astrologers believe it co-rules the 8th House. Mars rules the muscular system.

Jupiter is the natural ruler of Sagittarius and co-ruler of Pisces. It signifies expansion, growth and prosperity. It governs things like higher education, philosophy, religion and long-distance travel. Jupiter naturally rules the 9th House and in the body, the blood, the pituitary gland and the fats.

In the next installment, we will wrap our close look at the planets.

*Stay tuned - a contest is on the horizon! *

Mercury is the natural ruler of Gemini and Virgo. It signifies communication, thoughts, ideas and rationale. It governs things like schools, contracts, siblings and short trips. It naturally rules the 3rd and 6th Houses as well as the nervous system, the thyroid and the senses. It is the most common planet to have retrograde motion.

Venus is the natural ruler of Taurus and Libra. It signifies harmony, beauty, feelings and affections. It governs things like fashion, arts, romantic relationships, marriage and physical comforts. It naturally rules the 2nd and 7th Houses and the veins.

Mercury and Venus will never be square or opposite the Sun, as their orbs do not allow them physically to move that far from the Sun. The only major aspect Mercury and the Sun can have is conjunct.

The next post will focus on Mars and Jupiter.

While technically not a planet, the Sun is a heavenly body that has (perhaps the most) an important role in astrology. When answering the question “What’s your sign?” the answer you give - the sign you identify yourself as - is that of your Sun sign.

The Sun is the natural ruler of Leo. The Sun represents the Self, the ego and willpower. It is indicative of the outer personality and is the core of any natal chart, just as the Sun is the center of our solar system. It is the self-conscious. It naturally rules the 5th House and the circulatory system, the heart in particular.

The Moon is the natural ruler of Cancer. It represents our emotions, feelings and moods. The Moon is indicative of nurturing, rhythm and timing, the home and adaptability. It is the unconscious. It naturally rules the 4th house and the breasts and digestive system. Further, the Moon is often represented as the Mother, maternal in nature.

In the natal chart, a conjunct Sun and Moon indicates a New Moon at the time of birth, while Sun opposite Moon indicates a Full Moon at time of birth. In future installments, we will investigate the different aspects.

In the next installment, we will take a closer look at Mercury and Venus.