The Planets and Aspects

Each planet symbolises certain sides of your character; for example, Mars stands
for action and passion, Jupiter stands for fortune and higher thought and so on.
Planets are located symbolically in the chart: the signs and houses filter their


energies through the planets, much as a coloured lens filters
the image thrown by a stage-light, or received by a



camera. Planets which are particularly expressive of certain
signs are said to rule
these signs; a planet whose energies are most powerfully channelled through a
certain sign is said to be
exalted in that sign. Planets can have a positive (day) or a negative
(night) rulership, but only one exaltation. The symbolism is so carefully
designed that a planet placed in the opposite sign to its exaltation is found to
be weak in the expression of its natural powers and is said to be in fall;
planets in the opposite signs to their rulership are also weakly placed and are
said to be in detriment. For more on planetary values,
click here.



The planet which is most strongly placed in your birth-chart is called your
Ruling Planet. This is usually the ruler of the ascendant, but could be the
ruler of the sign in which the Sun (sun-ruler) or Moon (moon-ruler) is placed,
depending on its strength by sign, aspect and elevation. Other powerfully placed
planets must also be taken into consideration, for example Mars in



Capricorn conjunct the Mid-Heaven, strongly aspected, would be
a candidate for rulership, especially should the other rulers mentioned be weak.




Geometrical



relationships between planets are called aspects; these affect
the energies of the planets concerned. Should a planet have difficult aspects,
or be in an unsympathetic position in the zodiac, it is said to be afflicted;
its negative characteristics may be exhibited on occasions in your character.
Should it have favourable aspects, its effects may be more beneficial. Difficult
aspects, being more conducive to



personal

development, often generate complex results that require
considerable interpretation and self-analysis, whereas favourable aspects more
often produce simple effects which are easy to understand. In any case, the
chart must be viewed as a whole, for the positive and negative characteristics
may cancel out, or appear in mitigated forms, according to circumstances
depending upon other factors.



Aspects designated as difficult are

opposition
(180°)

square
(90°)

semi-square
(45°)

sesqui-quadrate
(135°)

quincunx
or inconjunct (150°)

contra-parallel
(opposition by declination)

Favourable aspects are

trine
(120°)

sextile
(60°)

semi-sextile
(30°)

parallel
(conjunction by declination)

whereas
conjunction
(0°) may be favourable, difficult, or both, depending to a great degree upon the
nature of the planets involved. There are several other minor aspects, but these
are not generally used by astrologers in the analysis of nativities, or
birthcharts.

People often worry because they have been told that there are "negative"
planets or "adverse" aspects in their charts. In reality, there are no negative
planets or adverse aspects, even though some events in life can be difficult,
even painful and distressing. This is part of the growth process, which
sometimes involves shedding old attachments. It may be painful to make the
metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly, but the transformation is not one
to be avoided due to fear. From a more profound standpoint, all things come to
us for our ultimate benefit, generated by the karmic system, which is a
purifying and energising process that builds our soul and develops our growth in
consciousness. This interlocking system brings our consciousness and our bodies
together with events and relationships that, when rightly interpreted, bring
love, wisdom and understanding.