The major aspects in Astrology

Rethinking aspects in the natal chart: Beyond “good” and “bad”

Lately, I’ve taken a more general and archetypal approach to aspects in Astrology. The reason is simple: no matter the nature of the aspect linking two planets, the archetypes involved remain the same. Venus is still Venus. Pluto is still Pluto. The energetic principles don’t change—only their interaction does.

Of course, the application of these interactions will vary depending on many factors: chart rulers, planetary dignities, house placements, and dominant elements. Still, one of the most immediate distinctions lies in the nature of the aspect itself—whether it's flowing, tense, or ambiguous.

The myth of good vs bad aspects in Astrology

One of the most common misunderstandings in astrology is the belief that squares are bad and trines are good. This kind of binary thinking reduces the complexity of astrology into superficial judgments.

There is no such thing as a “good” or “bad” aspect. That’s not idealism or sugar-coating, it’s fundamental truth. Life itself doesn’t move in binaries. A square may bring tension, but it also births strength. A trine may bring ease, but it can dull the incentive to grow. Our perception shapes our response, and our response shapes our reality.

There are countless examples of individuals with intense squares who rise to greatness—and just as many with harmonious charts who remain passive or unfulfilled. The difference is how we respond to what’s given.

So, if you have a square in your chart—or any challenging aspect—you don’t get to opt out. But you do get to understand it. That’s where the real power lies.

The major aspects: A guide to planetary dialogue

Conjunction (0°– 9° apart)

When two planets are conjunct, their energies blend. Often, they create a third, hybridized force. This aspect can be powerful and dynamic but also confusing—it’s difficult to distinguish one planet’s influence from the other. You will find that conjunctions truly change the nature of the sign the planet is in. For example, Mars conjunct Pluto will give off a VERY Scorpionic energy, even if it's in a chill sign like Libra. Someone with just one conjunction of Mars-Pluto could even relate to the Plutonian personality type. This is how powerful conjunctions are.

Interpretation depends on which planet holds more weight. Is one in domicile or exaltation? Is one naturally dominant, like Pluto over Venus? The rule of thumb is that the "heaviest" and "harshest" planet takes the lead. For example, Moon is always the one coloured by other planets as she's the softest/lightest, and Pluto always is the heaviest of the two.

House and sign placements matter. A Sun-Mars conjunction in the 1st house will act very differently from the same conjunction in the 12th.

Conjunctions are dense, potent, and catalytic. They generate movement and often mark key life events.

Sextile (60°–65° apart)

Sextiles indicate cooperation between planets—but with a relaxed tone. They offer potential rather than action. There’s awareness, reflection, and psychological insight. When triggered by transit, they can yield small but meaningful opportunities.

Think of sextiles as bridges. They don’t guarantee results, but they create the possibility for collaboration, insight, and creative expression—if you're willing to walk across.

Square (90°–97° apart)

The square is the archetype of internal or external crisis. It creates tension that cannot be ignored. Internally, it may feel like a blocked expression or an emotional dead-end. Externally, it might show up as conflict, rejection, or failure.

But here’s the beauty: squares demand a response. They shock us into awareness. They activate latent strength. If you stay frozen in the reactive stage—anger, confusion, grief—you miss their transformative potential. But if you engage consciously, squares become the engine of growth.

No chart is free from tension. And even if your natal chart has few squares, life will bring them through transits, progressions, and people. Your power lies in how you respond.

I actually really like squares, but that's because I'm a square baby lol. Square will create lots of inner tension and therefore response. Squares are the second most potent aspect behind the conjunction and truly colour the planet. For example, if your Sun is square Uranus, no matter the sign in which your Sun is located, you will feel VERY rebellious and eccentric.

Trine (120°–125° apart)

Trines indicate effortless flow between energies. Talents may arise naturally. Emotional or creative gifts might develop without conscious effort. It’s like being born into a nurturing environment that supports your growth from the start.

But trines are not inherently activating. They don’t push—they support. And that support can either be used wisely or taken for granted.

Some people with many trines grow complacent. Without any friction in the chart, motivation may lack. This is why charts with a mix of trines and squares are often more dynamic. The tension provides direction; the trines provide grace.

Quincunx (150°–153° apart)

The quincunx is an aspect considered "minor" but I don't find it to be at all. I wrote about it all here. It's an aspect of discomfort, adjustment, and inner contradiction. It often feels like two parts of you are speaking different languages—neither one wrong, but entirely mismatched.

Quincunxes are deeply psychological. They create internal dissonance and can lead to compartmentalization or self-alienation. You may send mixed signals to others because you're mixed within.

Over time, this aspect teaches flexibility. You’re not trying to resolve the contradiction—you’re learning to contain it, to live with paradox and grow from it.

Opposition (180°–187° apart)

The opposition reflects tension between two poles. It can feel like being pulled in opposite directions by two equally strong forces. You crave both, but satisfying one may seem to come at the expense of the other.

Yet the gift of the opposition lies in its potential for integration. It asks you to find the middle ground. This is why oppositions can be so powerful in synastry—they highlight contrast, but they also create complementarity.

Left unconscious, oppositions become erratic and polarizing. But when worked with intentionally, they foster maturity, balance, and wholeness.

Final thoughts

Aspects don’t define your fate—they define your relationship with your own energy. The trine doesn’t promise success. The square doesn’t doom you. They describe how your inner forces speak to one another, how they collaborate or clash, and how you’re invited to grow.

Approaching aspects with objectivity, curiosity, and compassion opens the door to profound self-understanding. Whether soft or hard, every aspect is an opportunity to engage more deeply with who you are and who you are becoming.