Understanding Aspects In Astrology + What They Mean For Your Birth Chart

The five major aspects in astrology are conjunctions, sextiles, squares, trines, and oppositions. We'll get into what each means later on, but essentially, an aspect represents a relationship between two planets' positions relative to each other (i.e., Sun conjunct Venus).

As astrologer and author of Queer Cosmos Colin Bedell explains to mbg, "Each relationship of an aspect talks to a particular theme—some that feel a little bit more tension, which can provide some opportunity for growth, and then other aspects can have a little bit more ease, which may offer some complementing energy."

We can identify these aspects within our own charts, but on a daily basis, the planets in the sky are always forming aspects, affecting the energy of the day. Aspects are also important when thinking about astrological compatibility between two people.

"The benefit of understanding aspects, even just a little, is that you may be able to have compassion for your squares, oppositions, and conjunctions (and the impact they have in your life)," astrologer Kayse Budd, M.D., explains, adding, "With knowledge, you can attempt to make peace with the way you are. Awareness allows you to highlight your strengths and work through your weaknesses."

A conjunction happens when two planets align with each other in the same sign (unless they are very near a cusp, the midway between two signs), close to the same degree, Budd explains, adding that exact conjunctions are the strongest.

When planets are conjunct, their energies blend, amplifying the themes associated with those planets and the sign they're in. "This is very important, as it can change the overall impact of that planet in a person's chart and life," Budd notes.

For example, if a person has Venus next to their sun, she says, this significantly influences their personality. "An Aries person, for example, with Venus next to their sun will be profoundly different than an Aries who has Mars next to their sun (or no planets next to their sun)," she adds.

Sextiles occur when planets are 60 degrees (aka two signs) apart. "Because the signs two signs away from each other are complementary and 'get along,' sextiles are considered favorable connections," Budd explains, adding that the energies work harmoniously together. (The complementary signs are earth and water signs, or fire and air signs.)

Squares are often considered the most difficult, uncomfortable, or challenging aspect in astrology. They form when planets are 90 degrees (three signs) apart. The energies will clash because not only are the elements incompatible (water and air, for example), but the signs will also be under the same "modality" (cardinal, fixed, or mutable), so there can be some competition there.

As an example, someone could have Venus on their ascendant (rising sign). "This is a very favorable placement, but if it is squaring Saturn or Mars, it will behave completely differently than if it was forming a trine to Jupiter," Budd offers as an example.

"Squares will often result in the planets in question showing their challenging or shadow sides rather than their easy, favorable sides to each other," she explains. "The result is that squares create resistance, frustration, and conflict, [with] the more negative or dominant planet in the square usually exerting the more obvious influence."

Trines are formed by planets that are 120 degrees (four signs) apart. Signs that are four signs apart are always the same element, which makes trines a more favorable and harmonious aspect. Budd notes they work together "even better than sextiles."

Having Venus (the planet of love) trine with Jupiter (the planet of luck), for example, could indicate you'll be lucky in love in your life.

And last but not least, we have oppositions, which are formed when planets are 180 degrees apart. (You'll see they sit directly across from each other on your chart.) Budd notes this is generally considered a challenging aspect, though she personally finds them "a little easier" than the square. 

Oppositions can results in "seesaw" energy within someone's personality, Budd explains. "They may swing from one extreme to another, which can be uncomfortable or frustrating, but it is really pretty natural when people have multiple oppositions in their charts," she says.

Once you've identified your placements, you can start to look at the aspects that are formed. You can do this within your own chart, on a daily basis based on where the planets are that day, and when comparing your chart to someone else's in relationship astrology (aka synastry).

As modern mystic and author of Astrology SOS Imani Quinn previously explained to mbg, one way to interpret your birth chart and the aspects in it is to figure out whether the themes of the planets in question "work" together. For example, Venus and Mercury conjunct in Taurus, in the seventh house, would indicate an ease when it comes to partnership and expressing emotions.