Xeno
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Aspects in astrology are spatial angular relationships between planets in time, playing a key role in interpreting a horoscope..

Author
Aspects in astrology are the angular relationships between planets, playing a key role in the interpretation of a horoscope.
Astrologer
Exactly! A trine is an aspect of harmony, a square is tension, and a nonagon is associated with karmic influences.
Skeptic
But what is this interpretation based on? Isn't it based on those same numerological calculations, myths, and attachment to the elements?
Author
This is exactly the question that Postmodern Astrology focuses on. We propose a rethinking of aspects, based on the geometry of cosmic space and its relationship with the cyclicity of time.
Rethinking the Traditional Theory of Aspects
At the heart of the traditional understanding of aspects lie two principles: the interaction of astrological elements Fire, Earth, Air, and Water and the numerological division of a circle into 360 degrees. For example, a trine (120 degrees) is associated with planets located in the same element and forming an equilateral triangle. Other aspects are derived by dividing and multiplying the full circle by integers:
*** Conjunction: 360 / 1 = 360° (or 0°)
*** Opposition: 360 / 2 = 180°
*** Quincunx: 360 / 12 *** 5 = 150°
*** Biquintile: 360 / 5 *** 2 = 144°
...and so on.
Frankly, these concepts do not have a rational basis visible in the real structure of the cosmos. We do not observe in space a clear division into sectors corresponding to the elements of the elements. In addition, the abundance of aspects obtained through simple arithmetic operations sometimes resembles more a game with numbers than a reflection of real interactions.
Astronomical Justification of Aspects
Let's focus on physically significant astronomical relationships. We will highlight four key aspects based on the mutual position of the planets in their orbits around the Sun:

Conjunction
The planets are on the same straight line emanating from the Sun. This is also the moment of their maximum convergence.
Opposition
The planets are also aligned on the same straight line with the Sun, but are on opposite sides of it. This is the moment of their maximum separation.
Square
Represents approximately the average distance between the planets and the moment of their maximum angular deviation relative to each other, when viewed in the plane of their orbits.
Natal aspect
The actual angular distance between the planets at the moment of a person's birth. It has special significance, regardless of the exact value of the angle.
*** All other angular relationships are intermediate states between these main phases.
Astrologer
I am used to the fact that there are many more aspects, and each of them works on its own level. Perhaps the ancients possessed wisdom that is inaccessible to our understanding.
Skeptic
Sounds like "I believe because I believe"...
Author
Of course, the legacy of the ancients must be respected and preserved as part of our cultural and historical heritage. However, by clinging to outdated ideas, we would still consider the Earth to be flat.
Synodic Cycle and Formation of Aspects
Each aspect can be considered as a phase of the synodic cycle — the period of time during which two planets return to a relatively similar position in relation to the Sun. This cycle begins with a conjunction and goes through the following stages:
1. Conjunction: the beginning of a new interaction cycle.
2. Separating Square: the planets move away from each other, forming an angle of 90 degrees.
3. Opposition: the planets reach maximum separation, located at a distance of 180 degrees from each other.
4. Approaching Square: the planets begin to converge, again forming an angle of 90 degrees.
1. Conjunction: the cycle completes, and a new turn begins.
Interpretation of Aspects in the Context of Synodic Cycles
We interpret these aspects based on the idea of synchronization with individual life rhythms. Each planet is associated with a specific temporal cycle (more on this in Chapter 3).
Conjunction
This is a period of maximum synchronicity between planetary cycles. It is usually considered a favorable time, conducive to beginnings and the harmonious combination of energies.
Separating Square
Indicates a phase of increasing disagreement between the cycles of the planets. This can be a time of tension, requiring conscious effort to overcome obstacles and avoid impulsive actions. It is considered a tense aspect.
Opposition
Represents the peak of divergence of planetary cycles. Interpretation may vary:
*** Separation: events can develop in opposite directions, leading to the need to choose or abandon certain paths.
*** Culmination/Plateau: the joint cycle reaches the highest point of its development, which may be followed by a period of stagnation or deepening. The aspect can be both complex and positive, depending on the context.
Approaching Square
A transitional phase when cycles begin to converge. This aspect can be considered conditionally positive, as it indicates movement towards greater harmony or the beginning of a new stage.
Intermediate aspects
Such aspects as trine or sextile, from our point of view, are derivatives and can be considered as conditionally positive periods of relative calm and harmony between the main phases of the cycle.
Hmm, this new theory of aspects… curious, is it possible to apply it to classical interpretations as well
Real and Virtual Aspects: A Postmodern Perspective
Real aspects
These are the actual angular relationships between celestial bodies at a specific point in time.
Virtual aspects
These are the angles between the current position of a planet and its position at the time of a person's birth.
In traditional astrology, virtual aspects are mainly used. Although from the point of view of objective reality - virtual aspects as such do not exist. However, their significance is due to the fact that - the moment of birth is a key event in a person's life. Information about planetary relationships at this moment is imprinted in their basic characteristics.
Therefore, virtual aspects can create psychological resonance. This resonance is enhanced when a virtual aspect coincides in time with a real aspect between the same planets, or at least with an aspect involving one of them.
Another important factor of resonance is the coincidence of the angular distance between real planets with the natal aspect between the same planets in the birth chart.
Orb of Aspect: Dynamic Approach
We have already defined our own time cycles for each planet. This serves as a basis for understanding the orb — the allowable deviation from the exact aspect. It is important to understand that the orb is a dynamic concept. In life, we observe how events can converge and collapse, forming a chain where one event triggers another.
For example, if there are several approaching aspects, even if not quite accurate, achieving accuracy by one of them can trigger a whole series of events related to all these aspects (which physicists call wave function collapse). In such cases, we see how orbits seem to expand. In the future, I will present an empirical formula for calculating this dynamic orb.
Thus, Postmodern Astrology offers a logical and reasoned view of planetary aspects, based on the real geometry of synodic cycles and the dynamics of planets in space and time.
Astrologer
Interesting… The problem of orbs has always been a stumbling block for me. And what about the location of the person? In classical astrology, there are houses for this!
Author
You are right. And this leads us to the last theoretical chapter of our journey.
"Postmodern Astrology: Decoding the Universe" by Ruslan D. is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
source

Author
Aspects in astrology are the angular relationships between planets, playing a key role in the interpretation of a horoscope.
Astrologer
Exactly! A trine is an aspect of harmony, a square is tension, and a nonagon is associated with karmic influences.
Skeptic
But what is this interpretation based on? Isn't it based on those same numerological calculations, myths, and attachment to the elements?
Author
This is exactly the question that Postmodern Astrology focuses on. We propose a rethinking of aspects, based on the geometry of cosmic space and its relationship with the cyclicity of time.
Rethinking the Traditional Theory of Aspects
At the heart of the traditional understanding of aspects lie two principles: the interaction of astrological elements Fire, Earth, Air, and Water and the numerological division of a circle into 360 degrees. For example, a trine (120 degrees) is associated with planets located in the same element and forming an equilateral triangle. Other aspects are derived by dividing and multiplying the full circle by integers:
*** Conjunction: 360 / 1 = 360° (or 0°)
*** Opposition: 360 / 2 = 180°
*** Quincunx: 360 / 12 *** 5 = 150°
*** Biquintile: 360 / 5 *** 2 = 144°
...and so on.
Frankly, these concepts do not have a rational basis visible in the real structure of the cosmos. We do not observe in space a clear division into sectors corresponding to the elements of the elements. In addition, the abundance of aspects obtained through simple arithmetic operations sometimes resembles more a game with numbers than a reflection of real interactions.
Astronomical Justification of Aspects
Let's focus on physically significant astronomical relationships. We will highlight four key aspects based on the mutual position of the planets in their orbits around the Sun:

Conjunction
The planets are on the same straight line emanating from the Sun. This is also the moment of their maximum convergence.
Opposition
The planets are also aligned on the same straight line with the Sun, but are on opposite sides of it. This is the moment of their maximum separation.
Square
Represents approximately the average distance between the planets and the moment of their maximum angular deviation relative to each other, when viewed in the plane of their orbits.
Natal aspect
The actual angular distance between the planets at the moment of a person's birth. It has special significance, regardless of the exact value of the angle.
*** All other angular relationships are intermediate states between these main phases.
Astrologer
I am used to the fact that there are many more aspects, and each of them works on its own level. Perhaps the ancients possessed wisdom that is inaccessible to our understanding.
Skeptic
Sounds like "I believe because I believe"...
Author
Of course, the legacy of the ancients must be respected and preserved as part of our cultural and historical heritage. However, by clinging to outdated ideas, we would still consider the Earth to be flat.
Synodic Cycle and Formation of Aspects
Each aspect can be considered as a phase of the synodic cycle — the period of time during which two planets return to a relatively similar position in relation to the Sun. This cycle begins with a conjunction and goes through the following stages:
1. Conjunction: the beginning of a new interaction cycle.
2. Separating Square: the planets move away from each other, forming an angle of 90 degrees.
3. Opposition: the planets reach maximum separation, located at a distance of 180 degrees from each other.
4. Approaching Square: the planets begin to converge, again forming an angle of 90 degrees.
1. Conjunction: the cycle completes, and a new turn begins.
Interpretation of Aspects in the Context of Synodic Cycles
We interpret these aspects based on the idea of synchronization with individual life rhythms. Each planet is associated with a specific temporal cycle (more on this in Chapter 3).
Conjunction
This is a period of maximum synchronicity between planetary cycles. It is usually considered a favorable time, conducive to beginnings and the harmonious combination of energies.
Separating Square
Indicates a phase of increasing disagreement between the cycles of the planets. This can be a time of tension, requiring conscious effort to overcome obstacles and avoid impulsive actions. It is considered a tense aspect.
Opposition
Represents the peak of divergence of planetary cycles. Interpretation may vary:
*** Separation: events can develop in opposite directions, leading to the need to choose or abandon certain paths.
*** Culmination/Plateau: the joint cycle reaches the highest point of its development, which may be followed by a period of stagnation or deepening. The aspect can be both complex and positive, depending on the context.
Approaching Square
A transitional phase when cycles begin to converge. This aspect can be considered conditionally positive, as it indicates movement towards greater harmony or the beginning of a new stage.
Intermediate aspects
Such aspects as trine or sextile, from our point of view, are derivatives and can be considered as conditionally positive periods of relative calm and harmony between the main phases of the cycle.
Hmm, this new theory of aspects… curious, is it possible to apply it to classical interpretations as well

Real and Virtual Aspects: A Postmodern Perspective
Real aspects
These are the actual angular relationships between celestial bodies at a specific point in time.
Virtual aspects
These are the angles between the current position of a planet and its position at the time of a person's birth.
In traditional astrology, virtual aspects are mainly used. Although from the point of view of objective reality - virtual aspects as such do not exist. However, their significance is due to the fact that - the moment of birth is a key event in a person's life. Information about planetary relationships at this moment is imprinted in their basic characteristics.
Therefore, virtual aspects can create psychological resonance. This resonance is enhanced when a virtual aspect coincides in time with a real aspect between the same planets, or at least with an aspect involving one of them.
Another important factor of resonance is the coincidence of the angular distance between real planets with the natal aspect between the same planets in the birth chart.
Orb of Aspect: Dynamic Approach
We have already defined our own time cycles for each planet. This serves as a basis for understanding the orb — the allowable deviation from the exact aspect. It is important to understand that the orb is a dynamic concept. In life, we observe how events can converge and collapse, forming a chain where one event triggers another.
For example, if there are several approaching aspects, even if not quite accurate, achieving accuracy by one of them can trigger a whole series of events related to all these aspects (which physicists call wave function collapse). In such cases, we see how orbits seem to expand. In the future, I will present an empirical formula for calculating this dynamic orb.
Thus, Postmodern Astrology offers a logical and reasoned view of planetary aspects, based on the real geometry of synodic cycles and the dynamics of planets in space and time.
Astrologer
Interesting… The problem of orbs has always been a stumbling block for me. And what about the location of the person? In classical astrology, there are houses for this!
Author
You are right. And this leads us to the last theoretical chapter of our journey.
"Postmodern Astrology: Decoding the Universe" by Ruslan D. is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
source