Astrology

By Jade Emory
Oahu Island News, November 2001

Angles Between Planets

Thanksgiving occurs just as the transiting sun enters Sagittarius, ruling religion and philosophy. This indicates an appropriate time to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. However, there are always more influences from the heavens than the sun sign. Not only do other planets and asteroids magnetically affect us on earth, but so do the geometric angles between those celestial bodies and each other. These angles are called "aspects".

When 2 planets are close to each other, with an orb of influence of up to 10 degrees, they are called "conjunct", and they mutually reinforce each other. For example, when the sun (will) is conjunct Mercury (intellect), one tends to be studious and articulate. When the sun is conjunct Venus (love, art, music, beauty), one tends to be aesthetically sensitive.

As potent as a conjunction is an "opposition", when 2 planets are 180-degrees from each other. As the ancient Chinese scripture, the "I Ching" explains in Hexagram 38, "Opposition is actually the prerequisite for union. When the oppositions of Heaven and Earth, spirit and nature, man and woman are reconciled, creation of life results".

Geometric angles divisible by 3 tend to be harmonious. "Trines" are 120-degree angles of strongest harmony. These are followed by "sextiles", 60-degree angles of productivity, and "semi-sextiles", 30-degree angles of mild harmony.

Angles divisible by 4 elicit opportunities for growth through adjusting one's perspective. 90- degree angles are called "squares" and can indicate significant potential for stress. "Sesquiquadrate", 135-degree angles indicate moderate stress, and "quincunx", 150-degree angles show what works by showing first what doesn't.

"Semisquares" are 45-degree angles that offer levels of compromise that can ameliorate attributes involved in square aspects.

Thanksgiving 2001 shows several significant aspects among planetary influences. The moon will be in Pisces, encouraging solitude, meditation and prayer. The sun sextile Neptune strengthens spiritual inspiration. Venus and Mars squared indicates a need to balance yin and yang energies, giving and receiving, peace and war.

Venus will also be trine Jupiter, which in the sign Cancer strengthens loving family solidarity. Both Mercury and Venus will be squared Uranus, connecting family and friends, charitable causes.

Saturn in Gemini indicates the importance of listening to teachings and viewpoints outside our familiar parameters and of guiding our mind and words with contemplative preparedness.

Pluto in Sagittarius makes us aware of the dichotomy between theological teachings and private agendas in the name of religion. As civilization integrates soul with personality, connections to religions will become more universalized and ecumenical, and subsequently more mutually respectful.

Oahu Island News Contributing Editor Jade Emory holds degrees in psychology and education, has taught in American and Canadian universities and has been a counselor since 1970. Jade passed beyond the earthly bonds of her body in 2020, and is studying astrology on the other side.

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