There are numerous minor aspects to consider in a birth chart, but they have far less influence than the major ones. The minor aspects can also be a bit confusing when you're just starting out. So, it's recommended that you don't use them until you've mastered the major aspects. Concentrate on those discussed in the following few pages for now.

Conjunction, a Major Hard Aspect, 0 Degrees

This is the simplest aspect to identify, but it's also one of the most complex because of the intensity and power involved. Whenever you see two or more planets piled on top of each other, usually, but not always, in the same house, their energies fuse and intensify. If the orb is exact or within one degree, the impact is considerable.

Let's say that Saturn and Pluto are conjunct in the tenth house, within six degrees of each other. Saturn seeks structure and Pluto seeks revolution and transformation — the purposes of the two planets are at odds. This conjunction can be disruptive because the structure of a person's career (tenth house) continually undergoes transformation.

This actually means that just when Saturn had found a structure that works (but one that may also limit or restrict the individual in some way), Pluto comes along and blows it apart. Through this process, circumstances seem to force the individual to expand or change her professional approach.

This has a direct effect. Since the conjunction in this example is six degrees, the impact is considerably less than that of a precise conjunction.

In the child's chart in FIGURE 8–2 , Mars (1803) and the Moon (1709) are conjunct within one degree. Since this conjunction involves the Moon (emotions) and is conjunct — within one and two degrees — of the descendant, it's particularly powerful. It influences both the sixth and seventh houses and energizes and intensifies emotions.

A Sextile, a Major Soft Aspect, 60 Degrees

This usually represents a free flow of energy between the planets involved. It symbolizes ease and lack of tension, and provides a buffer against instability. But when there's an excess of sextiles in a chart, the individual may be too passive.

In the child's chart in FIGURE 8–2 , there are sextiles to Pluto — the Sun, Moon, and Neptune. These aspects all have to do with the regeneration of energy through inner resources and the inherent potential to use Plutonian energies in a positive way.

Square, a Major Hard Aspect, 90 Degrees

The keyword with this aspect is friction. But the energy that accompanies the friction tends to be dynamic and forceful, galvanizing an individual to action. Squares force you to develop and evolve. They are expressed internally through the lens of our subjectivity.

Look again at the chart in FIGURE 8–1 . There's a square between the Sun (2527) and Mars (2902). The orb is about four degrees, certainly tight enough to have an impact. In this case, the ego represented by the Sun is never satisfied with personal achievements, so the Mars energy makes this person restless and sometimes argumentative. But if the Mars aggression is channeled constructively, the square can lead to success.

Trine, a Major Soft Aspect, 120 Degrees

Like a sextile, the connected energies in this aspect work together harmoniously. The inner harmony related to trines often acts as a buffer against turmoil, just as sextiles do. But again, if there are too many trines in a chart, passivity may result.

When trines involve an event, it comes about on its own accord and not because the individual has taken action to make it happen. In the child's chart in (FIGURE8–2 ), the Sun in the sixth house (0833) is trine to Saturn (0723R) and Neptune (0943R) in the tenth house. Both aspects are tight, within one degree of the Sun's eight degrees, so they exert considerable influence in the chart.

The aspect to Saturn allows the child to set realistic goals and attain them. The aspect to Neptune gives her deep compassion for other people, as well as psychic ability. Taken together, the trine attracts the right opportunities for the advancement of her goals.

Opposition, a Major Hard Aspect, 180 Degrees

This aspect forces change through conflict. Sometimes this aspect represents traits that we project onto others because we haven't fully incorporated them into who we are.

Imagine an opposition as Siamese twins with different agendas. Twin A wants to stay home and read; Twin B wants to party. How can such different needs, in general, be resolved? The bottom line is that these differences may never be resolved. Or they may take a lifetime to work out. One thing is for sure with oppositions: resolving differences ultimately will enrich your life.