Cicero - Self Initiation into the Golden Dawn Tradition_Part 01

252 SELF-INITIATION INTO THE GoLDEN DAWN 1'RADmoN
felt when the aspect is closer (or exact) in relation to the angle. An exact aspect is
called partile. Awide or weak aspect is called platie.
Example of an orb in a horoscope: Mercury at 28 0 Aries conjunct Mars at
2 0 Taurus. An orb of'JO is allowable for the aspect of conjunction. In this instance
the orb is 4 0 •
Some aspects are more important in delineating a horoscope than others.
Herewe will onlybe concerned with the seven major aspects of conjunction, sextile,
square, trine, opposition, semi-sextile and inconjunct.w The following is a brief
description of the aspects:
CONJUNCTION
Angle: 0 0 Orb: 7 0
Considered: Favorable or Unfavorable
Key word: EMPHASIS
Conjunction occurs when two or three Planets are situated within an orb of 7
degrees. Normally Planets in a conjunction are all within the same Sign, however,
they can sometimes be found in adjacent Signs.
This aspect gives more emphasis to a Sign. Its action is direct and obvious.
The more Planets involved, the greater the emphasis. When two Planets are very
close in proximity, their energies combine and become almost indistinguishable.
Conjunctions are considered favorable or unfavorable depending on which Planets
are involved, and whether or not those Planets are harmonious or opposite in
character. Other words used to describe this aspect are intensification, fresh activity
and concentration. (Aconjunction of three or more Planets is called a stellium.)
SQUARE
Angle: 90 0 Orb: 7 0
Considered: Unfavorable
Key word: CHALLENGE
A square occurs when two Planets are 90 degrees (or three Signs) apart. In this
aspect, the energies of two Planets clash with one another, each trying to make the
other conform to its manner of activity. Squares are the tension factors of a Zodiacal
chart. Misunderstood, they can be difficult obstacles in one's path. Rightly understood
they can be catalysts for decision and movement. Squares signify action: in
Cardinal squares this action is swift, in Kerubic squares it is gradual and cautious,
and in Mutable squares, the action is changeable and influenced by other factors.
(A T-square or T-eross occurs when three Planets are involved, two of which
are in opposition. A grand square or grand eross occurs when four Planets are
involved, with two pairs in opposition.)
68 The minor aspects include: parallel, semi-sextile, nonagon, semi-square, septile, quintile, sesquisquare
and biquintile. These do not impact the horoscope as strongly as the major aspects and are
listed here only for future reference.