When you start out in your astrological studies, chances are that you learn about the major aspects pretty quickly. These are the trine, square, opposition, sextile, and the conjunction (although some astrologers consider the sextile a minor aspect, and conjunctions are not really aspects in the strict sense of the word, but let’s keep things simple). These are extremely important in a horoscope.
However, if you keep learning, you find out that there are other aspects too, some more and some less frequently mentioned. These are the minor aspects in astrology. Minor aspects are a treasure trove in the natal chart. They might be called minor, but don’t let this fool you. In some cases, they might add key information to the chart analysis.
Planets moving through the Zodiac can form various aspects to each other, implying various energy patterns for every moment. Minor aspects between the planets may shed light on more subtle dynamics in chart. They require you to be self-reflective. Every birth chart is unique, and each aspect should be interpreted through the lens of the horoscope as a whole.
Minor Aspects in Astrology Meaning
In this article, you can learn about the most often used minor aspects in astrology. These are the semisextile, the semisquare, the sesquisquare, the quintile, the biquintile, and the quincunx. Some of these are more meaningful, some less, but they might provide additional insight. This article is mostly oriented on natal aspects, but minor aspects are important in all kinds of charts.
Minor aspects were not used by most traditional astrologers, except for the quincunx and the semisextile.
One thing you should pay attention to when working with minor aspects in the natal chart is the orb. Most astrologers allow only a small orb of 2-3 degrees. If the orb is bigger than that, it is questionable if it can be treated as a planetary connection at all. There is no consensus on this topic. Some astrologers use wider orbs than others, especially if one of the planets is a luminary. Others consider planets to be in aspect to each other if they are in signs that are located at a certain number of degrees apart. Angles and planets can also form minor aspects.
Some online chart calculators don’t include minor aspects by default. However, you have the option to include them in the drawing too. These aspects might be harder to notice to the untrained eye, as the planets are not at the same degree.
Pay attention to the signs and houses of the planets involved in a minor aspect. For example, a quincunx between the ruler of the tenth house and the ruler of the fourth house might indicate that your family life and professional life are at odds, they block each other, and you constantly have to make an effort to balance these life areas.
Meaning of the Quincunx or Inconjunct in Astrology
Let’s start with the most interesting minor aspect in astrology: the quincunx. This aspect is also called the inconjunct; these two terms are used interchangeably.
Even though it is a minor aspect, it would be a huge mistake to overlook a quincunx in a horoscope. This is perhaps the most challenging aspect, the planets are at odds with each other. Chances are that you feel its influence very (VERY) strongly. The inconjunct is characterized by constant irritation and friction between two planetary energies. It might feel extremely frustrating to the chart owner (if we are talking about a natal chart—but it tends to have a similar effect for example in transit or in synastry too).
This minor aspect consists of two planets (but angles count too) located 150 degrees apart. This means that the zodiac signs where the two planets are placed have nothing in common. They are different by modality, element, and polarity, so there is no common ground. For example, a planet in Leo (fixed fire, an active sign) might form a quincunx to a planet in Pisces (mutable water, passive). Both signs have to do with creativity among other things, but they approach it very differently.
Most astrologers allow an orb up to 3 degrees, but the more exact the aspect, the more intense the effect.
The most important meaning of the quincunx in astrology is stress. It implies a need for adjustment. This is an aspect that requires constant work to soothe. The planets in question are forced to be together, but don’t really know how to deal with each other. They don’t feel comfortable in each other’s company.
The quincunx is a karmic aspect. It is very important in medical astrology too.
The quincunx is often mentioned when talking about the yod. This configuration consists of a sextile and two inconjuncts.
The symbol of the quincunx looks like a table: ⚻.
Meaning of the Semi-square in Astrology
The semi-square is another exciting minor aspect. Here, the angle between the planets or angle is 45 degrees. The orb should not be more than a few degrees, most astrologers only use 1-2.
As the name suggests it, the semi-square is half of the square. The meaning of the semisquare in astrology is stress and friction, just like in the case of the square. However, this influence tends to be less intense. Its effect is usually not felt constantly, but when you feel it, it can be quite hard to deal with. This also means that it provides a huge potential for growth.
This minor aspect in astrology is linked with external events. They might be sudden, unforeseeable changes, or they might occur as a hard but very important decision you have to make. Often, these are the consequences of sweeping minor issues under the rug. If you don’t run away from it, the semisquare can be a pretty useful aspect that helps you grow..
The symbol of this minor aspect in astrology is ∠.
Meaning of the Sesquiquadrate in Astrology
This is another tense relationship between the planets (or the planets and an angle). It was introduced by Johannes Kepler. Sesquisquares indicate frustration, the planetary energies are not at the same wavelength. Depending on how exact the aspect is, this can be a quite challenging issue from time to time.
The sesquiquadrate means one and a half square, and two planets form it when they are located 135 degrees apart (2-3 degrees more or less). It also goes by the name tri-octile. The glyph of this minor aspect consists of the glyph of the square and the semi-square. It looks like this:
When talking about the sesquisquare, mentioning a fascinating pattern is a must: the Thor’s hammer. This planetary configuration consists of two sesquisquare and a square. It is a very dynamic, intense configuration to have in the birth chart. It forces you to take action and work on utilizing the planetary energies in a positive way. It tends to repeat itself until you learn its lessons.
Meaning of the Semi-sextile in Astrology
Two planets form a semi-sextile if the angle between them is 30 degrees. The glyph for semi-sextile looks like this: ⚺. The allowed orb is about 1-2 degrees. Here, the planets are in neighboring signs. This also means that they don’t ‘see’ each other. This is the same as in the case of the quincunx.
The semi-sextile’s meaning in astrology is subtle friction.
Meaning of the Quintile Minor Aspect in Astrology
The quintile is the fifth harmonic (the division of the circle by five). This is another aspect introduced by Kepler, along with the biquintile. It occurs when two planets are located 72 degrees apart. For the aspect to be impactful, the orb should not be more than 1-2 degrees. It indicates a harmonious flow of energy in the birth chart.
The quintile in astrology is one of the talent aspects. It is linked with creativity, the ability to see things from a unique perspective. However, if you have a nice quintile, you have to work on it to tap into its gifts.
Biquintile Meaning in Astrology
Based on its name, it is easy to guess that the quintile has something in common with the quintile. Bi- is Latin for two, and the biquintile is twice the quintile’s degree—144 degrees. The orb should be exact, up to 1-2 degrees maximum. Biquintiles might form a golden yod in the chart, which consists of two biquintiles and a quintile, and it’s considered a beneficial pattern in the birth chart.
The biquintile also has to do with talents and innate creative ability. The biquintile tends to manifest both on a mental and psychological level. Like the quintile, the biquintile’s meaning is favorable.
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