In astrology, the aspect called conjunction describes two separate points in the solar system that unite and blend their energies together. These points are often planets, such as Earth, Mars, Jupiter, but can also be other luminary bodies such as Chiron, Lilith and more. Even though the Sun and Moon are not technically planets, they are counted as such within astrological systems.
So, why is this important in astrology? Well, if you can understand where all the planets were located at the time of your birth, you may have a clearer understanding of the forces at work in the universe that can influence your personality - and therefore your strengths and your weaknesses. Finding out which planets were in the planetary aspect conjunction could give you a hint on what areas of your life you are likely to find drive and focus.
In another example, let`s say the planet Mercury and the planet Neptune were in conjunction when you were born. Since Neptune`s energy represents creativity and Mercury`s energy represents communication, this would mean you`re a creative person who also happens to know how to express their creativity. Your talents would be wasted perhaps if you went instead into strict statistical work.
From our perspective on Earth, points that are in the conjunction aspect seem to move together. In natal charts, they are planets that are 0 degrees away from each other (give or take a margin of 6 degrees) and appear within the same zodiac sign. Once these energies are mixed, they move and act as one united force.
Of the five major aspects, some are considered hard aspects, or angles that bring about more difficulty and struggle. Those are opposition and square. The easy aspects (sometimes known as soft aspects) are sextile and trine, and are considered to be gentler, and more positive and auspicious. A conjunction isn`t generally aligned with either category, considering the strong potential for it to go in either direction depending on the planets involved. But remember, it all depends on the planets involved: You can certainly have a helpful square or a not-so-helpful trine. Each planetary meet-up will look a little bit different.
Aspects are essential when it comes to interpreting astrology, as they can totally change the influence and meaning of a planetary placement — so instead of just interpreting a single planet`s meaning in a certain sign, we have to consider how they blend with other planets` energies. Are two compatible planets cozying up to one another in a harmonious conjunction? Or are they frustrating each other in a harsh-feeling square? For example, even though Venus is the planet of love and generally associated with positive qualities, if it`s in difficult aspect with another planet, like Saturn for example, it could cause some upset in our love lives instead of bestowing us with its pure Venusian goodness.
2. Symbology of the astrological Fourth House
However, not all united energies are as harmonious as others are. Even though the powers of those planets are combined during a conjunction aspect, that doesn`t always mean they will be compatible with each other. In fact, some energies will not be able to work well together at all, while others are compatible and cooperate. For example, a Moon and Venus conjunction aspect is certainly more compatible than Neptune and Mars. The Moon`s focus on feelings and Venus`s talents for love and attraction work in tandem - but Neptune`s dreaminess and knack for the fantastical can aggravate Mars` strong desire for action and competition. All of that depends on the particular planets and points involved.
2. Symbology of the astrological Eighth House
First up: we start at the beginning. If two planets are extremely close together — or literally in the exact same place in the sky — we will notice these planets merging their energies intensely in a conjunction. Often, they`ll be united in the same zodiac sign. That often marks a new beginning or cycle (such as when the sun and moon unite, creating a new moon each month). Depending on the planets, this can be a very strong union that brings happy effects — or it can be one that is very intense if the planets are not easily blended. The situations that take place now will echo out and start a new pattern until the planets once again return to a conjunction at a later time. Some planets meet in a conjunction once a year — whereas some planets do not experience conjunctions with one another for hundreds of years.
So, what are aspects in astrology? In short, they describe the angles that planets form to each other on the wheel of the zodiac as they move through the sky, and each of the angles means something different. While each planet in astrology has their own unique "personality" and governs over a different region of our life, the way they affect us has to do with what sign they`re located in at any given time, as well as the relationships they`re forming with each other. These relationships are known as aspects, and they`re represented by the angles planets form with each other on the zodiac wheel. "There are five major aspects (trine, sextile, conjunction, opposition, and square)," astrologer Lisa Stardust tells Bustle. "Aspects are how the planets act when in different signs. They show how one gets things or takes action in life."
We can handle a little math for the sake of astrology, right? So here`s the deal: If two or more planets are within 0° of each other on the zodiac wheel (or close to it), it`s called a conjunction. If they`re 60° apart, it`s a sextile. Planets that are 90° apart form a square, and 120° apart form a trine. Lastly, two or more planets that are 180° apart (or directly across from each other in the zodiac wheel) form an opposition. Each of these angles have a different symbolic meaning, and you can also see these degrees visually represented on an astrological chart, like your birth chart.
2. Transits of the Sun in conjunction