Squares & Oppositions: Major Challenging Astrological Aspects Defined

In astrology, several factors make up any chart, whether it is a natal, synastry, or transit chart:

• The Planets: Planets, luminaries, asteroids, and special points like the midheaven line are bodies in space and special points on the horizon. In astrology, these bodies each have a specific significance. If astrology was a film, the planets would be the main characters.
• The Houses: Houses are the 12 “slices” on the astrology chart. Each house represents a different area of life. In a film, the houses would be the setting or scenery.
• The Signs: Each planet falls into one of 12 astrological signs. In modern astrology, each house is also ruled by a sign. In a film, the signs would be the personalities and motivations of the characters.
• The Aspects: The various geometries of how two planets interact with each other on an astrology chart are called aspects. There are both easeful and challenging aspects. In a film, aspects between the planets would be the screenplay or story.

When an aspect is challenging, it means the energy does not flow easily. This isn’t always a bad thing. There are deep lessons to be learned from what astrology throws at us. So, if you see squares and oppositions in a chart, think about what you can learn from these experiences instead of worrying about them being bad.

What Are Astrological Aspects?

In astrology, aspects occur when planets make certain angles to each other in a chart. The astrology chart is a circle. Each planet, asteroid, luminary, and point occurs at a specific degree on the circle. Different angles have different significances:

• Conjunction: When two planets have the same, or nearly the same, degree.
• Trine: When two planets are 120° apart.
• Sextile: When two planets are 60° apart.
• Square: When two planets are 90° apart.
• Opposition: When two planets are 180° apart.

Astrology Aspect Orbs

The “orb” of that aspect refers to how exact it is. Some aspects are still considered valid with an orb of up to 10°. However, the smaller the orb, the stronger the effect of that aspect will be. And the allowable orb depends on the specific astrologer.

According to some, the largest acceptable orb is only 6°, unless that aspect includes the Sun or Moon. Because of the importance of those planets, the acceptable orb then grows to 10°. Other astrologers use mathematical calculations to find the mean acceptable orb, which results in an orb of 18° for conjunctions and oppositions, 9° for a square and trine, and 6° for a sextile.

Regardless of what you believe about the orb, the smaller the degree, the stronger the aspect will be. The strongest are aspects that are at the exact degree, and the next strongest are aspects that are less than 1° apart.

Major and Minor Aspects

In astrology, there are 5 major aspects and several minor ones. Astrologers do often consider the minor aspects, but they don’t have as strong of an effect and are not as commonly used. Both squares and oppositions are major aspects. The other, more easeful, major aspects are:

• Conjunctions
• Trines
• Sextiles

The minor aspects include:

• Inconjunct
• Semi-sextile
• Quintile
• Bi-quintile
• Semi-square
• Sesquiquadrate

What Is a Square in Astrology?

When two planets, luminaries, asteroids, or points on a chart are 90° away from each other, a square is created. Squares generally indicate a difficult aspect between the energies of the two planets, signs, and houses involved. It usually presents as tension or even friction. What creates this tension? When two planets are 90° apart, their signs are in the same mode.

Astrology has three modes: Cardinal, Fixed, and Mutable. Each of the four elements has one sign of each mode.

When planets are in the same mode, as they are in a square, they can clash because they have the same motivation and energy. It’s kind of like when two headstrong people have to work on a group project together. For example, Neptune, the planet of escape, the subconscious, and magic, squares Mercury, the planet of communication, nebulous and misty communication may occur. The good thing about squares is that they are typically very active. While the energy may feel hard, the tension usually encourages people to take action and learn from their difficulties.

Square Signs Cheat Sheet

Want to know which signs are square without having to ask an astrologer? This chart shows you the signs that are square from each other. Remember that a square is about more than just the sign. A true square only occurs with an orb of 10° or less.

What is an Opposition in Astrology?

In astrology, an opposition is when two planets are 180° apart, or opposite each other in the chart. Opposites can attract. In fact, some of the opposite signs of the chart are thought to be very compatible with each other romantically, like Gemini and Sagittarius. However, they can also be at odds with each other. Similar to squares, an opposition creates tension. However, unlike squares which encourage us to take action to relieve tension, oppositions encourage us to find compromise and balance.

A strong opposition in your natal astrology chart can feel like you are being pulled in two different directions or like you have two different people living inside of you, depending on the planets involved. For example, when the natal Moon, which represents our emotions, is opposite Mars, a feisty planet about our anger, passion, and doingness, you may avoid emotional vulnerability, and put your own emotional needs aside for work. However, you probably have no problem expressing one emotion: anger.

In synastry (relationship astrology), oppositions can also create tension. Keep in mind, no relationship is free from issues. Oppositions highlight where you and your partner diverge and where you may need to find compromise in a relationship.

Opposite Signs Cheat Sheet

Use this chart to easily see which signs are opposite from each other. For a true opposition to occur, the two planets have to be within 10° of 180° in an astrology chart.