—Torkom Saraydarian, The Hidden Glories of the Inner Man
One of the most important factors in being able to correctly delineate a natal horoscope, whether from the level of the Soul or the personality, is an understanding of the nature of interplanetary relationships. Thus, a thorough study of the astrological aspects is essentail to our perception ane meaning of the natal horoscope. Aspects condition and modify the blending of planetary energies. In Soul-Centered astrology, we use the same five major aspects as are found in the traditional branch of our science. These are: the conjunction (0-10 degrees of separation), the sextile (60 degrees), the square (90 degrees) the trine (120 degrees), and the opposition (180 degrees). I also consider the inconjunction (150 degrees) as a major aspect as it is a powerful indication of an imbalance in the energy field existing between two planets. This imbalance must be regulated during the course of one’s life and this integrating process will certainly have its share of challenges.
In terms of the orbs (number of degrees allowed beyond the point of exactitude) of these aspects, we can use the exoteric orbs as a starting point in determining if certain aspects are in force. These orbs are 8 degrees for the conjunction, square, trine and opposition, with 4 degrees and 2 degrees for the sextile and inconjunction respectively. These distances may be expanded by 1 degree if either of the planets is the Sun or Moon. There are two conditions which allow us to expand orbs a bit further. These are:
1. Transition of light. When two aspects are within traditional orbs of relationship and one of these two is also within these boundaries but the other is not, it is permissible to extend the orb to include this third. For example, let us say that Mars is at 23º Taurus and Venus is at 25º of Capricorn. They are thus in a very nice, tight trine to each other. If Saturn were 16º of Virgo, it would be within the orb of a trine to Mars (7º away from exactitude) but too far from a “legal” trine to Venus (9º from exactitude). But by transition of light we can extend the orb by this 1º and thus find that the three planets form a grand trine in earth.
2. Dispositorship. What makes the relationship between Venus and Saturn even more intimate is the fact that Venus is in Saturn’s sign, Capricorn. This is called, “affinity by dispositorship”, and is the second qualifier for our ability to extend orbs. So we can state here another major factor in delineating aspects: The Law of Dispositorship. This states that whenever one planet is in aspect to another planet which it rules by sign, we can expand the orb of that aspect. In either case, such an extension should not exceed more than 10%-15% of standard orb perimeters (or about 1-1.5 degrees in the case of the major aspects with the exception of the sextile and conjunction which should not be extended more than 0.5-1 degree).
This subject of aspect by dispositorship (planetary ruler) is very important to Soul-Centered astrology and needs further discussion. In esoteric astrology, we want to see if a planet is disposited by its esoteric as well as its exoteric or traditional ruler. We are all familiar with these traditional placements (Mars rules Aries, Venus rules Taurus, etc.). I have also given out the signs and their esoteric rulers in pervious articles in this series, but to quickly recapitulate, please note the following relationships: Aries-Mercury, Taurus-Vulcan, Gemini-Venus, Cancer-Neptune, Leo-Sun, Virgo-Moon, Libra-Uranus, Scorpio-Mars, Sagittarius-Earth, Capricorn-Saturn, Aquarius-Jupiter, and Pisces-Pluto.
Should a planet be in simultaneous aspect with both its esoteric and exoteric dispositor, the implications are that there is a very strong link between the Soul and the personality, relative to this planet’s energy and Ray. Thus if Venus were in Aquarius in the natal chart and created a trine to Jupiter as well as a sextile to Uranus, we could say that the potential for Venus to function on both the level of the Soul and the level of the personality and to link these two levels together harmoniously was very evident in the life of the individual in question.
The above is especially important for the rulers of the Ascendant. A very crucial point to note when working with Soul-Centered astrology is trying to determine the purpose of the soul in incarnation. This factor is so very focused on the rising sign and its rulerships. Thus, in a horoscope with Virgo rising, it is essential for us to consider the relationship of Mercury (exoteric ruler) and the Moon (esoteric ruler). There are six categories of this relationship that require our attention:
1. A link by sextile or trine. This indicates an incarnation in which the fusion of the soul’s purpose with the activities of the lower self is potentially advanced with ease and naturalness. I say “potentially” as the ability to align the lower and higher selves can only be accomplished by dint of very hard work. Just ask yourselves!
2. A link by square, opposition, or inconjunction. This does not indicate a “karmic punishment” nor a person with less spiritual accomplishment. In this case, we note an incarnation in which the relationship between the soul and the personality can be (or is) accomplished but with much greater difficulty. One reason for this condition, especially in the case of the opposition between the two rulers, is for the individual to gain a greater awareness of the relationship between the lower and the higher selves. It is thus that certain qualitative choices in one’s life direction can be (and must be!) made.
3. Link by conjunction. We have in this instance an intense urge toward the fusion and integration of the soul and the personality. If other planetary and sign conditions support this conjunction, we can say that this is a person who has great potential to express the soul’s purpose in the present incarnation.
4. No link by any major aspect. A life in which the “Path of Fusion” has to be undertaken with conscious effort. This may lead to the gaining of personal, spiritual responsibility and certainly can stimulate a person to make a firm step along the Path.
5. The exoteric and exoteric planetary ruler is the same (no interplanetary aspect is therefore possible). In the case of Leo, Scorpio, and Capricorn, both rulers are the same, so that the relationship of the dispositors to the ruling planet becomes essential. For example, let’s say that Capricorn is rising, making Saturn the ruling planet on both levels. If Saturn were in Libra in the natal chart, then Venus would be the dispositor on the exoteric level and Uranus would occupy this position on the level of the soul. You would then examine Venus by house, sign, and aspect to give you further indications about the expression of the personality. In the same way, examine Uranus to determine more about the nature of the soul. Finally, look to the interrelationship between Venus and Uranus for more information about the personality-soul alignment. Look to see if either Venus or Uranus (or possibly both) were in aspect to Saturn. These relationships will tell you a great deal. Work with them, experiment, and see what your own knowledge and intuition reveals.
6. The Soul-Centered ruler is in dignity. Our example here is Virgo its esoteric ruler, the Moon. Should the Moon be in Virgo in the natal chart with Virgo rising (or Cancer rising with Neptune in that sign, etc.), then an incarnation has been taken in which the potential for the soul’s expression is very strong. Please note that no matter in which sign and planet combination these circumstances may occur, it is the direction, orientation, and quality of our will to serve others that determines our level of soul growth.
The above relationships are vital to using Soul-Centered astrology correctly. The astrologer has to develop a transcendental perspective so that moving back and forth between the level of the soul and the personality can be achieved with relative ease. This “fluidity” comes about through three factors: a profound knowledge of traditional, exoteric astrology; an orientation to esoteric astrology and the Work of the Tibetan Master and His students; and the necessary personal, spiritual work that leads to the careful development of one’s intuition.
Let us now examine the six major aspects in detail from the perspective of the Rays.
1. The conjunction—The most intense interaction of planetary energies is found in this aspect and it has a very powerful impact upon the circumstances of the house in which it is found. The conjunction carries a First Ray energy, as it is always indicative of the end of one cycle of relationship between the planets in question, and the beginning of another. It is thus that the conjunction is a simultaneous vehicle for both the Creator and the Destroyer. At its highest expression, it act to synthesize the energies and Ray qualities of the planets concerned, in order to bring forth some new potential into the incarnation. In this respect, the conjunction may also imply some of the synthesizing qualities of the Seventh Ray.
2. The opposition—The opposition represents the activity of the Fourth Ray of Harmony Through Conflict as well as the Sixth Ray of Devotion. The purpose of both these Rays and aspect is to produce a more conscious and inclusive relationship between the planets (and the house positions) in question. It is an aspect that contains a certain amount of duality as the energies of the planets, like a see-saw, move back and forth within the scope of their polarity. The opposition will be especially powerful (and discordant) if one or both of the planets are of the Sixth Ray (Neptune or Mars) as this is the Ray through which we battle for our exclusive beliefs and principles. Such a planetary condition may easily indicate for example, a continual opposition to the expression of our deepest ideals, necessitating an adjustment in this area so that we may live more inclusively and harmoniously with one another.
3. The square—An aspect indicating the crystallization of energy into a tightly concretized thought-form, emotional or physical habit pattern. Such a situation does not allow consciousness to move freely or fluidly (especially if it is a square in the fixed signs). This is another aspect of the Fourth Ray. The “conflict” is one’s adherence to the expression of past karmic patterns requiring a definite crisis of transformative release. The latter is the primary definition of the way the Fourth Ray produces its “harmony” and also speaks about the higher nature of the ruling sign of this Ray, Scorpio.
4. The trine—The Third Ray is a very potent force in the expression of planetary energy by trine. It reveals that there is a great deal of potential creativity present within this field of planetary expression. This positivity has strong potential for harmonious continuance and ease of relationship. The astrologer should note which of the chakras are represented by the planets in trine as these areas in life will also have a corresponding harmony. *
5. The sextile—This aspect carries the energies of the Fifth Ray. It distributes the energies of the planets in a more specific way than does the trine which is more fluid and wider in its applications. Just as the trine and sextile are related aspects in their effects, so are the Third and Fifth Rays. Both deal with the externalization of mental energy into its various forms: Energy follows thought! The planetary force of Venus (ruler of the Fifth Ray) is carried into this planetary relationship, harmonizing and blending the various forces involved.
6. The inconjunction—The stressful quality of this aspect calls for the nature of the Fourth Ray into manifestation. The inconjunction is essentially an aspect of adjustment and reorientation. In the urge to birth a new expression for the existing inharmonious relationship between the planets in question, the inconjunction also partakes of the qualities of the Seventh Ray and the function of Uranus (the initiator of new archetypes).
The influence of the Second Ray is part of all aspects as it, like the geometric angles themselves, serves to fuse and blend. The Second Ray can be called “the cosmic urge to merge,” as it is the Ray of consciousness itself and consciousness is Love and Love is consciousness.
The reader is welcome to research this facet of Soul-Centered astrology either in the author’s book of the same title and/or in the various texts written by Alice A. Bailey and the Tibetan Master, D.K. I would especially recommend both volumes of Esoteric Psychology.
