Applying and Separating Aspects in the Astrology Natal Chart

There are three different types of planetary movement in the Natal snapshot at the time of your birth.  These is motion when the aspect is applying (planets moving together to form an aspect), aspects that are separating (planets moving away from one another) and stationary aspects (planets that have been in retrograde motion and are now motionless before moving forward).  We are going to take a look at the applying and separating aspects in the Natal Chart.

Even when a Planet is retrograde at birth, it will either be forming an aspect with another planet or separating from aspect to another planet.  The closer the degree is to making an exact aspect, the stronger its influence is in our lives.  There are some planets that may not be making an aspect but this is rare.  There are varying types of aspect.  The major aspects (sextile, trine, conjunction, inconjunct, square or opposition) are very powerful in the natal chart.  We will be discussing this at a later date.

Many Astrologers believe that a separating aspect deals with past events or if you like, they represent finished business.  Separating aspects have already been dealt with and will eventually fade over time as the aspect continues to separate.  Some believe that the acknowledgement and correction took place before birth, and we have already made adjustments to overcome whatever the two planets involve describe.  The degrees that separate the planets describe how powerful that aspect is in the chart.  The closer the aspects, the more powerful and represents perhaps one of the last things that were set in motion in a previous lifetime, but obviously this is speculative.

Astrologers understand this significance and will define its intensity and help delineate the meaning of any particular influence in the Birth Chart. 

When planets are applying, it is understood that the quicker moving planet is moving towards the slower moving planet and suggests unfinished business that will have to be rectified during the course of this lifetime.  Once again the closer the aspect, the more apparent and pressing the energies of the planets involved.  We have come into this life to address the energies.  Only then can we come to terms with whatever the planets and aspects suggest.

The applying aspects become stronger as time passes and intensify.  They push us in directions that will assist us in defining the apparent circumstances involving these two planetary energies.  These conditions are dealt with after birth.  Applying aspects are suggestive of future endeavours that should be approached and dealt with.  This is not to say that all aspects between planets are challenging-- far from it.  You have to approach the planets involved and decipher how well they work together and what aspects are involved before making a judgement call on how the energies will affect one another.

Remember the tighter the aspect, the more significant its influence in our lives. 

For example, a conjunction between Mars and Pluto is a very strong aspect, but if these planets are separating from one another and are out by 8 degrees compared to an aspect of let’s say Venus conjunct the Sun, (which is a much softer aspect) and which is applying and only out by 23 minutes, the latter aspect would have a far greater influence than the aspect between Mars and Pluto.

It is important to weigh out the aspects and recognize whether the aspect is applying or separating when deciphering a Natal chart.

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