Sign Change When a planet crosses into a new sign, it can create a whole new energy in the area that planet governs.

Trine Trines, 120 degree angles, are the most positive aspects in Astrology. When 2 planets are Trine, they are in the same element (Earth, Air, Fire, or Water), and they are working together in harmony. They can usually generate positive situations with no effort at all.

Sextile When planets are sextile, they are 60 degrees apart. Sextiles can bring positive outcomes, but only with some effort on our parts.

Quincunx A Quincunx is also sometimes called an Inconjunction. When planets are quincunx they are neither sharing the same element (Earth, Air, Fire, or Water) nor the same qualities (Cardinal, Fixed, or Mutable). That means there is nothing mutual for them to share, and the two planets will not function together. Quincunxs are actually minor aspects, and their influence is more subtle.

Conjunction When two planets are conjunct, whether or not it will be positive or negative depends upon the planet. In most cases it is negative, except when Venus or Jupiter are involved. Venus and Jupiter have a tendencey to sweeten planets in this position.

Opposition When planets are at a 180 degree opposition, it usually brings challenges and conflicts. They will always be in the same element (Cardinal, Fixed, or Mutable). Occasionally an opposition can bring more of a reflection period, especially when the Moon is involved.

Square Squares are 90 degree angles, and they will also be in the same quality (Cardinal, Fixed, or Mutable) as oppositions. Squares can bring very difficult situations, especially when 3 planets line up in a T-square, or 4 planets align to make a grand cross. Expect conflicts when dealing with squares, especially when Mars, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune or Pluto are involved.

Retrograde When any planet is at it's retrograde station (at the point of changing from a forward to a backward motion), it will cause difficulities depending upon the area that it rules. When Mercury, Venus, or Mars turn retrograde we watch the entire retrograde path, but the outer planets usually only influence us when they are at their stations.

Direct Station Direct station is the point a planet reaches when it is ending it's retrograde and in the process of changing from a backward to a forward motion. All planets can be difficult a few days before and after their direct stations.

The Sun The Sun governs Leo, and he represents our characters. Because the Sun is so much larger than any other planet in our solarsystem, our sun-signs are most often emphasized in Astrology. When the Sun is afflicted we usually feel it personally. But, because he moves so quickly through the zodiac (12 signs in 1 year), his aspects usually last about a day or two.

The Moon The Moon is the natural ruler of Cancer, and she represents our emotions and our dark sides. The Moon also rules motherhood and the home. Because the Moon is so close to the earth, her gravity can even affect our tides. When the Moon is afflicted, our emotions can go topsy-turvy, and some will HOWL! Luckily the Moon moves very quickly (12 signs in 30 days), so her aspects only last a few hours.

Mercury Mercury is the ruler of Gemini and Virgo. He is the god of communication and transportation. Mercury also governs the mind. When Mercury is afflicted one can expect misunderstandings and delays. Mercury can also be the "trickster," especially when he is in retrograde.

Venus Venus rules Taurus and Libra, and she presides over love, relationships, and money. When Venus is afflicted, she can upset us almost as much as the Moon, and her aspects last about a day or two. Some astrologers believe that Venus also controls our blood sugar, and people with sugar problems may notice issues cropping up when Venus is at a negative aspect to Uranus or Pluto.

Mars Mars, governor of Aries, rules energy and sex. Mars is the warrior, and he is our defender. I heard an astrologer say that Mars rules all things that rhyme with Mars like wars and cars. When Mars is afflicted, get ready, because a fight could be brewing. When Mars aspects Uranus negatively, automobile accidents become more likely.

Jupiter Jupiter, the ruler of Sagittarius, is the largest planet in our solar system, and one of the brightest "stars" in the night sky. Jupiter is the great humaniarian of the zodiac, and he brings luck and opportunities. When Jupiter is at a negative aspect to another planet, we can expect our optimism and our luck to drop. Jupiter can also increase wasteful behavior when afflicted.

Saturn Saturn is the last planet that could be seen by naked-eye, ancient astrologers. Saturn rules Capricorn, and he is the drill sergeant of the zodiac. Negative aspects with Saturn can bring up what we fear, but positive aspects can actually bring rewards. That is, if we have been working hard and doing what we belive in our hearts to be morally correct. If we haven't, Saturn will slap us upside the head.

Uranus Uranus is the higher octave of Saturn and the ruler of Aquarius. Where Saturn believes in personal work and the earth, Uranus looks at society and the universe. Uranus is sometimes called the electric planet, because he can bring shocking events. Also, a Uranus aspect can never be predicted, it can end up positive or negative. Uranus believes in thinking outside of the box, and he governs Science, Technology, and the Internet.

Neptune Neptune, the ruler of Pisces, is the higher octave of Jupiter. Where Jupiter rules opportunities, Neptune rules possibilities. Neptune governs our dreams, our creativity, and our psychic energy. Magic, fantasy, and avoiding our problems is Neptune's domain. When Neptune is afflicted we could find ourselves victim of our own imaginations. A situation or a person can appear to be much more than they really are when Neptune is influencing the planets.

Pluto Even though astronomers have scratched Pluto off the list of planets in our solar system, astrologers never will. Pluto, the ruler of Scorpio, is an extremely powerful planet. Negative aspects with Pluto, especially outer planets aspecting Pluto, can bring tremendous social upheaval. We have been watching Pluto, the higher octave of Mars, long enough to witness and even predict the forceful changes he will bring. Pluto rules death and rebirth is called the planet of transformations.