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Bil Tierney - Dynamics of Aspect Analysis - New Perceptions in Astrology-CRCS Publications (1993) OPT
Bil Tierney - Dynamics of Aspect Analysis - New Perceptions in Astrology-CRCS Publications (1993) OPT
Introduction
—Bil Tierney
October, 1992
1
The Principles Behind
the Aspects
The proper analysis of aspects is crucial to the interpreta
tion of any horoscope. Aspects weave powerful and pur
poseful energy patterns connecting the many parts of the
chart. They trace out a highly complex, unduplicated mon
tage of force-fields designed for promoting the individuali
zation of each developing human psyche. Yet as important
as aspects are, very few students of astrology seem to have
a clear grasp of the fundamental principles underlying the
aspects frequently used to delineate a natal chart. While
modern astrology interprets the conjunction as an aspect
emphasizing self-motivation and direct expression of
subjective impulse, it is also an aspect linked with dimin
ished objectivity and limited awareness of others. Why is
this? Is the sextile, as tradition states, merely a “weaker”
trine and thus slightly less “favorable” in its influence? Or
does it possess its own unique qualities? What is it about
the square that evokes a sense of stress and frustration?
Why does its level of tension manifest as threatening to our
security and status quo of affairs? On the other hand, why
do trines readily channel energy into creative, personally
gratifying activities with relative ease, confidence, and
spontaneity? And why do our oppositions often involve a
need for compromise with others we confront in our lives?
THE CONJUNCTION
THE SEMI-SQUARE
THE SEXTILE
THE SQUARE
THE TRINE
The loioer trine correlates with the sign Leo, operating thru
the Leo dwad in the Leo decanate of this sign. It then also
relates to the 5th house and the Sun. The lower trine tends
to be creatively self-expressive, pleasure oriented, and
somewhat exhibitionistic (of course, much depends upon
the nature of the planets involved. Venus trine Jupiter is
likely to be more joyous and free in its expression than Sat
urn trine Pluto, for example.) It is an aspect of whole-heart
ed and vibrant expression. Due to the fixed undertone, the
lower trine can steadily pour out its creative potential with
little deliberation. This aspect best energizes itself when
there are elements of recreational activity present. One of
the drawbacks of lower trines is that they seek the
pampered, effortless way of doing things. They are not
willing to endure struggle, toil, or sustain strenuous effort
to obtain their desires. From a human point of view, these
trines could foster a spoiled nature craving to be indulged
and satisfied by the efforts of others. Yet positively
expressed, the lower trine can be used to promote creative
flair, dramatic self-display, active demonstration of talent,
Principles Behind the Aspects 29
THE SESQUI-SQUARE
THE QUINCUNX
THE QUINTILE
might be very much “connected with the mind, and with the
gnostic faculties. That is, they are concerned with the
faculties by which we know, and the means by which we
receive and communicate knowledge and information.”4
Addey is of the opinion that strong connections involving
Saturn and Uranus in the 5th Harmonic Chart indicates the
“born astrologer.” I was naturally pleased to find this out,
since I have an exact lower quintile between these planets
in my natal chart! Addey has also linked the 5th harmonic
with impairment to those powers and faculties related to
the transmission of knowledge, resulting in brain damage,
nervous disorders, and all the defects of the senses (i.e.,
blindness) or organs of speech and communication.5
THE SEPTILE
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DISSOCIATE CONJUNCTION
DISSOCIATE SEMI-SEXTILE
DISSOCIATE SEXTILE
DISSOCIATE SQUARE
DISSOCIATE TRINE
DISSOCIATE QUINCUNX
DISSOCIATE OPPOSITION
One with an Air Grand Trine can exude much social appeal,
enhancing his popularity. He has charisma on the
one-to-many level. He can easily attract friendly
cooperation from others, due to both his casual
easygoingness and his ability to become all things to all
people. For the most part, this configuration denotes one
with natural charm, congeniality, appealing openness, and
an innate facility for expressive communication. Yet in a
weak character, the Air Grand Trine describes one who
attemps to use his above-average powers of persuasion or
cleverness (the con-artist type) to coax others to act on his
behalf or for his personal immediate advantage. In addition,
there may be a tendency to view life from a superficial
level, in which the individual perceives human conditions
only from the quality of surface appearances. And with the
natural sense of well-being the Grand Trine instills, he may
view his shallow evaluations as intellectually superior to
that which others observe. Although creative thought is
one of this Grand Trine’s special assets, the individual may
not make the effort it takes to anchor his ideas, ideals, or
abstract insights in a manner that makes them easily
comprehended and thus workable in the external world.
The reality of his mind may not touch base with the reality
of his social environment. It is advisable for one with the
76 Dynamics of Aspect Analysis
Monroe).
Not all Grand Trines are formed from planets in three signs
of the same element. When one is formed from two signs of
the same element but one of another, there is an underlying
square and quincunx influence created by the sign
placement of that one planet in the other element. This
condition thus represents the Dissociate Grand Trine. I
advise going back to Chapter Three and reviewing what
was said about the Dissociate Trine, which should help you
delineate this type of configuration. In general, the
Dissociate Grand Trine has a bit more drive and activation
in its make-up than does the standard Grand Trine. A
Dissociate Grand Trine, however, may decrease some of the
protective power normally associated with this con
figuration. But although it may seem less easy-flowing for
the individual, the underlying influences here could give it
enough subtle tension to prevent it from otherwise
operating too passively. Although this type of Grand Trine
may sometimes function as if it is short-circuited, its
complexity often makes it more challenging for the
individual psychologically. The Dissociate Grand Trine is
named according to the element that dominates. Hans
Christian Anderson had a Dissociate Water Grand Trine,
which obviously helped stimulate his sense of fantasy and
creative imagination. Novelist Sinclair Lewis had a
Dissociate Air Grand Trine and wrote books centered
around the social abuses of his times. Time will tell how
Prince Charles manifests his natal Dissociate Earth Grand
Trine. In my limited study of this configuration, I was not
able to find an example for the Dissociate Fire Grand Trine.
Hopefully, your research will find some examples.
THE KITE
This seldom discussed configuration is actually a modified
Grand Trine. Here, a planet is found at a fourth point in
opposition to one of the planets in the Grand Trine. At the
same time, it sextiles the remaining two planets. In addition
to the dynamics of the Grand Trine itself, the Kite also
The Grand Trine 79
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CARDINAL T-SQUARE
to see if they actually will help him move ahead towards the
realistic attainment of his goals. There will be significant
direct confrontations in his life that he will be pressured to
meet head-on. Yet by teaching himself to look before
leaping into new activities, he will be less prone to exert his
vital energies in a thoughtless manner. It is especially
important if Mars, Jupiter, or Uranus is involved in this
T-Square (and even more so if one of these planets is at the
apex point) that the individual learn as early in his life as
possible to observe restraint and see the value of respecting
his personal limitations. Since physical activity is often
emphasized here, he will need to live a lifestyle that allows
him to be on-the-move and ready to make quick changes.
Yet the more self-aware he allows himself to become, the
more purposeful these changes become. (Oliver Cromwell -
Francisco Goya - Marie Antoinette - Bonnie Parker).
FIXED T-SQUARE
MUTABLE T-SQUARE
APEX SUN
APEX MOON
APEX MERCURY
APEX VENUS
APEX MARS
themselves. This can be the bull dozer type who slowly but
surely pushes anyone or anything out of his path that
prevents or blocks him from moving closer toward his
goals. The sheer one-tracked force of his self driven actions
can overwhelm or exhaust all opposing sides.
APEX JUPITER
APEX SATURN
APEX URANUS
APEX NEPTUNE
APEX PLUTO
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
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For the most part, all Higher Octave planets at the apex
146 Dynamics of Aspect Analysis
Usually, the orb I would allow for a valid Yod is 7° for the
sextile planets, and 3° for the apex planet. However, any
seasoned astrologer is well aware that ideal orbs must be
extended from time to time for various reasons. For
example, I would stretch the orb if there is a planet at the
reaction point, or if a planet is at the shorter-arc midpoint of
the two base planets. Any planet at this midpoint ties in the
energies of these base planets more closely together,
strengthening the overall structure of the Yod. I would also
The Yod 149
stretch orbs when the apex planet rules one of the signs of
the base planets, or vice versa. Thyrza Escobar (Jones) in
her highly stimulating Side Lights of Astrology (one of my
all-time favorite publications in Astrology) states that “the
three arms of the ‘Y’ should contain planets, not just house
cusps, nodes, or other sensitive points.”2 I strongly advise
you to read her succinct chapter on the Yod.
COMPOSITE YODS
APEX SUN
APEX MOON
APEX MERCURY
APEX VENUS
APEX MARS
APEX JUPITER
APEX SATURN
APEX URANUS
APEX NEPTUNE
APEX PLUTO
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