Astrology delves into the profound dynamics between planetary bodies, describing their interactions as magnetic forces that either attract or conflict with one another. These planetary aspects offer valuable insights into the way we perceive and experience life. The term “aspects” stems from the Latin word meaning “the way a thing is looked at.” It encapsulates the unique lens through which each aspect influences our consciousness. One significant aspect is the conjunction, formed when two planets are in close proximity. Unlike other major configurations, the conjunction lacks objectivity due to the blending of planetary energies. It grants us a shared vantage point, which can be both harmonious and conflicted. Here, we learn that unity and cooperation can arise from shared perspectives, but they may also limit our ability to see beyond our immediate worldview. The square aspect emerges when two planets form a 90-degree angle, signifying incompatible elements and conflicting interests. While astrologers often emphasize the square’s influence on matters rather than relationships, it can symbolize the complex dynamics between individuals, such as the relationship between parents represented by the Sun and Moon in a horoscope. The square aspect manifests subjectively and internally, often creating significant obstacles that resist change. It teaches us that personal growth requires addressing deep-seated blockages and embracing transformative action. In contrast, the opposition aspect occurs when two planets are positioned 180 degrees apart, forming a natural polarity. This aspect brings about heightened awareness and objectivity. Oppositions play a vital role in our lives as they provide the necessary counterforce for us to prove ourselves. Without opposition, our growth remains stagnant, regardless of our efforts. These opposing forces can take the form of internal insecurity, external adversaries, or even abstract social constructs. Hard aspects like oppositions generate tension within our personalities, instigating conflicts in our external world. They relentlessly urge us to confront our issues and take proactive steps towards resolution.
The challenges presented by hard aspects symbolize internal struggles and psychological complexes associated with the involved planets. Astrological aspects prod and coax us to revisit the past, allowing us to gain a new understanding of our life experiences. Through this process, every aspect of our inner world acquires new context and emotional significance. When our natal chart contains difficult planetary contacts, it reflects the presence of these complexes, which possess immense power and offer profound insights. Over time, aspects in the natal chart can evolve, transforming their expression as our awareness and recognition of them grow.
Complexes in Astrology as Inner Energies
Most hard aspects, also known as complexes, seek to discharge built-up energy and return to a latent state in our unconscious. This phenomenon puzzled Carl Jung, who explored the varying levels of energy within complexes. Similarly, we often wonder why certain challenging aspects in our own lives appear more energized than others, while some remain dormant for extended periods. Transits in the natal chart can shed light on this question as they act as triggers, activating different aspects of our lives. Aspects in the natal chart continuously attract fresh psychic energy through new experiences, enriching our understanding of ourselves. Liz Greene’s work, “The Horoscope in Manifestation: Psychology and Prediction,” provides intriguing insights into complexes. Psychology, in its broader sense, delves into the traumas that give rise to these complexes. Astrology, however, goes a step further, revealing inherent conflicts within the soul by examining the birth chart. The mind-blowing truth lies in the realization that blockages and destructive manifestations of a complex may not be solely caused by trauma. Instead, they may be reflected in challenging chart configurations that predispose us to subjectively experience certain events as traumatic. In other words, our complexes shape our perception of events, rather than trauma solely creating the complexes themselves.
An intriguing observation emerges from encounters with individuals who have undergone similar traumatic experiences in their youth. Despite shared external events, their responses vary significantly. One person might perceive their entire life as ruined, leading them to inflict harm upon others as a twisted form of justification. Another might suffer from severe psychological disturbances, such as manic depression or hysteria. A third person unconsciously seeks out victimhood, repeatedly putting themselves in situations that replay the original injury. Meanwhile, a fourth person might harbor anger and mistrust in specific circumstances but still possess a sense of wholeness, allowing them to love and act decently.
These insights plunge us into profound depths, echoing Novalis’ timeless wisdom: “Fate and soul are two names for the same principle.”