Here I am using the natal chart of Princess Diana to exemplify how aspects can bring a chart to life!

Aspects represent connections between planets, points and angles within a chart.

Quite simply, we can say that aspects provide us with a deep astrological explanation to who we are.

If you know of the People’s Princess’ story , you might enjoy how astrology resonates with her experience of life.

The basic aspects include:

Conjunctions occur when two planets are within 10 degrees of orb of each other (an orb is the distance measured in degrees between the the two planets – the smaller the orb, the more intense the relationship). When conjunct, two planets share a purpose: they are unified and their energies remain unique to their own essence but are directed together.

Oppositions happen when the two planets are opposite each of (of course), which equates to 180 degrees apart. This creates a challenging sense of push-pull and requires balance and cooperation.

A Square is found when the two planets are 90 degrees apart, creating dynamic tension – grist for the mill of life!

Trines occur when the planets in question are separated by 120 degrees apart and bring harmony to an issue if tapped into and applied supportively in life.

A Sextile is half a trine – 60 degrees between the two planets being aspected. Being half a trine, they bring the opportunity to gain support in an area of life if we utilise the planetary energies appropriately.

Sun conjunct Mercury Cancer 7th House 

Princess Diana’s sense of self identity (Sun) was fused (conjunct) with with her conscious mind (Mercury): she identified herself with her thoughts – she ‘was’ what she thought – “I think, therefore, I am”! For Princess Diana, if she successfully merged the energy of her Sun and Mercury, she would shine by using her power of communication.

Being in Cancer brings the essence of mother-hood, the need to nurture, and be nurtured to her urge to express herself fully (Sun) and with the merging of Mercury with this drive, we can say that she expressed herself through her emotions. 

With this fundamental drive being experienced in the 7^th House, Princess Diana’s sense of individuality was tied to that of forming meaningful relationships that allowed for the exchange of ideas that would stimulate and see her grow as an individual (Gemini is on the 7^th House cusp).

For Princess Diana, this conjunction in Cancer was intercepted within the 7^th House (Gemini), suggesting that she may have struggled in life to readily manifest this universal driving force: her voice and identity may have been stifled by the relationships she found herself in!

Mars conjunct Pluto Virgo 8th opposite Chiron Pisces 2nd 

Mars in Virgo suggests an assertive drive to fulfil one’s duty. Princess Diana’s selfless (Virgo) willpower (Mars) finds expression in merging deeply with others in order to experience and know the depths of all life has to offer (8^th House). Being conjunct Pluto suggests that the Mars drive is merged with the intensity of Pluto to seek total regeneration of the self through the experience of deep interactions in life (8^th House). With Cancer on the cusp of the 8^th House, emotional issues centring on the need to nurture and be nurtured will flavour this fusion of Mars and Pluto energies.

Opposing Chiron will see tension between this powerful concentration of assertion and transformation (Mars conjunct Pluto) and Princess Diana’s centre of pain and healing. If played well, Princess Diana may have found these energies to have cooperated and produced the healing required to self-transform completely.

Being in Pisces, Chiron will have the flavour of spiritual oneness with all of life! A sense of universal connectedness: that we are one and not separate. For Princess Diana, this could have translated into a sense of not really knowing who she is? Feeling that she is more than what she directly experiences in life; that she is connected to something greater than the self of her thoughts. Being in the 2^nd House, this ‘wound’ would manifest for Princess Diana in terms of values, resources and security: until she found the resources that healed her wound from within herself she could not find unity with the greater self: the Universal Self. Helping those that were marginalised and sick, such as she did bringing worldwide attention to the onset of HIV/AIDS when others where not doing much to help these patients, would have assisted in healing her wounds and helping to to find the emotional value, creativity and safety she required in her lifetime.

Knowing about the aspects in your natal chart is invaluable for plotting your life’s adventure: knowing how the planets interact with each other and how this energy plays out in your daily life can help you live to your full potential.

If you would like to explore the aspects of your chart and much more, I can draw up your natal (birth) chart and provide an in-depth outline of everything that makes you you and how to use this information to live your best life.

The chart and video consultation to discuss your horoscope in full via Skype or Zoom, costs $120.

We have a New Moon at 23°Sagittarius at approximately 3:15am  on 15th December.

For parts of South America it will also be a Solar Eclipse, and mundane astrologers would suggest that earthly upheavals may occur (earthquakes, political or cultural changes, etc).

For us here in Australia, and personally we also face potential upheavals, but of the karmic nature!

Looking at the chart below, we can see the Eclipse conjoining the South Node and forming an opposition to the North node.

Two of the most important points in a person’s natal chart are the North and South Nodes of the Moon.

These are not physical planets, but mathematical points reflecting the way in which the orbit of Earth interacts with that of the Moon.

This orbit is a curving snake like path and is reflected by the solar and lunar eclipses we sometimes get to see.

On an esoteric level, the Nodes reflect a symbolic meaning that reveals our past and future!

To use eastern terms, the South Node shows us our karma – what we need to address, and the North Node, our dharma – what we need to strive for to live a fulfilling life.

For example, if your North Node sits in the 11th House, you will need to consider being less self-centred, involving yourself in groups for the sake of the group not your own ego.

The South Node in this case will be in the 5th House, making it really easy for you let your ego take control of your life and loose sight of what really brings you peace, fulfilment and happiness.

The South Node behaviours are easy for us and as such there will always be tension between the two Nodes!

So, the New Moon of the 15th December portends to be very interesting for all of us!

The South Node is in Sagittarius and the North in Gemini.

With Mercury conjoining the Eclipse, we have a clear message that communication, information, data, knowledge and wisdom are at stake.

With a Sagittarius South Node we could suggest that our thinking is somewhat blurred by big picture things and we need to take time out to reappraise how we seek information and analyse it for practical value.

The North node in Gemini guides us here, clear, basic, simple, unbiased data – the nuts and bolts that mean something: this is where we need to put our energy.

Simply put, forget the grand theories and focus on what you perceive.

But that is not all!

Mercury and the Eclipse both form a harmonic aspect to Mars, increasing the sense of mental alertness that will aid our exploration of the karmic needs of how we perceive and process information.

As seen in the chart there is another aspect that may cause some upset to this seemingly clear process: a tense aspect to Neptune, who is now in direct motion within his own sign of Pisces! 

With Neptune in the mix, we need to be cautious that the information we are utilising is harmonious and accurate, not delusional, fear or paranoia inducing!

Does it resonate with the heart? Does it install fear? Choose wisely and remember that it is the nuts and bolts we need to be focusing on at this point in time, not the great philosophical meanings!

2020 has been a huge year of personal and collective challenge.

We have been forced to review the way we operate in the world.

With the Jupiter – Saturn conjunction* happening on December 21/22, it’s time for us to get rid of the old ways of doing things and prepare ourselves to live completely differently!

We will be entering a 20 year cycle where Jupiter and Saturn will play together in Aquarius.

Aquarius is an Air element, and is all about innovative, inventive, radical, and intelligent ways of operating.

This will be an extremely dynamic 20 years where realism (Saturn) and optimism (Jupiter) will influence the very core of our societal and individual existences!

But not only is this a new 20 year cycle, these planets are going to cycle together for the next 200 years in Air signs.

Such a huge change in elemental cycle is referred to as a Great Mutation – we will change!

This is the beginning of a new age: think, a change from the Industrial Age (the element of Earth) to the Digital Age (the element of Air).

To prepare yourself, take a look at your natal chart and see which House Aquarius rules, and check which Houses Jupiter and Saturn will be transiting. This will give you an idea where these energies are going to shake your personal world: be prepared and start working on them now!