Hudson Valley Astrologer

“The cosmos is a vast living body, of which we are still parts. The Sun is a great heart whose tremors run through our smallest veins. The Moon is a great nerve center from which we quiver forever.”

~ D.H. Lawrence

In astrology, aspects refer to the angles formed between two planets as seen from Earth. These angular relationships determine how the planets interact energetically, symbolically corresponding to human behavior and experience. A clear example is the relationship between the Sun and Moon, where the amount of light the Moon reflects depends on its angle to the Sun. This “angle” is called an aspect relationship.

For instance, during a Full Moon, the Moon is fully illuminated by the Sun’s light because they are opposite each other relative to Earth. Conversely, during a lunar eclipse, the Earth blocks the Sun’s light from reaching the Moon, leaving it in darkness. Similarly, during a solar eclipse, the Moon blocks the Sun’s light from reaching Earth, as we plunge into shadow. The monthly lunar cycle—from New Moon to Full Moon and back again—symbolizes a dynamic interplay between light and darkness, reflecting themes of growth, culmination, and renewal.

Lunations, or solar cycles, are echoed in other planetary aspect relationships. Every planet undergoes similar phases: from conjunction (New Moon) to opposition (Full Moon) and back again. Astrologers interpret these cycles as symbolic expressions of energy that somehow correspond with behavior and personality.

The Derivation of “Aspect“

The term “aspect” originates from Latin: aspectus (“a seeing, looking at, view”) and aspicere (“to look at”). Its astrological meaning aligns with ancient Greek ideas about planetary interactions. Greek astrology, influenced by Babylonian practices, emphasized geometrical relationships between planets as symbolic of cosmic interactions. Traditional astrologers often described planets as “seeing” or “regarding” one another when their angular distances aligned in specific ways.

This ancient belief—that celestial bodies could “see” each other—underscores the idea that planetary alignments carry energetic significance. These alignments were thought to influence human life profoundly, reflecting a dynamic interplay between cosmic forces. Influence? Correspond seems a more fitting word, and less deterministic, but each practitioner decides for themselves where to land along the wide spectrum between “will and fate.”

Uniqueness as an Interaction

When considering what makes a person unique, we can draw parallels with astrology. Just as planetary aspects depend on angles and relationships to convey meaning, human uniqueness emerges through interactions—between the observer and what is being observed. Attributes like intelligence, sincerity, or humor may stand out, but uniqueness is not solely intrinsic; it is shaped by perception. In this sense, individuality is as much about how we see someone as it is about their inherent qualities. Uniqueness arises from this interplay—a reflection of both external observation and internal essence.

HVA

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*The sound of one hand clapping is impossible without relationship. In this respect, aspects are a study in the synthesis of how, on the one hand, I am seen by you, but also, on the other, how I see you.