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Any degree of angular separation amounts to some aspect. However, over the history of astrology, certain particular aspects or angular separations have been considered especially significant, such as the Conjunction (0 degrees), the Sextile (60 degrees), the Square (90 degrees), the trine (120 degrees) and the Opposition (180 degrees). These are the so-called Ptolemaic Aspects, since they were used by the Greek astrology Ptolemy. Some astrologers add more aspects to the list, and the diagram above represents what astrologers consider the standard set of aspects. But that is not the point of this lesson.

Here we want to take a look at when is a particular angular separation considered an “aspect,” and thus the subject here is one of “orbs.” We know when an angular separation is exact, so that is no problem. In other words, an exact trine aspect is 120 degrees, no more and no less. At that moment, there are no orbs. But the question here is, as we approach an aspect, at what point can we say that we are within reach or “orb” of the effect of that aspect? When does it affect us? As you might guess, astrologers agree to disagree when/where that point is.

And astrologers use different orbs, depending upon which planet they are considering, and also which aspect they are considering, so it can get a little complicated. In this lesson, I will stay away from the extremes and just present what are the orbs most commonly used by astrologers. Use any orbs you wish, of course.