astrocartography, aspect orbs, astrology
From: The Role of the Least-aspected Planet In Astrocartography
Appendix A - Aspect Orbs
Aspects:Planetary aspects were analyzed to ascertain “least aspected” to “most aspected” in the following manner:
•For each planet, all major planetary aspects are added together to form the first figure in a three-digit number.
•For each planet, all minor planetary aspects are added together to form the second figure in a three-digit number.
•For each planet, all aspects to the Midheaven and Ascendant are added together to form the third figure in a three-digit number.
Major aspects are italicized:
Aspect:
Arc:
Orb:
For Sun & Moon:
Cnj
000 00’
05 00’
6 30’
Opp
180 00’
05 00’
6 30’
Tri
120 00’
05 00’
6 30’
Sqr
090 00’
05 00’
6 30’
Qtl
072 00’
01 30’
3 00’
Sxt
060 00’
03 00’
4 00’
Spt
051 00’
01 00’
1 30’
Ssq
045 00’
02 30’
3 00’
Nov
040 00’
00 45’
1 00’
Ssx
030 00’
01 30
3 00’
Qcx
150 00’
01 30’
3 00’
Sqq
135 00’
02 30’
3 00’
Bqt
144 00’
01 30’
3 00’
Therefore, if Venus has three major aspects (3), two minor aspects (2), and one aspect to the Midheaven (1), we have: “321.” If Mars = 021 and is the lowest-numbered planet, and if Venus = 321 and is the highest-numbered planet, then Mars is the least aspected or Primary Transcendental Planet, and Venus is the most aspected or Leading Planet.
Aspect orbs were based on those suggested by Robert Hand in his Horoscope Symbols. In a nod to the Ebertin school, which considers the semisquare and the sesquiquadrate to be major aspects, slightly wider orbs (2.30 instead of Hand’s 1.30) were used for these two aspects.
All aspects were rounded off to the nearest minute.
As aspect analysis was relied on in such a singular fashion in determining planetary strength or weakness in our study, slightly narrower orbs were used than might be recommended for other purposes. Since orbs continue to be a controversial matter, the author would like to encourage further experimentation in this area.
A Note on the Node:
Because the Nodes are energetic points and are qualitatively different from the physically present astronomical planets, it may not be possible to assess the Transcendental potential of the Node in direct relation to the astrological planets. Therefore, the Node is probably best gauged separately: for its own inherent strength or weakness. If the North Node is underaspected, receiving only one major aspect and no more than three minor aspects (130), then it may be important to travel to the geographic line of the North Node and to experience its Transcendental effect, especially if this is within a Transcendental region and not in proximity to any most aspected lines. If the North Node receives more than a “130” rating, it should not be considered Transcendental. (In other words, there is no such thing as a Primary Transcendental Jupiter and a Secondary Transcendental Node but, rather, either a Transcendental Node or a non-Transcendental Node, either of which will accompany a Primary Jupiter (or some other Primary Transcendental Planet) in the makeup of a native’s Transcendental Astrology.) See my essay on the “Transcendental Node.”
The Role of the Least-aspected Planet In Astrocartography