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Octile
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An aspect between two
planets that are 45
degrees apart (give or take a few degrees; see
Orb). This aspect is derived by dividing the circle into 8
equal segments. Geometrically, an Octile aspect (also known as a
Semi-Square) is half of a Square
aspect (which is 90 degrees).
Similar to the Square, the Octile represents a stressful yet dynamic
relationship between the aspected planets. When used constructively,
there is motivation for moving forward and/or shedding outworn
situations that hinder forward progress. When the energy becomes stuck
or uncontrolled, there can be a compulsive, obsessive or stubborn edge
to it.
In transits, this aspect can indicate decisions and choices that need
to be made, creating a turning point in a situation. Will you proceed to
the next step, or will you change course while you can still do so
easily? Are you ready to do closure on a process that has run its
course, or do you want to recycle it and take the situation to a new
level?
Compare: Tri-Octile, Square.
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 Octile
or Semi-Square Aspect Symbol |
Opposition
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An aspect between two
planets that are 180 degrees apart (give
or take a few degrees; see Orb). A
stressful, polarising energy that can also motivate and provide a
complementary balancing of planetary
energies.
The two planets can get caught in a "tug of war" where they fight for
dominance. When they work well together, they complement and balance
each other out, each contributing benefits that the other lacks.
Projection of one side often occurs, when the person takes a position in
one planet's energy, and then they see the opposite planet's energy in
other people and situations. The more we learn to embrace both planets
within ourselves, the more those energies will balance rather than fight
each other.
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Opposition Aspect Symbol |
Orb
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A kind of "fudge factor" that approximates the region
where two planets are in a particular
geometric aspect to each other. For example,
two planets are said to be in
Trine aspect
when they are 120 degrees apart, give or take a certain "orb."
Some astrologers prefer to use tight or narrow
orbs (e.g., within 2-5 degrees) and others
prefer to use wide orbs (e.g., within 6-9
degrees). The number of degrees of orb used
also tends to vary with the aspect in
question; for example, a wider orb is
usually used for a major aspect (e.g.,
Conjunction) than for a minor
aspect (e.g., Quintile).
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Out of Bounds
OOB
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For a planet to be Out of Bounds refers to declination, or
how far above or below Earth's equator the planet appears to travel.
Throughout the year, the Sun "moves"
back and forth above and below the equator (that is, it looks that way from our perspective due to
the tilt of the Earth's axis). There is a limit to how far north or south the Sun
can "move," forming a kind of band around the middle of the Earth.
That band extends up to 23.45° north and south of the equator. The Sun reaches the maximum north or south
declination at the solstices.
Most of the time, the other planets (and the
Moon and the Lunar Nodes) can also be found within that band of
declination.
However, occasionally some of them will stray farther north or south. We call this being
"out of bounds" (OOB). It indicates that the planet's energy is operating at a different
frequency, so to speak. It could be a bit more erratic or unpredictable. It might behave in a way that's beyond our
personal control. It could reach toward
some higher purpose, or at least be motivated by impulses, desires and rationale that extends
beyond the conventional norms.
When I think of a planet being out of bounds, I think of a breathtaking scene in the movie
The
Right Stuff
when the fearless test pilot Chuck Yeager pushes the Lockheed Starfighter jet to its limit by flying it as high as it can go.
As you can see
in this video clip, just after 4:30, (warning: intense and a bit graphic) there is a moment where he flies so high that he breaks
out of the earthbound realm of the daylight sky and suddenly the stars become visible! In the same way, OOB seem to connect with a level of
energy that is "out of this world," not entirely within your control and not easily brought back to manifest in the earthly realm.
Some planets go out of bounds regularly and often, whereas others never go out of
bounds (but stay within the Sun's range of declination). Below are two tables showing how much of the time each planet is OOB, and how far north
and south of the equator each planet can go. (Calculations were made using Solar Fire 7.0.10 for the years 1900-2020,
except for Pluto which uses 1750-1998 to include its full orbit.)
| Mars |
17% |
| Moon |
15% |
| Mercury |
13% |
| Venus |
12% |
| Pluto |
10% |
| Uranus |
8% |
| Jupiter |
1% |
Sun,
Lunar Node,
Saturn,
Neptune,
Chiron |
Never |
| Moon |
28.72° N
28.72° S |
| Venus |
27.82° N
27.85° S |
| Mars |
27.22° N
28.88° S |
| Mercury |
25.65° N
25.85° S |
| Pluto |
24.10° N
24.72° S |
| Uranus |
23.70° N
23.70° S |
| Jupiter |
23.52° N
23.52° S |
| Sun |
23.45° N
23.45° S |
| Lunar Node |
23.45° N
23.43° S |
| Saturn |
22.83° N
22.82° S |
| Neptune |
22.38° N
22.35° S |
| Chiron |
18.18° N
18.28° S |
See also: Declination, Solstice, Equinox.
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