Astrological Aspects, Figures, and Birth Charts

Course Description

In this advanced 4-class course, Alexander von Schlieffen highlights the lines and designs of individual birth charts. In addition to his decades of experience in astrology, Alexander brings his painter´s eye for shape and his musician´s feel for movement and rhythm to the aspects and figures of a chart.

Astrology is a geocentric discipline. We look at the movements of the planets around the Earth. Sometimes most of the planets are on one side of the Earth. Sometimes they are spread around. The astrological aspects are the angles between the planets. Each angle has a particular meaning and describes a specific dynamic between the planets involved.

This helps us to understand why some activities are easier and others seem to be charged with challenges. The aspects of our birth chart show where we are structurally supple or stiff. We can then tailor our choices and behavior to draw more from our given gifts as well as avoid overloading points of stress.

We can begin to accept that it’s not our “fault” that certain situations and people make us tense. Awareness of what generally provokes us helps us spot and handle these specific challenges and trigger points better. Knowing where our natural strengths flow easily helps us value them and bring them into play as counterpoints.

Learn how to see the aspects and figures in a chart with Alexander. You’ll find the psychological portrait in the chart looking back at you.

This course is ideal if you want to:

• To continue deepening your understanding of a birth chart (this course is for people who already have a basic understanding of the quadrants, planets, signs and elements)
• To understand the various intra- and inter-personal dynamics that the different aspects and figures suggest.
• To be newly energized in your readings of astrological birth charts.

Course Overview

Class One: Conjunction, opposition & square

In this class Alexander discusses the dynamics of “hard” planetary placements that are opposite each other and at 90º to each other. These placements create tensions. Conjunctions, planets that are within a few degrees of each other, can be either hard or easy, depending on the planets involved.

Class Two: Trine, sextile, quincunx

This class covers the dynamics of planet placements that are 120º apart (trines) and 60º apart (sextiles). These are “easy” aspects. The quincunx aspect is a 150° angle (or 5 signs apart) formed between any two planets or key points in the birth chart. It is between a trine and an opposition, something appears to be easier at first than it finally is.

Class Three: T-square, Grand Cross & Grand Trine

The T-square involves 3 planets and suggests both great power and great conflict. The Grand Cross involves 4 planets, (two pairs of oppositions) and represents a very serious challenge as well as a remarkable opportunity.  A Grand Trine involves 3 planets of the same element in 3 different signs. It is considered an easy aspect as the element involved is abundant and accessible.

Class Four: Rectangle, kite, yod & grand sextile

A rectangle is a combination of easy and hard aspects. A kite adds an element of challenge to a Grand Trine. A yod points to an intense dilemma that calls for integration. The Grand Sextile, or Star of David, is a rare configuration and indicates a highly unusual life course.

By the end of this course you will be able to:

• Identify and interpret the major aspects in a birth chart, such as the terms conjunction, opposition, square, trine, sextile, quincunx, T-square, Grand Cross, Grand Trine rectangle, kite, yod and grand sextile.
• Explain how the major aspects may create tension, pose challenges and offer resources in a birth chart.