It is easy to forget the simple mechanics in Astrology when one has been studying charts for a long period. I am delighted to try to make the subject of Astrology a little easier for the newbies. Astrology is a language. As with any language, learning the basics is, probably, the hardest part. Hence, we will study one of the most basic tools of Astrology–how to calculate orbs.
I will use myself as an example. I have a Gemini Sun at 28 degrees Gemini. I have a Gemini Mercury at 21 degrees Gemini. Hence, I have 7 degree orb between the two. It is that easy. Someone close to me has an Aquarius Sun at 4 degrees Aquarius and an Aquarius Mercury at 4 degrees Aquarius. Hence, there is an 0 degree orb. This would be an exact conjunction.
Let’s take a few more examples. There may be a case where the planets are in different signs and one needs to calculate the orbs. The same mechanism holds true. If my Sun were 29 degrees Cancer and my mercury was at 2 degrees Leo, I would have a 3 degree orb.
With asteroids, the orbs must be very narrow in order to be significant. If one has Saturn at 15 degrees Cancer, the Ascendent at 13 degrees Cancer and Eros at 13 degrees Cancer, one would have a 2 degree orb between Saturn and the Ascendent. One would have a zero degree orb between Eros and the Ascendent. In other words, there would be an exact orb between Eros and the Ascendent.
The orbs determine the strength of the aspect. A close orb is very strong. A wide orb is more ambient.
For planets, I use a 5 degree orb. For the Moon and Sun, I widen it to 7 degrees. Astrologers differ on orbs.
For Asteroids, I use up to a 3 degree orb for conjunctions and up to a 2 degree orb for other aspects such as the trine and sextile.
I hope that helped for Marie who asked specifically for the article and for other newbies who are reading!
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