posted February 22, 2008 12:10 AM            

UNASPECTED PLANETS

The term "unaspected" can be misleading, since a planet will invariably make some aspect pattern...either through minor aspects, connection with the angles of the chart, midpoints of or thru harmonics. However,an unaspected planet is common defined as one which makes no major aspects within reasonable orb (although what determineds "reasonable orb" is still a matter of controversy and debate). Astrologers will run across such planets from time to time. Perhaps the finest resource available offering a selection of various astrological opinions concerning unaspected planets is Geoffrey Dean's Recent Advances In Natal Astrology (published by The Astrological Association, England, 1977. Dean devotes an entire chapter discussing this phenomenon. In general, astrologers feel that while not necessarily weak, an unaspected planet does not integrate itself easily with other components of the psyche (represented by the other planets). This is also my attitude concerning unaspected planets. Yet although these planets may not interrelate very well, their prime distinction is that they can at least retain their truer nature more markedly so than aspected planets, for better or worse.

An unaspected planet can appear quite intense and one-pointed in its expression, since its energy is not colored by other planets functioning thru other signs. And since other houses are not involved, this planet is apt to concentrate its circumstantial manifestation in one emphasized area. There are no blending of principles found, and thus no apparent modification of the innate expression of that planet. Yet without aspects, planets are not encouraged to express themselves in the multifaceted manner of aspected planets. Dr. Dean, in a personal two year study, established that while unaspected planets do express themselves in an individual's character (he disclaims that they are "dumb notes" in the chart), they seem much harder to control in their expression than aspected planets. He also states that "the principle of an unaspected planet tends to be either switched on or off with no halfway measures allowed,and the native oscillates between on and off. Hence, "all or nothing" is another fair general discription. He conclues that because of this oscillation feature,the unaspected planet's strength is very difficult to ascertain.

Thyrza Escobar suggests that an unaspected planet can be "highly outstanding" in its influence. Doris Hebel views such planets as "important, distinctive, erratic; and the direction of their influence...bedyong prediction." This distinctive yet erratic quality is supported by Eugene Moore, whose theory on unaspected planets is very interesting. In a workshop he gave in Atlanta to the Metro. Atlanta Astrological Society, he described an unaspected planet as behaving in a manner similar to Uranus. Moore feels such a planet shows where an individual stands alone. The direction of action the planet here takes can be uncertain,spasmodic,and irregular. Although,the planet tends to lack stability, it could be representative of genius. For example, Moore interprets one with an unaspected Sun as being highly independent and detached from external influences, making this person a virtual island-unto-himself type. If the birthdata given of the Ayatollah Khomeini is correct (May 17, 1990), he would have an unaspected Sun. Eugene Moore's description would aptly fit this willful patriarch. In addition, it is interesting to note that Moore's view of an unaspected planet as being "spasmodic and irregular" would correlate with Dr. Dean's findings that unaspected planets have a "swithced on and off" quality about them.

To interpret what an unaspected planet could natally signify, it may be first important to ask why aspects are relevant to begin with. In my opinion, aspects enable any planet under consideration to further undergo experience in consciousness thru involvement with other planets. Aspects stimulate a planet to test out its potential, and thereby develop its innate capacity to express itself thru a diversity of experiences. Aspects allow planets to combine forces together in manner that introduces new dimensions for both planets involved. Therefore if any planet is unaspected, it is less psychologically driven to branch out into a fuller range of activity normally driven to branch out into a fuller range of activity normally typical of aspected planets. Although unaspected, such a planet (by virtue of not associating itself with other planets) should behave in a highly self contained manner. Unaspected planets may manifest like exact conjunctons in terms of intensified single-mindedness of impulse and interest. Yet unlike a natal conjunction, an unaspected planet is apt to experience a sense of isolation in dealing with its basic principles. Since only on planet is involved here, it has no sense of blending or synthesis with any other planet. Without the dynamics of the conjunction involved, self-awareness thru personal action is not readily evoked. Unlike planets in conjunction, this planet expresses its nature more totally, but usually in an intensely automatic yet unregulated manner. Other planets help modulate a planet's expression thru apsect connections, which here is not found.

Does anything modify an unaspected planet? For one thing, the sign an unaspected planet falls in becomes more emphasized and therefore influential. The house placement may take on unique prominence if no other planet is posited there....unique at a least according to how the individual personally relates to affairs of that house. Without squares or oppositions to it, an unaspected planet does not undergo the stress of common challenges in life,nor does it experience the extra momentum of force typical of that same planet under tensional configurations. Perhaps this planet is working out a special level of development that cannot be afforded otherwise if strongly aspected. While creative,self-expressive outlets(suggested by trines and sextiles) may prove harder to attract or even appreciate, the unaspected planet might still be able to manifest its potential with great impact within one exclusive area of life indicated by its house position and thru the dynamics of its sign). It might also express much of itself thru the house(s) it rules in the chart.

An unaspected planet could take on the nature of a singleton in that it can become a conspicuous of attention. Yet unlike a singleton, it is not able to filter the composite blend of the other planets in the horoscope. I feel one trait of an unaspected planet that seems to stand out is its unpredictable nature. Usually our estimations of how any planet might act out its impulses are prompted by the presence of aspects to that planet. But with no aspects to consider, what is an astrologer to expect in terms of that planet's expression? There are probably other unknown factors in existence that regulate the manifestation of life principles beyond what is presently realized thru the structure of astrology as it has now evolved. Astrology is as subject to the evolutionary process as is everything else (which should be evident every time a new planet is discovered and added to the structure). We should not assume that all that is is exclusively contained within solar system based astrological archetypes (as we typically do when describing life processes indicated by the Zodiac). What if earth-based astrology is simply the necessary springboard for human beings to eventually tap into completely alien concepts of being? What if even more powerful galactic archetypes unknown to us nevertheless direct the mechanism of earth-based astrological phenomena? Frankly, we just do not know if the astrological formlae we apply to our human condition are unconditional. Thus, if an an unaspected planet tends to show a periodic lack of control in its action or moments of oscillating expression that are hard to account for, it could be prompted to activate this way due to processes that we are not ready to know about yet. These planets have been shown to undergo periods of spurtlike activity for no apparent reason (i.e., not because of transits or progressions). With our limited knowledge, it is hard to explain how these planets are generated into expression without any aspect stimuli.

Theoretically, it would seem important to note whether the unaspected planet under consideration is retrograde, at its station, intercepted, or conjunct an angle (since all such phenomena can occur regardless of aspect contacts from other planets). Research and careful obervation are needed before astrologers can arrive at concrete conclusions. The following delineations are strictly suggestions of some of the ways an unaspected planet might influence individual character when found in the natal chart. Although the sign and house of an unaspected planet are important to consider (since they add more complexity to the expression of the planet's urge),their influence will not be considered in these interpretations:

UNASPECTED MERCURY

Like the Moon, Mercury is another planet that benefits from a variety of aspect connections with other planets (although, considering its abstract nature, it is less dependent in this context). Representing the principle of clear, unbiased objectivity, Mercury can be a neutral influence. It does, however, function more effectively when it is able to combine itself with other planets, since it develops best thru the stimulation of a diversity of influences. Mercury is energized to further express its innate potential due to its curiosity about what is unfamiliar (it is driven to want to know how all of life works). Other planets can provide Mercury with the essential learning experiences it eagerly seeks out. But unaspected Mercury, lacking in this educational opportunity, could represent one whose mental development is seldom well-rounded. Although the mind often is quite powerful and capable, it can become one-tracked in its application. And while the individual may be able to intelligently gather information in areas that attract his interest (indicated by Mercury's natal placement), he may not comprehend as much about himself. Mercury offers us the ability to apply the light of reason to all facets of our human nature, at least in a manner that prompts us to question our impulses. One with unaspected Mercury might be less driven to direct his mental power towards the observation and analysis of the other components of his personality. Thus, these other parts of his psyche are unlikely to develop and express themselves thru the benefit of logical, objective evaluation (unless they fall in Mercury-ruled signs and/or houses). However, the individual can exhibit an extraordinary mental facility in a singular area of life, suggested by its placement.
What is perhaps beneficial about unaspected Mercury, unlike a heavily aspected one, is that it is less inclined to become scattered (since it is not being simulataneously activated in a multitude of areas). Yet, by being less diversified, this type of mind could become less flexible and adaptable to change (and especially so if posited in fixed sign). The individual is less inclined to weigh all sides of an issue, since he is less familiar with all sides. Not necessarily stubborn or rigid, unaspected Mercury is simply not as prone towards recognizing options and alternatives of thought, as would be a well-aspected Mercury. According to Dean's study, the urge to communicate is unlikely to be diminished. Yet it does appear to operate in spurtlike activity(although often in a brilliant manner), in which the individual can appear hyperactive (mentally and verbally). For the most part, I'd imagine the individual feels isolated and disintegrated on the mental level.