posted June 30, 2010 06:40 AM         

The concept of harmonics gives us the opportunity to understand the more subtle aspects based on the scheme of numbers to which it resonates and provides an organized structure from which to understand the aspect. From a harmonic point of view we begin by dividing the horoscope circle by whole numbers.

The idea of numbers having specific meaning is not new – it is the basis of traditional esoteric teachings and understanding a bit of numerology will help to give clues as the dynamics of Aspects.

If we divide the circle by 8 we will arrive at aspects we call the semi-square. Two semi-squares equal a square, three a sesquisquare and four; an opposition. So all these aspects have a root aspect in common and unfold through the process of growth in the cycle

The 1st Harmonic is the conjunction as it does not divide the chart.
The 2nd Harmonic is the opposition
The 3rd harmonic is the trine
The 4th harmonic is the square
The 6th Harmonic is the sextile but also contains the 3rd Harmonic
The 8th Harmonic is the semi-square but also contains the 4th and 2nd harmonics
The 12th Harmonic is the semi-sextile but also contains the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th 6th and 8th harmonics (and the quincunx).

The Method of Harmonic Aspects produces many more aspects than the traditional methods of astrology. You must be able to assess how much notice should be taken of any aspect in comparison with other aspects. There are fundamental differences between the effects of these aspects and those of other Aspects that have evolved.

I believe there are 2 levels at which aspects operate; overt and subtle.

The OVERT or conscious level of experience is illustrated by the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 8th, and 12th Harmonic Aspects. Commonly called the Major & Minor Aspects, these overt aspects in a natal chart are pointers to the more obvious tendencies of the individual and their consciousness of them. People’s behaviour will reflect the characteristic behaviour patterns signified by the aspect in a noticeable way
Whether the individual is aware of them or not, they will be apparent to others.

The SUBTLE aspects are mainly found in the 5th, 7th, 9th, 10th, Harmonic Aspect Families. The 5th includes the quintile and bi-quintile. The 7th includes the septile and bi septile and if you must – the tri septile. The 9th includes the novile, bi-novile. The 10th includes the decile and the tri-decile. Here we have to be a bit circumspect because a bi-decile becomes 72 degrees which is a quintile. 5th harmonic is embodied in the 10th. These aspects refer to potentials that are capable of developing into overt behaviour patterns or personality characteristics but which are not necessarily accessed unless triggered by the dynamics of transits or Potentially they can develop into complexes and I encourage research along these lines. No matter how strong a subtle aspect is, its effects are never as obvious as those of any but the weakest overt aspects. This is because they function largely at the pre-conscious level, which implies that they CAN emerge in consciousness when evoked by transits.

There may be others that remain dormant and never emerge and further research into the various harmonics of this is needed. Aspects of the 5th Harmonic (Quintile, Bi-quintile) are the most explicit of these subtle aspects and those to which astrologers have given most attention. Others have an effect but often require depth analysis or esoteric consciousness expansion techniques to unfold any clear awareness of them. Theoretically, it is possible to analyse every horoscope in terms of any harmonic number but the more we pursue the bigger picture, the more the edges become blurred. There are only so many cognitive levels of human experience.

Harmonics is a specialised field of astrology that you might like to explore in greater depth and I will be posting more on specific harmonic charts as sprit moves me!

With an upcoming mundane T square emerging during 2010 and 2012 involving the outer planets, consideration might be given to using harmonic principles to examine the worldwide connotations of this major configuration.

There is a separate model to the study of Harmonic charts, many of which are based on the Jyotish chart conversions – the Panchamsa ( 5th harmonic), Saptamsa ( 7th harmonic ) and Navamsa ( 9th Harmonic) I'll talk about transforming a natal chart to a harmonic chart in another posting.

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posted July 01, 2010 06:59 AM         

It would mean that the semisquare and sesisquare have a stronger effect than other minor aspects, which I would agree with so far.

I am not totally sure about the semisextile though. How much do we feel it?

I also think that the 5th harmonic (quintile and biquintile) may act as a bridge between the more overt and more subtle aspects.

If I were to include minor aspects I think I would include the semisquare and sesisquare, quintile and biquintile, as well as quinkunx (maybe semissextile, not sure though).

BTW Vesta,
I dreamed of Johnny yesterday.
That hasn`t happened for years. (Some years ago he would sometimes come into my dreams and drown me. lol).
Anyway I was sitting in front of my hotel (I think it was in Paris), and the hotel had the name: Toskana (which I found weird), and I was scribbling some astrological notes, when I recognized a car stopping by. Johnny and some other man got out there, and well, I pretended to not have seen him, cause I find it really disgusting if people are "over" celebrities all the time.
Anyway he came up to me, smiled, said: "Hi", then turned and went into the hotel.
WEird dream.