✦ Astrology Glossary
Sextile
A 60-degree angle between two planets, indicating ease, opportunity, and natural talent.
A sextile is an astrological aspect formed when two planets are approximately 60 degrees apart (with an orb of up to 6 degrees). It is considered a harmonious or "soft" aspect, similar to a trine but less intense. Sextiles represent opportunities, talents, and areas where things flow easily — but they require some conscious effort to activate. Unlike a trine, which feels automatic, a sextile asks you to notice and use the potential.
How it works
In a natal chart, a sextile is marked by a light blue or green line (depending on the chart style). Planets in sextile are in signs of the same element (fire, earth, air, water) or complementary elements — for example, Aries (fire) sextiles Gemini (air) and Aquarius (air). This means the energies blend well without friction. A sextile between Mercury and Venus, for instance, suggests a natural gift for charming communication. A Moon-Jupiter sextile can indicate emotional optimism and ease in nurturing others.
In practice
When you see a sextile in a chart, it points to a skill or area of life that comes more easily than average — but it still needs to be developed. In a reading, a sextile often shows up as a "if you try, you'll succeed" dynamic. For example, a Mars-Saturn sextile might mean that disciplined effort leads to steady achievement. Sextiles are also important in synastry (comparing two charts): a sextile between one person's Sun and another's Moon can create a supportive, understanding bond.
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✦Build my chart →Related terms
Applying Aspect
An aspect where the faster planet is moving toward an exact angle with a slower planet, building energy.
Aspect
An angle between two planets in a birth chart that reveals how their energies interact.
Chart Wheel
A circular diagram representing the positions of planets, signs, and houses at a specific time and place.
Conjunction
A conjunction occurs when two planets are close together in the same zodiac sign, blending their energies into a single powerful focus.
Hard Aspect
A hard aspect is an astrological angle that creates tension, challenge, or friction between two planets.
Major Aspects
Major aspects are the five key angular relationships between planets in a birth chart that reveal core personality dynamics.