The "soft" (or harmonious) aspects: trine (120 degrees)

and sextile (60 degrees) The soft aspects bring ease,

clarity, and vision to our lives; we can see, grasp, and

understand what is happening. Too few of the soft aspects

can bring a lack of ease to our lives, while too many soft

aspects make for a life that is potentially lacking in

substance. In the child's chart, the soft aspects reveal

potential talent waiting to be developed. A child can "sit"

on her trines and sextiles, she and her parents taking her

strong points for granted. When ignored, these aspects can

lead to over-indulgence and eventual weakness. Develop

these points like diamonds.

"Exact" aspects and aspects' orbs: Aspects between planets

gradually form, become exact, and separate. When an aspect

is exact, it has its greatest impact. Yet the effect of

most aspects can be felt for some time before and after the

moment of exactness. The range within which an aspect is in

operation is called its "orb of influence," or simply its

orb. An orb of one or two degrees of arc on either side of

the exact aspect is considered a close or tight orb, while

an orb of 10 degrees is said to be wide.

Aspects to the Sun and Moon (the lights) are most

important, followed by the planetary aspects of Mercury,

Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.

If your child's natal chart has an accurate birth time,

then aspects to the chart angles (Ascendant and Midheaven)

are also important. The particular combination can make a

difference too. Aspects between planets such as Saturn and

Mars (traditional malefics) are obviously more potentially

explosive than the same aspect between Venus and Jupiter

(traditional benefics).

The Planets

In astrology, the larger life of our solar system as a

whole tells us something about our own personal Earth life.

The interplay and relationship of the planets with one

another as they circle the Sun is carefully studied. Of

particular interest to astrologers are the Sun, the Moon,

and the planets Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn,

Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. These are the celestial bodies

used most often by modern astrologers for natal

interpretation. Each of these planets represents or refers

to a part of our life and self. Here are some of the

concepts and key words associated with each planet:

Sun. The heart and center of it all: spirit and

identity. The Sun represents father, guru, teacher or

figure of authority -- our connection to great solar

hierarchies! In the child's chart, the Sun shows her

perception of her own identity. The Sun sign often reveals

the child's greatest strengths as well as her potential

weaknesses. The Sun reveals the child's perception of her

father.

Moon. The Moon represents our mother, our surroundings,

the environment out of which we come, our past and

childhood, our formative years and self. In short, the Moon

paints a picture of the early background, that out of which

we emerged. The Moon is very prominent in the child's

chart, especially during the first seven years. Here we see

the child's perception of her relationship to her mother.

Here we gauge the child's emotional barometer, her

interaction with the family, her habit patterns. The Moon

should be a clear reflection of the Sun, but, because of

the subconscious nature of the Moon and the state of

affairs on this planet, most of us have some weeds to pluck

from our lunar garden.

Mercury. Mercury is communication at light speed,

linkage, thought, ideas, the light of the mind -- Logos!

Mercury in the child's chart tells us much about her early

schooling, her learning experience, her mentality. Mercury

also relates to brothers and sisters.

Venus. Venus reveals how we respond, appreciate,

cherish, or value something. Venus shows the way we love,

our capacity to care for others. Venus in the child's chart

will tell us what she values, what's important to her and

how she shows love and appreciation, and how she cares for

her belongings. Venus describes the child's sense of

self-worth. Venus reveals the child's attitudes toward, and

potential future experiences with, the opposite