All aspects are phasal–the faster moving planet is aspecting the slower moving one, creating the drama that will unfold and affect both planets. They all have a process of 1)initial impact 2) prime effectiveness or action and 3) consolidation and result. Progressions are particularly sensitive to phase–an applying progression has a completely different feel and agenda than a separating one. Honestly, I think an entire book could be written about the delicate interpretation of phases, but in the beginning, if you note the differences between applying and separating aspects in a natal chart, it will go a long way to helping you become a better astrologer.

As I said, you can go a little nuts with this, so it’s important to put it in its proper place. It’s main use is to give you more information about a certain aspect in the chart, and how it may manifest. Retrogrades are all about ‘getting it right’ so yes, if a planet retrogrades over an exact point it’s what we used to call as kids a ‘do over.’ Each level of repetition should bring the planets closer to their goal of understanding, but that isn’t always the case. If the understanding isn’t reached, the level of screw-up can get more and more intense with each passage. Waxing phases have a harder time getting it right than waning phases do.

If you were giving someone career advice, the phasal relationship between planets would come far down the list. You’d have to analyze the 10th house and its ruler for ‘career,’ the 12th house and its ruler for vocation, the 6th house for the type of work a person is suited for, and the 2nd and 8th axis to see how easy or difficult it is for them to bring their talents to the fore. That’s a lot of info to deal with. However, say you had a 10th house Venus and a 2nd house Neptune–then analyzing the phasal relationship of that square will help you see how the Venus/Neptune aspect will affect career issues.

Great information. Do you plan to extend the post by writing about retrograde motion? What is the meaning of applying motion in the waxing phase after exact alignment and separating motion in the waning phase (before re-applying in the waning phase? I suspect those phasal relationships would be of especial importance since you would be talking about 3 times of exact aspecting before moving on. Do you plan to categorize the phasal relationships as key entry points for different areas of the life? Say a client is asking about work/career, would you zero in on Venus/Saturn and/or Mercury/Saturn phases? Lots and lots of possibilities! Thanks.

Philip