Is the semi-sextile a harmonious or a hard aspect?

[Little_God]

Some textbooks tell us to treat the semi-sextile as a harmonious aspect, confidently stating that it is weak but beneficial. Other textbooks tell us to treat the semi-sextile as a hard aspect, confidently stating that it is weak but somewhat stressful in nature.

How would you interpret the semi-sextile aspect? As an example, Sun-Moon aspects tend to be associated with our inner, psychological state. Sun trine Moon suggests a person who is healthy psychologically, while Sun square Moon suggests someone who is torn by inner conflict and will have to work hard to resolve the issues. How would Sun semi-sextile Moon work in this respect?

Why is it that different textbooks and astrologers tell us different things about the semi-sextile aspect?

[tanamarios]

The semi-sextile is an harmonious but rather subtle aspect. I classify it as a weak sextile. It has Taurus and Pisces connotations.

[dhundhun]

Originally Posted by Little_God

Some textbooks tell us to treat the semi-sextile as a harmonious aspect, confidently stating that it is weak but beneficial. Other textbooks tell us to treat the semi-sextile as a hard aspect, confidently stating that it is weak but somewhat stressful in nature.

Both are correct, it can be asset or liability.

[Little_God]

Originally Posted by dhundhun

Both are correct, it can be asset or liability.

It can be an asset or liability in what ways? What does it depend on, whether the aspect will be easy or difficult?

[dhundhun]

Originally Posted by Little_God

It can be an asset or liability in what ways? What does it depend on, whether the aspect will be easy or difficult?

One of the similarities is carrying extra baggage. You may use or may not.

[Little_God]

Hi tanamarios. You say the semi-sextile is a harmonious aspect. Why do you think it is that some textbooks treat it as a hard one?

[Mark]

I find the entire notion of "soft" and "hard" aspects to be misleading. From my perspective, they would be better classified as passive (soft) and active (hard) aspects. A passive aspect is one that requires little or no work and, in fact, shouldn't be pushed in any particular direction. Passive aspects go with the flow. An active aspect, however, requires work in order to function. This is precisely the reason that active (hard) aspects are preferable. They provide the energy needed to accomplish things. People who prefer to stagnate and rest, rather than work to grow and improve, would prefer passive (soft) aspects. But if you want to get something done, active aspects are your friends.

This article on my website will explain much more about how I calculate aspects.
http://www.twelvestaralmanac.com/article2.shtml

This recent thread covers a lot about how I interpret aspects.
http://www.astrologyweekly.com/forum...ad.php?t=33632

You'll notice that my aspect list is much bigger than the "traditional" list, but my thinking could be applied to either one. Let me know what you think and feel free to ask any questions that arise.

P.S. Technically, the semi-sextile is an active (hard) aspect.

[Little_God]

Technically, the semi-sextile is an active (hard) aspect.

Thanks very much for the info.

Why do you think it is that many astrologers and textbooks treat the semi-sextile as a passive ( soft ) aspect?

[astrologer50]

Originally Posted by Little_God

Some textbooks tell us to treat the semi-sextile as a harmonious aspect, confidently stating that it is weak but beneficial. Other textbooks tell us to treat the semi-sextile as a hard aspect, confidently stating that it is weak but somewhat stressful in nature.

How would you interpret the semi-sextile aspect? As an example, Sun-Moon aspects tend to be associated with our inner, psychological state. Sun trine Moon suggests a person who is healthy psychologically, while Sun square Moon suggests someone who is torn by inner conflict and will have to work hard to resolve the issues. How would Sun semi-sextile Moon work in this respect?

Why is it that different textbooks and astrologers tell us different things about the semi-sextile aspect?

Natal chart aspects
http://www.skyscript.co.uk/sunaspects.html
http://www.skyscript.co.uk/aspects2.html
http://www.cafeastrology.com/natal/planetsaspectsastrology.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrological_aspect
http://www.astro.com/astrology/in_aspect_e.htm
http://www.skyviewzone.com/astrology/aspectsreference.htm
http://www.skyviewzone.com/astrology/aspectssun.htm
http://astrologynotes.org/wiki/Sun_aspects
http://www.astrologyindepth.com/Special:Prefixindex/category:

[waybread]

You may find this thread of interest:
http://forum.astro.com/cgi/forum.cgi?num=1291351570

[Little_God]

Thanks very much. That was really interesting. How have you experienced the semi-sextile aspect yourself?