How many degrees away can it be from being an aspect?

[kyle8921]

Let's say, for example, the Moon is at 5 degrees Gemini. Also, Mars is at 9 degrees Gemini, and Jupiter at 28 degrees Taurus.

Are they all conjuncting, or are they too far apart?

Can a difference of, say, 85 degrees be considered a square? What about 88 degrees?

And the same for everything else too...

 

[Summery Joy]

Kyle,

You are asking aboout what is called orbs. I tried to find a rule myself, but it seems that astrologers will never agree. Some use really tight orbs (like 2 degrees from exact) and some use wide one (as wide as 10 degrees). I usuallly usue orbs between 6 and 10 depending on the aspect itself. I actually met someone who doesnt count for orbs and simply uses the sign, like if a planet is in leo and another is in Taurus, he deems that a square without counting the degrees. Of course I disagree with that one. But from my experience I can tell you that orbs as wide as 10 degrees do have the effect of the aspect.

Some use wide orbs like I do, but say that the tighter the orb the stronger the effect of the aspect. I'm still researching that.

Hope I've been helpful.

 

[Angel of Something]

As was said, the orb is rarely agreed upon. One thing that I've read about and makes sense to me... the stronger the aspect the larger the orb. Ex- you may say that a conjunction can be within 10 degrees and a semi-sextile has to be within 2. Also, if there is a combination of aspects (such as T-square or stellium), some astrologers allow a larger orb... with the logic that the energy sort of "flows over" if that makes sense. Oh, some people also consider the planet that is part of the aspect... under that train of thought, the sun will have a larger orb for aspects than chiron will (more "important" planets would get the larger orb, also speed has an effect on the decision.)