Dr. Farr, Thanks for the explanation. I've used dwads (duads) with some good effect: i.e., the division of a sign by 12 to produce increments of 2.5 degrees; with the first dwad being the same as the sign it begins. (I. e., 0 degrees Taurus is in the Taurus dwad.) I realize there are other dwad systems that would produce different dwads for the degrees; like starting each series of dwads with Aries. Sometimes when I have difficulty in getting a handle on a chart, the dwads provide another interpretive layer.
A modern astrologer who has done some really interesting work on dwads is Alice Portman at
www.aliceportman.com .
Skillcoil, I can't argue with your personal experience. I would suggest that most planets have a mix of difficult and easy aspects; but sometimes the easy "have a nice day" aspects do not shape our characters in the way the more challenging aspects do.
For example, you have a very strong Mars at 0 degrees Aries (the "Aries point" and/or Aries dwad), squaring both Uranus and Saturn. Then the super-close conjunction of these planets creates further discomfort, as their energies are so dissimilar.
If I could choose only one of the following to use in astrology: signs, houses, or aspects; I would choose aspects because (a) I think they give the predominant flavour to a planet, and (b) signs and houses can vary depending upon which system you use, but the aspects still hold.