Talk:Approaching aspect (astrology)

Approaching Aspect

In this article "Approaching aspect" it is stated that "...an approaching aspect is a dexter aspect, with the word dexter deriving from Latin meaning 'to the right'."

While it is true that dexter means "to the right," dexter describes where the significator [faster moving planet] is in relation to the promittor [slower moving planet]. An approaching aspect is not dexter but sinister.

For example, if Pluto is in the first house, the Moon in second house, and Mercury in the third house, as the Moon moves away from Pluto it is to the right of Pluto and the conjuction aspect is separating or dexter. As the Moon moves forward to the left of and approaching Mercury, it is sinister.

The aspecting planet is either at the right [dexter] or the left [sinister] of the planet with which it makes an aspect. Because the top of the astrological chart is south, and the planets move counterclockwise, dexter and sinister are often confused.

Accordingly, under the article Separating Aspect, the separating aspect is dexter not sinister.

Reference: "A to Z Horoscope Maker and Delineator" by Llewellyn George ISBN 0-87542-261-6

The first sentence of the original article on applying aspects isn't grammatically correct and is therefore confusing.. DCRC