What’s the difference between seperating and applying aspects?
Separating VS Applying Aspects in Astrology
Applying and Separating aspects in astrology, in essence speak about the speed in which a planetary body is moving towards another.
Imagine You are Pluto at 25 degrees Capricorn and a fast moving ambulance is Mars is driving towards you. You can hear it approaching, you can see it, it’s getting louder and louder as it reaches 21°, 22°, 23°, or 24° Capricorn. Mars, The ambulance, is “applying or approaching” a conjunction [meet up] with Pluto [you]. At one point it will be right in front of you. You, Pluto and Mars will be exact [at 25 degrees] and then, Mars will start to drive past and the sirens begin to fade. You can’t hear it anymore. Mars has transited away from 25° Capricorn. Thus Mars is Separating.
Another Example is the Moon Phases
We go from waxing, to full, to waning.
Applying and separating behave similarly. The quicker of any two celestial bodies [planets] in an aspect is usually the one stirring the pot. In an applying aspect, the faster planet moves toward the slower moving planet and in the separating aspect the faster planet moves away from [separates from] the slower moving planet.
Because there’s an order that reflects every planet’s astrological influence on the planet Earth. The Planets from slowest to fastest are basically demonstrating a “teacher to student” role. This is what causes us to say, for example: “Venus – Uranus” and not “Uranus – Venus” aspect. The faster planet defines the dynamics of the aspect. The faster moving planet is always learning lessons from and being shaped by the slower moving planet.
Another example, consider the case of Moon opposing Neptune, since the moon is closer to the Sun and is therefore faster in its orbit than Neptune [because it's an outer planet, in the boondocks, while the Moon moves every 2 to 3 days], Moon is the one learning the lessons from and being shaped by Neptune.
In order [From slowest to fastest] they are:
Pluto➝ Neptune ➝ Uranus➝ Saturn ➝ Jupiter ➝ Mars ➝ Sun ➝ Venus ➝ Mercury ➝ Moon ➝ Earth
Is the degree two planets are coming closer together. In layman’s terms? When they become exact. They’ll intensify and push us in directions that will assist in learning whatever the energies suggest. Because these begin after birth, and onward, applying aspects indicate future endeavors.
As the two planets come closer together, a native feels it. The energy is strong. One receives that gut instinct that something intense is about to take place. Depending on the planets involved, a native might have a sense of excitement, impending doom, hike in libido, spiritual awakenings, or excess in the material [financial, etc]. Applying aspects are coming together and because of this, known to be quite active, volatile and erratic in expression. 'Applying' aspects are considered to be much stronger than 'separating' aspects. They tend to get a rise out of someone. This person will be easier to set off or even get a reaction from. They can’t help it. Said emotional surges will be spike in creativity, resourcefulness, even rise in temper.
This means the orb of the aspect [Conjunction, square, Sextile, etc.] between two planets increases as time progresses. Just after the new moon/ after birth. In other words, the degrees are getting farther apart and not coming closer together. “Relief” is in sight. A 'separating' aspect is said to be weaker than an applying aspect- why?- because the excitable or intense period is finally letting up. It’s a common belief in the astrological community that separating aspects deal with past events, or rather, finished business. These aspects showcase the energy of things that have already been dealt with and will dissipate over time. As a result, separating aspects are said to be less intense, more calm and stable. Adversely, they can be seen as phlegmatic or even sluggish.
