Tight or Wide Orbs Astrology

Tight or Wide Orbs

When we ask what orbs we should use, we’re getting into disputed waters, Astrologers are just like people (in fact they are people), in that some use very fussy and tight orbs, while others consider anything remotely in the ballpark to be an aspect. Let’s look at this.

Astrologers tend to use different orbs for different purposes. When we are looking at a static natal chart, wider orbs are generally used, as we are trying to get an overall picture as to the nature of the person or event. On the other hand, if we are looking at today’s transits in the sky, we may use much smaller orbs. The same goes if we are looking at today’s transits in the sky as they relate to your natal chart, tighter orbs.

For example, here is my helio natal chart. Everyone could agree that Venus and Neptune are within orb of a conjunction. Also, most astrologers would agree that Saturn is conjunct Uranus and Uranus is conjunct Jupiter, but few would agree that Saturn is conjunct Jupiter. However, Jupiter has recently completed a conjunction with Saturn, so it is not that far from a conjunction. And finally, some astrologers would say that Mercury and Mars are in conjunction (some 9 degrees), but most probably would say it is not, since Mercury is moving away from that aspect.