The Semi-Square 45° : hesitations

The Astrological Semi-Square, matches and interpreting :

• Symbolic number : 8
• Exact degree : 45°
• Orb in birth chart : 2°
• Symbolic Planets : Saturn – Pluto
• Symbolic Signs : Capricorn – Scorpio
• Symbolic Houses : 10th House – 8th House – 12th House

An expression of these planets, signs, houses, implies that the chart is marked by the principles of Semi-Square (also called octile) below.

The Semi-square : hesitations, tension

The Semi-Square is an Aspect reputed to be rather dissonant but Minor in traditional astrology. One should not fall into the trap : a Semi-Square is not a Reduced or miniature Square, although representing half in degrees it is an Aspect in its own light bearing its own implications.

As a matter of fact, the separative increasing Semi-Square is not so insignificant, it represents a first tension in the cycle, a phase of release and symbolically of “speeding up”. This test requires a mobilization to counter the first hesitations due to the fear of new commitments.
This phase implies taking risks to break the initial determinism and its share of frustration, but the fatality of the cycle must continue, the resistances must be overcome, soon finding a phase of appeasement (the 60° Sextile) before a phase of major tension (the 90° Square).
A “badly negotiated” Semi-Square can already lead to paralysis which, if not overcome, can more greatly crystallize in the Square.

In the birth chart, the Semi-square reveals a much more esoteric aspect, some astrologers actually make a link to occult phenomena, to the perception of the invisible, to the concepts surrounding the mysteries of life and the hereafter, to fatality, to the quest and to the return to absolute unity…

The Semi-square is then articulated around its 2 sides :

• a Saturn side almost ascetic of renunciation, inhibition and temporality…
• a Pluto side, instinctive, mysterious, underground, macabre…

This can be significant in charts really marked by the Semi-Square and the correspondences mentioned above.

An applying decreasing Semi-square will have the same notion of tension but reversed, internalized : this time the test concerns the integration, on the basis of the reorganization of the decreasing Sextile, it is necessary to overcome the last final hesitations before the assessment of the Semi-sextile and the return to the unity of the Conjunction at the end of the cycle (bringing another perpetual cycle).
It is to be brought directly close to the increasing Sesqui-square (if we situate the Semi-square in relation to the Opposition), it then symbolizes its internalized version : structuring, self-affirmation, culmination of the revolt towards a form of fulfillment of freedom, mental tenacity, perseverance…

Advice for living the Semi-square :

Roll up your sleeves and don’t be afraid of confrontation. You must make good use of the reflection that precedes this phase.

In transits and actualizations, it is the aspects of the squares family which impact it the most (the 2 planets at the same time), thus the square, the sesqui-square with the aspect of opposition (it can then form certain rectangles in tension), no really harmonic aspect…

This seems to indicate that this aspect can only really be experienced in its entirety by experiencing “tension” and forms of confrontation, struggles, conflicts.
It will obviously be necessary to make the most of the unilateral harmonic aspects (impacting only one of the 2 planets in semi-square) to be able to work in such a way as to unblock certain parts inaccessible otherwise (and in a less painful way).