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Level 2 · Free

Aspects, receptions and the almuten

In this level you learn how the planets speak to each other: the five aspects of Ptolemy, Lilly's orbs, whether a matter is yet to come or has already passed, when two planets receive each other, and which is the strongest planet in your chart. You apply all of it to your own chart, and the engine corrects you right away.

Difficulty: ★★★★★ · 60 min · Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos; William Lilly, Christian Astrology (1647)

What this level contains

✦ Exams are set on skies calculated on the spot: no chatbot can answer them for you. When you pass, you will have done it yourself. Exam questions are random and change every month.

Lessons

1. The five aspects of Ptolemy

What it is for: To know which parts of your life speak to each other: where things flow and where they clash.

Two planets form an aspect when they are separated by certain distances in the circle of the zodiac. Classical astrology uses only five, those of Ptolemy:

  • Conjunction (0°): the two planets act together; their effect depends on their nature.
  • Sextile (60°): gentle harmony, an opportunity to be seized.
  • Square (90°): tension, obstacle, effort.
  • Trine (120°): full harmony, things come out easily.
  • Opposition (180°): confrontation, separation, or tug of war.

The sextile and the trine are harmonious aspects; the square and the opposition are tense. The conjunction is neither good nor bad by itself: Venus with Jupiter gladdens, Mars with Saturn hardens.

Key rule: First look at which planets touch each other; then, at which aspect. A trine between malefics is still malefic.

Source: Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos, Book I; William Lilly, Christian Astrology, Book I

2. Orbs: when an aspect counts

What it is for: Not to give importance to aspects that are too far away to act, nor to forget those that are almost exact.

An aspect is rarely exact. The orb is the distance it lacks or exceeds to become exact. Lilly gives each planet its own orb:

  • Sun: 17°
  • Moon: 12°30′
  • Saturn: 10°
  • Jupiter: 12°
  • Mars: 7°30′
  • Venus: 8°
  • Mercury: 7°

Each planet contributes half of its orb (its moiety). Two planets are in aspect if their distance from the exact aspect is less than the sum of their two halves. Example: Sun and Mars → 8°30′ + 3°45′ = 12°15′.

The more exact (small orb), the stronger. An aspect less than 1° is called partile and is the most powerful.

Key rule: Allowed orb = half of one planet's orb + half of the other's. The closer to 0°, the stronger.

Source: William Lilly, Christian Astrology, Book I (orbs of the planets)

3. Applying and separating

What it is for: To distinguish what is yet to come from what has already passed: an aspect that is forming promises; one that is separating recalls.

The planets move at different speeds (from fastest to slowest: Moon, Mercury, Venus, Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn). The faster planet is the one that makes the aspect.

  • An aspect applies when the faster planet approaches the exact point: the matter is on its way.
  • An aspect separates when it has already passed it: the matter already happened or is losing strength.

In horary questions this is decisive: Lilly judges whether something will happen by looking at the aspects that apply. A retrograde planet can change the direction of the aspect.

Key rule: Applying = is yet to come. Separating = already happened. Always look at which is the faster planet.

Source: William Lilly, Christian Astrology, Book I

4. Reception: planets that receive each other

What it is for: To see which parts of your life help each other even if they are not in good aspect.

A planet receives another when that other is in a sign where the first has dignity. Example: Mars in Libra is in the house of Venus; Venus receives Mars.

There is mutual reception when each is in a sign of the other. Example: Venus in Aries (house of Mars) and Mars in Libra (house of Venus). It is as if they had exchanged houses: they understand and help each other.

The strongest reception is by domicile; then by exaltation. Mutual reception can greatly soften a tense aspect, and in horary it can make something come to pass even though it seems difficult.

Key rule: Receive = the other is in my sign. Mutual = each one in the other's sign. Domicile weighs more than exaltation.

Source: William Lilly, Christian Astrology, Book I (on reception)

5. The almuten of your chart

What it is for: To know which planet has the most strength in your chart: the one that weighs most on your character and in your life.

The classical authors calculate the almuten in different ways. At TheAstroKind we use one single rule, the program's, so that all the tools say the same.

For each planet, points are added:

  • Essential dignities by sign: domicile +5, exaltation +4, triplicity +3 (or +1 if it is the participating ruler), detriment −5, fall −4.
  • The house it occupies: the angular houses add more (12 points for houses 1 and 10; 10 points for houses 4 and 7), the others less, and the 12th only 1 point.
  • If a planet is at 3° or less before a cusp, it already counts in the next house.

The planet with the most points is the almuten of your chart.

Key rule: Almuten = the planet that adds the most points between essential dignities and the strength of its house. One single rule across the whole site.

Source: TheAstroKind program rule (decision by Francisco Manuel Cabello H., 2-Oct-2026), on Lilly's dignities

Your chart

The exercises are marked on your natal chart. Enter your birth details.

Level exam

Ten questions. Pass mark: 8. Questions are random and change every month; you can retake it.