Harmonics

The term for zodiacal aspects that describes the energy levels or vibrational frequencies associated with aspects. An aspect, derived from the division of a circle (360°) by a whole number, and its multiples share the same frequency and therefore operate at similar energy levels. For example, division of 360° by four yields 90°, a square. The square is a fourth harmonic aspect as are its multiples, 180° (opposition) and 270°. Several harmonics may merge in a single aspect. The square is a multiple of the semisquare (45°), an eighth harmonic aspect; the square’s primary harmonic is four (sometimes written 1/4) and its sub-harmonic is eight (2/8, second of the eighth harmonic). The opposition’s primary harmonic is two (1/2 X 360° = 180°); its sub-harmonics are four (2/4, second in the series of fourth harmonics), six (3/6, third of the sixth harmonic), eight (4/8, fourth of the eighth harmonic), etc.

Related term: zodiacal aspects: Aspects based upon planets’ zodiacal longitude as distinguished from parallels and contraparallels, which depend upon declination.