Opposition
The opposition is the astrological aspect of 180°: two planets in diametrically opposite positions of the zodiac. It generates polar tension between the functions represented by those planets and, depending on how it is worked, can produce chronic conflict or mature integration of opposites.
Origin and technique
The opposition is one of the five major aspects codified by Ptolemy. Its orb is generally ±6 to ±8 degrees. It is the second strongest aspect after the conjunction, and the one classically considered most "tense" or "hard". The two opposite zodiacal positions coincide with opposite signs: Aries-Libra, Taurus-Scorpio, Gemini-Sagittarius, Cancer-Capricorn, Leo-Aquarius, Virgo-Pisces.
Unlike the square (active and chaotic conflict), the opposition is polarised conflict: the two parts are clear and confronted. The person with strong opposition often lives as if they were two people in one: one part pulls one way, the other pulls the opposite. The mastery of opposition is to integrate both poles rather than identify with only one.
How it manifests
A person with Sun-Moon opposition has tension between conscious identity (Sun) and emotional world (Moon). This is typical of full-moon personalities (born at natal full moon): productive tension between what they want and what they feel. Mars-Venus opposition: tension between desire and love. Saturn-Jupiter opposition: tension between structure and expansion.
Opposition has a particular expression in relationships: often what we repress in an opposition we project onto the partner. The partner who attracts us represents the pole we do not integrate. The mastery of opposition is to assume both poles in oneself: stop projecting and start integrating.
Also known as
- Aspect of 180°
- Oppositio (Latin)
- Astrological polarity