Aspects · Chart basics · Beginner
Orb
Also called orb of influence
How far from exact an aspect can be and still count.
Two planets 93° apart are 3° from an exact square: the orb is 3°. Astrologers allow a margin because exact aspects are rare. The allowed size is a convention, not a measurement, and it varies by aspect, by planet and by astrologer.
- How it is worked out
- This site's orb policy (cmf-natal-1): 8° conjunction and opposition, 7° trine and square, 5° sextile; 2° more when the Sun or Moon is involved; 3° fewer to the Ascendant or Midheaven. The limit is inclusive.
- Where sources differ
- Traditional astrologers often assign orbs to the planets rather than to the aspects (a “moiety” for each planet); modern astrologers usually assign them by aspect.
Sources
- Astrodienst AstroWiki: Orb (opens in a new tab) practitioner
- Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos I.24, “Of Applications and Separations and the Other Powers” (Robbins translation, 1940) (opens in a new tab) historical
Written for Cool Moon Facts in its own words. An astrology source documents what astrologers believe or practise; it does not establish that astrology works.