Yod (astrology)

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In astrology (in the context of an astrological chart, birth chart or horoscope), a yod is a specific, triangular-shaped planetary alignment that is formed by two planets or points being sextile to one another (60° apart), with a third planet being exactly 150° to the other two points, or quincunx (also called inconjunct). In essence, the three points add up as 150°+150°+60°=360° in a traditional, spherical astrological chart. Visually, this alignment forms a “triangle”-shaped aspect, with one point being nearly directly across (150°) from two other points that are 60° apart from each other.

Generally, in astrology, for any aspect to be seen prominently in a chart, the planets/points involved in the aspect should not have more than a three-degree difference. This means that all three points must be within a three-degree range of one another, such as 3°-5°-6°, or 10°-7°-8°; a trio of planets with placements such as 3°-21°-15° or 10°-27°-2° is considered too “wide” to have any real connection, thus there is no aspect formed.

While the sextile is an inherently harmonious aspect, the quincunx is unrelated to either of the sextile planets. Quincunxes are considered to be somewhat awkward but also allowing the other energy to shine at its best, one making up for the other. A quincunx is the aspect just shy of an opposition; for example, Gemini is in opposition (180°) to Sagittarius, and Scorpio and Capricorn are located on either side of Sagittarius. Thus, Gemini is said to be “inconjunct”, or quincunx, to Scorpio and Capricorn (150° apart). Conversely, on either side of Gemini lie the signs Taurus and Cancer; thus, Sagittarius is quincunx to Taurus and Cancer. It is not fully 180° (a true opposition within a 360° sphere), but placed just before or after the opposite sign. It shares neither polarity - Yin/assertive or yang/receptive, astrological element - fire, water, air, or earth, or modality - cardinal, fixed, or mutable.