- these terms are applied to aspects. Dexter aspects are formed against the order of the astrological signs, for example, a planet in Pisces making a sextile to a planet in Capricorn is making a dexter aspect. Sinister aspects are formed in the order of the astrological signs, for example, a planet in Aries making a square to a planet in Cancer is making a sinister square.
Dexter aspects are considered more direct and effective than sinister aspects; Lilly writes of them "Observe the dexter aspect is more forcible than the Sinister" (CA.,p.109).
This may seem strange at first but rests upon an important tenet of astrological philosophy that recognises a planet's daily movement through the sky, from east to west, as a more fundamental movement than its progress through the zodiac.
The term dexter literally means 'of the right' and sinister 'of the left'. Their interpretation follows Pythagorean philosophy and rests upon the way that the signs are said to view each other. Every day the planets appear to circle the Earth from east to west following diurnal motion. Classical astrologers considered diurnal movement the primary motion of heaven (Primum Mobile) and called it the natural motion of heaven.
As a sign rises, its gaze is said to be directed towards the signs that rose before it, so that Aries looks forward towards Aquarius by sextile, Capricorn by square and Sagittarius by trine.
A dexter aspect, because it follows the diurnal motion and is therefore more direct, is stronger than a sinister one and more likely to produce favourable results. A sinister aspect, because it is issued against the natural movement of heaven and has to 'look backwards', is weaker and somewhat debilitated. In ancient symbolism the direction right was often considered to be a positive influence, whilst the direction left was associated with enemies and weakness.
For a fuller explanation and diagram refer to the section 'Dexter & Sinister'
in the article The Classical Origin and Traditional Use of Aspects.
Contact Deborah Houlding
| terms and conditions
All rights on all text and images reserved. Reproduction by any means is not permitted without the express
agreement of Deborah Houlding or in the case of articles by guest astrologers, the copyright owner indictated
back