The Opposition in Astrology: What a 180 Degree Aspect Means
An opposition is two planets 180 degrees apart, within about 8 degrees, in opposite signs. The two planets pull in opposite directions, so an opposition describes a balance to strike, often played out through other people. It is the aspect of awareness and relationship.
| Angle | 180 degrees |
|---|---|
| Orb used on this site | 8 degrees |
| Sign relationship | Opposite signs, six apart |
| Nature | Polarity: a balance to find between two sides |
How a opposition works
Opposite signs share a modality and complementary elements: Aries and Libra, Taurus and Scorpio, Gemini and Sagittarius. Each sign has what the other lacks, which is why oppositions are as much about attraction as conflict.
People with a strong opposition often swing between the two sides before learning to hold both. Others in their life tend to act out the side they are not using.
A opposition in your birth chart
A natal opposition describes a polarity you learn to balance: work and home across the 10th and 4th houses, self and partner across the 1st and 7th.
A opposition in transit
Transiting oppositions bring a culmination: what started at the conjunction reaches its peak or its crisis. The full moon is the Sun opposite the Moon.
A opposition between two charts
Oppositions between two charts often feel like strong attraction between opposites, and they need give and take. Sun opposite Moon is a traditional marriage contact.
Three oppositions, worked through
Mars opposition Pluto: Strong will meeting strong will: power struggles until the drive is shared or redirected.
Sun opposition Moon: Born at a full moon: what you want and what you need face each other.
Venus opposition Saturn: Love tested by distance, duty or timing, and strengthened by it.
Find yours
Your chart lists every opposition between your planets, with the exact orb. Birth chart calculator
See the oppositions forming to your chart today
Transiting planets form aspects to your natal planets every day. A Precision Horoscope names each one, how exact it is and what it means for you. Get my free personal reading