How do you interpret an opposition?

[MinaM207]

I find opposition to be quite neutral is that right? Like the power can be harnessed if you’re aware of it. Please help me out with that one

Discussion

[[deleted]]

I think of it as a tug of war. There are two planets at the end of a rope, and each are pulling their own way. It goes on and on until they stop pulling, compromise and meet in the middle.

[CruiserOne]

I like how the Opposition aspect is described in Steven Forrest’s classic book “The Inner Sky”:

*”***Tension** *- that is the key to understanding oppositions. Two planets are irreconcilably polarized. One turns left, the other automatically turns right. Functioning naturally, according to their own inner logic, each one must always undercut the other. Say one planet lies in Taurus. It is opposed by a planet in Scorpio. The “why” behind the Taurean planet is a search for calm and simplicity, while what motivates the planet in Scorpio is precisely the opposite: A hunger for intensity, depth, and transformation. They do not get along. That is why traditional astrologers say the opposition is “bad.” But we need not be bound by such superficial thinking. The tension between the Taurean planet and the Scorpionic one can be invaluable. Each can correct for the excesses and deficiencies of the other. Neither one likes it. But both are better off.”*

[supercutecumber]

I think of it as something like seesaws, when two planets opposite, it’s like two planets polarizing each other. And it also depends on which planets have more essential dignity, so one of them might be stronger than the other one so could go both ways, good or bad. But that’s just my observation tho

[Active-Cranberry9756]

(In general…without any specific chart…) oppositions represent projections. Both sides are the chart holders energies, but the CH identifies with one and “meets” the other energy apparently outside of themselves in the form of another person, place or thing. The interesting thing about oppositions is the CH can switch which energy he/she is identifying with and which he/she is projecting.

[SacredIbisAstro]

I don’t think oppositions are neutral but they can be unconscious, subtle or taken for granted because it’s innate.

However, despite the tension between planets in opposition, I think there’s opportunities for the integration of energetic polarities. I’m not sure if this comes about through intentional work or via transits, maybe both.

Transits make it interesting because two natal planets in opposition can be trine or sextile via transit (at least with fast moving planets), which gives one a glimpse into what it’s like when those planets are cooperating. When two planets in opposition form soft aspects via transit it can highlight or make one more aware of the tension because once it separates, it’s back to reality.

[Hades_Moon]

It depends on which planets are involved of course, but generally it’s considered rather challenging.

[nobsbox]

Imagine 2 kids dying of thirst in the middle of the desert, but you only have 1 glass of water.

Which one do you give it to? Or is there a way to satisfy both? Perhaps pouring each kid half a glass might satiate them just enough for the time being.

I believe that is the constant juggling act of an opposition.

[YannaFox]

Like what fire and water do to each other when they come in direct contact….create steam.

You can certainly enjoy all that steam or find some way to make it useful but if steam isn’t what you want/need, you gotta incorporate the other two elements to make fire and water work together vs cancel each other or neutralize each other.

Like for example, put water in a pot (earth) then stabilize (earth) the fire element. Then put fire to the pot to make it boil the water. Now they can complement each other with the help of earth.

If you find both fire and water complementing each other way too much, then use the air element to settle them down. Water too hot….use air to cool it off. Too much fire….use air to put some of the fire out.

This is how you work with oppositions. Depending on your opposition and what elements/planets are involved, you’ll need to reach out to the other elements/planets lying on either side of the opposition to help out. It’s easier said than done though. Oppositions will wear you out to the bone!

Let’s say you have Pluto in Aries opposing Jupiter in Libra. Aries and Libra usually balance each other out but now they’ve got two guests viciously fighting each other because their egos are getting the best of them.

So you run to your neighbors on your left/right/across the street to get them and any of their guests to help out. Aries sits in between Pisces and Taurus. Libra sits in between Virgo and Scorpio.

In short, Virgo’s ruler Mercury will say talk every little detail out but Pisces’s ruler Neptune will say they can make the talking way better by offering both fighting parties some good weed.

Taurus’s ruler Venus will offer some porn and good food since Taurus balances Scorpio out and knows what it needs more than anybody.

Venus also rules Libra. Libra balances Aries out and knows what it needs. So that part of Venus will introduce Aries’s guest Pluto, to their hot guy friend or hot lady friend.

Jupiter rules Sagittarius. Gemini sits across from Sagittarius and Gemini just like Virgo is also ruled by Mercury. So this aspect of Mercury will ask Jupiter to come take a walk across the street/next door and meet some of their friends who are totally into gender bending and all things of a dual nature…..got female body building friends, male friends who wear heels and is friends with 5 sets of twins!

Hope that helps!

I’d say a good lesson in alchemy is very useful in understanding your natal chart and how the elements/planets interact with each other. Alchemy is overlooked but definitely helped me.