On this page
In short: The sextile is a 60° angle — one sixth of the circle — usually joining signs two apart, of compatible elements (fire with air, earth with water). It is read as opportunity: a friendly, cooperative link that works best when you act on it. It is milder than the trine, and Ptolemy counted it among the five classical aspects.
The geometry
| Angle | 60° (one sixth of the circle) |
| Typical modern orb | 4–6° (wider with the Sun or Moon) |
| Signs apart | 2 |
Signs two apart are of the same gender in classical terms (both 'masculine' fire and air, or both 'feminine' earth and water) but of different elements. Ptolemy (Tetrabiblos I.13) counted the sextile as harmonious for that reason.
| Sign | Sign 2 ahead (aspect is mutual) | Elements | Modes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aries | Gemini | fire + air | cardinal + mutable |
| Taurus | Cancer | earth + water | fixed + cardinal |
| Gemini | Leo | air + fire | mutable + fixed |
| Cancer | Virgo | water + earth | cardinal + mutable |
| Leo | Libra | fire + air | fixed + cardinal |
| Virgo | Scorpio | earth + water | mutable + fixed |
| Libra | Sagittarius | air + fire | cardinal + mutable |
| Scorpio | Capricorn | water + earth | fixed + cardinal |
| Sagittarius | Aquarius | fire + air | mutable + fixed |
| Capricorn | Pisces | earth + water | cardinal + mutable |
| Aquarius | Aries | air + fire | fixed + cardinal |
| Pisces | Taurus | water + earth | mutable + fixed |
By degree, an aspect can also form "out of sign" — for example, 29° of one sign to 1° of another — in which case the element relationship above does not hold.
In a birth chart
In a birth chart a sextile describes two functions that cooperate when called upon. A Mercury–Venus sextile might show a natural ease with words and charm; a Moon–Saturn sextile, emotional steadiness that can be relied on. Because the sextile is gentle, it is easy to overlook: its gifts tend to come through deliberate use — taking the opportunity, making the call.
The planets involved decide the tone. Aspects with the Sun and Moon are felt most personally; aspects with Saturn add weight and time; aspects with Jupiter and Venus add ease; aspects with Mars add drive; aspects with the outer planets (Uranus, Neptune, Pluto) are shared by everyone born within months of each other and are read as generational unless they touch a personal planet or angle.
In synastry
In synastry, sextiles between two charts are read as friendship, easy conversation and shared interests. They rarely produce the instant pull of a conjunction or opposition, but they make daily life together pleasant.
In transits
Transiting sextiles are read as windows: a supportive moment to start, ask or connect. Slow-planet sextiles to natal planets (Jupiter or Saturn sextile your Sun, say) are often cited for opportunities in work and relationships that reward initiative.
The Vedic view
Vedic astrology has no special 'sextile', but in Parashari terms the 3rd and 11th signs from a planet receive only a quarter aspect from most planets — and a full aspect from Saturn (3rd). The 11th, as a house, is the house of gains, so the idea of opportunity carries across.
FAQ
What orb is used for a sextile? A common modern orb is 4–6°, wider when the Sun or Moon is involved. Orbs are conventions; tighter aspects are read as stronger.
Is the sextile a good or bad aspect? Easy and supportive — though its gifts tend to need initiative.
Does Vedic astrology use the sextile? Not as a measured angle. Jyotish counts aspects by sign, with its own rules; see graha drishti.
Sources
- Claudius Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos I.13 (aspects of the signs) (tr. F. E. Robbins, Loeb 1940)
- Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, ch. 26 (aspects) (Santhanam)
- Robert Hand, Planets in Transit (1976)
- Stephen Arroyo, Astrology, Psychology and the Four Elements (1975)
Written by Sunyra Editorial. Astrology is a tradition of interpretation; read this as guidance, not a forecast. Disclaimer.
Last reviewed