How is the sextile angle of 60 degrees derived?

60 degrees divides the circle into 6 equal parts. Aspects are ratios of the circle rather than arbitrary distances, which is why the major set is small: the major aspects come from the simplest divisions, and each further subdivision produces a narrower, more contested aspect.

What orb should a sextile use?

This site uses 5 degrees by default for the sextile. Orb is a convention, not a measured quantity: there is no agreed value, practitioners commonly tighten orbs for minor aspects and for slow-moving bodies, and some assign orb to the planets involved rather than to the aspect. Widen the orb and more aspects appear; narrow it and the same chart looks sparse. Any aspect list is therefore only comparable to another when both state the orb used.

Is the sextile a good or bad aspect?

Classical sources class the sextile as harmonious, meaning the two bodies cooperate easily. Ease is not the same as benefit - an easy aspect between difficult bodies simply makes that difficulty flow without resistance.

Sextile

60°·harmonious·major·default orb ±5°

Classical source

Ptolemy classifies the sextile as a minor harmonious aspect, formed by signs of compatible polarity (both masculine or both feminine).

Modern Western reading

Modern reading: easy collaboration. Two principles cooperate, often requiring some initiative to activate.

Sextile between two planets

Cited reference for this aspect between each pair of planets. Inner-planet pairs only list aspects their orbits can actually form.

Other aspects

Questions

What is a sextile in astrology?: A major aspect of 60 degrees. Ptolemy classifies the sextile as a minor harmonious aspect, formed by signs of compatible polarity (both masculine or both feminine). Modern reading: easy collaboration. Two principles cooperate, often requiring some initiative to activate.
How is the sextile angle of 60 degrees derived?: 60 degrees divides the circle into 6 equal parts. Aspects are ratios of the circle rather than arbitrary distances, which is why the major set is small: the major aspects come from the simplest divisions, and each further subdivision produces a narrower, more contested aspect.
What orb should a sextile use?: This site uses 5 degrees by default for the sextile. Orb is a convention, not a measured quantity: there is no agreed value, practitioners commonly tighten orbs for minor aspects and for slow-moving bodies, and some assign orb to the planets involved rather than to the aspect. Widen the orb and more aspects appear; narrow it and the same chart looks sparse. Any aspect list is therefore only comparable to another when both state the orb used.
Is the sextile a good or bad aspect?: Classical sources class the sextile as harmonious, meaning the two bodies cooperate easily. Ease is not the same as benefit - an easy aspect between difficult bodies simply makes that difficulty flow without resistance.

Reference, not advice

This is cultural and astronomical reference, not personal prediction or advice.

Aspect classifications follow classical Western convention. Different traditions assign slightly different orb budgets - the values shown are conservative defaults used throughout this site.

Sources

Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos

Last reviewed 2026-05-28.