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Astrology

Sextile

The sextile is the 60° aspect — one-sixth of the zodiac. In astrological tradition it's read as a possible complement or opportunity, not an automatic effect.

In a sextile, two chart points are 60° of ecliptic longitude apart. In the zodiac, it connects signs two apart that share complementary elements: fire with air, earth with water — for instance Aries and Gemini, or Taurus and Cancer. That elemental kinship is why tradition reads the sextile as easy and supportive.

The classical reading treats the sextile as less automatic than a trine: it's said to point to a possible connection that has to be used deliberately. That's an interpretive convention, not a measured opportunity.

Like every aspect, the sextile is a geometric relationship, not a force. And because it counts as a weaker aspect, it's usually calculated with a tighter orb than a conjunction or opposition — with too generous a tolerance, a sextile would turn up almost everywhere.

At Leitstern

How we use this term

Leitstern factors sextiles into natal charts, transits and synastry. In the daily views, the orb used is shown openly.

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