Conjunction and Aspect

Conjunction

Conjunction is the apparent coincidence or proximity of two or more celestial objects as viewed from the earth. The conjunction can be exact or close. If the difference in the longitudes happens to be less than one degree, the resulting conjunction is known as an exact conjunction. If the difference in longitudes is within five degrees, the same is known as a close conjunction. 

Aspects

The aspects are partial and full. In the Vedic System of Astrology, we are concerned with only full aspects. Each planet is believed to aspect fully the seventh house, reckoned/counted from the placement of the former.  In addition to this i.e. the seventh aspect, planets posited outside the orbit of the earth (Mars, Jupiter and Saturn) as well as Rahu and Ketu have additional special full aspects as under:-

• Saturn aspects third and tenth houses from its location.
• Mars aspects fourth and eight houses from its location. 
• Jupiter, Rahu and Ketu aspect fifth and ninth houses from their location.

Planets influence other houses/planets aspected by them favourably or unfavourably, depending upon their functional nature in the horoscope. The principle of exact or close aspect is identical to exact or close conjunction i.e. when a planet casts its aspect on another planet(s) or on the most effective point of house(s) within an orb of one degree, the aspect is known as an exact aspect. If the difference in planetary longitudes is within five degrees, then the aspect is known as close aspect. 

The natal close or exact aspects/conjunctions give long term impact. The transit close aspect/conjunctions give short term impact during the course of transit influence. 

Wide Conjunctions or Aspects

The conjunctions or aspects with more than five degrees of longitudinal difference are wide conjunctions or aspects. These do not have permanent impact in life except the short lived transit influences on the planets involved in wide conjunction or aspects. The wide aspects give their results in later part of life, say around 60 years or after. 

The aspect of a functional benefic planet  will be effective corresponding to the strength of the planet(s) /house(s) involved. If the aspecting functional benefic planet is weak due to any reason including debilitation its effectiveness will be weak and limited, but its close aspect will always act as a helping force. The close aspect of a functional malefic planet, except on the most effective point of its own mooltrikona houses, will always act as a damaging force. 

Afflicted Planets or Houses

The afflictions to the planets or houses are caused by the close conjunction or aspect of the functional malefic planets in a nativity. Whenever a planet or a mooltrikona house is already weak for any other reason and is under the close influence of any functional malefic, it is treated as an afflicted planet / house. But when the planet or the mooltrikona house is not weak for other reasons, it can be considered afflicted either under the exact influence of a functional malefic for normal afflictions or under the orb of influence of two degrees for special / multiple afflictions, becoming a weak planet/house for that reason. So whenever, any planet or mooltrikona house is afflicted, it becomes weak not being capable of fully protecting / promoting its significations. The significations of the houses having mooltrikona sign of an afflicted planet are harmed more when such planets are already weak for other reasons. 

Whenever a non-mooltrikona house is under the close influence of any functional malefic, it is treated as an afflicted house. If not placed in its own mooltrikona sign, any planet become afflicted just by mere placement in any of the dusthanas/malefic houses. 

The Most Effective Point of a House

Besides the natal position of the planets, there is the most effective point (MEP) of each house known by the degree rising in the ascendant. The close impact of the planets in the case of houses is gauged through their closeness to the natal positions. Suppose an ascendant of 16 degrees rises. It means the most effective point of each house would be 16 degrees. In case the lord of a mooltrikona house is weak or in case of non-mooltrikona houses, a functional malefic planet having a longitude between 11 to 21 degrees will afflict these houses either by placement or by aspect. In case the lord of a mooltrikona house is "otherwise" strong, that house will only become afflicted under the single influence of a functional malefic planet having a longitude between 15 to 17 degrees, or under the multiple/special influence of functional malefic planet(s) having longitudes between 14 to 18 degrees. That "otherwise" strong lord will become weak for this reason. 

The influence of any functional malefic planet over its own mooltrikona house will never be malefic.