Traditional astrologers have come to describe aspects as being "easy" or "hard" rather than "good" or "bad". Oppositions are said to be "difficult". Trines can be "too easy". Sextiles are "more productive" than trines. Conjunctions are "powerful" and not always easy. The remaining aspects are "problematical".
In general this means that odd-numbered steps: 1, 3, 5, 9, and 11 are good, and that even-numbered steps: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 are bad. The exception to the rule is step 7, the opposition, the only odd-numbered aspect considered bad. Some books even lump squares together with oppositions as having the same “difficult” meaning. This has to be a mistake.
In general this means that odd-numbered steps: 1, 3, 5, 9, and 11 are good, and that even-numbered steps: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 are bad. The exception to the rule is step 7, the opposition, the only odd-numbered aspect considered bad. Some books even lump squares together with oppositions as having the same “difficult” meaning. This has to be a mistake.
Of course, a conjunction of two "bodies" or "planets" immediately mixes or blends the energies of both. This is not always easy. The following conjunction can be quite difficult:
Tr-MS (C1) Tr-ST
Mars represents impetuous, out-going energy, while Saturn represents caution. Some kind of choice, compromise, or alternation is called for here.
An opposition of transiting Mars to transiting Saturn (as follows)...
An opposition of transiting Mars to transiting Saturn (as follows)...
Tr-MS OP Tr-ST
...might also call for a similar choice or compromise, but only personal experience can tell us whether it is easier or more difficult than the conjunction. After all, an opposition (the same degree of an opposite sign) is on the same line as a conjunction. The only difference is that the bulk of the Earth lies between the two planets. Compare the two figures below:
Here we see JP “conjunct” (on the same line with) ST.
Thus the energies of the two planets are united.
Here we see JP “opposite” (but still on the same line with ) ST.
The only difference between a “conjunction” and an “opposition”
is that the Earth globe is located between JP & ST.
(So as to “dampen” or “delay” a unification of their energies).
The only difference between a “conjunction” and an “opposition”
is that the Earth globe is located between JP & ST.
(So as to “dampen” or “delay” a unification of their energies).
Perhaps the OP aspect takes longer to reconcile than the (C1) aspect because the earth between acts as a resistor. Another possibility is that a conjunction is felt to be "internal" and the opposition is felt to be "external". Here's what the I Ching has to say about the general concept of opposites:
The oppositions of heaven and earth, spirit and nature, man and woman, when reconciled, bring about the creation and reproduction of life. In the world of visible things, the principle of opposites makes possible the differentiation by categories through which order is brought into the world.
So we see that oppositions are not only destinations in space but are destinations in accomplishment, the eventual reaching of a creative compromise within a polarity. Unlike squares, they "feel" familiar because they are reflections or projections of each other.
