trineAspectsWestern Astrology

A trine is a hundred and twenty degrees, dividing the ecliptic into three. Those three positions traditionally share an element — fire trines fire, earth trines earth — so a trine connects like with like. Both ends speak the same language and there's no translation cost.

Which explains why the trine's strength and its trap are one thing: no resistance. Where there's no resistance the learning curve is shortest and the reason to practise is weakest. So a trine is often the thing someone could do from the start and never taken to the top.

The old line is that trines give talent and squares give achievement, which sounds harsh and reads true: talent is handed over, achievement is ground out. So the practical use of a trine is adding resistance deliberately — take on something hard in the area where you're smoothest. That's the only route from talent to capability.