Orb

The Orb is the range of degrees within which an aspect is considered active even though it is not exact. For example, if the Sun is at 10° Aries and Mars at 16° Cancer, they form a square with an orb of six degrees. The tighter the orb, the stronger the aspect is considered to be. Traditions differ on the margins: wider orbs are usually allowed for the Sun and Moon and for conjunctions and oppositions, and narrower ones for minor aspects. Astrologers also distinguish between applying and separating aspects.