Yod Aspect Pattern

Yod Astrology

The Yod aspect pattern is a configuration between at least three planets or points in the horoscope to create a long triangle resembling a witch’s hat. A Yod is also called the Finger of Fate, Finger of God, or the Projection Triangle and has been the source of much debate and controversy within the astrological community.

Traditional astrologers have dismissed Yod astrology as “bogus” or merely a midpoint structure, and even among those who use Yod’s, there is debate about orbs and whether to include only planets or other points in the chart like the Ascendant. I firmly believe that Yod astrology is very significant and does live up to the hype as a very fated aspect pattern denoting a special mission or destiny in life.

Yod Astrology Definition

Yod is the tenth Hebrew letter with significant kabbalistic and mystical significance regarding the name of God, his omnipresence, and our humility. In Marina’s chart below, you can see the Yod apex planet is Jupiter. The green lines are quincunxes (150°). The blue line between Mercury and Neptune is a sextile (60°). The Yod is a challenging aspect pattern but holds great potential for spiritual evolution and increased awareness.

This pattern creates particular and strong energy, stronger than you would get by these aspects on their own. I like to use the analogy of a crystal here, a very definite and unique structure that holds a special energy that took a long time to create. A person with a Yod will struggle with this frazzling and neurotic energy, especially earlier in life.

The energy of the two planets in sextile is focused like a laser beam on the action point, in this case, Jupiter. A sextile is a positive aspect that creates energy. The quincunxes take this heightened energy and raise the vibration even further. Initially, the most negative potential of the sextile planets manifests through the apex planet. The action point planet then comes under incredible stress and tension and must release it somehow. Individuals with this Yod pattern will experience this as a continual build-up and then a release of tension.

Life with a Yod is far from ordinary, as I explored in Nazi Horoscopes: Of the 100 German Nazis listed at Astro Databank, only 6 have Yod configurations. Each had a crucial role to play in the war. A Yod does represent a special task or mission in life that the person feels compelled to undertake. These six guys were undoubtedly “on a mission.”

I have mentioned that I consider Yod astrology very challenging. There will be many difficult circumstances and relationships in life which seem to show a repeating theme as if we are learning a lesson over and over to perfect something. I believe that a person with a Yod has been working on a particular task or mission over many lifetimes, making mistakes along the way while learning the skills needed.

The Yod in the chart for this life signifies that this is the life to bring it all together, the makeup for the mistakes, and pay back the karmic debt. In this life, the skills are to be perfected and used in a constructive, selfless way to benefit others. The skills are shown by the sextile planets, the challenges through the quincunxes, and the mission or task through the apex planet. The quincunx is an aspect of karmic readjustment.

Yod Astrology

Yod Astrology

In Marina’s Yod astrology, the mission relates to Jupiter, faith, values, and philosophy. Positive values, cheer, and hope are given to many through the Mercury/Neptune spiritual writings and words. The negative manifestation which had to be overcome to get to this positive and constructive stage included a lack of self-belief and the tendency to exaggerate the Mercury/Neptune imaginings, suspicions, and the tendency to get carried away with conspiracy theories. Marina may have a different interpretation – keep your eye on the comments.

Elida Marchisone talks about Yod astrology and labels this aspect pattern the “Spiritual Warrior”, pointing to the struggle to rise above the challenges and to evolve the soul. Concerning the early struggles and finally realizing the wonderful potential bound up in the crystalline structure, she writes that for a Yod “to work positively, a certain evolutionary standard must first be met”. The timing of this evolutionary leap or series of leaps will be shown by aspects, especially conjunctions to the apex planet from eclipses and outer planet transits.

Elida states that with Yod astrology, we need “to develop a great sense of individuality and self-confidence. This person may have to play the role of the rescuer and the victim, over and over, until they develop an understanding of personal and collective service. In relating to others, they will explore realms of experiences that are not understood at an ordinary level, as it will include collective unconscious behavior patterns. He or she will have to meet inner standards rather than conform to social standards of behavior. Because of this, the person will set in motion misunderstanding and aggressive responses from the environment.”

Alan J. Ouimet quotes the astrologer Bill Tierney (Dynamics of Aspect Analysis), describing Yod astrology as “arriving at a fork in the road and having to proceed in one direction rather than another without knowing where it will lead to…activation of the Yod will cause the dropping, or psychologically letting go, of certain interests and habits to become involved in what is showing on the horizon”. Regarding the “fork in the road”, if you take a direction other than the one God has chosen for you, then the universe is likely to give you a kick in the pants. The further you stray from the destined path, the harder the kick.

Other variations of the Yod is the Boomerang Yod mentioned below and the Golden Yod, which is discussed in the horoscope of Adolf Hitler. This Golden Yod involves a quintile aspect (72°) in place of the sextile and two biquintile aspects (144°) in place of the quincunxes. There is still the same theme with a special mission in life and the struggle to overcome adversity, but there seems to be more emphasis on the use and abuse of power.

Boomerang Yod Astrology

Yod Astrology

Boomerang Yod Astrology

When there is a planet or point opposite the apex planet, then we get a Boomerang Yod, also called a Focused Yod. This Yod astrology is more complex. It is made of a standard Yod aspect pattern with an Eye aspect pattern sitting on top.

In my chart, you can see that Mercury and Venus make up the reaction point, opposite Saturn, the apex planet. Interpreting the standard Yod pattern, my special mission involves taking responsibility for something, learning, teaching, and parenting (all Saturn things). They take on a larger spiritual dimension because of Neptune sextile Pluto, the aspect of mass consciousness. Now the energy at the action point Saturn bounces up to the Mercury-Venus reaction point. So the final expression of all the tension is through words and love, the source of difficulties earlier in life, but the avenue for the positive manifestation of the Yod when things turn around. The reaction point is like a pressure valve, and in some ways, it makes it easier to release the pressure build-up found in standard Yod astrology. However, in some ways, it is worse when the un-evolved Yod lets off the energy in an uncontrolled or harmful fashion.

The young Yod was shy, fearful, insecure, and struggled expressing love, words and feelings. As the Yod evolved through a series of sometimes painful leaps from the negative to the positive manifestation, wisdom, and stability counteract the fear and inhibition. Now I express my thoughts to a wider audience on the Internet more confidently and have a more mature approach to loving and taking responsibility for my family.

We may never feel in total control of our lives when we have a Yod in our charts. Life is fated. We have to surrender to a higher power and sacrifice some personal desires and needs. Along the way, we can at least move from the back seat up to the passenger seat and start enjoying the ride.

More Aspect Patterns

615 thoughts on “Yod Aspect Pattern

  1. Natal progressed chart, September – October 2021, Venus, Moon, Uranus “Capstone Quintile”

    Going back in time, these three planets show up in a topical (tropical) arrangement called a Yod at the Geocentric view of the Heliocentric Saturn-Jupiter Conjunction, April 16, 1981.

    Moon sextile Uranus, Venus yod apex.

    29th degree, no less

    https://i.postimg.cc/hjBhHBns/astro-2at-1981-jupitersaturn-paper-airplane-yod-60483-184583.png

    If you recall, April 16, 1981. The helio chart looks like a Paper Airplane. Also recall the Queen catching one of her footmans children, earlier this year, playing with a paper airplane on a staircase.

  2. I have the same yod except the boomerang point is my ascendant at 24 libra. Thank you for explaining this ive found nothing like it online!

  3. HI!
    i have been learning my astro recently..Looks like i have TWO Yods. one being a boomerang. and a t-square.
    This all sounds very challenging.

    The funny thing is that the many of the same locations are repeated across all 3 patterns.

    Sun (conj, Chiron) oppose Uranus (Uranus conj. below asc which conj Saturn above) and apex on Jupiter. (t-square)
    Jupiter sextiles mars and apexs on Midheaven. (Yod)
    Midheaven then sextiles sun and and apexs back onto mars again (yod) which opposes Venus (the boomerang bit).

    it’s like the energy is just chaotically bouncing and amplifying between those sings? i dunno. potential and disruption a theme? i dunno.

    Thanks for reading.

    • Magnificent piece of jade that forms appreciably when transiting Jupiter trines natal Saturn, and sextiles natal Chiron.

      • thanks your reply, I haven’t see this jade impacting on my body but the yod is really working.

    • Hi Tintin. There is a yod with Chiron at the apex. But the aspect orb is too wide to Saturn for it to be a boomerang yod.

      • thanks your reply, I’m just studying astrology when I can contact some energies which impact on my body. And the Yod conjunction really impact on.

      • What is the allowed orb for the boomerang opposition- to Venus & Saturn from moon apex ????

        • Hi Krista. Check out the aspect orbs here: Aspects. Up to 9 degrees for Moon opposite Venus, so long as the quincunxes and sextile are within orb.

          • Apex of Yod-<oon 17 Pisces

            Natal Venus conjunct SN 10 Virgo;;

            thanx much for the info….

  4. Hi Jamie,
    Do you find that Yods are relevant if they are formed with the ascendant as the apex?

  5. If my Moon is the Apex of my Yod- does each Lunar return have a magnified effect ? Moon is my chart ruler…

  6. I have Pluto/10th house boomerang yod apex @ Chrion in Pisces in the 4th, which is why I’m reading through all these comments. As a writer myself, I want you to know how much I look forward to receiving your daily posts, which are beautifully, soulfully written. You put a point of focus on my day.

  7. Today I decided to look up what my Yod meant and just learned its a boomerang Yod! I have Mars in my 5th house and Venus in my 7th house sextile at 6 degrees while the Apex is Jupiter in the 12th house at 5 degrees the planets in between Mars and Venus are my sun and moon at 6 degrees and Uranus at 5 degrees in my 6th house.

  8. just re-read this, I wasnt going to, but it was a helpful reminder as one of two of my yods, has Saturn at the apex, who is currently undergoing Pluto/Conjunct saturns force to disempower in order to find my true power and get back up… again.

  9. Hi, I have 3 different yods and have been struggling to interpret for decades now. The apex of the yods are a sun-mars conjunction in cancer in the 8th. We’ve got:

    Sun (apex) – Uranus (Sag, 1st) – Jupiter (Aquarius, 3rd)
    Sun (apex) – Uranus – Moon (Aquarius, 3rd)
    Mars (apex, Cancer, 8th) – Uranus – Jupiter

    Any insight at all would be hugely appreciated.

  10. I am a little dumbfounded. We have the same boomerang yod. Same planets and same degrees. What a great explanation of your (and my) Yod. Thank you.

  11. I have FOUR yods in my chart, one is focused with Jupiter retrograde in Aries. I also have a grand trine in fire, and a grand fixed cross. I’ve always felt like I’m not in control of my life or secure in my identity, and it’s a constant struggle.

    You do define yods very well, and you had me until the end of this article. It is NOT helpful to say that those of us with yods are just at the mercy of fate! I think it’s actually a bit presumptuous, given no two yods or people are exactly alike. But to solicit a sentiment like the one you closed your entry with could be damaging to someone with a serious identity crisis.

    As astrologers, we have a moral responsibility to harm none; we struggle for credibility as it is, and to essentially announce that those with yods are just “screwed” is negligent at best. Blind faith sold by Religion for centuries has destroyed many lives, and telling others that their life is not in their hands is the same thing. Instead, we should be encouraging people with difficult aspects how to live through that productively. Empower them!

    • I’m sorry that the last bit of Jamie’s excellent write-up gave you such a jolt, Debra.
      Why don’t you go and read it again, because it’s much more balanced than you say, and there is nothing damaging in it. You have completely misquoted him in a number of ways.
      “(First) harm none” is part some forms of the Hippocratic Oath.
      Nowhere at all do I see even a tiny smidgeon of a suggestion (much less an “announcement”) that Jamie is saying that those with yods are “screwed”. Instead, everything he has written strongly encourages me how to live through a yod productively and empowers me, which is exactly what YOU suggest!

    • I had the same experience the reading this article. There was a beautiful rhythm to it. I loved the information, feeling hopeful and understood – feeling not so alone … then when it ended like I was pushed off a cliff. I’m afraid I do that with some of my juxtaposition – in my blog, articles and characters I create as an actor. So, although it’s okay with me, as I’ve gotten a little calloused to it – hate to say that actually. I’ve gotten used to that experience in life. So I appreciate hearing this feedback as I am always trying to stay open to how my expression strikes other people. I’m at a place where it’s not about my freedom, it’s more about freeing others (maybe to come out and play with ME!). BTW – I have a boomerang YOD pointing toward Jupiter/ARIES/10th – Venus opposite Libra/5th – Pluto/Virgo/3rd – Neptune/Mars/Scorpio/5th. Saturn’s also in my natal Aquarius/8th with an Ascendant in Cancer. I greatly appreciate this post and the feedback around such a powerful configuration.

      • For the deep, purists here … my natal Jupiter, Saturn and Chiron are all three retrograde. I’ve read that the apex planet being in retrograde, Jupiter in my case, leads to a greater inner focus than outward sense. I’m curious of others here have found such in their experience.

        • Hey- We’re still here……With a Jupiter- Neptune opposition- I am the Ultimate optimist….Better than being a bitter downer…..

  12. Can you have a Yod with transiting planets or does it have to be in your Natal Chart?
    Today, I ran charts for my Saturn Returns. Both had a Yod.

    • Hi Theresa. Interesting question. I think that would work, especially with a transiting planet forming quincunxes to a natal sextile.

  13. Hi! Can I ask you what if the yod is in a composite chart IC and Sun at 1 degree Aquarius, Saturn is at the appex at 7 degrees Aquarius in the 4th house, Jupiter at 7 degrees Virgo in the 11th house and Mars at 7 degrees Cancer in the 9th house? Does that mean the relationship has a very special mission and it is connected to structure, rules and discipline? And the people need to take action and to have faith, the right beliefs, maybe even something connected with teaching or traveling and with groups, because Jupiter is in the 11th house and to achieve emotional stability and home? Can you share some insight?

  14. Thank you so much for this interpretation, which I find so accurate and insightful..

    Mercury/Mars 11th, sextile Pluto/ (2 degrees inside) Ascendant.
    Chiron Apex point in the 5th in Capricorn. Also square Saturn/Neptune 3rd..

    I have recently had Pluto conjunct Chiron (apex point) x 3 Rx

  15. I believe I have a boomerang yod. It does involve my ascendant as the apex. I have Neptune at 20 Sag H8 sextile Pluto at 21 Libra H6 both quincunx my ascendant at 22 Taurus with Uranus on the DC at 23 Scorpio. I feel it is.

    • Yes S. The Ascendant should definitely be included in the Yod. It also means you have a Boomerang Yod with the Descendant at the reaction point.

  16. You are such a great source of knowledge. Thank you so much. After I found out about the eye pattern, I reached your explanation about the Boomerang Yod. In my chart the action point is the ascendant… the reaction point ist Venus, who is sitting on the dc. The two sextiling wings are Saturn and Chiron. How could this combination be interpreted? I would be grateful for your insight 🙏

  17. Hello, Jamie! I LOVE all of your articles…you are a wealth of information! I have a ‘perfect 0° orb’ at every angle Boomerang Yod consisting of Uranus (apex) at 5° Libra/5th – Sun at 5° Taurus/12th – Pallas at 5° Pisces/10th; the reaction point being Ceres at 5° Aries/11th…well, I do, if we’re counting asteroids??? Oh, and also not sure if there’s any significance to it but Pallas is conjunct my North Node (5° orb) and my Pallas is directly conjunct to the fixed star Deneb Adige! Could you please share anything about this with me, Jamie (only if you have some time)…as I am still very new to astrology. Thank you so much…Shauna.

  18. I have 2 Yods in my chart, but I’m finding it difficult to interpret what they really mean.
    Yod 1: Mecury in 16° Sagittarius, Uranus in 18° Cancer and Jupiter in 14° Taurus
    Yod 2: Mecury in 16° Sagittarius, Uranus in 18° Cance and North Node in 16° Aquarius.

    I would be most grateful of any help, or where to research would be great.

    • Sorry for my error in the 2nd Yod, the third element should be just North Node in Aquarius!

  19. I have three Yods, Kite and T-square in my chart. The Kite and one of Yods (boomerang) are between Pluto conj. Ascendant in Libra and Venus conj. Descendant in Aries. Aries Sun conj. South Node, Pisces Moon conj. Mars (8°, not very close). Other planets in the Kite are Saturn and Neptune. Other planets in this Boomerang Yode (sextile) are Moon and Mercury. Two other Yods – Moon (apex) – Saturn – Pluto and Mercury (apex) – Neptune – Pluto. And T-square Mercury – Saturn (apex) – Uranus.

    Sorry, don’t want to give my exact birth time, but it was in April 1977.

    What can I say? I feel that too much pressure was put upon me from the early childhood. I always felt lonely and strange, but was (and still am) incredibly creative. I am an artist, a writer and a translator, English is my second language. I love Tarot, have made my own deck. I can be called an empath and sometimes just KNOW things. I have powerful visions, love animals, especially dogs, and can talk with them. I dreamed about peaceful, simple, beautiful life, but it was only a dream.

    I have lost my first husband, my true love, 10 years older than I, with whom we were together for 22 years, when I was 39. At that moment transit Uranus was conj. my natal Sun, and transit Neptune – conj. natal Moon. It was a sudden death, an accident. Then, a year later, I have met a wonderful man, 8 years older than I, a true love again. We married and were very happy together. But less than a year after our wedding he died from cancer. They both were 49 at the moment of death and shared the same first name.

    How I survived? Many people (including my parents) wanted me to crawl in a corner and die, but I am too stubborn. I have found the reasons behind all these strange things in my past life. I have found new hope and meaning. Now I am married the third time (cannot be alone, with Sun and Venus in the 7th House). My third husband is from Nigeria, a real African (I am white). He is 7 years younger than I, so I am not afraid that he will die before myself. No, this time I want to be the first to go! I don’t really love him, but we get well together, and I will always be a good wife for him.

    Also, I want to mention, that you wrote in Pluto conj. Ascendant article, that there can be a strong connection with a grandmother. This is VERY true in my case, I was brought up by my grandma (from father’s side), she was closer to me than my mother. My parents are both Libra, and grandma was Virgo.

    Writing this just before the Solar Eclipse, eclipses were always extremely important in my life. I loved to draw black Sun, Moon and stars, even as a child. I see black color as very beautiful, it contains all colors in itself. Wanted to tell my story to somebody. Wish that this eclipse will bring good changes to you. Thank you, your site is one of my favorite sources!

  20. I was very unfortunate to meet a psychopath who had a yod and we had the yod in sinastry, too. He definetely wasn’t paying his kharmic debt in this life, totally the opposite he dedicated his whole life to parties, drugs and prostitutes, he’s 40 and he doesn’t plan to change anything. I hope he burns in Hell with the 6 nazis who had the yod, too and did nothing good for humanity.

  21. Very unlikely that you’ll see this but worth the chance.

    Hello Jamie (almost 10 years later)!

    My Yod:
    Apex Saturn in 14° Aries (11th H)
    Chiron in 16° Scorpio (6th H)
    North Node in 13° Virgo (4th H)

    Any insight would be appreciated! Thank you

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