Over at our awesome Chart Harmony Discord, I get asked questions. Recently, one of ’em was about what number of planets in the same sign constitutes a stellium. So…

Here’s my point o’ view:

The strictest definition of a stellium is at least 3 traditional planets or luminaries NOT INCLUDING SUN + MERCURY in the same sign (and using Whole Signs, that’d be in the same house as well, of course).

That means neither of my stelliums is a stellium. :\ (which is why this is not the definition I go by)

Because I have:

10H MC, Sun, Mercury, Mars (4 things… but only 2, per strictest traditional astro)

and

1H ASC, Moon, Jupiter, Uranus (4 things… but only 2, per strictest traditional astro)

And the number we want is 3.

Now, because what we are ACTUALLY MEASURING is energy, I have to ask, “Why so strict?” And, I’m reminded that a lot of the strictness came about at a time when people were specifically using astrology to disadvantage certain people while keeping those in power… in power.

When we aren’t looking for reasons to EXCLUDE people from having “powerful things” like a lot of concentrated energy in one sign/one house, I feel (and many astrologers — and app designers — feel) as though we can be a bit more generous with our definition of stellium.

So, I go with 3+ planets or luminaries in the same sign/same house (non-planetary mathematical POINTS are “bonus points” rather than THE THING that could push something over to “3 things”).

Back to me for illustration:

10H MC, Sun, Mercury, Mars (4 things… 3 planets/luminaries + 1 bonus point, therefore a stellium)

and

1H ASC, Moon, Jupiter, Uranus (4 things… 3 planets/luminaries + 1 bonus point, therefore a stellium)

Now, you’ll notice that I went outside the traditional planets with my 1H Uranus. And there’s a good argument for NOT counting an “outer” as part of a stellium.

So, I could be talked out of my 1H stellium… except for the fact that ever since my Uranus opposition (one of the more exciting/impactful midlife transits), Uranus is VERY MUCH a part of how I do my 1H doings. So… they count, IMO.

Does that help? Or give you more questions? Or both!?! 😉

Use the comments below to tell me about your chart-based concentrations of energy. Do you have a stellium?

Much love,

Bonnie Gillespie is living her dreams by helping others figure out how to live theirs. Wanna work with Bon? Start here. Thanks!