Moiety

A planet was originally considered to have an “orb of influence”, much like an aura or field surrounding itself. In the case of the Sun, the field is considered between 12° to 17° distance. The moiety is half this orb and extends an equal distance before the planet and after it. If the moiety of one planet overlaps the moiety of another, by conjunction or Ptolemaic aspect, they are considered to be in aspect. Originally planets were given moieties and aspects had no orbs.