hope you're still here, zorya!
Again, *major thanks*, Minderwiz for taking the time to answer all these questions! <rounds of applause>
zorya> I don't know as much as Minderwiz, but I'll try to answer your questions the best I can..
1) Yes, even if the planets aren't *exactly* 30/60/90 etc degrees, they can still have an aspect (although if they are spot on, the influence of the aspect is stronger). The amount of lee-way you get in terms of degrees is called an orb. I can't remember exactly, but I think the breakdown is like this:
conjunction/opposition: something like 8 degrees off
squares/trines: 6-8
sextiles and other aspects:2
2) OK, so conjunct would be 0-8 degrees. Conjuncts/oppositions are the strongest aspects so they get the largest orbs.
3) Yes, 2 planets can be conjunct but in different houses or signs. However, I believe this makes the conjunction less influential. ie. you can have a stellium (a whole train of conjunctions if you will) but a stellium that's in the same sign/house is much more significant.
4) planet in sign = actor and role
planet in house = actor and genre
This is a great analogy but another one goes like this: the planets are people, the signs are the clothes they wear, the music they listen to etc and the houses are the places they like to hang out...
5) This is a complex question but in general, yes... planets in the signs or houses they rule are kind of 'where they feel at home' so to speak. To bring it back to the actor analogy, Mars in Scorpio in the 8th would be like:
Arnold Swarzeneggar (sp!) (the planet), playing a beefed up macho man (the role), in a big explosion blockbuster action film (the genre).
But of course, Arnold's shown he's capable of sucessfully doing other genres like comedy, or other roles like... an android, a pregnant male etc. Of course, I'm sure there are just some roles that Arnold wouldn't be comfortable in, that he'd have to work very hard at to make it work. Planets are like this too. ie Mars will have a harder time w/homebody Cancer than the signs it rules like action oriented Aries.
Finally, whether your planet is 'at home' or is in a tricky placement is not the end of the story. You have to see how other planets interacting w/that planet will affect it.