The Minor Second: Conflict

conflict, opposition, strife, struggle, confrontation Ratio: 16:15

Harsh and dissonant, this most discordant of dyads sounds like a fight. Where the Major Second is close but maintains a distance, the Minor Second is too close for comfort. These two notes are in each other’s face -- they couldn’t be closer together, and they couldn’t be farther apart.

In a casting, the Minor Second usually indicates some kind of unpleasantness. It doesn’t, however, always lead to or indicate misfortune. Sometimes confrontation is necessary and ultimately beneficial. Struggle, if navigated consciously, can sometimes lead to greater strength or insight.