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The Grand Cross Configuration (see illustration)
The Grand Cross or Grand Square configuration is formed by four (can be more with conjunctions) planetary bodies all SQUARED (90 degrees) to each other and two pairs are OPPOSITE each other. Said another way, it is the T-Square with the missing leg filled in by the fourth planet existing as the opposite to the focal planet. (See illustration). The four 90 degree angles form the Grand Square and the two planetary oppositions form the Grand Cross.
The individual who has the this block of planets in their natal chart has the potential of feeling blocked, directionless and pulled in many directions. The Cross has a tendacy to bring the energy of indecisiveness.
Again,
like the T-Square, the Grand Cross has the characteristic of one of the
modalities: Cardinal, Fixed, and Mutable modes. A Grand Cross includes
one planet in each of the elements: Fire, Earth, Air and Water. Because
the Grand Cross is composed of Squares and Oppositions, it is an aspect
pattern that is concerned with both action (Squares) and perspective and
balance (Oppositions).
Esoterically, the Grand Cross is a 4th Harmonic aspect pattern. The number
four relates to the cross of matter; it is the number of form, and of
structure, and of the physical world. The planetary symbol for the Earth
is an equal arm cross surrounded by a circle. 
This configuration has the energy potential of building stress and tension
until it has to be released. At that point, some sort of action needs
to happen. Squares can generate the energy of feeling insecure and uncomfortable.
One can choose to look at squares as being either concrete blocks imprisoning
themselves or one can choose to consider them as building blocks to teach
and challenge one to focus on the meeting of the all the four directions,
where all directions become one within the cross.
This picture of planets, energizes through friction and brings the necessary
heat to catalyze and calcinate down to forge or hone a new form. With
this 4th harmonic aspect, related to the world of form and structure,
squares usually require some sort of physical, external act of expression.
It is up to the individual to bring that structure to form.
The action necessary is to look for that core of integration at the meeting
of all the four directions. To do this one would work strongly with energy
of the planetary pair oppositions. When the opposing planets are balanced,
then they are exerting the same amount of pressure on the planets that
they square. This creates a solid foundation. Of course, when the opposing
planets are out of balance, this structure breaks down, and the squares
take center stage again.
So we discover the core of integration by focusing on what the core issue
of the quality of the Grand Cross. Cardinal signs are concerned with identity.
Fixed signs are concerned with self worth. Mutable signs with healing
and completion. Our example is a Cardinal Cross. By identifying the quality
the Grand Cross we discern what all the four signs have in common and
are able to discover the strength of the foundation of the Cross.
CARDINAL: Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn.
Cardinal signs are all concerned with the question of identity. Aries
looks at self identity, Cancer emotional identity, Libra the social and
intellectual identity and Capricorn the actual manifestation of the identity.
Cardinal signs of the Zodiac are the action signs. They often act as initiators
and can be impulsive about their actions but at different levels. Aries,
will act this way at the SELF level, initiating anything concerning their
self. Cancer will see this expressed in the HOME ENVIRONMENT more so than
in the PUBLIC. Libra will exercise this more in the THOUGHT AND COMMUNICATION
WITH OTHERS. Capricorn will actually WORK TO SEE THE INITIATING ACTION
MANIFESTED.
The Cardinal Cross is considered expressed as an IDENTITY crisis. There
is a battle of energy between all the four planets which are trying to
each find center stage. But each of the four planets are trying to play
the same role but from different perspectives.
To illustrate it would be similar to having, Sir Laurence Olivier cast
in playing the role of Hamlet. Sir Laurence Oliver, being one of the four
planets. One of the other planets would be Robert DiNero, playing Hamlet,
and another would be Whoopi Goldberg playing Hamlet and finally the last
planet would be Minnie Mouse, playing the role of Hamlet. All four planets
involved each are trying to define the character of Hamlet in the example
above but all come a different level and perspective.
In a natal chart this is much the action of the four cardinal signs in
trying to express the definition of the individual. When a Cardinal Grand
Cross is triggered by transits or progressions, all four planets want
to take action simultaneously, and have the energy of pulling the individual
apart in all four directions. Here it is a good reminder to get in touch
with the Source or the INNER IDENTITY. When we stay focused we will have
an easier time of choosing how to channel the energy.
FIXED: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius.
Fixed signs follow the Cardinal signs, and their purpose is to sustain
and maintain what the Cardinal signs created and initiated. This is expressed
in their focus of self-worth. Fixed signs have a tendacy to resist all
outside efforts to initiate change. Cardinal signs have the impulsive
trait to deal with and Fixed signs have the stubborn trait.
When
the Fixed Cross is triggered by transits or progressions, this Grand Cross
of four planets react by digging their heels well into the dirt to resist
any of the external energy that may change the status quo. When the Fixed
Cross decides to take action, its action is much like a steamroller and
anything in its path can be flattened. It’s hard to stop the action
taken by this quad once organized and initiated.
In examining a Fixed Grand Cross, look at the planets and house that are
expressed by the Cross. This is where the self worth issue comes to focus
and can be where the Fixed Grand Cross individual will take matters personally
and look at people, places, and things actions as an attack on their own
self worth. So to suggest a personal change to a Fixed Grand Cross individual
would be met with resistance. You just would not find a Fixed Grand Cross
individual easily participating in one of the way too many reality shows
dealing with makeovers unless other factors such as trines play into it.
MUTABLE: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces.
Mutable signs are concerned with completion, re-evaluation of projects
finished, and are flexible.
Stress can have the energy influence on Mutable of scattering the energy,
disassociating or fantasizing. The biggest challenge for individuals with
a Mutable Grand Cross tends to be maintaining their focus and their ability
to concisely communicate. Mutable folks are master jugglers.
They have to keep all the planets and the house they reside in straight.
When the mutable cross is triggered, the first energy response of the
four different planets involved is to change or adapt to avoid conflict
or difficulty. It would be appropriate to respond by adjusting the energy
and approach of one of the four planets, when all four planets simultaneously
adjust, the effect is like the juggler dropping all of its ball.