Sunday 1 March 2009

Quincunx

Is it an aspect or isn't it? For most modern astrologers, it is indeed, it's just that they don't know exactly how to interpret it. It is generally considered difficult, because the planets involved have a 6th/8th house relationship and therefore it possibly signifies illness and death. For Howard Sasportas, a quincunx can behave both like a trine and an opposition. For most traditional astrologers, however the quincunx is not an aspect in the sense that planets in a quincunx or a semi-sextile relationship cannot view one another. What if we combine these two conflicting opinions?
If we start from the traditional point of view that it is not an aspect, it can be argued that its' meaning can be derived exactly from that fact. Most of the planets in our chart, and sometimes all, are connected in some way or another as they are located in signs that are sextiling, squaring, trining and opposing one another. So, this is the norm. The natural state of affairs is for every planet to be aware of every other's presence, even if an aspect cannot be formed, when the two planets are out of orb. Still, they can see every other planet. But when we have two planets 30 or 150 degrees apart, then these two are unaware of the other's presence, meaning that when each one of them acts, it cannot receive the "beneficial" or "harmful" influence of the other.
Suppose I have the Moon and Saturn in a quincunx relationship. On the face of it, this is fortunate because these two planets hate each other and even harmonious aspects cannot be considered "easy". So, I will probably be able to express my emotional nature without feeling any hindrances. However, I may forever stay an immature child, expecting my emotional needs to be met all the time, since I will lack the maturing influence of Saturn. Whatever the case, I will probably experience both the pros and cons of these two not being in aspect. But at a certain time - and that's why we should not allow large orbs - I will have a heavy transit or an important progression that will activate both these planets.
Let's say my Moon is in Aries and my Saturn in Virgo. Pluto in Capricorn will square my Moon and trine my Saturn, so I will simultaneously have Moon issues and Saturn issues in my life, something that is completely alien to me. It would probably, therefore, be much more difficult for me to combine these two energies than if I had these planets in a conventional aspect, because my Moon is not used to Saturn being present, hence "illness" and "death" in a metaphorical sense.
Howard Sasportas is also right when he says that a quincunx can behave like a trine or an opposition. The two planets may not be in aspect in the natal chart, but by secondary progression, the faster one of the two will trine or oppose the other one. Even if both are fast, trines and oppositions will be formed by the progressed to the natal positions. If both are slow, then this is a generational marker and I don't think we should be bothered, unless they receive aspects from other planets.
Anyway, I think it is an "aspect" that would repay closer study, as is the semi-sextile which has a lot in common with the quincunx.

4 comments:

  1. Great article. How would you define Moon Scorpio in the third quincunx Jupiter Gemini in the Tenth?

    I find most of the explanations off-target, but your analysis feels more accurate. Would there be an inability to integrate a sense of optimism or expansiveness in career with emotional security? The person with this aspect often *feels* that he knows when 'things are about to go south' and may brood quite heavily until this occurs.

    Now, his intuition may be spot-on OR it could be a manifestation of this aspect on a probability level. For years this person also had great difficulty accepting when things went right. If he received acknowledgement for his work (which was always excellent and usually superior to co-workers) he would dismiss it or question why others were responding in this manner.

    I've always seen the quincunx as an 'around the corner' aspect in that there seems to be great potential but in order to access that potential, one must reach indirectly or utilize non-physical means. This aspect more than any other seems to relate to the inner senses or belief systems.

    Anyway, any insight would be appreciated. Thanks!

    --Chiron

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  2. First of all, let me say something more about the quinqunx, that I did not mention in the article above. Lee Lehman, perhaps other astrologers too, points out that there is a true inconjunct (quinqunx and semi-sextile) aspect and a fake one, should we want to use these aspects. By using the traditional technique of antiscia/contrantiscia (you can look it up if you are unaware of this) Aries, for example, is indeed connected with the Virgo/Pisces axis, but not so with the Taurus/Scorpio one. Which means, that a planet in Aries is related to a planet in Virgo, but NOT with a planet in Scorpio. Still, that was not considered a new kind of aspect in traditional astrology, but it was thought to be more like a "weaker" conjunction.
    In general, I do not use inconjunct aspects in my interpretations, because I don't understand them. I only derive meaning from the fact that they are NOT aspects, as I've explained in the article. I believe in the clarity of knowledge and that when someone truly understands something, he/she can easily explain it to others. The fact that modern astrologers have repeatedly failed to convey the meaning of a quincunx speaks volumes.
    In your example, although it is always a mistake to view specific chart factors separately, I would say that what you are describing is a perfect interpretation of a Moon in Scorpio, especially if this person has a Cancer MC. The Moon is in fall in Scorpio, because it doesn't like living in the jungle, but prefers a safe environment instead. Scorpio Moon people are by nature suspicious. They cannot believe your good intentions or the kind words that you say to them, because they are always on the lookout for predators, for enemies. Every person is seen as a potential threat that can harm the individual. So, your friend listens to what others say about him and is perhaps inwardly proud of his achievements, but can't shake off the fear that everything can be lost at any moment or his innate belief that other people are NOT to be trusted as they can very well be lying. Scorpio Moon people do not know how to relax.
    Now, Jupiter in Gemini is the placement of the pessimist. Jupiter is in detriment in Gemini, a very poor placement for this planet. Whether the two planets are in actual aspect or not, it doesn't matter. Your friend would have benefited more from, say, a Jupiter in Sagittarius, to offset his Scorpio Moon. Because in that case, he would have two conflicting influences. He would still be inclined to mistrust people, but he would question this mistrust, because Jupiter in Sagittarius believes that everything happens for a reason and all will turn out well in the end. Now however, he is forced to live with a suspicious Moon and a pessimistic Jupiter.

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  3. Petros,thank you for this writing, it was a very insightful article with a lot of meaning pertaining to the quincunx and how it ultimatley plays out in an individuals life. My take on this aspect, is that it is perhaps symbolically related to Neptune and pisces(traditionally Jupiter as well) as it is a twelfth harmonic aspect, along with the semi-sextile, and pisces is the twelfth and final sign of the zodiac; could this mean that it pertains to this final cycle of growth? Maybe an aspect that allows a greater transformation of an individuals consciousness that in some way is a more intense and higher frequency of energy that calls for the combination of creative harmony(the trine) with the diversity of opposed elements (the opposition)to arrive at a synthesis of these energies and create a higher awareness only accessible through creative spiritual development. and perhaps the semi-sextile is an aspect calling for greater focus at certain junctures within the quincunxes energy field. so as to allow further growth to continue for an individual. Also, I want to add, pertaining to your take on another commentors friend having jupiter in Gemini and Moon in Scorpio, that I agree with the attributes that you described them as having in those signs; however I believe that perhaps what you are explaining are the negative expressions of those planets as they pertain to those signs; and not their positive effects when learned how to be used effectivley. I myself have Jupiter in Gemini and from experience, I have noticed that the energy of this planet can be a pessimistic one intially, becuase the details and curiousity of Gemini are being seen through the wide scope of conceptual knowlegde that Jupiter bestows one with; the big picture is seen, but has to also see many of the details as well, which will certainly cause a pessimistic attitude since so much is being paid attention to and this intellectually may overburden an individual because their focus on all details will affect them emotionally as they will seemingly lose themselves in the moment of this focus, perhaps limiting their other positive attributes for a time. I have felt many times upset and critical when reading or hearing another person speak in-depth becuase I wasn't filtering out anything that I heard; it was all absorbed in a sense and I would become overwhelmed for a time trying to sort it all out. When positive though, the big picture is seen and the technical details are also formed within this dynamic framework. As for the Moon in Scorpio, I have many water planets and Pluto in Scorpio (which of course is generational) in my birth chart. I would say that I very much feel the mistrust that you alluded to, but I also feel that things will ultimately be guided in the positive directions that I need in my life. I have sagitarrius rising, so this may add to the optimism, but even so, the depth of sub-conscious understanding that the Moon in scorpio allows would be a powerful force of knowledge that even without a greater Jupiterian balance, would be a great asset to have; that person would just have to work on acceptance of the love of life the best they are able. Plus, their are of course many other chart factors to decipher that diversify these specific energy points within an individuals given Natal chart.

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  4. Interesting...

    Quincux are hard to detect to me. I have Sun-Pluto quincux natally and it´s not easy to identify.

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